The Bath Magazine May 2011

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THEBATHMAGAZINE THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BATH www.thebathmagazine.co.uk

ISSUE 104 • MAY 2011 NOW AVAILABLE ON iPAD

CLASSIC MODERN THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM RE-OPENS with an Appetite for the Contemporary

BATH MUSICFEST Music, Theatre and Fringe Comes to Bath

GIFT OF ART Interview with Deirdre Dyson

HOLT - WHO GOES THERE? Some Very Good Reasons to Visit

ICE

QUEEN

Jayne Lunnon Chooses Her Tunes

NATIONAL TREASURES

PERSISTENCE OF VISION Bath’s Pioneers of Cinema

Jane Moore on the National Trust Gardens

PETER BROWN Bath’s Resident Artist Delights Again and

TOWN COUNTRY

PROPERTY The most desirable homes in and around Bath

The very best of local writing, what’s on, arts, lifestyle, property and so much more in your guide to life and living in Bath

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TALK OF THE TOWN News and views from the city

11 BIGWIG Coping with life’s burst balloons

16 INTERVIEW James Dyson’s artist wife Deirdre talks to Lindsey Harrad about the Dyson Foundation’s charity work for Bath

18 THRIVING VILLAGE Art, crafts, gardens and great food too – why Holt is worth a visit

20 FACE THE MUSIC Somerset ice cream maker Jayne Lunnon chooses her favourite tracks

24 BATH MUSIC FESTIVAL There really is something for all tastes in this year’s programme

26 WHAT’S ON Our guide to Bath’s cultural events in May

33 BEHIND THE SCENES Bath International Music Festival artistic director Joanna MacGregor talks about how she puts the festival together WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

33 34 MUSEUM REOPENS We preview the Holburne’s re-launch

36 THE ARTIST AT HOME A profile of Bath artist Peter Brown

38 GALLERY WATCH Art exhibitions and trails in Bath in May

42 FROM BATH’S PAST The two Victorians who were pioneers of early cinema in the city

68 FIT & FABULOUS What’s new on the beauty counters

72 INTERIOR STYLE Interior designer Rosalie Fiennes talks about how we can use colour in our homes

78 GARDENING Jane Moore on National Trust gardens

87 PROPERTY Enjoy 36 glossy pages of homes

44 BUSINESS News and views from the city’s business community

54 FAMILY FUN Where to take the children in Bath

Need to refer to something you have read previously? Archive copies of TBM can be viewed with the online edition on our website: www.thebathmagazine.co.uk

60 WEEKEND BREAK We travel to the sunny south coast of Cornwall to explore Porthleven

61 FOOD & DRINK A four-page celebration of local produce, fine wine and great British cooking

ON THE COVER Portrait of Sir William Holburne given a 21st century twist by the Holburne Museum

66 OUT & ABOUT A walk in the Vale of Pewsey MAY 2011

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OUR EXCLUSIVE LINGERIE BRANDS INCLUDE: Hannah Dulcie Lingerie, bespoke and limited edition collections • Stella McCartney Lingerie • Myla • Mimi Holliday • Bordelle •Lascivious • Nichole de Carle • La Perla • Studio La Perla • Damaris •Fleur of England • Princess tam.tam • Elle Macpherson Intimates 50% OFF MID SEASON SALE Join us in store for our May mid season sale with up to 50% off selected brands.

We’ll be offering our customers Champagne and Chocolates each weekend in May to celebrate new collections from La Perla, Stella McCartney, Mimi Holliday and Elle Macpherson, including Bridal ranges.

DESIGNER SWIMWEAR NOW IN Shop online at: www.hannahdulcie.co.uk

OUR BOUTIQUE 13 MILSOM PLACE BATH, BA1 1BZ TEL: 01225 489000

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EDITOR’Sletter

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hose nice people at the Holburne Museum let us in to the building, past the Closed signs, for a peek at what’s been going on while the museum has been undertaking a massive refurbishment during the last three years – including, of course, that extension.

Whatever your views of modern architecture, I defy anyone not to be impressed when they stand inside the new glass construction and gaze at treetop height through the branches back into Sydney Gardens and ahead right down the length of Great Pulteney Street. When the Holburne reopens, on 14 May, go along and see for yourself what’s been done. Entrance is going to be free and I believe the café in the new extension is going to prove a popular meeting place for locals.

Our May magazine is a bumper issue packed full of interesting bits and pieces and people too. We talk to Joanna MacGregor, the artistic director of the Bath International Music Festival about how she put this year’s wonderfully eclectic festival together (Page 33) – providing a fascinating insight to what goes on behind the scenes.

Lindsey Harrad managed to secure an interview with Deirdre Dyson, best known as the wife of inventor James Dyson, who is an artist and carpet designer and devotes not only money but a lot of time to local good causes. She talked to Lindsey about the family’s involvement in the Royal United Hospital’s new neonatal intensive care unit (Page 16).

We’ve been out and about too, on your behalf, heading out to Holt to find out about the new creative and foodie goings on there (Page 18) and Andrew Swift has devised a walk which takes us up into the hills and dales of remotest Wiltshire (Page 66). I had a lovely sunny weekend in Porthleven in Cornwall, if you can bear the journey it’s a great place to recharge the batteries (Page 60).

We’ve also produced a round-up of open gardens, a look at why the National Trust’s gardens are such a pleasure to visit and Mick Ringham went to see Jayne Lunnon, founder of Mendip Moments award-winning, ice cream to chew the cud about cows, ice cream and her favourite music.

All in all, it’s a case of eat, drink and be very merry this May.

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

THEBATHMAGAZINE Editor Email: Tel:

Georgette McCready georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk 01225 424499

Deputy Editor Email:

Samantha Ewart sam@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Contributors

Jane Moore, Mick Ringham, Andrew Swift, Amy Ryder, Clare Reddaway, Lindsey Harrad, Kathy Williams

Production Manager Jeff Osborne Email: production@thebathmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos stevem@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

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MAY 2011

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TALKofthe TOWN

My Cultural Life

BOOK OF THE MONTH Review by Georgette McCready

Escape Routes by Matt Carroll Published by Punk Publishing, price £16.95

Matt Carroll’s collection of 60 cycle rides round Britain will inspire you to take to the road, freewheeling downhill past hedgerows full of cow parsley and under wide open skies. The writer and his photographer Julian Hanton have hand-picked each ride, which range from a five-mile pootle to a full day’s riding. This is a blissfully Lycra-free approach to cycling, which encourages the rider to stop from time to time, have lunch at a pub or simply take in the scenery. None of the B&Bs, pubs or cafés have paid to be included in the book. The routes criss-cross the land, from Cornwall to Northumberland, but the author cites the eight mile journey from Freshford to Avoncliff as one of his favourites. He gives written directions along with a map and says although this is a hilly ride, ‘it’s probably the prettiest eight miles that England has to offer.’

This month we ask Karl Bevis, Learning and Participation Project Manager, Bath Festivals What’s on your MP3 player?

Queen crowned at last

E

ven the least fashionconscious when asked to name a leading British designer will be able to summon up the name of the Queen of Punk and pioneer radical cuts, Dame Vivienne Westwood. The eccentric genius is honoured at Bath’s Fashion Museum, where a green shot silk dress, pictured, from her spring/summer 2010 collection has been chosen as Dress of the Year. It was chosen by milliner Stephen Jones who said: “I studied the Dresses of the Year from Mary Quant in 1963 to Antonio Berardi in 2009 and was amazed to see that fashion doyenne Vivienne Westwood was not represented.”

The Queen has been crowned and her subjects can view her work at close quarters at the Bath & North East Somerset Council owned Fashion Museum. Bath residents with a Discovery card and holders of National Trust cards can enjoy free admission.

THEBATHMAGAZINE 2 Princes Buildings George Street Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499 Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2011 Every month The Bath Magazine is circulated free to over 20,000 selected homes and businesses in Bath and the surrounding areas.

A certificate of print and publisher’s statement are available on request.

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

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NEWS IN BRIEF X-Factor style contest for songs The judges in the hunt for the Song for Bath – who include singer and radio presenter Clare Teal – are currently sifting their way through an impressive 92 entries in the competition to find a tune that sums up our city. Organiser Paddy Doyle has arranged a first prize of £1,000 for the winner, which will be chosen in a play-off at the Forum on 2 June. We wait with bated breath to find out whether the Song for Bath will ring out across the city from the stands of the Rec whenever Bath score at home. For more details of the competition visit: www.songforbath.co.uk.

A night at the museum . . .

During the weekend of 13 and 14 May, Bath’s museums are throwing open their doors after hours for some special events.

It begins on Friday 13 May with a torch-lit event at the Roman Baths, with a talk about Bath in 100 Objects. Other treats include Behind the Scenes at the Building of Bath Collection, on Saturday 14 May from 7pm, offering a glimpse of rooms and space at the Countess of Huntingdon’s chapel that aren’t normally open to the public.

Best paws forward for walk There is still time to dig out your walking boots and the dog’s best collar to take part in the annual Wag Walk in aid of Bath’s Cats and Dogs Home. This year’s walk takes place on Sunday 8 May, leaving the animal home’s centre at Claverton Down in staggered starts from 10am. Dogs and their owners will be able to choose from a three mile and a six mile route, taking in Bath’s spectacular Skyline walk. If you don’t have a dog you can still take part, as the home can arrange for you to borrow a furry friend for the day.

For a registration pack contact the fundraising department, tel: 01225 787334.

Nothing – I still play vinyl and do not actually own a miniature music gadget. Most recent spins have been Lily Allen, Primal Scream, Chuck Berry, The Streets and early De La Soul. Just depends what I fancy at the time and whether my kids are asking for another disco. They love the gatefold Gorillaz album.

Which book are you reading?

Criminal by Caspar Walsh – he came to Bath Lit Fest, though I have only found time to pick it up properly recently.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

The Holburne opens soon so looking forward to visiting there. My kids love the mining history at Radstock Museum too, so we’ll no doubt be back there before long.

Film or play?

We have the Music Festival so plenty to see there; Billy Bragg, Umpatacum as the finale to Party in the City and The Brecht/Weill night at Komedia.

Also, Les Noces in Bath Abbey with four grand pianos on one stage – outstanding. We’re also off to the RSC for The Merchant of Venice at the new theatre in Stratford.

Your passions? What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing?

Tending my chickens. Playing my records. And constantly DIY-ing my house…

Karl’s highlights: 15 May, a gig with the By Jove project in Komedia; 30 May, Creative Sound Factory at the egg; 29 June 29 a conference for theWrite Team project, which involves me and Emma going into schools to run creative writing workshops. Then work will begin on promoting the Children’s Lit Fest.

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Hats on for Ladies Day at show

The Royal Bath & West Show has survived and grown while other agricultural shows have withered and died. Perhaps one of the reasons that it’s still such an important part of so many Bathonians’ social calendar is it’s ability to change and diversify – just like a successful farmer.

This year’s show, which runs fromWednesday 1 to Saturday 4 June, includes all the old favourites, such as the National Cheese Awards and equestrian competitions, along with new attractions. Visitors will need to be wary of Titan the giant robot roaming the showground, and may want to look away as a man standing on a 50 metre high pole starts making it sway.

Saturday sees the return of Ladies Day, when women are encouraged to dress up and make their visit into a special occasion. VIP tickets are £25, which will entitle holders to priority parking, access to a new ringside members’ bar, a goodie bag from Neal’sYard worth £26.50, and the chance to have their outfits surveyed and judged by fashion designer Gill Cockwell.

Find out more at www.bathandwest.com.

There were these three men in a pub . . . It could have been the beginning of 1,000 bad jokes (and a handful of good ones) but instead it has ended up as Still Life in Rock & Roll, a series of oil paintings, a coffee table book and a collection of songs, all to be unveiled at the Octagon in Milsom Street in June. The pub is The Bell in Walcot Street and the three men are artist Nick Cudworth, writer Matthew Zuckerman and graphic designer Still Life in Rock & Roll Peter Slucutt.

by Nick Cudworth The three started at lunchtime half a decade ago and soon the freewheeling conversations – a page from Hemingway’s moveable feast in their minds but more like Last of the Summer Wine to any casual observer – started to fuel their collective imagination.

Nick Cudworth’s life has always been mixed up with music, first as a Chuck Berry fan and then with his mate from Derby Art College, Kevin Coyne, recording three albums for John Peel’s Dandelion Records between 1969 and 1971. He then switched careers, dedicating himself to the visual arts – he has a gallery in London Street, while his portrait of Ken Loach is in the National Portrait Gallery – but music remained a recurring theme through his paintings. As for the book, Peter says: “I was determined not to have any retro stylings in the design. Ever since American Graffiti, the rock & roll of the 1950s has been stuck in a time warp, but these are contemporary paintings, new stories, 21st century songs. We’re concerned with what was timeless about the music – we’re not trying to relive some imagined golden age.”

So from The Bell to the beautiful Georgian surroundings of the Octagon Still Life In Rock & Roll brings rock & roll to life in paintings, print and performance. The exhibition is open from 10am–7pm, 31 May to 5 June, with performances daily at noon, 3pm and 6pm. For further information, tel: 0777 925 7989.

MZ

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MAY 2011

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engell bespoke jewellery shop

THEBATHMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBATH PERFECTLYCOVERED tina engell 29 belvedere, bath ba1 5hr 01225 443334

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20,000MAGAZINES PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 01225 424499

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NOTES ON A SMALL CITY

By Bigwig

CRUEL PIN

burst my balloon

H

as anyone else found that as you get older you get more stressed?

When I was young and brave I used to worry about what was round the corner. A bit. But mostly one coped with whatever came along. Lists were useful; you ticked things off and added more things on the end in a sort of on-going process of life.

Now one is older, you know what is coming, it’s the same old list, you know you’ve got to do the things on it, but being able to see the whole list stretching away into infinity you seem to worry about it more. Bow to the inevitable you say . . . but there’s so much to do I say, brow furrowing, eyes narrowing, fists clenching.

Anyway, I have at last invented a fantastic method of dealing with worry and stress. It’s a bit like the lists of yore, but more artistically satisfying. You simply draw balloons on a sheet of paper, each related in size to the perceived size of your worry. You then proceed to deal with one balloon at a time, taking the smaller ones if you are feeling fragile or tackling the big ones if you are up to it. Then you burst the balloon with a flourish of the pen and move on to the next.

Before you know it you end up with a whole page of burst balloons, with all your solved problems expressed in an attractive visual format that if pinned to your wall makes an interesting conversation piece for sympathetic visitors.

I have at last invented a ❝ fantastic method of dealing with worry and stress ❞ You have to be sure to include everything, from remembering to water your plants to Aunt Jemima’s funeral. From your inability to pay your next mortgage instalment to renewing stocks of Toilet Duck. (On my chart, the balloon for the latter was somewhat larger than the one related to the possibility of losing my home, which shows how the little things get me down.)

Anyway, my invention worked perfectly. The balloons were bursting at such a rate the deflated ones were outnumbering any new ones that were coming into view. In fact what happens is you learn to spot a new one coming and you prick it before it gets to full frightening inflation. It goes down with a pathetic hiss rather than a heart-stopping pop.

And it’s caught on. Seems everyone is using the Bigwig Anti-stress Method. I even heard them discussing it on Woman’s Hour. Though they had a fancier pseudo-scientific name for it.

I’d never felt so relaxed. Balloons were bursting in every direction. Write Christmas cards. Pop! Renew TV licence. Pop! Get bathroom tap fixed.

Pop! Pay off credit card(s) Pop! Pop! Pop! (Big ones those three) Until now. I’m sitting here looking at my balloon chart. You could say it’s nearly empty. Nestled in one corner is a tiny little blob with ‘Must write column’ etched on it. Taking up the whole of the rest of the A3 sheet is a vast, quivering man-eating jellyfish of a blimp labelled Arts Council Cuts. Yes, I’m afraid my colleagues and I have found ourselves to be victims of aforementioned dreaded Draconian measures. A big blooming balloon that came out of nowhere and which has really spoilt the party.

Needless to say, I attacked the small balloon first, so here’s my column.

But no sooner had I put pen to paper I developed a gushing nosebleed.

Hello stress, my old chum.

Has anyone got an enormous pin I could borrow by any chance? ■

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MAY 2011

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Timberland herald the arrival of summer with the arrival of its new collections for men and women in its SouthGate store

Timberland Bath: Southgate Place, Bath, BA1 1AP www.timberlandonline.co.uk 12 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Advertisement feature

T

he Timberland brand has long been associated with rugged good looks and practical style – its distinctive designs much imitated and with a worldwide band of devotees.

The stand alone Timberland shop opened in SouthGate Place at the heart of Bath’s new multimillion pound shopping centre six months ago.

And in keeping with the global brand’s ethos, the new shop was fitted out with recycled materials and LED lighting.

The first thing the visitor notices on arrival in store is the good, honest scent of leather. As befits the brand, there are ranks of sturdy boots, all built with durability in mind and suitable for all weathers and terrains.

But now that warmer weather is upon us, men in particular are faced with a dilemma of what to put on their feet. The answer is the classic, hard wearing boat shoe, which is just as much at home in the shopping mall or garden as it on board a yacht or out on the golf course. The shoe comes in different colours in full-grain, nubuck and suede and its rubber soles give it non-slip traction in all conditions. Add to that a 360 degree lacing system for individual flexibility and fit and you’ve got a masculine shoe that will see you right through the seasons.

The new range of boat shoe, the Formentor, has been designed to be water resistant. It’s designed with action in mind, allowing the wearer barefoot

comfort with confidence that the Timberland Gripstick sole will allow great traction even on slippery surfaces.

For women who ‘don’t do’ flats, there’s now a stylish range of Timberland sandals with heels in the ladies Earthkeepers range, along with a selection of airy and practical down-to-earth sandals. There is a wide range of women’s footwear for every occasion.

ENDURING: the Belle Island red pump has leather uppers and a recycled lining designed to allow the feet to breathe The Bath store also has a range of children’s Timberlands shoes so the little ones don’t feel left out. The friendly efficient staff offer expert product knowledge along with experience of the local area. The Bath store also carries a range of hiking socks and breathable waterproofs, so whatever the weather throws at us, we’ll be ready.

CLASSIC: Timberland’s boat shoes are available in fullgrain, nubuck and suede leathers

20% OFF at

START MAKING WAVES WITH AN EXCLUSIVE 20% DISCOUNT FOR READERS OF T H E B AT H M A G A Z I N E

SHOP AT THE TIMBERLAND STORE IN SOUTHGATE, BATH, AND GET 20% OFF FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES. NAME: EMAIL: TERMS & CONDITIONS

1) An introductory offer of 20% off will be given to all customers quoting code TBM20 or with a completed copy of the voucher included on this page.

2) Offer will be valid against first purchase and is available on full price product only.

3) The offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions or for online purchases.

4) Only original copies of the voucher from the May 2011 issue of The Bath Magazine will be accepted 5) Damaged, defaced and photocopied pages cannot be accepted or exchanged 6) Only one voucher can be used per transaction and must be fully completed and handed in at the time of purchase 7) Offer is available of all footwear and accessories.

WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

8) Promotion will run from 26th April – 31st May 2011 inclusively 9) This voucher is non-refundable and holds no value, it cannot be exchanged for other goods or cash 10) Offer is only available at the Timberland store, Unit 32, Southgate Place, Bath, BA1 1AP 11) All rights reserved and held by The Timberland Company © 2011

❏

Please tick here if you are happy for us to contact you via email The Timberland Company does not share customer information with any third parties.

Personal data is supplied subject to the Date Protection Act 1998. This data may be used to supply you with information about other Timberland products and special offers which may be of interest to you.

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Lunch in the garden . . . surely one of life’s great pleasures on a warm sunny day. John Lewis has all you need - and you can order everything from hanging tea light lanterns to a table and benches from: www.johnlewis.co.uk

Mention the name Biba to women of a certain age and it will evoke memories of romance, flower power and sultry patchouli scented summers. But now the 70s label has been given a fresh lease of life for a new generation to enjoy and its spring/summer collection is available at the Jollys. Daisy Lowe models a retro sun hat, £30 and cream crochet dress, £125

▲

Pretty beaded sandals from online business Amondi, based in Wiltshire just outside Bath are handmade by Kenyan women of the Masai Mara under an ethical contract. The sandals are £32.99 at www.amondi.co.uk, but quote BM01 and you will receive a ten per cent discount

MAY time Now summer is coming it’s time to embrace the great outdoors

Far be it for us to rain on your parade, so think of this as a Cath Kidston parasol, rather than an umbrella, £20, from Cath Kidston, Broad Street

▲ We love the pretty floral arrangements by Johanne Shipp, who now runs the Passion Boutique at The Loft in Bartlett Street.

A welcome addition to the city centre landscape, her summery bunches, which start at £15, are being snapped by women treating themselves and by men who understand that garage forecourt blooms just don’t cut it. This seasonal arrangement of roses, lilac in nostalgic pastel shades is available in a cream enamel bucket and can be carried home in a long handled bag provided by Passion (£45 as pictured) – and you don’t even need to add water, as that’s been done for you

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To our minds there are two kinds of gardening – the down-to-earth dirty kind where, fork in hand, you get a really good outdoor workout – and the kind where you potter about, deadheading flowers, snipping the odd unruly tendril or admiring the ripening tomatoes in the greenhouse.

For those gentle meanderings in the garden, online label Garden Divas has a range of pretty yet

practical gifts for lady gardeners.

Above, make sure your organic rows of shallots and carrots are clearly labelled with these Veggie Sticks, £7.95 per pack. And for wandering from the kitchen on a Sunday morning to gather fresh herbs for the Sunday roast, or a vase of flowers to adorn the table, there’s a pretty lavender strewn apron, £9.95, with enough room in the pockets for your favourite secateurs.

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Latest News from The Solar Power People!

Our renewable energy expert Alan Seviour on another exciting new product to hit the green energy market.

Anyone thinking of replacing a boiler this year should seriously consider the benefits of fitting an Air Source Heat Pump. It looks just like an air conditioning unit and sits outside your home drawing in the air, heating it up and then distributing it around your radiators and underfloor heating. It’s the perfect alternative to a traditional boilers as not only can this technology reduce heating bills by up to 30% but from July this year you will be able to claim annual premium payments to cover the cost of installing and running this energy efficient system. This is due to the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive or RHI which has been designed to protect us against rocketing fuel prices, create a homegrown energy resource independent of fuel imports and reduce the effects of global warming. Heat pumps are completely safe to use as there are no carbon monoxide gasses to worry about and maintenance is minimal. What I am finding is that many of our customers are now combining their heat pumps with solar electricity generation to virtually eliminate power and heating bills. This is one not to miss, so if you are thinking of changing your boiler or need more information on how the RHI can benefit you then please give me a call.

Ace Energy of Bath are MCS accredited and registered with the RHI scheme.

Please call 01225

729005

or visit www.ace-energy.net

Alan Seviour MD of Ace Energy

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THEinterview

A mother’s GIFT to hospital Artist, philanthropist and wife to the UK’s best known inventor, Deirdre Dyson unveils the painting she has created for the new Dyson Centre for babies at Bath’s Royal United Hospital. She tells Lindsey Harrad how the countryside around her home at Dodington Park inspires her work

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THEinterview

S

tanding in artist Deirdre Dyson’s large, airy studio in her home at Dodington Park, it’s hard to believe she can get any work done here. The large windows frame a tranquil and compelling English pastoral scene, and it’s difficult to stop looking out. “The views do constantly draw the eye,” she admits, “It’s like living in a Georgian stage set, it never ceases to amaze me. I could gaze out for hours if only I had the time.”

Another beautiful view in the studio is a large triptych Deirdre has painted as a focal point for the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Bath’s Royal United Hospital, which will open its doors in June providing a state-of-the-art facility for premature babies.

The painting is composed of soothing tones of pale greys, blues and greens, capturing a scene further up the valley in the Dodington estate, with the surrounding countryside and clouds reflected in the River Frome. “I discussed the subject of the painting with Feilden Clegg Bradley, the architects, and we all agreed that water would be the ideal way to convey a sense of peace and calm,” explains Deirdre.

For the last eight years, Deirdre and her husband, inventor Sir James Dyson, have been living at Dodington Park, a Georgian manor house built by James Wyatt between 1798 and 1813. Previously owned by the Codrington family, the house had been open to the public for several years, and James and Deirdre often brought their children to Dodington when they lived in nearby Acton Turville. So when the opportunity arose to buy the house and estate, they embarked on a long-term restoration project to transform it into a home fit for a modern family, and preserve the historic buildings for future generations.

As you’d expect from this creative couple, the sympathetically refurbished house and gardens strike the perfect balance between majestic and homely, while the restored chapel adjoining the main house and the vast entrance hall now provide the ideal venues for their charity events. “Every year we hold an opera evening and a musical recital, after which we present a cheque for £50,000 to a chosen charity,” explains Deirdre. But far from simply handing over the cash, Deirdre, previously a keen member of the Bath Camerata choir for many years, has more recently started to join the professionals to perform a number or two of her own. “It started as a bit of fun, but it’s absolutely thrilling for me to take part.”

as our middle child Jacob spent time in a ❝ neonatal intensive care unit as he was born prematurely, we understand what a frightening experience this can be for parents

THE DESIGNER AT HOME: Deirdre Dyson with the painting she has created for the Royal United Hospital’s new unit for babies. She was inspired by the peaceful scenery around her home near Bath

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❞

The Dysons had previously supported the Forever Friends’ Space to Grow NICU campaign with a £50,000 donation at one of their opera events, but the campaign to raise £4.7 million received a further boost last year, when the James Dyson Foundation pledged £500,000 to the project. “We wanted to support a local charity, and as our middle child Jacob spent time in a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) as he was born prematurely, we understood what a frightening experience this can be for parents,” explains Deirdre.

The James Dyson Foundation’s remit is to support design, engineering and medical research projects, and the sustainable, low carbon design of the new NICU ensured it qualified as an innovative design, making it eligible for funding. “We have lived in this area for 40 years, and we regard Bath as our home town, so we wanted to feel we had made a difference for the future of the city.”

James and Deirdre have come a long way since their days as art students – they met while studying at the Byam Shaw art school – but while James has been busy with his revolutionary domestic appliances, redesigning everything from vacuum cleaners to wheelbarrows, washing machines, hand dryers and more, Deirdre, after raising their three children, found an outlet for her creative skills in her carpet design business. She creates a collection of handmade carpet designs every year, in addition to bespoke commissions, featuring everything from butterflies to complex mosaic rugs woven in silk and wool. So where does she find the inspiration? “I just sit down with a blank piece of paper and draw,” she says. “It’s the same for my paintings, I prefer to just sit and paint what I like.”

What is life with the country’s most famous inventor like? “James has always been a lateral thinker, he has followed his own path and has a supreme confidence, it’s a very attractive quality. He has a natural understanding of how things work, which was very useful in the early days when we couldn’t afford to get people in to fix things. It took around 15 to 20 years to start making any money from the Dyson cleaners, but I would never have dreamt of telling him to get a proper job. It wouldn’t have worked anyway.”

While Dodington is the perfect showcase for Deirdre’s rug designs and paintings, her husband’s most famous creation is conspicuously absent, hidden away in the old servants’ closets, perhaps? It’s an obvious question, but I’m dying to ask, just how many Dysons do you need to keep Dodington clean? “We have a lot of prototype Dysons here,” she laughs.

“Let’s just say that there are so many I’ve lost count.”

For more information about the Space to Grow Campaign and the new Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care at the RUH, visit: www.foreverfriends.co.uk To see Deirdre’s collection of handmade carpets visit: www.deirdredyson.com. ■

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EXCURSIONholt

COURTING

success

The Wiltshire village of Holt has become a honeypot for people in search of good food, beautiful objects and the best in contemporary rural living. The Bath magazine went to investigate

Glove Factory Studios is the Glove Factory Café, which serves fresh Mediterranean-style food as well as coffee, tea and homemade cakes. In sunny weather, visitors can enjoy a light lunch sitting under the olive trees at one of the tables dotted around the stylish courtyard.

A

Award-winning chef Alex Venables and his partner Alison Warde Baptiste have been running The Toll Gate Inn for over a decade, doing a brisk trade in modern English cooking that attracts a loyal crowd of locals as well as foodies from far and wide. Now the couple have embarked on a new venture and opened Seasons, a country shop with a unique take, behind the pub.

The new shop stocks a whole range of local produce, including artisan breads, herbs, vegetables and cheese. It also has meat reared locally and fresh, caught-that-morning fish up from Brixham, delivered by the van which takes the daily deliveries to the pub. Among the foodie goodies on offer will be Mediterranean olive oil made by the Melksham-based owners of an olive farm, one of Alison’s finds when she was sourcing producers.

But what makes Seasons unique is Alex and his team. They will be on hand to offer professional advice, recipes and practical demonstrations for customers who would like to know what they can do with the produce they are buying. Shoppers can take home a goodie bag which includes prepared ingredients and one of Alex’s personal recipes for his dish of the week, whether it be Beef Wellington or his signature fish pie. As with the pub, the couple want to make Seasons part of Holt’s community.

t first glance Holt would seem to be an average sort of village, with a couple of pubs and churches, a useful shop and a popular National Trust property. But park the car and take a wander and it’s soon apparent that a quiet revolution is taking part in this corner of Wiltshire.

The last couple of years has seen the arrival of some successful and creative people in Holt, and that has brought a fresh feel to an already lively community.

THE GLOVE FACTORY SHOP The National Trust has chosen Holt to launch the first of its new look shops which provides an outlet for the work of local artists and craftspeople. Trust, as it is simply known, is a departure from the usual style of National Trust shop and is stocked with beautifully and expertly handmade homeware, jewellery, chocolate, artworks, ceramics and glass.

Shop manager Di Vickers says: “This really is something unique, we’ve brought in a lot of talent, much of it local, to exhibit and sell. Everything we sell is made in Britain, and we have some very unusual and beautiful things here.”

On show you will find contemporary, smooth stone vessels made from Bath stone by Bath-based Warwick Borsay; chocolate from Corsham-based Lick the Spoon; unusual, colourful glassware from Bradford-on-Avon’s Katie Huskie; modern, chunky jewellery by Nina Parker from Shaftesbury; and silver jewellery made by Tracey Sugg at her home in Lacock.

The shop interior is light and airy, a mix of new and old with an abundance of light and space. Suitably located in the old Glove Factory, which has recently been renovated into a creative hub, reclaimed furniture and original brickwork mix with contemporary pieces of decor and twiggy arrangements.

The Glove Factory Studios, as it is now called, is home to a number of artisan studios and small businesses. At the heart of

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THE COOKS’ COUNTRY STORE

THE ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN Full of variety and colour, the charming National Trust Courts Garden in the centre of Holt show English country style at its best. Relax in the peaceful water gardens, take in the wonderful colours of the flower borders, stroll through the arboretum and orchard and finish the afternoon with a tea and cake in the tearoom. The Courts is closed on Wednesdays. ■

THRIVING COMMUNITY: main picture, chef Alex Venables at the new Seasons fresh produce shop.

Top, inside Trust at the Glove Factory and the courtyard of the Glove Factory Studios, where visitors can enjoy lunch alfresco from the café Below: tactile smooth Bath stone bowls by Warwick Borsay at Trust

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6 Market Street Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1JH

Tel: 01225 309039 Fax: 01225 863961 www.ortondesign.com Repairs • Commissions • Antique Restoration

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FACEtheMUSIC

CREAM OF

the crop

Mick Ringham meets Jayne Lunnon, joint founder of award-winning Somerset ice cream makers Mendip Moments, who chooses her musical top ten

D

uring the days of the Persian Empire, some bright spark encountering snow for the first time, decided to pour concentrated grape juice over this rare substance and eat the sweet, frozen results. The rest, as they say, is history.

Ice cream has been enjoyed in many forms ever since.

However, during the last couple of decades, there has been a mini revolution by artisan businesses producing this tempting treat. Jayne Lunnon is a relative newcomer to the world of tubs and wafers, yet within four years of starting her own brand Mendip Moments, she has received a host of plaudits for her naturally produced ice cream; including two prestigious Gold Taste Awards which she shares with her husband Rob who is a partner in the business.

After leaving university, Jayne embarked on a career of marketing and PR, working for various national companies over a 25 year period. She says: “It was incredibly interesting and in many respects, challenging, but I have always wanted to work for myself and run my own business, although at the time I hadn’t decided what that would be.”

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Being married to a Somerset farmer helped her narrow down her options and sitting in their farmhouse kitchen one evening an idea was hatched. To add value to the milk that was already being produced, it was agreed she made some sample ice cream.

Given her marketing background, she undertook detailed research, as well as testing various flavours on friends and family. She says: “I set out to make pure natural ice cream which would complement the milk from our pedigree Holstein cows. I didn’t want artificial flavours and I was determined not to compromise on the quality of ingredients.”

Over time, her idea became a reality and grew into a true cottage industry, selling through farm shops, delicatessens and selected restaurants in the area.

Jayne has now branched into the London market, selling ice cream and sorbets to the Kensington trendies and Notting Hillbillies. This year, as last summer, she will at the Glastonbury Festival, with churnfuls of her Somerset delight being consumed by avid festival goers.

She appears to take the business in her stride, while managing an active family life with three young daughters and husband.

NATURAL APPROACH: Jayne Lunnon who runs Mendip Moments ice cream business with her farmer husband Rob

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SOUNDTRACK TO FAMILY LIFE: top, left to right: Coldplay, Fix You, Adele, Chasing Pavements and The Commitments, Mustang Sally

The business now employs three staff, who in true artisan fashion, sit around the kitchen table for lunch at the end of a busy week in the dairy.

As for Jayne’s interest in music, she admits to having had a crush on Donny Osmond and David Cassidy as a teenager.

However these days, prefers modern soul, which is played in the house on those rare occasions when she has a moment to herself. As we look out over the Somerset fields, at the cattle grazing contentedly on the lush pastures with Glastonbury Tor in the distance. I asked her if there was any truth in the old maxim, that cows enjoy music when they were being milked.

“Absolutely,” she insists, “Rob turns on Heart Radio which they seem to enjoy. He knows all the cows by name and when the mood takes him, has been known to sing to them.” As they say down here on the farm – happy cows make jolly good ice cream.

Jayne’s top ten: ● Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet It’s back to my school days for this choice. I studied music there and this was one of my set pieces. I loved it at the time and still manage to listen today, mostly for relaxation. Every Sunday the radio is switched to Classic FM and in many respects this marks the day as different to the rest of the week, so I manage to pump a little calm into what is normally a very busy house.

Rob knows all the cows by ❝ name and when the mood takes him he has been known to sing to them

❞

● Phil Collins Against All Odds I first spotted my future husband in the physics class at Frome College and I thought to myself, ‘he’s the one for me’. We both loved Phil Collins’ music and this track is rather poignant to us.

In some ways we were not a conventional couple, given the fact that Rob went into farming and I decided pursue a career in marketing, but (as the title suggests) we made our relationship work. ● Snow Patrol Chasing Cars This song reminds me of my first year in business, when I was delivering ice cream in our van to a customer. I was halfway along a narrow lane in the middle of the Somerset countryside on a glorious day, the van windows were wound down and the light summer breeze felt wonderful. This track was being played on the radio – one of those happy moments of time and place that you don’t easily forget.

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● The Commitments Mustang Sally Although I’ve listened to the original Wilson Picket recording, I still think this version is better. It’s full of vitality and energy. I first saw and heard The Commitments in the film and that led to buying the album. This track has been playing in the family car for so long now; it just wouldn’t be the same driving without it. ● Bryan Adams Summer of 69 This is great music for dancing. I’m a huge Bryan Adams fan and love his rock’n roll style. If I’ve got the radio on at home, you just might catch me dancing around the house to this. ● Coldplay Fix You It took me quite some time to get into this band, but once I did that was it. I find it very difficult to prioritise just one track from the album. I chose this track because I love the guitar work and also the harmonies. I’m looking forward to their new album which, as ever, I will be playing in the car while ferrying our daughters to and from school. ● Adele Chasing Pavements I like the whole album, but this particular track especially reminds me of my daughter’s seventh birthday. It was such a wonderful day and we took her whole party of friends tobogganing, all the kids were singing this in the car at the top of their voices, really great fun. ● Duffy Mercy The minute I heard this song I fell in love with it, in fact I went straight out and bought the CD. We had just started trading at the Glastonbury Festival and by chance saw Duffy perform. The whole experience was very exciting and special. The family are really looking forward to going back again this year. ● Robbie Williams I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen Right from the beginning of his career, I’ve been a huge fan. As always, I find it very difficult to choose just one track; however this one is from the Swing album and just makes me think of his raw talent, focus and ambition. I’m so looking forward to seeing him in concert soon. Also, Robbie really is the spitting image of my brother . . . ● Roberta Flack The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Because it’s just such a beautiful song with fabulous lyrics. This is for my husband, children and all my family. ■ Mendip Moments’s flavours include its signature recipe, marscapone, fig and honey, stem ginger and Somerset raspberry and Greek yogurt. Stockists include: Mangia Bene, St James’ Street; Chandos Deli, George Street; Neston Park Farm Shop, Atworth; Allington Farm Shop, Chippenham, and Connie’s Tea Rooms, Timsbury.

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CELBRATINGourCITY

FJ HARRIS

celebrates 190 years

One of Bath’s oldest stores reaches 190 years of trading.

We look at the history of F.J. Harris

F

. J. Harris Art Supplies are pleased to announce that 2011 marks the 190th year of trading for their family run business. In celebration of this milestone they will be holding an exhibition of staff and customer artwork.The exhibition will be held in the Octagon at Milsom Place from the 24th to the 29th of May. The business was established in 1821 on Parsonage Lane as J. Sculthorpe Carvers and Gilders by the present owner's Great, Great, Great Grandfather. It moved to Broad Street ten years later and then again in 1862 to Green Street where the business remains.

In 1895 Fredrick James Harris married Mary Ann Sculthorpe, and eventually in 1915 the shop took his name. In 1952 No 13, Green Street was purchased and has evolved into the specialist art supply shop which it is today.

2003 saw the closure of the framing side of the business and this enabled them to expand their business further in the direction of quality art materials. They now have a very comprehensive selection of floor and table easels, utilising the extra room to suit the ever increasing demand for choice.

A key element to Harris's success has always been the specialist knowledge of their staff. All of the employees are accomplished practising artists and their expertise and enthusiasm in their fields is frequently praised by customers who know that encouragement and advice are always available whatever the medium or query.

Jackie, Alex, Caroline, Ronny, Kate, and Joan all use oils in a variety of styles and subjects. Alex and Caroline are excellent portrait painters with many commissions under their belts and Caroline also works in egg tempera. Jackie expresses her love of the natural world in her landscapes and seascapes, and more recently silkscreens. Joan also paints evocative landscapes.

Ronny's work is more illustrative with fine delicate lines, whilst Kate's abstracts are intense in colour and soon to be seen in the Victoria Art Gallery. Carole is very involved in her art foundation course and producing innovative mixed media and print making pieces.

Go into Harris' and you could easily while away a happy hour or two browsing the shelves of a myriad of colours including Daler Rowney's System 3, Sennelier's oil pastels and Caran D'ache pencils, all arranged in their rainbow lines although with considerably more than the seven colours to choose from!

You could move on to the large range of Winsor & Newton,

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Daler Rownley, and Pro Arte brushes - one for every painting occasion and the many weekend projects suggested by Marabu's craft paints - have a go at silk painting or even paint your crockery!

Professionals and students alike love the wonderful choice of papers including Arches, Saunders Waterford, Bockingford and Langton watercolour, cartridge and pastel papers. Coloured card from Daler and Exaclair are also in good supply. There is also something to keep it all in as there are Mapac and Daler portfolios and folders.

A wonderful range of Daler and Winsor canvases all at half price. with an impressive range of desk and studio easels, many of which are reduced, enable work to be completed in any size from 10x10 cm up to 120 x 140cm!

When it comes to drawing and writing they are well stocked by Caran D'ache, Derwent, Faber Castell and Staedtler pens and pencils with a good range of cases to keep them in from Mapac and Jakar, and books and pads from Seawhite, Daler and Winsor to use them in!

Unison, Daler and Faber Castell pastels are enough to inspire any artist to create works of art with their wonderful array of colours, especially using the wide selection of pastel cards and papers from Canson and Sennelier.

Overall a well stocked shop! The staff are experienced, friendly and there is always a warm welcome! F. J. Harris continues to be at the heart of Bath's artistic community. As one of the many independent retailers in the city, it is part of what gives Bath it's special historic charm. â– F.J. Harris & Son, 13 Green Street, Bath, BA1 2JZ Tel: 01225 462 116 www.fjharris.com

THE ORIGINAL STORE: Left: The J. Sculthorpe store in Green Street.

Image c.1900.

Below: Congratulations from the industry

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BATHfestival

JOIN THE

party

Music lovers can choose from jazz, classical, samba, folk and rock ‘n’ roll in this year’s Bath MusicFest. Amy Ryder previews some of the highlights

T

he 2011 Bath MusicFest, which opens on 25 May, shakes up the image of classical music, and by its inclusion of crossover artists and performances, presents audiences with a diverse and exciting musical programme that the whole city can enjoy.

Over the past six years, the festival has evolved, expanded and developed under the vibrant direction of Joanna MacGregor. By commissioning original, and sometimes unexpected, music collaborations and performers, she invites a broad range of new audiences to appreciate, understand and participate in music. Featuring the most distinguished of classical musicians alongside folk, jazz and traditional artists there will be something for everyone in this inclusive and exciting festival.

Lemper grabs her audience by ❝ the throat the moment she marches into the spotlight clad in a long, black sequinned gown

❞

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EMOTIONAL: German chanteuse Ute Lemper and British saxophonist Soweto Kinch – international stars who bring their compelling sounds to Bath audiences

▲

As Joanna says: “The festival really is for everybody: for families and serious music lovers, for students and amateur performers, for those who love taking risks and finding out about new things.”

Ticket sales at the time of going to press were lively. Some events, such as the tribute to Paul Robeson by Sir Willard White, looked like being a sell-out within days of going on sale.

This year the multi-media programme explores four main themes. The Latina Heights theme promises to captivate

audiences, embracing this impulsive and energetic musical genre.

Fire in the Flint examines the Celtic influence on both traditional and modern music, and the Russian Weddings theme explores the majesty, glory and simple joy of the communities and celebrations of the Russian orthodox church.

The Songs of Freedom theme pays homage to musicians who are also political activists.

Exploring this theme is the German award-winning chanteuse, Ute Lemper. She comes to Bath in the middle of a world tour.

Her show, Last Tango in Berlin is a passionate meditation on past and present Berlin. Lemper’s repertoire features the music of from Kurt Weill, Marlene Dietrich and she is the mistress of the torchsong. Her concert, at The Forum, promises to be both powerful and memorable.

The Guardian reviewer said of her performance: “Lemper grabs her audience by the throat the moment she marches into the spotlight, clad in a long, black sequinned gown.”

Another musician with a message is saxophonist Soweto Kinch, who is coming to Komedia. Kinch’s streetwise sound addresses the issue of modern slavery and will be backed by powerful images created for the occasion.

The British godfather of unplugged punk, Bill Bragg brings his 30-years experience of singing protest songs to the festival. As he says: “You can’t change the world by singing songs, believe me, but you can offer people an alternative perspective, even on their own situations. So that’s what I’m trying to do.”

In these economically challenged times it’s a sobering thought that the festival is a registered charity which relies on the generosity and sponsorship of the local community to keep it going. The festival also has a thriving learning and participation programme designed to interact with families, musicians and young people and runs a number of free events.

For more information about the Bath MusicFest, or to find out more about how you can support the festival by becoming a Friend or Patron, visit www.bathmusicfest.org.uk. ■

Interview with festival artistic director Joanna MacGregor, Page 33

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B a t h I n te r n a t io n a l M u s ic Fe st i va l 2 01 1 Emma Halnan and Daniel King Smith Friday 3 June, 1 – 2pm Guildhall. Tickets £10 Emma Halnan and Daniel King Smith present a diverse and exciting virtuoso programme for flute and piano, performing pieces from Bach and Rachmaninov.

HALF-TERM FAMILY FUN Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Noggin the Nog (film) Saturday 28 May, 10 –11.30am The Little Theatre. Tickets £7 Revisit the 1960s black and white animations of the magical sagas of the wise king Noggin the Nog and his battle against Nogbad the Bad. This film is a half-term treat for children and a nostalgic blast from the past for parents.

FESTIVAL KNEES UP: dance the night away with a Ceilidh at the Bath Guildhall

Creative Sound Factory Saturday 28 May – Monday 30 May, performance at 7.30pm The Egg Theatre. Tickets £30 for the weekend, £5 for the performance For 12 to 18-year-olds, the Creative Sound Factory gives them the opportunity to create a piece of original music. We also get a chance to hear the finished product in a performance on the Monday night.

ENTERTAINING Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Opening Night Concert and Ceilidh Wednesday 25 May, 7pm – midnight Bath Abbey, Guildhall Banqueting Hall.

Tickets £10 – £28 Bagpipers and drummers herald the opening of this year’s Bath Music Festival from the roof of Bath Abbey, and welcome us to the opening night concert, which celebrates Celtic musical tradition with energetic Scottish reels and folksongs. Then dance the night away in the company of Ceilidh band, Hopping Mad. Party in the City Friday 27 May Join the biggest free party in Bath, from 5.30pm, with a Brazilian-inspired opening procession by local schoolchildren. Enjoy live music right through to the fireworks and an exuberant finale with samba band, Umpatacum at the Pavilion, offering you the chance to get your dancing shoes out.

Jazz Line-Up Saturday 28 May, 10 – 11.30pm Assembly Rooms, free event Relax to the elegant sounds of saxophone, piano and jazz guitar with a touch of late night jazz at the Assembly Rooms.

Kathryn Tickell and Friends Monday 30 May, 8pm Assembly Rooms. Tickets £10 – £27 Kathryn Tickell presents an uplifting evening of specially commissioned arrangements of folk tunes and new music to the sound of traditional Northumbrian pipes and fiddle.

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John Kenny Saturday 28 May, 11.30am and 3pm The Egg Theatre. Tickets £7 Another favourite with children, but an event to appeal to all ages, is John Kenny’s Sounds of the Deep, performed on the Carnyx, a mysterious Celtic instrument of gargantuan proportions.

PROVOCATIVE Noggin the Nog

There is also the chance to attend a preconcert lecture by James MacMillan on the politics of traditional music at 7pm, and a post-concert talk by Kathryn and the composers.

TRADITIONAL Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Heath Quartet and Navarra Quartet Sunday 29 May, 11 – 1pm Assembly Rooms. Tickets £10 – £23 This combination of these two youthful and gifted string quartets with the ever-popular music of Brahms and Mendelssohn.

Russian Weddings: Vows Wednesday 1 June, 7.30pm Bath Abbey. Tickets £20 Les Noces recreates the excitement of a Russian peasant wedding, and with a choir and four grand-pianos, is on a vast scale. The choir, the Arte Corale, fuse the power and drama of the Russian Othodox Church with the music of Stravinsky.

Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk The Necks Sunday 29 May, 10 – 11.45pm Guildhall. Tickets £10 The Necks’ music is a unique and dramatic sound. Combining elements from jazz, rock, ambient and avant-garde musical genres, the group’s improvisational style is original.

Soweto Kinch Quartet Monday 30 May, 8pm Komedia. Tickets £16 Sponsored by the human rights charity Liber, the pre-concert talk will serve as an introduction to Soweto’s project, The New Emancipation. Exploring slavery in the modern world, this project weaves great saxophone playing and rap with these contemporary issues.

Composer Day: Cornelius Cardew Uncovered Saturday 4 June, 11 – 1pm Assembly Rooms. Tickets £10 – £15 Fusing an education in classical music, a passion for folk and experimental composition and political activism, Cardew’s music is on the cutting edge. ■

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WHAT’Son THEATR E, C O MED Y & DANC E

FICTIONAL escapism

T HE US TINOV T HEAT RE Monmouth Street, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 448844. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Ivan and the Dogs, Thursday 5 – Saturday 7 May, 8pm Based on the extraordinary true story of Ivan Mishukov, ATC & Soho Theatre presents the spellbinding story of survival, conjuring up the streets of Moscow in the 1990s through the eyes of a child. Ivan and the Dogs won the 2009 Tinnison award for best radio play, and was nominated for the 2011 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 May, 8pm Pants on Fire’s award-winning sell-out actormusician extravaganza relocates Roman mythology to 1940s wartime Britain. Blending puppetry, projection, live original music and song, gas masks and a gramophone, Ovid’s Metamorphoses is an exploration of man’s inextricable link with nature and the universe.

Brontë at the Theatre Royal. Image: Robert Day

T HEAT RE ROYAL Sawclose, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 448844. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Evita, Monday 2 – Saturday 14 May, Monday – Wednesday, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm Bringing to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical, Evita, tells the story from her young and ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood.

Brontë, Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 May, Tuesday – Wednesday, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 2.30pm It is 1845. Branwell Brontë, brother of Charlotte, Emily and Anne, returns home in disgrace. Plagued by alcohol and drug addiction, he has been dismissed from domestic service following an affair with the mistress of the house. As their brother descends into alcoholism and insanity, bringing chaos to the household, the sisters write. Brontë evokes the real and imagined worlds of this extraordinary family, in a production in which the sisters’ fictional characters come to haunt their creators.

End, The Pitmen Painters returns to Bath with a humorous, deeply moving and timely look at art, class and politics based on a fascinating true story. In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favour of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Every day they continued to work down the mine whilst, at the same time, avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections until life and war intervened and they faded out of the headlines.

Communicating Doors, Tuesday 31 May – Saturday 4 June, Tuesday – Wednesday, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 2.30pm Alan Ayckbourn’s time-travelling comedy thriller draws cinematic inspiration from early film noir and features some of the author’s most memorable and touching comic creations. After visiting the Theatre Royal last year with Alan Ayckbourn’s latest and 74th play, Life of Riley, the Stephen Joseph Theatre Company, including Bath favourite Liza Goddard, now returns with his 46th play.

Witty, intriguing and entertaining, Communicating Doors has proved to be one of the author’s most popular works.

The Pitmen Painters, Monday 23 – Saturday 28 May, Monday – Wednesday, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday and Saturday, 2.30pm Direct from Broadway and Prior to the West 26 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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MAY 2011

Communicating Doors

The Big Smoke, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May, 8pm Inspired by the lives and works of Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath, Theatre Ad Infinitum returns to the Ustinov Studio after last year’s stunning Odyssey, to present the story of a young Canadian artist offered the chance of a lifetime – a solo exhibition at the Tate Modern. But as the artist rises to the heights of her potential, descent into madness begins.

Pedestrian, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June, 8pm Fresh from a sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe 2010, this brand new solo performance from highly-acclaimed Bristol-based performer and writer Tom Wainwright combines finely-tuned physical storytelling, breathtaking animation, a cinematic fishbowl, and an epic journey from a never-ending pedestrianised shopping precinct to the gates of heaven and back pursued by a giant fish.

M I SSION THEAT RE 32 Corn Street, Bath. For all ticket information contact the theatre on tel: 01225 428600 or visit: www.missiontheatre.co.uk

What the Butler Saw, Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm Finished shortly before Joe Orton’s death in 1967, What the Butler Saw mixes the bizarre and the commonplace to hugely comic effect.

Staying true to the tradition of classic British farce, the play contains outrageous twists and turns, mishaps and changes of fortune, coincidences and lunatic logic whilst revealing a thoroughly up-to-date take on hypocrisy, gender confusion, and the power of professionals. A top-class ensemble of Next Stage actors are making their first foray into the world of Joe Orton with this unmissable play.

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WHAT’Son

Swing a Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sunday 15 May, 7.30pm Follow the characters as they indulge in escapism from the toils of the Second World War and find themselves in an enchanted forest with dancing fairies, magical mayhem and a singing moon. This is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream but set in 1943 with stunning wartime songs ranging from Cole Porter to Bing Crosby classics.

Chris Harris presents Ally Sloper’s HalfHoliday, Friday 20 – Saturday 21 May, 7.30pm Next Stage welcomes back long-time friend Chris Harris in Ally Sloper’s Half-Holiday, a hilarious one-man show that celebrates Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and takes the form of an evening when Her Majesty is due to bestow a peerage on Ally Sloper. Music hall meets pantomime in this sidesplitting story of the first comic strip hero.

Kinesis, Thursday 26 – Saturday 28 May, 7.30pm Novato Dance Company are back with more unique choreography for this year’s annual variety dance show, Kinesis.

Audience members will be taken on a journey from east to west in dances like the Bollywood and the Irish, and from past to present with rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. Kinesis fuses the energy that they share for the art of movement into one spectacular performance.

R ONDO THEATRE St Saviours Road, Larkhall, Bath.

Box office tel: 01225 463362. www.rondotheatre.co.uk

The Foundation of Trust, Wednesday 4 – Friday 6 May, 8pm Chosen from an abundance of entries, Chris Lee’s brilliant script was the winner of The Rondo’s first National Playwriting competition. A comic and satirical look at what is currently happening to the NHS; the play is also a journey through the lives of mental health workers and their patients.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of Macbeth, Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm The F.A.H.E.T.G. Dramatic Society’s production of Macbeth should guarantee them a place in the drama finals after nine months of painstaking rehearsals. However, events conspire to ensure that everything will not be all right on the night and comedy ensues.

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A New Brain, Wednesday 18 – Saturday 21 May, 8pm; matinee: Saturday, 3pm When a frustrated children’s television composer is struck with a rare brain disorder he faces the possibility of his own mortality in the hospital with his friends, family and nurses. Gordon realises that his greatest fear is dying with his best songs still inside him; and so, from his hospital bed, they come to life in his room.

THE WR OUGHTON THEATRE King Edward’s School, North Road, Bath.

Box office tel: 01225 400295 Circus events at the Fringe

Bath Gilbert and Sullivan Society presents the Yeomen of the Guard, Wednesday 1 – Saturday 4 June, 7.30pm Love triangles abound in this tale of intrigue and betrayal set against the imposing backdrop of the Tower of London. Featuring a lovesick jailor, a young woman trapped in a marriage to an unknown man, and a jester who has lost his sense of humour, this dark comedy is the closest Gilbert and Sullivan came to grand opera.

PR IOR PAR K GARDE NS Ralph Allen Drive, Bath.

Box office tel: 0844 249 1895

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sunday 29 May, 6.30pm Take a picnic and enjoy one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies that has been delighting audiences for hundreds of years.

IC IA ARTS THE ATR E University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath.

Box office tel: 01225 386777

Victoria Melody: Northern Soul, Saturday 21 May, 7.30pm Victoria, an untrained dancer, has been travelling the dance halls and living rooms of England being taught to dance by Northern Soul’s ex-champions. Northern Soul explores the ‘soul of the north’ using film, original dance moves and a basset hound.

TH E TOV E Y H A L L Central United Reformed Church, Grove Street, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 858112

The Small Hours, Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm A thriller of international intrigue which bears all the Durbridge hallmarks of suspense, mystery and murder.

THE BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL 27 MAY – 12 JUNE

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he annual Bath Fringe Festival is a celebration of everything weird, wonderful and downright strange in the arts world. With 17 days of performances all around Bath, from landscape gardens to Komedia, or the Love Lounge to the splendorous Dutch Spiegeltent, this diverse programme of events is not to be missed.

To add to Bath’s already thriving comedy scene, this year’s festival showcases great comic talent including impressionist Rory Bremner and friends (namely Hattie Hayridge and Ian Shaw) who take to the stage in the Spiegeltent on Tuesday 31 May with their combination of side-splitting impressions and cutting political satire. The debut stand-up show from Greg Davies, Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog, has been hotly anticipated since his critically acclaimed sellout show at the Edinburgh Fringe last year.

You can catch Greg’s show at Komedia on Thursday 2 June.

Cabaret is also high on the agenda – the popular Ministry of Burlesque’s High Tease returns to Komedia on Friday 27 May with a Victorian-style cabaret of show-girls, risqué songs and camp comedy. Slightly Fat Features, a troupe of variety performers, bring a touch of the big-top to the city on Wednesday 1 June with their vaudeville cabaret show featuring heart-stopping circus stunts, comedy and live music.

Don’t forget to check out the Fringe Club events at various dates throughout the festival that promise an unforgettable, if somewhat unusual, experience.

The festival also features a packed programme of children’s events, live music and interactive workshops. You’ll find something for everyone in this fun-packed celebration of all the city has to offer. ■ For a full programme of events or to book tickets, visit: www.bathfringe.co.uk

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WHAT’Son M U SI C T HE C OAC H HOUSE

IFORD ARTS

The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath. Event is included with museum admission. www.americanmuseum.org

10 June – 13 August

Brian Golbey, Sunday 22 May, 2pm

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he Iford Arts Festival returns this summer with another great celebration of opera, jazz and the best of local musical performers, set in the stunning Peto garden at Iford Manor.

This season features some iconic operas, and these intimate in-the-round performances offer a truly atmospheric theatrical experience. From 9 – 23 July, the Iford Festival Opera will be performing Hansel and Gretel, which combines the classic fairytale with Engelbert Humperdinck’s music and guarantees that the performance will be one to remember.

The company will also be performing Handel’s Rodelinda, which includes his most famous aria, Dove sei, in addition to the Opera Della Luna production of Don Giovanni.

The music kicks off with the First Night Jazz Party on Friday 10 June which will showcase the talents of vocalist Tina May and jive and swing band The Numbers Racket. There is a strong contingent of international music styles at this year’s festival, including the award-winning She’koyokh performing Eastern European folk music on Saturday 13 August.

Outside of the festival dates, you can visit the Peto Garden from 3-4pm on specific Sundays during the summer to be entertained by some of the very best local amateur performers.

Kick up your heels, picnic on the lawn and enjoy the party atmosphere. ■

For a full programme of events visit www.ifordarts.co.uk. To book tickets, contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on tel: 01225 448844.

Early American country music in fiddle, song and yodelling. In conjunction with the Bath Americana Festival.

Bath Choral Society

B ATH AB BE Y Abbey Church Yard, Bath. Tickets from Bath Festivals Box Office on tel: 01225 463362

Mozart Requiem, Saturday 25 June, 7.30pm Bath Choral Society perform Mozart’s Requiem and Exultate Jubilate and Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna.

NO. 1 R OYAL C RES CEN T Royal Crescent, Bath. For further information tel: 01225 428126. Free entry for Discovery card holders.

Handel in Bath, Saturday 14 May, 6pm – 8pm

S T M A R Y’ S C H U R C H

London Welsh Rugby Club Choir, Saturday 7 May, 7.30pm The internationally acclaimed male voice choir led by musical director Michael Wyn Jones and joined by professional accompanist Anita D’Attellis, presents a spine-tingling concert that will leave audiences full of emotion, all in aid of the local village pre-school that is fundraising to finish its new garden and buy much-needed resources.

RICE Jazz Concert, Thursday 19 May, 7.30pm Bath-based Alzheimer’s research charity RICE presents an evening of jazz and soul to fund this year’s research products. The concert will feature prolific jazz vocalist Joan Davis and friends – a stellar line up of jazz musicians to delight any stage. Guest appearing is Byron Wallen, widely regarded as one of the most innovative and exciting trumpet players alive.

MAY 2011

One of Somerset’s leading choirs – directed by the dynamic Kate Courage – is joined by one of Cornwall’s best to sing a range of songs, from musical show-stoppers and traditional folksongs to Schubert’s moving setting of the 23rd Psalm, The Lord is My Shepherd. In sharp contrast, WorldRoots will be singing world music. All in aid of Help for Heroes.

Marshfield, near Bath. Box office tel: 01225 891258.

K OM ED I A

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Mendip Male Voice Choir with Mousehole Male Voice Choir and WorldRoots Voice, Saturday 28 May, 8pm

Enjoy an evening of exquisite music in the atmospheric surroundings of No.1 Royal Crescent with soprano Alicia Carroll, Baroque violinist Alison Townley and harpsichordist Sean Bower as they perform Handel’s Nine German Arias. In association with Museums at Night.

Westgate Street, Bath. Tickets from Komedia on tel: 0845 293 8480 and Bath Festival Box Office on tel: 01225 463362.

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C LIFT ON C ATHE DRAL Clifton Park, Bristol. Tickets £12 on the door, from Colston Hall box office on tel: 0117 922 3686 or visit: www.mendipmen.co.uk

Music director, Kate Courage

HO LY T RINI TY C HURC H Bradford on Avon. Tickets £10 available from Ex Libris bookshop in Bradford on Avon or on the door.

St John Passion, Saturday 14 May, 7pm Bradford Choral Society and orchestra present Bach’s St John Passion with a full cast of soloists.

W ILTSHI RE M USIC CE NTR E Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.

Box office tel: 01225 860100 www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk

Charles Rosen (piano), Friday 13 May, 7.30pm Distinguished American pianist, scholar, teacher and musical philosopher Charles Rosen devotes his programme to Chopin’s later piano music including the Op 62 Nocturnes, the wistful Barcarolle and the triumphant B Minor Sonata.

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WHAT’Son OTHER EV ENTS A U T H OR EV EN T

V INTAGE AND HANDM ADE FAI R

B OOK S IGNING

Bristol Grammar School, University Road, Bristol. Tickets £7 from www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/events

Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, Chipping Sodbury. Free admission. For further information visit: www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk

The Pump Rooms, Stall Street, Bath.

An Evening with Henry Olonga, Tuesday 17 May, 7pm for 7.30pm The former Zimbabwean test cricketer will be talking about his book, My Story.

M USI C AND ALE AT T HE R ACE S Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath. Tickets from £18. To book tel: 01225 424609 or visit: www.bath-racecourse.co.uk

The Bath Ales Real Ale and Jazz Festival, Friday 3 June, first race 6.25pm, last race 9.05pm

Over 35 stalls will be exhibiting fabulous textile goodies from dealers such as Donna Flower, Liz Van Hasselt, Sal’s Snippets, knitting expert Suzie Johnson, fabric designer Sarah Hardaker and the popular Clothkits.

You will also find dealers of vintage textiles, haberdashery supplies, vintage fashion and accessories.

C O ME D Y L U N C H

Enjoy a selection of fantastic local ales, as well as great beers, cider and wine available on course. As well as the exciting evening racing there will be live music to keep race goers entertained topped off with Bath’s very own Park Lane Big Band performing a selection of popular jazz, swing and blues after the racing.

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Vintage Textile Fair, Saturday 4 June, 10am – 4pm

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Woods Restaurant, Alfred Street, Bath. Cost: £30 per head including a two-course lunch and coffee. For reservations contact Woods on tel: 01225 314812

Sunday Lunch with Henning Wehn, Sunday 29 May, 1pm Enjoy a German style lunch and a new show from acclaimed comedian Henning Wehn.

Now hot property on Radio 4, Henning is continuing to thrill live audiences with his one-man show My Struggle.

Raymond Leppard, Friday 20 May, 10am – noon Acclaimed British conductor and harpsichordist Raymond Leppard, who grew up in Bath, will be signing copies of his autobiography Music Made For Me.

F ESTI VAL AND CO NCERT St Mary’s Church, Limpley Stoke. Festival events in the afternoon are free. Concert tickets cost £7.50 including a glass of wine.

Church Fundraising Festival, Saturday 21 May Enjoy flower and art displays and music from 2pm – 5pm followed by a candlelit concert in the intimate ancient church at 7pm.

B OOK L OV ER S U N IT E Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, Bath.

Tickets £14 from tel: 01225 331155

Corruption, Thursday 19 May, 7pm Enjoy food and music and listen to author China Miéville talk about the theme of corruption in his novel Embassytown.

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THE SOUND

Bath Philharmonia Orchestra is extending itself to an alfresco concert and an evening in Wells Cathedral for its fifth Summer Classics series

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his summer Bath Philharmonia is inviting people to pack their picnic hampers and chairs for a one-off concert under the stars to celebrate The American Museum’s 50th birthday.

The Bath Phil has appropriately taken Hollywood as its theme for the July concert and conductor Jason Thornton, pictured, will lead a rousing programme which includes music from Porgy and Bess, ET, The Great Escape, West Side Story, The Sound of Music and many others from much loved movies.

The audience will be able to sit on the lawns at the American Museum with views across the valley and celebrate the museum’s birthday in style.

The Hollywood night, which is supported by Wessex Water, is on Saturday 2 July, with the gates opening at 6pm and the music beginning at 8pm.

Tickets are £22 and £15 for under 18s and students.

This is the fifth year that the orchestra has performed at a series of summer classic concerts in its home city and for the first time it will be venturing out to the splendid venue of Wells Cathedral. Jason Thornton heard soprano Lisa Milne sing at the Proms in London and was so impressed he was determined to get her to come down to the south west.

She will be singing the moving Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss. This will be followed by Brahms’ A German Requiem.

The orchestra will be joined on Saturday 28 May at Wells Cathedral for what promises to be an emotional yet uplifting evening by the young, vibrant choir from the music department of Bath Spa University.

Later in the summer the Bath Phil will be back on home ground for concerts at Bath Abbey. On 4 August the orchestra will be accompanied by violinist Ruth Palmer for some Russian and Finnish passion, with Sibelius’ Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s classic Symphony No 6, Pathétique.

The season comes to a stylish close on 29 September as the orchestra presents pianist Peter Donohue playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major and the visually exciting sight of Ravel’s Left Hand Piano Concerto.

Gershwin’s evocation of romantic Paris, An American in Paris, will satisfactorily conclude the 2011 Summer Classics. ■ Tickets for Bath Philharmonia’s Summer Classics are available from Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362. The orchestra is supported by the Roper Family Charitable Trust.

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BATHfestival Amy Ryder puts her questions to Joanna MacGregor, artistic director of the Bath International Music Festival for The Bath Magazine hat is the ethos behind the festival and what is the festival hoping to achieve?

Bath Music Festival has a long and glorious 62-year-old history, so we keep the flame of tradition alive by programming core classical concerts – this year the Tokyo String Quartet, Britten Sinfonia, star virtuosi like Natalie Clein and Alina Ibragimova – alongside jazz and folk musicians, world music groups, bluegrass and more.

We’re particularly proud of our new collaborations – all our Made for Bath projects, which are unique to the festival.

W

Why is the festival good for Bath and the local community?

An international music festival of this stature – acclaimed in the press, bringing in performers from all over the world, broadcast live on the BBC – is a tremendous reflection on the cultural vibrancy of the city, and it attracts many visitors.

Major international figures from opera, jazz and folk wish to come and perform to the people of Bath.

Aside from concerts, we run talks, masterclasses and workshops

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and every year we create a huge participatory piece for hundreds of children (with Brazilian Adriano Adewale), and Party in the City has more than 2,000 local performers.

THE DIRECTOR’S

view

How is the festival put together?

My role is to ensure there’s balance throughout the programme – that there’s exciting mix of music of all kinds. About 18 months ahead, I create big themes to programme around – this year Celtic and Latin American music, Russian Orthodox culture and Songs of Freedom – then I can contact artists, composers and musicians. It’s good to be flexible, and open to suggestions, then I steer and shape the programme so it looks unified; there’s a narrative that runs through it and connects all the events.

What is the future of the festival?

Colourful, energetic, determined.

We all have a passion for Bath Music Festival, and though times are hard, we will carry on bringing the greatest musicians to Bath and working with young people; we hope to fire your imagination! ■

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MUSEUMunveiled

ART of glass The Holburne Museum opens this month after a three-year closure, revealing for the first time its dramatic new extension. Georgette McCready went to see where old meets new at the end of Great Pulteney Street

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ne of Bath’s greatest assets is the way the city meets nature – with the hills that wrap around it and the parks which bring trees up close to buildings and which enhance its very comfortable, human scale.

There is now one spot in Bath which brings that juxtaposition of the natural and manmade architecture together, and that’s on the low rise of the path through Sydney Gardens. From here, standing among the trees, you can enjoy a clear view through the big glass walls of the extension at the Holburne Museum, right through the building itself and all the way down the wide expanse of Great Pulteney Street to the heart of the city.

That new vista has been created with the monumental makeover that’s been taking place at the Holburne, and which will be fully unveiled to the waiting world on Saturday 14 May. The city has waited three years for this moment, the doors having been closed to visitors since 2008.

But the good news is that the newly extended museum will now offer free entry to visitors, which will hopefully prompt more of us to venture along to see for ourselves how the Grade I listed building has been extended. And to discover the treasures that lie within.

From the front, the Holburne maintains its classical good looks as one of Bath’s most iconic buildings, holding centre stage as viewed from the city end of Great Pulteney Street. But as visitors make their way inside the 18th century entrance to the museum, the building gives up its newest and biggest treasure, the dramatic full length new glass extension at the back.

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The extension – designed by architect Eric Parry and combining glass and specially created ceramics – brings what were once the notorious Sydney Pleasure Gardens right up to the glass, the branches of the trees creating an endless play of light, shade and movement inside. The effect is both dramatic and soothing to the eye.

The new look Holburne is subtly different from the original.

The grand cantilevered stone staircase still sweeps dramatically through the centre of the building. You absolutely can’t tell by

You absolutely can’t tell by ❝ looking that the whole staircase has been painstakingly taken apart and re-built just a few feet from its original position

❞

looking that the whole staircase has been painstakingly taken apart and re-built just a few feet from its original position, allowing visitors a clear view into the new extension.

Upstairs, the original Ballroom Gallery has had its hessian lined walls stripped and repainted a gentle aqua, while the Picture Gallery on the top floor now has the benefit of carefully filtered natural light from the two glass domes in the roof,

JUXTAPOSITION: above, the Grade I listed Holburne Museum with its 21st century addition Right, vases appear to float through the air in the new gallery Pictures by TBM

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MUSEUMunveiled which for many years were covered by ugly and cranky blinds.

What we don’t see, but will make all the difference to the preservation of the Holburne’s 2,000 plus collection, is the newly fitted light and heat control system which has been installed. Now the ceramics, silver and paintings can be seen in a light and airy context and at close hand.

The new café, which seats 50 inside and more outside in the gardens, is fed from invisible kitchens in the basement.

Everyone knows that tea and cake is one of the vital ingredients of a successful museum, and the caterers, Beluga also runs the concession and the renovated Ashmolean in Oxford. This promises to be a great venue for locals to meet for lunch or a glass of wine.

Xa Sturgis, Director of the Holburne, said: “Eric Parry’s building has surpassed all its promises. It sits beautifully in its garden setting but it’s on the inside that our building has been completely transformed. What is so exciting is how the extension has given the old building a new sense of light and space.

“Our collection has never looked so ravishing or intriguing.

I’m thrilled by our new displays which really do encourage you to look and explore and discover all kinds of wonderful things.

“Since we’ve been closed our collection has been transformed with new acquisitions and loans. We now have seven Gainsboroughs, including a stunning new loan, a portrait of his friend William Wollaston, and I really can’t think of a better place to see his work in the country. Other works have been cleaned so one of our intriguing little Brueghel paintings (we’ve got two and not many galleries can say that) can be shown after years in our stores.

“I think the single most important thing the development has delivered is new spaces for exhibitions and we couldn’t have hoped to open with a more exciting show. Our new gallery is bursting with the extraordinary collection and works of Sir Peter Blake. It’s the first time he has brought his weird and wonderful collection together with his own work and it’s both great fun and fascinating.”

The Holburne takes its name from Sir William Holburne, whose original collections inspired the museum, and so it is appropriate that Sir William’s life, work and pieces be at the heart of the new galleries. In an intimate two-level gallery, a map of Sir William’s Grand Tour of Europe shows where he picked up some of his collection, which includes porcelain pieces dating back hundreds of years, along with rare majolica and silver pieces. Because the exhibition space at the Holburne has been doubled, there is room for some of the treasures that have been stored for generations to be displayed. Some pieces have not been seen for a century, while others which were damaged years ago, have been expertly mended and cleaned.

Regulars to the Holburne over the years will know that it’s always been a great place for people watching.

Not just of the moving, live kind, but of portraits of long-dead people whose gaze still meets ours as intently as the day the painter put down his brush. Enthusiasts of 18th art will have a field day here, with pictures by Gainsborough, Stubbs and Turner, among the collection.

Anyone who enjoys the immediacy of a live sketch should make a visit to the little room on the first floor where artist in residence Karen Wallis has a display of sketches she made during the Holburne’s transformation, Particularly striking are the portraits of the men and women working on the site, including the painters, electricians and forklift drivers.

The museum relies on an army of volunteers for a wide range of tasks, from gallery guides and welcoming visitors to shop assistants. As a new season of events is launched, including concert recitals and specialised talks, the Holburne will also be looking for front of house volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering opportunities at The Holburne, contact Spencer Hancock, visitor services manager & volunteer coordinator, tel: 01225 388549 or email: s.hancock@bath.ac.uk, or register your interest at www.holburne.org/volunteer/. ■ WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

The great collectors

The Pitt family portait by Hoare

It is human nature to collect things. From earliest times people have gathered collections of items, from shells or stamps to perfume bottles or vintage cars. Perhaps it is part of our eternal struggle to impose order on a chaotic world.

The young William Holburne will almost certainly have suffered what we would now call post traumatic stress, having seen battle action with the Navy at Trafalgar at the age of 12. He then went on to serve in other military campaigns before settling in Bath. He inherited the title after his older brother was killed, also in the forces.

Self portrait of Peter Blake

William never married, neither did his sisters, who he lived with, and he devoted much of the rest of his life to the collection we enjoy today.

The first special exhibition at the Holburne, which runs until September, is by a modern collector, the artist Sir Peter Blake.

Sir Peter, the godfather of British pop art, has created a collection, A Museum for Myself, which will resonate with and inspire other collectors.

The 79-year-old has been collecting since he was a boy and this show will bring together pieces that have never been seen before. This most eclectic of exhibitions includes such diverse items as troupes of toy elephants, Victorian collage, showbiz autographs, music hall star Max Miller’s shoes and Ian Dury’s rhythm stick.

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CITYexhibition

THE ARTIST at home

Peter Brown’s new exhibition will inspire and delight says The Bath Magazine’s resident artist, Kathryn Williams

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any great artists have proclaimed, in one way or another, that you should ‘paint what you see’, and local artist Peter Brown certainly does just that. His paintings of street life or landscapes bear testament to that determination to be ‘out there’ in all weathers, putting down and recording and changing and improvising the slice of life before him.

For the next month, Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery is home to 96 new paintings, drawings, and pastels by Peter and for those who have not yet seen the exhibition and fancy a visual treat, this show is a must.

What marks him out as different from some painters in this genre is his capacity to trust his eye and not rely on the photograph to record and then paint later. This is easily detectable, as with those who place reliance on the photograph the mood and excitement is just simply missing.

He is a true successor to ❝ Sickert in his approach to ‘en plein air’ painting ❞ Painter John Eaves says: “Peter’s ability to capture light and liquid surfaces is masterly. His manipulation of paint to convey this poetry of moods goes way beyond what a photograph can convey. He is a true successor to Sickert in his approach to ‘en plein air’ painting whether in Bath or London.”

David Cobb, Peter’s painting tutor at the Bath Academy of Art (1986, foundation course), says: “Very quickly I noticed that he had a natural sense of ‘see and put’ reacting to the studio environment and also to the continuing landscape beyond the Georgian windows”.

Peter’s paintings are rich, tonally secure, and devoted to the exploration of light cast on Bath stone, wet or snowy pavements, slashing across cars, or people in movement. He has found a shorthand method of handling colour in a beguiling and intriguing way. For every motif that he explores he invests it with a quick-fire emotional response in paint which goes way beyond just making an accurate record of the event seen.

With a show of almost 100 works I was interested to know if he has a favourite. He picks out a domestic interior, pictured, of his daughter Hattie.

“Hattie drawing in the studio at night – it stayed on the easel over a period of weeks and when it was dark I returned to it over and over. It was a real labour of love. The light really 36 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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appealed to me – the black windows reflecting the room, a hint of outside from the street lighting but on the whole, at night it becomes an enclosed space; I don’t have to worry about whether I should be outside so it’s really personal.

“It’s rammed full of stuff that means load to me; Hattie and her drawing, records from student days with my wife in Manchester, the nursing chair I bought just before Edward our youngest was born and the tool box my brother gave me when I was 18 which I still use for carrying my paints in.

“Below that is the painting I did of the Thames near Pangbourne where we spent most of our childhood summers on a punt. I painted it for my Dad’s 80th. The big painting in the middle is one of the Edinburgh paintings I did in 2009. I spent three months driving up and down painting the city and found it really hard staying away from the family even in those short spells.

“The painting leans on an easel that I bought from the estate of Charles McCall who was an New English Art Club painter who died in the 90’s. He, as many NEAC painters, painted the domestic scene – his wife, house and studio. I bought it covered in his paint and love the idea that I am adding my surplus paint to his carrying on the tradition of quietly painting the everyday.

“Bits from the house find their way into the studio – kitchen roll and a table tennis bat. Of course there is painting paraphernalia everywhere – bottles of glaze medium and old box easels that are essential for my painting on the streets and the stack of empty canvases – the unpainted next show.”

Peter is a painter with huge integrity, who already, at the age of 44, has made an original contribution to the painting of urban landscapes. It’s interesting to speculate on how, over the next few years, he embraces new challenges. Whatever he does will inspire, delight, and be extraordinary. ■

LIGHT AND SHADE: main image, Hattie Drawing in the Studio at Night (February 2009) by Peter Brown; above the artist Below: Snow Over Pulteney Bridge Peter Brown’s exhibition, Bath Between the Snows, continues at the Victoria Art Gallery until 2 June

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118 venues throughout North Somerset with over 300 artists opening their homes and studios Check website for full details of venues and locations www.northsomersetarts.org.uk

NSAW11 brochures can be obtained in Tourist Information Centres, galleries, libraries, or direct from the coordinator by sending a SAE A5 (81p) to 103 Beach Road, Sand Bay, BS22 9UG t 01934 627809 e overtones@dslpipex.com

Bath from Beechen Cliff by PETER BROWN NEAC Original Oil Painting and Prints For Sale Available from The Atrium Gallery The Podium, Northgate Street, Bath, BA1 5AL 01225 443446 print@theatriumgallery.com www.atriumgallery.com

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Original Oil Painting, Framed £13,000 Size framed 1950mm x 900mm Signed Limited Edition Print £45 unframed Image size 950mm x 390mm Certificate of authenticity.

Fine Art Trade Guild Approved.

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS THE SMALL SHOW Time and Space Gallery The Avenue, Combe Down, Bath. Tel: 01225 830301

Throughout May Time and Space Gallery, though the smallest gallery in Bath, is running a really big show of small paintings. Of the original pieces by well known local artists, none measures more than 32cm. There are exquisite landscapes in oils from Sally Muir, winner of the 2010 Holburne Portrait Prize and much loved for her quirky canine paintings, plus landscapes in pastels by Al Teale, and prints from Kerrie McNeil and Alex Nash, and new, yet really surprisingly small, work from Mike Service and Sara Wales.

It is a veritable cornucopia of affordable art for the discerning collector with limited wall space. In addition, there are new pieces from jewellery designers Emma Teale and Fran Regan.

THE ART SALON Walcot Chapel Walcot Gate, Walcot Street, Bath.

20 – 22 May, 11am – 6pm

Valery Gridnev, Dancer

THE PASTEL SOCIETY Gallery LeFort Fine Art 5 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath. www.gallerylefortfineart.com

Artists Catherine Beale, Emma Rose and Madeleine Shaw will fill Walcot Chapel with a rich combination of art and music. On display will be original oils, mixed media, watercolours, sculpture and prints, complemented by live music and light refreshments. 10% of art sales will be donated to St Christopher’s School in Bristol for children with special needs.

Emma Rose, Giverny

13 May – 10 June Following the highly successful exhibition last year, 13 distinguished members of the Pastel Society return to the gallery this month for a second exhibition of stunning pieces.

FRAN WILLIAMS: HELPLESS ANGELS

THE LEGACY OF ICONS, 1956-1966 The American Museum in Britain Claverton Manor, Bath.

27 May – 5 June Bo.Lee Gallery Queen Street, Bath. www.bo-lee.co.uk

An interactive glimpse into the life and times of British and American icons. Reminisce to the sights and sounds of this lively innovative period.

16 May – 11 June A solo exhibition by Fran Williams who explores the process of paint through the themes of life, death, change and time. She uses mark-making as a code for her emotion and a story unfolds.

■ In celebration of 190 years of trading, FJ Harris & Son Art Supplies, based in Green Street, will be presenting an exhibition of artwork from customers and staff at the Octagon, Milsom Street from 24 to 29 May. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm; Sunday, 10am – 4pm.

MORE CLOUDS AND MYTHS: MONOTYPES BY LINO MANNOCCI

Larkhall Fine Art 10 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath.

14 May – 11 June

Fran Williams, Everything You Need to Know

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Italian-born contemporary printmaker, Lino Mannocci will be exhibiting his monotypes at Larkhall Fina Art. Mannocci’s work was the subject of a one-man exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge last year.

Through the most traditional medium of monotype Mannocci has found the freedom to explore the mysteries of some of the great stories of the past.

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS MIKE BERNARD: PORTOFINO TO PORT ISAAC

■ Until the end of June, local artists Berenice Gayer and Pilar Cortes Dyer will be exhibiting their paintings that explore liquid thought in Demuths Restaurant, 2 North Parade Passage, as part of Bath Fringe Visual Arts Festival.

BEAR FLAT ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS Various locations For venue information visit: www.bearflatartists.co.uk

28, 29 and 30 May, 11am – 5pm Artists working in the Bear Flat area will open their houses, garages and outbuildings and take over pubs to showcase their latest work. Work on show will include paintings, prints, ceramics, jewellery and sculpture, all available for purchase. Visitors will also be able to meet the artists and talk to them about their work as they browse around the 20 or so venues.

OUT OF ORDER Mike Bernard, Riomaggiore

Bath Fine Art 35 Gay Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 461230 www.bathfineart.com

Bath Artists’ Studios The Old Malthouse, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath.

Tel: 01225 482480 www.bathartistsstudios.co.uk

7 – 20 May

6 – 8 May

Mike Bernard’s first solo exhibition with Bath Fine Art explores ports and harbours of Italy and south west England in his familiar style.

Mike expresses the landscape and the character of sleepy harbours and bustling markets through a combination of collage and paint, using a variety of techniques, creating rich layers of abstracted forms.

An exhibition of artwork exploring pattern, repetition and rhythm in process and image. The exhibition will feature the work of three artists: Rob Ashdown, Ben Hughes and Lucy Ward. All three are interested in the repetition and routine found in every day lives and in the process of making art work. The work in the exhibition shares a rhythmic element and an emphasis on changing or disrupting repetitions.

JOAN MIRO QUIDDITY FINE ART FAIR Adam Gallery 13 John Street, Bath.

Tel: 01225 480406 www.adamgallery.com

12 – 28 May An exhibition of Joan Miró’s graphic works which coincides with the first major retrospective of his work at the Tate Modern. All the works on show are signed by Miró and are for sale.

The Archangel Hotel, Bar and Restaurant 1 King Street, Frome. For further information visit: www.archangelfrome.com

18 – 23 May, 10am – 6pm A fine art exhibition from contemporary British and European artists including those working in Wiltshire and Somerset.

Joan Miró, L’Oiseau

REGENERATION & PUSHING PAINT The Octagon Milsom Place, Bath.

18 – 22 May An exhibition featuring work from two bath artists, Karen Wood and Joe Tymkow. Both artists produce traditional pieces, which change during their construction, drawing on inspiration from industrial environments and the tangible substance of paint. Karen’s paintings, collages and graphic images exhibiting under the title of Regeneration London Olympics 2012, incorporate wasteland and bold structures inspired by urban building projects, and Joe’s paintings, exhibiting under the title of Pushing Paint, explore the physicality and aesthetic qualities of paint.

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Katherine Swinfen Eady, The Estate Road, Collato, Italy, oil on linen

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AFFORDABLE ART FAIR The Passenger Shed Temple Meads Train Station, Bristol. For further information visit: www.affordableartfair.co.uk

13 – 15 May With prices to suit all pockets, the south west’s biggest artbuying destination will open its doors this month for artlovers to get their hands on a fresh new range of contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography and original prints priced between £50 and £4,000.

Fleur Deakin, Blush, at the Smithson Gallery Over 55 galleries from all over the UK will be exhibiting, with a particularly strong representation of local south west artists. With the diversity and choice of art available, everyone is guaranteed to find something to suit their personal taste and budget – making the Affordable Art Fair the one-stop shop for beginning and developing an art collection that’s as individual as you are.

■ Claverton Art Fair will be held on Sunday 29 May at Claverton Down Community Hall from 10am – 4pm. The fair provides a great opportunity to view new works by local artists who study with David Chandler alongside paintings and greeting cards.

GALLERY ARTISTS Beaux Arts 12 – 13 York Street, Bath.

Tel: 01225 464850 www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

16 May – 11 June Cornish artist Nicola Bealing returns to the gallery with her humorous and vibrant paintings which will be displayed alongside new ceramic animal sculptures

by Nick Mackman and ceramics by Eddie Curtis.

Eddie Curtis, Container

JANEK SCHAEFER: THE CHANGING ROOM

ICIA Art Space 1 University of Bath, Claverton, Bath.

Until 17 June Janek Schaefer is a sound artist, musician and composer. As the Olympics approach, Schaefer explores the University’s Sports Training Village via his camera lens and microphones to create a mixed-media installation that responds to ICIA’s 2011 theme set in play.

■ The annual Newbridge Arts Trail will once again provide the chance for local artists to showcase their work this month as they open their homes and studios to the public. On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May, from 10am ro 4pm, more than 20 artists living in Newbridge and Weston will exhibit a diverse range of work and offer an insight into their creative processes. A printed trail map showing all locations can be downloaded online at: www.newbridgeartstrail.co.uk

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MORE CLOUDS AND MYTHS Monotypes by Lino Mannocci EXHIBITION Saturday May 14th until Saturday June 11th

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CITYarchive

THE FATHERS of cinema Clare Reddaway looks into the story of a pair of Victorian inventors in Bath who were leaders in the early development of cinematography but who never made a penny from their creation

B

ath does not immediately spring to mind as the British equivalent of Hollywood, yet a plaque in the heart of the city claims that Hollywood’s most famous industry was invented right here. The plaque in New Bond Street Place was erected to ‘Perpetuate the name and memory of John Arthur Roebuck Rudge and William Friese-Greene Kinematography can be attributed to the labours of these two citizens of Bath where this wonderful invention undoubtedly received its birth.’ Is this grandiloquent statement really true?

William Friese-Greene is a glorious and rather tragic example of a Victorian inventor. Born William Green in Bristol in 1855, he added to his surname when he married his wife, Helena Friese. He learnt his trade as an apprentice to a photographer, when photography was a new and booming industry. FrieseGreene moved to Bath in 1874 and opened his own studio at 34 Gay Street.

MOVING PICTURES: images courtesy of British Pathé Ltd. Watch the showreel, The FrieseGreene Story online at: www.british pathe.co.uk DIED PENNILESS: William FrieseGreene, left, who devoted his life to the invention of film but did not live to see his pioneering research become a mass entertainment.

Top right, the plaque in Bath which pays tribute to FrieseGreene and Rudge’s work, courtesy of Dan Brown at Bath in Time

an elderly lady was so perturbed ❝ by the sight of a young girl’s moving head that she rushed at the screen and poked the girl with her umbrella

❞

By all accounts, Friese-Greene was a handsome man with bright blue eyes, dark hair and a great deal of charm, which might be why his portrait business was a success. He soon had a second studio in Bristol and one in Plymouth. Then he met the man whose invention triggered the obsession which would dominate his life.

John Arthur Roebuck Rudge was tall and gaunt with a long red beard. He was a well-known figure in Bath. He put on magic lantern shows, but he was a scientific instrument maker by profession and prolific inventor. Rudge was the first man to 42 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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introduce electric light to Bath, outside a pub in Southgate Street, and was also the first to bring X-rays to the city.

However, it was the invention that Rudge called his Biophantoscope that interested Friese-Greene.

The Biophantoscope was a magic lantern, standing 18 inches high. It looked like a lighthouse with a seven-sided gallery around the top. Each side of the gallery held a glass lantern slide, and each slide showed one stage of a movement such as a face changing from sulks to smiles. When the seven plates were moved past the lens of the lantern in rapid succession the photographs projected on the screen gave the illusion of movement.

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CITYarchive Friese-Greene was thrilled when he saw this machine, and immediately started working with Rudge to improve it. They played with trick photography, having a man take off his head and hold it under his arm. The body belonged to Rudge, the head to Friese-Greene. They showed these ‘moving pictures’ at Friese-Greene’s studio, where an elderly lady was so perturbed by the sight of a young girl’s moving head that she rushed at the screen and poked the girl with her umbrella. When she discovered the girl was not real she fainted in fright.

For Friese-Greene the Biophantoscope was not enough. What he wanted was to make a record of real movement as it occurred, and that would need to be much faster than the Biophantoscope. He felt he’d gone as far as he could with Rudge. In 1888, he moved to London, opened a number of studios and started inventing. He realised that glass plates were impractical for a motion picture camera, and began to experiment with oiled paper and rolls of celluloid.

In January 1889 he took his latest camera, a box about a foot square with a handle at the side, to Hyde Park. There he exposed 20 feet of film of his cousin Alf hurrying towards him with his three-year-old son Bert.

Friese-Greene developed the homemade celluloid and when he projected the results, became the first man in history to witness moving pictures on a screen.

However, the cost of developing his cameras and his own chaotic attitude to business affairs were to prove catastrophic for Friese-Greene. He went bankrupt and had to sell everything, including the patent for his camera. He was sued for debt and spent some time in prison. Meanwhile, by 1895 commercial

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moving pictures were starting up, led not by Friese-Greene but

by Thomas Edison and the Lumiere brothers. A law case against Edison in New York in 1910 used Friese-Greene to testify to his prior invention, but although the case broke Edison’s monopoly of film production it did nothing to help Friese-Greene.

Friese-Greene continued to invent throughout his life, taking out over 70 patents. Latterly, he became interested in colour film. However this failed to provide any money, and after he was made bankrupt again, his second wife left him. He collapsed and died at a meeting of film distributors in 1921. In his purse was 1s 10d, all the money that he had: the price of a cinema ticket.

The film industry paid for a lavish funeral including a wreath in the shape of a cinema screen with The End picked out in purple flowers. And at the hour of his funeral all the cinemas in Britain halted their films and held a two-minute silent tribute.

A film about Friese-Greene’s life, The Magic Box, was produced in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain. Friese-Greene’s son Claude continued to develop his father’s work on colour photography.

His films of Britain in the 1920s were recently shown on the BBC. Film historians are divided about the real contribution to film that Friese-Greene made. Others were working on similar projects at much the same time, and their inventions were the precursors of the modern movie camera. However, there is no doubt that Friese-Greene was a significant and brilliant figure in early photographic invention. And indeed that the spark of his inspiration was lit by Rudge, here in Bath. ■

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BUSINESSnews

Property specialists make new home in city centre Property consultants Carter Jonas, which specialises in residential, commercial and rural properties, has opened new offices just off Queen Square in Bath.

Carter Jonas, which has a network of 30 offices nationwide and employs 550 partners and staff, has completed makeover of a five-storey Grade 1 listed building in Wood Street. The offices, now home to 25 staff, used to be occupied by the Bristol & West Building Society but has been empty for about nine years.

Carter Jonas partner Philip Marshall, who heads the Bath office, said the team was delighted to be opening after five months of extensive refurbishment work. He said: “We have all our services under one roof, including all our residential properties under the leadership of head

Accolade for vet Alasdair Hotston Moore, one of Bath’s leading surgeons for animals, has been nominated for the Pet Plan Vet of the Year awards.

Alasdair, pictured, of the Bath Veterinary Group, is head of referrals at Rosemary Lodge Hospital. He is one of the country’s leading surgeons in keyhole surgery.

He said: “It’s lovely to be nominated for this award especially because the nominations come from the clients. I am always touched by the thank you cards we get. To get official recognition for the Vet of the Year awards is the cherry on the cake.” His colleague, Alex Gough, was nominated last year and Rosemary Lodge Hospital holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ highest accreditation.

Helping families out Sharp Family Law, a family law firm with offices in Bath and Bristol, has expanded its legal team. Clare Webb, pictured, a specialist family lawyer, will represent clients who are experiencing family and marital disputes. She aims to help clients reach early resolution of issues and avoid the prolonged conflict of court proceedings.

“The ability to help those going through one of the most difficult and emotional times in their lives is of great significance to me. I want them to feel comforted that in me they have a lawyer who will respect them, listen to what they say and act in their best interest. Above all I want my client to come out of the process with their head held high and with a result that they and their family as a whole can accept and live with.”

Clare can be contacted on tel: 01225 448955 or by email clare@sharpfamilylaw.com

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of residential sales David Mackenzie and associate Patrick Brady who will join the company on May 24.

“There has been a lot of planning and a lot of hard work but we feel we have the right location in one of the most attractive cities in the country and we guarantee the people of Bath and across the west country the best kind of service.”

Philip, a specialist in commercial property, deals with investment, retail, office, restaurant and hotel property, as well as development, and heads the commercial team.

Partner Kit Harding specialises in rural agency including country houses, farms, estates and development land.

Kit has lived and worked in the area for more than 30 years and is well known for his auctioneering skills.

Philip Marshall of Carter Jonas

Going back to the Swinging Sixties

LATEST BUZZ

Widen your social circle There is life after work, and one way of meeting new people is to attend one of the regular Butterfly Nights in Bath. Not a singles or dating group, Butterfly Nights instead allows people to meet each other in an informal atmosphere and to make new friends. The next evening is on Thursday 7 May and the theme is Fizz and Fun. The fizz, which includes a glass of bubbly, starts at 7pm, while the fun goes on as late as you wish. To find out more information or to book a place on the guestlist for £10, email: life@planbe.co.uk.

BATH BUSINESS news & views

A round up of achievements and events from the city’s business community

Those cool cats at Dyrham Park are planning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the house and parklands opening to visitors by paying tribute to the fabulous 1960s. Staff have set up a 60s office in the house based on the workspace of the first administrator John Kenworthy-Brown, complete with archives and music from the era.

On June 15, the actual anniversary of the estate being opened by the National Trust, Dyrham will host a 60s themed garden party with fancy dress, music and games. Groovy, man, as those early visitors would say.

The nostalgic trips back in time are just part of Dyrham’s anniversary celebrations.

The National Trust’s director Dame Fiona Reynolds was joined by John KenworthyBrown, property administrator for Dyrham back in 1961; Anne Bowring from Portishead, the longest serving volunteer at Dyrham Park, and Peter Miller, chairman of Dyrham & Hinton Parish Council. Each planted a Robinia tree on the Stable Court lawn.

Children from Pucklechurch School also attended along with staff and volunteers who have worked at Dyrham over the last 50 years.

The star of TV and cinema, Dyrham will pop up on our screens again this spring in an episode of the BBC’s Doctor Who series.

Bank manager enjoys traditional customer service Jo Tayler has been appointed new account support manager at Handelsbanken in Bath, bringing with her 15 years’ experience of working in banking in the area, gained at a major UK clearing bank.

Handelsbanken is an international bank, founded in Stockholm in 1871. It now has a presence in more than 20 countries and has expanded in the UK over recent years, now numbering 97 branches.

Commenting on her appointment Jo said: “I’m really looking forward to working as part of a team and to helping provide traditional old style banking to businesses and private individuals in the area.”

TEAM WORK: Jo Tayler, who has joined Handelsbanken, Bath

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Important Changes to

PENSION BENEFITS

MAKING A SPLASH: Kim and Michel Marcer, the new owners of Ripples Bath, are toasted by Iain McKinlay, Hansgrohe’s MD and Roger Kyme, the chief executive of Ripples Ltd

Magic touch makes launch sparkle Guests at the opening of the newly refurbished Ripples bathroom showroom in Bath were given the red carpet treatment as they were invited to join the party to launch the London Road premises. More than 100 guests enjoyed cocktails and entertainment from a magician as they explored the new showroom.

Although Ripples has been in Bath for more than 20 years, the local business will now be run by husband and wife team Kim and Michel Marcer.

Kim worked in the showroom 17 years ago and now the proud parents of three children, the couple have added the outlet to their achievements.

Theatre’s new director cast Laurence Boswell, pictured, one of the country’s leading directors, has been appointed as the new artistic director for the Ustinov Studio theatre in Bath.

He comes to Bath with an impressive CV, which includes directing the award-wining Ben Elton drama Popcorn in the West End, along with other big names, including Madonna, Jake Gykenhall, Matt Damon and Eddie Izzard. He has also been associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The first season to be put on under Laurence’s regime will be autumn/winter 2011. The plays featured are: Don’t Fool With Love

by Calderon, Iphigenia by Goethe and The Second Surprise of Love

by Marivaux – all in new translations.

There is also news from the Ustinov’s neighbour, the egg, which

T

here is no longer a requirement to purchase an annuity, although many people may still choose to do so as this remains one of the most secure methods of guaranteeing an income in retirement. If you choose not to purchase an annuity, the new methods of drawing an income from your Pension Fund are called Capped and Flexible Drawdown.

• Capped Drawdown This is a method of drawing an income directly from your fund from age 55 and throughout your retirement. Your funds will remain invested and you or your adviser will manage your investment strategy. Income is available to you up to a certain level, which is lower than the previous limit, but it is expected to be in line with the income you could receive from an annuity.

• Flexible Drawdown

has launched a new creative learning programme, thanks to National Lottery grants and part funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council. As part of the Schools Without Walls project 27 children from St Andrew’s School in Julian Road, Bath, will learn at the egg instead of their usual classrooms for seven weeks. This will allow them to study their usual subjects but with an extra emphasis on the performing arts.

Based on the universal truth that a happy workplace is in need of a well stocked stationery cupboard, Bath’s stationery monitors might want to make a beeline for Tinc in Little SouthGate.

The new shop is a magpie’s nest of brightly coloured gadgets and gizmos for the home and office. It has been set up by Bath residents Jos and Heli Baker, inspired by their four children’s insatiable desire for collectable stationery. Tinc is also available to order online from 15 May at: www.tinc.uk.com.

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Roger Perry from Monahans Financial Services Ltd explains the recent changes in how pension benefits are received

This is similar to a capped drawdown, but there are no limits on the amount of income you can take. It is only available if you have a guaranteed income of at least £20,000 per annum from other sources such as a state pension, an annuity or final salary pension.

• Are there any changes to the lump sum that is available?

A tax free lump sum of up to 25% of your fund value is still available and previously you needed to take this by age 75, otherwise you would lose your entitlement. Now it is possible to take your lump sum at any time from age 55, with no upper age limit.

Contact Roger on 01225 785570, email him at roger.perry@monahans-fsl.co.uk or visit Monahans website for further information on this subject. www.monahans-fsl.co.uk

Monahans Financial Services Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

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A DVERTOR IA L FEAT U R E

The Royal Wedding: Did they or didn’t they sign a Prenup?

By Clare Webb, Sharp Family Law: Bath & Bristol Divorce Solicitors - helping separating and divorcing clients, who want to avoid prolonged conflict

being enforceable in the courts. In 2010, however, the Supreme Court made a ruling which changed how prenups would be treated.

The landmark court case involved a German heiress, Ms Radmacher and a French Banker, Mr Granatino. Prior to their marriage in 1998, they entered into a prenuptial agreement.

When their marriage broke down in 2006, and divorce proceedings were instigated, Granatino attempted to go behind the financial agreement detailed in the prenup insisting that he was entitled to more than the financial share he had originally agreed to.

By a majority of eight to one, the Supreme Court justices concluded that in the right case such agreements can have decisive or compelling weight and that "it will be natural to infer that parties entering into agreements will intend that effect be given to them".

prenuptial agreements to the last minute.

Instead, a couple must ensure that they each receive independent legal advice in good time before the wedding. If left too late then one side could argue that they suffered emotional pressure to enter into the agreement.

Of course there are those who remain sceptical of prenuptial agreements claiming that they take the romance out of what should be an entirely romantic experience and perhaps they are right; prenups are not for everyone.

However, those who have an eye on the ‘bigger picture’ and who want to avoid prolonged conflict for the family if their marriage should breakdown may wish to consider a prenup.

Who might benefit from a prenup? s Prince William and Princess Kate bask in the early days of marital bliss we can only wonder what preparatory work was carried out in the run up to what was undoubtedly the wedding of the year if not the decade.

A

Radmacher and Granatino involved a substantial fortune. Prince William is a future King of England and possible heir to the Queen's estate which, according to The Times Rich List 2010, is worth £290 million. So, are prenups only for the rich and famous?

From a specialist family lawyer’s point of view, one can only assume that, at some stage, William and Kate must have considered whether they should enter into a prenuptial agreement. After all, Kate is a 'commoner' marrying into Royalty and the Royals are no strangers to marital breakdowns.

At Sharp Family Law we see prenups being particularly useful to families wanting to pass wealth down the generations. Potential gifts or inheritance received during the marriage can be ring-fenced. Prenups can also be highly appropriate in second marriages where wealth accrued prior to the marriage can be protected.

What is a prenup?

From our offices in Bristol and Bath, our aim is to limit where possible the negative impact that marital disputes issues can have upon a family.

We see clients contemplating marriage for a second time, anxious not to repeat the trauma of divorce and financial separation. By entering into a prenuptial agreement, they may be able to protect their future financial wellbeing as well as their children’s inheritance.

A prenuptial agreement is a formal written agreement entered into by an engaged couple prior to their marriage. It commonly records what should happen to the financial affairs of the couple should the marriage breakdown irretrievably.

Are prenups enforceable?

When should a prenup be entered into?

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Care must be taken not to leave preparation of

For further information on prenups contact Clare Webb at Sharp Family Law on 01225448955.

sharp F A M I LY L A W Sharp Family Law: Helping clients to reach solutions 3 Miles’s Buildings, Bath, BA1 2QS, UK email: clare@sharpfamilylaw.com m: 07766 107527 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com

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Putting Clients First We believe the difference between a good Investment Manager and an average one lies in an ability to deliver outstanding investment performance whilst doing so in a transparent and cost effective manner. At Arjent, we keep our processes simple and our lines of communication open. Furthermore, our pricing is fair and clear. All charges are quoted in advance and are designed to be easy to understand. With us, there are no hidden fees.

Building an Investment Strategy Around You School and tuition fees, new home, mortgage payments, starting a family and retirement; with so many demands on your financial resources it can be difficult to save for the expected and unexpected. This is why your Investment Manager will take the time to get to know you, assessing your needs, investment requirements and attitude to risk before making their recommendations. We take a proactive approach to the ever changing investment industry by presenting you with new opportunities and giving you more variety and choice.

Tailored Investment Opportunities Our experience and expertise enables us to offer you access to a broad range of individual and collective investments, including: • • •

UK & International equities Fixed income investments from gilts to corporate bonds Alternative Investments such as hedge funds

You can take advantage of our services either on an Advisory Dealing basis or as part of a Managed Service.

INVESTMENT Dealing | Advice | Management

If you would like more information on how Arjent can help you with your investment needs please contact Nikky Briggs on 0117 370 8210 or briggs@arjent.co.uk www.arjent.co.uk Arjent Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount you invested.

Not all investments will be suitable to all investors. Registered office: Arjent Limited, 25 Christopher St, London, EC2A 2BS. Registered in England No. 4077864.

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TAXmatters

ADV ERT OR I AL F EATURE

New Head of Tax Richardson Swift appoints Jon Miles as their new head of tax.

R

ichardson Swift is delighted to announce that Jon Miles has joined them as their new head of tax. Mike Richardson and Derek Swift have known Jon for many years and were delighted to be able to secure his appointment to strengthen their tax division.

Jon says “this is a fantastic opportunity for me to really develop the tax consultancy service as I have joined a firm that puts tax at the forefront of everything that they do, and it enables me to expand on the consultancy services that I have been delivering as an independent tax consultant over the past year.”

If you are thinking of selling your business in the next few years and want to minimise the tax liability for all stakeholders then please talk to us to help you plan in advance.

Corporation tax R&D Tax credits The full rate of corporation tax is being gradually reduced to 23% over the next three years, starting with a drop to 26% from 6 April 2011. Whilst this may not appear to be

The first full Coalition Budget has just taken place and Jon is taking this opportunity to comment specifically on some of the announcements that he believes will be of particular interest to entrepreneurs and ambitious business owners.

Entrepreneurs relief Business owners can now benefit from the unexpected increase in the lifetime limit of £10m. This should mean that most gains made should now attract the favourable 10% capital gains tax rate when a small or medium business is sold, unless broadly the total capital gains made by each stakeholder exceeds £10m. Therefore, it is now even more critical that all stakeholders plan ahead in advance of a potential sale to Jon Miles ensure that they meet the relevant qualifying conditions, otherwise considerable tax could be lost to the relevant for small businesses it will have a Exchequer. One of the key barriers to the reduced impact where two or more relief is where certain minority shareholders “associated” companies exist. Prior to the fail to own the requisite percentage of voting change, where for example two associated shares over a required period of time leading companies existed, each £1 of taxable profits up to a sale. over £150,000 in either company suffered a higher marginal rate of tax than will now As an aside, although the income tax rules apply. for furnished holiday letting businesses are changing (from 6 April 2011 losses can now Also, subject to final legislation, the only be used against future profits from the question of whether or not companies are same lettings and from 6 April 2012 the “associated” in the first place should hopefully minimum letting requirements increase) these become a more pragmatic and commercial businesses can currently still qualify for exercise following proposals made prior to the Entrepreneurs Relief if certain conditions are Budget. met.

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All of this particularly means where multiple family owned businesses exist or are being considered, it is worth reviewing the overall structure to assess the likely tax impact and consider profit extraction options.

Since the introduction of R&D tax reliefs for companies, some of the rules have been relaxed.Any company can potentially qualify if it has undertaken qualifying R&D. The trend started by the previous Government whereby the amount of enhanced relief available was increased, has been continued by the Coalition.In particular for SME’s any qualifying expenditure after 1 April 2011 is effectively doubled, resulting in extra tax deductions or potentially “cashback” from the Government.

We have knowledge and experience of how the HMRC R&D specialist office operates and what they require to demonstrate that an activity qualifies and the type and amount of expenditure that they are likely to accept.

Let us hope that many of the Budget measures will help to kick-start a recovery for business, and in turn reward owners and investors alike.

Richardson Swift is well placed to help companies looking to grow from the start up phase or where established entrepreneurial business owners have regained some confidence and are now looking for that next opportunity.

Please contact your usual contact or Jon on 01225 325580 or email him jm@richardsonswift.co.uk

www.richardsonswift.co.uk 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL 01225 325 580 MAY 2011

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THE PEUGEOT RCZ

a car to be seen in Jeff Osborne enjoys the attention as he takes the good looking Peugeot RCZ out for a test drive around North Somerset

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rom my mispent youth I have fond memories of racing Peugeot 205 GTi away from lights and since then Peugeot hasn’t been noted for making an interesting performance car, but that has now changed.

In much the same way that Audi’s original TT put some fizz into the workaday A3 and the VW Scirrocco added a sporty feel to VW, Peugeot’s RCZ sports coupé is based on the 308 hatchback, but any dullness has been surgically removed.

There’s much to admire about the RCZ when just looking at the vehicle. Stand behind the car, let your eyes trail over its muscular rear and up towards the low-slung roof and they’ll come to rest on the cute coupé’s deliciously voluptuous back window – two perfect curves of glass merging seemlessly with the twin humps of the roof. This is the ‘double bubble’, the RCZ’s wow feature, and for the wavering purchaser it’s a dealsealer.

Are its nifty looks deceptive? I ❝ drove the 1.6 turbo (200bhp) and found it a great car to drive, with top speed of 146mph you cannot help smile to yourself as you overtake vehicles so easily

❞

Between the equally feline taillights with LED illumination, is a neat signature panel bearing the Peugeot lion and discrete naming. A strip of high-level brake lights separates this from the Active Rear Spoiler, which rises out of the bodywork in two stages. At speeds above 53mph it raises by 19-degrees and at 96mph the angle is increased to 34-degrees. Alternatively, the spoiler can be activated to the second position from within the cabin.

The Peugeot RCZ is described as a saloon coupe, and as a saloon, it has quite a substantial boot. Lifting the lid reveals a luggage space with a capacity of 321-litres (measured with the VDA method and not liquid). This is impressive enough but with the rear seats folded, the capacity increases to 639-litres enough for suitcases and golf clubs. On the downside, the RCZ is blessed with two vestigial back seats which have as much in common with actual seats as your coccyx does with a usable tail.

The RCZ’s quality is something Peugeot can be rightly proud of. The dashboard has a lavish soft-touch covering, and all the plastics and trim have a premium look and feel. The majority of its controls work with slinky precision, too. The visibility is also surprising good, with large wing mirrors in internal mirror Are its nifty looks deceptive? I drove the 1.6 turbo (200bhp) with the engine jointly developed with Mini/BMW, and found it a great car to drive, with top speed of 146mph and 0-60 in 7.6 seconds you cannot help smile to yourself as you pass vehicles so easily. The RCZ is exceptionally clean and precise. It steered neatly, cornered keenly and did’t roll much even when the tyres start to protest. However, you have to put up with a rather jiggly ride. It had a very tight 6 speed gear box and once I hit the accelerator at any speed in any gear the engine picked up instantly. It will return nearly 40mpg and has CO2 emissions of 159g/km. Also available in the RCZ range is a less powerful 156bhp turbocharged petrol unit and a 163bhp diesel.

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Entry Sport models have sports seats, dual-zone airconditioning, alloy wheels, full electronic stability control, an MP3-compatible CD/radio, USB port and rear parking sensors.

GT cars add leather upholstery, electric heated seats, front parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers and larger alloy wheels.

The RCZ is priced between the Audi TT and the VW Scirocco, and we suspect its stylish looks and classy interior will make it a much sought-after car. Therefore, resale values should be stronger than those of any other Peugeot. What’s more, running costs will be more akin to those of a family hatchback than an exotic coupe The RCZ’s quality is something Peugeot can be rightly proud of and I’m sure if you purchase one you will certainly have to get used to pedestrians freezing on zebra crossings, oncoming traffic veering off course and policemen fumble for their camera phones. The RCZ looks like nothing else on the road. ■

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Main Image: The Peugeot RCZ on location at Thornbury Castle Hotel.

Special thanks to Peugeot dealer Robins and Day in Bristol for providing the test car and to Thornbury Castle (Von Essen Hotels) for allowing us the use of their beautiful gardens. Picture by TBM.

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FAMILYfun Duckling at Slimbridge Wetland Centre

MAYTIME fun

Lost and Found at the egg theatre

A round-up of activities and events for all the family to join in this month

QUACKING FUN

Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. For further information contact tel: 01453 891900

Land Rover Safari, Every weekend, 11am & 2pm Go out into the reserve in the company of an expert warden and enjoy views of the wild birds that live on the banks of the Severn – all from the comfort of a seat in the covered trailer. Book tours on arrival. Adults £5, children £3.

Downy Duckling Days, Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June Join a duckling tour, take part in arts and crafts and follow a treasure hunt to learn about ducks, nests, eggs and ducklings.

FAMILY THEATRE

The egg, Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath.

Box office tel: 01225 448844 www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Snowplay, Wednesday 4 – Sunday 8 May, Wednesday, 1pm; Thursday and Friday, 10am & 1pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11.30am & 3pm Imagine if one day winter decided to come and stay at your house. You would have icicles in the bathroom and a snowman in your kitchen.

That’s what happens in this interactive show where you can play with all types of snow, snowmen, ice and snowballs. Suitable for ages 3 to 6 years.

Lost and Found, Wednesday 11 – Sunday 15 May, contact theatre for times Travelling Light teams up with Polka Children’s Theatre to create an enchanting new show based on the award-winning book by the popular 54 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers. Lost and Found is a heart-warming tale of adventure, bravery, and true love. Suitable for ages 1 – 7 years.

Rip Fold Scrunch, Monday 23 May, 10am & 1pm Join Rip, Fold and Scrunch as they journey into the multicoloured world of friendship, with the help of some magical paper creations. Half Moon’s enchanting new show fuses theatre, Kathak dance and live music within a paper world. After the performance audience members are invited join the performers and experiment with paper – ripping, folding and scrunching their own creations. Suitable for ages 2 – 5 years.

The Way Back Home, Tuesday 31 – Wednesday 1 June, 11.30am & 3pm One day a boy finds a plane in his cupboard. He flies his plane higher and higher until he runs out of petrol and lands on the moon. He is frightened, lost and alone until a passing Martian lands there too. This exciting adventure has been created by the team behind the hit shows Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and The Night Before Christmas. Suitable for ages 3+.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 880220 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Forest Fun, Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 June, 10.30am – 4pm Follow the trail to explore, create, build and imagine your way around Westonbirt. You can also make your own games with natural materials.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Sessions held in Bathford Parish Hall, Bathford.

For further information visit: www.toddlerworkshop.co.uk or contact Amy on tel: 01225 852889

Toddler Workshop, Tuesdays, 9.30am – 10.30am or 10.45am – 11.45am ; Thursdays, 9.30am – 10.30am A lively medley of dance, drama, music and movement for toddlers and pre-school children aged 18 months +. Imaginative sessions designed to encourage and develop children’s creativity, language and expression. Unusual themes, interesting props, fun songs and music bring stories to life. Now booking for summer term.

EAST ASIAN ACTIVITIES

Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464 640

Museums at Night: Handling Session, Saturday 14 May, 5pm – 7pm Drop in and learn more about some of the museum’s objects and take a closer look at the museum’s handling collection.

Japanese Blossom Workshop at the Assembly Rooms, Tuesday 31 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3.30pm Join the museum in celebrating the Japanese Blossom Festival by making origami cherry blossoms to stick to the museum’s trees.

KIDS STUFF

American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath. www.americanmuseum.org

Hollywood Puppets, Thursday 2 June, 1pm – 4pm Get creative in this fun craft activity.

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FAMILYfun FAMILY SHOW

DROP-IN ACTIVITY

DISCOVER SCIENCE

The Wiggles, Friday 3 June, 1pm and 4pm

Regally Framed, Sunday 1 & Monday 2 May, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm

Toddler Takeover – Come Rain or Shine, Friday 6 May

The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol. Box office tel: 0844 372 7272 www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk

The Wiggles celebrate their 20th birthday with twenty years of hits such as Hot Potato, Fruit Salad, Rock A Bye Your Bear and Toot Too Chugga Chugga and more audience favourites.

Join Jeff, Anthony, Murray and Sam as well as Wiggly friends Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus for this spectacular production. Don’t miss the fun.

BIOLOGICAL EXPLORATION Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol.

For further information tel: 0117 974 7300 or visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Fashion Museum, Bennett Street, Bath. www.museumofcostume.co.uk

Explore At-Bristol, Harbourside, Bristol.

Tel: 0845 345 1235 www.at-bristol.org.uk

ART CLUB

Create a majestic photo frame.

Victoria Art gallery, Pulteney Bridge, Bath. £3.75 per child in advance. Must be booked on tel: 01225 477244

A day of activities especially for the under fives.

Spot twinkly stars with the Little Stars Planetarium show and go on an imaginative adventure with storytelling. Little fingers can get creative with lots of crafts activities and even more explorative play. This month’s theme is the splashy and sunny world of weather.

Spots and Stripes, Thursday 2 June, 10.30am – noon and 1.30pm – 3pm Visit the exhibition and create a piece of spotty and stripy art. For 3 to 7 year-olds.

LOVE YOUR MUSEUM

The Roman Baths, Stall Street, Bath.

WOW! Biodiversity Week, Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 May As part of Bristol Zoo’s commitment to UN International Day of Biological Diversity on 22 May they are putting on a series of special displays which will involve plants, fresh water ecology and insects. Displays will take place throughout the week from 10am – 4pm and join in interactive sessions and talks between 1pm and 3pm each day, which will include tours of the gardens.

A Night at the Roman Baths, Friday 13 May, 6.30pm – 9pm See the baths in torch light and find out about Bath in 100 Objects.

Top of the Pops, Monday 30 May – Friday 3 June 10am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm Vote for your favourite object in the museum and make a 3D model of the goddess Minerva.

Splash away at Explore At-Bristol

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Curtain Up Theatre Schools 01761 239185 www.curtainup.biz

Summer School Children 8- 16 years old 25th-29th July or 15th -19th August

Sing, dance and act your way through the most exciting week of your summer!

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Curtain Up; a part time theatre school for kids aged 6-17 interested in the wonderful world of performing arts, allowing them to discover themselves and their potential through performance. Covering the three essentials of musical theatre, acting, dancing and singing, weekly sessions are held on Saturday mornings at St Gregory’s Catholic College, Bath or Friday afternoons at Stonar School, Atworth.

Weekly sessions run parallel to school term dates whilst during the summer holidays the children create outstanding musical theatre productions during week long workshops.

Catering for the children's individual needs, the staff at Curtain Up look after them in a unique way giving them access to a hugely diverse range of material. With a bank of memorable performances and invitations to appear alongside local schools & amateur dramatic groups to West End top performers such as Sir Ian McKellen and Connie Fisher, Curtain Up is an eye-opening learning experience and great fun for young enthusiasts or for those who simply need to find confidence in themselves. Locally our students regularly win festivals, whilst others can be seen around the UK in stage, television and film roles.

Optional exams all have a 100% pass rate with over 120 children recently achieving superb LAMDA results and older students moving on to receive awards & scholarships for the UK’s top schools of Acting.

For further information and details of our free trial sessions, please contact Tristan or Sarah Carter.

01761 239185

admin@curtainup.biz • www.curtainup.biz

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Are you hosting International students?

We are currently looking for caring hosts who can welcome one or more students aged 13 – 18 in Bath during June, July and August.

Please contact Tom and Verna Sutton on 07771 279608 or email bathelacacc@hotmail.com

Accredited by the VACATIONS

www.elac.co.uk

Eight Calder House Poets Published Eight poems written by dyslexic pupils from Calder House are to be published in a new collection of poetry by some of the region’s most talented young writers. The 150 page collection is called Poetry Express and features work by budding poets from 14 different schools in the South and South West. Calder House’s pupils wrote their poems as part of an English project organised by Head of English, Mrs Devereux.

“It’s fantastic that the talent and creativity of our pupils is being recognised in this way,” says Mrs Devereux. “It’s another great example of how, with the right support and encouragement, being dyslexic need not be a barrier to creative writing. Our pupils’ fantastic essays, poems and stories prove this – again and again and again!”

And this isn’t the only example of dyslexic pupils from Calder House achieving literary success! Recently another pupil from the school reached the final of a national story-writing competition judged by former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.

“The success of our pupils just goes to show what young dyslexic writers can achieve,” says Andrew Day, Calder House’s head teacher. “Anyone who still thinks dyslexics can’t write had better think again.”

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WEEKENDbreak

A HOLIDAY HAVEN Georgette McCready heads for the fresh air, clifftop walks and good, fresh food on the South Cornish coast, for a weekend in Porthleven

W

hen you go away with friends for a weekend you run the risk of roughing it in a holiday cottage that’s got a small, damp bathroom, saggy beds and a kitchen where you’d be pushed to do more than make a sandwich.

This has been our experience of staying in holiday homes over the years, so all four of us were delighted to arrive at our Cornish home from home, which had two modern, fresh bathrooms, Egyptian cotton bed linen and a kitchen equipped with a set of sharp knives, a dishwasher and enough cutlery and crockery for a dinner party. There was even Sky TV in the sitting room. All this was in a converted fisherman’s loft set in a quiet courtyard just a few paces from the harbour in the village of Porthleven.

After our first night’s comfortable sleep in our warm, clean and stylish bolthole we set out on foot to explore.

Perhaps it’s because the village has managed to retain a small but active fishing fleet that it lacks the airs and graces of Padstow, neither is it tainted with the Kiss Me Quick atmosphere that pervades Looe in high summer. The harbour walls, built in Napoleonic times, provide the ideal distance for a lazy promenade, with the chance to window shop in the handful of art galleries, including the old lifeboat house, now a contemporary gallery where you don’t have to spend a fortune to pick up something beautifully designed.

We were also delighted to find that there’s free parking all weekend long right on the harbourside – and how many places can you find that?

A glance in the estate agents’ windows revealed that property prices down here are reasonable, although as our friends observed, this part of Cornwall requires people settling here to be enterprising, hard working and largely self-employed.

The sun was shining and the tides perfectly co-incided with our wanting to paddle on the sandy beach just a minute’s walk round the corner from the harbour. Children were happily splashing in the shallows, and as the the tide came in, two boys were engaged in the age-old fruitless task of trying to stop the waves destroying their sandcastle.

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From Porthleven the coast path east takes you to Praa Sands four miles beyond, with views across St Michael’s Bay, while heading west eventually takes you down to Britain’s most southerly mainland point, the Lizard.

In the early evening we strolled round to the Ship Inn at the other side of the harbour before picking up supper, a takeaway of fresh fish and chips which we ate in the cottage courtyard with knives and forks and a glass of wine. It was all very laidback and enjoyable.

We were lucky enough to be in Porthleven for the annual food festival, presided over by celebrity chef Anthony Worrall Thompson, so we had the chance to browse among the stalls and buy Hope’s fresh baked artisan bread, a large slice of unpasteurised Cheddar, some olives and fresh tomatoes – all of which became a very fine picnic lunch the next day when we walked the cliff path from the Lizard round to Kynance Cove.

Families were playing and picnicking on the beach while we sprawled on the grass above the rocks and had our lunch, finishing with coffee and creamy Cornish ice cream from the café. It had been, we all agreed, the perfect getaway-from-it-all weekend. ■ Porthleven Holiday Cottages, tel: 01326 574270 or visit the website: www.porthlevencottages.co.uk. 3 Jerboa is £520 for a week in May, £600 in June and rising to £895 in July and August. Porthleven Holiday Cottages’ parent company is Top Group, whose head, Trevor Osborne lives in Combe Hay near Bath, but who also enjoys a holiday home in Porthleven.

SHELTERED HAVEN: main picture, the harbour at Porthleven Right, the spotless interior of 3 Jerboa, which sleeps four

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VENI vidi VINO

British Fine Wine - Surely not!

by Richard Lecoche

O

ne of the wine industry’s major assets is its ability to unite so many different nations under one roof. But let’s not forget we are Brits, and we do love to celebrate our independence every once in a while. In recent years we have therefore transformed from a nation of wine importers (not that there’s anything wrong with that) into a nation of very promising wine producers.

Though it is still widely thought that the vine was introduced by the Romans and that winemaking was extremely popular amongst the monks of Norman Britain, winemaking for general sale has only really flourished on home soils over the last 50 years. A very nice chap called Ray Barrington Brock first introduced Muller-Thurgau and Seyval Blanc grapes to the UK following extensive research in the 1950s and from this point on English winemaking has gone from strength to strength.

Especially popular today are wines made from the traditional Champagne grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with bottle fermented sparkling wines becoming a real growth industry. And the future looks bright as increasing global temperatures transform the plains of Southern England into our very own Champagne, Loire and Alsace region equivalents.

Two of the very best local producers are Camel Valley from the sundrenched hills of Bodmin, Cornwall, and Kenton Estate, whose vines have ideal ‘terroir’ on the West side of Devon’s beautiful Exe Estuary, nestling into the foothills of the Haldon Hills.

Indeed, Camel Valley’s delicious sparkling Vintage Brut is a Gold Medal winner at the International Wine Challenge Awards, where it outscored over 250 Champagnes in blind tasting! Kenton’s Bacchus grape is also thriving in the climate of the Exe Estuary, resulting in a wine with a soft floral palate and plenty of fresh, ripe fruit (similar to a Loire Sancerre in style).

The Bath Magazine readers can taste the best of the west in English Wine Week from 28 May to 4 June at Great Western Wine’s shop in Bath, culminating in a free tasting on Saturday 4th June (12-4pm), where you’ll have the opportunity to meet Matthew Bernstein, owner and winemaker at Kenton Vineyards. For more information visit: www.greatwesternwine.co.uk/events. ■

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The Bath Arms Longleat, Horningsham. Tel: 0844 815 0099

REVIEW

FEEDING body

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here once groups of bucolic farmworkers in smocks supped jugs of cider, now gathered on the terrace of this handsome village pub are parties of modern workers, slaking their thirst after a hard day’s labour tending not lambs but the lions, monkeys and wolves of Longleat.

The Bath Arms stands on the very edge of the Longleat Estate, and as you enter the old entrance hall, a mounted silk embroidered aristocratic jacket on the wall serves as a reminder of the historic links between Lord Bath and the local inn. And while The Bath Arms does still serve as a watering hole for locals, offering good, British food such as ribeye beef and chips in the bar, it is also increasingly attracting customers who come in search of something out of the ordinary.

If you’ve had a hard time at work I would recommend you head down to the deep, deep peace of the countryside to nurture body and soul. The Bath Arms’ motto is ‘quirky luxury’ and this, along with excellent service, is exactly what you get.

It prides itself on sourcing as many of its ingredients from as close as possible to the Longleat estate and lists its suppliers on its website. The current seasonal menu for dinner offers two courses for £24.50, or three for £29.50. A bottle of velvety French Merlot Grenache (£18.50) provided the perfect foil to our choices. After ordering over a pre-dinner drink on the sunny terrace, we were led through to the candlelit restaurant, which is overseen by a portrait of the flamboyant Lord Bath. I couldn’t help feeling he’d approve of the decor, which is country house meets boho chic.

The meal begins in fine style with a cheeky amuse bouche, a tiny but perfect cup of steaming hot, creamy smoked haddock chowder. It is this kind of attention to detail that makes The Bath Arms stand out. My starter of Capricorn goats cheese on warm brioche with generous spoonful of tomato chutney was a very superior kind of cheese on toast. Simples, as that wretched meerkat would say. I had to greedily sample John’s fillet of red mullet with fennel salad and saffron vinaigrette which was both fishy but subtle too.

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& soul

and cooking with wild garlic (it’s free and tasty) I chose chicken breast wrapped in wild garlic leaves, sitting on a light broth and studded with curious but tasty potato balls. Again, a simple but spot on combination, with the aesthetically pleasing contrast between the white meat of the chicken and the dark green leaf on the outside.

the meal begins in fine style with ❝ a cheeky amuse bouche, a tiny but perfect cup of steaming hot creamy smoked haddock chowder

❞

John stuck to British tradition to cheerfully chomp his way through a tender medium rare piece of sirloin of Ashdale beef which had been aged for 28 days, with a dash of parsnip puree.

We shared a dish of chips and one of greens, both faultless.

While we were contemplating our state of replete pleasure, we were entertained by Sasha, a waitress, talking enthusiastically to other diners about this being the first night of the new menu. She approved my choice of pudding, three varieties of homemade ice cream and a sorbet and we both raved about the raisin flavour.

Dinner ended with a dramatic flourish. A small inlaid wooden box was placed before us and two shot glasses were filled with Godminster’s organic rhubarb vodka. Inside the box was a pair of truffles embedded with mouth-tingling popping candy. We agreed this trippy experience verged on the sinfully pleasurable.

If you can stretch to staying the night at The Bath Arms, do. A double room for two is £180. The 15 beautifully designed rooms each have a theme. Waking up in the exotic Flashman suite to the sound of birdsong in the woods outside was sublime. Body and soul were united and restored. ■ GMc

A CALL TO ARMS: The Bath Arms at Horningsham on the Longleat estate, where visitors can dine in the bar or chandelier-hung restaurant under the smiling gaze of Lord Bath. Bottom photo, no two rooms are the same

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GUYERS HOUSE

Come to the Restaurant at Guyers House Hotel The food is divine - the gardens are glorious!

Come and lunch or dine in this lovely setting in a restaurant surrounded by six acres of roses, lawns, herbaceous borders, flowering shrubs and ponds with white and pink water lilies. A garden written up in publications like Country House magazine and visited by garden societies and groups each year.

The Restaurant has acquired a high reputation for cooking and service and you can lunch or dine inside or out - weather permitting.

Afterwards relax and enjoy the surroundings, play croquet or stroll through the garden.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Reservations: 01249 713399 Guyers House Hotel & Restaurant, Pickwick, Corsham Wiltshire SN13 0PS E: enquiries@guyershouse.com

W: www.guyershouse.com (Guyers House, at Corsham, is between Bath and Chippenham and is signed directly off the A4 opposite the B3109 Bradford on Avon turning)

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FOOD&DRINK

60s icon goes on the road This summer look out for a distinctive pastel-pretty VW camper van selling ice cream at festivals across the south west.

Behind the cones of The Split Screen Ice Cream Company, pictured, is company founder and former Bath schoolboy, Dan Dimbleby, who got into food after a career in television.

He said: “The last series I produced and directed was a series called Build a New Life in the Country. We followed four couples as they made massive changes to their careers and lifestyles, meanwhile I was there flogging my guts out, running up and down the country filming.”

It was in 2009 that the idea for the business was conceived.

“We were in Cornwall and saw a Mr Whippy van on the beach, with a load of people queuing. I turned

Enjoy Sam-time The amiable head chef at the Priory Hotel, Sam Moody, pictured, will be hosting a lunch and demonstration on Tuesday 10 May, starting at noon. Sam will be sharing his enthusiasm for food and his passion to create great menus.

As a protegé of Michael Caines at sister hotel Gidleigh Park, Sam has developed his own style at the Priory and is now confident to open his world and is stepping out of his kitchen and into the limelight.

The event is £50 per person and includes two course lunch with glass of wine. Call the Priory on 01225 478388 to book.

to my partner Aimee and said: “Wouldn’t it be great if we could offer an alternative?”

Split Screen, which is a camper van nickname, was used as an ice cream van in Germany during the 1960s. It has been restored it to its former glory.

Dan and Aimee sell Marshfield ice cream, 100% fruit juice lollies from the Real Nice organic company, as well as ice cream cookie sandwiches made from Aimee’s recipe. For more information, visit www.splitscreenicecream.com.

Picture by Kate Southall

Let them eat cake . . . one of the friendliest new places to enjoy meeting friends for a coffee is the Java Coffee House in Kingsmead Square, Bath. One of the things that makes it stand out is its excellent homemade cake. Pictured is a slice of Red Velvet cake, a four layered moist, mildly chocolately sponge with a rosy hue, sandwiched together with creamy white frosting. For those without a sweet tooth Java also makes generously filled sandwiches and baguettes.

A Cotswold smokehouse got in touch with us recently to tell us about its newly launched Pimms gravadlax, which it believes is the first of its kind in the world.

Coln Valley Smokehouse, which supplies Henley Regatta and Cheltenham races, has created the marinade of Pimms, orange juice and mint in time. It’s available from £4.49 for 100g from: www.simplysalmon.co.uk

■

TASTE and the

TABLE Morsels from Bath’s food & drink scene

New kids on the block The latest arrivals on the Bath eating scene are a family-friendly chain that’s open all day, a wine bar and restaurant with a sunny terrace and a small but already popular independent café which also serves interesting and unusual salads to take away.

Pictured left are the founders of Giraffe, Andrew Jacobs with husband and wife team Juliette and Russel Joffe outside the new restaurant in SouthGate, when they attended the opening party. Right, is the new Tramshed in Walcot serving good Mediterranean food.

Sam’s Kitchen, nearby in Walcot Street is only big enough for a dozen or so but it’s worth squeezing in for the outstanding daily dishes by the two chefs.

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A culinary treat

S

anjeev Kapoor is nothing short of a worldwide culinary phenomenon. By no means a household name in Britain, in his native India he is the creator of a 24-hour TV cookery channel based in Mumbai, his website receives almost a million hits a day, and he recently appeared on CNN as one of the top five celebrity chefs in the world. His latest book Mastering The Art of Indian Cooking looks to be his biggest seller yet.

Kapoor brings his skills to Bath on Tuesday 24 May, when he presents a talk and tastings evening from 7.45pm, at Topping and Company Booksellers. This will see him demonstrating a selection from some of 500-plus recipes in his latest book. This will be an evening of illuminating food ideas from an acknowledged master of Indian cuisine.

Topping and Company Booksellers, The Paragon, Bath. Tickets are £6/5, with ticket price redeemable against the book.

Thomas Clayton

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Pan Fried Gurnard with Bouillabaisse Sauce & Mussels ®

Est. 1980

Highly recommended by food Guides and critics Recipient of

www.rajpoot.com

for three consecutive years as the best in South West and one of the 10 best in Britain OPEN DAILY including Holidays 12-2.30pm and 6pm to 11pm Friday and Saturday till 11.30pm

SPECIAL LUNCH £8.25

Alex Venables, chef-proprietor of the award-winning Tollgate Inn at Holt has chosen line-caught gurnard – a sustainable fish which, he says, deserves to be better known – for this early summer supper party dish, with a French accent. He says: “Gurnard has plenty of meat on it and tastes like wild sea bass. Ours comes from Flying Fish in Cornwall, who will be delivering daily to our new pub shop Seasons. The dish also includes a classic salade Niçoise with eggs laid by our own hens, and local Fussels’ rape seed oil.”

(Monday to Friday)

Ingredients:

4 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA Tel: 01225 466833 / 464758

www.rajpoot.com

Serves 2 For the Niçoise salad 4 new potatoes, cooked and sliced into 1cm slices 120g fine French beans, cooked 2 little gem lettuce 4 plum tomatoes 2 free range hens eggs, boiled just past soft egg stage 40g anchovy fillets, drained 10 black olives, stoned Fussels rape seed oil For the bouillabaisse sauce 60g finely chopped onions 4 cloves garlic 1 small glass of white wine ½ glass white wine vinegar 1 tin of chopped tomatoes One pint fish stock A good handful of mussels 4 fillets of gurnard scaled and pin boned Butter for frying Fresh parmesan & rocket to garnish

Method: 1 Prepare the salad. Boil eggs for 6 minutes, refresh in cold water, drain and shell. Cut eggs into quarters, tear the lettuce leaves, and quarter the tomatoes. Place the eggs, lettuce and tomatoes in a large bowl and add beans, new potatoes, anchovies and olives. Dress with a drizzle of Fussels oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, season. Mix well.

2 Lightly fry the onion on a low heat until soft, then add the garlic and cook until soft (do not let it brown ). Add the vinegar, increase the heat a little and reduce this liquid by half. Now pour in the white wine and reduce by half again. Stir in the fish stock and chopped tomatoes, and simmer for about 30 mins. To finish add the mussels and a little oil.

3 Heat the butter and rapeseed oil in a pan and gently fry the gurnard fillets until firm to the touch, about four minutes on each side. Place a good handful of Niçoise salad on a plate, top with the gurnard, place the mussels around the plate and drizzle with the bouillabaisse sauce.

Finish with rocket and parmesan shavings.

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OUT&ABOUT

FEELING on top of the world

Andrew Swift goes into the heart of rural Wiltshire for a walk that’s good for the heart and lungs as well as lifting the spirits

T

his month we head to deepest – and highest – Wiltshire.

The first part of the walk follows the escarpment above the Vale of Pewsey – and, even for a county not short on superb panoramas, the views from here on a clear day are magnificent. The second part of the walk, by contrast, exchanges majesty for mystery, as we head deep into downland, along ancient tracks and through woods carpeted with bluebells, to discover the site of a lost village and a defensive ditch dug around 1500 years ago.

In terms of access, the first part, on close-cropped turf and with no stiles, is easy. True, it does involve a climb, but it is ideal for anyone looking for a spot of gentle exercise – and one of the finest views in southern England. A there-and-back walk along the escarpment is a maximum of 2.5 miles, although obviously it can be much shorter. The terrain in the second part is more varied, with some rough ground and several stiles, including two

Below you, at the foot of the ❝ downs, a green lane, lined by trees, heads towards distant farm buildings

❞

laced with barbed wire.

First there is the matter of a 30 mile drive from Bath. Head for Devizes and continue eastward along the London Road (A361, signposted to Swindon and Marlborough). A mile and a half out of Devizes (just after passing a Lidl store), turn right at a roundabout onto the Horton Road (signposted to Allington, Horton and Bishops Cannings). Carry on along this road for five 66 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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miles, and, when you reach the T junction at Alton Barnes, turn left (following a signpost to Marlborough, Pewsey and Wilcot) to climb past the Alton Barnes White Horse. A mile and a quarter after the junction – shortly after the road levels out – turn into a small car park on the right (there are no signs for it, so you will need to keep a look out) (SU115638).

Head south (away from the road) along an old drove road.

After 100 metres, go through a gate on the left and follow the path uphill. Just before reaching the next gate, the view over the Vale of Pewsey opens up before you (SU118637).

There are two gates here – go through the one on the right (with a Mid Wilts Way sign) and carry on uphill, past gorse and old hawthorns sculpted by the wind, to arrive at an even more stunning viewpoint. Below you, at the foot of the downs, a green lane, lined by trees, heads towards distant farm buildings. Far off, the town of Pewsey can be seen glinting in the sunlight. Carry on along the escarpment and go through another gate, keeping the hedge on your left (SU128638). After 500 metres, go through another gate (SU133639), heading towards woodland, this time keeping the hedge on your right. After 500 metres, you will come to a signpost , where you bear left, heading towards a gateway at the corner of the wood (SU138642).

Go through the gateway and follow a track to the right, alongside the wood, which, at this time of year, is carpeted with bluebells. Follow the track as it curves left around the field and cross a stile on the right. Head down through prehistoric ramparts – with similar earthworks visible on the opposite hillside – towards a gate at the bottom of the field (SU142645).

Turn left along a bridleway and follow it as it curves to the right, ignoring a footpath carrying straight on into a field.

After 1,100 metres, just after entering a wood, look for two yellow arrows painted on the remains of a stile to your left, with

SEE FOR MILES: the views across the Vale of Pewsey are unsurpassed on a clear day

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OUT&ABOUT

ALONG THE WAY: the walk takes in ancient downland bridleways, stiles and hills to climb – but the reward is the view from the topove, left to right: beech woods near Warminster, deer leaping from cover at North Bavant, and a tranquil scene near Bishopstrow Mill

a narrow path leading uphill between bluebells (SU147654). This is the Wansdyke Path, following a defensive ditch built halfway across southern England in the fifth or sixth century.

After 350 metres, cross a stile – taking extra care because of barbed wire – and carry on, following more yellow arrows. The path now runs downhill along the edge of a field, with a hedge on the right, before climbing to another stile (SU139653). Cross it and turn left, following a permissive footpath sign, alongside the fence.

After passing woodland on your left, go through a gateway and follow a yellow arrow diagonally to the right. This is the site of the village of Shaw, abandoned in the fifteenth century. Head towards a rickety stile topped with more barbed wire – a potentially hazardous combination – and, having crossed it, turn right alongside the fence (SU137650).

After 450 metres, the path meets a bridleway, along which you turn right (SU133648). After another 350 metres, a gate leads into a field. Carry straight on, following the bridleway down to the road (SU124647). Cross over, go through the gate opposite

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and walk uphill, with the fence on your right. When the fence turns 90 degrees to the right, carry on uphill, following the ridge of an old field boundary.

Go through a gate (SU118647) and turn left, following a byway downhill for 1,000 metres, through a succession of gates, to the road, on the other side of which is the car park you started from.

Level of challenge: First part easy; second part moderate, with stiles and barbed wire. ■

FURTHER INFORMATION ■

Length of walk: 5 miles

■

Approximate time: 2 - 2½ hours

■

Map: OS Explorer 157

■

From Bath trains run hourly to Warminster

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FIT&FABULOUS

Spring has sprung and it’s time to swap strong, warming perfumes for something a little lighter and fresher. And you don’t need to look any further than Ghost, which has introduced its most romantic scent yet, Enchanted Bloom (£31, 50ml from Boots). The fruity and floral top notes create a delicate, feminine scent that entices the senses and gives you a serene sunny feeling.

Define and contour your cheekbones with this creamy mineral cheek bone enhancer from Natio (£11, available at Debenhams). The light reflecting minerals create a transparent satin effect which instantly lifts the cheekbones.

Just glide on for a gently illuminating finish that will make you glow with radiance in the sunshine.

Detox your skin with the 5 Minute Thermal Mask (£10.20 from Sanctuary Spa). The warmth of this self-heating mask helps to open up the pores so the charcoal and kaolin clay can help draw out the impurities from deep within the skin. As well as purifying, the mask also rebalances the skin’s oil levels to clarify, cleanse and leave skin with a silky touch and essential oil of myrrh helps soothe and calm.

SKIN DEEP A selection of tried & tested products that we love & the latest health & beauty news Every girl needs an essential all-in-one makeup palette and Jemma Kidd Makeup School has just the thing. The Essentials Palette (£28, stockists at www.jemmakidd.com) features a creme cheek colour in pomegranate, high-shine lipgloss in tea rose, a selection of matte and shimmer shadows and a wet/dry black shadow liner. The chic compact design with mirror means it’s perfect for carrying around in your handbag to add a touch of understated glamour when needed.

NEWS in BRIEF

68 THEBATHMAGAZINE

Embrace warmer days and lighter evenings with a bronze goddess look that will wow this summer.

Courtesy of Guerlain’s Terracotta Collection, everyone can have a perfect tan without having to leave the country. The Terracotta Jambes de Gazelle Cooling Bronzer (£36 from House of Fraser) is a quick-drying mist that instantly leaves the skin looking evenly and naturally golden. You can make the colour darker or lighter depending on how much you spritz on and it just washes off at the end of the day so it doesn’t stain bed sheets. The best thing about this lovely mist is the sweet orange extract scent that refreshes the skin and puts you in a summer mood.

■ Join Macmillan Cancer Support on a women-only night sponsored walk around Bath on 11 June, setting of at around 10pm from the Recreation Ground on a 4.5 mile circular route around our beautiful World Heritage City. Register to take part in The Bath Night Walk online at: www.bathnightwalk.org or contact tel: 0117 967 0975.

■ The Abundant Life Wellness Centre in New King Street is hosting a wellbeing workshop this month all about listening to your heart. The workshop is aimed at people that are dissatisfied with their life and want to re-discover their purpose. It costs £10 and can be booked on tel: 01225 318060. For further information visit: www.chiropractorbath.com

■ This month, Bath Croquet Club is launching an introduction course to attract new players. The course is made up of five two-hour lessons starting on Sunday 21 May and costs £30. The course is suitable for all ages and equipment is provided. It’s an ideal opportunity to get involved in one of Britain’s fastest growing amateur sports. For further information or to sign up, email: croquetdan@hotmail.com or visit: www.bathcroquet.com

■ Children’s Hospice South West is holding its annual Midnight Memory Walk in Bath for the first time this year and are recruiting walkers to sign up to the sponsored seven-mile circular route. The walk takes place on Friday 1 July and will start at Royal Victoria Park after a candle-lit ceremony to remember loved ones. For further information and to register, visit: www.chsw.org.uk

| MAY 2011

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Lose Weight Effectively With Hypnotherapy Doctor-Led Cosmetic Medicine Clinic Treatments Including: Acne treatments Permanent hair reduction Thread veins

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THEBATHMAGAZINE We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £25.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £50.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 To subscribe just send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment

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HEALTH & BEAUTY REVIEW

RADIANCE renewal Samantha Ewart heads to the Garden Spa at the Bath Priory for a results-driven facial

G

one are the days when facials were booked for a relaxing and pampering treat. Now we want results, benefits and tailoring to our individual skincare needs.

Seeing a niche in the city’s spa treatment offering for more of a resultsdriven facial, the Garden Spa at The Bath Priory has introduced a new range of treatments featuring products previously only used at cosmetic clinics.

The glo therapeutics facials and chemical exfoliations combine innovative technology and science with formulations of active ingredients to clinically transform skin.

When I arrived at the spa the treatment manger, Kayleigh informed me that the Glo Radiance Peel (£80, 55 minutes) that I was booked in for, is perfect for renewing skin that is dry, dehydrated, ageing, sun damaged, or with hyperpigmentation or acne.

“This is a very popular treatment,” said Kayleigh. “A chemical exfoliation removes on average 12 layers of dead skin cells and exercises skin to reveal a smooth, refined complexion. Clients see instant results.”

So this really is a results-driven facial, I thought. And having had problems with dehydrated skin of late, I was certainly willing to give it a try.

Snuggled under a warm blanket, I relaxed in the tranquility of the candlelit room taking in the aromatic scents as I drifted off to the soothing background music.

The treatment began with a double cleanse followed by the enzyme exfoliation which the facial is based around. The exfoliant is made up of fruit enzymes and salicylic acid to help break down dead cells. Because of the active ingredients, there was a slight uncomfortable stinging sensation that Kayleigh had pre-warned me about and assured me was a completely normal sensation. The exfoliation only lasted five minutes and the soothing gel mask that was applied afterwards was a lovely cooling relief.

While the mask was nurturing my skin, Kayleigh sent me into deep relaxation with a scalp and decollete massage and a gentle pressure point massage on my face.

When the mask was removed, a replenishing vitamin C serum was applied to absorb into the skin before a deep hydration moisturiser and an SPF protection completed the facial. The treatment was beautifully complemented by makeup from the Glominerals range and a rejuvenating cup of green tea.

When I looked in the mirror afterwards, I saw immaculate, unblemished and visibly clearer skin which was soft and smooth to touch. It felt amazing and I even detected an impressive radiant glow.

Although on the more expensive side, this invigorating skin therapy treatment gives instantly renewed skin. What more could we want from a facial? ■ For further information or to book, contact The Bath Priory’s Garden Spa on tel: 01225 478395 or visit www.thebathpriory.co.uk. This treatment can also be included in a spa day package. The Feel Good Friday package costs £85 per person and includes full use of the Garden Spa facilities (indoor heated pool, steam pod, sauna, fitness suite) for two hours and a one hour Spa treatment of your choice. For information on all spa day packages visit www.thebathpriory.co.uk/spa/spa-days WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Sculpt Tone & Balance in Elegant Style!

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INTERIORstyle

COLOUR ME

beautiful

Georgette McCready talks to west country interior designer Rosalie Fiennes about how she helps people realise their ideal homes

A

s one half of the founding partnership of stylish west country brand Shoon, and having raised four sons, you might think that Rosalie Fiennes would want to put her feet up at her beautifully restored country home near Wells, or spend more time with her herd of friendly and curious alpacas.

But instead Rosalie is enjoying a second, flourishing career as an interior designer, harnessing her years of experience in retail design with her innate sense of good taste and a strongly practical streak to help others realise their own ideal homes. She spent a year taking the Architectural Interior Design diploma at the Inchbald School of Design to give her existing skills a boost.

With her patient approach Rosalie always begins by offering clients a free session to talk about what they would like to achieve, and as she says, ‘to see if they like me.’ She likes to work gently with clients as she says generally the British are not as receptive to employing an interior designer as homeowners in the States and Australia.

“At the first session we talk about how they live, for example if they’re the sort of people who kick their shoes off as soon as they get home, so they need somewhere convenient and practical to store them,” she says, “Clutter is always one of the challenges.”

And as the mother of four grown-up sons and grandmother of six, Rosalie understands that rooms are made to be lived in and enjoyed. She regularly has her grandchildren to stay, so is used to little people racing through her home, or enjoying precious story time with books she has kept from her own sons’ boyhood.

“Rooms always look best with people in them. They shouldn’t look sterile. I do think we all need somewhere soothing and relaxing to go at home, and that would especially apt for bedrooms and bathrooms.”

She asks clients to draw up a list of things they like, as well as

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things they don’t like. She is currently working with a couple who are really keen to give their home a fresh look after 20 plus years of their family kicking around in it. But, Rosalie says, they are quite anxious about the use of colour.

If you’ve painted a wall, you ❝ know you can always change the colour – it’s only a bit of paint

❞

“I gave them some homework to do. I took along a selection of little paper coloured cocktail umbrellas and asked them to choose one each. They both picked bright pink, which surprised me. And now when they get anxious about colours I remind them to open up their pink umbrellas and enjoy.”

She is a great believer in the power of colour. “It is a popular theory that fashion leads interior design, but I think it’s actually the other way round. At the moment we’re seeing a lot of greens and blues used in interiors, and I think that’s because these bring a sense of peace in unsettled times.

“And if you look at fashion we are just beginning to see the rise in indigo, which is a healing colour.”

When it comes to choosing the right colours for a room, Rosalie’s advice is to look at shades under different lights, including after dark by artificial light.

She generally chooses a neutral palette as a background and then adds accents of colour. “That is the most practical solution,

DRAMATIC SPLASH: main picture, Rosalie Fiennes’ solution to making this 40 foot long kitchen feel more homely was to use cochineal red on kitchen cupboards and to echo that on another wall Photography: © Mark Bolton.

Visit: mark@markbolton.co.uk

If you would like to see your home or work on the pages of a national magazine contact Nicky Owen on tel: 0796 659 2203

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INTERIORstyle

HOME MAKER: above, coral cushions and candy stripes bring warmth to a bedroom. Centre, accessories, such as this collection of blue and white china, can be easily swapped to change the main colour in a room. Far right, soothing aqua shades keep this drawing room tranquil but welcoming too All design by Rosalie Fiennes

then you can change the colours you use on top of that. If you’ve painted a wall, you know you can always change the colour – it’s only a bit of paint. And then you can bring colour in using fabric. Even a few cushions can make a difference to a room. I think it’s important too to reflect people’s personalities in their homes.”

I ask her whether she uses florals in her own home. “I don’t, but not because I don’t like them. Simply, I have four sons and a husband so don’t think it would be fair to inflict the chintzyness on them. I do use stripes, however, which are strong and easy to use.”

Rosalie’s favourite paint ranges include Farrow & Ball, Fired and Earth, Designers Guild and Papers & Paints, which was the first brand to offer five tones of a single colour.

In keeping with our austere times, Rosalie enjoys the challenge of working with clients who are in a strict budget. It could be that they only want advice for one room.

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“I really enjoy the challenge of using old things and upcycling, as they call recycling in the States. Working with clients is like solving a jigsaw, it’s immensely satisfying.”

What would Rosalie’s dream project be, I wonder? “Oh, I’d love to work on a hospital,” she enthuses, “that would be a wonderful challenge. I am interested in how the environment affects the way we feel and would like to be able to balance the need to have easy-to-clean hard surfaces with making people feel comfortable and looked after and not shut away from the outside world.”

But meanwhile, Rosalie is happy working with clients in their homes, exercising her great tact, humour and patience to achieve results. And she can always fall back on offering a paper umbrella for anxious clients to shelter under should the fear of colour overwhelm them. ■ Rosalie Fiennes can be contacted via: www.rosaliefiennes.co.uk

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INTERIORstyle ■ Florals at Fabric Mills Bring the best of summer indoors with the Garden Party collection by Prestigious Textiles. Rambling roses, scattered buds and graceful trellis capture the essences of a country garden.

Tel: 01225 471167 www.fabricmills.co.uk

■ Detail with Rooms ■ Bedlinen at

Rooms is a small building refurbishment team well established in Bath which undertakes all aspects of residential work, with design integrity and attention to detail.

As part of its portfolio Rooms has established a good reputation for providing high quality bathrooms, using design aesthetic along with knowledge of fittings and careful positioning to make the best use of space.

Feather & Black Brighten up the bedroom with a luxurious new set of pillow cases and duvet covers.

▲

Tel: 01225 892299 www.roomsbath.co.uk

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▲

Tel: 01225 333476 Feather & Black can be found at MultiYork, London Road, Bath

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LI GH

TIN EC G SP IALIST 8 BATH STREET, FROME. TEL: 01 373473555 WWW.FIATLUX.CO.UK

15-18 London Street, Walcot, Bath, BA1 5BX Tel: 01225 465 757

www.trhayes.co.uk

• FREE DELIVERY TO A LARGE AREA • CUSTOMER CAR PARK •

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SPRINGgardens

NATIONAL treasures PIC CREDIT: ntpl©/Nick Daly

May is the perfect month to take a turn round a National Trust garden near you to admire the hard work of others and enjoy tea and cake too, says Jane Moore

G

arden visiting is a favourite occupation of us Brits, especially in the spring. The National Trust is the most prolific preserver of the best of British gardens and looks after a whopping 350 historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments throughout the UK. I’m a long-time member of the Trust and have loved the fact that my membership allows me to drop in willy-nilly, for an hour or three, whenever I’m passing a Trust property. Dropping in like that gives you the chance to really get to know a garden and develop an intimate relationship with it. When I lived in Sussex the herbaceous borders at Nymans became a regular source of inspiration as I popped in all summer to see what was in flower for a quick half hour and a cup of tea. Ah, and there’s the teashops. Often these are a joy in their own right, located in lovely rooms or old stables and tending towards the traditional with rather marvellous cakes.

So, if you’re feeling in need of some horticultural inspiration, a restorative afternoon tea and a jolly good day out then head for a National Trust garden and you won’t be disappointed.

I still vividly remember my first sight of Dyrham Park as a child, nestling in its parkland. It looked like a picture book representation of a grand country house and it was easy to imagine the carriages and grand ladies dripping with jewels arriving for a party. The garden has been undergoing something of a renaissance in the past few years and the work goes on which makes it a great garden to drop into frequently to see what’s going on. It also has a cosier feel than many Trust gardens, with ideas that you can take away and use in your own garden, and there are always plenty of events and walks to take part in, especially during the school holidays.

For sheer breath-taking romance gardens don’t get much better than Stourhead. It’s a place you can go anytime of the year as the walk around the lake dotted with its fantasy

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landscape of temples, grottoes and follies is always something special. I love it best perhaps in the winter months when the trees are leafless, the paths are unpeopled and the views are quite simply spectacular. But there’s something to see anytime of year, it’s always perfect for summer picnicking or for a bracing autumnal amble. Don’t cut it short though, you need to allow the best part of a day to really do it justice.

Bath’s Prior Park Landscape Garden has quite a view too, down to the beautiful Palladian bridge and across beautiful Bath itself. It’s a bit of a workout – all up hill and down dale

The cool shady ponds are ❝ perfect on a hot summer’s day and offer some great ideas for shade planting

❞

but it’s good for shedding a few of those winter pounds and the woodland walk, taking in the rebuilt Serpentine and Cascade, gets better and better. Don’t forget that there’s only parking for disabled visitors but the buses run regularly and, if you’re really on a fitness drive, you could always walk.

If you’re after a more intimate experience, The Courts at Holt fits the bill beautifully. It’s got everything from a small kitchen garden and orchard to herbaceous borders always packed with plants. There are some great ideas for planting and colour combinations to keep in mind while the lovely arboretum is a picture in spring. I always enjoy the cool shady ponds which are perfect on a hot summer’s day and offer some

QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLISH LANDSCAPE: the view across the lake at Stourhead in Wiltshire to the classical folly on the far side

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SPRINGgardens National Trust spring events

Prior Park, Bath – Gorgeous Garlic. 1 May to 15 May, 11am to 4:30pm.

Free event (normal admission charges apply) Enjoy the carpet of wild garlic that covers the garden. Celebrate a fortnight of this versatile plant by picking your own, experimenting with a recipe, tasting garlicky delicacies from the tea kiosk and watching cookery demonstrations.

LIVING HISTORY: a gardener at Dyrham Park, left, and topiary at the gates of The Courts

great ideas for shade planting. But my favourite things are the higgledy topiary hedges that look as if Vivienne Westwood was in charge of their clipping.

One of the Trust’s most exciting properties has to be the magnificent Tyntesfield and it’s practically on our doorstep. This place alone is worth the annual membership, especially as it’s such an ongoing project with more treasures and parts of the garden unveiled as the months go by. The garden and park are simply stunning – it’s too much to take in on one visit – and the house is literally a treasure house. If you haven’t ever been, then go. If you have been, go again. You will see things you simply didn’t last time round. ■ Jane Moore is the award-winning head gardener at the Bath Priory.

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Family fun at Dyrham

Dyrham Park – Discover the Garden. Every Monday, Tuesday and Friday in May except Bank Holidays. 2pm to 3pm.

Free event (normal admission charges apply) Join a member of the outdoor team on a tour of the West Garden, unearth its history and its plants.

Tyntesfield – Garden Tour.

Enjoy a free guided tour of the formal gardens or

the Kitchen Garden. Meet by the aviary. Duration approximately one hour.

Every day.

Stourhead – Tulip Festival.

24 April to 8 May, 9am to 6pm. Free event (normal admission charges apply) Ever wondered what 19,000 tulips would look like? Visit Stourhead as it celebrates its first festival sponsored by tulip specialists de Jager which has given 15,000 of the bulbs that were planted.

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INTOtheGARDEN

Gardens to visit in May

Photograph courtesy of Rowan Isaac.

May is the ideal time to admire the hard work of other gardeners, and to come home with inspiration for your own plot. And if there’s tea and cake to be had too, you’ve got a perfect day out

NATURAL BEAUTY: wildflowers line the path at Biddestone Manor

Bath’s superb 18th century landscape garden, Prior Park, is worth the walk up the hill to enjoy superb views of the city.

Visitors can explore the National Trust owned woodland and pick some wild garlic leaves, admire the views with a cup of tea, or simply take a stroll through the gardens that were influenced by great landscape gardener Capability Brown. Prior Park will be open on Sunday 8 May in aid of the National Gardens Scheme, from 11am to 5.30pm.

Discover the secret garden The Bath Magazine is a big fan of The Walled Garden in the village of Mells, where visitors can enjoy a wander through the flower beds or sit and enjoy afternoon tea and cake.

The Walled Garden has been developed by Joanne Ilsley within the honey coloured 17th century walls. She has now got an enviable cutting garden and this month the stars include irises, Oriental poppies and aliums, while her sweet peas are coming to the fore earlier than most of can manage. The Walled Garden also hosts flower garden workshops

from the village site, teaching skills such as how to create a hand-tied bouquet and what plants to choose for the best cut flower garden.

Allington Grange’s spring bulbs should be bursting into bloom by the time this informal garden near Chippenham opens its doors on Sunday 8 May. Savour the scent of springtime roses and clematis under a floral pergola, or take children to visit the wildlife pond and its inhabitants. Open from 2pm and 5pm.

The grounds of Biddestone Manor, a beautiful 17th Century manor house near Corsham host orchards, many varieties of roses, an arboretum and traditional kitchen and cutting gardens. Biddestone Manor also provides afternoon tea in the formal front gardens, and the chance to spy the visiting kingfisher. It will be open for the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday 15 May, from 2pm and 5pm.

Hazelbury Manor Gardens near Box opens its garden gates on Sunday 22 May from 2pm to 6pm to welcome visitors to its eight acres of organic gardens. Enjoy a home-made tea in the rose garden, stroll along the laburnum and lime walkways or relax under a blossoming yew tree in the spring sunshine.

Five village gardens in Marshfield on the edge of the Cotswolds will be open to visitors from 1pm to 5pm on 28 and 29 May in aid of the National Gardens charity Scheme. Lunches and teas will be available.

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SPOUTING OFF: Celia Birtwell designed watering can, £34.95 from Bloomsbury & Co, Bath

● There won’t be a spring flower show in Bath this year, but gardeners can get together at the first ever Bath in Bloom Great Plant Swap which takes place on Sunday 15 May at Green Park Station. From noon till 4pm you can take your surplus bedding plants, unwanted seedlings or divided perennials and offer them up for swaps with other gardeners. All items should have labels, but they needn’t be in Latin.

The Plant Swap Day will also feature a secondhand bookstall in aid of Julian House, as well as prints, cards and cupcakes for sale. Guerilla gardeners will be on hand to share their success stories about greening up public spaces.

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The Rites of spring Jenny Keen, Senior Vet, Station Road Veterinary Surgery, Bath Veterinary Group

F

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or many of us May represents a new beginning. Spring is definitely in the air, the weather is warmer and the buds are bursting. Little wonder that the first of May, May Day, lends itself to pagan celebrations signifying fertility and an end to the long winter. For our feline pets spring time signifies fertility as well. Female cats, called queens, have reproductive cycles which are dependent on the length of daylight. In other words they have seasonal dependant mating cycles which gear up by spring when they reach six months of age. They will start to come into heat as early as February and they are likely to stop reproductive cycling by the autumn. Cats are known as induced ovulators because the act of mating with a tom (male cat) will cause their eggs to be released. If the queen is unable to mate she will continue to call for a tom until ovulation has taken place. This means that her behaviour will also change from the docile cat you once knew and loved to an agitated, restless little feline which could be difficult to live with. Another interesting fact is that queens can mate with several toms during one heat cycle. That is why you may find different varieties of kittens in one litter.

For the tom it is a different matter altogether. Tomcats reach puberty at approximately eight months old. And they remain sexually active throughout the year. If male cats are not neutered before puberty they have an irritating habit of spraying urine on vertical surfaces to mark territory. This manly habit is not only unhygienic but tom cat urine has a very strong distinctive odour which is difficult to miss! Tom cats will also tend to wander far distances looking for potential mates. Subsequently this wandering can lead to increased territorial aggression with other males. Cat fights inevitably occur this increases the risk of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which is related to the human immunodeficiency virus which can lead to AIDS. The feline version, thankfully, cannot be transferred to humans although it has similar implications in cats as it has for humans. It causes a protracted illness with high mortality rates. Feline leukaemia is another virus with dire consequences. This virus can cause cancer in cats. The good news is that feline leukaemia has an effective vaccine which is widely available from your vet. Since the unneutered male is a primary vector for these viruses it is prudent to have him neutered before puberty if not for the viral problem but for avoidance of the smell!

Spaying your female can also be done by your vet when she reaches five to six months of age. Even if a female is starting her heat, spaying can be achieved with relatively little fuss.

So when the warmer days of spring are upon us and we are enjoying the increased daylight remember to prevent any unplanned surprises from your cat. If you have forgotten to take your cat for her spay she will certainly remind you when you are woken in the early hours of the morning by your restless little female. Worse still if you have three or more little surprises after two months it’s worth considering a visit to the vet before this happens. After all it’s all part of our rites of spring!

If you have any questions, local vet Jenny Keen will be pleased to help and can be contacted on 01225 428921. All Bath Vet Group surgery contact details and further information are available at www.bathvetgroup.co.uk.

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PROPERTYin FOCUS

FAIRACRE, THE GLEN, SALTFORD

Price: ÂŁ995,000

B

uilt in 1903, this fine detached house has wonderful far-reaching views and is situated in a small private road. The Edwardian property has been the subject of almost total refurbishment over the last eight years which has included re-rendering over the last two years. Combining contemporary chic with more traditional period detail, the accommodation is arranged over three floors and special features include hard wiring for sound, solid oak flooring and remote control lighting. The ground floor consists of a reception hall/dining room with a wide opening into the living room, beyond this is an elegant sitting room with an attractive fireplace and which leads out onto the sun terrace. The well fitted kitchen/breakfast room has granite work surfaces and an adjoining utility room and again has access to the garden. On the first floor are four double bedrooms, one with an extremely well presented en suite bathroom complete with whirlpool bath. In addition there is a spacious contemporary family bathroom at this level. On the top floor there is a further bedroom with a very large games room and storage area which offers potential for a further bedroom subject to planning consent. The property is approached via a long driveway which provides parking for numerous vehicles. To the rear, the south east facing gardens feature a paved sun terrace and lawned areas as well an outbuilding consisting of a workshop, storeroom and WC. This solid, superbly presented family property is ideally situated for access to both Bath and Bristol with the added benefit of having all village amenities on the doorstep. Viewing is available by appointment with agents Pritchards estate agents in Bath.

Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

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College Road, Lansdown

Bathampton

A well presented detached house standing in large attractive gardens of almost an acre in this first class road on the Northern fringes of the City.

Total approx. internal area: 1951 sq ft./181.2 sq m.

A stunning & versatile conversion of the original coach house to the Grade II listed Georgian manor house.

5 bedrooms, newly refurbished bathroom & additional shower room, 2 reception rooms.

Fabulous well fitted kitchen/breakfast room. Gated driveway, garage & ample parking.

Private location and set in approx 1 acre of beautiful grounds.

4 bedrooms, 2/3 reception rooms. Attached 1 bed cottage. Annexe/studio. Garage.

Total approx floor area Main house: 2597 sq ft/242 sq m & Cottage: 786 sq ft/73 sq m.

Price: £1.5 million

Price: £1.4 million

Camden

Kingsdown

An impressive detached house enjoying pleasant open views over the City, in a quiet no-through road on the popular northern slopes of Bath. Well presented to a high standard with a contemporary feel with well proportioned attractive gardens. Private off-road parking for one to two cars.

Covered entrance porch, principal bedroom with en suite dressing area, shower room & private balcony, 4 further bedrooms, bathroom & 2 shower rooms, sitting room, dining room, cinema room, kitchen/breakfast room. Gas fired heating - partly underfloor.

Total approx floor area: 2542 sq ft/236.15 sq m.

An impressive well presented, detached house standing in good sized attractive gardens and enjoying stunning far reaching country views in a popular residential area, just four miles from the Centre of Bath.

5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), shower room, sitting room, dining room, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, and cloakroom.

Detached double garage with undercroft comprising 2 rooms. Additional office/workshop.

Delightful mature lawned gardens. Ample driveway parking.

Approx gross int area 3077 sq ft/285.85 sq m.

Price: £1.25 million

Price: £995,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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pritchard-partners.co.uk

Norton St Philip – Bath 8m approx

Turleigh nr Bradford on Avon

A fine detached stone built modern house standing in wonderful gardens approaching 1 acre in a quiet no through road in the heart of this popular village.

4 bedrooms, bathroom & shower-room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, utility and cloakroom. Wonderful, large south facing gardens Double car port and adjacent workshop. Additional bin/wood store. A further stone built outbuilding comprising 3 rooms. Driveway & parking area for numerous vehicles.

Total approx floor area 2084 sq ft/193.6 sq m.

A most interesting 3 bedroom detached period property enjoying an elevated position & offering enviable views over rolling countryside.

Sitting room with feature fireplace, dining room, garden room, kitchen, lobby with cloakroom off and door into garage, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, two further bedrooms with wonderful views, shower room and a useful attic room.

Private and well enclosed garden. Garage and ample driveway parking.

Total approx. floor area 2530 sq ft/235 sq m.

Price: £695,000

Price: £579,950

Coleford – Bath 14 miles

Chilton Road

A spacious detached modern house enjoying wonderful far reaching views to the rear, in a quiet tucked away position, South of Bath.

A beautiful Victorian property set within a quiet location in Camden with far reaching views.

4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one en suite), reception hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, study, utility and shower room.

Attractive gardens. Large double garage and driveway parking for numerous cars.

Approx gross int area: 2475 sq ft/229.93

Kitchen/diner, living room, utility, three bedrooms, bathroom.Terraced garden to the front with off road parking space. Rear level secure garden to the rear.

Total approx floor area: 1062 sq ft/98.6 sq m.

Price: £475,000

Price: £449,500 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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■ The Preachers House, Bradford-on-Avon The Preachers House, tucked away in a secret corner of the centre of Bradford-on-Avon is an absolute one-off character home. It has the most fantastic views across the town’s rooftops, gardens to front and rear and an interior that’s quirky and old. If you’re fit enough for the steep stairs it’s worth the climb for the views from this four bedroom home.

The Preachers House also boasts a wattle and daub potting shed – now that’s more than keeping up with the Joneses. Price: £475,000 Contact: Jeremy Jenkins 01225 866747

■ Widcombe, Bath

■ Lansdown Place East, Bath Here’s a rare chance to acquire a complete Georgian townhouse in Bath with bags of personality, that’s been much loved by the same family for many years. It retains many features, from working shutters and fine fireplaces to the servants’ bell. The rooms are arranged across five floors and at the back of the house there is a long, walled garden and access to a garage.

Landsown Place East is within walking distance of Bath city centre and yet high enough up to enjoy commanding views.

Price: £1.25m Contact: Hamptons 01225 312244

This three bedroom family home is just a hop, skip and a jump from Bath Spa station and the centre of the city, and is conveniently close to the shops in Widcombe, yet it’s in a quiet spot at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s retained its Victorian character, with sash windows and a fireplace, along with stripped wooden floors. It has small gardens to front and rear, the back garden having a sun terrace. Price: £425,000. Contact: Whiteley Helyar 01225 447544

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A HOUSE in

TOWN Our May selection of the best town homes packed with personality

■ Prior Park Buildings, Bath

■ The Cleeve, Corsham

A trout stream runs merrily along in front of this fine terrace of Georgian townhouses in wonderful Widcombe. This four bedroom house not only has inherent character but has been decorated with style and panache. Whoever moves in won’t want to change a thing – they can simply sit in the tented loggia in the secluded garden and enjoy the surroundings.

Price: £895,000 Contact: Pritchards 01225 466225

You won’t be bothered by traffic in this three bedroom house as The Cleeve is tucked away from roads yet near the heart of Corsham town centre. The 19th century detached house has been tastefully modernised but retains its character.

Highlights include a woodburning stove and a level garden with decking and an office for the home worker. Price: £380,000 Contact: Hunter French 01249 715775

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■ The Malthouse, Beckington This quirky village property would be ideal for a group of artisans who want to work and live together, as it combines living space of up to four bedrooms with an artist’s studio, a workshop and the potential for a salesroom too. There’s also a courtyard garden overlooked by a balcony. The Mathouse dates back in parts to the 17th century, but this rambling collection of buildings has additions, through the 18th and 19th centuries.

Price: £499,950 Contact: Tim Bennett & Associates 01225 325327

■ Warleigh Manor near Bath Live out your Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy fantasies by buying into a slice of country manor house life. There’s a sumptuous three bedroom first floor apartment for sale within the Grade 2 listed Warleigh Manor with far reaching views across five acres of communal grounds and the surrounding countryside.

The apartment, with two bathrooms and a wet room, has its own half an acre of private grounds too, complete with working kitchen garden. Price: £610,000.

Contact: Whiteley Helyar 01225 447544

■ Chilcompton

A HOUSE in the

COUNTRY Escape to a rural home with character and plenty of bucolic charm

This lovely detached family home Brook House, which is Grade II listed, overlooks farmland and is just five miles from the delights of Babington House. There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fitted kitchen with an Aga, separate dining and sitting rooms and next to the garage a useful good sized family room. The house also has an office.This is certainly a home with character.

Price: £750,000 Contact: Winkworth 01225 829000

■ The Old Rectory, Whaddon This early 17th century mellow stone country home can rightly be described as charming. Although newly refurbished, the five bedroom family home still retains its beams, exposed stone walls and stone mullioned windows. It is said to have been the home of Jane Austen’s uncle, who was rector of Whaddon.

What he would make of the superbly designed gardens and well fitted kitchen is anyone’s guess. Price: £750,000.

Contact: Crisp Cowley 01225 789333

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Bath Office Sales. 01225 312244 bath@hamptons-int.com

Photographs by Nicholas Yarsley and Jonny Grey Studios.

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Cecil House, Bathwick Hill A truly stunning and unique contemporary home in an elevated position enjoying panoramic views over the city and National Trust woodland. The stylish interior design is enhanced throughout the house with materials such as oak and walnut, and the bespoke kitchen incorporates a four oven Aga. Approximately 4594 sq ft.

Hamptons Office 01225 312244 bath@hamptons-int.com

Reassuringly Professional. Surprisingly Dynamic.

Hamptons International won the Best for Innovation award at the 2010 Estate Agency of the Year Awards in association with The Sunday Times and The Times, recognising its innovative marketing approach and launch of the Hamptons International app for iPhone and iPad. Call us to find out how we can use our market-leading approach to help you.

Guide Price ÂŁ2,250,000 Freehold 5 bedrooms 5 reception rooms Modernist style Landscaped gardens Modern and green technology

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Bath Office Sales. 01225 312244 bath@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Cedarwood, Bannerdown

Guide Price £1,150,000 Freehold

Built and finished to an exceptional and exacting standard this home offers light and airy open plan living within a sought after area. All the bedrooms enjoy views of the garden and valley beyond. The state of the art “Schmidt” kitchen enjoys integrated appliances and there is a utility room and study. Approximately 2986 sq ft.

4 bedrooms Open plan living space Bespoke kitchen Contemporary style Landscaped garden

Hamptons Office 01225 312244 bath@hamptons-int.com

Reassuringly Professional. Surprisingly Dynamic.

Hamptons International won the Best for Innovation award at the 2010 Estate Agency of the Year Awards in association with The Sunday Times and The Times, recognising its innovative marketing approach and launch of the Hamptons International app for iPhone and iPad. Call us to find out how we can use our market-leading approach to help you.

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L E T T I N G S & M A N AG E M E N T No doubt you will have seen the Black and Green Zest Car driving around town, with its iconic letter Z on the bonnet!? I have to say it did make me chuckle the other day when I noticed another letting agent had placed their letter on their bonnet too! They say ‘imitation is the highest form of flattery’ , so come on, lets see how many more letters we can get out there on our bonnets!

This month sees Zest offering our very own contemporary furniture packs to landlords, so if you are now looking to furnish a property before renting, whether it is a one bed apartment or a ten bed student house we can now provide a complete furnishing solution that means less hassle for you – hopefully just another example of how we offer a truly beneficial and comprehensive service to our clients. We are also eagerly awaiting the official launch of our Property finder service – more on that next month.. Exciting times ahead!

Glenn Perry, Director, Zest

Available at Zest this month

A brand new architecturally designed 4 double bedroom house near the sought after areas of Camden and Larkhall. The views from the open plan living area are absolutely breathtaking and will inspire all day long. With plenty of parking this home also has four, yes four, bathrooms and the most elaborate and thoughtful light fittings throughout. Available from May. £2300pcm

Superb Grade II Listed Town House situated in one of Bath’s most sought after locations with inspirational panoramic views and the beauty of the park right on your doorstep. This property provides flexible & spacious accommodation over 4 floors and retains many period features throughout including several fireplaces and a feature stonewall. This is property is going to provide some lucky person with a splendid and stylish home in central Bath. £1750pcm

T: 01225 481010

www.zestlettings.com

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Your property is a bit special... so is our letting service CONTACT US TODAY TO DISCUSS WHAT MAKES RESIDE DIFFERENT

www.residebath.co.uk

01225 445 777

OUR PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH

Keepers Cottage, Box

Camden Terrace

A beautiful detached stone barn, carefully refurbished to a high standard throughout, retaining a wealth of period features and charm. Situated in a secluded part of breathtaking Wiltshire countryside approximately 6 miles to the east of Bath, the property allows easy access to Chippenham, Bradford on Avon and the M4 Corridor. Approached along a winding gravel driveway and set among beautiful mature trees, the house is set well back from any main roads. At the front of the house the driveway widens and can hold up to 3 cars.

To the side and rear of the property are well landscaped gardens, laid to lawn and surrounded by original stone walls and rolling countryside beyond. The ground floor is generously divided into a spacious dual aspect living room with a working log burner, a spacious office / study, a small cloakroom and a fully fitted kitchen with granite work surfaces. Up an original stone spiral staircase from the living room is the master bedroom suite with a fitted wardrobe and a modern en-suite bathroom. Up a separate bespoke wooden staircase are two further good sized double bedrooms which share a modern shower room.

Unfurnished. Available Now. ÂŁ1950 pcm

An elegant and beautifully presented four bedroom Grade II Listed Georgian Townhouse located in a tucked away position on the Northern slopes of Bath, within close proximity of the City Centre, a selection of local shops, excellent schools and a Doctors Surgery. The ground floor is divided into a an impressive dining room with exposed wooden floors, a study / guest bedroom with a feature fireplace and a stunning fitted kitchen with a heated slate floor, granite work surfaces and two floor to ceiling fold away glass doors that open out into an enclosed rear courtyard, perfect for al fresco dining. The lower ground floor is a generous master bedroom suite with fitted wardrobes and a chic limestone tiled en-suite bathroom and a small cloakroom. The first floor has a spacious living room with views over the city and a third good sized double bedroom. The top floor comprises of a fourth large double bedroom, again benefiting from the spectacular city views and a beautiful bathroom with exposed wooden floors and a free standing claw-foot bath.

Unfurnished. Available Early May. ÂŁ2500 pcm

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Residential Lettings www.homeletsofbath.co.uk

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HomeLets

01225 484811

of Bath

£680 PCM Portland Place

Willsbridge House

Property Management

£765 PCM

Hunstrete

£1,100 PCM

• 2 Bedroom • Unfurnished • • Gardens • Allocated Parking •

• 2 Bedroom • Furnished • • Spacious Kitchen and Lounge • Permit Parking •

• 2 Bedroom • Unfurnished • • Beautifully Renovated • Gardens •

Available from 20.05.11

Available from 08.07.11

Available Now

HomeLets of Bath Established in 1992.

We are an independent agency in the centre of Bath providing expert letting, marketing and management services to clients with property in the city and surrounding areas.

We are here to help you prepare your property for the market and to support you at every stage. Finding suitable tenants and managing your property is our forte. We have an experienced staff of letting negotiators, property managers and maintenance consultants in our city centre offices.

In addition to day-to-day management, our responsive service also includes a 24-hour emergency telephone or text line, ensuring that your property and tenants are protected at all times.

As well as an extensive portfolio of properties from modern apartments to traditional homes we also specialise in student accommodation.

Contact us today to book a free no obligation valuation.

Harcourt Gardens

£1,200 PCM Cavendish Crescent

£1,250 PCM

Victoria Bridge Court

£1,600 PCM

• 3 Bedroom • Unfurnished • • Garage • Gardens •

• 2 Bedroom • Furnished • • Newly Redecorated • Courtyard Garden •

• 2 Bedroom • Furnished • • Allocated Undercover Parking Space •

Available Now

Available Now

Available Now

MORE PROPERTIES REQUIRED - CONTACT HOMELETS NOW info@homeletsofbath.co.uk • 1 Edgar Buildings. George Street. Bath. BA1 2EE

Working with you since 1992

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Fidelis Residential Lettings

Upper Lansdown Mews

ÂŁ2750 PCM

Delightful Individual Coach House Desirable Residential Area | Grade I Listed | Sitting Room | Conservatory | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | 3 Bedrooms | Reception 2/Bedroom 4 | 2 Bathrooms | Pretty Walled Gardens

The Hollow

ÂŁ850 PCM

Modern 3 Bedroom Semi Detached Family Home Open Plan | Fitted Kitchen with Integrated Appliances | Neutral Decoration and Carpets throughout | Modern Bathroom with Shower over the Bath | Double Glazed | Enclosed Rear Garden | Off Street Parking | Furnished

134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

www.fidelisproperties.co.uk

01225 421000

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Southern Bath

£235,000 - £295,000

A Pair of Attractive Semi Detached Cottages in Excellent Condition

Two and Three Bedroom Homes | Sitting Room | Kitchen/Diner | Bathroom | Gardens to Side and Rear | Off Road Parking | Stunning Views | Popular Residential Location | Close to Schools and Local Shops

EW

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City Centre Superb Top Floor Studio Flat in Excellent Location

£165,000

Sitting Room | Separate Sleeping Area | Kitchen | Bathroom | Cloakroom | Full Refurbished | Views towards Bath Abbey | Close to Local Amenities | Popular City Centre Location | Potential for Investors | No Onward Chain

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Bath

£775pcm

Recently Refurbished Two Bedroom Garden Flat

Lounge | Galley Style Kitchen | Two Bedrooms | Large Modern Bathroom | Jacuzzi Bath | Separate Shower Cubicle | Private Garden | Excellent Location | Available 24th May 2011

Twerton

£2100pcm

Six Bedroom Student Property set over Three Floors

Six Bedrooms | Sitting Room | Kitchen/Diner | Two Shower Rooms | Part Furnished | White Goods Included | Full Redecoration | Available for Academic Year 2011/2012

Relax and enjoy

0%

Full Property Management

for 3 months with our Platinum Service includes * FREE Inventory, check-ins and check-outs * FREE Gas Safety Certificate * FREE EPC and no hidden extras

We do it all so you don’t have to...

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W E NE IC PR

W E NE IC PR

Larkhall Place, Bath - Offers Above £599,950

Atworth, Nr. Bath - Offers Above £399,500

An extended & extremely tucked away 4 storey C18th family home in this sought after Georgian village on the north eastern side of Bath.

4 bedrooms, master with en-suite shwr room, 3 receptions, stunning fitted kitchen.

Charming & sheltered rear garden. 1913 SQ.FT (177.7 SQ.M).

An enchanting & deceptively spacious three double bedroom extended period home.

Two elegant reception rooms, Fitted k/breakfast room & utility room with d/s cloakroom. Enclosed, attractive garden and off road parking for at least two vehicles.

Bathwick Hill - Price Guide £1,250,000

Batheaston village outskirts - Price Guide £325,000

An imaginatively conceived, elegantly executed 2005 classically styled neoGeorgian villa. Elevated plot approaching ¼ acre enjoying spectacular views.

4 double beds ( 2 with en-suites) to Magnificent formal dining & drawing rooms plus study. Large kitchen/family room. Landscaped gardens & double garage.

A charming & deceptively large, s/c ‘Mews style’ home within this prestigious riverside development just outside Georgian Bath.

2 dble beds(en-suite shwr to master), 1st floor balcony views towards Bathampton Meadows, Fitted kitchen with granite work surfaces, separate utility & cloakroom.

Communal gdns & 2 pkg spaces. 1189 Sq Ft(110.46 Sq M)

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Thomas Street. Walcot, Bath - Price Guide £295,000

Chatham Row, Walcot, Bath - Price Guide £185,000

A deliciously asymmetric 3 bedroom former Georgian Merchant’s house with versatile & deceptively spacious accommodation spread over 4 floors. onward chain.

Enjoying a prime location within a few minute’s walk of the city centre a crisp 2 bedroom second floor apartment is at the heart of Bath’s up & coming ‘artisan quarter’.

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Fidelis R e s i d e n t i a l

S a l e s

Long Fox Manor, Brislington

ÂŁ259,950

Stunning 2 Bedroom/2 Reception Room Apartment with Private Garden set in Magnificent Secluded Grounds Extremely Spacious Apartment | Living Room with French Door opening onto Garden | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Dining Room with doors opening onto Garden | Large Master Bedroom | Further Double Bedroom | Contemporary Bathroom | Private Walled Garden | Communal Pool

Faulkland

ÂŁ224,950

Charming 3 Bedroom Cottage Bursting with Character and Offered for Sale with No Onward Chain Village Location | Flagstone Floor | Beamed Ceiling | Sash Windows To Front | Living Room | Kitchen | Dining Area | 3 Bedrooms | Bathroom | Side Entrance Porch | Good size Garden | Off Road Parking for 1 Car | Chain Free

134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

www.fidelisproperties.co.uk

01225 421000

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01225 866747

The Preachers House, Bradford-on-Avon.

£475,000

Saddlers House, Box.

£425,000

Superbly situated bang in the middle of town yet hidden away and enjoying a fabulous roof top panorama of the town. Four bedrooms & lounge dining room all with a lovely quirky character.

Beautiful spiral staircase. There are gardens to the front and rear enough for the green fingered devotee without being a binding hassle for the idle potterer! Note that there is no parking here, the Preacher didn’t have a car.

Saddlers House is within walking distance of the enviable village amenities. Four bedrooms & intriguing loft possibilities. The ground floor enjoys comfortable living spaces. The kitchen dining room is an excellent family room. Utility, cloak room & long conservatory/boot room. The exciting bit will be deciding what you use the two storey studio/office/workshop for! Garden, garage and parking.

Bradford Road, Atworth.

Purlpit Fields, Purlpit, Atworth.

Offers over £399,950

Set in the old part of the village is this charming double fronted character cottage. Three bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. The sitting room has a fireplace with wood burner. The dining room looks out to both the front & rear and also has a fireplace. We find a smart kitchen breakfast room and unusually a utility and cloak room leading to the garden and patio seating area. To the front is driveway parking. Access to village amenities, Bath, A4 & M4 not so very far away.

£385,000

A handsome individual four bed home on a lane backing onto farmland with a rural outlook over the fields and farm. The kitchen & dining room are open plan creating a really good living space which will be the heart of the home and the scene of much entertainment! The back garden is a slim strip – cleverly landscaped to take full advantage of the outlook and great place to sit out. The front garden is lawned with flowerbeds and borders all behind a five bar gate. Driveway parking & double garage.

27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk

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The Empire, Bath The Empire was a grand Victorian hotel that has been converted into forty three apartments. However, now for the over fifties; it continues to offer five star hotel luxury,” “The apartment is a pleasure, with its spacious square rooms and high ceilings “says Carmen.

“The lounge is a very relaxing room and as we are on the sixth floor we can appreciate the fabulous world class view.

We entertain in the apartment but it is as easy to use the communal lounge and if we don’t want to cook then we can enjoy the excellent food in

Fine & Country 36 Gay Street, Bath BA1 2NT

the dining room.

“The Empire is a very impressive building.” says Peter.

“The award winning roof garden is an oasis of calm and there is nothing better in the summer than to enjoy an evening drink there, with the sun setting over the city.

Underground parking and the knowledge that the apartment will be well cared for you when you are away and you have a unique living experience in Bath.

Penthouse 3 BEDROOMS * DRAWING ROOM * KITCHEN DINING ROOM * ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM * BATHROOM * COMMUNAL FACILITIES

Contact: Bath: 01225 320032

OFFERS OVER £700,000

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Charlesworth House This fine country house has a classic and distinguished feel.The proportions are at once perfectly pleasing.The fact that the house was actually built less than 5 years ago.

“We were actually already living in the village when we heard that there was a parcel of land for sale,” says John “the opportunities to build a new house in a village such as this are extremely rare.

We took the greatest care over the design phase and worked very closely with the architect to produce not only a fine home but one that would fit in with its surroundings and aesthetics of the village.”

“We have absolutely loved living here,” adds Lesley “the house

works on so many levels. It is light, bright and spacious and yet it never feels so large that it is overwhelming. It lends itself so easily to entertaining and the flow through the reception rooms enhances formal dining and family events with equal ease.The kitchen really is at the heart of the house and opens into the orangery. Relaxing quietly with cup of coffee.

The annexe is separate from the main house “We love the views, we love the location and we shall absolutely miss this house,” says Lesley “Living here has been everything we thought it would be – and so very much more!”

East Lydford 5 BEDROOMS * SITTING ROOM * DINING ROOM * CLOAKROOM * KITCHEN BREAKFAST ROOM * UTILITY ROOM * ORANGERY * ENSUITE * ANNEX * DOUBLE GARAGE

Contact: Bath: 01225 320032

£975,000

Call 01225 320032 bath@fineandcountry.com

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hunter french estate agents, valuers and surveyors

Ditteridge, Wiltshire £695,000 A delightful period cottage surrounded by the Wiltshire countryside yet just minutes from the centre of Bath.

St Christophers is set in beautifully landscaped gardens with a large flagstone patio, walled terrace, raised vegetable beds, mature trees and ample parking. Dating back to the 17th century and offers well balanced accommodation with a wealth of period features combined with modern country living Includes entrance hall, large sitting room, snug, hand built kitchen with integrated quality appliances, laundry room, four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Siston, South Gloucestershire £475,000 Situated in the peaceful hamlet of Siston is this well presented semidetached cottage. The property has great ground floor living space and four bedrooms. There are well maintained gardens, off street parking and a garage.

Shortwood, South Gloucestershire Offers In Excess Of £800,000 A 19th century converted Coach House now offering family living with five bedrooms and grounds reaching to over half an acre. There is also a detached double garage with gym and an office.

Bath Office: 01225 444454 Corsham Office: 01249 715775 e: info@hunterfrench.co.uk • www.hunterfrench.co.uk

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hunter french estate agents, valuers and surveyors

Purlpit, Atworth £495,000 Occupying an idyllic rural position set amidst glorious open countryside approached over a lane in the small hamlet of Purlpit which is part of sought after Atworth village.

Entance hall, cloakroom, inner hallway, study area, dining room, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, master bedroom with en suite shower room, three further double bedrooms and spacious family bathroom.

Attractive private and enclosed gardens backing onto Neston Park farmland. Approx 1849 sq ft.

Corsham £535,000 An imposing and highly attractive detached five bedroom residence, which is peacefully situated in a prestigious close in sought after Pickwick close to open countryside, yet within walking distance of the historic town centre.

Entrance hall, cloakroom, study, kitchen/breakfast room, family room, dining room, sitting room, conservatory, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, four further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Attractive level and enclosed rear gardens with driveway, parking, double garage and attractive front garden. Approx 2174 sq ft.

Corsham Office: 01249 715775 Bath Office: 01225 444454 e: info@hunterfrench.co.uk • www.hunterfrench.co.uk

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WHITELEY HELYAR www.whiteleyhelyar.net

WELLSWAY

CLAVERTON VILLAGE

An attractive most substantial semi-detached period house with particularly spacious “family” accommodation, garage good parking and large level garden

4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, playroom/study and cloakroom.

A detached modern house standing in beautiful walled gardens of just over ¼ acre pleasantly situated between the village green and the ancient church in the heart of this most desirable village.

4 double bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, sun room, cloakroom. Swimming pool.

2 single garages, driveway parking.

Guide Price £499,000

Guide Price £850,000

BATHEASTON

LANSDOWN

A particularly spacious, beautifully maintained detached house most pleasantly situated in a “no through” road and standing in large, delightful gardens.

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room. Double garage and driveway parking.

An exquisitely renovated substantial semi-detached Victorian house peacefully set in beautifully landscaped gardens in this most select private road on the northern slopes of the city.

5 bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms, family bathroom and 2 en-suite shower rooms, drawing room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, study. Fabulous gardens. Garage.

Guide Price £529,000

£1.85 Million

6 PRINCES BUILDINGS, GEORGE STREET, BATH BA1 2ED

TEL: 01225 447544

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residential sales

Camden ÂŁ499,950 A 3 bedroom Georgian townhouse very well presented throughout with an abundance of period charm in the Camden area of Bath.

Set back off the road behind a walled garden, this charming home benefits from the following; sitting room, dining room, kitchen, downstairs WC, bathroom and terraced garden including a courtyard dining area. Viewing highly recommended.

Caroline Buildings ÂŁ595,000 A three storey, 4/5 bedroom Georgian townhouse located in the world heritage city of Bath in the popular Widcombe area.

This desirable period property backs on to the canal tow path and offers easy access to the city centre. A character house with charm which includes, entrance hall, 2 receptions, study/bedroom 5 and en-suites to most bedrooms bathrooms, outside there is a private rear garden with a well proportioned garage accessible to the rear.

Early viewing advised.

2 Princes Buildings George Street Bath BA1 2ED

T 01225 480444 F 01225 483198 E enquiries @whitfieldna sh.co.uk W www.whitfieldnash.co.uk

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Offers in Excess of £350,000 Beaufort West

Offers in Excess of £350,000

Large drawing | West facing terrace | Fitted kitchen | Large double bedroom with spiral staircase to mezzanine floor | White bathroom

Sitting room | Kitchen/breakfast room | Study area | Three bedrooms | Modern bathroom | Wet room and separate W.C. | Gardens | Garage

A beautifully proportioned one bedroom ground floor apartment that has a wonderful outlook onto Royal Victoria Park

This Georgian garden maisonette is located on the east side of Bath and offers great access to the local amenities of the popular Larkhall area.

Winifreds Dale

Offers in Excess of £350,000 Great Pulteney Street

Offers in Excess of £290,000

Drawing room with small balcony | Fitted kitchen | Two double bedrooms | Bathroom | Off road parking | Communal garden

Spacious living room | Fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room | Double bedroom | Luxury bathroom | Prestigious address

A stunning1st floor Georgian apartment located in a highly sought after location with wonderful views over the Royal Victoria Park golf course.

The Apartment Company are delighted to offer this classic first floor, Georgian apartment located in one of Bath's most prestigious addresses

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Offers in Excess of £270,000 Grosvenor Place

Open plan living | Stylish kitchen | Master bedroom with en-suite | Second double bedroom | Main bathroom | Allocated parking

Offers in Excess of £270,000

Drawing room | Kitchen | Master bedroom with wet room | Second double bedroom | Main bathroom | Office area | Courtyard | Two vaults

A stunning two bedroom duplex apartment located in a central location This two double bedroom lower ground floor courtyard apartment is and affording fine City views. situated in the ever popular Grosvenor Place.

Park Street

Offers in Excess of £265,000 St Peter’s Chapel

Offers in Excess of £245,000

Living room - with views | Modern fitted kitchen | Two double bedrooms Large open plan living space with living area, dining area and kitchen | Two large double bedrooms | Modern bathroom | Roof terrace | Bathroom | Excellent decorative order A stylish two bedroom first floor apartment located in a prime location close to St James' Square with allocated parking.

This stunning chapel conversion is located just a short walk from the City Centre and spacious living.

Farleigh Wick Exceptional listed former farmhouse dating from the 16th Century, beautifully restored throughout. Flexible accommodation. | drawing room | dining room | study/office | kitchen with Aga | 5 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | dressing room | integral 2 bed annexe | lovely garden | approx. 5025 sq. ft. | Guide Price: £1,300,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Lansdown A perfectly positioned outstanding modern detached house built to a high specification with many fine features | imposing hall | drawing room | dining room | study | impressive conservatory | kitchen | 4 bedrooms | 2 en suites | family bathroom | garage | walled garden | planning consent for substantial annexe | Guide Price: ÂŁ1,350,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Upper Camden Place A quite exceptionally presented Grade II listed three-storey Georgian town house with stunning panoramic views over the City and through the Avon Valley | flexible 4 bedroom accommodation | hall | open plan kitchen/dining/reception room | first floor drawing room | utility room | 3 bathrooms | gardens | central courtyard | superb city views | Guide Price: ÂŁ725,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Englishcombe Lane A substantial semi-detached home in this popular location with stunning views over the City of Bath | entrance hall | drawing room | sitting room | kitchen | dining room | utility room | cloakroom | 6 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | front and rear gardens | double garage | office/workshop | off-street parking | Guide Price: ÂŁ750,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Lansdown A beautifully presented single storey home set within a peaceful private road in the heart of Lansdown | entrance hall | sitting room | dining room | kitchen | master bedroom with en suite bathroom | 3 further bedrooms | family bathroom | utility | garage | walled landscaped gardens | parking | Guide Price: ÂŁ880,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Lansdown Marvellous views of Hedgemead Park and St Swithin’s Church | long established antique shop with office | cloakroom | workshop | drawing room | kitchen | 2 bedrooms | bathroom | wonderful secret garden and summerhouse | freehold | Guide Price: £600,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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KnightFrank.co.uk

Portland Place, Bath A superbly presented top floor apartment with stunning views across Bath.

Communal entrance, 2 reception rooms, kitchen. 2 bedrooms, bathroom. Approximately 1,163 sq.ft.

Residents’ parking.

KnightFrank.co.uk Bath 01225 325 999 bath@knightfrank.com

Guide Price ÂŁ395,000

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KnightFrank.co.uk

Lansdown, Bath

Guide Price ÂŁ1,200,000

A spacious detached home in Lansdown Entrance hall, 2 reception rooms, large kitchen/dining room, utility room, cloakroom. Master bedroom suite, 4 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite).

Approximately 3,173 sq.ft.

Double garage and o street parking. Delightful south facing garden.

KnightFrank.co.uk Bath 01225 325 999 bath@knightfrank.com

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KnightFrank.co.uk

Kensington Villa, Bath

Guide Price ÂŁ1,250,000

Two new homes available from an award winning builder.

4 reception rooms, large kitchen, utility room, games room/gym. Master bedroom suite, 3 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), Approximately 3,400 sq.ft.

Double garage, o street parking, level garden.

KnightFrank.co.uk Bath 01225 325 999 bath@knightfrank.com

Joint agent with

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KnightFrank.co.uk

Brunswick Street, Bath

Guide Price ÂŁ575,000

An elegant garde II listed townhouse 2/3 reception rooms, large kitchen/breakfast room, utility room. 4/5 bedrooms, shower room, family bathroom, cellars. Approximately 2,100 sq ft.

West facing garden, on street parking.

KnightFrank.co.uk Bath 01225 325 999 bath@knightfrank.com

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