The Bath Magazine May 2022

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ISSUE 231 | MAY 2022 | thebathmag.co.uk | £3.95 where sold

PLUS...

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

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Contents – May.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2022 15:39 Page 1

Country Coded by Richard Walker

30 70

40

Contents 5 THINGS

May 2022

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8

Great things to look forward to this month

NOTES ON A SMALL CITY

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10

SHADES OF GREEN

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Emma Clegg finds out about a new exhibition curated by Sandra Higgins where all exhibits are inspired by a dramatic view of the Somerset landscape

Richard Wyatt deals with an online scam and remembers skater and Winter Olympics medallist Robin Cousins

TALES AND TALES

A NOVEL MOMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Editor’s choice books encompass the Apolcalypse, weeds and Mr Spock, and we get a taste of William Keeling’s Gay Street Chronicles

Daisy Game talks to Marian Keyes, the bestselling author of 15 genre-defying novels, who is due to appear at The Bath Festival

TIME FOR TEA

FASHION FIX

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We take a look at the spring/summer range at Grace & Mabel whose fashions were recently showcased in the BBC’s production of Chloe

WHAT’S ON

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Our monthly guide to what’s happening in and around the city

A MUSE OF FIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Emma Clegg talks to John Risebero about an imaginative production of Henry V that’s taking place in the Abbey

THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 A war correspondent of 30 years, former independent MP Martin Bell looks back on his career and the matter of war and peacekeeping – you can also see him at the Bath Festival

MUSICAL FINGERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

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34

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

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

More content and updates discover: thebathmag.co.uk

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The weather’s warming up and we’re due an extravagant tea-time treat.

Champagne and jam and cream scones will do nicely, thank you

HEALTH & FITNESS NEWS

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Discover insights into managing inflammation, ideas for kitting yourself out for yoga and how to keep yourself hydrated

WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE WALK

Andrew Swift finds an old weaving town and takes a steep and narrow pathway on The Cotswold Edge

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GREEN VALUES

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Welcome the colours of nature into your home – not only are they on trend, but green shades make us feel refreshed and tranquil

URBAN GREENS

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Emma Clegg discovers the hidden delights of The Urban Garden, the smallest garden centre with the biggest heart

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason shares her thoughts on music and family with Melissa Blease before her Bath Festival performance

ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS

40

ON THE COVER

The Bath Festival is back in the city this month, so there’ll be books, music and partying in the city.

Check out all the events at bathfestivals.org.uk

Follow us on Instagram @thebathmagazine

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FROM THE EDITOR

Editor photograph by TBM

I

t’s all super green around here right now. Yes, Sir David Attenborough has been named Champion of the Earth by the UN. And we’ve got green in our pages in all sorts of ways – green interiors on page 66, a Shades of Green exhibition on page 40 (although there are some surprise non-green elements) and we visited a garden centre who are helping to green up Bath with their nursery-cultivated plants as well as to boost emotional and physical wellbeing (see page 70).

Let me count the ways in which we are green. Above is Marguerite Horner’s Hope, from Sandra Higgins’ Shades of Green exhibition (see page 40). Below are seedlings from The Urban Garden (see page 70) and the Pluma Velvet Fabric by Romo (see page 66).

The Bath Festival always defines May in our city and there are so many events and performances to choose from. I spoke to former war reporter and independent MP Martin Bell (page 28), Melissa Blease chatted to pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason of the celebrated musical family (page 30), Daisy Game questioned author Marian Keyes about her literary devices (page 14) and William Keeling gives us a taste of his Gay Street Chronicles on page 44, all in an effort to encompass some of the delights on offer this year.

There’s more culture, this time Shakespearean, with a performance of Antic Disposition’s Henry V at Bath Abbey (see page 26). Warning: don’t expect a stick-to-the-way-it’s-always-been-done production. That’s because the stage is the elongated area between the choristers’ benches, there is a play within a play and there are songs set to the poems of AE Housman. And that’s without mentioning that the theatrical backdrop is the Abbey’s internal architecture.

We’ll let you get on with May as you fill your boots with green things and look forward to miscellaneous experiences in our festival of books and music, and there’s some partying too. Until next time…

Emma Clegg 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.

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5

ZEITGEIST

things to do this

May

Thrill to the opera Come and join The Bath Festival

Find feisty females

The Literature Lounge at The Bath Festival

The nine-day programme of events at The Bath Festival kicks off on Friday 13 May, with thousands of people expected in the city centre for Party in the City, an evening of free live music to celebrate the start of the festival. Either pick up a Party in the City leaflet which lists the venues, acts and times, or download the Pixie app for a list of who is playing where.

Some 30 venues will be taking part in Party in the City. These include The Assembly Rooms, Bath Pizza Co in Green Park Station, Komedia, The Holburne Museum, Christ Church, The Pig and Fiddle, St James’ Wine Vaults, Widcombe Social Club, Bath Royal Scientific and Literary Institution and more.

There will be live outdoor music in Parade Gardens and in Queen Square at The Bath Festival Hub, where over the weekend of 14 and 15 May you’ll find a bar, food and drink traders and a programme of ongoing live entertainment. Drop in over the Saturday and Sunday from 11am for familyfriendly events, including craft activities and storytelling sessions.

While the festival attracts internationally renowned musicians and authors there is a strong Bath strand running through.

Highlights include the Concert for the People of Bath at The Forum with Bath Philharmonia and the Band of Royal Marines School of Music, the Bath Festival Orchestra playing beside The Roman Baths and the best-selling novelist Harriet Evans (author of A Place For Us, Going Home and Love Always) whose family have lived in Bath for 200 years.

For the full festival programme and tickets visit: bathfestivals.org.uk or call Bath Box Office on 01225 463362.

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On Sunday 15 May the Banqueting Room of Bath’s Guildhall sets the scene for a Bath Festival event, Chez Bullier’s, a faded Parisian speakeasy. Home to a cast of characters from operatic history there are tales of love and laughter, tragedy and loss, and stories that sadden and gladden the heart, or even break it.

Including music by Puccini, Verdi, Lehar and Strauss, this fully costumed performance sees Oliver Gooch conduct a salon band alongside the If Opera ensemble and chorus, as a prelude to If Opera’s spectacular season at Belcome Court in August. There will be two performances, at 5pm and 7.30pm. Tickets from £36. Book through the Bath Box Office website or call on: 01225 463 362. bathboxoffice.org.uk; bathfestivals.org.uk

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Feisty Females is a walking tour celebrating women who have lived in Bath throughout the ages. The walk starts at the west door of Bath Abbey and finishes at the Stall Street World Heritage Symbol. The walk lasts approximately two hours and is completely free. You must book to guarantee your place – booking closes 12 hours before each tour. 9 May, 2pm. bathguides.org.uk

Support the Blue, Black and White In their final home game of the season on 21 May, Bath Rugby take on the always exciting side of London Irish.

Come for the beautiful stadium, the always electric atmosphere, the wide variety of local food and drink options, and for a fantastic game of rugby.

Tickets start from £35 for adults and £15 for juniors – it’s the last opportunity of the 2021/22 Season to see the Blue, Black and White in action! bathrugby.com

Keep on laughing From 27–29 May, England’s smallest city hosts a big weekend of stand-up with the Wells Comedy Festival. Acts include Harry Hill, Al Murray The Pub Landlord, Reginald D Hunter, Shaparak Khorsandi, Phil Wang, Lou Sanders, Mark Thomas, Isy Suttie, Jamali Maddix, Mark Watson, Mike Wozniak, Nick Helm, Spencer Jones, Sophie Duker, Dane Baptiste, Rhys James, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Paul Foot and many more. Tickets from £10. wellscomfest.com

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The city

ist

THE BUZZ

THE BUZZ

FOREST LIVE 2022

Forest Live, a major outdoor live music series presented by Forestry England, is returning for 2022, running from 9–19 June and introducing forests to new audiences in unique, natural woodland arenas around the country. Over 1.9 million people have attended a Forest Live gig in the last 20 years, enjoying great music and supporting the nation’s forests when buying a ticket.

Going to a concert helps Forestry England create beautiful places for people to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Every year they plant some 8 million trees sustainably, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests and welcoming 296 million visits annually.

Forest Live takes place at Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Gloucester.

This year’s headline acts are Rag‘n’Bone Man, plus special guests Will And The People and guest support Charlotte Jane (Thursday 9 June); Keane with special guests Flyte, plus support Michael Conryan (Friday 10 June); Madness with special guests The Farm and guest support Emily Capell (Saturday 11 June); and Texas plus special guest Rumer (Sunday 12 June). Further information and tickets: forestryengland.uk/music

THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS More than 120 bags of litter have been collected from the banks of the River Avon in B&NES by volunteers and local organisations as part of this year’s Great British Spring Clean. Ten volunteer groups worked alongside Avon Fire and Rescue, Canoe Avon, Bath Sea Cadets and Bath Canoe Club for the Great Avon River Pick.

The litter was cleared using equipment provided by B&NES Council including 70 litter pickers, 30 children’s pickers, sacks, gloves and high vis jackets. keepbritaintidy.org; bathnes.gov.uk

My BATH

Having first come to Bath as a teacher, Delyth Cardy has now lived in the city for more than 50 years. She volunteers regularly at Bath Abbey, as a lay assistant, lesson reader and chaperone to the Girls’ Choir Where do you live in Bath?

I live at the top of Lansdown, and was initially attracted by the wonderful views and beautiful garden. It has the advantage of being away from the hustle and bustle (and pollution) of the city, but is within easy reach of it.

How long have you been based in Bath?

I have lived in Bath for over 50 years, having come here from London to teach at what was then the City of Bath Girls’ Grammar School (now Hayesfield School for Girls). It was my intention to move on after five years, but Bath cast its spell over me, and I am still here.

What are three things that you most like about the city?

Bath is a very elegant city, and I love the architecture, its history and the green spaces.

It is also a cultural city, hosting arts festivals and a variety of concerts and events throughout the year. There is an abundance of amateur groups such as drama/operatic societies, choirs, orchestras and dance groups to join. The theatre here is excellent with a first-class programme of plays and talks.

Bath is particularly special to me because this is where I met my husband.

What is your background and training?

I was brought up in south Wales in a largely Welsh-speaking family. Having attended a girls’ grammar school, I went to London where I studied music and trained to be a teacher. My first job was in a tough London comprehensive school which was a real ‘baptism by fire’. The unruly behaviour and foul language was a shock to the system, and I was horrified to find that pupils did not automatically obey or even listen to their teachers, often using swear words and obscene language I had never before encountered. In retrospect it was a very good training, which enabled me to deal effectively with teenage girls when I came to Bath.

What is your connection with the Abbey?

I first visited the Abbey when I came to Bath for my interview at the grammar school.

Shortly after I moved here a friend came to stay and, both being church-goers, we decided to go to a morning service at the Abbey. I was immediately captured not only by the building

but also by the music, and I have worshipped there ever since. When lay assistants were introduced in 1990 to help administer Holy Communion I was one of the first to be licensed by the bishop, and later became one of the regular lesson readers in services.

My main role in the Abbey is as chaperone to the Girls’ Choir. When the choir started in 1997, I was asked if I would supervise the girls’ robing. At the time this took place in the nearby Seventh Day Adventist chapel. The role developed further when the diocese introduced safeguarding, and I now attend all their practices and services as well as concerts, recordings and other events. Another role which takes up a considerable amount of time is front of house (FoH) for concerts and organ recitals presented by the Abbey music department. This involves organising stewards for the events, and sometimes introducing the soloists. Choir chaperoning and FoH are a great joy; it is a privilege to be involved in the wonderful music produced at the Abbey.

What do you do when you are not at the Abbey?

I enjoy playing and watching tennis. For me the best day out is a day at the Wimbledon championships. I also enjoy watching rugby (Wales) and cricket. When time allows I enjoy the theatre, concerts and opera. At home I find great satisfaction in cooking, especially for guests.

How do you live a sustainable life?

I am very careful that the food I eat is sustainable: I buy meat from a butcher who can say which farms produce it, never buy ready-meals or fast food, and grow my own vegetables. I try to use the bus (Park and Ride) when I can, and the car I drive is a hybrid.

How would you like to be remembered?

If at all, as someone who had tried to do everything to the best of her ability, and who was considerate in her dealings with others.

What is your life philosophy?

No matter what the situation I always look for the positive. There are millions who are worse off than I am, and I continually give thanks for all the privileges and blessings bestowed on me throughout my life. ■

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CITY | NOTEBOOK

Richard Wyatt: Notes on a small city Columnist Richard Wyatt has been the victim of an online scam, but can’t get through to his bank, and his stress levels are rising...

In better news, he’s found footage of Robin Cousins skating

T

Richard Wyatt with Robin Cousins in 1978

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When I did get through, I had to listen to a recorded voice asking me to state my concern.

‘Fraud!’ I shouted

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o successfully navigate social media platforms you have to be aware of two new and potentially alarming words of warning regarding how others – with evil intent – may seek to disrupt and capitalise on your online presence. The words are ‘hacked’ and ‘scammed’.

The first used to refer, say, to a badly trimmed hedge where branches were cut with rough or heavy blows. These days it also means someone gaining unauthorised access to your computer. It’s the second of these two dishonest activities that I recently fell victim to.

Just recently, up popped a text message telling me that ‘Simon attempted to deliver your parcel today but no one was at home.

To reschedule a new delivery date...’ and then it asked me to visit a website which, when clicked on, opened a very convincing Post Office ‘reschedule your post’ page. It said there would be a charge of under two pounds, but that would not be taken out of my account until after the parcel had been delivered.

I had supplied name, telephone number, address AND paid the small amount by Visa Debit. When my husband heard of this, he immediately told me I had been scammed – the victim of a fraudulent scheme that could open the doors to emptying my bank account.

Up to the point when I rang my bank’s fraud department, no money had been taken out of my account. Getting through to this department was not easy, however, and added to the anxiety I was already feeling by being duped. I had been taken in because I WAS expecting a parcel and the ‘Post Office website’ did look convincing.

When I did get through, I had to listen to a recorded voice asking me to state my concern. ‘Fraud!’ I shouted. The voice then asked me if I had said ‘Fraud’ and I had to answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. At this point the first attempt to get through to a real human being failed as the line dropped out. You can imagine my stress levels were rising quicker than a soufflé in a hot oven. Several more attempts were made to shout names and yes/no responses to this mechanical and unemotional recording. At one point I was tempted to replace ‘Fraud’ with ‘sausages’ – a throw-back to Esther Rantzen’s That’s Life programme of the 1970s and Prince the talking dog!

Eventually I let my cool-headed husband navigate the prerecorded hurdles that led him, and then me, to a real person.

My thanks to the bank for the immediate cancellation of my card and for sending out a replacement in a matter of days.

You can put my lack of judgement down to rapidly becoming a doddery old fool, but I think, whatever your age, most would agree that these people who are after your money are becoming more and more sophisticated in how real they make the ‘bait’ they place online.

A couple of days after this attempt to hoodwink me came another ‘attack’ from elsewhere, this time flying the flag of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. I was being tempted with a tax refund. Let this columnist gently warn his readers of the dangers that lurk online.

Sailing now into calmer internet waters, I have to say a big thank you to one Facebook group I belong to, made up of fans of the ITV regional station for the West of England and which covers the history of HTV West and its forerunner TWW. During the recent Winter Olympics in China, I happened to catch former champion ice-skater and Bristol boy Robin Cousins fulfilling a different role as commentator.

Two years before Robin struck figure-skating gold at the 1980 Olympic Games, I had made a documentary with him at the Bristol Ice Rink. Our cameraman had rigged up a tiny sledge attached to one of his skating boot blades on which to mount a camera and get a shot of him skating at ice-rink level. This was an amazing shot taken years before the advent of miniature action camera devices.

I couldn’t find the documentary anywhere and then noticed that the Friends of HTV West had uploaded an off-air recording by Ed Hearn of a programme celebrating the 30th anniversary of the channel. A ‘special’ fronted by me and featuring the very shot I was looking for. The recording is available on YouTube via bit.ly/38e3ID3 and that IS a genuine web address! n Richard Wyatt runs the Bath Newseum: bathnewseum.com

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Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

See more online www.thebathmag.co.uk

Contact us: Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Editor Tel: Email:

Emma Clegg 01225 424592 emma@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Assistant Editor/Web Editor Daisy Game Email: daisy@thebathmagazine.co.uk Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

The Bath Magazine is delivered free, every month to more than 15,000 residential addresses as well as businesses throughout Bath and the surrounding area. We also have special distribution units in many of Bath’s supermarkets

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmag.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2022 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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CULTURE | BOOKS

The happy ending rule

Ahead of her appearance at The Bath Festival later this month, best-selling novelist Marian Keyes chats to Daisy Game about character, catharsis, and the importance of hope

A

s the author of 25 novels – with 30 million copies sold worldwide – it’s fair to say that Marian Keyes is something of a literary phenomenon. Using her books to tackle weighty subjects such as addiction (Rachel’s Holiday), abuse (This Charming Man), depression (The Mystery of Mercy Close) and bereavement (Anybody Out There), Keyes has a knack for keeping things light with her witty prose – and relatable characters.

“I usually start with one character – it’s usually a woman – and then over the early part of the book I construct her life, and get to know the important relationships in it”, the Limerick-born writer tells me, explaining that she doesn’t tend to know exactly where her characters will wind up when she first puts pen to paper, but rather allows plot to grow organically. It’s not uncommon, I suggest, for character-driven novelists like Keyes to describe their protagonists as having ‘written themselves’. Alice Walker (The Colour Purple) recalls how her creations would frequently “come for a visit… and talk”; Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials) claims to have engaged in a spirited debate with his anti-heroine Mrs Coulter over how much time she was willing to spend in a certain cave. Are Keyes’ characters, I

wonder, also partial to a chat? Not exactly.

“I hear people saying that, and I think it’s nonsense”, the novelist declares, telling me that her own approach to characterisation tends to be of the trial-and-error variety. “I think that the further the book goes, the more solid the character becomes: if I write them doing something that’s not congruent with who they are, I should know it. So the character doesn’t ‘tell’ me – but I should know if I’ve created them properly.”

The ‘proper’ creation of character is something to which Keyes devotes the lion’s share of her creative energy: “I write about people – I’m far more interested in people than plot”, says Keyes. Certain characters within the writer’s roster have captured her imagination for longer than others. In February of this year, Keyes returned once again to the Walsh family fold (a fictional quintet of sisters starring in five of Keyes’ previous novels), bringing her beloved Rachel Walsh back to our bookshelves in the writer’s latest novel, Again, Rachel. Readers first met Rachel through Keyes’ ’90s hit, Rachel’s Holiday, in which the writer’s titular character was shocked to discover that rehab (Rachel is addressing a destructive relationship with drugs) isn’t, as she imagined it might be, all ex-rockstars and time off work. Twenty-five years later, and Rachel is back in rehab; but the tables have turned, and this time it’s Rachel who is giving, as opposed to receiving, treatment.

For Keyes, the path back to Rachel is one paved with personal history; at the age of 30, the soon-to-be novelist spent time at the Rutland Centre, Dublin to address her own destructive relationship with alcohol.

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We need to believe that even if things are awful right now, better things will come: because they do

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“When I wrote about being in rehab in Rachel’s Holiday, I was on very solid ground about the whole experience”, says Keyes; “I have to be, to write about something accurately: I need to have distance from it. That’s how it is for me – but every writer is different.”

“People often ask if writing is cathartic – its absolutely not. Writing is my job, and catharsis is something I do in my own time”, Keyes expands, explaining that to attempt any kind of healing via the act of writing “feels wrong and unproductive”.

That said, Keyes does hope that her novels might be of some comfort to readers: “Bad things happen to every single one of us – but most of them are survivable. In every one of my books, the characters, whoever they are, go through something grim -– and we all do in life.

And I think that whenever something horrible hits any of us, we think ‘oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening to me’ and ‘I don’t have the recourses to endure it’. I’ve felt like that so many times. But I would really like people to know that the worst thing can hit – and it’ll be really unpleasant – but it’ll be okay, and a time will come when it will no longer be crippling.”

Keyes’ determination to imbue her writing with sense of optimism is brought firmly home via her Happy Endings Rule: all of Keyes’ books, goes the rule, must end with one. It’s a choice with which the novelist admits to having wrestled; some have suggested that her writing might be taken more ‘seriously’ if she were to adopt a slightly grittier outlook.

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CULTURE | BOOKS

After all, happy endings aren’t exactly commonplace – are they?

“I know that people say that happy endings are unrealistic – but they’re not”, Keyes disagrees: “In every life we have moments where things are all okay; it’s brief, because everything changes – but I like to stop my books at the point where everything is okay for a while. […] I think life is hard, and we need to be hopeful.”

The happy endings, then, are a Keyes-ian feature that the writer has no plans to change: “The older I get”, Keyes muses, “the more I’m digging my heels in. We need to believe that even if things are awful right now, better things will come: because they do.”

One of the ‘better things’ for Keyes has been her writing career: “I’ve been so lucky. I have had such a career, I’ve had so many readers – and I am so grateful for them,” the writer is keen to impress. But it too has come with its challenges – especially in regard to gendered readings of her work. Despite the weight of the topics Keyes explores, the novelist’s work is often shoved under the Chick Lit banner: dubbed as writing by a woman, for women – and dismissed from the ranks of ‘serious literature’ in the process. While Keyes is wary of wading too far into the chick-lit-debate – “everyone in the whole world must have heard me talking about it 20 times already”, she apologizes – the writer remains painfully aware of the influence of her gender not only on her own reception as a writer, but on the reception of women everywhere.

“Everything women do – everything – the way we live, the way we dress; what we eat and what we don’t eat; what we write, how we try to be funny – everything we do is criticised”, she asserts; “It isn’t just female writers – it’s female everything. And I think women really need to be aware of that: that this is how men hold on to the power and the money, by finding ways to denigrate things we love or things we do.”

Such is Keyes’ enthusiasm for female writers – “all women are under-read and undersold”, she says – that she is reluctant to list those on which she wishes the spotlight would shine brighter, for fear

of missing anyone out.

“There are so many that it’s always a worry to list…” the writer ponders. She will admit that she’s a big fan of Jane Fallon’s soon to be released novel Just Got Real, and Louise O’Neill’s Icon is another firm favourite – but Keyes is quick to reiterate that there’s no end to the number of writers, and all-round “lovely people”, she would happily sing the praises of.

Later this month, Keyes will attend The Bath Festival, where she will talk with two other female comic writers of whose works she is an ardent fan: Nina Stibbe and Lucy Mangan. Keyes looks forward to the chat, imagining that the trio will likely discuss their latest books and perhaps, as she wryly puts it, “why women aren’t regarded as funny.”

Keyes can think of greater hardhships than a taking a spring trip to Bath: she has fond memories of the city – “ I love it!” – and remembers a particularly pleasant evening a few Christmases ago spent in the Lucknam Park Spa with her husband. “We had the loveliest time...”, the novelist wistfully recalls. Perhaps Keyes’ imminent return to Bath, then, can be added to her list of real-life happy endings.

Marian Keyes will be interviewed

by Claire Armitstead alongside Nina Stibbe and Lucy Mangan at The Bath Festival on 14 May at 5.30pm at the Assembly Rooms.

Keyes’ latest novel, Again, Rachel, is published by Michael Joseph, £20; bathfestivals.org

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FASHION

Fashion on screen

Grace & Mabel was established in Bristol in 2007, and they soon followed on with a boutique in Bath. Their fashions were recently showcased in the BBC’s production of Chloe, which was filmed in Bristol. This gripping psychological thriller saw many of the production’s clothes sourced in the region. We asked Grace & Mabel owner Daniela Benson about the creative collaboration and look at their distinctive spring/summer designer collection

N

o matter how sophisticated your Google searches may be, it can be tricky to track down and purchase your favourite on-screen looks. Whether it is Daphne

Erin Doherty wore Stine Goya’s Jasmine Dress in episode two of Chloe

Bridgerton’s tulle lavender gown, Villanelle’s gauzy feminine pink dress or Anna Delvey’s Alaïa dresses, these looks have often been hand-stitched by established costume designers who know

exactly how to add a certain pizzazz to an actor’s outfit.

Much to our delight, however, this was not the case for Chloe, the six-part pyschological thriller created by Alice Seabright for BBC One, which garnered outstanding reviews from critics and viewers alike. The makers and creators were determined to not only feature iconic locations in the region, but also to shine a light on local artists, musicians and talent, including that of Grace & Mabel.

Grace & Mabel fashions are renowned for pieces that have been individually handpicked from the world’s top designers.

The much-loved local indie has attracted the attention of multiple award-winning costume designers in its time, including Charlotte Mitchell (Killing Eve, Harlots), who turned to Grace & Mabel when dressing the characters of Stephen Merchant’s BBC One crime thriller comedy The Outlaws. This is not so surprising because the Clifton boutique’s hand-picked pieces from world-class designers attract attention, and would be a welcome asset in any wardrobe.

Chloe follows the life of a young woman (played by The Crown’s Erin Doherty), who becomes obsessed with one particular picture-perfect Instagram account. As her obsession intensifies, drama very much ensues. The clothes in Chloe were a crucial expression of the deception of the protagonist Becky who absorbs different identities. With appearance at the heart of this story, costume designer Matthew Price (Catastrophe, Unforgotten, Behind Her Eyes) wanted a distinct look for the main characters. “[Matthew] knew exactly what he wanted for each character in the series,” says Daniela. “We made sure we were able to provide him with the pieces he needed, which meant ordering a few bits from designers like Baum Und Pferdgarten, Munthe and Stine Goya.”

Matthew’s outfit choices brought the designers’ signature prints and psychedelic shades to centre stage. Eager to see what more Grace & Mabel has in store, we took a closer look at its spring/summer collection... n

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FASHION

Get the look at GRACE & MABEL Jasmine Dress Stine Goya; Stroke Tulips; £260 Paradiso Silk Scarf

By Malene Birger; Garian Paradise; £120

Caraway Jumper Baum Und Pferdgarten; Sulphur Stripe; £159

Avalyn Dress Stine Goya; Multi Cheetah; £360

HOFF Trainers Shanghai Tower; £150

Cliff Trousers Munthe; Beige; £189

Stone Skirt Baum Und Pferdgarten; Psychedelic Sulphur; £159

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LOCAL | EVENTS

What’s on in May Holburne Plant Sale

LIVE MUSIC AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park, Bath Enjoy live jazz/funk/soul/swing at Green Park Brasserie on Wednesday and Thursday from 6.30–8.45pm and Friday and Saturday from 6.30–9.45pm. Music varies in style from dynamic duos to modern trios to a Hot Club style quintet. The Brasserie kitchen will be open from 5–10pm Wednesday–Friday, and 12–10pm on Saturday, serving up local produce including steak, fish, chicken and burgers. greenparkbrasserie.com TOUCHED 4–7 May, 7:30pm n The Rondo Theatre, Bath It’s 1945 – meet a Nottingham family of women over the 100 days from VE Day on 8 May to VJ (Victory in Japan) Day on 15 August. A story of celebration, love, gutwrenching grief, and that great British Institution, a pot of tea. Momentous events, including the landslide victory of the Labour party, are seen through the everyday experience of ordinary people. They dreamed of a New World and a better future. How have those dreams turned out? By Stephen Lowe, presented by Bath Drama. £14/£12. ticketsource.co.uk U3A: LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN AN AGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE 5 May, 10.30am–12.30pm n Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road Andrew Grant is a director of pioneering Bath-based Landscape Architecture Firm, Grant Associates. He will explain that one of his firm’s aims is to steer people towards

Katherine Rundell on John Donne at The Bath Festival

nature-based solutions to landscape design problems, reconnecting them with nature in insightful, delightful and distinctive ways whilst addressing the global challenges of urbanisation, the climate crisis and biodiversity extinction. Admission to the talks is free for members and asks for a donation of £2 for non-members. u3ainbath.org.uk

Home Front Interiors and Coco & Wolf, with all profits going to UK for UNHCR’s Ukraine Emergency Appeal to support refugees. Comedian James Acaster will host the event, former Sotheby’s auctioneer Ed Rising will conduct the auction, with musical entertainment provided by the Claire Martin Quintet. newtonandworthy.com; @homeaid_ukraineauction

THE CLARIDGE LECTURE: ADRIAN TINNISWOOD Thursday 5 May, doors 6.15pm, lecture 7pm n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Join Adrian Tinniswood OBE FSA, renowned social and architectural historian, for a talk about his new book Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of the PostWar Country House. As the sun set on the British Empire in the years after the Second World War, the nation’s stately homes were in crisis. Capturing the spirit of the age, Tinniswood proves that the country house is not only an iconic symbol, but a lens through which to understand the shifting fortunes of Britain in an era of monumental social change. Tickets £10 (includes welcome drink). americanmuseum.org

CHILDREN’S YOGA Saturdays from 7 May, 11–11.45am n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Children (ages 4+) can enjoy the uplifting surroundings of the gardens in the museum, with these classes, organised in partnership with Bath YMCA, designed to introduce yoga and mindfulness around a story or a theme that changes each week, ending with relaxation. £7.50 per session. americanmuseum.org

HOME AID Thursday 5 May, 6.30–9.30pm n Bath Assembly Rooms This unique charity auction, organised by photography and journalist duo Newton & Worthy, will feature an abundance of beautiful and distinct interior items and experiences, donated for free from companies such as OKA, Holloways of Bath,

HOLBURNE PLANT SALE 8 May, 10.30am–2.30pm n Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath The Holburne’s annual plant sale in the museum's grounds will raise money in support of the Holburne. Includes stalls from expert nurseries and has plants and herbs for sale, a beehive display, homemade produce and tea, coffee and cakes. holburne.org SPARKFEST 9 May–11 June n Various locations across Bath Now in its fifth year, this festival of theatre, music and dance is set to take over our beautiful city once again. SparkFest promises Continued page 22

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LOCAL | EVENTS

Harriet Evans at The Bath Festival

four weeks of bright and brave performances from Bath Spa University graduates, in partnership with The Bath Festival. Take a fresh look at how young talent engages with the region’s artistic community. Tickets: bathspalive.com or bathboxoffice.org.uk; sparkfest.co.uk HENRY V 9–14 May, 7.30–9.30pm n Bath Abbey Award-winning Bath-based theatre company Antic Disposition present their critically acclaimed First World War adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V in the awe-inspiring setting of Bath Abbey, celebrating the rich and turbulent relationship between Britain and France, from the Hundred Years War to the Entente Cordiale. With original songs inspired by the poetry of AE Housman. £25/£35. ticketsource.co.uk GENTLE YOGA IN THE GARDENS Thursdays from 12 May, 6–7pm n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath In partnership with Bath YMCA yoga experts, the museum is delighted to offer wellbeing sessions in this beautiful setting, listening to the sounds of nature. There is no better place in the city to practice yoga, relax and to calm the body and mind.. £10 per session. americanmuseum.org ISABELLA BIRD – BRITAIN’S FEARLESS VICTORIAN ADVENTURER & HER MAGIC LANTERN SLIDES 12 May, 7.30–9pm n BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath and online On 10 May 1897 Isabella Bird was engaged to lecture on Western China at the RGS in London. Jacki Hill-Murphy, who has recently published The Life and Travels of Isabella Bird, will recreate that lecture, using some of her original magic lantern slides, and talk about the rest of Isabella’s solo world travels and how she survived many dangers. £2–£5. brlsi.org CATCH ME IF YOU CAN 12–16 May, 7.30pm, plus matinees 22 TheBATHMagazine

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Catch Me if You Can, Theatre Royal Bath

n Theatre Royal, Bath Dallas legend Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl fly in from Hollywood to star alongside Gray O’ Brien, leading the cast in this exciting new production of the classic Broadway thriller. Directed by Bob Tomson.

Tickets from £28; theatreroyal.org.uk

Celebrating music and books, The Bath Festival runs from 13–24 May. Some of the events are listed here, but refer to the festival website for the full range of events and performances: bathfestivals.org.uk

PARTY IN THE CITY 13 May, 5–11pm n Queen Square, Parade Gardens Free live music and entertainment at various venues across the city. bathfestivals.org.uk HARRIET EVANS 14 May, 10–11am n Literature Lounge Harriet Evans has written 13 bestselling novels and worked for many years as an editor with authors such as Marian Keyes and Sue Townsend. She will be talking to writer and broadcaster Francesa Beauman about her latest novel, The Beloved Girls, being labelled a ‘women’s fiction’ author, the secrets of a long writing career, and living and writing in Bath. Tickets £9. bathfestivals.org.uk PITCH PERFECT: MARIAN KEYES, NINA STIBBE AND LUCY MANGAN 14 May, 5.30pm n Assembly Rooms Three witty, wise and wickedly funny writers Marian Keyes (Again, Rachel), Nina Stibbe (One Day I Shall Astonish the World) and Lucy Mangan (Are We Having Fun Yet?) explore female friendship, old flames, family chaos and the absurd pitfalls of modern life with Claire Armitstead, The Guardian journalist and editor. bathfestivals.org.uk

Party in the City

MARTIN BELL: WAR & PEACEKEEPING 15 May, 10.30am n Assembly Rooms Over six decades, Martin Bell, the finest war reporter of his generation, has stood in 18 war zones as a soldier, a reporter and a UNICEF ambassador. He looks back on our efforts to keep the peace since the end of the Second World War and considers the current darkening political landscape with broadcaster and journalist Mark Lawson. £10. bathfestivals.org.uk GEORGE MONBIOT 17 May, 5pm n Komedia, Bath Writer and environmental campaigner George Monbiot talks to Max Porter about his inspiring vision of a new future for agriculture and how we could grow more food with less farming, transforming our relationship with the living planet. His book Regenesis is a breathtaking vision of a new future for food and humanity. Tickets £12. bathfestivals.org.uk KATHERINE RUNDELL ON JOHN DONNE 18 May, 10.30am n BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath In his myriad lives John Donne was a scholar of law, a sea adventurer, a priest, an MP – and perhaps the greatest love poet in the history of the English language. Join celebrated author and scholar Katherine Rundell as she introduces us to SuperInfinite, her sparkling and very modern biography that brings him and his poems to life. £8. bathfestivals.org.uk EMPIRICAL 18 May, 7.30pm n Walcot House, Walcot Street, Bath Empirical are one of the most admired and unique bands in contemporary jazz and will be bringing their award-winning sounds to this year’s festival. The ensemble features Nathaniel Facey alto sax, Tom Farmer double bass, Lewis Wright vibraphone and Shane Forbes drums. £15. bathfestivals.org.uk Continued page 24

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LOCAL | EVENTS GRICE – ONE THOUSAND BIRDS 19 May, 8pm n Chapel Arts, Lower Borough Walls Critically acclaimed art rock musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist GRICE performs songs from his latest album One Thousand Birds – recently featured on BBC Radio 6 Music and described by Tom Robinson as “gorgeously epic music of exquisite beauty.” £12. chapelarts.org BELLE NASH AND THE BATH SOUFFLE 21 May, 4.30pm n The Holburne Museum, Bath Hailed by Matthew Parris as a work of “genius, part Dickensian, part modern; incisive, outlandish and hilariou”, Belle Nash and the Bath Soufflé is the first of The Gay Street Chronicles. Author William Keeling, a former Financial Times foreign correspondent, talks to Alasdair McWhirter about his entertaining new series of satirical historical novels set in Bath. Tickets £9. bathfestivals.org.uk WALK OF LIFE 21 May n Start points: the Crown Inn in Bishops Cannings, Devizes (marathon) and Victory Field in Bradford on Avon (10-mile route) Enjoy a walk along the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal – walk the marathon (26.2 miles) or take the 10-mile route. Either way you’ll be giving the extra mile for people in our community. Both walks cross the finish line at the Holburne Museum. Forever Friends is the fundraising charity at the Royal United Hospitals, Bath. £15/£8. Sign up at: foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk COOL BRITANNIA: A RIDE THROUGH THE SWINGING 60s 26 May, 8pm n Chapel Arts, Lower Borough Walls Relive the heady 1960s as this unforgettable live band whirls you through the decade of the British Explosion, from early 60s kitsch to rooftop rock and everything in between.

Sixties Britain created a style and sound all its own – and made the world sit up and take notice. £20. chapelarts.org

WELLS COMEDY FESTIVAL 27–29 May n Wells Comedy Festival, Somerset Over this weekend, England’s smallest city will play host to 40 comedy shows at venues across the city. This includes four gala night performances, each with their own surprise line-ups. Acts include Harry Hill, Phil Wang, Al Murray, Shaparak Khorsandi, Isy Suttie, Mark Watson, Mike Wozniak, Lou Sanders, Reginald D Hunter, Spencer Jones, Mark Thomas and Nick Helm. Tickets from £9. wellscomfest.com LAVENDER BAG MAKING 28 May – 5 June n No. 1 Royal Crescent, 1 Royal Crescent During May half-term come and make lavender bags in the museum gallery. This drop-in craft activity is free with your museum ticket (£11/£5.50). no1royalcrescent.org.uk THE GOLDEN COCKEREL 30 May, 7.30pm n Theatre Royal, Bath English Touring Opera returns to Bath with a poetic production of the most popular of operas, and a lively new production of a comic Russian fantasy by Rimsky-Korsakov.

Tickets from £25; theatreroyal.org.uk

LOOKING AHEAD: GARDEN GROOVES 3 June, doors 5.30pm, music from 7pm n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Enjoy a summer’s evening of mellow music in the museum’s spectacular gardens. Top musicians will entertain while you enjoy the stunning views across the Limpley Stoke Valley. For line-up information see the website.

Treat yourself to one of the museum’s specially curated hampers or bring your own picnic to savour alfresco.

Tickets from £12.50. americanmuseum.org

LITTLE THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS

Met Opera Live: Turandot 12A – 206 mins – from 7 May Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska stars as Puccini’s icy princess. Tenor Yonghoon Lee is the bold prince determined to win Turandot’s love, alongside soprano Ermonela Jaho as the devoted servant Liù and legendary bass Ferruccio Furlanetto as the blind king Timur.

Marco Armiliato conducts Puccini’s stirring opera, which takes the stage in the company’s dazzling, ever-popular production by Franco Zeffirelli.

EOS: Pisarro - The Master of Impressionism 90 mins – from 24 May Camille Pissarro is rightfully known as the father of Impressionism. Pissarro followed a dramatic path, documented in letters to his family. Using these intimate and revealing letters this gripping film reveals how he found his passion in paint as a young man in Paris, and by the age of 43 had corralled a group of enthusiastic artists into a new collective called the Impressionists.

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

Shaparak Khorsandi at the Wells Comedy Festival

GRICE at Chapel Arts

Empirical at The Bath Festival

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ARTS | THEATRE

A kingdom for a stage

The young King Henry V has just assumed the throne and is planning to invade parts of France. Then 500 years later wounded First World War British and French troops recuperate in a hospital. Welcome to Henry V with an entirely new spin – a play within a play in the historic surroundings of our Grade I listed Bath Abbey, says Emma Clegg

T

he chorus prologue of Shakespeare’s Henry V announces a story with huge fields, grand battles, and fighting kings.

There is an early instruction to the audience to see the small wooden stage as the fields of France, so to imagine, “a kingdom for a stage”. This premise is one that theatre audiences are well used to, but in a new production of Henry V at Bath Abbey the imagination requires a further stretch because the wooden stage is replaced by the narrow space between the choir stalls in the western part of the Chancel and the choir stalls seat the audience of 140.

The theatre company Antic Disposition, set up by directors John Risebero and Ben Horslen, specialises in classic plays and stories, with a particular emphasis on the works of Shakespeare, and visually striking productions in historic buildings and spectacular non-theatre spaces. Recent productions include The Comedy of Errors in Gray’s Inn Hall in London, the location of the play’s first recorded performance in 1594; Richard III in Leicester Cathedral, where the King was recently reinterred; and Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet in the 12th-century Temple Church in London.

John, who trained as a theatre designer, explains the lure of these unusual venues and how a minimal amount of staging is required.

“When you are in a space like this you don’t want to hide it in any way. We rely a lot on the buildings to create the atmosphere so we very rarely use a ‘set’. Sometimes the historic connections are extraordinary. In Salisbury Cathedral just across from the area we used as a stage is the tomb of a knight who fought at the Battle of Agincourt. In Worcester Cathedral we had King John’s tomb pretty much in the middle of the stage, and in Norwich Cathedral one of the knights mentioned in the play is buried in the building. These connections give it all real resonance.”

The original Antic Disposition production of Henry V was conceived in 2015, the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.

When planning the play John and Ben were struck by the fact that in 1415 France and England were mortal enemies but 500 years later in 1915, the two nations were again fighting in the fields of northern France, but this time as allies. They came up with the idea of setting the production in 1915 and basing it on the premise of the two armies coming together to tell the story of their shared history. So it’s

performed as a play within a play, a device that Shakespeare used himself, set in a First World War hospital in 1915, 500 years after the Battle of Agincourt. “The concept is that there is a group of British soldiers and a group of French soldiers in this hospital, recuperating having fought on the front line, and as part of their process of recovery they decide to stage their own production of Henry V, so they are allies in the same hospital telling this story of 500 years before”, says John.

Henry V – a little under three hours in its full form – in this production is cut down to two hours, a length that Antic Disposition likes to work with for their productions: “A lot of people were put off Shakespeare at school so we try and make it as accessible as it possibly can be.”

The elongated stage area does provide some logistical challenges as the audience on each side may at times see the back of a head delivering a key speech, but being so close to the action is a thrilling compensation. The cast of 12 includes British and French actors and the costumes are set in the First World War with French and British uniforms. “We use very simple props – most made from materials that the soldiers might have found in the hospital. Henry wears a crown made out of a tin can, and bishops wear mitres made out of cardboard boxes with a red cross on the front.”

Extra poignancy is brought to the production by the use of original songs inspired by the poetry of AE Housman, in a powerful tribute to the young soldiers caught up in conflicts five centuries apart: “Some are hymn-like and reflective; others follow more of a First World War marching genre,” says John.

“Many of the versions of Henry V over the years have been overly patriotic – the 1944 Laurence Olivier film was made as a moraleboosting production at the tail end of the Second World War. Ours is more of a celebration of international collaboration and working together, and about the horrors of war.” These are both themes with heightened relevance right now, so it’s time to take your place in the choristers’ stalls. n Antic Disposition’s production of Henry V is at Bath Abbey from 9–14 May at 7.30pm. bathshakespeare.co.uk

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ARTS | THEATRE

“For the audience the experience is not just about the play or the building, but some kind of combination of the two that works together to create a magical experience” JOHN RISEBERO

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FESTIVAL | POLITICS

The man in the white suit

In over 30 years as a foreign affairs correspondent, Martin Bell saw major changes in the way news was reported. Emma Clegg asks about his time as a reporter, as an MP and as a UNICEF ambassador, ahead of his arrival at The Bath Festival

W

hat’s the difference between a brigade and a battalion?

Martin Bell OBE knew the answer to this when he worked as a broadcast war reporter in the 1960s. Born in 1938, Bell was one of the last in the UK to be called up for compulsory two-year national service, serving in Cyprus during the Greek Cypriot War of Independence. “It was a very good training because they taught you fieldcraft, which is how to stay alive in dangerous places, and how to operate in a small team, which is what I was doing in my later years in Bosnia.”

Bell had a distinguished career as a foreign affairs correspondent – over 30 years he covered 11 conflicts and reported from 80 countries, among them Vietnam, the Middle East, Nigeria, Angola and Northern Ireland. He saw many changes, both technical and operational, in this time. “I had two assignments in Vietnam in 1967 and 1972 – we just shot the raw footage with a recorded commentary, wrapped the cans of film in an onion bag so customs and security could see what they were, and shipped them to London. It would be anything up to four days old by the time it was used.”

Another transition came with the introduction of colour film.

“We moved from black and white to colour film around 1969.

Prior to that, in any field of conflict blood was always seen as black.

Suddenly colour comes in and blood is red. The BBC started flinching from the portrayal of real-world violence and there was a limit to

what we were allowed to show, especially in the Balkan Wars.”

In the mid-1990s Bell developed a style of reporting that he called the “journalism of attachment”, one that rejects rigid neutrality, that “cares as well as knows”. Journalists, he felt, had a new moral obligation to distinguish between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ in conflict zones, and to express an attachment to the ‘good’ side. “It struck me after three and a half years of the Bosnian War that there was no obligation to be impartial between the armed and the unarmed and the victim and the aggressor. What I suggested was not a licence to be opinionated, but a freedom from this mechanical balancing act, which was used when I started in the newsroom in the 1960s.”

Referring to the dangers faced by war reporters today, Bell says that the attacks on the Twin Towers in 2001 reorientated the landscape: “Everything changed with 9/11 as, especially in the Middle East, journalists were in danger not just of being caught in the crossfire, but of being targeted, ransomed, kidnapped. There was therefore a retreat from frontline journalism to what I call ‘rooftop journalism’. It’s still very dangerous, but the hazards are of a different order.”

Martin Bell is appearing at The Bath Festival on 15 May where, wearing his trademark white suit, he will look back on the efforts to keep the peace since the end of the Second World War and consider the current political landscape with broadcaster and journalist Mark Lawson. His astute judgement on matters of war will also be applied

“I sometimes think what a field day Goebbels would have had if the internet had existed in those days”

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FESTIVAL | POLITICS

to the conflict in Ukraine – on which he endorses both the style of the BBC coverage and the support NATO is giving Ukraine: “You’re dealing with a very volatile and unpredictable individual in the Kremlin. I think we’re doing the right thing in giving the Ukrainians the wherewithal to fight back.”

Bell famously left the BBC in 1997 to stand as an independent candidate in the Tatton constituency in Cheshire, one of the safest Conservative seats in the country, where the sitting MP Neil Hamilton was embroiled in sleaze allegations. The Labour and Liberal Democrat parties withdrew their candidates in Bell’s favour and he was elected as an MP, overturning a Conservative majority of over 22,000.

Bell’s tenure as an MP brought new challenges: “I had encountered ambushes from Biafra to Bosnia – but nothing like the one on Knutsford Heath when the Hamiltons confronted me (wearing my trademark white suit) before the press, demanding, among other things, whether I ‘accepted that he was innocent’.

“I went into the House of Commons as a political romantic – you walk in past these statues of great parliamentarians and you think ‘wow’, and then you get inside the chamber and you think, ‘Is this the best we can do?’.” But Bell had the advantage of being an independent: “Every vote I cast over those four years was a free vote – I was my own chief whip so to speak.”

Bell – who describes himself as a “dinosaur”, having never used a computer in his entire career with the BBC – sees the internet as a dangerous force in news reporting: “It is very easy to spread disinformation simply by repeating lies on the internet. I sometimes think what a field day Goebbels would have had if the internet had existed in those days. I make a point of visiting the websites of [Russian news agencies] Tass and Pravda and it’s extraordinary what they are saying when the facts of the situation are so very clear.”

After he left the House of Commons in 2001, Bell was appointed UNICEF UK Ambassador for Humanitarian Emergencies. In recent years this has involved producing TV appeals. “It’s a great honour.

The one I did in 2021 about the Civil War in Yemen has raised over a million pounds, so people are very generous. It’s an area where you are convinced you are doing good.”

Bell dispensed with his television two years ago, but is still a stalwart news follower on his laptop. “I regret watching the news as much as I do and I’m still fairly addicted.” Moreover his work with UNICEF UK highlighted conflicts that were not being reported in the Western press and this concerns him. “There are now wars raging, especially in Africa, of which we know absolutely nothing because there is no coverage. I went back to Africa as an ambassador for UNICEF UK and they showed me what was going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Darfour, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia, and in all these places I only ever met one journalist. The British media have averted their eyes, especially now when all the attention is on Ukraine. There is a desperate war going on in Yemen, but we get no coverage of it at all. Africa has literally become a dark continent – no light is being shed on it.”

All conflicts, however, will be under the spotlight using Martin’s Bell particular brand of light on 15 May. n Martin Bell: War & Peacekeeping, 15 May, Assembly Rooms, 10.30am, £10; bathfestivals.org.uk

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CULTURE | MUSIC

Holding the keys

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here was maturity in performance and interpretation, that latter instinctive, the former an uncanny phenomenon. Effortless, yes. Impressive, even more so – and exciting is probably an understatement.” Garry Fraser, The Chronicle, Australia. “The sheer freshness and command of her playing swept all competition aside.” Colin Clarke, Seen and Heard International. “With a deft and expressive soloist in this 19-year-old, the work seemed to grow beyond the sum of its parts.” Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian. Great reviews, yes?

On 17 May, you can find out what all the critical fuss is about when Jeneba Kanneh-Mason visits Bath as part of the Bath Festival to perform a piano recital that brings Bach’s Prelude and Fugue C sharp Major, Mozart’s Piano Sonata No 18 in D Major K576, Scriabin’s Piano Sonata No. 2, Liszt’s Vallée D’Obermann and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 together on one perfect programme in the beautiful surroundings of the Holburne Museum.

“Classical Music Rising Star!”, the programme says. Oh, Jeneba: is it stressful to have such acclaim – yet alone great expectations – thrust upon you? “It’s a bit nerve-wracking, yes... but in a good way,” she says, in what I quickly learn is ‘typical’ Jeneba understated fashion; “the best thing I can do is just be prepared, and ready for whatever happens on the day.”

When it comes to preparation, you could say that Jeneba has been preparing for every recital that she does all her (young) life.

Let me introduce you to the Kanneh-Mason clan, the eldest being 25-year-old Isata. Next one down is Braimah (24), then there’s Sheku (22), who came along a year ahead of Konya, followed by Jeneba (who turned 19 this year). Three years behind Jeneba, there’s Aminata, and the youngest of the bunch is 12-year-old Mariatu.

And all of them – yes, all of them – play either piano, violin, cello or a combination of all three... to an exceptionally high standard.

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I’m really lucky to have six musical siblings; we all support each other and play together as well

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“

Once upon a time there were seven children who were all talented musicians and they were all part of the Kanneh-Mason family. Melissa Blease talks to the fifth one, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, who is playing a piano programme at The Bath Festival featuring Bach, Mozart, Scriabin and Liszt

Thanks to mum and dad’s influence (Stuart and Kadiatu, a business executive and former university lecturer respectively), the Kanneh-Masons grew up listening to all varieties of music from reggae and rock to rap, blues, country and western – and, of course, classical. But, while Stuart and Kadiatu supported their children every step of the way towards the brilliant careers they’ve all established, they could never be accused of being the dreaded ‘pushy parents’.

“My parents always loved music,” says Jeneba. “They played at school age to Grade 8, but then they went on to do English and Maths, and other things. But when they started my eldest sister Isata on the piano, we all just followed on, and what we do today grew organically within the family. All I know about how we got here, like we are, is that I’m really lucky to have six musical siblings; we all support each other and play together as well, which is really great.”

In 2015, those siblings (minus Mariatu, who was too young to participate at the time) moved Simon Cowell to label the KannehMasons “probably the most talented family in the world” after the Chineke! Junior Orchestra’s medley of Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Clean Bandit (yes, Clean Bandit!) won UK hearts and minds in the Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals performance.

The family went on to win numerous awards collectively and individually, and performed at several prestigious events and venues including the BAFTA Awards ceremony in 2018 (the same year in which the family’s award-winning album Carnival was released and Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed at Prince Harry/Megan Markle’s wedding) and the 2019 Royal Variety Show. In July 2020, BBC One screened Imagine: This House is Full of Music, an intimate portrait of the Kanneh-Mason family in 30 TheBATHMagazine

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lockdown filmed over the course of one day. In the same year, Kadiatu published her memoir House of Music – Raising the Kanneh-Masons, which went on to win the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Storytelling award. Was Jeneba born to live a life in the spotlight?

“It never, ever felt – or feels – that way, for any of us,” she says. “Nothing of what we do was ever ‘forced’ upon us – it was more like we all just went along with how much we were improving. We were always looking to each other for support and inspiration, but never in a competitive way. We’re a very close family, and we all love what we do. And there are highlights, all the time; performing French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals at the Proms last year was one of my favourite moments so far, but I know there are many more highlights to come, for all of us.”

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Nothing of what we do was ever ‘forced’ upon us – it was more like we all just went along with how much we were improving

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Jeneba has already won a clutch of awards, including the 2014 Murs du Son Prize at the Lagny-Sur-Marne International Piano Competition in France, the Nottingham Young Musician Award 2013 and the the Iris Dyer Piano Prize at The Royal Academy of Music Junior Academy, and played numerous concerts in England, Wales, Paris and the Caribbean as a recital and concerto soloist and as a chamber musician. And yet she is still a student, holding the Victoria Robey Scholarship to The Royal College of Music where she studies piano with distinguished concert pianist and one of today’s most eminent piano professors, Vanessa Latarche. Jeneba: do you have time to live the ‘student life’?

“I’m in my second year at the Royal College of Music and I live with other musicians who are at the same studying stage as I am, which is really nice because we’re all in the same environment, working towards similar goals,” she says. “I’d say I’m ambitious, for sure – we all are! But I have plenty of time for creativity too, and I’m good at having fun during my downtimes.

There are periods that are busier than others, but of course we try to relax, hang out together and generally just chill out, just like any typical students!”

Typical... but with several Big Gigs to fit in to the schedule.

How does Jeneba choose when she’s playing live – and select what she’s playing? “It’s a combination of my choice and my piano teacher’s choices, and close consideration of what would work in a particular concert programme,” she explains. “I have the final choice of what I would hope to play, and The Bath Festival selection is perfect for me and, really importantly, accessible to everybody. The music really speaks for itself; I don’t think that there’s anybody who wouldn’t love it, even if it’s the first time they've ever been to a classical music concert.”

So: Bath this month. Where next – and what does the future hold? “I don’t know if I have a specific career goal; I just want to keep on performing music for as long as possible, throughout my life,” says Jeneba. “The dream venue, for me, would probably be Carnegie Hall! But at the moment I concentrate on the now.” And right now, what Jeneba does summarises the very epitome of music to our ears. n Jeneba Kanneh-Mason is playing at the Holburne Museum on 17 May at 11am. Tickets £15; bathfestivals.org.uk

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

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

ARTS & EXHIBITIONS Mick Peter: Old Ghosts, until 15 May Inside and outside, visitors will find tableaux which appear as cartoons that have come to life.

The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics, until 8 May Come face-to-face with the five Tudor monarchs and other significant figures of the time.

Marvellous Makers, Wondrous Worlds: Raised Embroidery from the 17th Century 13 May – 11 September A show of the exceptional raised and 17th-century embroideries from the museum’s collection.

Love Life: David Hockney’s Drawings, 27 May – 18 September Hockney’s drawings in late 1960s and 1970s show his extraordinary power of observation and skill in using tiny, mundane details to help capture a situation.

Beyond Beastly: Creatures Natural and Imagined Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI), 16–18 Queen Square, Bath, until 1 October

holburne.org

As new continents were explored, a rich array of extraordinary new animals and plants were formally described. Here were creatures quite as weird as the ones in medieval pictures, but now they were being illustrated in vivid and accurate detail.

Come and meet some familiar fantastical creatures (and quite a few natural ones) extracted from the pages of the historic books and boxes of specimens in Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution Collections. brlsi.org

Dragons, unicorns and sea monsters in the exhibition Beyond Beastly

North Sea by Melvyn Evans

Spring Exhibition Gallery Nine, 9B Margaret's Buildings, Bath Until 31 May

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

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

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

Born in 1990, Jake has painted since the age of two and recently began an online business printing his work on clothes and accessories. Find out more on the website. jakesheppard.co.uk Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Bath Society of Artists 117th Annual Exhibition 14 May – 2 July This annual exhibition allows art enthusiasts to browse and buy from a selection of paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and mixed media works by the region’s top artistic talent, at prices to suit every pocket. Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to place their votes for the Public Choice Prize, selecting their favourite artwork to win a prize of £600 for the artist.

The prize judges will be Aidan Quinn of Beaux Arts Bath and Stephen West, artist, sculptor, lecturer, curator and writer. victoriagal.org.uk

The Lighthouse by Rob Grieve

The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath

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Elaine Pamphilon: New Paintings Adam Gallery, 3 Northumberland Buildings, Bath, 7–28 May

Adam Gallery is pleased to announce a show of new work by Elaine Pamphilon. The artist, who lives in Cambridge and Cornwall, follows in the St Ives tradition of naïve British painting with a beautiful selection of still-life paintings and landscapes.

In her own words: “The more I paint, the less I need on the canvas. Colours excite me and inspiration comes from the things I love – everyday objects, souvenirs from travels, patterns and walking the romantic, wild countryside around our home.”

Reuben 3.22 by Nathan Ford

adamgallery.com

Farmers’ market, St Ives by Elaine Pamphilon

Dress to Redress: Exploring Native American Material Culture The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath, until 3 July The American Museum & Gardens presents Dress to Redress, an exhibition of the work of contemporary Anishinabe artist Celeste PedriSpade. Featuring a series of spectacular wearableart pieces, personal artefacts and photography, alongside historical items from the Museum’s collection, the exhibition will demonstrate the continuing legacy and profound importance of visual and material culture.

Photograph by Linda Roy

Anna Gillespie and Domestic Bliss Beaux Arts Bath, 12-13 York Street, Bath, until 4 June

Beaux Arts showcases a new collection of Anna Gillespie’s sculptures including her dramatic bronze To the Limit III and other works in bronze, natural materials (such as acorns), found objects and plaster. The accompanying exhibition Domestic Bliss is inspired by works completed during lockdown. It features Akash Bhatt, Susanna Bauer, Alex Callaway, Anna Calleja, Will Calver, Lewis Chamberlain, Comhghall Casey, Mark Entwisle, Linda Felcey, Nathan Ford, Donald MacDonald, Rob Pittam and Helen Simmonds.

Porcelain by Sophie Cook. beauxartsbath.co.uk

americanmuseum.org David Ringsell: Bath Scenes

Let There Be Light, Bath Abbey, until 31 May Here is an exhibition of over 20 pieces by local artist Shelley Ashkowski, celebrating the history and beauty of churches, cathedrals and abbeys. Each piece is inspired by the stunning architecture of these buildings, and there are also intricate studies of stained glass windows including one of Bath Abbey’s Great East Window which tells the story of Jesus’ life. Much of the collection uses acrylic gouache paint, chosen for its high pigmentation and matt finish to provide vibrant colours. Visitors will be invited to make a donation. bathabbey.org

Bath Abbey’s Great East Window

by Shelley Ashkowski

Exhibition of sculpture and works on paper by Jean Farrell and Maureen Hosier, Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath 21 May – 12 June, 10.30am–5pm

The sculptural work of artists Jean Farrell and Maureen Hosier complements each other – with the lyrical storytelling of the work of Maureen Hosier who uses found objects and Jean Farrell’s pared-down essences of colour and form. A specially commissioned film inspired by Bath’s working life, made in collaboration with the Museum, filmmaker Joe Short and artist Jean Farrell will be shown as part of the exhibition. The show is part of the Bath Festival Fringe at The Museum of Bath at Work. Admission free with museum admission. bath-at-work.org.uk

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

David loves to share his artistic impressions of Bath, his home city. His unique contemporary art prints of Bath show a different, sometimes darker side of the city and his paintings of the architecture relish the stained stonework and peeling paint. Custom prints are available in a range of sizes – see the website: real-images.com Image: Street of Dreams, A2 framed giclée print by David Ringsell.

A couple walk down a deserted street past empty shop fronts on a rainy day. It looks normal but there is a dream-like atmosphere. This painting is on display at The Artery Art Café.

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Art Exhibition Saturday 28th May • 10am - 5pm Bathampton Art Group,

Holcombe Lane, Bathampton BA2 6UL Paintings for sale, demonstrations, portraits painted. Refreshments and raffle. Vote for Favourite painting and best in show.

Free entry New members welcome, email info@bathamptonart.co.uk or call 07801444521

www.bathamptonart.co.uk | www.bathamptonart.com

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Sculpture by Sally Howard

Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair, Sunday 8 May, 10am–5pm Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath The award-winning monthly Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair (BCAF) continues its season on Sunday 8 May. Committed to bringing the best of contemporary art from the city and beyond to the heart of Bath, the fair has created a regular space where artists can network, share ideas, connect with the public, and where the public can connect with art.

Visitors can browse the works of local artists and admire fine art, photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics and much more, all under the vaulted glass roof of Green Park Station. For updates and exhibiting artists visit the website. bcaf.co.uk

Pop Art David Simon Contemporary 37 High Street, Castle Cary BA7 7AW 6 May – 11 June

Bear Flat Artists Open Studios 2022 Bear Flat, Bath, 21–22 May, 11am–6pm More than 30 artists open their studio doors or create a pop-up exhibition at this year’s Bear Flat Artists arts trail. Discover a hive of creativity just ten minutes from the city centre with a dynamic mix of painting, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, photography, wood turning, glass, illustration and upholstery. Meet the artists in their place of work, find out about the processes, and browse or buy original artwork direct in a relaxed setting. Free entry. A trail map can be downloaded from the website. bearflatartists.co.uk

Image: Stormy Skies by Kristine O’Connor

Pop Up Exhibition, The Drawing Rooms, Beau Nash House, 19 Union Passage, Bath Curator and art advisor Sandra Higgins has been filling the walls of this quirky Georgian venue with accomplished contemporary artworks by selected artists, all for sale. Currently exhibiting are John Ball, Belinda Crozier, David Ferry, Pete Hoida, Marguerite Horner, Marq P. Kearey, Susan McDonald, Fiona McIntyre, Roy Osborne and David Walsh. Coming soon are Louisa Burnett-Hall, Timothy Emlyn Jones and Richard Walker.

Meet Sandra Higgins in person to view the exhibition and to discuss any purchases over a coffee or a cocktail.

Email Sandra to book a visit: sandra@sandrahiggins.com.

View Sandra’s online gallery for more by these artists. sandrahiggins.art Sunyata, oil on linen by Fiona McIntyre

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Exotic Beasts by Peter Blake

A Pop Art exhibition featuring works by Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring, alongside works

by David Hockney, Peter Blake and Patrick Caulfield. This selling collection of work includes signed, original multiples of this iconic period of 20th-century art. The Pop Art Movement was pioneered in the 1950s

by Richard Hamilton and Eduardo Paolozzi in London and in the 1960s

by Blake, Caulfield and Hockney. By the 1960s artists in the USA including Lichtenstein, Jim Dine, Mel Ramos, James Rosenquist, Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselmann had developed the movement.

We can all recognise and identify with Pop Art. Essentially, associated works of art use borrowed imagery from popular culture – product advertising, brand logos, comic books and television advertising. Warhol, Rauschenberg and Lichtenstein particularly used methods of screen printing. The striking graphic nature and bold colour of their works lent well to creating limited edition multiples as well as larger production posters, completing quite an artistic ‘circle’ of the commercial world from which the artists had originallyreferenced.

Some 60 years on the popularity of these artist’s works continues and has seen something of a resurgence of popularity in recent years, with a major touring show in2021 stopping at the British Museum, London, and then on to Madrid and Barcelona. David Simon Contemporary are delighted to bring a fine selection of collectible works to Somerset this summer in this exhibition that packs a punch. davidsimoncontemporary.com Modern Art screenprint, 1967, by Roy Lichtenstein

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Dancing with the Graces by Louisa Burnett-Hall

Shades of Green Central Corridor, The Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath 12 May – 24 July Shades of Green is an exhibition inspired by the Somerset landscape near the picturesque village of Englishcombe, Bath.

Curator Sandra Higgins gathered together a group of artists, and asked each to respond to the landscape view from her home after visiting the location. The artists range from abstract to figurative, surreal and pop, and the exhibition is as much a study of their individual artistic relationship with nature as the depiction of it through the works they have created. sandrahiggins.art Bathampton Art Group exhibition Bathampton Art Group, Holcombe Lane, Bathampton 28 May, 10am–5pm Come along to see paintings for sale, demonstrations and portrait painting. Refreshments and raffle. Vote for your favourite painting and the best in show. Free entry. New members welcome, email info@bathamptonart.co.uk or call 07801 444521 bathamptonart.co.uk

Abbey Green

by Jane Riley Alina Maksimenko The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath Until 5 June, 9am–6pm daily This exhibition showcases paintings by Ukrainian artist Alina Maksimenko, recognised for her large, hauntingly powerful figurative studies. She has exhibited extensively across Ukraine, in Russia and throughout Europe. As a result of the war on Ukraine, Alina was forced to flee her hometown of Kyiv to escape the violence, leaving everything she owned. After a harrowing sevenday flight, she managed to reach Vienna with her cat. This exhibition and the sale of her paintings is in support of Alina, helping her to re-establish herself.

Alina’s paintings capture graceful female studies set against backdrops of shifting light.

Axle Arts, 9 Leighton Road, Bath; axlearts.com Bird 6, oil and coal on canvas,

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ARTS | EXHIBITION

Shades of green Locked down with an exhilaratingly beautiful view of the Somerset countryside, Sandra Higgins had the idea to invite different artists to respond to her home landscape. The results are unexpectedly varied, and not all are green, observes Emma Clegg

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he exhibition Shades of Green is a personal project that art curator and art advisor Sandra Higgins has been working on since the beginning of the first lockdown in 2020. The idea was inspired by the dramatic views of the Somerset landscape from her Englishcombe home – this stimulating and expansive view was one that she was constantly in contact with during the course of her lockdown isolation (see image, right).

With degrees in Printmaking and History of Art, Sandra has worked in the art business for many years, first in her hometown of Chicago as an artist and art tutor, then in the UK as art administrator, curator and gallery owner of Sandra Higgins Fine Arts in Mayfair. So it was perhaps not surprising that what became the Shades of Green project was always planned to culminate in an exhibition.

“I gathered together a specially selected group of artists, intentionally diverse in their practices, and asked each to respond to the same landscape view after visiting the location,” Sandra explains.

“The work of the 13 artists ranges from abstract and figurative to surreal and pop, and the exhibition is as much about their individual artistic connections with nature as about how they depict it through the works they have created.”

The result is an eclectic one, with the exhibition located in the Central Corridor at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Combe Park, from 12 May – 24 July. Here are some enlightening commentaries from a selection of the artists explaining how they approached the work: “Often my painting starts with colour, though I have never worked with one colour alone. Sandra set me this challenge of working with green, painting with only one colour. I didn’t know what would come out... Of all the hues green seems able to offer the greatest number of variants without it losing its basic identification.” Roy Osborne

“The question of the relationship between nature and my own painting is an interesting one. One pre-eminent critic [Mel Gooding]

has said that my work, though abstract, finds its root in the place where I have lived and worked for 50 odd years [Stroud]. Another [Chris Stephens, Director of the Holburne Gallery] states that the paintings could just as easily have been made in a studio block in Dalston. Perhaps these ambiguities are what fascinates me and I hope they are expressed in the light given out by naturalistic colour bodying forth from my canvases.” Pete Hoida “I work en plein air as it is essential for me as a landscape artist to react to the three dimensions before me. I am a painter of the light.

And it is the light that unifies a view before me.” David Walsh “I have a fascination with sunken forests, but trees and greenery, well, it’s just not a palette I’m drawn to. I travelled over to Bath and slowly I started to see beyond the foliage and the green and concentrate on the structure of the garden and the hills and slopes beyond.” Day Bowman “The day I visited Englishcombe, the valley was quiet and clothed in soft light and a gentle mizzle. I was impressed by the peacefulness of the valley... Other impressions were of benign neglect: a junglesque wildness but with well-trodden paths and subtle boundary making. there was evidence of former life. A path framed by overarching trees; a spoil-heap of fragmented terracotta...” Iain Cotton OPPOSITE, clockwise from top left: Frayed Moss, acrylic on canvas, by Pete Hoida; View Over Englishcombe Valley, oil on canvas, by David Walsh; Wilding, foraged terracotta tile and enamel paint, by Iain Cotton BELOW LEFT: Chromotopia Study 21, acrylic paint on canvas, by Roy Osborne; BELOW RIGHT: Shades of Green 6, household paint, charcoal and graphite on cartridge paper, by Day Bowman

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ARTS | EXHIBITION

Sandra says, “My sincere thanks go to the participating artists whose creative minds and sensitive artworks have contributed so successfully to the realisation of this project over the last two years: John Ball, Day Bowman, Louisa Burnett-Hall, Iain Cotton, David Ferry, Pete Hoida, Timothy Emlyn Jones, Marguerite Horner, Susan McDonald, Fiona McIntyre, Roy Osborne, Richard Walker and David Walsh.

Art at the Heart of the RUH displays artwork along corridors and in departments – most are available to buy with a third of each sale going to the RUH Arts Fund. n The Shades of Green exhibition, curated by Sandra Higgins, is in the Central Corridor, The Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath from 12 May – 24 July; artatruh.org; sandrahiggins.art

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POLISH HERO’S MEDALS SHINE A LIGHT ON HUMBLE HEROISM All medals have a story to tell and with careful research we can unearth the most interesting and unexpected histories: citations may tell of bravery, tragedy and acts of heroism but the spirit of human endeavour is unavoidable.

Such fortitude is to be found within a set of Second World War pilot’s medals that will be included in our Militaria, Coins and Medals auction on the 19th May. The medals were awarded to a Polish pilot, Edmund Fojud, who flew with 300 Squadron in Wellington Bombers during 1942. Like many other Polish pilots, Edmund had made his way to Britain to serve with the Royal Air Force.

He flew in the ‘1000 Bomber Raids’, all the while facing daunting odds against his survival.

Fojud flew with the squadron in Wellington Mk IV’s in early 1942 during intense night bombing across Germany. His sorties in April and May attacked Essen, Dortmund, Rostock, Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Mannheim amongst other places.

The `1000 Bomber Raids` hold a special place in the history of the Second World War and 300 Squadron served with distinction in the three well documented attacks on Cologne, Essen and Bremen. It seems that Fojud flew in the second of these raids. As an experienced pilot, Fojud’s skill blended with good fortune until one night early in June 1942 when his luck nearly ran out after a raid on Essen.

Edmund made a report of the incident: ‘I was the pilot of a Wellington -- V. for Victory -- We went to the great raid on Essen. Unfortunately for us, while still over Germany we met a Messerschmitt 110 which gave us three long bursts of fire at close range and damaged our aircraft very severely. Our rear gunner was seriously wounded, he had sixteen bullets in his arms and legs and he is still in hospital. We were flying on only one engine, as the starboard one had been damaged. A few minutes later the damaged engine caught fire. Bullets had pierced the exhaust pipe and flames were pouring through the hole. It was no joke trying to fly back over the enemy territory with the engine burning and making us a very splendid target. We were very thankful when at last we found we were over the sea, so that we did not need to worry any more about the enemy defences. It was not easy to fly at all, but at least the danger was less when we got away from the

Nazi’s A.A. fire. Somehow we managed to reach the English coast, and we succeeded in making a fairly good landing at the first aerodrome we came to. We all felt we had been lucky to get back at all and to be able to land without a bad crash, for it was very difficult to do because of the bad trim of the damaged tail-plane.’

The official report of the incident adds that the attack occurred 35 miles West of Essen and that the wireless operator was also slightly wounded. Remarkably, the 2nd Pilot baIled out over enemy territory. The crash landing occurred at Martelsham Heath and it is also suggested that the enemy aircraft was hit by return fire as it was seen to dive steeply below cloud.

In their history of 300 Squadron, Ward and Korcz suggest that the 2nd pilot panicked and was taken prisoner when he parachuted into enemy territory.

Despite these desperate events, Edmund Fojud seems to have been emboldened by his heroic efforts. He was in the air again on the 22-23rd June in B-1326 when he reports ‘a successful and satisfying trip’ bombing the docks at Emden.

Following service with 300 squadron, presumably having completed his tour, he rested for a while in Blackpool until February 1943. He then flew Transport with 691 Transport Squadron and 216 Transport Group. Following the war, Edmund stayed with the RAF as part of the Polish Resettlement Corps (Royal Air Force) signing up for two years on the 22nd November 1946, working in air traffic control at RAF Cranwell. He was discharged on the 22nd November 1948 at the termination of his service with a record of ‘Very Good’ character.

He became a naturalised British Citizen on the 17th July 1950. He lived on for many years, one of the lucky few to survive service as a Bomber Pilot.

Appearing at auction for the first time, this collection comes with an extensive archive of photographs and accompanying literature. This is just one of many lots of medals from the Victorian era and Twentieth Century, all awarded to people who found themselves in life-threatening situations fighting for their country. Bravery, heroism and loyal service shine through in each and every one.

The catalogue will be online prior to the sale and further inspiring stories await!

If you would like to talk to someone about selling or buying militaria then please contact the specialist: matthew.denney@lawrences.co.uk

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

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

lawrences.co.uk

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The Fine Art of Corruption DUNCAN CAMPBELL Antique silver specialist

Villainy in plain sight If you have stolen billions of pounds of your country’s resources and you want to get them off-shore before you are arrested, you better buy fine art.

I’m sure superyachts are all very sociable and fun, but difficult to liquidate ‘on the hurry up’.

Compared to paintings, even gold and diamonds are just too bulky.

The top end of the art market is, in part, a vast money laundering operation. The effect of international sanctions on the shady transactions that go on within the duty free warehouses of Geneva is nil.

The magic of the art market is the cultural smokescreen that obscures all its dirty dealings. Take for example the so-called ‘Lost Leonardo’. At best, the Salvator Mundi is a problematic, partial painting with a very dubious provenance and yet it holds the world record for the most expensive work of art ever sold.

This is easier to explain when the cast of characters involved in its sale are known.

A rather optimistic art dealer, a very over enthusiastic art restorer, a shifty Swiss middle man, a typically dodgy Russian oligarch, Christies and the ruler of Saudi Arabia.

Salvator Mundi, whatever its merit as a painting, has morphed into a celebrity image.

Such is the picture’s fame and high price that the substantial overpainting and murky history have been all but forgotten in the excitement.

The natural human craving for a good story - and this is a good story - seems to have caused even some normally thoughtful experts to lose their minds.

If the same set of circumstances surrounded a more ordinary “Old Master” the art world would laugh the seller out of town.

It would appear that the profoundly wishful notion of a ”Last” or “Lost” Leonardo is romantic enough to arrest the critical faculties of some of the best museums in the world. I suspect the auction world is more mercenary than gullible.

So long as the bubble remains unburst, the despicable will continue to launder their loot and reputations through the ownership of art in a tradition that would have made the Borgias very proud. n beaunashbath.com; 01225 334234

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Books May v3.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2022 16:56 Page 1

BOOKS

Tales of Gay Street William Keeling is a former foreign correspondent of the Financial Times who exposed a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal in Nigeria.

He eventually left journalism for chocolate, becoming co-owner of the chocolate company Prestat. Belle Nash and the Bath Soufflé is the first in his series, The Gay Street Chronicles. Here is a taste of what’s in store...

William Keeling recently inherited a treasure trove of historical documents from his late uncle, Dr W.B. Keeling of Gay Street.

They included the diaries of Bellerophon ‘Belle’ Nash, grandson of Master of Ceremonies Beau Nash. The diaries provide a remarkable insight into late-Regency society.

June 23, 1830 Local Explorers Return to Bath All Bath is overjoyed to learn that intrepid explorers Dr Erudite Whittlemarsh and his wife Mrs Tulip Whittlemarsh have returned safely following their latest day-long expedition.

As chair of the Bath Geographical Society (Gay Street Chapter), I welcomed back them back accompanied by my dear cousin Herr Gerhardt Kant.

Dr Whittlemarsh explained to me that the party – ably sponsored

by McMunn’s Laudanum Elixir – had walked up to Combe Hay, and from there continued along the Cam Brook river.

“We found people living in a village called Peasedown St. John.

Although we had heard rumours of this village, we can now confirm its existence.”

On their travels, the explorers witnessed farmhands wearing smocks who were harvesting apples and collecting eggs.

Apparently, local farmers keep chickens and ducks, and both lay eggs that can be boiled, fried and scrambled.

Mrs Whittlemarsh, the party’s chief navigator, told me, “The villagers of Peasedown are mostly one big happy family named Fiveacre. They were even happier after we gave them a bottle of McMunn's.”

Dr Whittlemarsh is already famous for his goose fat poultice but has taken to laudanum. He generously dispensed the popular tonic to farmhands, dairymaids, and all the Fiveacre children.

The tonic is made from opium – which has proven to be enormously popular in China – and is a cure-all for ailments such as cough, diarrhoea, rheumatism, melancholy, and delirium tremens. Also, that terrible scourge suffered by my neighbour dear Miss Prim: women’s troubles.

Dearest cousin Gerhardt has since purchased a small bottle. Whilst I shall not speak for others, he cannot get enough of it and says it is even more efficacious than cocaine and arsenic.

Belle Nash and the Bath Soufflé by William Keeling is published by Envelope Books and is available online and at bookstores. (£9.99); gaystreetchronicles.co.uk 44 TheBATHMagazine

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Editor’s choice books

Here are five recently or soon to be published books, which caught our eye this month...

Story & Truth by Ian Douglas & Ben Javens One for young readers, Story & Truth is the first book from independent publisher and travelling children’s bookshop How Brave is The Wren. It comes from writer and theatre-maker Ian Douglas and illustrator Ben Javens.

The illustrated book follows the story of worldtraveller Story, who spends his time meeting new people and being welcomed into their homes. On one of his adventures he meets Truth, a wise old lady who “carries the weight of the world on her shoulders”. When they encounter each other, Truth remarks on why it is Story who is welcomed so by the people of the world, and not her.

The book is a young reader-friendly look into an age-old and yet very modern problem: why are people more inclined to believe a good story over the truth? Javens has developed the designs for the book, which he says reflect the “age of the tale” being told. He says inspiration from the project came from old picture books in his personal collection, like The Story of William Tell, as told by mid-century illustrator Aliki Brandenberg.” Suitable for ages up to 8. How Brave is the Wren (howbraveisthewren.com), £9.99 Apocalypse Ready by Taras Young With the looming climate crisis and an ongoing pandemic, the last few years have been a stressful one for most people – to put it lightly. But taking a look into the past 100 years reveals a host of similarly upheaving international events, from wars and bombings, to pandemics and natural disasters. In a bid to mitigate the panic caused by tumultuous times, governments around the world have often turned to graphic design to make sense of solutions.

Apocalypse Ready from design researcher Taras Young takes a look at these communications in depth. From step-by-step leaflets detailing how to build an earthquake shelter, to booklets providing advice on how to protect your family during a nuclear war or how minimise the risk of catching Spanish flu, the artefacts presented by Young are somewhat chilling, even if they were meant to instil calm.

Throughout, Young contextualises each booklet, poster and leaflet for readers – giving an insight into what the creators wanted to achieve with their work, the reasoning behind the artistic stylings and how and where each communications piece was shared. Thames & Hudson, £25

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RHS Weeds by Gareth Richards These subversive species no longer need to be seen as ‘plants out of place’. In the modern garden, where harmony with nature and the ability to thrive under challenging conditions are key, weeds are finally getting their moment in the sun. RHS Weeds highlights the delicate charms of some of the most fascinating vagabond plants around. Beautiful botanical illustrations, including many from the Royal Horticultural Society’s collections, and captivating profiles

by RHS author Gareth Richards, provide key information for the modern gardener on the characteristics, usefulness and cultivation of these unsung heroes of the plant world. Welbeck, £14.99 The Autobiography of Mr. Spock edited by Una Mccormack The iconic Star Trek character’s lifestory appears for the first time in his own words; perfect for fans of the upcoming Star Trek: Strange New Words TV series (set to launch this year). One of Starfleet’s finest officers and the Federation’s most celebrated citizen reveals his life story. Mr Spock explores his difficult childhood on Vulcan with Michael Burnham, his controversial enrolment at Starfleet Academy, his time on the Enterprise with both Kirk and Pike, and his moves to his diplomatic and ambassadorial roles, including his clandestine mission to Romulus.

Brand-new details of his life on Vulcan and the Enterprise are revealed, along with never-beforeseen insights into Spock’s relationships with the most important figures in his life, including Sarek, Michael Burnham, Christopher Pike, Kirk, McCoy and more, all told in his own distinctive voice. Titan Books, £18.99 Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night cleaner shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Ever since her 18-yearold son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat over 30 years ago, keeping busy has helped her cope. One night she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who sees everything, but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors – until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared.

And now Marcellus must use every trick his old body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late...

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

Bloomsbury Publishing, £14.99, publishing 26 May n

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AFTERNOON TEA | CITY TREATS

Afternoons, teaspoons & treats For celebrations, get-togethers or one of those experiential treats that are just a sheer delight, the tradition of taking afternoon tea is tops. So raise a pinkie and indulge yourself with a trip to one of Bath’s finest hotels or tearooms

THE BATH PRIORY Weston Road, Bath, BA1 2XT Tel: 01225 331 922 Web: thebathpriory.co.uk Enjoy a great British tradition in the peaceful haven of The Bath Priory – a full afternoon tea including a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, delicious homemade cakes and warm scones served with clotted cream and homemade preserve. A vast selection of teas and coffees are available to accompany your treats. Tea can be taken in the celebrated 3 AA Rosette restaurant, with magnificent views across the hotel’s award-winning gardens, in the relaxing atmosphere of The Pantry, with cosy log-fired lounges or on the wisteria-clad terrace in the summer months.

Make an afternoon of it with a spa treatment and full use of the indoor pool, heated outdoor pool, aroma steam room and sauna in The Garden Spa by L’Occitane.

SUGARCANE STUDIO 甘蔗工作室 1 Grove Street, Bath, BA2 6PJ Tel: 01225 251707 Web: www.sugarcanestudio.co.uk

LUCKNAM PARK Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ Tel: 01225 742 777 Web: lucknampark.co.uk Make afternoon tea an experience to remember with Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath. Indulge in a traditional English afternoon tea served in one of the hotel’s drawing rooms, set within an 18th-century Palladian mansion. Lucknam Park is surrounded by 500 acres of stunning countryside, making it the perfect destination for any special occasion. There is a variety of afternoon tea options with a full afternoon tea menu including a selection of sandwiches, scones and dainty patisserie. Or if you fancy adding a touch of sparkle to your day, you can upgrade to the Champagne afternoon tea menu. Call or email reservations@lucknampark.co.uk to book.

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If you are looking for something a little different, Sugarcane Studio is a patisserie and café in the centre of Bath, near the picturesque Pulteney Bridge. They specialise in French patisserie, mixing in East Asian flavours to create a truly unique fusion.

With a rotating menu of cakes, pastries and confectionery, you will find a variety of matcha, black sesame, and tropical fruit flavoured delights, along with macarons and the freshest choux buns in Bath! Oolong and black tea is imported from Taiwan, and matcha and hojicha from Japan, making a perfect pairing for the sweet treats. The friendly staff are happy to offer any recommendations for your order.

Opening hours: Wed-Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 9.30am–5pm, Sun 11.15am–3.30pm

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AFTERNOON TEA | CITY TREATS

Some light reading

T

he idea of afternoon tea was introduced to England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. The Duchess would start to feel hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon, but the evening meal in her household was served fashionably late at eight o’clock, leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner. The Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter (the latter a relatively new innovation by the Earl of Sandwich

❝

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea – HENRY JAMES –

❝

which involved putting a filling between two slices of bread) and cake to be brought to her room in the late afternoon. This became a habit and she began inviting friends to join her.

This pause for tea evolved into a fashionable social event. Soon the upper classes and society women would change into long gowns and put on gloves and hats for their afternoon tea which was usually served between four and five o’clock in the drawing room, or in the garden on a warm, sunny day.

Traditional afternoon tea consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches (thinly sliced cucumber sandwiches should always be included) and scones served with clotted cream and preserves as well as a selection of cakes and pastries. Tea grown in India or Ceylon is poured from silver tea pots into delicate bone china cups.

THE BIRD 18–19 Pulteney Road, Bath BA2 4EZ Tel: 01225 580438 thebirdbath.co.uk Soak up the summer vibes on Plate’s terrace, overlooking the Bath Abbey; or curl up in a cosy corner indoors.

Afternoon Tea at The Bird is an unmissable treat. There is always the option to add a touch of sparkle with a glass or two of fizz, or their very own gin! For a tasty twist, the ultimate Afternoon Tea experience awaits in their dining domes.

PULTENEY BRIDGE COFFEE 15–17 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AY Offering a lighter option of a cream tea, rather than the full afternoon tea, Pulteney Bridge Coffee offers a more informal afternoon treat. The homemade scones are baked on the premises and are served warm with clotted cream, strawberry jam and a pot of loose leaf tea.

There is the option to have different jam or a hot drink if desired.

Situated on the World Heritage site of Pulteney Bridge this cosy coffee shop is an ideal spot to pop in, enjoy the freshly baked treats and take in the unique and beautiful view overlooking Bath’s iconic Pulteney Weir. Cream teas are available to eat in or takeaway. No booking required.

NO.15 BY GUESTHOUSE, BATH 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4BS Tel: 01225 807015 guesthousehotels.co.uk Here is a noble British tradition done in a subtly playful way. With dainty sandwiches, scones and cakes all made by the talented team at No.15. The seasonal menu currently nods to the Queen’s platinum jubilee with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and plantbased diets all catered for. And, despite the name, a glass of Bolney Bubbly goes just as well as a pot of tea. If the sun’s shining and only a picnic will do, the team will pack up a hamper full of afternoon tea goodies so you can enjoy a lovely, long, lazy feast in a park.

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AFTERNOON TEA | CITY TREATS

ROBUN 4 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Tel: 01225 614 424 Web: robun.co.uk Taking inspiration from across Japan, Robun’s afternoon tea offers a truly unique experience in the heart of Bath. Swapping sandwiches for sushi and scones for bao buns, this beautifully presented afternoon tea features some of the standout dishes from Robun’s menu of yakiniku, sushi and sashimi sharing plates, alongside sweet treats including miso cake and mochi ice cream – all served with a selection of traditional Japanese teas and the option of sparkling wine.

Served from Tuesday–Sunday, from midday until 5pm, Robun’s Japanese afternoon tea is available for £28 per person. Call Robun or email info@robun.co.uk to make a reservation.

GARDEN CAFÉ AT THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB Tel: 01225 388 572 Web: Holburne.org One of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in Bath, only a 10-minute walk from the centre of town, the Garden Café at the Holburne Museum provides the perfect escape for a relaxing cream tea. Located at the rear of the museum and opening out on to a beautiful garden space with the Georgian ‘Vauxhall’ Sydney Gardens behind, you can enjoy The Holburne High Tea – a pot of delicious loose leaf tea, fresh homemade scone, jam, clotted cream, a cake slice for just £8.50, or with Prosecco £13.50 per person.

Or there’s the Holburne Cream Tea option (without the cake slice) for just £5.50 – or with Prosecco at £10.50 per person.

Additionally choose from a seasonal selection of light lunches, cakes and desserts to really add to the occasion. Winner of the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, the Garden Café will make your trip to the Holburne Museum a truly indulgent one. Cafe opening hours: 10am–5pm (11am–5pm Sundays and Bank Holidays) Last orders 4.30pm.

HOMEWOOD Abbey Lane, Freshford, Bath BA2 7TB Tel: 01225 580439 Web: homewoodbath.co.uk An eclectically cool haven of style, spa time and sumptuous sustenance, in the heart of Somerset, just a stones throw from the beautiful city of Bath.

Whether in front of a roaring fire, lounging around in the sitting rooms or basking in the sunshine on Olio terrace, enjoy a delicate yet indulgent array of Mediterranean influenced treats, including open sandwiches, dainty pastries and naughty delights, as well as scones with world-famous West Country clotted cream and homemade jam. Sit back, soak in the sun and tuck into a scrumptious afternoon tea on Homewood’s terrace, or plunge into one of its dashing dining domes for a truly lavish experience. Afternoon tea at Homewood starts from £30 per person. Served daily from 2pm–5pm.

For updates and more dining inspiration across the city, visit thebathmag.co.uk

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RESTAURANT BAR A modern restaurant bar providing the tastiest

dishes inspired by the tropical islands, ser ving steaks, burgers & more in a lively setting with DJs & live enter tainment OPENING M AY 14TH.

FOOD | COCKTAILS | PRIVATE DINING | ALRESCO GARDEN

CAROUSEL FUN KITCHEN, 66 WALCOT STREET, BATH, BA1 5BD

BOOKINGS@CAROUSELFUNKITCHEN.COM | WWW.CAROUSELFUNKITCHEN.COM

Glorious Gardens by Pride of Britain Hotels

Spring is here – and gardens up and down the country, from Sussex to Scotland, are bursting into bloom...

C

lose your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine a riot of colour in a flower-filled garden with a blanket of purple bluebells, crimson-pink cherry blossom and sapphire-blue delphiniums.

A sweet fragrance fills the air, and the sunshine gently warms your skin. This is a quintessential country garden.

Pride of Britain Hotels suggests that there is no substitute to spending quality time with nature in its Glorious Gardens. Stroll through the foliage to nourish your soul and see the chefs gathering fruit, vegetables and edible flowers from the kitchen gardens for delicious dishes, so guests can enjoy produce from earth to plate within hours.

Tulips at Gravetye Manor in West Sussex

West Sussex The historic landscaped gardens at Gravetye Manor were created by pioneering gardener William Robinson. Look out for the jewellike tulips in the flower garden and explore wild meadows, orchards and a flourishing walled kitchen garden which provides produce for the hotel’s restaurant.

Wales Situated on a peninsula with terraces tumbling down the hillside and views to Snowdonia, the gardens at Bodysgallen Hall are a spectacular sight. It has a colourful 17th-century box-hedged parterre, and you can also meander through medlar and mulberry, enchanting follies and a rose garden.

Buckinghamshire In the 18th century English landscape architect Capability Brown transformed 90 acres of countryside surrounding Hartwell House in the Vale of Aylesbury. Vibrant spring blooms here include daffodils, primroses and anemones and a roam through the parkland reveals grand statues, canals and an ornamental bridge.

The Woodland Estate at Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland

Scotland The gardens at Glenapp Castle perched above the Ayrshire coast boast extraordinary plants from around the world. You can wander through the Gertrude Jekyll-designed Italian garden, and see the grape vines, peach and fig trees in the Victorian glasshouse.

With so many horticultural hotels to choose from, your next Glorious Garden escape with Pride of Britain Hotels awaits. n prideofbritainhotels.com

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City News – may.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2022 15:59 Page 1

CITY | NEWS

CITYNEWS CHARITY LAWYER FOR STONE KING

HOMELETS CELEBRATE 30 YEARS

Bath law firm Stone King has welcomed top-ranked charity lawyer Rosamund McCarthy Etherington to its charity team as an Equity Partner.

She joins the firm, a national leader in charity law, after more than 30 years at Bates Wells and will strengthen Stone King’s team of more than 50 charity lawyers.

Rosamund is included in the Hall of Fame category by the Legal 500 directory and top ranked by Chambers and Partners, in which she is described as ‘a brilliant lawyer who is highly personable and one of the leading experts on charity law’ and ‘committed to the ethos of the sector’.

She says: “It has always been a great privilege to support the incredible work of charities, trustees and philanthropists both nationally and internationally. I’m excited to continue assisting not-for-profit organisations to grow and thrive in what are very challenging times, alongside my new colleagues at Stone King.” stoneking.co.uk

Bath’s leading independent lettings agent HomeLets is celebrating this month as the company turns 30. Established in 1992 HomeLets has grown organically as an independent family business, now a 13strong team managing hundreds of residential properties in Bath and the surrounding area.

Managing Director Marcus Arundell has been at the helm for over eight years since the passing of his mother, HomeLets founder, Caroline Arundell. He says: “I’m incredibly proud of our journey.

We have been fortunate enough to transact a wide range of Bath addresses and to act for so many loyal and valued clients.” homeletsbath.co.uk

FOUR AWARDS FOR BPT The team at Bath Preservation Trust is celebrating after scooping four awards. At the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards, No.1 Royal Crescent won the Gold award for Small Attraction of the Year.

And The Herschel Museum of Astronomy picked up the Silver award in the same category. At the South West Tourism Awards, No.1 Royal Crescent shone again, taking home Bronze in the Small Attraction of the Year class. And in the Prestige Awards, No 1 Royal Crescent was named History Museum of the Year.

Claire Dixon, Director of Museums said “We are thrilled to have had the BPT team recognised by so many different award schemes.

This is down to the hard work of every single person who helps No. 1 Royal Crescent, Herschel Museum of Astronomy, and Beckford’s Tower offer such fantastic visitor experiences. We are enormously grateful to the Government’s Culture Recovery Grant as it has supported us in transforming our museums to Claire Dixon (centre) and Dr Amy aid our pandemic recovery.”

Frost (right) from BPT bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

NEW ACCREDITATION Mogers Drewett Financial Planner Daniel Gornall – already a Chartered Financial Planner, Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and an Associate Member of Resolution – has recently achieved Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation, making him one of only 35 other financial professionals in the UK to hold the Resolution Specialist Accreditation as a financial expert in divorce work.

Resolution is a community of family law professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way and Daniel is now a Resolution Accredited Specialist Independent Financial Adviser, Chartered Financial Planner, and Pensions on Divorce Expert (PODE). Daniel specialises in Pensions on Divorce and works as a Financial Neutral and Coach in all forms of the divorce process, regularly working alongside the Mogers Drewett family team to create positive outcomes for clients. mogersdrewett.com 50 TheBATHMagazine

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FOOD FROM THE TROPICS Carousel Fun Kitchen is a new modern restaurant bar opening on 14 May, providing the tastiest dishes inspired by the tropical islands. The restaurant will serve steaks, burgers and more, accompanied by a selection of experimental and classic cocktails. The music elevates as the weekend arrives, creating an atmosphere where guests can dine and dance. As night falls, the inviting kitchen transforms into a vibrant playground with DJs and live entertainment. The location on Walcot Street has an ambient dining lounge and heated alfresco garden. From 5pm all members of the party must be aged 21 and over. carouselfunkitchen

NEW WAREHOUSE FOR HUBOO

Huboo CEO Martin Bysh

Huboo, one of the UK’s fastestgrowing fulfilment providers, continues its UK expansion trajectory as it opens a vast new 106,000 sq ft warehouse in Chippenham, its biggest so far.

Creating over 400 new jobs, allowing the warehouse to work with hundreds of clients.

The St Modwen Park warehouse has the capacity to cater for hundreds of eCommerce clients, with the potential to grow exponentially. A dedicated onthe-ground team has been appointed to manage the launch, while BNP Paribas Real Estate represented Huboo on the acquisition.

The opening of the Chippenham base comes after Huboo made a significant number of new hires, taking the team from 257 in February 2021 to more than 650 people and counting. Recent months saw year-on-year revenue increase by 124% between January 2021 and January 2022. The company has grown from two employees, 60 customers and £20,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) to more than 1,000 customers and £1.7 million MRR in just five years. huboo.com

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Boutique co-working in the

heart of Bath

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orking pattens have changed beyond recognition over the last 2 years, with people demanding more from their physical working environment and blurring the lines between work, rest and play. That is where Rengen House offers a solution. They are a boutique co-working space in the heart of Bath; a community to cowork, host meetings, events and relax with clients or colleagues. With high-end finishes and a cool, relaxing vibe, Rengen House offers a refreshing change to the “traditional office” environment, much more suited to the way that people live and work these days.

They aim to create a home-from home environment, where members can work, interact, build relationships but in a flexible and informal way. With both relaxed co-working spaces and more traditional desks, along with private spaces for meetings and calls, they offer a complete and flexible offer for co-workers. They also have a large outside terrace, a perfect spot for alfresco working in the summer or for sunny lunchbreaks.

Free hot and cold drinks, pastries and snacks are all part of the package, as well as super fast wifi and access to meeting spaces. Most importantly, it is set out to create a space which is a compelling and inspiring space to be.

Rengen House understands that the working world is changing, and clients are increasingly looking for flexibility and membership

packages that are tailored to their needs. The membership packages start at 5 days per month for those that perhaps already have a base to work from but are craving physical interaction with others and a change of scenery. The packages increase in days per month, up to a full time dedicated desk package for those looking for a more permanent base to work from. All contracts are monthly rolling, giving members the ultimate flexibility to adjust their packages according to their needs.

Rengen House offers a range of unique and flexible spaces with lots of character, perfect for hosting meetings and events for both members and non-members. From board meetings, to team workshops, to breakfast meetings, all corporate events are covered! And it’s not just corporate events they can host, the beautiful private venue makes it ideal for parties and even wedding receptions!

Calendar of events are also run for members and non-members to suit most interests, from business breakfasts, to seminars to casual networking.

Also unique to Rengen House, there is accommodation available above the members’ space, and across central Bath, ideal for visiting clients, family or friends.

Contact jo@rengenhouse.com | rengenhouse.com

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EXCLUSIVE OFFERING, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT The House of St John’s provides an exclusive workspace powered by social purpose. Situated in abeautifully restored, Grade-1 listed building on Bath’s prestigious Queen Square, the House of StJohn’s offers informal luxury while inciting societal change.

The House offers a variety of private offices, dedicated desks and co-working areas, together witha bookable boardroom and an elegant event space. With high-end amenities, ultra-fastbroadband, a stylish lounge, members bar and an outdoor terrace, the House of St John’s puts asophisticated spin on hybrid working.

The House of St John’s promotes flexibility, offering our members a choice of environments thatbest suit their working day.

Whether you require the quiet focus of our private offices or meetingrooms, or a more collaborative feel from one of our co-working lounges, the House providesexceptional settings for you and your team to work.

A further unique feature of becoming a member of the House of St John's, is that the profits fromthis venture are gifted to our charity partner, St John’s Foundation to be used for their FoundationFund. This Fund is designed to help level the educational playing field for under twelves living inBath and North East Somerset. Simply put, by becoming a member of the House of St John’s youwill become part of a community-wide movement.

Book your tour today at hello@hosj.co.uk or visit hosj.co.uk.

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ocl A C C O U N TA N C Y

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

www.oclaccountancy.com

Taking control after a life limiting diagnosis

Salary vs Dividends for Company Directors As a Director and shareholder of a Limited Company, inevitably you will want to reap the benefits of your hard work by withdrawing some of the company profits.

Funds can be withdrawn from your company via a salary or dividends.

It won’t be news to you that dividends attract lower income tax rates than salaries, so at first glance, a dividend would seem the most tax efficient. On top of that, dividends are not subject to Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NIC), whereas salaries are.

There is a more tax efficient option, however. A salary and dividends.

Salaries are an allowable expense for your company. A salary paid to you can be deducted from the company’s profit, resulting in a lower Corporation Tax liability. Dividends do not generate such Corporation Tax relief.

Class 1 primary NIC is paid by you personally on a salary of over £12,570 for the year (this comes into effect from 6th July 2022 and is £9,880 before that).

Your company pays Class 1 secondary NIC if your salary is over £9,100 for the year.

Therefore, you can withdraw a salary of up to £9,100 a year from your company completely free from income tax and NIC, assuming you have no other income sources. With the added bonus of Corporation Tax relief for that salary.

In most cases, the optimum withdrawal of funds from the company is therefore a mix of salary and dividends. Utilise the £9,100 ‘zero Class 1 NIC’ by taking a salary of the same and take advantage of lower tax rates by declaring dividends as well.

If you have other income sources outside of your company, rental income for example, there is still a benefit to withdrawing company profits in this way.

Don’t forget that you can also withdraw funds from the company without declaring a dividend or salary if your Directors’ Loan Account is in credit.That means the company owes you money and you can withdraw it without incurring a tax liability.

If personal pension contributions are on your agenda this year, please note that dividends do not count as relevant earnings, whilst a salary does. This can be important for optimum tax relief on pension contributions and should be considered.

Finally, we should all expect changes to the tax landscape in future years as the Chancellor continues to look for ways to balance his books; the new corporation tax rates will already impact tax planning. For a deeper understanding of the specific details and benefits for you and your company, please contact us.

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

Diagnosis of a life limiting illness will undoubtedly result in you experiencing a range of emotions. What you’re dealing with may feel overwhelming but talking though your worries and importantly your priorities can help you feel more in control.

In the second of our series of podcasts, Sarah Dodd, Head of Legacies at Dorothy House talks to David Hill a partner in the Private Client team at Mogers Drewett Solicitors about ‘your options following a life limiting diagnosis’ in the hope that understanding these options will empower you to take control.

Can I make a “Deathbed” Will?

Because of potential issues with lack of capacity, a Deathbed Will (ie a Will that is made at the end of life) is not ideal and could be open to challenge.

However, if this is your only option and because time is short, then yes, it may be possible to complete a Deathbed Will. This would enable you to decide what happens to your estate. We will always advise clients to put a Will in place as soon as they can and not wait until a Deathbed Will becomes their only option. Being proactive reduces the amount of anxiety for everyone involved.

Why is it important to make a Will?

The thought of making a Will is something many of us are uncomfortable with, but we can’t emphasise enough the importance of getting your affairs in order. As time goes by other factors can influence your ability to make a Will. For example, you may lose capacity and if this happens you will not be able to make a Will. If there is any doubt upon whether someone had capacity when making a Will this could lead to a Will being contested.

What happens if I am too ill to make a Will?

If you become too ill to make a Will then the rules of intestacy will apply.

This means that the law will decide who will inherit your assets. Whilst this may work in some circumstances, in others it may not (for example couples who are not married or in a civil partnership, or those with young children).

How fast can you do a Will?

If we can speak to you and we are confident that you have capacity, then we will do everything we can to put a Will in place at a time and location to suit you especially if this is your only option.

We understand that having these conversations can be difficult and emotional but please do come and speak to us. We often find that after these discussions families feel a huge sense of relief.

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

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

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Ed news May.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2022 15:31 Page 1

EDUCATION

EDUCATION NEWS TENNIS SUCCESS

WILLOW TREES FOR CRICKET BATS

Team Bath Tennis ace Alicia Barnett and doubles partner Olivia Nicholls claimed the biggest tournament success of their careers to date as they won the W60 Bellinzona title on clay in Switzerland. The result sees Barnett, coached by Ian MacDonald, move up to a career-high doubles ranking of 119 in the world and number three in Great Britain.

The British duo, who reached the Lyon Open final on their WTA Tour debut last month, were number one seeds for the ITF World Tennis Tour event in Switzerland and lived up to that billing, only losing one set on their way to the final. Their final trophy showdown was with Swiss number two seeds Xenia Knoll and Oksana Selekhmeteva, who took the first set before the Brits battled back brilliantly to claim their first-ever W60 title with a 6-7(7) 6-4 10-7 success. teambath.com/tennis

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Beechen Cliff School, Bath will soon have 16 English willow trees planted within their grounds, to eventually be turned into cricket bats.

Cricket loving former headmaster Mr Andrew Davies was gifted the trees as a lasting legacy, from grateful parents, guardians and members of the teaching community. This was to commemorate his retirement from 16 years as the serving head of Beechen Cliff Secondary school.

Throughout the willow tree’s 15–20 years growing cycle, they will be providing not only biodiversity and a haven for wildlife, but an exciting opportunity to watch them grow and eventually be turned into numerous crickets bats. Once the trunk circumference has reached up to 60cm, trees are then felled, replaced with new 12ft saplings and the process starts again.

By summer 2041, hopefully this will include a bat for Mr Davies plus a set for Beechen Cliff’s cricket team!

The school’s PTA are working with the Oxford-based company English Willow on a long-term project and three trial willow trees have already been planted within the school’s grounds. Future proceeds from the sale of the willow trees will be ploughed back into the school’s PTA charity to fund further projects not covered by statutory funding.

If you would like to donate to help influence the lives of many young pupils, please consider supporting the overall education at Beechen Cliff School, Bath. beechencliff.org.uk. To donate, use app.investmycommunity.com at bit.ly/3Msuw1f.

Andrew Davies

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

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

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

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

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

HEALTH & FITNESS NEWS

Here’s a trio of health advice – some advice on managing an inflammatory condition, luxurious equipment to incentivise you in your regular yoga practice, and a bespoke Bath bottle to keep you hydrated

MANAGING INFLAMMATION Do you have a problem with chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis or metabolic syndrome? If the answer is yes, the experts from At The Core, Bath have specialist knowledge that might help you manage your condition. Here the team share with us some insightful information about their work.

• Inflammation is the body’s natural immune response that protects it from bacteria, viruses and toxins, eliminating problems and promoting tissue repair and recovery. A normal inflammatory response occurs then resolves, but systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) when the response lingers. This can lead to a host of noncommunicable diseases, such as osteoarthritis.

• Inflammation can be prevented and managed through diet by maintaining a balanced and nutritional meal plan. While food choices will never fully prevent disease, what we put into our bodies has an enormous impact on body functionality.

• A fresh, seasonal diet that is low in processed foods will help us manage inflammation. Foods with powerful antiinflammatory effects include oily fish such

as tuna and salmon; red fruits such as blueberries, blackberries and strawberries; green vegetables, especially kale, spinach, and broccoli; healthy fats; and superfood spices such as ginger and turmeric.

• A treatment called MBST® therapy offered by At The Core, can significantly help inflammatory conditions. This therapy impacts on the body’s inflammatory markers, dampening their response and potentially limiting their impact and chronic state.

• A course of MBST® treatment can result in reductions in pain and improvement in a range of motion of arthritic joints. With a reduction in inflammation around a joint and less pain, there is a greater capacity for range of motion, exercise tolerance and strengthening. This creates a more independent, active and selfsufficient person.

GET THE YOGA FLOW Bath-based designers and yoga practitioners Angie B and Charlotte King have teamed up to create a collection of luxurious, functional yoga pieces that will bring a beautiful foundation to your yoga practice.

• Charlotte’s tactile buckwheat bolsters give support for reclined restorative poses and will complement your home interior.

• Angie B’s soft sustainable non-slip mats (shown below with bolster) for those vinyasa flows will inspire, enhance and encourage a positive yoga environment. Yoga mat £65; yoga mat and bolster £150

All yoga mats are 100% natural using biodegradable materials and bespoke designs are also available to order.

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At The Core, Bath is hosting an open event on 4 May where you can find out more about the benefits of eating an anti-inflammatory diet and about the pioneering MBST® therapy. To find out about this and future events see their website: atthecore.health

BULLFROG BOTTLES

With travel and adventure very much back on the horizon, Angie B’s super lightweight mat (shown above), is the perfect travel companion. £65

58 TheBATHMagazine

At The Core studios (above) and the founders Paul and Julia Tisdale and their business partner, physiotherapist Adey Saunders (below)

Show your love for Bath with a limited edition matt red stainless steel 500ml Bath bottle with bespoke Bath laser engraving. You can even opt for a coloured lid from a choice of five colours. There is also a silicone carabiner clip for easy carrying onthe-go. £22 bullfrogbottles.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

HEALTH & BEAUTY It’s vegan all the way with these luscious make-up and skincare products – go on, treat yourself and feel good in more ways than one!

TRIPLE-MILLED LUXE SOAP

Jaime Brain Dip CDT RCS (Eng) GDC 142490

Zesty soap by ARTHOUSE Unlimited, a charity that represents a collective of artists living with complex neurodiverse and physical support needs. This luxe soap has been triple-milled to create a truly nourishing skincare product, finished with an uplifting message that’ll cheer up your shower time. £4.50

Kevin Milne BDS

Jaime and Kevin can help you regain your confidence and your smile by offering:

NEW TEETH WHITENING Introductory offer for May and June only at £175.00 per arch

• urbanoutfitters.com

WILD ROSE GLOW DAY CREAM Instantly hydrate and revitalise your skin with this certified organic and clinically proven day cream. This lightweight moisturiser with organic wild rosehip seed oil visibly enhances radiance day after day. 50ml. £30

• Free Consultation • New Dentures Direct • • Denture Repairs • BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION ON

01225 311 681

27 Walcot Buildings (Weymouth Street), Bath, BA1 6AD

www.jbdentureclinic.co.uk

• nealsyardremedies.com

JOIN OUR DISTRIBUTION TEAM – PART TIME DELIVERY JOBS IN BATH

VITAMIN C PROTECT LOTION Enjoy brighter, radiantlooking skin with Vitamin C Glow-Protect Lotion SPF30.

It not only helps you get up and glow with skin that looks lit-from-within, but also adds an extra dose of SPF into your daily routine. Infused with camu camu (those mighty Amazonian berries) here’s a formula that will help skin to look brighter. 50ml, Vegan. £15

Every Month, usually the last week of the month, we deliver copies of The Bath Magazine directly to select residential areas across the city. The Bath Magazine is one of the best things our readers receive through their letterbox.

We currently have a few areas that have become available and can offer a minimum of 5 hours work for individuals looking for a little work. Depending on the area – the average number of magazines is around 500. Each area takes around 5 – 8 hours to complete.

The magazines can be quite bulky, so you will need to be fit and active as well as trustworthy, and very reliable.

• thebodyshop.com

EYESHADOW PALETTE With 66 matte and foil shades, XX Revolution’s XX Shadow Palette XXtravaganza is here to help you get really creative with your looks. Vegan and cruelty free. £28 • boots.com/beauty

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You will need to have use of a car, and a mobile phone.

You will also be based in or very near Bath.

We currently pay £8.91 per hour – (rising April) which is taxable depending on circumstances – and we do include ‘drive time’

Additionally – we are always interested in hearing from husband and wife, or family teams prepared to cover larger areas or work longer hours.

Sorry no children.

CALL STEVE on 012 2 5 4 2 4 4 9 9 o r e m ail:

steve@thebathmagazine . c o . u k

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SHINING BRIGHT Summer is coming, which is typically the time when people start to become more conscious of their skin. In preparation for the half-term getaway at the end of the month, Dr Genevieve Osborne, a Consultant Dermatologist at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, gives advice on the sort of things we should keep in mind when spending time in the sun.

S

kin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK – but most is curable if caught early. Sun is the primary cause of skin cancer; the sun’s ultra violet (UV) rays – both UVA and UVB – can cause genetic and immune changes in the skin which could lead to skin cancer in the future.

The two main categories of skin cancer are melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Melanoma skin cancer is the more serious form which, if not treated early, can spread more rapidly internally. Over the last 20 years, it has become the fastest increasing cancer, probably reflecting changes in people’s sun exposure habits, and in particular can affect a younger population – although all forms of skin cancer become more common with advancing years. Non-melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

The reactions that immediate sun exposure can cause are redness (‘sunburn’), tanning (caused by an increased amount of the pigment melanin) and freckling (where the melanin occurs in clumps). All these changes can be risk factors for the development of skin cancer, but sunburn is particularly risky, especially in children. Use of sunscreen at least SPF 30 with 5* UVA cover, protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats helps to prevent sunburn, as does avoiding exposure to the most intense sun between 11-3pm.

Individuals who are more light-skinned, with fair or red hair, who have a freckling tendency, or those with a lot of moles are all more prone to skin cancer.

Moles are common ordinary skin spots that represent clumps of pigment-making cells called melanocytes. They’re usually brown,

sometimes pink and can be flat or raised.

They start to appear in early childhood, more so in response to sun exposure, but they can also occur spontaneously at nonsun exposed sites and may be hereditary.

When moles become cancerous, they’re called ‘melanoma’. A change in a mole, such as enlargement, change in colour, shape or size may be signs that it has become a melanoma. Less often, melanoma may cause bleeding, irritation and itching.

Melanoma can also develop on normal skin, where there was no mole present before. Many people aren’t in the habit of checking their moles for change but this does help to pick up melanoma early. A typical melanoma is a brown, irregularshaped mark that may show several shades of colour and have a fuzzy border; occasionally a melanoma can be pink.

As most melanomas develop silently, it can be helpful to have your moles assessed by a Dermatologist, particularly if you have risk factors such as fair skin, many moles, a family history or have had considerable sun exposure or used a sun bed. If a suspicious mole is seen, it may be surgically removed and sent for analysis, and early detection of melanoma can be life-saving. The Dermatology team at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital can make a risk assessment of your skin, photographically map suspicious moles for surveillance purposes, treat pre-cancerous changes and surgically treat many skin cancers where present.

People who have accumulated much sunexposure over the years are prone to precancerous skin conditions that can turn into SCC, and they are at greater risk of BCC

too. These skin cancers are usually managed surgically. Individuals who have had a nonmelanoma skin cancer are more prone to further such cancers in the future and therefore benefit from regular skin surveillance by a Dermatologist for early diagnosis.

Dermatologists would never view a sun tan as ‘healthy’, because it is a sign that there has been damage which may later lead to skin cancer. However, some exposure to sun is required to maintain Vitamin D levels, so it’s important not to avoid it completely. Vitamin D plays a key role in our immune protection, and can still be made in the body when a sunscreen is applied. Certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis, are actually improved by UV exposure from the sun, so the important message is to avoid sunburn and prolonged exposure, and know your own risk factors, regularly inspecting your skin for changes.

If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Osborne, or one of the other members of the Dermatology team at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, Dr Helen Audrain and Dr Adam Bray, call 0117 911 5339, or visit our website: www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol.

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

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THE | WALK

Along the Cotswold Way

The Swan Hotel in Market Street c.1910 Above: Wotton Hill c.1910

The view from Wotton Hill

A walk from Wotton-under-Edge

Wotton-under-Edge is an old weaving town where timber-framed shops rub shoulders with Georgian townhouses.

Andrew Swift takes one of the steep and narrow pathways on The Cotswold Edge, which hangs over the little town

W

otton-under-Edge is a little-known Cotswold gem, an old weaving town whose grid of narrow streets is still largely intact. Here, timber-framed shops rub shoulders with Georgian townhouses, commodious inns stand alongside weavers’ cottages, and a surprise lies around every corner. It seems astonishing that this place can be found so close to Bath and Bristol.

Few towns have a name so descriptive. The Cotswold Edge hangs over the town and the ways leading up to it are steep and narrow. One of them forms part of the Cotswold Way, from which we set off.

Arriving in Wotton-under-Edge, head for the free long-stay Chipping car park. (ST756931; GL12 7AD). On the north side, you will see the museum and heritage centre. Walk up Market Street, to the left of it, and turn left at the end along High Street. When you come to the main road, cross to carry on along Bradley Street. After 300m, follow the Cotswold Way (CW) sign as the road curves right uphill. At the main road, turn left for 100m, and, just past the junction with the Old London Road, turn right up a steep footpath (ST751935).

As you go up the path, views open up over the town and beyond.

After crossing a lane, you will see a clump of pines on Wotton Hill above you on the left. Although this lies off the CW, it is worth a detour for some magnificent views. Trees were planted here to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and replaced in 1887 to celebrate Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, when a wall was built around them. The Scots and Corsican pines which now grace the hill are of more recent vintage, however.

Rejoining the CW, go through a kissing gate and turn left along the edge of a field. (ST752938). Carry on, following CW signs, and after 1400m you will come to Brackenbury Camp, an Iron Age hillfort with some impressive ramparts, but so overgrown that further exploration is difficult.

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After passing the camp, the CW swings right before bearing left 300m further on, where six paths meet (ST747952). Ahead you will see open grassland, which leads up to the Tyndale Monument. This 34m tower was erected in 1866 in memory of William Tyndale, a local man who suffered martyrdom 330 years earlier after translating the Bible into English. Look out for a toposcope identifying various landmarks, before climbing the monument’s 121 steps to take in one of the finest views in Gloucestershire.

Retrace your steps into the woods, but, when you come to the place where six paths meet, leave the CW to head straight on, following a sign for Gateway Route 2.

After 30m, when you are confronted by a choice of two bridleways ahead, take the one on the left. Immediately after this, when the path forks again, bear left. At the next fork – 75m further on – bear right, following a bridleway sign to continue heading south-east (ST748952).

Carry on in the same direction along a green lane, ignoring paths branching left and right, for 750m. After crossing a broad track, carry straight on along a narrow path, with a field on your right (ST753947). After another 600m, when you come to a road, turn left for 30m, and, just past a junction, cross a stile in the hedgerow on the right to follow a path signposted to Coombe Hill (ST757943).

After 75m, when you meet a wider path, turn right along it. Carry on for 300m and, as you emerge into open country, cross a stile by a metal gate (ST760940). A few metres further on, instead of bearing left on a well-worn track along the contours of Coombe Hill, follow the footpath sign on a telegraph pole straight ahead to head down a rough, steep track which joins a path bearing left near the bottom of the field.

The vertiginous topography of this hidden corner of the Cotswolds is spectacular, with rare species growing in abundance on the grassy slopes. Carry on as the path leads down through the trees to follow a barbed-wire fence into the next meadow. Don’t follow the path down

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to a stile with a footpath sign, but carry straight on along a grassy track (not marked on the OS map). After 250m, head down to another stile leading to a busy road (ST765940).

Cross over and turn left for a few metres before turning down a lane. After 175m, when the lane swings right downhill, carry on up the high-banked lane ahead, and at the top turn right down a hollow way (ST767942).

Carry on past ruinous Coombe Hall Farm, and, when the tarmac ends, continue down a stony bridleway (ST768940). After 150m, go through a kissing gate on the right and carry on along a muddy footpath. The ponds to your left fed the grist mill beyond, which in the 19th century became a dye mill before being converted to the Coombe Valley Brewery, run by Arthur Guinness of the Dublin brewing dynasty.

Turn right when you come to a lane. At the pumping station, turn left for 25m before turning right to follow a CW signpost along a path beside Dyers Brook. After 300m, cross a stile on the right into Holywell Leaze, where an information board gives details of the mill that once occupied the site.

Go through a kissing gate at the end of the field, cross a lane and carry on along the footpath opposite. Just after the path broadens into a lane, turn left along Marchesi Walk to continue alongside the brook (ST762936). After 300m, just after the brook disappears behind a fence, bear right when the path forks, to discover a fascinating corner of Wotton called Potters Pond.

Turn right at the end to walk past the town’s most famous building, the old Ram Inn. Built in the middle ages as a church house, it was later converted to an inn which closed in the 1950s. Today, it is reputedly one of the most haunted buildings in England and the venue for regular ghost hunts.

Carry on uphill, cross the road at the top and take the next turning left along Church Street, where the 17th-century courtyard and chapel of Perry and Dawes Almshouses are open to visitors.

Turn right along Long Street at the end and take the second left into

THE

KI TC HEN PAR TNER S DESIGN STUDIO

On Coombe Hill

Fact file n Length of walk: 6 miles n Approximate time: 3–4 hours n Level of challenge: Largely straightforward, although with several stiles, one steep descent and muddy stretches n Map: OS Explorer 167

Orchard Street, where a plaque indicates the house in which Sir Isaac Pitman invented his method of phonography. At the end, turn right and after 100m turn right at the end of Beaumont Row into the Chipping car park. n Many more walks can be found in Andrew Swift’s Country Walks from Bath, published by Akeman Press; akemanpress.com.

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

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Discover our newsletter Stay well informed. Stay well entertained.

Our weekly newsletter, is specially curated mini-guide to help you get the best of your time in Bath.

Bulletins of news, commentary and culture, as well as lifestyle ideas, things to do, great reads and so much more delivered direct and free to your inbox...

It’s like a mini Bath Magazine!

Subscribe for free at:

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

Bath’s Karndean Specialists 4 Kingsmead Street, Bath, BA1 2AA 01225 471888 E: info@bathcontractflooring.co.uk Image shows: Karndean Art Select parquet

New Look!

New Season

Flooring for your Business: www.bathcontractflooring.co.uk

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INTERIORS

Amazon Green Gloss Porcelain tiles from Mandarin Stone, complemented by the resident spider plant

“We are keen to leave behind the disposable, casual approach of constantly changing trends and regular renovation”

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INTERIORS

Going green

Think green and welcome in the full panoply of its shades into your interior – from lime and sage to emerald and olive, it’s time to green up your inner world, says Emma Clegg, with assistance from three local experts

W

e’re encouraging you to think about green in your home this issue, and are embracing this in the most encompassing way. It’s a triple whammy of options: green the colour; green for natural, organic elements including plenty of plants; and green for sustainable products. The reassuring advantage of green is that you need never feel constricted because there is a kaleidoscope of shades available – take your first interior pickings from grass green, spring green, emerald green, sea green, olive, jungle, meadow and pine green, or what about jade, pea, bean, leaf, seaweed, sage, laurel, khaki, lime and (edging towards the blue side) teal?

Green is the colour of nature and the countryside and being around it tends to make us de-stress and feel refreshed and tranquil – that’s why it’s often used in public spaces or in waiting rooms. It’s the colour of growth, renewal, and abundance; it traditionally symbolises fertility and it’s thought to inspire creativity. Studies have also indicated that the mood-enhancing quality of green is hard-wired because it represents somewhere where you can build a shelter and find water and food.

Green is also a secure colour – in showbusiness performers traditionally wait in the ‘green room’ before going on stage or on camera. However the lighter side of the green spectrum with yellow and golden tones is associated with freshness, and darker greens with stability, permanence and balance.

Home décor trends have majored in green in recent years as we embrace the natural world in homage to the need to protect our natural environment, as we fill our homes with green vibes, in tone, pattern, material and aesthetic. And we don’t just have single shades to play with – wallpapers, fabrics and artworks all offer further compositions majoring in the ‘g’ word. Green isn’t going away. How green is your own home? Here are the views of some local experts.

John Law, Woodhouse & Law “The uncertainty of the last 24 months has undoubtedly led us all to seek a greater sense of calm and security in all aspects of our lives.

Perhaps no more so however than within our homes; the one place in which we can truly create our very own sanctuary. The recent embracing of the darker hues of green within the home is testament

Pluma Velvet Fabric by Romo

not just to this, but also of our yearning to reconnect with nature.

Lockdowns and imposed isolations have made the rural idyll that bit more appealing; with it the sense of a slower pace, a simpler life that focuses on what truly nourishes our souls.

“Nature offers inspiration for so very many hues of green within the home; the key to using those colours is however to allow yourself to be brave in their application. Running the colour beyond the walls to the ceiling can, for instance, help give the space a greater sense of cocooning comfort. The contrasting, lighter tones of dried floral arrangements can reinforce this connection to nature without adding too many competing tones of green. And to satisfy all the senses and reinforce that return to nature, we’d recommend introducing home fragrances with essential oils such as sandalwood.

BELOW, from left: Prehnite, Fired Earth Paint Collection (firedearth.com); Persian Tulip, Poison wallpaper by Zoffany (zoffany.sandersondesigngroup.com); Shaqui Emerald wallpaper by Designers Guild (designersguild.com)

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INTERIORS

ABOVE, from left: Lotus design from Farrow & Ball (farrow-ball.com); Protea wallpaper in lime by Emma J Shipley (emmajshipley.com); Jewel Beetle paint by Little Greene (littlegreene.com)

“Going green is more than the choice of paint colour however.

It also extends to the inclusion of sustainable materials and durable pieces. As designers, we are keen to leave behind the disposable, casual approach of constantly changing trends and regular renovation. It’s critical that we include in their place timeless, wellbuilt pieces within any scheme; ones that endure and evolve with us in whatever form our own, personal sanctuaries take.” woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Clair Strong, Clair Strong Design “Green is the colour of life, hope and renewal. Green has also always signified growth, rebirth and fertility. We want to connect with nature; it’s outdoor spaces that have comforted us and nurtured us through the last two years. There is no other colour that makes us feel more in tune

with the natural world than green and it’s the perfect colour choice to use in interior design to help you feel calm.

“Green embodies the natural world and our innate human instinct to connect with nature is known as ‘biophilia’. Biophilic design is about bringing nature into your home with natural materials and tactile textures in calming, neutral shades. Earthy textures, organic natural shapes, raw materials, and greenery are all elements that add depth and soul to your home. Look for terracotta, marble, wood, stone, and clay to bring life to a space.

“There are more shades of green than of any other colour, and green is everywhere in interiors for 2022 – think soft velvet sofas, rich jeweltoned cushions, dark olive kitchens and lots of foliage. An easy colour to work with, it is neither hot or cold and it neither projects or recedes.

Team soft greens with off-whites, deeper tonal greens or hot reds for a contemporary vibe. Olive shades can act as the chameleon of most schemes, as they’re warm, earthy, and mutable – use them with golds, oranges and muted pale blues. You can also treat green as a neutral and mix it with a huge number of other colours.

“Green walls can look effortlessly chic. I love grey-green paint because it creates a very forgiving base and looks immediately luxurious. Graham and Brown’s Accrington Road sage green is playful and modern, while Farrow & Ball’s fresh aqua, Teresa’s Green, can create a beautifully calm feel in a dining room.

“Green tiles with an understated geometric pattern suit all ages of property, and you can mix and match with plain tiles if you want to dial the green down. Wallpaper is a wonderful way to introduce botanical designs in shades of green into your home. Use it in a big room to add drama or a small space to create a feature wall.

“When it comes to pairing different shades, green is quite a forgiving colour, so don’t be afraid to layer it up with blues, pinks, neutrals, earthy tones and even oranges and reds.” clairstrong.co.uk

Louisa Morgan, Mandarin Stone

Aubusson Blue and Amsterdam Green Annie Sloane paints create a resonant statement in this bedroom

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“Green is associated with nature, renewal and energy. Known for its calming qualities and at the centre of the colour spectrum, it has a sense of harmony, balance and tranquility and has deep connections to our well-being. In today’s chaotic modern world, using green tiles in the home can reflect nature and calmness while bringing a sense of sanctuary to our indoor spaces.

“We’ve become accustomed to tiles being predominantly shades of grey, white and beige, but there are resonant colour options too. In recent years, we’ve seen pops of colour added to the mix, most notably pastel pinks. However when we consider green tiles, there’s just something so warm yet sophisticated about them.

“Green doesn’t have to be strong or bright. There are so many calm, subtle hues that sit well in our interiors. If you’re not quite sure about colour or how to use it, green could be the answer. It pairs beautifully with whites and neutrals and isn’t in your face like yellow or orange.

Green is equally exquisite when combined with rich metallics, earthy terracotta hues or pale pastels. As in our natural world, green just seems to work with everything.” mandarinstone.com n

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CITY | GARDENS

Urban greens

Emma Clegg visits ‘the smallest garden centre with the biggest heart’ and finds a collaborative social enterprise that offers a host of plants and garden products, but also has the power to boost emotional and physical wellbeing Opened just a year ago, the bijou but bustling site is leased by BANES Council to Grow Yourself, an established Community Interest Company (CIC). The Urban Garden project received funding from the National Lottery. Executive director Matt Smail, who previously ran Bath City Farm, explains that The Urban Garden works in partnership with BANES Parks department, which grows up to 60% of the plants sold in the Council’s nursery, adjoining the site.

Ten percent of the overall takings goes to the nursery to fund the growing of the plants.

The Urban Garden sells houseplants, outdoor plants and a mixture of annuals and perennials, along with bulbs, seeds and all sorts of garden accessories and products,

from garden pots and outside mirrors to bird tables and feeders, with a number of products made by local artists.

Sustainability is high on the agenda with all compost peat-free and supplied in refillable bags. There’s also a supply of ‘POSIpots’ by the till so that when a plant is purchased, it is transferred to the biodegradable POSIpot which can be planted in the ground or recycled by the buyer, and the plastic pot is kept for future use, helping to close the plastics loop. And with so many plants grown by the nursery travelling just a few metres to get to the centre, the carbon footprint is exemplary.

As a small enterprise, the company has to be clear about its emphasis, says Matt: “We have to be different to enable us to better compete with the larger garden centres. We specialise in ideas for smaller urban gardens and we offer a really good customer service – we’re friendly, we like to have a chat and offer advice.” The recent introduction of an on-site horsebox café selling hot and cold drinks, cakes and pastries (all sourced and made locally) extends the social potential even further.

❝

It’s a long road for some people to get into employment but hopefully we are helping people with that

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G

ardening is uplifting, restorative and full of heart.

But there are times when the garden retail industry feels impersonal, powered by turnaround, and devoid of the chance of a chat with a friendly specialist about how to start growing tomatoes or what plants might best suit your partially shaded westfacing balcony.

We have the solution. The Urban Garden, located on the border of Royal Victoria Park at Marlborough Buildings, described as “the smallest garden centre with the biggest heart”, brings the matter of plants and gardens down to an accessible size where human interaction fuels its every endeavour.

Matt Smail

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CITY | GARDENS because they work in collaboration with Bath-based charity, Grow for Life, who deliver a City & Guilds course in Practical Horticulture. What’s more, all profits from the Urban Garden are reinvested back into this training, helping to improve the mental health and wellbeing of local adults.

On the morning of my visit the City & Guilds Level 1 course had taken place, and the results were on display – students had designed a spring container, a follow-on from learning about seed sowing, propagation and taking cuttings. Matt says, “We run two City & Guilds courses in practical horticulture for people with mental health issues and the longterm unemployed. The Level 1 is delivered with our partner charity Grow for Life and we deliver the Level 2. We’ve had some really good outcomes from this – last year 23 of our people got qualifications – and alongside the training we offer work placements in the garden centre of between three to six months, once they are doing the Level 2 course.

“We also help our students with getting a job and doing a CV. It’s a long road for some people to get into employment but hopefully we are helping people with that.”

The centre relies on a stalwart team of volunteers who work on Wednesdays and then from Thursday to Sunday when The Urban Garden is open to the public. “We’ve got some really committed volunteers and we value them so much,” explains Matt. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

Right next to the Royal Victoria Park, The Urban Garden has regular passing trade from those enjoying the park who stop off to take some time to browse. It’s no secret that involvement with gardens and gardening can have a massive positive impact on emotional and physical wellbeing, but seeing how much it is changing lives here shows just how transformative it can be. n

The Urban Garden, Marlborough Buildings, Bath BA1 2LZ Open Thursday to Saturday 10.30am–5pm, Sunday 11am–4pm; @urbangardenbath; theurbangarden.org.uk

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the directory

to advertise in this section call 01225 424 499 House & Home

Electricians

M&J

Building Services

Extensions and Renovations M: 07969 469 082 E: Martyn.brooks@mail.com Chauffeur/Private Hire

ONEMAGAZINEONECITYONEMONTH

GCS Graham’s Cleaning Services Ltd

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

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

@Romanbathprivatehire

WINDOW CLEANING

IN BATH AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Specialist in commercial & retail and large domestic properties Traditional and Reach & Wash window cleaning services Trusted, professional and fully insured.

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

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

Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

Jewellery

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

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

House & Home

ONEMAGAZINEONECITYONEMONTH

IS AVAILABLE TO PICK UP FOR FREE AT

CENTRAL

72 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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IssuE 231

Cobb Farr PIF.qxp_PIF Full Page 20/04/2022 13:09 Page 1

PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

R

ose Cottage is a detached, Grade II listed cottage dating back to the late 18th century and sympathetically extended in recent years to provide the current accommodation.

The ground floor provides a light filled, kitchen/dining room with built-in appliances, island unit and door to the west facing courtyard area ideal for Al fresco dining. The sitting room is full of character and charm with 2 stone mullioned window, 2 fireplaces, one being an inglenook with inset woodburning stove and a beamed ceiling. In addition there is a study, utility area, wet room and Bedroom 3 with built-in wardrobes and ample storage cupboard.

The main bathroom and bedroom 1 are situated on the first floor. The latter enjoys a sunny aspect via 2 stone mullioned windows, a range of built-in wardrobes and further storage cupboard. A staircase leads up to bedroom 2 with ample eaves storage.

The garden is truly wonderful. To the front there are various seating areas with mature roses and clematis. There is a side courtyard area where steps rising up to the terraced rear garden, where there is an orchard and produce area, together with a pond and storage sheds.

The views from the top of the garden, across the hamlet to countryside beyond are stunning.

The beautiful and charming hamlet of Turleigh is situated just a few miles from the picturesque market town of Bradford on Avon. Turleigh contains many attractive stone-built period properties and the entire village lies within a conservation area.

Rose Cottage, Turleigh • Grade II listed 18th century cottage • 3 bedrooms • Many retained period features • Light filled kitchen • Stunning tiered garden • Glorious views

£850,000

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

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Claverton Down, Bath Offers over £650,000

A stylish end of terrace, 3 bedroom late Victorian family home with generous well stocked gardens, garaging, off street parking and full planning permission in place to create a beautiful ground floor extension.

•

End of terrace house dating back to c. 1890

•

3 bedrooms

• • •

120ft well stocked back garden

Contemporary and period features Single garage

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

Cobb Farr May.qxp_Layout 1 20/04/2022 13:08 Page 2

Lansdown, Bath £1,200,000

A handsome detached 5 bedroom family home with a pretty garden, a separate one bedroom annexe, a large double garage and gated off street parking, located on Bath’s sought after Lansdown slopes.

• • • •

• •

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Formal double aspect sitting room and snug/office Large well-equipped kitchen/dining room Pretty gardens and sun terrace

One-bedroom self-contained annexe

Spacious double garage and gated off street parking

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

Peter Greatorex fp May.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2022 15:43 Page 1

Landlords, are you aware of the forthcoming changes?

Peter Greatorex, managing director of The apartment Company

N

othing ever stands still in lettings, continuous new regulations and legislation keep us on our toes and the ever-growing demand for private rental apartments in Bath never eases. At The Apartment Company we work closely with our landlords so they feel secure that their investment is healthy but also so that they are aware of forthcoming changes and can take the necessary steps to ensure they are compliant by the required date. There are two changes that are in the corner of our eyes at the moment, and they are smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations, and further minimum energy efficiency standards.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations Since October 2015 it has been a requirement for landlords to ensure that there is a smoke alarm fitted on every floor of their rental properties, and if a room has a solid fuel fire, such as a wood, coal, biomass or open fire, then a carbon monoxide alarm is needed. All alarms must be tested and working at the start of any new tenancy.

From Autumn 2022, and following the consultation with the industry, Housing Minister Eddie Hughes MP, said there would be the following key changes to the rules: • Carbon monoxide alarms will be mandatory in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in both private and social rented homes.

• Carbon monoxide alarms will also be mandatory upon installation of any heating appliance (excluding gas cookers) in all tenures through building regulations.

• Private and social landlords will be expected to repair or replace alarms once informed that they are faulty.

• Smoke alarms will be mandatory in all social rented homes.

If you are a landlord and recognise that your property would not be compliant with these changes, we urge you to start installing these alarms within your properties as soon as possible.

EPC of C by 2025 New energy efficiency rules have been released, meaning that, as predicted, the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for privately rented properties will rise again in 2025 to an EPC rating of C or above. Upgrading properties to meet the C EPC rating will no doubt come at a considerable cost to many local landlords, whether that be by improving the glazing, installing a more energy efficient boiler or looking at investing in renewable energy products, such as solar panels.

With these changes on the horizon, again we ask landlords to start to plan ahead to meet the 2025 MEES. As with all technologies, things develop quickly, so we don’t know what fantastic new renewable energy solutions could be around the corner. We know a number of our landlords at The Apartment Company listened to our advice and have already built in a timetable for changes to their properties to spread the cost over the next few years.

It is also worth your while to have a conversation with our Lettings Manager, Nicola Wilkes, who can help you put together a workable plan to minimise the impact on your tenancies.

For more advice and information on the smoke and carbon monoxide changes and the planned rise in the minimum energy efficiency standard, call Nicola or one of our lettings team on 01225 303870.

The Apartment Company 01225 471144 | www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We used Mardan following a recommendation from a friend.

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

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

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL MOVERS • packers • STORERS • SHIPPERS

Red House Farm, Broughton Gifford

A collection of six beautifully designed homes ranging from two to four bedrooms, including five bungalows and one detached house.

01225 791155 | ashford-homes.co.uk | THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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Edward Street

OIEO

£650,000

Grade ll listed · Georgian · Three spacious bedrooms · Converted vaults · Private front door · Private courtyard · Close to town centre · EPC D · Council tax band D · Approx. 1494 Sq. Ft.

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Raby Place

OIEO

£390,000

Listed · Georgian · Modern interior · Private balcony · Access to resident’s garden · Double bedroom · Georgian features · No chain · EPC C · Council tax band C · Approx. 482.5 Sq. Ft.

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Fountain House

OIEO

£295,000

Grade ll Listed · Georgian · Spacious double bedroom · High ceilings · Short walk to town centre · Close to transport links · No chain · EPC C · Council tax band D · Approx. 523 Sq. Ft.

SALES

01225 471 14 4

LETTINGS

01225 303 870

sales@theapartmentcompany.co.uk

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Crescent Gardens

£1300 PCM

Unfurnished · Garden apartment · One bedroom · EPC Rating D · Close to local amenities · Council tax band B · Allocated parking space · Gas Central Heating · Available 16th June 2022

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Henrietta Street

£1325 PCM

NO STUDENTS CONSIDERED · Two double bedrooms · Two bathrooms · Central location · Unfurnished · Residents permit parking · Council tax band D · EPC rating D · Available 7th June 2022

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Grosvenor Place

£1800 PCM

AVAILABLE NOW · Fully furnished to a high standard · Two double bedrooms · One refitted bathroom · Professional sharers considered · On street parking · Newly decorated & new carpets · Second floor apartment. · Council tax band C · EPC rating D

lettings@theapartmentcompany.co.uk

www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk

Peter Greatorex dps.qxp_Layout 1 21/04/2022 16:54 Page 1

Compton Martin - OIEO £1,900,000 A Grade II Listed former Rectory situated in this popular village with a separate Coach House offering scope for secondary accommodation/guest house/business space.

With 7 bedrooms and 4 reception rooms in total, the property is situated in an elevated position, in approx. 0.7 acres, with lovely gardens and views to the nearby church, over Blagdon Lake and, on a clear day, to the coast of Wales.

Peter Greatorex Unique Homes 01225 904999

www.petergreatorex.co.uk Peter Greatorex Managing Director

Sharon Clesham Head of Sales

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Bathford - OIEO £800,000 A well-presented modern 3 storey, semi detached family home in this popular village of Bathford, within easy access of the City of Bath.

This 4/5 bedroom home with 2/3 reception rooms has an easy to maintain paved garden and first floor terrace with fabulous views over Bathampton Meadows to the hills beyond.

EPC Rating C

Peter Greatorex Unique Homes 01225 904999

www.petergreatorex.co.uk Peter Greatorex Managing Director

Sharon Clesham Head of Sales

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