TALES AND TALES

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William Keeling recently inherited a treasure trove of historical documents from his late uncle, Dr W.B. Keeling of Gay Street.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

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

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 editedby 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