The Bath Magazine August 2013

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ISSUE 131 • AUGUST 2013 £3.00 where sold

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BATH

CHILDREN’S

LIT FEST TBM previews the line-up

MATERIAL GIRLS Mick Lindberg’s textile art on show

VIV GROSKOP’S

STAND UP comedy roadshow GIFFORDS CIRCUS

MAKEOVER MAGIC BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL OPENS AFTER £10M UPGRADE

RINGMASTER faces the music WE ARE

SAILING on the Avon at Saltford

ON THE MARKET: B AT H ’ S F I N E S T P R O P E RT I E S O N S H O W

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contents

August 2013 30

16

14

18 66 6

PICK OF THE CROP

24

Five things to do and see in Bath in August

8

THE CITYIST The Mission Theatre’s Yvonne Paulley shares her favourite Bath places

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WHAT’S ON From folk music to open gardens: highlights of the city’s cultural calendar

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FACE THE MUSIC Giffords Circus’ founders talk about life on the road and the music that inspires them

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BATH PEOPLE The Great Wall of Walcot, the Brain of Bath Quiz and other city news

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THE WALK Get fit climbing the hills of Bath and enjoy the reward of some of the finest views

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What the galleries are showing in August

STAND-UP VIRGIN Our guest writer, Viv Groskop, new artistic director of the Bath Lit Fest on why she decided to try her hand at comedy gigging

ART & EXHIBITIONS

HEALTH & BEAUTY Stay cool when the heat’s on

What happens when Bath over-heats

14

FAMILY FUN Days out with the children

MATERIAL GIRLS Award-winning journalist Deirdre McSharry profiles the work of model turned textile artist Mick Lindberg

MRS STOKES

54

POND LIFE Jane Moore fishes for some top tips on making the most of your water feature

91

PROPERTY Find your next home in the city or country

MOTORING REVIEW

@ thebathmagazine

Taking the Alpha Romeo Mito Live for a spin

18

RIVER SAILING Saltford’s happy playground for dinghies

48

The £10m restoration of a historic Bath building, now a stylish hotel

20 BATH AT WORK Racecourse manager Cariad Silk is this month’s portrait by Neill Menneer

A BAILBROOK BEAUTY

50

WINE FOR SUMMER Angela Mount’s Mediterranean marvels

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ESCAPE IN A BOOK A summer holiday reading list to inspire parents and young readers

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RESTAURANT REVIEW Prezzo in the new SouthGate Vaults

ON THE COVER Red China by Mick Lindberg from her exhibition Fabric Paintings at the Hepworth gallery, Bath

www.thebathmagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2013

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EDITOR’Sletter

I

f you thought that during the month of August simply everyone was away on holiday and that Bath would be left bereft of its usual busy social diary of things to do, you’d be wrong. As we prove in the pages of our high summer issue, this is a city where there’s always something happening.

The old tradition of the Bath Carnival is revived this month – a family-orientated event that’s very much run by the people for the people. Go along to Royal Victoria Park on Saturday 17 August and join in the fun. I’d also urge you to get tickets – borrow a child if you haven’t got one – to go and see Giffords Circus when it comes to Alice Park this month. If your ideas about circuses are tainted by dancing elephants and scary clowns, the delightful, quirky and stylish show by this west country troupe will quickly dispel them. Mick Ringham talks to circus founders Nell and Toti, about their enviable career choice, on Page 14.

We always strive to pack as much about Bath as we can into our What’s On pages and our family-friendly listings for places to take the children, but now we have a new all-singing, all-dancing website which will enable all of Bath to look for things to do, and to add their own events. Have a look at www.thebathmag.co.uk and find out how it can be useful to you. We think it’s just what the people of Bath need – one central website offering a whole range of information and interactive services.

Fear not, we will continue to bring you this gorgeous glossy print number every month, just as we have done for the past ten years. Happy page turning!

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

THEBATHMAGAZINE Editor Email: Tel: Deputy editor Email:

Georgette McCready georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk 01225 424499 Samantha Coleman sam@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Web content editor Email:

Dulcie Carey dulcie@thebathmag.co.uk

Production manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Crafting beautiful homes In and around Bath

Commercial production Lorna Harrington Email: lorna@thebathmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos stevem@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Contact the advertising sales team, tel: 01225 424499 Advertising sales Liz Grey Email: liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk Advertising sales Email:

Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

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01225 79115 5

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ZEITGEIST Visit

5

things to do in August

Free concerts in Parade Gardens

High summer in Bath is the best time to enjoy our beautiful parks. For shade and quiet head up to the rarely busy Hedgemead Park, or for scent and the sound of bees go and sit in the George V garden for the blind in Henrietta Park. The best places for children to let off steam are the wide open spaces and the well equipped playground at Royal Victoria Park, or Alice Park with its friendly neighbourhood café. Over in the Botanical Gardens within Royal Victoria Park the New Generation Bath WI has launched a community bed which demonstrates how to combine edible planting with a designed and aesthetic look. Music lovers and families with three or four generations can make the most of free Sunday afternoon concerts in the bandstand in Parade Gardens, from 3pm every week throughout August, and on Bank Holiday Monday. Don’t forget that all Bath & North East Somerset Council tax payers can apply for a free Discovery card which means they can enjoy Parade Gardens without paying the entry fee. All the other city parks also belong to the people of Bath and are free to all to enjoy.

Take part Setting out to prove that there’s more to flower shows than which gardener can grow the longest carrot, is Bath Area Growers’ (BAGs for short) Alternative Produce Show.

Gardeners of all ages and abilities are invited to attend, and to enter a range of quirky competitions. Entertainment includes the chance to help make a vegetable orchestra, enter the scarecrow competition, hunt out the biggest slug, or decorate a snailshell. There are classes for children and adults to enter and lots of activities too. BAGs is a network of groups growing food and fruit in the Bath area. It provides volunteering opportunities and training in horticultural skills, aiming to make fresh, local food available to its local communities. The Alternative Produce Show is at Oriel Hall in Larkhall, 1.30 – 5pm on Sunday 25 August. www.bathareagrowers.org 6 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Enjoy

Follow Andrew on Twitter @walkanddrawbath

Artist Andrew Lansley, a Bathonian who has recently returned to his home city, is encouraging us to see the city in a fresh light as he takes people on a Walk and Draw Bath experience. An experienced artist and former teacher, Andrew has a creative approach to bringing out people’s latent talent, while allowing them to spend some contemplative time in this beautiful city. Sessions can be one-toone or in couples or family groups. Andrew meets his ‘class’ for a chat before taking them on a short walk around the parts of the city he thinks they might enjoy sketching or painting. This is Andrew’s own view from Alexandra Park – one of the best vantage points in the city.

Watch Be prepared to fall in love all over again as you watch ‘80s classic film Dirty Dancing, which is being screened in Royal Victoria Park on Saturday 31 August from 8.30pm, to raise funds for the Forever Friends appeal to build a new cancer centre at the Royal United Hospital. Bring a picnic and a rug (note barbecues are not permitted in the park). For tickets visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk

Out of town

No longer will Bathonians have to set out at the crack of dawn to enjoy the spectacle of Bristolʼs annual International Balloon Fiesta as for the first time thereʼll be a campsite within walking distance of the Ashton Court site. The festival, now in its 35th year, runs from 8 – 11 August. Entertainment includes night glows, music, fairground rides, food stalls and mass ascents of 150 hot air balloons. Book with Camping Ninja, visit: www.campingninja.com/theofficialbristolballoonfiestacampsite.

Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze

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ist

THE CITY

One city . . . one month

The buzz

My

BATH

We ask Yvonne Paulley theatre manager at the Mission Theatre, Bath what she’s doing this month

What brought you to Bath?

I came to Bath in 2003 to study at the university and fell in love with the city. After graduating, nowhere else in the country could tempt me away.

Support

For all of us who enjoyed the warm glow of watching the Olympic flame pricession through Bath last summer, there’s the chance this month to enjoy that feeling again as the city plays host to the Special Olympics National Summer Games. Everyone is invited to attend the opening ceremony at the Royal Crescent, Bath, from 5.30 to 9pm on Wednesday 28 August. Around 7,000 spectators are expected at the event, including 1,700 athletes, 500 coaches, 3,000 family members and friends and 500 Games Volunteers. In addition 500 people will be able to apply for free tickets for a seated area through a ballot and a further 1,500 will have free access on the night to the Victoria Park area to view the event. The evening promises to be a celebration of inclusion and achievement and a spectacular launch for the following three days of sporting competition for all the athletes, with many events being held at the University of Bath campus. For tickets visit: www.specialolympicsgb.org.

Splash Former Olympic champion swimmer Sharron Davies has lent her support to an ambitious £3m project to restore the historic Cleveland Pools in Bathwick. Said to be the oldest lido in the country the open air baths have fallen into disrepair over recent decades, with volunteers valiantly working to keep weeds at bay, protect crumbling stone and raise funds to have the Grade 2 listed site protected.

The Cleveland Pools Trust’s plans include restoring the pool to provide swimming in a naturally treated, heated pool, a children's splash pool, café and landing stage for people arriving by boat.

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What are you reading?

I’ve just finished reading Max StaffordClark’s Letters to George – his rehearsal diary of the original production of The Recruiting Officer and Our Country’s Good in 1988. It’s a true masterclass on the creative process required to stage a production, as well as a great story, and particularly useful as I’ve just performed in both shows at The Mission.

What is on your MP3 player?

I’m a fan of old classics, so there’s a whole mix of 60s and 70s pop and Motown, but I’m currently listening to The Eels, and The Feeling are always my first choice for feelgood summer music.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

I’m very lucky that The Mission has its own vegetarian bistro, The Green Room, upstairs so I almost always have lunch here. If I’m looking for a quick break though, I have a secret penchant for Shakeaway.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

Now that No. 1 Royal Crescent has reopened, reunited with its servants’ wing, I’d love to have a look around to experience the 18th century history of the city.

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

My passion is theatre so most of August will be spent rehearsing with the resident theatre company at The Mission, Next Stage, for two forthcoming shows – On Golden Pond, which I’m directing and is showing 10-14

September here at The Mission, and Our Country’s Good which is touring to The Minack Theatre in Cornwall 19-23 August in which I’m appearing on that fabulous stage overlooking the crashing waves of the sea below.

What local outdoor activity or event will you be doing or visiting?

If the summer weather continues I’m going to try and do the Skyline walk starting from Sydney Gardens – it’s a great way to get some gentle exercise while soaking up some gorgeous views over Bath.

Film or play? What will you be going to see this month?

Well I’m acting in a play – does that count as seeing one?! I can’t wait to go back to The Minack – I’ve performed there twice before and it never fails to take my breath away.

Our Country’s Good had a fantastic reception when we previewed it here at The Mission Theatre in Bath in July so it’ll be incredibly exciting to perform it in front of 700 people a night.

The Mission is heading into its busiest season ever, starting in September and leading up to Christmas. We have a whole range of drama, music, youth shows and festival events – for the full programme visit: www.missiontheatre.co.uk. And then 2014 celebrates the 20th birthday of resident company Next Stage, so there are going to be some top-quality shows on offer – keep your eyes on www.next-stage.co.uk for news and updates.

We’re following @thePigGuide – an unerring truffle hunter of great places to eat and drink in and around Bath. Where this independent food lover’s snout goes, others invariably follow. A porcine of impeccable taste with almost 4,000 followers

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Mrs Stokes

In the heat of the moment

©www.robbiddulph.com

takes a sideways look at life in Bath . . .

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areering through the cow parsley lining the lanes where I live just outside Bath, I gasp at summer in full, glorious bloom. I want to stop the van and drink it all in – the sunlight fields of cows, the pheasants in their technicolour dreamcoats running around like proverbial headless chickens, the hedges criss-crossing the landscape like a barbecue grill.

I feel lucky. I spent years in London, getting from north to south via the Tube, packed like cattle in metal boxes on wheels, grumbling through dirty, sweaty tunnels with no air con and the eternal risk of standstill. Once I was stuck underground in what felt like a furnace for 60 minutes just outside Paddington Station. I remember feeling panicky, exacerbated by the fact that TV presenter Adrian Chiles was in the same carriage. “Please God,” I thought, “If I have to die, don’t let it be with him.” (I am not a fan – I asked him for a glass of champagne at a party once but he decided he’d rather keep the only bottle in the room for his group. There’s no place for party poopers in my life.)

I was overjoyed to move to Bath three years ago. No more delays. No more stressful encounters with strangers in the street (as can be common in the capital). But this rosy glow began to fade right from the time I bounced round to my new neighbour one sunny day to ask her where to go. “Bath in the summer is aww-ful” she whined. “No-one who lives here goes in to the city centre, especially at the weekend – the heat, the tourists!”

I was stuck underground . . . for 60 ❝ minutes just outside Paddington Station. I remember feeling panicky, exacerbated by the fact that TV presenter Adrian Chiles was in the same carriage

❞

This was my first introduction to, shall we say, a more down-to-earth approach to life around these parts. I’ve had many other encounters that have made me feel foolish for romanticising where I live. There was the middle-aged couple in their shiny Jag who pulled out in front of me on London Road one gridlocked afternoon and swore at me when I protested (although if I had actually gone into them I am sure they would have been more upset than me in my battered Kangoo). Or a guy dressed as a tramp letting pigeons perch all over him near the Abbey who had a (not too quiet) word when I stood too near to him giving out flyers for an event I was organising, as I was apparently on his patch.

But the more recent window onto the mean streets of Bath is the story that went viral, making it into all the local TV and print press and even the Daily Mail, about the Bath busker Gary Millhouse, generally considered to be a local hero who campaigns tirelessly to build a relationship between the council and local musicians. Yet his good work unravelled in an angry outburst captured on a camera phone and pinged around the internet.

Incensed by the singing of a new busker on the block, said to be disabled by the person who took the footage, Mr Millhouse swore at said crooner, making the man cry and Gary received death threats from internet trolls.

Mr Millhouse has since apologised, explaining it was all in the heat of the moment. Which brings me to the point. This is a gorgeous city to live and work in and there is plenty of room for everyone. And just because the weather turned up the thermostat, doesn’t mean we should all start to lose it. After all, you could be trapped in the sweltering heat of the London Underground with only Adrian Chiles for company. Now that’s something to really wind you up. ■ @mrsstokeschina WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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FACEtheMUSIC

The magic circus Nell and Toti Gifford, who founded their own circus company, talk to Mick Ringham about how they made their dreams come true and how they combine family life with touring with a menagerie of animals and acrobats

G

rowing up in urban Bath, short on green fields and wide open spaces, I, like many kids of my generation, shared dreams of running away and joining the circus. However, Nell and Toti Gifford decided to go one better – they started their own.

After years of planning Giffords Circus went on tour for the first time in 2000 and literally became an overnight success, a fact confirmed by over 70,000 people that came last year to enjoy their unique style of traditional circus, coupled with a truly original theatrical experience.

Nell spent her gap year working at Circus Flora in the States and that’s where she freely admits: “I knew then that it was not just a flight of fancy and there was no going back. I had found the life and career that I had been looking for.”

After finishing her degree at Oxford Nell started to gain more experience working in various circuses both here and aboard including the famous 14 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Chinese State Circus. But Nell and husband Toti wanted to create their own travelling company, so they combined Nell’s passion and experience and Toti’s practical and business acumen as a landscape architect, and set off, trundling through the leafy lanes of the Cotswolds, bringing their own highly individual brand of circus to a series of village greens.

The show has delighted audiences in villages and towns of Gloucestershire for 13 years. Rather than the old-fashioned circus animals, Giffords’ cast includes familiar farmyard animals – horses, ponies and geese, who join musicians, acrobats, magicians and circus acts from around the world. Every element of the show from the eye-catching vintage costumes to the handsome burgundy showman’s wagons, are designed and made at the couple’s Cotswold farm at Bourton-on-the-Water.

The Giffords’ have built their reputation with the fresh theme of each new production. This year the big top offers a glamorous production Lucky 13, about gypsies, superstition and with that all important sprinkling of

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LIVING THE DREAM opposite page, a black and white portrait of Nell, Toti and twins Cecil and Red Above, their musical choices include Blondie, Heart of Glass, Johnny Cash Walk the Line and Jackson, and The Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams

magic and mystery. As always the performance will be refreshingly original and family based and after each show the audience will be able to dine ‘under the stars’ in the Giffords’ own travelling restaurant that’s part of the circus.

Away from the sawdust ring, tightrope walkers and clowns, the Giffords’ life revolves around their family and twins Cecil and Red, as well as Toti’s landscaping and construction company. Folly Farm is the couple’s home, which they share with their herd of South Devon cattle, Tamworth pigs and team of working shire horses, also acts as the winter base for the circus.

I’ve enjoyed watching these talented artists perform many times and in a variety of different locations and can assure you that you will be well and truly hooked long after the show leaves town. One note of caution however, hold on to your children, as they just might be tempted to put their dreams of circus life into reality.

I used to listen to this in my ❝ tractor when haymaking. It reminds me of lovely summer days, just me and the fields and the sunshine

❞

Nell’s top five: ● The Beatles – Mother Nature’s Son This has a special significance for me; namely because it reminds me of the first time I met Toti. He was a handsome young chap, son of a farmer and loved being outdoors working on the land and that work ethic has never left him. This is a beautiful and inspiring track which holds happy memories of that time when we first started going out together. ● The Beatles – Revolution When I was a teenager living in Wiltshire, I found all my parents’ old records. At the time I thought they were a couple of old hippies, however I played this song and turned the volume up as loud as possible and the upshot was that I discovered then the power of music, so this particular record played a large part in that process. ● Bobby Darin – Mack the Knife I have chosen this track which was originally from the Threepenny Opera mainly because it’s such a great tune. Mac or Mackie was a character based on a dashing highwayman but this recording transforms him into a modern anti-hero. The number was translated from its original German by Gifford Cochran, alas no relation.

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● Fred Astaire – Puttin’ on the Ritz A few years ago we used this song in one of our shows. We had two girls wearing lion heads and dancing along to this music. It takes me back to early days of the circus and reminds me of just how much we’ve evolved and how far we have come. It’s been such a worthwhile journey. ● Johnny Cash – Walk the Line Toti and I played quite a lot of the Man in Black when we finally moved into our newly built home. I had the impression that Johnny Cash was very mature listening, but in an anxiety ridden sort of way. We were so pleased to finally move in and also pleased with ourselves. We both felt so grown-up!

Toti’s top five: ● Fine Young Cannibals – She Drives Me Crazy I used to listen to this in my tractor when haymaking. It reminds me of lovely summer days, just me and the fields and the sunshine. There is something truly magical about being at one with nature and the history of all those people that toiled in those fields in years gone by. For me this is a real feelgood tune. ● Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams When I started to build my grandparents’ house, this number was always on the radio and I just couldn’t get it out of my head. It has a lovely air of nostalgia in an ironic kind of way and was very befitting during the building of their home. It also gives me the satisfaction of a job well done. ● Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon One summer not long after Nell and I started living together, we threw a huge party one Saturday night and the following morning I woke up to a scorching hot day and played this song really loudly. The record reverberated down the valley and the sound was incredible. This is a wonderful album, recorded four decades ago and it still holds up today. ● Johnny Cash – Jackson I’m aware that Nell picked a Johnny Cash number, so I guess his music means a lot to both of us. When we first moved in our house we would play Johnny Cash endlessly. We were so thrilled to have built a home for us after living in a rather cramped showman’s wagon for so long, so this and many of his songs will always remind us of that time and how lucky we are. ● Blondie – Heart of Glass Great lyrics and a fabulous record to dance to. As soon as you hear the first line you start to move. My sister Priscilla and I have always loved this song. Strangely we can’t help but get kind of silly and giggly when we get together and listen to it. I have no explanation for this but it’s been the same for years. Debbie Harry recorded this in 1978 and she’s still singing it today – and so am I! ■ Giffords Circus dates in August: Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, 1 – 5 August; Minchinhampton, 8 – 19 August and Alice Park in Bath, 22 – 26 August. For tickets, tel: 0845 459 7469 or visit: www.giffordscircus.com AUGUST 2013

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CITYculture

The art of crowd control

Writer and new artistic director of the Bath Literature Festival Viv Groskop explains why she ventured out of her comfort zone to perform stand-up comedy

A

ny stand-up comedian will tell you that audiences can be your best friend or your worst enemy. There’s not much in between. Because in between those two extremes lies indifference. Or, worse, tolerance. And, believe me, a room of people who can take you or leave you feels very much like a room of people who really, really hate you.

In order to figure out whether I really wanted to follow the path of a stand-up comedian as a mother-of-three in her late thirties with no time to waste, I did 100 gigs in 100 nights. It gave me access to every kind of audience imaginable. I went from being a mildly disastrous newbie comic to being a mildly disastrous slightly more experienced comic. It was painful sometimes and exhilarating other times. But all of the time it was fascinating, purely because of the audience and the unpredictability of their reaction.

I learned how to read the signs of hope – and its total absence – very quickly. Lenny Henry says that when you’re famous you have 90 seconds to win a crowd over. I have calculated that when you’re not famous it’s 0.9 seconds. And that time has passed before you’ve even said anything into the microphone.

my most painful heckle, the one ❝ that still returns in nightmares . . . as I took to the stage the cry went up: ‘Heaven help us – it’s Theresa May!’

❞

The best kind of audience is one I have yet to encounter but which I have heard veteran comics talking about: a theatre packed full of people who have come especially to see you and only you. I’ve heard TV comics say they miss the opposite kind, the audience they’re used to from the early part of their career: a sea of punters who don’t know whether they want to see you or not. The people who have come to see you especially? They have higher expectations and they’re easy to disappoint. The people who have no idea who you are? They’re tough. But you have the element of surprise on your side.

People are surprisingly kind and patient with rookie stand-up comics, though. Audiences can smell fear and they empathise. If they can sense nerves, they won’t laugh. They’ll just politely allow you to die in silence.

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During my run of 100 gigs and the year since, I have never seen anyone given a rough ride who didn’t deserve it. However new you are, if you’re arrogant and unpleasant, the crowd will pick up on that and let you know that you’ve got no right to be mean and big-headed.

Heckling is also something of a myth on the amateur circuit. You are far more likely to get catcalls if you’re well-known. And if you’re extremely wealthy and successful and end up in front of a crowd who didn’t necessarily want to see you? Good luck. That’s what happened to Jimmy Carr recently when he did a charity gig and was so badly heckled about his tax arrangements that he had to sing Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline to prevent a fight from breaking out. (This worked a treat, apparently.)

Audience reaction is also highly dependent on geography. London audiences can be jaded. They’ve seen it all. Suburban crowds are tricky: they want everything to be TV-standard and live comedy rarely is. Brighton is the safest bet: they live by the sea and are wildly, enviably happy.

The most memorable heckles? They come from west country audiences.

At a gig in Cornwall, a man shouted from the back: “Speak up, woman.”

Which is, at least, instructional. I once got an ill-advised spat with someone from Stroud, which mostly consisted in the two of us having an argument about the driving distance between Stroud and Bristol. It was the worst kind of audience interaction in that it was both aggressive and boring. (I still maintain you can drive it half an hour. The Stroudite loudly disagreed.

To be fair, she probably had more evidence-based experience.)

It was at a What the Frock? gig in Bristol that I had my most painful heckle ever, the one that still returns in nightmares. As I took to the stage, the cry went up: “Heaven help us… It’s Theresa May!” This was a middleaged woman exclaiming spontaneously from the back of the room, in a fog-horn voice. There was a collective gasp of horror. I wasn’t even wearing leopardskin shoes at the time. I waited for the rest of the room to shout the fog-horn woman down: “What do you mean? She looks nothing like Theresa May.” But no-one said this. Instead they all cackled loudly, a sure sign that, yes, I did indeed closely resemble Theresa May. I didn’t have a comeback for this, except for to almost start crying and to make a mental note to get a new hairdresser. Worst enemy? I think they did me a favour. ■ Viv Groskop’s memoir, I Laughed, I Cried: How One Woman Took On Stand-Up and (Almost) Ruined Her Life (Orion, £11.99). Her show about 100 gigs in 100 nights is at the Edinburgh Festival on 18 & 19 August at 10.40pm at Le Monde. Visit: www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/vivgroskop-i-laughed-i-cried.

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OUT&life RIVER ABOUT

Simply messing about in boats A thriving sailing club on the River Avon sees sailors of all ages taking to the water for hours of fun, and regular competitions.

Georgette McCready went down to the river bank to watch an evening’s racing

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here has been much talk about the Olympic legacy and speculation about whether it has really inspired people to take up new sports. But perhaps one aspect of the story has been left out, namely the concept of play, of enjoying an activity for its own sake and not for the purposes of medal chasing or record breaking.

If you want an inspiring reminder of the pure pleasure to be had in taking part in sport and getting the most out of it at all levels of skill, I’d recommend you go and hang around on the riverbank at Saltford any Thursday evening or Sunday to watch members of the Bristol and Avon Sailing Club in action.

On a sunny evening, white clouds scudding across the skies and the meadows opposite at Kelston looking suitably picturesque, I went to see the sailors racing on this stretch of the Avon, just up from The Jolly Sailor pub. More than a dozen dinghies, mostly with lone sailors, some with two crew on board, lined up at the start – their performance delightfully enhanced for the viewer by a very brisk, gusty and unpredictable wind which caused a few upsets and much laughter.

members are people of all ages, ❝ abilities and backgrounds who just want to get on the river and pit their skills against weather and water

❞

The dinghies are kept in the club yard, literally metres from the slipway into the river. They vary from modest craft to the latest sleek racers, but handicap points make this a level playing field when it comes to racing. If, like me, you’ve only ever sailed at sea or on big lakes, this river sailing is clearly very skilled, with much tacking to avoid the riverbanks and other craft.

One veteran member said: “They say that if you can sail here, you can sail anywhere.”

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as someone saved their craft from capsizing and there was much laughter when a competitor brought his boat to the bank, having taken on several inches of water. “A case of the floating paddling pool,” someone joked as he started to bail out his waterlogged craft.

Andy Cooper is the current Vice Commodore. He’s a fairly typical example of a club member, having joined when his son gave up rugby and they were looking for an activity to enjoy together.

He said: “It’s been great for us, when we first came down we used the club’s Comet dinghies and we signed up to the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) training course, which is offered to all members.”

The 58-year-old club is affiliated to the national body, the RYA, which means parents can rest assured that there’s always a safety boat, that current regulation is adhered to when it comes to health, safety and racing rules.

Members, who range from children through to veterans in their 80s, can come down just for a fun session unwinding after a day’s school or work by sailing, or take part in one of the regular race sessions.

Caroline Howard, membership secretary, said: “We have cadet days once a month on a Saturday so the juniors can have some fun or do some training. That includes some games, coaching or practising capsizing.” She nodded over to the water where her teenage son, sailing solo, was completely absorbed in deftly turning his craft to try and make the most of the wind and beat a middle aged opponent: “I suggested he just come down this evening to blow away some cobwebs after a day at school. It’s clearly done the trick.”

This club is far removed from the dusty image of chaps in yachting caps and blazers, nor as Caroline observes do they have the ‘all the gear, no idea’ breed of shiny kit sailors. Members are people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds who just want to get on the river and pit their skills against weather and water.

The club was founded in 1955 by a group of male sailors looking for somewhere in the Bristol area to sail their dinghies. At that time as a commercial dock, sailing wasn’t permitted in Bristol dock waters. The club took over a little tea hut near the Jolly Sailor and soon cleared a field for boat storage.

As with all thriving clubs, it is the people who make the organisation a success, giving up their time and skills for nothing to make things happen.

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RIVERlife

LEARNING TACTICS: left, right, they’re old enough to compete against adult sailors in races, above, children start sailing from an early age as crew, picking up skills as they go until, right; enjoying a solo sail on the Avon at Saltford

Inside the 1960s clubhouse, with its commanding views over the river, is a plaque playing tribute to Gordon Padfield of Park Farm, Kelston, who supported the club for over 30 years. A keen sailor himself (he sailed a British Moth and used to trundle down to race meets on a tractor, his boat balanced on hay bales on a trailer) Farmer Padfield, as he was affectionately known, helped out in all kinds of projects, including clearing the trees on his land to allow more wind to reach the water.

Others who are fondly remembered include Harry and Kitty Sheppard who lived in Mead Lane. Kitty was an invaluable provider of tea and cake to cold, wet sailors, while Harry – born at the Jolly Sailor – repaired boats and taught junior members to swim in the river by tying a rope round them.

In the early 1960s members teamed up to buy the land where the clubhouse now stands and cleared the plot of weeds and rocks by hand with working parties of volunteers. The

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clubhouse not only has a bar and light, airy function room, but a fine verandah, changing rooms, showers and storage for sails and other paraphenalia. Members store gear here and, for £44 a year, can keep their dinghies in the lock-up yard.

Potential members are more than welcome to go along to Saltford and take a taster session before committing.

Membership costs vary, but a student pays £31.99 for a year and a family, £125.55. A secondhand dinghy can be picked up for from around £300.

Scouts, guides and local schools use the club for sailing taster sessions and it welcomes enquiries from other youth groups under the RYA OnBoard scheme to encourage sailing. The clubhouse is also available to hire for parties and gatherings. ■ Bristol and Avon Sailing Club meets at the clubhouse, Mead Lane, Saltford on Thursday evenings and Sundays. For more information visit: www.bristol-avon-sailing.org.uk

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Bath@Work Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work

Cariad Silk Bath Racecourse event manager y passion for event management began while I was at Benenden School, when I organised parties for my fellow students. From school I went to Exeter University where I gained a degree in sociology and this was followed by an MSc in international travel and tourism from Oxford Brookes University.

I first visited Bath while studying at Exeter University and immediately fell in love with the city. I always hoped that I would be lucky enough to come and work here. What first attracted me to the events business was the opportunity to use my creativity and meet people. I love seeing guests enjoying themselves and receiving great feedback is the most rewarding part of my job.

In my varied career to date, I spent a year working for Manchester City Football Club and time on the hospitality circuit including Henley Royal Regatta, Royal Ascot, the Derby, the Commonwealth Games and Chelsea Flower Show. One of my personal highlights was working on the Bansky exhibition opening night in Bristol and the collaboration of LA artists. This included a private burlesque performance by Dita Von Teese at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. Apparently I may have actually met the elusive Banksy himself but I can’t be sure it was him, of course.

The secrecy surrounding Bansky was so strict that it was only on the opening night that we were told who our client was.

Other notable guests that night included Massive Attack, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Michael Eavis. It was a nervewracking time to be managing the catering for international stars such as Dita Von Teese and her entourage. In preparation for her performance I researched her favourite Champagne via her Twitter feed, provided a £1,000 a night luxury loo, and even furnished her dressing room with some of my own cushions. Her manager reported to me that Dita was very impressed by the standard of service we’d provided and could not find fault with her dressing room.

However in this business glamour isn’t always guaranteed and it often means working incredibly long hours in a high pressured environment. I organise a wide variety of events, including weddings, wakes and christenings. These are important milestones in people’s lives and I like to ensure that every part of each event exceeds expectations.

I am now entering my third season at the racecourse and one of my many highlights is working closely with the Bath Business Awards. But the work at the racecourse is varied, with race days and a host of other kinds of events going on.

Outside my busy work life I like to explore the individual shops and boutiques of Bath. Nothing tops off a hard day’s shopping than a flat white at Jika Jika in George Street. ■

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PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic www.capturethespirit.co.uk Tel: 01225 483151

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SUMMERreading

Escape into a book With the summer holidays upon us parents can suggest some inspiring reads for their children, with the added promise that they have the chance to meet their favourite authors at the Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival which comes to the city in September

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e’ve put together a short selection of books for your children to read by the pool or under the parasol this summer to get them fired up to meet their favourite authors here in Bath at the Telegraph Children’s Literature Festival between 27 September and 6 October.

The Promise by Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Laura Carlin For children aged five and over.

This beautifully illustrated book takes us on an inspiring journey. A young girl steals an old lady’s bag, but finds she can’t have it without promising something in return: the bag turns out to be full of acorns, which the old lady makes her promise to plant. This is a poignant, honest and lyrical story that reminds us that the smallest actions can change our world for the better.

Nicola comes to Bath Central Library at 1pm on Saturday 28 September.

The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond.

Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers For children aged eight and over.

David Almond, award winning author and this year’s Children’s Festival guest artistic director has written a quirky tale of Stanley Potts who leaves home to join a fair, working on the hook-a-duck stall. He meets the charismatic Pancho Pirelli, a man who swims with piranhas, but will Stanley ever be brave enough to dive into the churning waters himself?

The Kids Big Bath Read with David Almond is at the Royal High School at 10.30am on Friday 4 October.

Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman For children aged 11 and over.

Bath welcomes the new Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman to talk about her latest novel. She always takes big themes for her young readers and Noble Conflict is no exception: this is a gripping adventure set in a dystopian world with vivid and energetic dialogue and convincing characters. The fragile trust between the individual and the state is exposed and questioned when Kaspar, a courageous young soldier uncovers a conspiracy.

Malorie is at Bath Guildhall on Friday 4 October at 6pm.

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Bubble and Squeak by James Mayhew.

Illustrated by Clara Vulliamy For children aged three and over.

Bubble the elephant may be amazing, graceful and a star performer, but she’s desperately lonely: that is, until she meets Squeak, a loveable and equally lonely mouse. This is the heart-warming story of two unlikely companions who prove that friendship can overcome all differences, big and small.

James and Clara will be at the Mission Theatre, 11.30am on Saturday 5 October.

Downside Up by Hayley Long For readers aged 12 and over.

This is the story of what happens when everything in your life literally gets turned upside down. Ronnie is bored of living in a boring town with her boring family. She’s so bored she makes stuff up, just to keep things interesting.

But one day, Ronnie gets knocked out in a dodgem collision and when she wakes up she realises that life will never be the same again.

Hayley will be with author Sita Brahmachari at the Mission Theatre at 2.30pm, Sunday 6 October.

More Than This by Patrick Ness Suitable for young adults.

Seth is the victim of an unthinkable and fatal tragedy but his re-awakening and apparent return to life finds him in a surreal half-remembered world full of pain and despair.

He begins a search for answers, hoping he might not be alone, that this is not the hell he fears it to be, that there might be more than just this. Patrick Ness has done it again, creating another intriguing and provocative novel for young adults.

Patrick Ness will talk about his work on Sunday 6 October at 6pm at the Guildhall. ■ For more details about the dozens of authors coming to Bath, the talks, workshops and storytelling at the festival visit: www.bathfestivals.org.uk or for tickets call 01225 463362.

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August

WHAT’S ON in

Events are in chronological order to try and give the best service to our readers planning their leisure time

★ Editor’s pick

David Bowie is Happening Now screening at the Little Theatre cinema Tuesday 13 August, 7pm The David Bowie exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum has been a best-selling success, looking back over his four decades of making music and continuously being a style leader. For Bowie fans who haven’t made it up to the V&A now’s the chance to take a look at those 300 artefacts via a live national screening from London to picturehouses all over the UK. The film is directed by BAFTA winner Hamish Hamilton. To book – it may be sold out we fear – visit: www.vam.ac.uk/davidbowieis

Cider Festival Racenight with The Wurzels Friday 2 August Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath. Visit: www.bath-racecourse.co.uk An early evening race meet with an authentic Somerset flavour, with plenty of ciders to sample, followed by legendary west country band The Wurzels who will no doubt be urging you to Drink Up Ze Cider. Tickets from £12.

Also at Bath Racecourse . . . Ladies Day Saturday 31 August.

Ladies Day sees women racegoers in their prettiest dresses and hats for one of the highlights of Bath’s social calendar. Tickets from £12.

Masterpieces of Chinese art: a lecture Museum of East Asian Art Friday 2 August, 6.30pm Bennett Street, Bath. To book tel: 01225 464640 Malcolm McNeill will be talking about the Chinese art once owned by the Emporers of China and now housed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. Tickets are £3 and must be booked in advance.

Learn to write for stage and television Nova Playwriting Summer School, Ustinov Studio Monday 5 – Friday 9 August, 10am – 5pm, daily To book tel: 01225 448844 Learn the craft of writing for stage and TV from the professionals. Take part in Q&A, hear guest speakers and hone your own writing skills.

Booking essential, £150.

PHOTO: courtesy of Stephen Lewis

Watercolour masterclass with Christopher Dunn Pound Arts Centre, Corsham. Tel: 01249 701628 www.poundarts.org.uk

Wednesday 21 August, 1pm – 3pm Develop your artistic skills in watercolour with Christopher Dunn, The Pound’s artist in residence, who will be sharing tips and tricks in watercolour painting techniques. Booking essential. £14 a place.

Also at the Pound . . .

Friday 9 August, 4pm Oz the Great and Powerful (PG) A small-time magician with questionable ethics arrives in a magical land and must choose between becoming a good man or a great one. £7 (£6 concessions), £3.50 for under 16s and students

Major Davis’s Victorian tours The Roman Baths Tuesdays throughout August, 6pm Booking essential, tel: 01225 477773 Meet Major Davis, the city architect who discovered the Roman Baths in the late 19th century and enjoy a guided tour of Bath’s most famous site. £18 for adults, £12 for children over 11, or £8/£4 for Discovery card >> holders.

Improve your water colour skills wih artist Christopher Dunn at The Pound arts centre, Corsham

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Visit our new website for more events and things to do.

To promote your event log on and get listed. wwwthebathmag.co.uk

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WHAT’Son Bath Folk Festival Saturday 10 – Sunday 18 August Venues throughout Bath, for full programme details visit: www.bathfolkfestival.org BBC Folk Award winning duo James Fagan and Nancy Kerr are among the line-up for this year’s festival, which includes workshops, gigs and jamming sessions in folk-friendly pubs.

Headlining is Irish acoustic band Lunasa with Bath musician Ed Boyd playing his old school, Beechen Cliff. A ticket pass to all events is £60 for adults, £140 for a family of four.

Folk and vintage craft fair Sunday 11 August Green Park Station, Bath The regular vintage and craft fair at Green Park will be joined by stalls featuring musical instrument makers and folk craft, as an extension to the Bath Folk Festival.

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men As You Like It, Dyrham Park Friday 9 & Saturday 10 August, 6.30pm Dyrham Park, near Bath.

Tel: 0117 9372501 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park The all male troupe of travelling players breathes new life into this Shakespearean comedy classic.

Tickets: £16 adult, £9.50 child, £40.50 family.

Irish acoustic band Lunasa, with Bath musician Ed Boyd on guitar mile walk from Dyrham Park, through farmland and on part of the Cotswold Way. No dogs as they are not allowed in the deer park. Places limited to the first 25 people.

Bryan Ferry in concert Sunday 11 August Glastonbury Abbey, gates open 5pm. Visit: www.glastonburyabbey.com Bryan Ferry and his orchestra, supported by backing band Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel for a spectacular and nostalgic musical evening.

Tickets are £35.

Also at Dyrham Park . . .

Cotswold Wardens’ Walk

A Little Hotel on the Side Thursday 15 – Saturday 31 August

Bank holiday Monday 26 August, 10.30am-1pm The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens lead a new 4½

Theatre Royal Bath. Tel: 01225 448844, visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

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Georges Feydeau’s farce is set in a seedy 19th century hotel in Paris, the fun coming from the misunderstandings and mayhem delivered with consummate speed and humour. It stars Richard Wilson of One Foot in the Grave.

Bath Carnival Saturday 17 August, 11am-5pm, parade from 6.30pm Royal Victoria Park and parade through city centre Family fun from 11am, all day in Royal Victoria Park, with bands, stalls and a chance to make costumes for the big parade in the evening which will wind its colourful way through the city centre, beginning at the Holburne Museum and finishing back at the park. >> All are welcome.

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WHAT’Son Paper art workshop Saturday 24 August Jessica Palmer’s studio, Widcombe. To book email: palmerk@outlook.com When we ran one of Jessica Palmer’s fabulous paper cut works of art on our front cover we were overwhelmed with positive feedback. The artist, who has run workshops at top London museums, is running a day here in Bath, but you’ll need to book. Participants can choose to do paper cutting, paper collage or paper craft in a small group with a delicious lunch and all tools and materials provided. Suitable for beginners and those who want to improve their skills. £50 all inclusive.

Arrangements in Black and Grey at Lacock Until 22 October, daily Upper Gallery at the Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock Black and white photography in the 21st century by six British artists who work in monochrome – from using a pinhole camera to an iPhone. Normal admisssion prices apply. NT members and under 5s free.

Jessica Palmer and her work, right

Bath Cats and Dogs Home open day Monday 26 August, 11am – 4pm

Bear is one of the cats looking for a home

Tel: 01225 787334 or visit: www.bcdh.org.uk It takes £1.4m a year to keep the rescued cats, dogs, rabbits and other abandoned pets alive and well at the Claverton based charity and the annual family open day gives animal lovers the chance to support it, while having some fun. Radio Heart FM presenter Paulina Gillespie, a great supporter of the home, will also be there. Bring your own dog to the fun dog show, pick up some training tips and watch demonstrations of canine dexterity. There’s also a temporary sandy beach to play on, Tractor Ted, a kids’ zone with bouncy castle, games and face painting. Family tickets £10, £3.50 for pensioners.

★ Editor’s pick

Westonbirt Treefest 2013 Saturday 24 August – Bank holiday Monday, 26 August For tickets, visit: www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-treefest or tel: 03000 680 400 To the woods, to the woods . . . where you’ll find wood carvings inspired by fairytales, more than 100 stalls and exhibitors, live woodworking in action, a food hall and axe carving from the Welsh Axemen. And let’s not forget all those acres of woodland to explore and enjoy. For the first time this year there’ll be camping at The Holford Arms, a mile and a half from the arboretum, with a free bus shuttle service. Tickets for the whole weekend are £24, camping is £10 per person per night.

Open garden under National Gardens Scheme Wells, BA5 3LD Sunday 25 August, 2pm – 5.30pm

Chainsaw art at Westonbirt’s Treefest

This six acre family garden is set in the grounds of Stoberry Park with breathtaking views over Wells and the Vale of Avalon. The garden design is based around a combination of vistas, with sculpture being used as accents.

The favourites – clematis, roses and acers – can be found, along with some little gems, with wildlife ponds, water features, sculpture, a walled garden, sunken garden, gazebo, potager and lime walk and several seated areas.

Margaret Atwood St Mary’s Church, Bathwick for Topping & Co bookshop. Tel: 01225 428111

Thursday 29 August, 7.30pm for 8pm Five times Booker prize nominee, Canadian born Atwood is one of the world’s leading writers and original thinkers. Her back catalogue includes such classics as The Handmaid’s Tale, Alias Grace and The Blind Assassin.

She’s coming to Bath to talk about her new novel MaddAddam, which is the concluding part to the Oryx and Crake Trilogy.

Flower Festival St Katharine’s Church, Holt, Wiltshire

Friday 30 August – Sunday 1 September Open gardens near Wells

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Designed by Margaret Murray and created by volunteer arrangers from Holt and Bradford on Avon flower clubs, the festival will celebrate summer and autumn in bold modern arrangements. Admission £5.

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WHAT’Son

Lower Borough Walls, Bath.

Box office tel: 01225 463362 www.chapelarts.org.uk The hard-working Appalachian mountain singer songwriter brings his own brand of blues, southern rock, country and bluegrass to Bath. He won fans when he played here last as part of the International Music Festival. Tickets £10 in advance.

Brutal Bath: Building the Post-War City Until 26 November, Tues – Fri, 2-5pm, weekends, 10.30am – 5pm The Building of Bath Collection, The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, The Paragon, Bath The raids of the Second World War left Bath in a sorry state, causing planners to boldly try and throw off the city’s history and try something

Planning ahead . . .

Macmillan Cancer Support walk Sunday 8 September

Bowood House, near Calne, Wiltshire www.macmillan.org.uk/miles tel: 0300 1000 200 Choose from a three mile or eight mile route round the beautiful grounds of Bowood House in the family-friendly, supportive atmosphere of this Miles for Macmillan event.

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new. This exhibition shows a selection of ‘Marmite’ buildings from the 1950s to 70s. You’ll love ‘em or loathe ‘em.

ROMANTIC HEROINE: Laura Ashley at the Fashion Museum

Jerry Harmon Chapel Arts Centre Friday 30 August, 7.30pm

Fringe BoA Festival 31 August – 8 September Various venues around Bradford-on-Avon There will be more than 40 events at the fringe this year, including art workshops, the Spooky Men’s Chorale choir and the excellent Worried Men. Visit: www.fringeboa.co.uk.

Laura Ashley: The Romantic Heroine Until 26 August The Ball Room, the Assembly Rooms, Bennett St. Visit: www.museumofcostume.co.uk Take a nostalgic walk through the British fashion designer’s work from the 60s and 70s. If you missed our feature on the Laura Ashley exhibition you can read it at your leisure at www.thebathmag.co.uk.

Bath Midnight Walk for Dorothy House Hospice Care Saturday 14 September Begins and ends SouthGate, Bath www.bathmidnightwalk.co.uk Join friends and family for this annual women-only sponsored walk through Bath.

There’ll be fun from the moment you don your bunny ears and set out on the five mile walk, which begins at midnight.

For more information about events and what’s happening in Bath visit our website which is updated daily .

To promote your event, log on and get it listed:

www.thebathmag.co.uk Old smoothie: Bryan Ferry in concert

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ARTISTprofile

Stitching stories Deirdre McSharry award-winning magazine editor, formerly of Cosmopolitan and Country Living, has known model turned fabric artist Mick Lindberg for many years and celebrates for The Bath Magazine the opening of an exhibition of her fabulously colourful fabric paintings in Bath this summer

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ainting with fabric is what Mick Lindberg does. Where and how she finds the meaning of life, the common thread is revealed in her pictures – images of women expressed in everyday fabrics, cut and so finely stitched, it gives the impression of brush strokes. Former model, award-winning photographer, designer and creator of an evocative home and garden, Mick says of her fabric art: “Stitching is slow happiness. I never throw out fabrics, I love recycling, I like the story.” The alchemy of her work is her own.

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and feel that comes together in what you create.” Wearing one of her own designs, she travels light with a shoulder bag, adorned with the silver Hands of Fatima, the bag inevitably contains a piece of work in progress.

Mick grew up in Sweden in the 1950s and recalls her childhood memories: “I sat under the table at my mother’s sewing circle, absorbing the advice, exchange of patterns and motifs. The art of textile was passed on from my mother and grandmother.

For Mick stitching is as natural as breathing, pruning the roses or taking her granddaughters on a picnic.

“I don’t separate my creativity from my life . . . the way you dress,

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ARTISTprofile

Opposite, CULTURAL THREADS: Tea for Two is a collision between European and African textile traditions EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY: main picture, The Fortune Teller’s Daughter contains fabric pieces found at Buff Baer’s rag market in Bradfordon-Avon Right, La Petit Fleur

dream, decorate your home, the cake you bake, it is all part of the artist’s life. I don’t separate art from life.”

As Mick travels the world she collects stories from different cultures and pieces of fabric, all adding to the eclectic mix and helping to share the stories. In The Fortune Teller’s Daughter, which is on view in Rose and Tony Hepworth’s lightfilled gallery in Margaret’s Buildings, Bath, can be found fabric from Buff Baer’s rag market in Bradford-on Avon. This is Mick’s first one woman show of textile art, (she has had many shows of her haunting black and white photographs ) opening mid August and is an important step in revealing stitched fabric as a serious art form.

Mick is protective about her fabric pictures. “They are not craft, they are art,” she says. “Like a painter I have the canvas, I apply the fabric as if it is paint. The stitches have to be perfect, something uneven is upsetting. There is no stress, when I stitch stress disappears. I love when I cut out the fabric and set up the piece. I talk to the work . . . It’s what your hands know and feel that comes together in what you do.”

Her Swedish inheritance informs her feeling for handwoven fabrics, colour, humour, and her evocation of women, mysterious and often sensuous, as the viewer will see in this compelling show of fabric pictures, some hanging, some framed, There is something of an icon about these images. Here is a young woman, watchful, playful, holding the baby, a tea cup, maybe a cat, another with a pheasant perched on her head.

They look out of the canvas at us, the watchers, still, with an

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icon’s steady gaze.

Sometimes there is something for the lightness of the Swedish movie Smiles of a Summer Night in Mick’s work. She wants to convey and to celebrate her cultural identity.

“The Swedish heritage runs deep but I am equally interested in the fusion of cultures, the re-cycling, re-shaping of ideas and materials from one medium to another.” She feels that whether she is working on a photographic collage, a pattern of a dress, or layering of fabric shapes to create an image, “it is what lies in between that interests me.”

I don’t separate my creativity from ❝ my life . . . the way you dress, dream, decorate your home, the cake you bake, it is all part of the artist’s life

❞

Inspiration for her work often occurs on her travels, “the journeys I take in real time, but also those nocturnal ones where dreams are made.” It was a collision with the vibrant tribal Kinte cloths in Gibbs Farm, an art centre in East Africa – where she had been invited to work – that she found herself cutting up and sewing the cloth to make pictures, portraits AUGUST 2013

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ARTISTprofile really, of the local women.

At a textile fair, of tribal work, suddenly in her mind she saw a black woman dressed in brilliant fabric. “I had this vision,” – and that was the birth of her fabric images.

“The characters I create on canvas often have a life of their own. When you spend time touching, stitching, it becomes part of a meditation, you weave a story, and that energy remains inside the picture.”

Tapestry, weaving, quilting, sackcloth, metallics, canvas, even bed sheets, from Picasso to Louise Bourgeois, from Grayson Perry to Tracey Emin and here in Bath, textile artist Carole Waller, painter of fabrics and THE ARTIST: Swedish born Mick Lindberg dreamer of gorgeous clothes – artists are currently making hay with fabric. And audiences are ready to embrace the movement too, demonstrated by the queues of fans thronging the Royal Academy to see Grayson Perry’s tapestries The Vanity of Small Differences.

This is an art form which has distanced itself, with its range of references and its messages, from the homespun craft movement. The Financial Times reported: ‘Fabric based art has broken free.’

Anthony Hepworth, of the eponymous Bath gallery, is responding to this mood with this fresh exhibition of Mick’s work. He says: “In the wonderful atmosphere Mick evokes in her pictures, in their seeming simplicity – they are in fact very sophisticated – her ‘paintings’ remind me of early English portraiture . . . those girls with almond eyes presented by the itinerant limners of the early 19th century, what we now call the British Folk Art tradition.”

Inevitably Mick’s passion for fabric informed the years she worked as a fashion model in Paris, for Kenzo and with photographer Sarah Moon. She says: “It was a window into something I could not have imagined. I loved the clothes, the crazier the better. That thread was always there, like a ball of cotton, unravelling itself.”

Mick says that Kenzo’s memorable collections, evoking Kabuki theatre, Turkish peasants or Berber nomads, were a joy to wear and absorb. “It’s the fusion of culture, the overlap of folk design, the juxtaposition of people or place or parable. The stitching of one’s story, that’s the fascination.”

Unsurpisingly the Japanese, in search of meaning to their clothes, have beaten a path to her door. Mick’s dresses are crafted in folds of heavy linens in painterly colours. Or simple shifts in moth-like shades. The moth is Mick’s motif, her signature, a hand printed moth label is sewn into each of her creations and each dress arrives in a moth printed bag.

The fabric pictures are similarly signed.

“It’s a sort of moth-amorphosis, a transformation from old into new, and new into old,” she laughs. Her life is her art.

Mick Lindberg is that rare creature, a unique talent, whose work will transend many, many summers. But don’t just take my word for it, go and see for yourself. ■ Mick Lindberg’s exhibition Fabric Paintings is at the Anthony Hepworth fine art gallery, Margarets Buildings, Bath, from Saturday 17 August until 3 September, 11am to 5pm Tues – Sat. 32 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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ICONIC WOMEN: top, Bird Song – Mick Lindberg’s collection inspired by her work in East Africa. Below, details from Tanzania Talking and Seven Birds and a Red Dress. Bottom of page, A Child is Born, using the colours of Mick Lindberg’s native Scandanavia

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS

Art for high summer ▲

RED HANDLES

by SUSAN BROWN

KATIE by CATHERINE BEALE Bath portrait artist Catherine Beale, whose painting of her niece, Katie, is among the work chosen for this year’s Bath Society of Artists exhibition, has won an award for another of her works in a national competition. She won The Artist magazine award at the 152nd Society of Women Artists annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London. She was presented with her award for her portrait, The Butterfly House, by the society’s patron HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Catherine attributes part of her inspiration for portraits to attending the exacting life drawing classes given by Artist Saied Dai at Bath Artist Studios. It was in these classes that she met Georgia, the artist and model who is pictured in her award winning painting. She also sites her mentor the late David Fisher as a great and positive influence. After over a decade painting in South East Asia, Catherine moved to Wellow and last year she opened a new portrait studio and gallery in Widcombe.

Art at the Heart of the Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath

www.ruh.nhs.uk/art Free access daily, 8am – 8pm Until 16 October In what must be one of the most publicly accessible galleries, the hospital’s corridors are hosting an exhibition of work from the award winning Arena Photographers. Their work shows a variety of styles and interests, from delicate and peaceful still life, busy and quirky street scenes, emotive and compelling social portraits to quiet and evocative landscapes.

Artist Karen Wallis is showing her observational art alongside the photographs.

BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 2013 EXHIBITION Victoria Art Gallery, opposite Pulteney Bridge, Bath www.victoriagal.org.uk Run by Bath & NE Somerset Council

To 31 August

Detail from sketch by Karen Wallis

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It’s an annual ritual that many Bathonians enjoy, wandering around the Bath Society of Artists exhibition at the council-run gallery and voting for our favourites to win the people’s choice prize. For just an hour or two we can imagine ourselves art critics. There are all kinds of styles of art and a myriad of themes in the show, which is what lends it appeal. Any artist over 18 is eligible to enter and there are several prizes to be won, including the Bath Society of Artists Prize of £1,000. The people’s choice award is worth £500. The society was founded in 1904 with just 26 members. Past exhibitors have included Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent and Philip Wilson Steer. Admission is £2, to include a catalogue.

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nick cudworth gallery

Balloons over Bath Signed Giclee Print from the Original Oil on Canvas

SUMMER EXHIBITION Throughout August Nick Cudworth will be exhibiting his paintings and prints which capture the seasonal light of summer

5 London Street (top end of Walcot Street), Bath BA1 5BU tel 01225 445221 / 07968 047639 gallery@nickcudworth.com www.nickcudworth.com

MICK LINDBERG Fabric Paintings 17 August - 3 September 2013 ANTHONY HEPWORTH F

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS AUTUMN MEADOWS By LOUISE DAVIES BATH CONTEMPORARY 35 Gay Street, Bath Tel: 01225 461230

www.bathcontemporary.com Land and Line 9 – 31 August Three invited artists, Malcolm Ashman ROI, Louise Davies RE, Norma Stephenson PS, come together each with their own approach to colour and pattern through the genre of landscape. Louise, whose studio is in South London, was awarded the Curwen Print Prize in 2012.

Dark Copse by Malcolm Ashman

SOPHIE SOPHIE RYDER

BATH by CHARLOTTE FARMER Rostra Gallery 5 George Street, Bath Tel: 01225 448121

RWA Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 5129 www.rwa.org.uk

Made in Bath To 1 September

Until 8 September

At the height of summer Rostra chooses to celebrate Bath with a multi-media display. Bath based printmaker Charlotte Farmer joins Mexican artist Jazmin Velasco, Michael Flanders, Clare Halifax and Janine Roper in a collection dedicated to art made in, or inspired by, all things Bathonian.

There is also a solo show, Keep the Home Fires Burning, by Bristol-based Tom Frost.

One giant eye, two enormous feet and 200 huge rabbits make up this exhibition by Sophie Ryder. The Monumental collection showcases all kinds of pieces by the sculptural artist, who has gained many fans in Bath over the years, including this pair of giant feet almost blocking the doorway. Never before seen indoors, this piece, entitled Sleeping Feet, was one year in the making. One of Ryder’s distinctive trademark hares is on permanent display at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath.

DISTORTED BOWLS by SUN KIM Beaux Arts 12 – 13 York Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464850 www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

Until 31 August

Sophie Ryder, Sleeping Feet Image by Alice Hendy

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Artists of Fame and Promise includes; Stewart Edmondson, Nathan Ford, Atsuko Fujii, Anna Gillespie, Sarah Gillespie, Janette Kerr, Alan Macdonald, Natalie Martin, Anthony Scott, Anthony Scullion, Helen Simmonds, Emmie van Biervliet, Pieter Vanden Daele, Simon Wright and Pippa Young. Also on display are stoneware ceramics by Korean potter Sun Kim.

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS SHAPED BY NATURE by MAGGIE MATTHEWS Hilton Fine Art 5 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath Tel: 01225 311311

EXPOSURE

Walcot Chapel Walcot Gate, Bath. Open 10am – 6pm

www.hiltonfineart.com Paul Brockensha, Art, then a piece of celery

Shaped by Nature: Maggie Matthews 17 August – 7 September One of Cornwall’s most respected abstract painters will be showing her most recent paintings here in Bath. The Welsh born artist has exhibited in Cornwall, London, Nantucket and New York. Here’s what the gallery says: “Maggie is fascinated with the natural world and is particularly drawn to the minutiae of found objects on beaches, cliff tops and coastal paths, which she sets off against often vivid background colours, reflecting the weather and ambience of the day.” Her latest exhibition marks a significant change in direction for her work.

Tuesday 6 – Sunday 11 August

CLEVEDON PIER by NICK CUDWORTH

MOVEMUE by FINN GLE Wiltshire Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers exhibition West Barn, Bradford on Avon BA14 1DU 10.30am – 5pm

Photo courtesy of Peter Stone

14 – 18 August Textile exhibition, sales and demonstrations by the Wiltshire Guild, which celebrates its golden anniversary next year. The exhibition shows a wide range of hand spun yarns, woven, knitted and felted items. Every item is unique.

Nick Cudworth Studio/gallery: 5 London Street, Bath.

Tel: 01225 445221 www.nickcudworth.com

Summer Exhibition, 1 – 31 August

For Exposure 12 artists were invited to create artworks inspired by this central theme, in which one word – exposure – can be used in different ways. The results include abstract, landscape and figurative painting as well as 3D ceramic objects.

Presenting this work for public view is in itself a form of exposure, adding yet another layer of meaning to the title. The artists are; Paul Brokensha, Marlis Garner, Ann Hines, Michael Jevon, Craig King, Anna Kot, David Ladds, Roland Lee, Jackie Maundrell-Hall, Usha Pearce, Caroline Rudge and Joe Tymkow.

All have provided a brief explanation of how they interpreted the theme in their work. On Tuesday 6 August, from 6pm – 9pm, meet the artists and discuss their work over a glass of wine.

Exposure: {definition} the state of having no protection from something harmful // the revelation of something secret, especially something embarrassing or damaging // the action of exposing a photographic film to light // the direction in which a building faces, an outlook

Nick Cudworth will be showing his prints and paintings of landscapes which capture the seasonal light of summer, including a new painting of Clevedon Pier at sunset. Nick is also showing 15 prints of his original paintings of Bath and surrounding countryside and villages in his Bath and Beyond exhibition at the National Trust property Dyrham Park just north of Bath. Visitors to the stately home can see the show, included in the price of entry.

Visit our new website for more exhibitions and gallery information To promote your exhibition, log on and get it listed. wwwthebathmag.co.uk

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Jackie Maundrell, Dales

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INTRODUCING A new lifestyle website powered by the city’s favourite magazine

For over 10 years The Bath Magazine has been at the centre of promoting everything wonderful across our beautiful city, every month offering a rich and appealing mix of excellent editorial and advertising services to our vast audience.

Our new website extends our capabilities to connect, engage, and inform on a daily basis. Delivering great content, up-to-date happenings, and a full source of essential information on the city we know and love.

Please tour the site for yourself... Use it to find everything you need, and much more.

Or if you have a business or service and want to take full advantage of all the possibilities then visit www.thebathmag.co.uk to explore some of the many options.

W H AT ’S

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LEGALmatters

ADV ERT OR I AL FEATURE

MAKING IT ALL GOOD C

ommercial tenants will usually be aware of their obligations to pay the rents due under their leases, including service charges, VAT and insurance rent. Those sums will be demanded at regular intervals during the lease term and the parties will generally know who is liable for what and when as far as rents are concerned.

The biggest potential “sting in the tail” for a tenant will be his obligation to remedy “dilapidations”, that is the tenant’s obligation to keep and leave the premises in the state of repair and decorative condition required by the lease, having “reinstated” any alterations and removed all tenant’s property.

Dilapidations are frequently overlooked by unwary tenants. In most cases (and as long as the rent is paid punctually), the landlord will not inspect the premises during the term, which can often lead a tenant to conclude that the landlord is relaxed about repair and condition. Generally, it is only when the lease has expired, or is about to expire, that the landlord serves upon the tenant his “schedule of dilapidations” detailing repair, decoration and reinstatement works to be carried out by the tenant. Typically, that schedule of dilapidations will arrive after the tenant has vacated, at a time when the tenant has no further legal right to carry out those works. In those cases, the schedule of dilapidations might take the form of a costed bill for works to be done.

All too frequently, the tenant’s dilapidations bill will seem to have come out of the blue and at a juncture when the tenant’s business is in transition or being wound down… a stressful enough time as it is!

So what steps can tenants take to anticipate and mitigate this potential liability?

• Before completing the lease, the tenant should instruct a surveyor to inspect the premises.

This will identify any existing defects in the premises, or any works likely to be required during the term.

• Having identified any existing disrepair, the tenant would have the opportunity to mitigate and protect his position as far as possible, either by persuading the landlord to address any existing disrepair before the lease commences, by negotiating a suitable “rent free period” reflecting the condition of the premises, or by negotiating appropriate limitations or exclusions to the repairing obligation in the lease.

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• Before completing the lease, the tenant should seek appropriate legal advice to understand fully his maintenance obligations. The tenant should understand exactly which parts of the premises he will be responsible for and the extent of those obligations.

• Ideally, the tenant should draw up his own programme for basic routine inspection, maintenance and decoration, so that the cost of maintenance works can be spread over the life of the lease. Where possible, tenants should maintain a separate contingency fund to cover potential dilapidations.

• Within the final year of the term (and in plenty of time to do such works), the tenant should instruct his own building surveyor to inspect the premises to identify any works likely to be required. This would give the tenant the opportunity to carry out the works himself whilst still having the right to do so. It would almost always be cheaper for the tenant to carry out his own works, rather than simply waiting for the landlord’s schedule of dilapidations to arrive.

able to advise as to any applicable statutory limitations which might apply to limit the scope of the landlord’s claim. Depending upon the circumstances in which the lease expired, it might be the case that the landlord’s claim can be significantly reduced.

• A tenant should always look to negotiate! A landlord’s schedule of dilapidations is often nothing more than a landlord’s opening position in a commercial negotiation. A well advised and well prepared tenant would always be better placed to achieve a better deal!

For further information or advice on commercial landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, please contact Patrick Mears, Head of Commercial on 01225 485700 or via email at pmm@mowbraywoodwards.co.uk If you require advice on a dilapidation dispute or any other contentious commercial property issue, please contact Luke Watson, Head of Dispute Resolution on 01225 485700 or via email at law@mowbraywoodwards.co.uk

• There will usually be no harm in opening up a constructive dialogue with the landlord in anticipation of lease expiry. The landlord might have his own views about how he wants the premises to be left. He might want the premises to be painted a specific colour, or for particular tenant alterations to be left at the premises.

The landlord might be relaxed about particular items of disrepair not being addressed at all, depending upon his future plans for the premises. It is likely to be the case that a collaborative approach with the landlord will result in a cheaper and more beneficial resolution for all concerned and avoid a protracted and potentially costly dispute.

• A well prepared tenant should find himself with a much more manageable dilapidations bill and a considerably more stress free lease expiry. But it is still possible that the landlord might serve a schedule of dilapidations. Upon receipt of a schedule of dilapidations, the tenant should instruct his own building surveyor to go through the schedule to ensure that it is fair and accurate, and that there are no relevant limitations or exclusions in the lease which might lessen the tenant’s liability. A building surveyor or a solicitor would also be

Patrick Mears, Head of Commercial at Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors

Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors, 3 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HG www.mowbraywoodwards.co.uk AUGUST 2013

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CITYpeople

New online TV channel puts city on small screen Bath now has its own online community TV channel, Bath On TV – www.bathontv.co.uk.

Bath On TV offers video coverage of what’s happening in and around the city – from event round-ups, fun feature videos, school events, to profiles, interviews and business features.

James Stapleton, of Bath on TV, says: “Everything you see on Bath On TV is of local interest: Bath is the subject and Bath people are the audience.”

The team has been working with local organisations including Bath Tourism Plus, Bath Theatre Royal, the Little Theatre, Komedia and Bath Festivals to produce short, snappy videos letting people know what’s coming up in the city.

The channel also covers local events, casting a spotlight on local talent and producing video previews for events and exhibitions.

“One thing that is important to us is that all of the content on the channel is positive – it’s there to put a spotlight on the best parts of our city.

We have exciting plans to expand the channel over the coming months, so watch this space.”

News in brief

POSITIVE NEWS: James Stapleton and Matt Paish of Bath On TV

The Bath On TV team also specialises in corporate video production, helping small and large businesses have their own bespoke videos at an affordable rate.

James said: “We’ve been working on some

brilliant projects with Team Bath, SouthGate, the Museum of East Asian Arts and others. We’re really filling a niche by offering high production values but at prices that are not sky-high. We believe video production shouldn’t necessarily cost an arm and a leg. We’re making it affordable for small and large businesses in Bath.”

Corporate videos produced by Bath On TV can also be marketed through the channel and its social media channels, allowing it to be seen by thousands of people in and around Bath.

“The online channel thrives on involvement and community spirit, which Bath has plenty of,” said production manager Matt Paish: “We welcome people to submit video content and there is a dedicated channel within Bath On TV for local film-makers to showcase their work, from music videos to short films. It has become a great hub for local filmmaking talent.

“We really want community to be at the heart of Bath On TV; it’s a platform for local people, groups and businesses – it’s a brilliant opportunity.”

Making faces in the artisan quarter

N ■ Teams from Bath businesses scratched their heads and delved into the deepest recesses of their memories for the 15th annual Brain of Bath quiz, held to raise funds for Julian House, which works with vulnerable and homeless people.

Future Publishing’s team – pictured with quizmistress Ali Vowles and sponsors the Bath Building Society – came away with the coveted title and a Waterford Crystal trophy. Hot on their heels was St James’ Wine Vaults in second and our very own The Bath Magazine came in a very creditable third place. In the quizmistress’s hot seat was BBC presenter Ali Vowles.

The final proceeds from the event are likely to be £7-8,000 for Julian House.

■ Bath jeweller Nicholas Wylde, whose business in Northumberland Place suffered a devastating fire, has moved into the second of his temporary homes in the city centre while the original shop is refurbished.

The shop and jewellery repair workshop have moved temporarily to 21/22 The Corridor and may remain there until November. Visit: www.nicholaswylde.com.

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ext time you walk down Walcot Street and feel that someone may be watching you, you could just be right. For carved into the old Bath stone wall on one side of the street are 20 faces. Dubbed the gargoyles of the Great Wall of Walcot, four original carved heads have been joined by fresh portraits as traders along the street aim to draw attention to the unique character of Walcot.

There are more than 60 independent businesses along this street and some of those business owners have offered up their own faces to be set forever in stone.

One of the driving forces behind this quirky project is Martin Tracy, owner of The Framing Workshop. He said: “Some business owners have chosen to depict a caricature of themselves, others relate to a personal event.”

“We have produced postcards depicting six of our colleagues which we have begun to distribute to outlets in the city centre, helping to encourage both locals and visitors to visit and enjoy all our street has to offer.”

The Natural Theatre Company, now based south of the river in Widcombe was formed in Walcot.

The theatre company’s link is celebrated with a carved Conehead, one of its hugely successful street theatre characters.

The official launch and unveiling of the Great Wall of

Walcot will take place at 6pm on Friday 16 August – all are welcome to join street traders and residents, meet the Coneheads and stone carver Pete Bloomfield who has so creatively retained Walcot’s sense of humour.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city centre . . .

Bath Business Improvement District has lodged plans with Bath & North East Somerset Council to improve Kingsmead Square by introducing an al fresco dining and a performing arts space. The proposals to develop a Continental-style café culture in the square have been submitted following months of planning, involving the BID, Kingsmead Square-based commercial property firm HPH, and businesses around the square.

The aim of the proposal,

which has been formally received by the council, is to make Kingsmead Square more of an attraction in its own right, increasing the number of people who visit the square and the length of time those visitors spend there. Current features of the square, such as the fruit and vegetable stall and the public benches, would be unaffected by the changes.

Andrew Cooper, manager of Bath Business Improvement District, comments: “Kingsmead Square is a key area of the city and the BID is working with local businesses with the goal of improving the amount of time people spend there. By attracting more people into this area of the city, we will enhance the vibrancy of the square and produce a wider benefit to surrounding businesses and the people who visit it.”

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Inspiring and empowering people through creativity to explore, develop and grow

Creative activities for those living with mental health challenges Creative support and development for Artists Creative commissions Creative fun for everyone from pure artistic creation to thought provoking activities

or support our work.

Call 01761 438852 email info@creativityworks.org.uk or visit www.creativityworks.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1075812 Company No. 3768255 Creativity Works for Everyone is a company limited by guarantee registered in England

DON’T LOSE OUT TWICE! DON’T WASTE YOUR TRADING LOSSES We have recently handled tax returns for clients who have been filing their own returns BUT have failed to claim for losses that they had suffered in earlier trading periods – and also for the ‘capital’ expenditure that could have reduced their tax bills (such as vans, tools & office / workshop refurbishment costs).

We are now re-filing the tax returns for those previous years and getting refunds – but it’s much better not to pay too much in the first place, an area where we can help…

HAS YOUR BUSINESS GONE INTO LIQUIDATION? In another situation, we were able to relieve some of the misery for an owner/manager of a business that had gone into liquidation, by using the loss of the value of his investment to reduce his taxable income. As a result, he received a refund in excess of £15,000 You need to be aware that sometimes unhappy situations, such as trading losses (particularly in the early years of a business) or the liquidation of your company might have a few unexpected positives.

At OCL we have been looking after SMEs (start ups to turnovers of £3 million) for more than twenty years; we would be pleased to meet you to discuss any tax, financial and accounting matters that would help you, including how we can help you save money.

See our website for more – and download our FREE guides

“OCL Accountancy always provide an excellent level of support in an extremely straightforward and user friendly fashion. Advice is sensible and constructive. It is much more of a partnership than a traditional client relationship which is particularly helpful.”

Call Marie Maggs or Mike Wilcox on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting 141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL

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CITYmotoring

THE ALFA ROMEO MITO LIVE With all the punch of the standard MiTo, the Live is a special limited edition that combines passion and technology.

Dara Foley takes one for a spin

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n 1967 Dustin Hoffman played Benjamin Braddock in the film The Graduate, the beautiful Ann Bancroft played cool seductress Mrs Robinson. In some kind of movie metaphor, the aimless Hoffman cruised backwards and forward along hot, desserted highways in his spectacular 1966 convertible Alfa Romeo Spider. The film is a modern classic, and like me, left many young lad with three things; a well played Simon and Garfunkel album, a healthy leg fetish on middle aged women, and a total weakness for the Alfa Romeo Spider. In fact ever since then I have been just a little bit in love with Alfa Romeos; the badge itself is one of the most heraldic designs on a car and would not look out of place on medieval flags or on a rider in the famous Palio di Siena horse race. There's something very evocative about Alfa’s sporty, sexy, 'Ciao Bella' Italianness.

But like any good love affair there have been some testing moments when the dream may not have been as good as the reality. In the early 70s as part of a government labour policy, Alfa Romeo was asked to create jobs 44 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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in the poorer southern regions of Italy. The factory was named Alfasud and produced some very fine and popular cars like the Alfasud Sprint which had great engines and style, but Alfasuds did not favour the climate of northern europe, and soon turned into rust buckets – they were (rather unfairly) dubbed ‘Alfacruds’ and suffered a huge backlash, the much respected Alfa Romeo was also tarred by the same brush.

Throughout the 80s Alfa worked hard to re-establish its reputation and with a series of numbered models like the brilliant "33" and "164" which were in production for more than 10 years and rightly so, the build quality was excellent. Following on into 2000s and the "145" and the "147" have been even more popular and many fine examples still purring nicely can be seen today, bodywork unviolated. And that brings a slightly different problem for a motor manufacturer producing long lasting cars but with a fan base of drivers not sufficient enough to want constant upgrades. A good example would be Saab, which produced such great cars that they lasted beyond their "planned lifespan" – consequently all their devotees

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CITYmotoring rarely needed newer models, and look what happened there. That's a worry for manufacturers like Alfa who are now producing great cars. Its premium super mini, the MiTo, with sporty looks and powered by the wonderful TwinAir turbo petrol unit is excellent and super efficient, but are there enough buyers prepared to break away from their workaday Fords, Audis, and VeeDubs? The slick marketing men are in control. Whatever happened to independent decision making?

Well try this... Like the Vauxhall with its Adam, Alfa has taken the techie route to make wider appeal.

Main brands are notoriously miserly with their included extras, and it's all the fancy pantsy stuff that the modern driver expects as standard.

Earlier this spring, Alfa Romeo launched the Alfa MiTo Live, a limited edition of 250 cars, combining everything the standard MiTo has to offer but with added safety features and plenty of cool technology. It comes fitted with a high fidelity BOSE sound system and Pioneer’s innovative AppRadio system which lets users connect and access their smartphone’s apps such as maps, photos, calendar and so much more through a whacking seven-inch multi-touch screen.

Like the standard MiTo there's impressive fuel economy with low (98g/km) CO2 emissions which makes a good company vehicle too as it is not only low in benefit-in-kind, but also has a long depreciation curve. It's zero road tax and should a congestion charge come west, then the MiTo would be exempt.

The MiTo Live however best suits 17-25 year old drivers, it qualifies as insurance group 9, and Alfa has taken an extra step at tackling high insurance with its optional Marmalade telematics based cover, this is similar to black box monitoring systems, but with Marmalade’s advanced telematics – drivers start on a lower premium with no curfews, no penalties and no extra charges for driving at night. And there's an online feedback programme which allows drivers to review their journeys at any time and elearning modules for developing safer driving skills demonstrating how they can be a lower risk. Marmalade also means drivers can start building a No

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Claims Bonus immediately. In all there's a potential to reducing insurance premiums by up to 50 per cent.

All MiTos have their signature ‘D.N.A’ switch allowing the driver to choose between three different driving settings: Dynamic – a super-sporty mode, Normal – for regular urban driving conditions, and All-Weather.

D.N.A controls the behavior of the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox, tightening for a pacy drive in Dynamic while actively keeping an eye on conditions and stability in All Weather. The handling is very refined, the acceleration thrilling, and the over-revving TwinAir engine makes a satisfying roar as it turbocharges. The one thing top Italian cars always have is great vocality... think Ferrari, but an octave higher. The TwinAir is basically two, two cylinder engines working together to make an 875cc turbo powerplant. As well as boosting efficiency, the managed air flow improves torque, while the constant flow of air keeps the small turbocharger spinning, pushing power up to 85bhp. TwinAir technology has been evident since the 2008 and this automotive revolution is enviably being looked at by most major motor groups.

Alfa MiTo Live is finished in Alfa Red special paint and comes with contrasting gloss black roof, wing mirrors and door handles. It's fitted as standard with 17” titanium sport alloy wheels. There's a sporty rear bumper, spoiler, carbon look dash, tinted windows, and titanium grey surrounds on the lights add to the special features.

Priced from just £16,590 OTR with some very competitive financing packages. Hire purchase starts from 0% with 45% deposit.

Overall the MiTo Live competes really well against all those more mainstream, more mundane brands. It’s high specification, it is different, and it is an Alfa Romeo. Mrs Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?

The Bath Magazine’s test car courtesy of Wessex Garages.

For more information on Alfa MiTo Live, contact: Wessex Garages, Feeder Road, Bristol, BS2 0SB Tel: 0844 247 3178 http://www.wessexgarages.com

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A DVERTOR IA L FEAT U R E

Take a breath…pause for thought…and consider your options.

By Sharon Giles, Sharp Family Law - Bath Divorce Solicitors. T: 01225 448955 www.sharpfamilylaw.com

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mild mother of two, with a wry smile, shared details with me of a frenzied scissor attack on her husband’s clothes that previous evening upon discovery of his adulterous affair. She confessed that things hadn’t been great in the marriage for some months, years even, with her focus on the children and her husbands on his work.

He was due back from a business trip that night, as yet unaware of his wife’s recent discovery and vengeful act on his clothes. She wasn’t absolutely certain that he was having an affair but simply saw red when she “mistakenly” opened his credit card bill and noted an entry or two which, in her view, appeared suspicious. She could have been advised to issue divorce proceedings “forthwith” and immediately to obtain a court order removing the apparent rogue from the family home.

Clearly this couple needed to talk and decide where their lives were going. My experience told me that a divorce might be on the cards, or it might not. I discussed the

various options open to her, including the different methods of negotiation and dispute resolution available as real and successful alternatives to a bitter battle at court. She was surprised to learn that she didn’t necessarily have to go to Court to sort matters out. I recommended family therapists, mediators and

we work actively with ❝ our clients and collaboratively with other professionals to produce resolution not prolonged conflict

❞

marriage guidance services in the area and we agreed that I would do nothing until she had spoken with her husband that evening. I checked for any history of domestic violence and there was none. Indeed, she had quite shocked herself by her recent emotional

outburst and was already beginning to think about the cost of replacing those ruined clothes.

When a relationship breaks down, it is a natural reaction of friends and family to take sides and indulge the wronged party by demonising the other and allocating blame all one way. Although we still hear divorce horror stories, fictional and factual, family law practice has evolved and many family lawyers have been trained to replace our natural instincts of alignment and defence by focusing instead on practical advice and searching for solutions.

Most, including all solicitors at Sharp Family Law, are members of Resolution, a national organisation that supports and promotes a conciliatory approach, from tone of letter to use of language and choice of actions.

At Sharp Family Law, we work actively with our clients and collaboratively with other professionals to produce resolution, not prolonged conflict. We offer resolution through non-adversarial approaches like Collaborative Law, Family Mediation and Constructive Negotiation, where clients can find, tailor and produce an outcome that would work better for them and their family after a separation and/or divorce. We will also represent clients in court litigation when that proves to be necessary.

Sometimes, as with the lady mentioned above, the best advice is to do nothing but take a breath….pause for thought…. decide where in life you want to be… and know how you want to get there.

Contact Sharon Giles for an initial consultation on 01225 448955 or email sharon@sharpfamilylaw.com

sharp F A M I LY L A W Sharp Family Law: Helping clients to reach solutions 5, Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2PH, UK email: info@sharpfamilylaw.com m: 07766 107527 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com 46 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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FIXED FEES – A FAIR DEAL FROM BATH’S INDEPENDENT FAMILY LAWYERS Crallan Family and Divorce Solicitors are an independent firm of specialists whose benchmark is to obtain a fair deal for their clients.

Divorce and separation are not just about the financial implications but the emotional toll it takes on couples and their children. Richard Crallan and his team recognise that fairness, efficiency and integrity are vital factors in supporting their clients and creating long term stability.

Crallans was the first law firm in the UK to offer fixed fees that cover the whole of a divorce case from start to finish. With the abolition of Legal Aid they can guarantee you the best deal on the market. With fixed fees starting from under £3,000 why sign a blank cheque?

Crallan Family & Divorce Solicitors are just a call away. Not only will you get the fairest price but your initial (one hour) consultation is free.

Certainty in uncertain times Crallan Family and Divorce Solicitors 01225 471094 www.crallans.co.uk reception@crallans.co.uk 1 Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JZ

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Cinderella makeover for hotel The historic Bailbrook House Hotel has just been given a £10m overhaul under the new ownership of Hand Picked Hotels.

Georgette McCready takes a tour of the Georgian mansion and finds it beautifully transformed

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sk a Bathonian to tell you something about Bailbrook House and they’ll probably mutter something about it being a conference centre or the place that was used used to train BT engineers to climb telegraph poles. If those Bathonians were to walk into the finest suite in the new £10m refurb of Bailbrook now, there’d be the sound of jaws dropping on to the thick carpet, so dramatic is the makeover.

Bailbrook was bought by the Hand Picked Hotels group of fine country hotels and one of their existing managers, Jonathan Squire was brought in to oversee its Cinderella transformation from a humble and fairly tired looking building to an elegant and sumptuous beauty.

Visitors still arrive up a long tree lined drive, just a few hundred yards from the A46 Batheaston roundabout, to find themselves outside the imposing 18th century double fronted building. The grand entrance leads in turn to the big reception hall, which is now fitting for a four star hotel.

The last time I visited Bailbrook was for a workshop in what I assumed to be a classroom, furnished with strip lighting and plain trestle tables. It’s hard to believe that the beautifully decorated and furnished lounge is the same room. Interior designer Angela Amesbury, who has worked with Hand Picked Hotels on previous projects, has a deft eye for choosing luxury curtains and soft furnishings and the 18th century Mansion House – as they’re callling the original building – feels more like a five star hotel than the AA four star it has recently attained.

Standing as it does in a commanding position on the hillside to the east of Bath, Bailbrook has a fascinating if chequered history. When lawyer Denham Skeet commissioned architect John Eveleigh – the man who had already designed two of Bath’s celebrated crescents, Somerset Place and Camden Crescent – the pair decided it would be wise to build the Skeet family home on the outskirts of Bath as two separate buildings. One would house the family and the grand public rooms and enjoy the best views across the Avon Valley, the other, northern block, would hold the kitchens and servants’ quarters.

No doubt the pair, plotting over the design at the end of the 18th century, congratulated themselves on this radical shake-up in domestic architecture, but sadly for the Skeets and their guests the two separate blocks turned out to be an impractical solution. Food had to be carried 48 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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from the kitchens, across a courtyard and through to the dining room, by which time it was cold. And, while the first floor rooms in the southern block enjoyed far-reaching views, anyone inside would have to descend a double flight of steps to reach the gardens.

Mike Jenner writes about the history of Bailbrook House in his excellent book The Classical Buildings of Bath. He’s pretty scathing about John Eveleigh’s renegade approach to design and points out that once Mr Skeet had been forced to sell the house, subsequent familes failed to make it work as a domestic space. Poor old Bailbrook ended up being used as a lunatic asylum for 140 years.

During the 19th century the two buildings were linked with the building of an entrance hall and one owner removed the steps down from the drawing and dining rooms and built the exisiting terrace outside.

The 21st century visitor will have few clues to its past issues. The newly fitted kitchens are presided over by chef Peter Manners, most recently of the acclaimed Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds. Hotel guests can either dine informally, either in the Conservatory Bar or on the terrace, or in the Lansdown Restaurant, or they can discover the new Cloisters restaurant. This has been transformed beyond belief, from a rubble filled

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SUMPTUOUS: main picture, one of the three drawing rooms that have been restored to their historic glory Inset, Bailbrook House as it was when it was used as a gentleman’s residence This page, each of the 13 bedrooms in the Georgian mansion house has been individually designed, as have the en suite bathrooms

basement to a light, romantic vaulted dining room. There’s a window lined loggia to one side, laid with tables for two which would be ideal for romantic dining.

The hotel has two buildings accommodating rooms, the grand Mansion House at the front, and the modern built block, Bailbrook Court at the back. Rooms in Bailbrook Court are also designed to a high standard, all with sparkling new bathrooms, and are priced differently from the grand suites of the Mansion House, which are all named after people who had links with Bath, such as Jane Austen and Queen Charlotte.

In the Mansion House prices start from £249 a room per night with breakfast or to stay in the contemporary classic and executive bedrooms in the adjoining Bailbrook Court, prices start from £144 per room per night on a B&B basis.

Another impressive turn-around has been achieved in the Brunel Suite in the modern part of the hotel. This chandelier hung banqueting hall is ideal for weddings, seating up to 160 and with its own bar area and quiet lounge next to the main room. Brides can alight right outside the hotel’s grand entrance

and use its romantic stone folly and grounds for photographs.

There’s a special offer on at the moment for couples getting hitched. Couples who book Bailbrook House Hotel for a wedding by 30 December will benefit from a package of from £75 per person. This includes aglass of sparkling wine for the reception drink, a selection of three canapés, a three-course wedding breakfast, half bottle of house wine per person, a glass of Champagne for the toast, room hire for the wedding breakfast, a personal Toastmaster and a complimentary bedroom on the night for the wedding couple.

On a very prosaic level, the fact that Bailbrook has masses of free parking and level access to all the main rooms, will make it attractive to many visitors.

Jonathan is justly proud of the hotel achieving its four star status and extends an open invitation to curious locals to come up and have a look round.

On sunny days there are few finer views over the eastern fringes of Bath than from the lawns and terraces at Bailbrook House. ■

Free glass of Champagne offer for readers of The Bath Magazine Readers of The Bath Magazine are invited to be among the first to visit the newly refurbished Bailbrook House Hotel and to enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne when taking afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is a great tradition at Bailbrook House Hotel and is served in its three new drawing rooms.

Costing £21.95 the sweet or savoury options each include finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and sorbet, as well as treats such as strawberry and mint cupcakes, or a cornet of Parma ham, local rocket and melon. Served with a choice of many teas or coffee, readers of The Bath Magazine can also celebrate the hotel’s re-launch with a complimentary glass of Champagne, saving £9 per person.

The offer is valid any day during August or

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September, subject to availability, when the hotel will also be running a Roaring 20s themed afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea offers the perfect chance to get a first glimpse of the transformed hotel. To redeem the Champagne offer, readers need to book in advance and mention The Bath Magazine when booking.

For more information on Bailbrook House Hotel visit: www.bailbrookhouse.co.uk or to book afternoon tea, tel: 01225 855100.

Terms and conditions: The offer consists of a complimentary 125ml glass of house Champagne per head, when booking traditional or savoury afternoon tea and is valid throughout August and September. The offer must be booked in advance and is subject to availability.

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic, looks to the Mediterranean for the best wines for hot, sunny days and nights

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ith azure skies and a heatwave engulfing the south west, it’s easy to pick choices for summer drinking. Why go further than the Mediterranean, when they have the perfect pick to match their climate, and our current weather? Whether it’s wines to stick in the fridge (and that includes reds), take on a picnic, or choose for the barbecue, we’re all looking for freshness, flavour, and liveliness in our wines. I’m flying the flag for Europe this month, heading straight to Italy and southern France.

Zaccagnini Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Cima Signoria 2012 £9.95 This unnoticed gem of a beautiful white wine from central Italy impressed me with its elegance and subtlety. It’s a fragrant, and enchanting Verdicchio, produced on the Zaccagnini family estate in the hills of the Marche region of central east Italy, overlooking the Adriatic. With an almost ethereal aroma of fresh green apples and ripe pear, tinged with acacia honey, it has a gentle floral character on the palate; subtle, stylish and very food friendly, its delightful fresh orchard fruit and citrus character, with a swish of herbs, and crisp, zesty style, makes it ideal with grilled fish, barbecued prawns, chicken dishes, and fresh, lively herb-infused salads.

THEBATHMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBATH PERFECTLYCOVERED BATHSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 01225 424499

Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Roquemoliere 2012 £9.95 Nothing screams summer more loudly than this favourite from the South of France – the grape Picpoul has come to prominence in the UK only in the last few years, but it’s an absolute winner for this time of year, and one’s that’s definitely earned a place in my fridge. Watch out, as there are some duff ones about, but this zippily exciting example is a real charmer – tangy, zesty, citrussy, with crisp green apple, wild fennel, fresh lime and a hint of aniseed. Squeaky clean and refreshing, I love it on its own, chilled, or with a salad . . . or with a large platter of oysters, and other seafood.

Planeta Rose 2012, Sicily £9.95 From arguably the top producer in Sicily, the pioneering Planeta family, this pink Syrah is a revelation. The grape responsible for the great blockbusting reds of Australia and the Rhone, combined with the searing heat of sultry Sicily should result in a vivid-coloured, powerful, flashy rosé – or so I thought, and I was delighted to be proved wrong. I can’t believe its delicacy, subtlety, and restrained charm; almost as watermelon juice-pale as southern French rosé – with wafts of wild strawberries and rosehips, a hint of fresh herbs, and a bit of zippy red apple peel.

It’s delicious, and subtle. If you love Provence style rosé, try this.

Plumbago Nero d’Avola, Planeta 2011, Sicily £12.75 This soft, juicy red, named after a wildflower, which grows close to the vineyards is from one of my favourite grape varieties, the Nero d’Avola. From south west Sicily, it’s a pleasant change from some of the more obvious New World numbers, so prevalent in barbecue season. It has a wonderful juiciness, a fresh, smooth, silky fullness, with soft tannins. Think of crushed blackberries, ripe plums, and super-ripe figs, dusted with a sprinkling of bitter chocolate. Ideal with herb crusted rack of lamb, barbecued steak, or marinaded chicken – or cheese, chutney and salad.

Great Western Wine is at Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AP, tel: 01225 322810. Visit: www.greatwesternwine.co.uk.

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Nibbles and news from city’s foodie scene

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ath’s leading pioneer of delicious meat-free food, Rachel Demuth, has sold her restaurant in the city centre after 26 years at the helm. But the good news is that Rachel will still be taking workshops at the Vegetarian Cookery School opposite Parade Gardens, and Demuths will continue to delight diners under the new ownership of head chef Richard Buckley and his front-of-house colleague Rob Eldon. Rachel, who has always loved to travel, will be able to devote more time to leading cookery travel breaks and to completing her fourth cookery book.

Rachel was one of the Bath chefs lined up for the pre-Great Bath Feast event, in which journalists from national newspapers and magazines were wooed down from London with the promise of some delicious west country fare ahead of the programme of events which will take place throughout October. Baker Richard Bertinet, Lucknam Park head chef Hrishikesh Desai and The King William gastro pub’s Charlie Digney joined Rachel for a series of short handson workshops in which the visitors found themselves up to their elbows in flour, later trying their hands at folding samosas. The day included lunch at the Bath Priory cooked by Michelin star chef Sam Moody and it is hoped that it will have made such an impression that legions of foodies will descend on Bath in October to sample more of the area’s great food and drink.

One of the innovative events at the Great Bath

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HAND OVER: Rachel Demuth with the new owners of Demuths restaurant, Richard Buckley and Rob Eldon

Feast is a banquet being staged inside Bath Abbey – that’s proved so popular it’s sold out already.

But there are dozens of other food and drink themed events planned, take a look at the website: www.greatbathfeast.co.uk and nearer the time there’ll be a programme to pick up so you can plan your gastro month of treats. Rock based

chef Nathan Outlaw is leaving his kitchen in Cornwall to give a masterclass as part of the lineup.

The clever cordon bleu duo Nancy and Rebecca at Cavendish Cooks, just off St James’ Square, go from strength to strength with their range of home-cooked dishes for people to take away, and, er, pass off as their own. They’ve recently extended their range, which is now available in several farm shops outside Bath and are selling fresh fish from St Mawes and fresh meat from Newton Farm. The lucky residents of this corner of Bath already have Eades greengrocer on their doorstep so barely need to leave lower Lansdown for their food.

Great Western Wine has been shortlisted for the Decanter magazine national awards, for regional merchant of the year. The winners will be announced on 4 September at a ceremony held at the Royal Opera House.

It’s really important, if we’re going to rear a healthy next generation, that children understand where their food comes from. A summer holiday trip to the Farrington’s Farm shops and Cowtastic farm park near Farrington Gurney will satisfy parents’ need to stock the larder with children’s desire to explore. There’s a farm trail to follow and a host of animals for children to pet, including pigs, goats and donkeys. A Cow-osk sells snacks, ice cream and gifts at pocket money prices. It is open seven days a week. ■

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Prezzo

The Vaults, 6-7 Brunel Square, Bath BA1 1SX. Tel: 01225 310222. Web: www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk

REVIEW

Pizza on the piazza

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fter work on a sunny day, nothing beats dinner and wine al fresco. And now that Bath has Brunel Square, an area of restaurants, bars and cafés set amid Brunel’s railway arches overlooking an open piazza, there are even more culinary delights added to the already impressive menu in Bath, many offering outside seating. The latest addition to Bath’s new development is Italian restaurant chain Prezzo, located within the vaults arches. The location is unbeatable here – so atmospheric under the original stone archways which offer an abundance of space and light.

The atmosphere is relaxed and the decor sleek and contemporary, and as you’ve come to expect from Prezzo restaurants around the country, the food is traditional Italian with a modern twist.

On the balmy evening that we visited all the outdoor seating was full, so we took a table inside and enjoyed views out onto the square and admired the architecture above. It’s amazing to see what has been achieved here – there’s a great use of space, with tall plants to give a Mediterranean feel, tables set far apart from each other so that you can enjoy private conversation, a large bar and lounge area if you wanted to peruse the menu before being seated, and contemporary mood lighting to create an intimate setting in the evening.

Our dining experience started with fresh warm bread, juicy olives and a bottle of the house white – light, crisp and dry with a clean finish. The waiter recommended it as a good wine to complement most of the dishes on the menu.

The menu itself, which changes seasonally, offers plenty of choice, with pastas, pizzas, salads, risottos and calzone alongside favourite dishes such as fillet of salmon, roasted duck leg and a fail safe gourmet burger. A nice addition to the menu are the small plates on offer – tapas-style dishes of the mains if you fancy a little bit of everything, or want a light bite. I and my dining companion both agreed that this would be a great place to bring a large group of friends or family of fussy eaters. There really is something for everyone here, not to mention the children’s menu, entertainment packs and free wi-fi.

For our starters we enjoyed mozzarella in carrozza (£5.30) – mozzarella cheese deep-fried in breadcrumbs served with tangy pomodoro sauce; and baked mushrooms (£5.35) stuffed with grana padano cheese, garlic, onions and breadcrumbs – both 52 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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tasty but filling options and we agreed that next time we would probably choose one of the sharing starters like the antipasto platter of prosciutto ham, salami milano, spicy ventricina salami, buffalo mozzarella, marinated olives, baby sunblushed tomatoes, fresh rocket and ciabatta bread for £10.95.

Luckily we had enough time to digest our food before the main dishes arrived – the chicken and asparagus risotto with field mushrooms (£11.95) for me and three of the small dishes for Nick (three plates for £14.95). With recommendations from the waiter, Nick picked macaroni florentine, a classic macaroni cheese with spinach; risotto carbonara, with pancetta bacon and cream, baked with grana padano cheese; and arancini, crispy risotto balls filled with field mushrooms and mozzarella cheese served with pomodoro sauce. Nick enjoyed all three dishes, especially the arancini with its mixture of textures and flavours, but again, with all the rich flavours and creamy, cheesy sauces, he felt that perhaps three dishes was a little too much for one person, even though on the menu it recommends two to three per person.

My risotto was beautifully creamy and garlicky, and the succulent chicken and fresh asparagus perfectly complemented the rich flavours.

By this point we were feeling as stuffed as the mushrooms, but in the interests of research we perused the dessert menu. I couldn’t resist the ice cream and hazelnut bombe with a meringue centre (£2.95), and nor could Nick be tempted away from the indulgent strawberry Eton mess cheesecake (£5.15) which consisted of crushed strawberries whipped into a creamy vanilla cheesecake on a crunchy biscuit base, topped with homemade meringue – absolutely divine and perfect for a summer’s day treat. Again, like the mains menu, if you fancy a little bit of everything, you can choose three mini desserts in a tasting platter for £9.95, or just a singular mini dessert served with a hot drink from £3.50.

As the sun started to go down outside and the mood lighting came on under the darkness of the arches above, we settled down to enjoy the rest of the evening finishing our wine and listening to the relaxing jazz music in the background. While the food and drink is very good here, it’s worth coming just for the atmosphere. ■ SC

LA DOLCE VITA: Italian restaurant Prezzo opened in June in the vaults underneath the railways arches in Brunel Square, Bath’s new development featuring restaurants, bars and cafés

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FAMILYfun

Find ten things to do with a didgeridoo at the Wiltshire Music Centre

Come face to face with the Daleks at the Fleet Air Museum

Splat! Custard pie throwing at the American Museum

Mum we’re bored...

Exterminate tedium with a whole host of things to do in the long summer holidays Children’s music festival Monday 29 July – Friday 16 August Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk for full programme. Tel: 01225 860100 A three-week festival of musical workshops for all ages, from festival tots under the sea to African drumming and a junk band with the Wiltshire Scrapstore. Over eights will enjoy the challenge of ten things to do with a didgeridoo on Thursday 15 August.

Babe the Sheep-Pig Thursday 1 August, gates open 6pm Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wiltshire.

Tel: 01249 730459 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock Children over five and parents will be warmed

by Dick King-Smith’s tale of Babe, the pig who wants to be a sheep pig, brought to life by Illyria. Bring rugs and a picnic. Adults, £15, children £8.

Also at Lacock . . . Seaside picnic Tuesday 13 August, 11am - 2pm Seaside based fun and games, without the hassle of sand in your sandwiches.

Art club activities Victoria Art Gallery Fridays throughout August, 10.30am – noon, 1.30pm – 3pm To book, tel: 01225 477244 There are different themed hands-on art sessions every Friday at the council-run gallery. £4 a session. You must bring an adult.

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Family drop-in sessions Roman Baths Mondays throughout August, 10.30am-1pm, 2pm–4pm Every week at the council-run Baths there’ll be a chance to learn something new about life as a Roman. Free admission with a Discovery card.

Family drop-in activities The Fashion Museum Tuesdays throughout August, 10.30am – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 3.30pm Children can join in with a series of printing activities inspired by the current Laura Ashley exhibition. Free entrance with a Discovery card.

Wild West Crafts Thursday 8 August, 1pm- 4pm The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath.

Visit: www.theamericanmuseum.org Create a covered wagon and join the trail to the Wild West. Free with garden admission

Also at the American Museum Family Fun: Prohibition Crafts Thursday 22 August, 1pm- 4pm Hollywood gangsters need good aim, even if they’re just throwing custard pies.

Making light of it The Herschel Museum of Astronomy, New King Street, Bath. www.herschelmuseum.org.uk Tel: 01225 446865 Thursday 8 August The museum has a new family trail and a series

Print fun at The Fashion Museum

of hands-on events. Make beeswax candles, as used in Georgian homes.

Night safaris at Slimbridge Thursday 8, Friday 9, Thursdays 22 and Friday 23 August 8.30pm for 9pm start Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT. Tel: 01453 891900 The nature reserve, with its thousands of birds, is open 365 days a year, but this summer there’ll be the chance to go out after dark with a warden. You might see foxes, badgers, hare, rabbits and deer and use bat detectors to hear them squeak. £15 a head.

Dalek Invasion Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 August Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset. Tel: 01935 840565. Visit: www.fleetairarm.com for ticket prices and opening hours This looks like a real treat for Whovians with a whole weekend devoted to the 50th anniversary of Dr Who. There’ll be an audience with the Daleks and the chance to get close to the Cybermen, the Ice Warriors and the Weeping Angel. Children will be encouraged to wear sci fi costumes and enjoy the March of the Daleks.

>> Visit our new website for more events and things to do.

To promote your event log on and get listed. wwwthebathmag.co.uk

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FAMILYfun

To climb a tree is for a child to discover a new world: have a go at Dyrham Park

Engaging: Giffords travelling circus

Sew’n’sew: fabric fun at The Makery

Den building at Dyrham Wednesday 14 & 28 August, 11am – 3pm Dyrham Park, near Bath.

Tel: 0117 9372501 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park Outdoor fun with an afternoon of den building in Badminton Plantation. Tick off another activity from the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ list. Children must bring a grown-up. Normal admission applies.

Also at Dyrham . . .

Tree climbing day Thursday 29 August, 11am – 4pm Take part in free tree climbing with a professional climbing team. The tree climb is aimed at children aged 5-16 but any child will be considered for a small climb.

Colourscape Saturday 17 – Monday 26 August The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 388588 www.holburne.org The Colourscape Moonorooni in the grounds of the museum was so poular last year, it’s returning. Inflatable interconnected chambers are flooded with coloured light. Presented by Eye Music Trust, there’ll be contemporary music each weekend. Tickets, £6 adults, £3 children. Family, £15. Last admission 3.15pm.

Marshfield Village Day Saturday 17 August, 1.30pm – 5pm Withymead Playing Field, Withymead Road,

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Like being wrapped in a rainbow. . . . Colourscape in the grounds of the Holburne Museum

Marshfield. Admission free. Tel: 01225 891503 Enjoy a family-friendly fete which begins with a parade of 50 vintage vehicles down the High Street at 1:30pm. Entertainment includes stalls, children’s competitions, funfair attractions, ice cream, teas, music, a horticultural show and dog obedience competitions.

Calligraphy for children Tuesday 20 August, 2 – 4pm Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464640 www.meaa.org.uk Learn how to master brush strokes and write some Chinese characters about summer. Suitable for age six plus. Admission free with museum ticket.

Make a summer bag Wednesday 21 August, 10.30am - 12.15pm The Makery 146 Walcot Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 421175 The Makery is running a series of workshops for creative boys and girls throughout the summer holidays, from making cuddly rabbits to learning the skills to use a sewing machine. This session, suitable for eight-year-olds and older, will be for creating a colourful shoulder bag. All materials are included.

Storm on the Lawn: Dracula Wednesday 21 – Sunday 25 August The Ball Court in the grounds of Prior Park College, Bath. Tel: 01225 448844 or visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

With the Twilight series, The Vampire Diaries and True Blood, vampires have never been more popular. Storm on the Lawn explores the precursor of the genre with Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror, which will come to life just as the sun goes down among the eerie ramparts of the 18th century Ball Court at Prior Park College.

Dark. Bring a picnic. Suitable for age 12 plus.

Tickets, £13 adults, £9 juniors.

Giffords Circus Thursday 22 – Monday 26 August Alice Park, Bath. For tickets, tel: 0845 459 7469 or visit: www.giffordscircus.com A family run circus with a twist, mixing drama, music and magic with traditional circus skills.

There’s no exploitation of lions or elephants, instead dogs and horses perform with their human companions. Your children will talk about this long after the event – and the adults will love it too.

At home . . .

Four Bath Buns cookbook Amanda Overeynder, a teacher at Monkton Prep School has written a children’s picture book, Four Bath Buns. This is a recipe book about two children, their mum and grandmother, who love Bath and love cooking.

The children explore Bath and eating different foods along the way. The book is full of childfriendly recipes, pictures of Bath landmarks and six postcards of Bath to colour and send. The book costs £9.99, from Bath Waterstones, and online at www.fourbathbuns.com.

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FIT&FABULOUS

NEWS IN BRIEF

stylists who offer both traditional styles and the latest cutting techniques; and Adee’s Wella Master Colour Experts who can provide a celebrity look and colour. Adee’s stylists’ professionalism and quality are second to none and they are happy to offer suggestions about what will suit you and the next cutting edge style. To book a consultation or for further information, pop into Adee Phelan in SouthGate.

■ A Jo Malone London boutique store will be opening in Old Bond Street on 19 August. The sleek and stylish store will feature the luxury brand’s fragrances and home accessories and due to launch on 1 September is the new scent, Peony & Blush Suede – a soft and seductive peony fragrance with delicate hints of juicy apple and opulent jasmine and rose. This is set to be very popular, so be quick.

■ He coined Beckhams’ mohican, he’s sculpted Marco Pierre White’s locks and now his team are here in Bath ready to take on the city.

Located in SouthGate, between Fabulous and Topman, celebrity hairdresser Adee Phelan’s salon breaths a fresh lease of life into the area.

Adee’s modern twist on hairdressing will bring a new dimension to the city, offering heaps of attitude in the light and airy salon that incorporates modern art pieces, balanced with visionary interior design.

Clients can expect a new hair experience enhanced by acclaimed hair

High summer essentials ❶

SKIN DEEP The latest health and beauty news and product reviews from Samantha Coleman

You don’t need to leave your beauty regime behind when you head off on your summer sojourn as there are some great miniature travel sets available to keep you pampered and preened while you’re away, like this Benefit Feelin’ Dandy Tips & tricks set (£25.50 from Boots and Debenhams). This pocket-size lip and cheek kit includes poppypink tinted lip & cheek stain, high beam luminescent complexion enhancer, a brightening face powder and ultra plush lip gloss.

❷

For evening elegance and to complement an LBD, a radiant glow to your skin is a must, and it’s easy to achieve with the help of Guerlain’s Terra Nerolia terracotta power (£44 from Jolly’s) – an oversized bronzing powder for face and body subtly scented with the elegant Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Bianca fragrance, also from Guerlain.

❸

Just as your accessories add the finishing touches to an outfit, so too do your nails.

Whether it’s glorious gold toes or multicoloured finger tips, it’s the easiest – and often the cheapest – way to work the trends.

This summer it’s all about contrasts as colours range from barely-there French manicures to dark purple, vermillion and navy. Glamorous metallics remain a favourite into the new season while two-tone nails add the perfect pop of colour and impact. Model Poppy Delevingne unveils the latest colours from nails inc, £12 from Debenhams and Harvey Nichols.

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■ Sign up for the pyjama party of the year – more than 650 women have already signed up for this year’s Midnight Walk for Dorothy House and there is still plenty of time to register. Event organiser Phillippa Watson said: “The Midnight Walk is a great night out, as well as a fantastic fundraiser, and this year, the fundraising focus will be our Hospice at Home service, which provides expert care for people in their own homes, mainly at night. We always have lots of ladies dressing up for the event so this year we decided to go with a pyjama theme, and look forward to seeing hundreds of women walking around the city in their pyjamas and onesies – as well as those essential flashing bunny ears!” The event will start from the SouthGate shopping centre at midnight on Saturday 14 September. The 8km circular route takes walkers around the city, via the Royal Crescent and Royal Victoria Park. For further information or to sign up, visit: www.bathmidnightwalk.co.uk

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OUT&ABOUT

An adventure on our doorstep Save on gym membership by using Bath’s many hill as a free outdoor gym. Andrew Swift suggests a strenuous seven-mile round walk which takes in some of the city’s finest views – and toughest hills and slopes

W

ith the school holidays upon us, this month’s walk, devised with adventurous children (and of course adventurous adults) in mind, takes in the two cliff-like hills that tower over Bath. The route we will be taking between Beechen Cliff and Beacon Hill, however, is a circuitous one, involving skyline paths, lost pleasure gardens, Ralph Allen’s sham castle and much besides.

It starts on the far side of Churchill Bridge at the bottom of Southgate Street. Having negotiated the subway under the dual carriageway, head to the right up Holloway before turning left along a footpath leading to Calton Walk. Turn right up a flight of steps, before turning left up a path and another flight of steps a few metres along. Carry on up the steps to the edge of Beechen Cliff.

At the top, turn left uphill and carry on, with Alexandra Park on your right. After the path starts to descend past allotments, turn right through a kissing gate (KG) and head diagonally down a field. Go through a KG at the end and turn left down a road.

Turn right along Lyncombe Vale Road and at the bottom turn left along Lyncombe Vale. After passing Lyncombe Vale Farm, keep to the right-hand pavement alongside a millstream.

Carry on to the main road, turn right, cross over and turn left down Church Street. Just past Little Orchard, turn right along a footpath. After a short flight of steps, turn left along a lane and carry on past Widcombe Old Church. When you reach Widcombe Hill, cross and carry on along the Tyning. After passing a turning on the right, turn right down a steep path. At the bottom, turn right along Horseshoe Walk. After 100 metres, turn right along a private road.

After 175 metres, take the footpath on the left up the drive to Smallcombe Farm. Just past the farm, go up a flight of waymarked steps and continue up the footpath.

At the top, turn right up the road. After 600 metres, turn left up North Lane and left again at the top. After passing Quarry Road, take a footpath on the right between Foxborough Cottage and Lindley (ST767644). Go through a gateway and carry on to Sham Castle. Having taken in the view, carry on through a car park, keeping to the left of the golf club and crossing 62 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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another car park before crossing a stile to the right of a metal gate. Carry on along a broad track for 500 metres. When the track swings right through a gate, bear left, following a faint footpath alongside the fence on the left, and carry on past a waymark. After going through a gateway with another waymark, the path starts to descend. A few metres further on, turn left downhill and follow a waymark through a small wooden gate. Follow a broad track down through the woods and through a KG. Just before the main road, turn left along St George’s Hill. At the end, cross the main road and carry on in the same direction for 300 metres.

Just past Hampton House, a boundary marker indicates you are entering the City of Bath. Just past it, turn right through a KG to take in a view of Grosvenor Place and the hills beyond. The path heads straight down the field, although, as it can be slippery when wet, you may want to take a more circuitous route. There are concerns that this field, which offers one of the finest views of the World Heritage Site, may soon be covered with new homes as part of the redevelopment of the adjoining MOD site.

At the bottom of the field, go through a KG, cross the canal and go through a gap in the hedge and down a steep path. After negotiating a squeeze stile by broken-down steps, carry on down, with the site of the Folly Inn – also known as the Cremorne Pleasure Gardens – on your left. It was abandoned after being hit by a stray bomb in 1942.

Go under the railway bridge, and carry on over a concrete bridge. This replaced a suspension bridge which in turn replaced a ferry. As you follow the road right and left between modern buildings, you are walking through what was once Grosvenor Pleasure Gardens. Like Sydney Gardens, they had a grand hotel at their entrance. To find it, turn left along Ringswell Gardens for 125 metres, and you will see a much larger building interrupting the sweeping flow of Grosvenor Place. This, now owned by the Guinness Housing Trust, was the hotel. To see the front of it, retrace your steps along Ringswell Gardens, turn left and left again along the London Road.

Just past the bus stop, turn left up steps and walk along Grosvenor Place as it curves forward to the porticoed facade of the hotel. The iceman keystones and series of carved animals were, like the swags on the columns,

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OUT&ABOUT

TAKING IN THE VIEWS: opposite, main picture, the view up to Grosvenor from above the Kennet and Avon Canal Inset, one of John Eveleigh’s icemen in Grosvenor Above; the view from Sham Castle; the asylum notice on Gay’s Hill, and a face at a window in Upper East Hayes

never completed, as the developers ran out of money.

When you reach the end of Grosvenor Place, look for the blinds painted on the blank windows. Just beyond this, cross London Road at the lights. Carry on in the same direction for 250 metres, and, just after Gardenalia, take the second turning up Upper East Hayes. Turn first left along Kensington Gardens – but not before looking to your right to see the figure painted on a blank window on the corner house.

At the end, turn right up Snow Hill, and then left up Frankley Buildings. At the top, cross and turn left up Rivers Road. At the end of Perfect View, carry on along a footpath for 200 metres – with Beacon Hill above you – before bearing left down a narrower path between a Bath stone wall and a wooden fence.

When you reach Camden Road, cross over and carry on down Gay’s Hill, looking out for the old asylum sign on your left. Just before the road swings left, bear right along Alpine Gardens.

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At the top of Lower Hedgemead Road, go through a gate down to the left into Hedgemead Park. Walk down the steps and carry straight on. Go through the gate ahead, across the path and through another gate before heading to the right past the bandstand. Keep to the right of a children’s playground, before turning right up to Belvedere and turning left downhill to return to the city centre. ■

FURTHER INFORMATION ■ ■ ■

Length of walk: seven miles Approx time: three to four hours Level of challenge: hills, rough paths, numerous steps and stiles

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LIGHTING SPECIALIST

8 BATH STREET, FROME. TEL: 01 373473555 WWW.FIATLUX.CO.UK

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AUGUST 2013

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SUMMERgardening

Let’s get this clear...

A crystal clear pond isn’t always easy to achieve but it adds another dimension to the summer garden, says Jane Moore – just be sure that children are protected from falling in the water

A

single month of sweltering heat – which I’m not complaining about, I hasten to add – has really made me appreciate the water features at The Priory. I have what can only be described as a love/hate relationship with our two ponds. My emotions are as fickle as an English summer when it comes to our small but significant water features. They may be on the small side but they are both huge in their effect on the garden and vastly different in character. While one is the epitome of a formal pond with its rigid rectangular shape and raised wall edges complete with a neat little fountain in the centre, the other is aiming for a consciously naturalistic look. This one has a gurgling stream edged with rustic rocks which culminates in an unevenly scalloped pond surrounded by plants nestled in crannies and tumbling into the water.

While one features elegant carp and shibunken fishes swimming lazily about, the other bristles with newts and frogs, water boatmen and pond skaters in chaotic abundance.

“Sounds lovely! What’s not to like?” And they are lovely. Despite their diminutive size I love the reflections and light that they harbour, as well as the tinkling addition to the garden soundscape, which seems to travel throughout the garden, drawing you towards them. Not to mention the utterly fantastic wildlife that they nurture: newts, frogs and toads, as well as dragonflies, mayflies, water boatmen . . . I could go on and probably will a bit later.

What I don’t love is the constant care: the fiddling with pumps and filters, the clearing of blanket weed and other assorted algae which reappears as fast as it’s removed. And the duckweed – argh! But all pond owners struggle with these things – only at Chelsea will you ever see the perfect pond and then only for a week.

This year has proven particularly challenging with its wildly fluctuating temperatures leading to worse than ever seasonal explosions of algae and duckweed through which I occasionally glimpse the shadowy form of 66 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Liberace, our largest carp, with his mirrored scales, so reminiscent of his namesake’s sequinned outfits. Visiting seagulls, pigeons and an inordinate number of children at the hotel have added to the ponds’ problems, all doing their bit to disturb the delicate equilibrium of their ecosystems.

Shaun ‘the Pond’ Wood, who speeds to our rescue at the first sign of a leak or a misbehaving pump, is philosophical – I suppose you have to be in his job: “It’s all down to balance – once you achieve that a pond will run like clockwork.”

I occasionally glimpse the ❝ shadowy form of Liberace, our largest carp, with his mirrored scales, so reminiscent of his namesake’s sequinned outfits

❞

Yes, all very Zen Shaun, but how can I improve the clarity of the water?

“That’s simple as long as you make sure that planting shades at least 40 per cent of the pond’s surface,” he says. “Choose plants that are strongly growing but avoid invasive species or you’ll be forever cutting them back.”

Barley straw can help, he adds, especially if placed near any running water such as streams or fountains. Put a new ‘bale’ in position a couple of weeks before the old one has reached its ‘use by date’ to allow it to begin to break down as that’s when it’s most effective.

“Every pond is different but the same basic principles apply. Good circulation of water is important – you want as much turnover of water as possible to keep it healthy and oxygenated.”

Shaun advises positioning the pump intake in a still area of the pond

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SUMMERgardening Shaunʼs top tips for ponds

A SOURCE OF PLEASURE: main picture, and above, the ponds in the award-winning gardens of the Bath Priory Hotel

where possible, or perhaps fitting a satellite filter which is remote from the pump and can be placed in another part of the pond as he’s recently done with our wildlife pond. This was mainly fitted to prevent the tiny froglets and baby newts being sucked into the pump but has also improved the water circulation.

I’ve opted to keep fish only in one pond and leave the other to the abundant wildlife. Can fish and frogs mix happily?

“The best of both worlds is a pond with large marginal plantings so that the wildlife can hide in among the plants and the fish can’t get to them,” says Shaun. “You definitely get better wildlife without fish but the fish are just so great to look at.”

If I get the pond clear enough to spot Liberace again, I’ll probably agree. ■ Jane Moore is the head gardener at the award-winning gardens of the Bath Priory Hotel. Follow her on Twitter @janethegardener.

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● Dirty filters work best – only clean them when absolutely necessary. Use pond water for cleaning not tap water and, if you need to top up your pond, try to use water butt or rain water rather than tap as it will cause fewer problems with the pH balance. ● Donʼt overstock your pond with fish and feed them little and often. Clear up any food left on the surface after five minutes as it can lead to water quality problems if allowed to decompose. ● Know the volume of your pond in litres or gallons so that you can dose with the correct amount of treatment. ● Have a variety of plants covering 40 per cent of the ponds surface. Go for oxygenators, lilies and floating plants as well as marginal plants such as iris and marsh marigold. ● Use a good quality pond liner – it will save you money in the long run. ● Buy a pump that is larger than you need – thereʼs nothing more disappointing than switching the pump on for the first time and finding the grand waterfall you had in mind is nothing more than a dribble.

Shaun Wood, Pondlife, tel: 01225 743612.

Email: pondlifebath@gmail.com.

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to advertise in this section call 01225 424 499 Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

Baby Equipment

THEBATHMAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE AT

SWIM+SMILE Strain–free swimming with the Shaw Method – based on the Alexander Technique.

Individual lessons for adults in peaceful pools. Improve your stroke or learn another.

Baby Equipment Hire in and around Bath www.babyquip-bath.co.uk 07528 074960

ENJOY A GREAT MAGAZINE WITH GREAT COFFEE

Electricians

www.swimandsmile.co.uk trisha@swimandsmile.co.uk Trisha 01225 480970

Acupuncture for Fertility, support alongside IVF, Pregnancy and Womens Health.

Holly Woodward (MBAcC, Reg Nurse) is an experienced fertility acupuncturist, having worked for leading fertility expert Zita West.

Call Holly on 07759 684552 Address: The Practice Rooms, 26 Upper Borough Walls.

Situated above ‘Lush’.

E: holly.woodward@yahoo.co.uk W: www.hollywoodward.co.uk

House & Home

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House & Home

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PROPERTYin FOCUS

B

lair Athole is an impressive detached Victorian house, built around 1880, situated less than a mile from the centre of Bath. Currently run as a guest house, it was voted best B&B in the UK 2013 by Tripadvisor. In keeping with the period, the rooms are spacious and well proportioned and the accommodation is particularly well presented. There are several lovely Victorian features including a Minton tiled hall floor, ceiling roses, cornicing and original fireplaces. Mainly on three floors, the accommodation comprises: Reception hall, sitting room, kitchen dining room, Amdega conservatory, study, second kitchen and utility room, eight bedrooms (comprising four first floor letting rooms all with en suite shower rooms), additional bathroom. There is extensive cellarage comprising a storeroom, workshop and boiler room. Outside there is a large lawned front garden and landscaped south facing rear garden which has been beautifully maintained. There is a detached stone built double garage which could provide further accommodation subject to consents. The driveway provides ample parking for numerous vehicles. This super property could well be the answer to many a dream of running a B&B or alternatively, filling a roomy Victorian villa with one’s own brood. Full details are available from agents Prichards.

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

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BLAIR ATHOLE UPPER OLDFIELD PARK, • Award winning guest house • Eight bedrooms / four letting rooms with en suites • Amdega conservatory • Period features throughout • Superbly presented interior • Immaculately maintained gardens

Price: £1,400,000

pritchard-partners.co.uk

Burnett, Nr Bath & Bristol

Beckington

An impressive barn conversion standing in attractive private gardens. Quiet village location. Retaining wonderful room proportions, charm & character with accommodation mostly on one level.

Kitchen/dining room with mezzanine study, charming sitting room, principal bedroom suite with sauna. 2 further bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rms, garden rm/bed 4. Heated swimming pool.

Detached garage & driveway parking. Gross int area: 2567 sq/ft 238 sq m.

A fine detached house standing in delightful landscaped gardens in a quiet “no though” road in the heart of this sought after village. Built by the current vendors to exacting standards just over 20 years ago.

Impressive hall & galleried landing, 4 double bedrooms - 3 en suite & further bathroom, sitting room to sun terrace, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, utility & cloakroom.

Attractive level gardens. Lg garage. Attached stone built office playroom with cloakroom.

Ample driveway parking. Total int area hs: 2147 sq ft/199 sq m.

Price: £975,000

Price: £750,000

Midford

Chatham Row

A fascinating detached period property retaining a wealth of charm & character, currently 2 separate cottages & standing in the most attractive walled gardens with river frontage.

An elegant Grade II Listed townhouse situated just off Walcot Street, only a few minutes walk from the city centre.

Cottage 1 - 3 bed, master & en suite facilities & shower rm, kitchen with Aga & conservatory.

Cottage 2 with 1 bed en suite, conservatory, living/dining room.

Detached garden office. Total int area: 2676 sq ft/248 sq m.

Guide Price: £750,000 Scan to access our Website Homepage

PRITCHARDS August.indd 1

Kitchen, dining room, drawing room, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, vaults/utility. Rear courtyard. Vaults. Private off road parking for 1 – 2 cars.

Int area: 1587 sq ft/147.4 sq m.

Offers In Excess Of: £695,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

23/07/2013 10:54

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath

ÂŁ3,500 pcm

A beautifully proportioned and individual Grade I listed mews house set within the exclusive and popular area of Lansdown. The house contains; three bedrooms, two receptions, study/Nursery room, family bathroom, newly fitted kitchen, ground floor shower room, parking for 2 cars and lovely garden.

Victoria Bridge, Bath

ÂŁ850 pcm

A superb one bedroom apartment in the Bath Riverside development. In the open plan kitchen/living area and bedroom there are large floor to ceiling windows that flood the interior with sunlight. The apartment has been finished to a high standard with a fully appointed modern kitchen and bathroom.

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 312244 | Lettings 01225 445646

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Marlborough Buildings A stylish and spacious two bedroom garden maisonette occupying the lower ground floors of a Grade II Listed former Georgian Townhouse, located a short walk from Bath city centre, carefully combining modern comforts with period features and charm.

Rent: ÂŁ1,750 pcm bright & spacious living room | modern fitted kitchen | large entrance hal | garden room | 2 large double bedrooms (1 en-suite) | dressing room | beautiful contemporary shower room | private and peaceful garden | tastefully furnished throughout Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

RESIDE July.indd 1

23/07/2013 10:45

Marlborough Buildings A stylish and spacious two bedroom garden maisonette occupying the lower ground floors of a Grade II Listed former Georgian Townhouse, located a short walk from Bath city centre, carefully combining modern comforts with period features and charm.

Rent: ÂŁ1,750 pcm bright & spacious living room | modern fitted kitchen | large entrance hal | garden room | 2 large double bedrooms (1 en-suite) | dressing room | beautiful contemporary shower room | private and peaceful garden | tastefully furnished throughout Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

RESIDE August.indd 1

24/07/2013 11:13

Fairfield Barn, Atworth A beautiful and spacious five bedroom detached barn conversion, finished to a very high standard throughout, with a private and picturesque south-facing garden. Located in an idyllic rural setting, the house allows for excellent access to Bath, Chippenham and the M4 corridor along with a host of local amenities and a great selection of schools.

Rent: ÂŁ3,000 pcm converted barn | beautiful living room | kitchen with marble worktops | mezzanine study | dining room with floor to ceiling windows | 5 good sized bedrooms (2 en-suites) | parking | extensive private gardens | stunning panoramic views | idyllic rural location Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

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Fidelis

Residential Sales & Lettings

Wells Road

01225 421000 wwww.fidelisproperties.co.uk

ÂŁ625,000

A Magnificent 4 Bedroom Garden Maisonette of Grand Proportions Impeccably Presented for Sale.

Sitting Room | Kitchen/Dining/Living Room | 4 Double Bedrooms | 2 En-suites | Family Wet Room | Large Gardens | 2 Garages | Accessed from Hayesfield Park | EPC Rating D

Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

Fidelis August.indd 1

Email: info@fidelisproperties.co.uk

19/07/2013 15:31

Fidelis

Residential Sales & Lettings

Midford Road

01225 421000 wwww.fidelisproperties.co.uk

ÂŁ495,000

A Brilliant 4 Bedroom Family Home Convenient for Local Schools within 2.5 miles of the City.

Living/Dining Room | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Conservatory | Cloakroom | 4 Double Bedrooms | Bathroom | Shower Room | Garage | Accommodation over 3 Floors | Level Child Friendly Garden | EPC Rating D

Wells Road

OIRO ÂŁ525,000

Substantial 3 Storey Town House with Flexible Accommodation including Rental Income Opportunity.

Living Room | Reception 2 | Kitchen/Dining Room | Shower Room | 3 Bedrooms | Bathroom | Large Studio Flat | Garden | Views | Close to City Centre | EPC Rating E

Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

Fidelis August.indd 2

Email: info@fidelisproperties.co.uk

19/07/2013 15:32

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Tel: 01225 904 904

The Estate Agents People Recommend 1 Harrington Place, Bath BA1 1HF

www.wentworthestateagents.com

Claverton Down, Bath

Guide Price £995,000

Faulkland, Near Bath

Guide Price £875,000

A beautifully presented, spacious detached family home, boasting over 2,700 sq foot of well balanced accommodation. This striking home comprises of: 3 Reception Rooms, Kitchen/Diner, 4 Double Bedrooms, 3 En-suite shower rooms, Family Bathroom, Downstairs WC, Double garage & Gardens. Viewing Advised

Green Gables is a stunning six bedroom detached residence situated in a small cul-de-sac position set back from the main road in the unspoilt village of Faulkland. It is approximately 8 miles South of the Georgian City of Bath and approximately 5 miles from the Market Town of Frome

• Detached Family Home • Four Double Bedrooms • Three En-Suite Shower Rooms • Three Reception Rooms • Beautifully Presented • Contemporary Finish • Large Secluded Gardens • Detached Double Garage • EPC Rating: D

• Detached Residence • Six Bedrooms • Three Receptions • Beautifully Modernised • Huge Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Large Gardens • Quiet Village Location • Driveway Parking • EPC Rating: C

TC S S

Bloomfield Park, Bath

Offers in excess of £750,000

Corston, Near Bath

Guide Price £379,950

A highly desirable, fully refurbished and extended five bedroom family home situated in the popular Bloomfield area of Bath. This distinctive detached property now boasts light and airy accommodation spread over three floors, along with South facing landscaped gardens, garage & parking

A delightful three bedroom detached country cottage located in the thriving village of Corston, a few miles outside the City of Bath. This charming cottage has been refurbished throughout and now benefits from a hi specification kitchen, modern bathroom, reception room, driveway parking and garden.

• Detached Residence • Five Bedrooms • Two En-Suite Shower Rooms • Single Storey Extension • Open Plan Accommodation • Hi Specification • Landscaped Gardens • Garage & Parking • EPC Rating: D

• Detached Cottage • Large Reception • Hi-Spec Kitchen • Master Bedroom & En-Suite • Fully Refurbished • Village Location • Good Commuter Links • Driveway

Parking & Garden

01225 904 904 •-www.wentworthestateagents.com WENTWORTH The Estate Agents People Recommend rightmove

.co.uk

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BLOOMFIELD CRESCENT A truly stunning Georgian town house, Listed Grade II*, enjoying fabulous panoramic and far reaching views across the city and to the hills beyond.

The spacious house has just undergone a painstakingly thorough refurbishment, carefully combining the highest feasible levels of insulation and modern energy efficient technology, yet retaining and enhancing the numerous elegant features and period details.

5 double bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • drawing room • dining room • kitchen/breakfast room • cloakroom • utility • garage/coach house with double height storage • additional parking • large beautiful landscaped gardens • photovoltaic solar roof panels • EPC - Band C

Guide Price £945,000

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 312244 | Lettings 01225 445646

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Kelston Road, Bath

Guide Price £1.95m Freehold

Cleeve Hill is a wonderful Georgian family home, a country house situated on the edge of the city.

Arranged across just two principal floors it offers elegant yet comfortable accommodation with beautifully proportioned reception rooms and bedrooms served by practical ancillary rooms making this a spacious home for all the family. The gardens include level lawns, a swimming pool terrace with stunning views plus steps and paths leading down to a hidden walled garden; there are further woods and fields with River Avon frontage. Approximate gross sq.ft. 5,802. EPC:E.

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7 Bedrooms 4 Receptions Detached Georgian Home Edge Of The City Limits Gardens and Pool Further Wood, Fields and River Frontage

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k Mar r o l y a N

HORSECOMBE VALE

ÂŁ950,000

This really is an exceptional property which has been superbly appointed to a very high standard. The views are not only stunning but are some of the best South facing views on the southern side of Bath. The property is highly recommended.

This really is an exceptional property which has been superbly appointed to a very high standard. The views are stunning and south facing and the whole property is highly recommended. Approximate gross internal floor area: 2,550 square feet / 237 square metres.

1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 4QW

01225 422 224

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k Mar r o l y a N

HAYESFIELD PARK

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ515,000

This extremely spacious, and tastefully decorated, Edwardian family home excels in period character and charm and enjoys an extremely sought-after location within easy walk of Bear Flat shops and the City of Bath. Early viewing essential.

Open vestibule, hallway, sitting room, TV/study room, kitchen/dining room, 3 double bedrooms, bathroom and shower room. Front and rear gardens, gas central heating. Approximate gross internal floor area: 1,520 square feet / 141 square metres.

www.mark-naylor.com

email: homes@mark-naylor.com

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Spa House

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With a rich and interesting history, the Wiltshire cottage which later became Spa House was originally built in the seventeenth century. In the early eighteenth century it was enlarged and remodelled to accommodate visitors who came to take the healing waters, and today the elegant Georgian facade fronts a delightful and quintessentially English country home.

“We had a clear idea of the kind of house and environment we wanted for our young family,” comments Katrina.“We were searching for something that was away from a city environment where our children could enjoy all the space and freedom of the countryside.”

Spa House has a history of entertaining, hospitality and refreshment. Once owned

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by Dr William Oliver (inventor of the world famous Bath Oliver Biscuit), as a house in which he offered hospitality to his visiting guests, and later, as Middlehill Spa, a place of relaxation and healing. The Spa House today still echoes times past, here you can relax, collect your thoughts and be refreshed.

“Returning to the idyllic peace and setting of Spa House is the best part of a day. I can wander the grounds or just watch the children play whilst relaxing with a glass of something chilled – the perfect antidote to business life.”

BOX MAJOR PORTION OF HISTORIC SPA HOUSE • ELEGANT GEORGIAN FACADE • KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM • SITTING ROOM • DINING ROOM • DRAWING ROOM • 8 BEDROOMS • 3 BATHROOMS • CELLAR • GARDENS

Contact: 01225 320032

£1,195,000

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Lansdown

“I was relocating from London, and Bath seemed the perfect choice: a vibrant and beautiful city, rich in history and culture and, with a wide choice of good schools, the ideal environment in which to live with my young family. Discovering this stunning, four storey, spacious Georgian property in excellent condition really put the icing on the cake and we moved to live here ten years ago. I was delighted by the beautifully proportioned rooms, high ceilings, large windows which flooded the house with light, stripped wooden floors, original fireplaces and wooden doors. I have renovated the bathrooms and the kitchen, which is now a welcoming kitchen/dining space taking over the whole ground floor and is very much the heart of the household. The first floor contains two comfortable reception rooms but has the luxury of double doors, which enable the rooms to open into one enormous space. Bedrooms are on the third floor whilst the top floor has been made into a self-contained living space, proving ideal for visitors or for independent space for a family member.”

“To the rear of the property, I have created a delightful Italianate courtyard garden which is bedecked with pots containing shrubs and herbaceous plants.

Enclosed by a wall, it is such a sunny, private and quiet place in which to sit and relax, but also an excellent extension to the kitchen/family space and perfect for the many happy occasions when friends and family gather together.”

“There are local shops minutes from the property, but it is also really easy to walk in to the city centre which has many individual shops as well as all the big chain stores. Schools are highly regarded, whether state or independent, and the university has been internationally acclaimed as an excellent location in which to study. Apart from its fascinating architecture and history, it is a city in which to wander and absorb its beauty and atmosphere. Many festivals take place, such as the Music and the Literature Festival, and the Theatre Royal has many pre-West end shows, so we are well placed to take full advantage.”

“I feel privileged to have lived in this lovely family home in such a fabulous city and have adored every minute of my time here.”

BATH FIVE/SIX BEDROOMS • MASTER EN-SUITE • TWO FORMAL RECEPTION ROOMS • KITCHEN/DINING ROOM • CHARMING GARDEN • STUNNING VIEWS • GRADE ll LISTED

Contact: 01225 320032

£795,000

Great Pulteney Street

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ490,000

Grade I listed Georgian apartment | First floor | Excellent location | Two double bedrooms | Fabulous outlook | Spacious living | Luxury bathroom This stunning first floor Georgian apartment can be found on the picturesque Great Pulteney Street providing a superb home in the city. The apartment is located on the first floor and offers a drawing room to the front with three large sash windows which look across to Edward Street and the countryside beyond. Highly recommended.

Catharine Place

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ350,000

Georgian apartment | Delightful garden | Double bedroom | Stylish kitchen | New wet room | Office/study/breakfast room | Highly recommended The whole Ground Floor of a Georgian house set in a peaceful little Georgian Square close to Circus and Royal Crescent. Built by John Wood in 1778 for discerning visitors to the city, this apartment has all the elegant features of the time but has been cleverly and discreetly renovated for modern living, with an amazing amount of storage space.

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Connaught Mansions

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ350,000

Prestigious location | Fabulous outlook | Quality kitchen | Luxury bathroom | Spacious sitting room | Close to city centre | Allocated parking A superb second floor Georgian apartment in the highly sought after Connaught Mansions with views over Laura fountain and Great Pulteney Street.

The apartment has lift access and the rare advantage of an allocated parking space. This property makes a perfect city home and we feel that it is likely to attract considerable interest.

Grosvenor Place

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ280,000

Grade I Listed | Flexible accommodation | South facing garden approximately 80ft in length | Private terrace | Two bedrooms | Study | Highly recommended Located on the popular eastern outskirts of the city. The apartment offers flexible accommodation arranged over two floors and comprises: sitting room opening to a balcony, fitted kitchen, dining hall, two double bedrooms and a shower room. Downstairs there is an occasional bedroom/study, bathroom and hallway with door that leads to the walled garden offering tremendous scope.

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Lansdown Place West

£1800 pcm

Green Park

£1300 pcm

Prime location | 4 bedrooms | Fabulous views | Unfurnished | Magnificent size rooms | No students/pets/smokers | Unfurnished | Available September

Spacious first floor apartment | 2 bedrooms | Council Tax Band B | Level walk city centre | Gas central heating | Unfurnished | Available MidAugust 2013.

Brock Street

Pierrepont Street

£1200 pcm

Grade II listed | Georgian apartment | Lateral conversion | Two double bedrooms | Highly recommended | Unfurnished | Available immediately

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£900 pcm

Central location | First floor | One bedroom | Well presented | Modern bathroom | Viewing recommended | Unfurnished | Available immediately

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Wellow An exquisite Grade II listed cottage situated in this highly desirable village | Sitting room | Kitchen/dining room | Family room | Master bedroom with en suite shower room | 2 further bedrooms | Family Shower room | Delightful garden | Guide Price: £650,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Marlborough Buildings A stunning 4 bedroom upper maisonette with glorious views across the Crescent Lawn to the Royal Crescent | Drawing room | Kitchen/dining room | Study | Master bedroom with en suite shower room | 3 further bedrooms | Family bathroom | Shower room | Cloakroom | Utility room | Mezzanine study | Offers in excess of £695,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Chelsea House London Road Bath BA1 6DB Tel 01225 447971 88 Whiteladies Road Clifton Bristol BS8 2QN Tel 0117 973 1144

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