Bath Magazine May 2016

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ISSUE 164 | MAY 2016 thebathmag.co.uk

£3.95 where sold

AN INTERVIEW WITH

JAY RAYNER T H E C I T Y ’ S F I N E S T M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L I F E A N D L I V I N G I N B AT H

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THE | CONTENTS

MAY 2016

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5 THINGS TO DO What’s up in Bath in May

10 MY BATH

Bath hair salon owner Nick Brain

12 GUEST COLUMNIST Will Sandry, the Mayor of Bath

14 COOKING ON JAZZ An interview with Jay Rayner

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32 AN OPEN INVITATION 42 IF LOOKS COULD KILL Explore the hair-raising antics of Georgian Bath

The best spots for locally grown and reared produce

48 FOOD HEROES

20 FESTIVAL FEVER

52 RESTAURANT REVIEW

A round-up of the festivals heading to Bath in May

22 WHAT’S ON The best of what’s going on in the city

28 FACE THE MUSIC We speak to Bath-born Kelvin Swaby

30 BATH AT WORK Neill Menneer’s portrait of the month

Even more great content online: thebathmag.co.uk

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Your guide to getting fit and healthy

72

The man behind the Gainsborough Hotel’s menu, Daniel Moon

76

Explore the Cotswold town of Nailsworth

56 IT’S PLAY TIME!

Don your wetsuit and head to Pembrokeshire with the family

64 FAMILY DIARY Things to do with the children

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

HEALTH & BEAUTY What would salon owners take with them on the Bear Grylls challenge. . .

80

HOME STYLE Brighten your home with a splash of colour

84

ROOMS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS Jeremiah Goodman’s exhibition

The King William

54 THE WALK

PAMPER YOURSELF The best little hair and beauty salons

46 6 OF THE BEST

16 SPRING FASHION

All the latest fashion trends from Clarks Village

68 FITNESS & WELLBEING

A preview of the Bath art trails

92

GARDENING The best horticultural days out this summer

ON THE COVER

We speak to Jay Rayner ahead of the Bath International Music Festival.

Image: Levon Biss

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HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU KID: I love this beautiful ceramic, Big Blue by Neil MacDonell, who’s among the Bath artists taking part in the Bath Art Trail throughout May See Pages 32

from the

EDITOR

I

love the month of May. The floral candles are out on the chestnut trees, the woods are full of bluebells and I know there’s a Wiltshire meadow where, if you wait long enough, you’ll find a skylark ascending in full, magical song.

And down in the city preparations are falling into place for Bath’s big festival season. The Grandaddy of all festivals, the International Music Festival, opens with its customary free-for-all opening night party on Friday 20 May. We’ve got a preview of its highlights, along with all the other festivals over the coming weeks in Bath on Page 20. There’s also, as you will have noticed from our cover, an interview with charismatic food writer Jay Rayner, who’s also an accomplished jazz player. See Page 14 for Tamsin Treverton-Jones’ chat with him.

Our Face the Music subject this month has been described as the coolest man in Bath. Kelvin Swaby is frontman to The Heavy, a band that’s broken big in the States, but he remains grounded and down-to-earth here in his home city. He talks about his childhood in Bath and what he hopes for future generations, on Page 28.

I’m really pleased that we started our series of guest columnists, who are tackling some of the big issues that face us personally and globally. This month’s guest writer is no less than the current Mayor of Bath, Will Sandry. Will chose mental health and wellbeing for his theme during his year in office. His take on this much overlooked topic is worth a read, on Page 12. It will make you think.

You’ll notice there’s lots of art in this issue. That is because there’s loads going on in the art community at the moment. I’m really delighted that much of what’s going on is being generated by the people, for the people. There are a lot of volunteers in Bath putting on exhibitions, organising events and entertainments and we should be thankful for their contribution to making ours such a vibrant, lively city.

The other thread that runs through this issue, alongside all that lovely culture, is that of health and beauty. We’ve picked the best places to go for a pedicure to get our feet looking presentable for summer, plus we’ve asked the experts what essential products they’d take with them on an island challenge, should Bear Grylls give them a call. Also on the theme of Bath taking care of its appearance, our historian Catherine Pitt has investigated the Georgians’ hair and beauty regime.

She reports back on Page 42, on false eyebrows made from the skin of mice and face creams and powders so full of chemicals that they were the death of their wearers.

There’s a lot more besides, but I’m off now to choose which festival events I plan to go this month. Have a merry old May. Georgette McCready Editor

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

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EDITOR’S PICKS A TRIBUTE: Bath Comedy Festival is holding an affectionate tribute night in memory of Victoria Wood.

It’s taking place at the new Widcombe Social Club on Saturday 28 May. For ticket details visit: bathcomedy.com

COMPETITIVE PICNICKING: as Bath’s annual summer festival season opens this month expect to spot some one-upmanship as the picnic blankets are unfurled with a flourish. Taking alfresco dining to Olympian heights, the posh picnickers will have chilled prosecco, homemade Scotch eggs and proper china plates. Leave your ready packed sandwiches at home and prepare to picnic in style

Cocktail party: a gathering held to enable 40 ❝people to talk about themselves at the same time.

❞

The man who remains after the liquor is gone is the host.

FRED ALLEN, AMERICAN COMEDIAN (1894 – 1956)

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ZEITGEIST

TALENTED CITY: Aliens Land on the Blue Planet

by Georgia Cox

View The month of May sees Bath turn into a citywide art gallery, with exhibitions galore.

Follow the Bath art trail every weekend in a different part of the city, pick up a Bath Fringe Festival programme and find a map of all the places the Fringe Bath Arts Festival is putting in displays, or visit public gallery, the Victoria Art Gallery to see the annual Bath Society of Artists summer exhibition. This eclectic show is always a pleasure to visit, including as it does, many works by Bath artists, including Georgia Cox. Visitors can vote for their favourite piece.

Visit

Volunteers at Bath Organic Group, pioneers of organic gardening, are celebrating 25 years of growing things with an open afternoon on Sunday 1 May, from 1pm to 4pm. Visit the gardens and orchard at the allotments on Upper Bristol Road, Bath and meet the gardeners who have a wealth of experience about raising fruit, vegetables and flowers without resorting to chemicals. The group is also inviting families to take part in a moth capture day with Bath Natural History Society. A moth trap will be set up overnight and the following morning, Saturday 28 May, people are invited down to the Bath Organic Group gardens, from 9am to 10.30am to see the catch before they are released unharmed back into the wild.

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5

things to do in

May

Party The biggest party in Bath takes place on the evening of Friday 20 May – and we’re all invited. The Party in the City event, which kicks off the annual Bath International Music Festival, starts in SouthGate with a procession of hundreds of schoolchildren bearing flags created with artist Edwina Bridgeman. They’ll then head into the Abbey for a unique

See Looking at the programmes for the Bath International Music Festival, the Bath Fringe and FaB arts festival, we were delighted to find so many free events on this year. Head down to the Circus and Royal Victoria Park on Saturday 21 May (throughout the afternoon from 11am) to watch Rising at the Circus, pictures, a performance piece by a group of women and a group of men. Stick around in the city and you’ll find entertainment of all kinds throughout the city laid on by the festivals. At Green Park Station on Saturday 28 May from 5pm, there’ll be a free performance of Steam.

Enquire Take your curious mind to the pub this month to learn something new. Pint of Science Bath is part of a global festival that runs from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 May. Head along to one of the following venues (you’ll need a £4 ticket); The Ring O Bells, The Huntsman, The Bell, The Bath Brew House, and the Bath Function Rooms to hear speakers talk on a number of subjects, including whether you can see with your ears, how social media can resurrect the dead and the maths of beer.

The festival locally is funded by the University of Bath. Tickets on sale: pintofscience.co.uk/city/bath.

performance with international beatbox star Shlomo. Then, from 6pm until midnight dozens of live acts will play music at various venues around the city, from tiny bars and concert venues to Parade Gardens. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for fine weather, on a night when all the party people of Bath will be out and about.

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ist

THE CITY THE BUZZ Walk

The annual fundraising Walk of Life organised by the Forever Friends Appeal at the Royal United Hospital takes place on Saturday 14 May. It is an opportunity to celebrate the life and memories of loved ones, or to say thank you for care received.

Funds will go to the Cancer Care Campaign or any other area of the RUH, walkers can choose. Open to men and women, entry costs £20 per person. Sign up for the full 21 miles along the Kennet and Avon canal from Devizes to Bath, 12 miles from Devizes to Bradford-On-Avon, or nine miles from Bradford-On-Avon to Bath. Visit: foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk.

Visit

The Dorothy House hospice and home care charity is marking its 40th anniversary this year, and part of those celebrations is a programme of open gardens.

During May, the following will be open: Granville Lodge, Weston, Saturday 8 May, Violet Bank Farm, Widcombe, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May, Monkton Court, Monkton Combe, Saturday 21 May and Beechwoods, Bath on Sunday 29 May. Pick up a brochure from the hospice in Winsley, at any DH shop, or visit: dorothyhouse.org.uk.

A remarkable woman A new exhibition which opens at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution on Saturday 14 May, explores the extraordinary achievements of a Victorian woman from Bath who travelled extensively through North and Central America, recording her adventures and archaeological finds in writing and photographs.

Adela Breton had cared for her elderly father until he died and found herself in her 30s, unmarried and finacially free to do as she pleased. This was 1887, a time when respectable women did not usually set out – on horseback – to explore remote territories. She sent back reports of her adventures to the Bath Chronicle, under the pen name Your Mexican Correspondent.

It was in Mexico that Adela embarked on the project that became her life’s work. With the

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My BATH

We asked Bath hair salon owner Nick Brain what he’ll be doing this month What brought you to Bath?

I’m proud to be Bath born and bred. I went to Newbridge Junior school and then to Beechen cliff. Bath is such an easy and beautiful place to live.

What are you reading?

I am not a great one for reading books as I don’t really get the time. But I enjoy flicking through the salon magazines, which help keep me up to date with trends and fashion.

What are you listening to?

I’m a big Coldplay fan.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

I like to support my local Chelsea Road café, which makes a great club sandwich. For a more healthy option Sam’s Kitchen on Walcot Street does a fab lunch.

Which museums or galleries take your fancy?

Both our salons are on York Street and I love to see the changing art in our neighbouring Beaux Arts gallery they have some amazing pieces of art.

I particularly like some of the interesting sculptures.

What are your passions and hobbies?

I still have a real passion for my hairdressing.

After all these years it’s still fantastic to come to

work. I have an incredible team behind me and some great clients too, all of which makes coming to work very pleasurable.

As far as hobbies go I love to go swimming it really helps me to unwind. Time with my family is also very important to me, my twin girls keep me on my toes. I love to go down to watch Bath Rugby when I get the time although this season isn’t going so well for them. Let’s hope it gets better next year. I spend most of the summer months down at North Parade avoiding the rain and watching my son Charlie playing for Bath Cricket Club.

Film or play?

I’ve recently been to see Eddie the Eagle – that soundtrack, with the likes of Holly Johnson, Kim Wilde, Midge Ure, Paul Young and Heaven 17, sure took me back to my youth.

What’s your latest project?

I’m so excited about the next few months.

Having had one of our salons refurbished last year we are this month having the other one done. Once all the work is completed we are going to have a relaunch party in the summer, where we will welcome new and existing clients. Look out for it on our social media or on our website: nickbrainhairdressing.com.

Ok guys that’s it for now. I’ve got to get going, I’ve got a client waiting. Bye for now! n

assistance of her Mexican servant and friend, Pablo Solorio, she travelled on horseback deep into the jungle to explore the ruins of past civilisations (riding sidesaddle as she detested the American women “who would ride astride – a sight to make gods and men weep.”

Among the overgrown temples and pyramids of ancient cities, places barely known to the outside world, she began to make copies of the fragile friezes and carvings, in accurate and exquisite detail. The process of tracing and copying them at full size, then transferring the outlines onto drafting paper for colouring in, meant working in confined spaces and in poor light. Her work came to the attention of American archaeologists and scholars. She became an international presence in Mesoamerican archaeology and her work was constantly in demand.

Find out more about this pioneering Bathonian at BRLSI in Queen Square.

We’re following @NGSOpenGardens, sharing news of gardens large and small which are open for charity across the UK under the National Gardens Scheme (known as the Little Yellow Book). As we know, gardeners will travel a long way to visit an interesting garden (and to eat cake) this is a handy one to keep an eye on during the summer.

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CITY | BUSINESS

THE | COLUMNIST

A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING HELPS

Picture: Sam Farr

WILL SANDRY THE MAYOR OF BATH EXPLAINS WHY HE CHOSE MENTAL WELLBEING FOR HIS THEME DURING HIS YEAR IN OFFICE

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NO RESPECTOR OF BACKGROUND: famous sufferers from depression Winston Churchill and Stephen Fry Three things worry me about social media. Over reliance on it for social interaction, the potential for cyberbullying, and the disassociation of viewing the world through a screen.

I was speaking with a student officer at one of our universities recently who told me there continues to be a significant year on year increase of students seeking support for their mental wellbeing. It’s positive that the universities and their Student Unions are able to provide this support, but I do wonder whether a generation that has never not known mobile phones and the internet is more pressured by the technology than my generation.

❝

Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather

❝

t’s not normal to be mentally ill, but it’s an illness that normally affects everyone. Only something like one in four people will suffer severe mental illness in their lifetime, but that one person has family, friends or colleagues who will undoubtedly be affected by that trauma.

I suffered severe metal illness in 2014. I know the difficulties of depression and the horrors of anxiety – and some of their most horrendous symptoms – the terrors of psychosis; the pains of paranoia, the emptiness of suicidal thoughts and the loneliness of a suicide attempt.

Depression and anxiety are no respectors of age, background, wealth or success. It’s usually unwise for any politician to draw comparisons with Winston Churchill, but I can safely say both he and I endured depression.

Churchill referred to depression as his Black Dog. The World Health Organisation has produced two short illustrated videos I had a Black Dog, his name was Depression and Living with a Black Dog. I would encourage anyone who doesn’t feel confident with their understanding of depression to take five minutes to view them.

My therapist told me that trauma is the root of all mental illness. I always thought, rather judgmentally seeing a therapist was for weak and useless people, but actually I was wrong. Therapy has helped me identify and tackle the childhood trauma which was at the root of my illness. For me the trauma was bullying combined with a lack of confidence about my sexuality.

As you might imagine, I have become particularly passionate about confronting bullying. I am immensely proud of the work of Bath and North East Somerset Council and its school E-Teams.

An E-Team is a group of young people supported by adults that works to promote equality within their setting. In primary schools this might be supporting friendships, promoting positive playtimes or celebrating difference. In secondary or youth settings it might be about tackling racism, sexism or HBT (homophobic, biphobic or transphobic) bullying.

I was delighted that the council was named by the campaigning group Stonewall as the best local authority in the country in its 2015 Education Equality Index. I am also assured that Bath’s private schools have similar support systems in place for their pupils.

The world we create for ourselves has many delights but also many pressures. I think social media provides greater connectivity for people then could ever be imagined, even 20 years ago.

As 788th Mayor of the City of Bath I have been able to make the theme for my year of office mental wellbeing. That, of course, has been a personal aspiration; but it has also provided the opportunity for me to challenge stigma, promote understanding, support events and to say thank you to the professionals and charities who support people suffering mental illness in the city. During the past year the topic of mental illness has become much more mainstream. It is a major leap forward that younger members of the Royal Family and the Prime Minister will now talk about mental illness.

This helps challenge the stigma, but the mental health professionals also have a part to play.

Take for example Borderline Personality Disorder. Imagine having a condition whose name gives rise to misunderstandings about the

very essence of us – our personality. One team within AWP, our local mental heath trust has recently renamed this condition Emotional Intensity Disorder. This isn’t just about being “politically correct” it’s about busting a stigma that comes with an awkwardly named diagnosis.

Mental illness can be diagnosed in to many subdivisions – PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), postnatal depression, eating problems, OCD (obsessive, compulsive disorder), bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, to name but a few.

Some symptoms are shared, the intensity of the symptoms varying from diagnosis to diagnosis and the individual enduring them. Much as the symptoms of a broken bone will vary depending on whether it’s a finger, a leg or a hip, it’s important to remember the sufferers are unwell and need both support and kindness.

I shall sign off with a quote from Stephen Fry, perhaps the best known mental health campaigner in the UK: “If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.

Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.”

The Samaritans provide support any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. They can be contacted by phone on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org In Bath and North East Somerset, New Hope provides support for Mental Health and Wellbeing and links all the local organisations which support people with mental illness and their loved ones: newhopebanes.org. n

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STAR | INTERVIEW

JAY’S COOKING ON JAZZ Tamsin Treverton-Jones talks to award-winning food critic and author Jay Rayner about his passion for playing jazz piano as he prepares to serve Bath audiences with a musical treat

I

f you were to ask the Observer’s floppy-haired restaurant critic to talk about his personal passion, you would expect the self-confessed greedy man to give a confident lecture on the gastronomic delights of pig cheeks, breaded trotters or slow roasted pork.

In 2011, however, a small London audience expecting just that, witnessed an uncharacteristically coy Jay Rayner on stage, describing his lifelong love of the piano instead. He then delivered a jazz performance that was to become a turning point for the award-winning

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journalist and broadcaster.

Five years on and Jay Rayner and his Jazz Quartet are making an appearance at the Guildhall on Saturday 21 May, as part of the 2016 Bath International Music Festival.

How did this happen? When did the ‘big, bearded bloke from Masterchef’ – the terrifying one, the one Marcus, Monica, Greg and all the contestants are so desperate to impress with their melt-in-the-middle fondants and sous-vide scallops, become a jazz pianist with his own

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STAR | INTERVIEW

Main image courtesy of John Arandhara–Blackwell Portrait, above, by Bella West

quartet, gigging at Ronnie Scott’s and touring the country?

“After that talk in 2011,” explains Jay, “I was approached by a lady in the audience who asked if I would consider playing at Jewish Book Week in 2012. I couldn’t resist the offer and once I did it (and it was a lot of fun), there was no way I could let it go.”

To love playing the piano is one thing, but to put yourself out there and perform live on stage, particularly when you are already a high profile figure and well-known for something else entirely, must have been nerve wracking. But it’s what makes this story all the more compelling.

In that first hour-long performance at Jewish Book Week, Jay managed to endear himself to the audience with hilarious self deprecation.

“If you know nothing about jazz piano,” he announced to his audience, “I am brilliant. If you know anything at all, thank you for coming.” Needless to say, he went on to play with enormous skill and floral-shirted panache.

It turns out that he’s been playing the piano for over 30 years and his childhood musical memories are strong: his mother, the journalist and agony aunt Claire Rayner and her husband Des, loved music and even adopted a clapped out baby grand for Jay to bash about on when he was 10 years old.

There was a stream of musical visitors to the family home, including Larry Adler and his harmonica and there were family outings to hear live music at Kenwood, on Hampstead Heath, as Jay remembers; ‘magical summer evenings listening to the LSO play Prokofiev as the light fell and swifts and swallows danced overhead.’

Then in 1979 came a life-changing moment: “My parents came home from New York with a cast recording of the Fats Waller show Ain’t Misbehavin’. I’d never heard music like it and I had no

idea that music could be so rich and full.

I remember thinking, ‘that’s what I’d like to play’.”

After experimenting with keyboards and synthesisers in his teens, he rediscovered the piano when he was at university, which is also when he developed his interest in jazz. He started hanging around the Ivy (a private members’ club in central London) with a very old friend, Joe Thompson, (‘a pianist so good that Diana Krall asked him to play at her wedding’) and a bunch of jazz musicians ‘who just call a tune and see what happens.’

But it’s the transition from journalist, writer, restaurant critic and TV personality to accomplished jazz pianist that interests me, so I get a difficult question out of the way first:

❝

The first half is when I take you on a journey of some awful restaurants and read some terrible reviews of my own work. The second half is a mixture of music and patter

❝

POLYMATH: Jay Rayner, who will be in Bath on 21 May at the Bath International Music Festival

“How important is it, having the name Rayner?’ I ask. “Hugely important,” he replies. “I already have a profile and I’ve been able to build on it and I don’t think I would have the opportunities I’ve had, were I not known for something else.’”

He continues modestly: “Look, I know I’m not Oscar Peterson, but

Ronnie Scott’s audience come for the music, (when I spoke to Jay he was about to play the legendary London jazz venue for the second time), while in other places, I might be bringing in a new audience who come to see the floppy-haired man off Masterchef.

People not knowing what to expect is fine by me.”

“And do you ever feel nervous?” I ask. “Of course I do,” he replies, “but I’m much better now at tailoring what I do to my own abilities. I understand my role in this; I’m aware how it all folds together and that it’s as much about showmanship and entertaining the audience as it is about choosing the repertoire.”

Jay is accompanied on stage by two professionals, Dave Lewis on sax and bassist Rob Rickenberg: intuitive musicians, whose first language is jazz, who need nothing more than for Jay to call a tune and name a key to perform a number with fluidity, integrity and style.

Jay describes his singer, Pat Gordon Smith, as his ‘secret weapon.’ She also happens to be his wife.

“I tend to introduce her as my wife onstage, only after you’ve heard her sing,” he says, “Pat trained with Liane Carroll and Clare Foster and she really makes you feel like you’re in safe hands.

I’m obviously biased, but she’s fantastic and I’m more than happy to be overshadowed.”

He goes on “Music was always something we had in common and we dabbled in it together over the years. I don’t think anyone is more surprised on a personal level than the two of us at the way things have turned out.”

So what can Bath audiences expect from the Guildhall concert on 21 May? “It’s a show of two halves,” he explains. “The first half is when I take you on a journey of some awful restaurants and read some terrible reviews of my own work. The second half is a mixture of music and patter – but more music than patter – tunes by Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Blossom Dearie and Dave Frishberg; songs from from the Great American Song Book that have food or drink in the title.”

Jay’s natural wit, his musical ability and a highly entertaining programme means that this forthcoming event promises to be a joyous couple of hours in his company. The Jazz Police – critics and aficionados alike – have all given him the big thumbs up, but he appeals to a wider audience too.

Like the surprisingly delicious taste sensation that lies just beneath the crackling on roast pork, this is Bath’s chance to get to know – and enjoy – the soft underbelly of our favourite food pundit. n Jay Rayner and his band will be at the Guildhall, Bath on Saturday 21 May from 3pm to 5.15pm. Tickets from £12 from, tel: 01225 463362, or visit: bathfestivals.org.uk.

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SUMMER | SHOPPING

BARGAIN HUNTING: clockwise, lobster cushion, rrp £21.95, Jane Clayton Interiors outlet price, £15.95, Pittards heritage leather tote bag, rrp £295, outlet price £199, dress from spring summer collection at Hobbs, leaf print cushion, rrp £16.95, Jane Clayton outlet price, £12.45 and Molton Brown’s discounted range which includes the return of its Classics Collection, not available anywhere else

A DAY OUT IN THE VILLAGE The Bath Magazine goes on a spring myth busting mission to out-of-town shopping centre, Clarks Village in Somerset

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ever assume anything, we were taught at an early age. And we’ve applied that adage to our recent visit to Clarks Village in Street, south of Bath, to check a few facts about out-of-town shopping.

Nobody bothers with visiting these discount shops anymore as we’re all shopping online.

Last year Clarks Village welcomed four million visitors to the site, which is open seven days a week. Shoppers came from a wide area, some of them making a special trip from places including Surrey and Scotland. A lot of people came from Bath and Bristol too, delighted to find that five hours parking just a short stroll from the shops costs just £3.

If you’re an average size – say a size 16 with size 6 feet – you’ll be lucky to find anything to fit.

Not so. There are some 90 shops at Clarks Village, many of them selling clothes. Popular brands including Hobbs, Gap, Monsoon, Marks & Spencer, White Stuff, Seasalt, Joules and Weird Fish, all had a range of sizes and we were able to find a fair selection of sizes 14 and 16. In the Clarks factory shoe shop there were also rows of shoes in average sizes, plus in the Clarks mainstream shop there were all of the new season’s sandals and shoes.

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Spencer and summer clothes abounded. There were brightly coloured t-shirts and fresh hued blouses and dresses. At Hobbs – one of the newer concessions in the village – we were delighted and surprised to find this season’s summer collection, including many linen items. Even on a mid-week morning women were busy trying things on.

Clarks Village is just for grey haired grannies who want to buy sensible shoes and cardigans?

There’s plenty of choice for all generations.

Parents have traditionally taken their children to Street for the Clarks factory shoe shop, where there is a huge choice of footwear for school, play and sport. But there are brands for teens and twentysomethings, including French Connection, Superdry, Bench and Vans. Men are also well catered for, with a large branch of Racing Green and Suit Direct plus the tempting gadget shop, Red 5 where you can pick up all sorts of technical bits and bobs including drones.

You won’t find anything there that you can’t find on the average high street.

The first thing you need to know to motivate you is that in every single shop you will find stock that’s at least 30 per cent off the recommended retail price. Many shops offer an additional rolling programme of discounts of up to 70 and even 80 per cent. Which means your pound goes much further. Keep your eyes open and you will find some brands you won’t find anywhere else.

Highlights include the only Jane Clayton

Interiors shop, selling summery home accessories including throws, cushions and lanterns. Molton Brown’s beautifully laid out shop (it smelt good too) includes its Classic Collection, a range revisited by popular demand, but not on sale anywhere else other than here. We also like Pettards luxury leather goods shop, another oneoff outlet, selling everything from gloves and wallets to travel bags and satchels, all made by the Yeovil based company whose roots go back to 1822.

If I’m going to drive more than 20 miles from Bath to get there, what’s pleasant about the whole experience?

True it’s a bit of a drive, but make a virtue of that by making a day of it. Go with a group of friends and enjoy the fact that there are plenty of places for coffee stops, lunch and even supper at the village, offered by household names including Pizza Express, Pret, Costa and Frankie and Benny’s. The shops are open until 8pm on a Thursday too. The whole village is immaculately maintained and litter free with areas of neatly mown grass, trees and flowers. Needless to say, the loos are good too. Children are well catered for, with wood carvings of British wildlife dotted about and a carousel. In school holidays entertainment is laid on and work has begun on updating the playground. Less mobile visitors can make use of the onsite mobility scooters and as the site is traffic-free and flat, it’s easy for the whole family to get about without the usual stresses of crowded pavements. n

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Jody Cory G O L D S M I T H S

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FESTIVAL | CITY

IT’S (FIVE) FESTIVALS TIME

Bath is bracing itself to celebrate not one, nor two, but no less than five festivals over the coming weeks.

Like the proverbial iceberg we’re just showing you the tip of the excitement that awaits us

T

he human voice can produce sounds so beautiful it can make one believe in the existence of heavenly angels.

By the same token it can emit surprising noises that evoke incredulous laughter and wonder.

Both of these experiences – and many more – can be enjoyed at this month’s BATH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL. FRIDAY 20 MAY – SUNDAY 29 MAY One of the world’s finest choirs, Tenebrae, will be coming to Bath Abbey for a programme of Bruckner and Brahms on the evening of Thursday 26 May. Local choral singers will be excited to hear that members of Tenebrae will be sharing some of their techniques at a choral workshop on the morning of the concert. This is expected to be oversubscribed, so booking as early as possible is recommended. Places are £25 (£20 if purchased with a concert ticket).

While we’re on the subject of sublime music, it is said that hearing Richard Goode play Schubert is an unforgettable spiritual experience. American virtuoso Goode will be playing Schubert’s final threee piano concertos on Monday 23 May at the Assembly Rooms, giving Bath audiences a rare chance to see him while he’s in the UK. The festival’s reputation for securing world class musicians has been retained this year thanks to the two experienced artistic directors James Waters and David Jones who joined the festival last year on a one-off basis, but have agreed to continue programming until 2018.

The pair have clearly decided to choose a musical menu with a dish for every kind of taste. Popular British folk/country singer songwriter Teddy Thompson, who you may recall from his hit In My Arms, is on the bill. Teddy – son of the mightily talented former duo Richard and Linda Thompson – has teamed up with Texan signer Kelly Jones for a new album, Little Windows.

Teddy and Kelly will be at Komedia Bath on Tuesday 24 May. Expect some powerful vocals and emotionally dark lyrics from this pair.

Voices don’t come much more powerful than the legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf. Who has not been moved by footage of that distinctive voice squeezing every emotive ounce out of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien?

The Little Sparrow has been brought vividly to life by French jazz singer Anne Carrere in Piaf! The Show, which last year embarked on a world tour to mark 100 years since Piaf was born in 1915.

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Saturday 28 May, will be the first UK performance. Carrere will deliver Piaf’s greatest songs, accompanied by a backdrop of black and white film and photographs from post-war Paris and unseen pictures of Piaf herself.

Piaf famously led a hard life, born into poverty, abandoned by her mother, she took to singing on the streets of Paris and throughout her adult life battled alcohol and drug addiction.

Personal pain and heartache certainly influenced her performance and in many ways she was a trailblazer for future divas such as Judy Garland and Amy Winehouse.

In more cheerful, upbeat mood is London jazz outft Kansas Smitty’s House Band. Regular roof-raisers at Ronnie Scotts the guys are serving up their chilli-hot blend of New Orleans marching band style, swing, blues, r’n’b with a dash of gospel to a hungry-for-agood-time audience. This gig is at the Guildhall Bath on Saturday 21 May. Long-time jazz fans will be heading for Bath Abbey, also on Saturday 21 May, to hear three-time Grammy winner saxophonist Branford Marsalis – last heard in Bath back in 2009. Marsalis was raised in New Orleans and gained an international following. He’ll be premiering his new album In My Solitude, a solo performance specially created to work in cathedrals and other sacred spaces.

Marsalis could be described as cool, as could rising star Lera Lynn. You may

have spotted her in True Detective the TV series in which she’s seen singing in the Black Rose bar. She’s co-written with Roseanne Cash and T-Bone Burnett and Cash is also a huge fan of her noir alt. country style. Check out this singer in the ascendant at Komedia Bath on Thursday 26 May. There’s more music, plus street theatre, physical comedy and drama to get your teeth into with the arrival of BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL FRIDAY 27 MAY – SUNDAY 12 JUNE The hard working committee, marking its 25th year of laying on this annual smorgasbord of cultural treats, has managed to get lots of Bath venues involved this year. There’s very much an invitation to people to go out and seek, so they will find.

The newly built Widcombe Social Club, just a short walk from Bath’s main station, is hosting world music gigs, comedy nights and even a screening of the animated film Fantastic Planet, with a live soundtrack. By contrast, the Old Theatre Royal has been an entertainment venue since 1750. Who wouldn’t want to go and hear the Bristolian seven-piece Screamin’ Miss Jackson and the Slap Ya Mama Big Band (Tuesday 31 May) or catch the world premiere of tribute band The Unravelling Wilburys (Saturday 4 June)?

Some venues, such as Komedia, the Rondo and Chapel Arts are putting on shows, that one might expect. But we

FROM NASHVILLE TO PARIS, VIA RONNIE SCOTTS: Bath International Music Festival offers a diverse programme of music, including Americana singer Lera Lynn, Kansas Smitty’s House Band and Piaf!

The Show For tickets visit: bathfestivals.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362

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FESTIVAL | CITY

FESTIVAL TREATS: top Baka Beyond will be giving a free concert at The Bell on Wednesday 1 June, while Baka’s singer Su Hart will be leading her own composition for women’s voices, Harmonium, in the open air at the Circus on Sunday 29 May, 12.30pm.

Left, Boxed Up is a new play, on at Burdall’s Yard on Tuesday 31 May and Wednesday 1 June Top right, the FB Pocket Orchestra, one of the acts at Iford

urge you to seek out other venues too.

Make tracks to Burdall’s Yard, an intimate little venue on London Road, which is putting on 46 shows in a fortnight. We’re curious to go and see Is it Tabu? – a physical and verbal piece of foolery with sixtysomething ex-Hi-de-Hi and Two Ronnies actress Rikki Howard and twentysomething classical actor Roman Bloodworth confronting issues around age, gender and prejudice.

A lot of the fun will centre on Walcot, with The Bell hosting a lot of events.

On Saturday 28 May Urban Playground Team will begin creating a moving, interactive performance called Steam at Green Park Station. Look out for information on how you can get involved in this celebration of our railway heritage.

Over the weekend of 4/5 June the Bedlam Fair will be back, in the city centre as it used to be. Expect the unexpected as you wander the streets.

Bath based original Kilter Theatre has created a new piece inspired by 18th century astronomers William and Caroline Herschel. The world premiere performances of The Illuminating Times of The Darkling Society will take place as the sun sets over the landscape gardens of the National Trust owned Prior Park, Bath, on four evenings. The shows, which start at 9pm to make the most of the darkening skies, are on

Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June and on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June. Tickets from the Theatre Royal Box Office, tel: 01225 448844.

FRINGE ARTS BATH FESTIVAL FRIDAY 27 MAY – SUNDAY 12 JUNE Keep your eyes peeled for all sorts of original installations and exhibitions.

Even taking your washing to the laundrette takes on a whole new spin, as you find yourself in close encounters with art, as the Kingdom of Boredom is staged in some of the city’s laundrettes.

For months artists have been applying to run their own themed shows. Look out for a celebration of Mr Frutiger – the man behind the fonts – and a sculpture exhibition in the quiet of St John’s chapel.

There’s also collaboration with the Fringe Festival, as in the exploration of the notion of Utopia/distopia. This will be presented in a number of formats, including talks and an installation at Walcot Chapel.

The committee and its army of creative volunteers are still evolving the finished product. Be prepared to pick up a pen and get drawing. They literally want to draw people in to this grass roots festival.

Check out the website for news of unfolding events: fringeartsbath.co.uk.

Something to look forward to is

FOREST OF IMAGINATION. FRIDAY 3 – MONDAY 6 JUNE Do you remember the fun families had last summer in Queen Square, when the area was transformed into a stimulating world filled with flowers, inflatables and inter-active challenges? Well, Forest of Imagination, the festival that encourages us all to be playful and creative, is taking over the area around Bath Abbey this year.

A temporary forest and outdoor gallery, all with the theme Eyes of the Forest is going to spring up for this free festival. We’re told there’ll be 1,000 trees, both real and made, plus sights and sounds to intrigue, delight and provoke thought.

For more information visit: forestofimagination.com. We’ll be bringing you more details in June’s issue.

IFORD ARTS FESTIVAL THROUGHOUT JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST Take one exquisite Italianate garden in pastoral Wiltshire. Add a professional opera company, designers and some classic scores. And serve to a captivated audience under an English heaven.

Anyone who has experienced a summer’s evening performance at Iford Manor will testify that it’s an experience of a lifetime.

Treat yourself to a pair of tickets this year, you won’t regret it. Iford’s three operas – all sung in English – are Verdi’s Macbeth, The Magic Flute and A Fairy Queen. The audience is invited to picnic on the lawns before gathering in the cloisters for one of the most intimate opera performances you’ll ever see.

In addition to the opera nights Iford stages three nights of alfresco Proms.

The acts this year include jazz singer Emily Saunders, the Jive Aces, singerpianist Anthony Strong, the delightfully eccentric Hot Potato Syncopators and the vintage charms of the FB Pocket Orchestra.

Visit: ifordarts.org.uk, but be quick as many of these original evenings sell out fast. n

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WHAT’S ON IN MAY EVENTS ARE LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

Wildlife presenter Chris Packham talks about his new memoirs

THE SAFFRON TALES Wednesday 4 May, 8pm n Topping & Co, the Paragon, Bath British/Iranian cook Yasmin Khan will be giving a demonstration and offering tastings, in the bookshop, from her beautiful book The Saffron Tales, which combines stories from Iranian home kitchens, recipes and beautiful photography. If you’ve never seen an orchard of pomegranates this will enlighten you. Tickets £7 in advance, redeemable against the book.

Also hosted by Topping & Co this month CHRIS PACKHAM Saturday 28 May, 10.30am n St Swithin’s Church, the Paragon, Bath Fingers in the Sparkle Jar is a shimmering memoir by the popular wildlife presenter which weaves back and forth through time, capturing a child’s view of the 60s and 70s – the music, the clothes, the cars, the freedom – alongside recent, more exposing recollections from adulthood. Tickets: £8 in advance, redeemable against the cost of either book from the bookshop or tel: 01225 428111.

EDITOR’S PICK BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S Monday 16 – Saturday 21 May, times vary n Theatre Royal, Bath Emily Atack plays the delightful good-time girl Holly Golightly, made immortal by Audrey Hepburn, in this fresh new production of a stage play with music. For anyone who’s dreamed of being Holly . . .

CREATE @ VERVE WORKSHOPS Dates throughout May n Verve Living, London Road, Bath Friday 6 May, 10am – 12.30pm, silk flowers with Tricia Hamilton, Saturday 14 May 10am – 1pm, lampshade making with Jane Spragg, Friday 20 May 10am – 1pm, contemporary ceramics with Hans Borgonjon and Friday 27 May 10am – 1pm, print making with Emelia.

All classes £45pp including materials and refreshments. Visit: verveliving.uk/classes, or tel: 07785 332536.

Joana Serrat at the Chapel Arts Centre

Emily Atack in Breakfast at Tiffany’s at The Theatre Royal

Helen George in After Miss Julie at the Theatre Royal

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CAN YOU HEAR ME, MAJOR TOM? Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 May, 8pm n The Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road A night of fresh, funny, provocative and thoughtful new short plays from the Rondo Writers’ Group. For tickets tel: 0333 666 3366, or visit: rondotheatre.co.uk.

Also at the Rondo this month BAZAAR AND RUMMAGE Saturday 21 May, 7.30pm Old Bag Theatre returns to the Rondo after the success of Quartette in February with Bazaar and Rummage, a funny and moving play about an agoraphobics’ support group setting up a jumble sale, written by Sue Townsend of Adrian Mole fame.

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED Monday 2 – Saturday 7 May, times vary n Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath The English Touring Theatre brings Evelyn Waugh’s tale of friendship, family and nostalgia to the stage. Charles Ryder, in the midst of war, is drawn back through his memories to when he first encountered Brideshead and its extraordinary inhabitants. For ticket details visit: theatreroyal.org.uk, or tel: 01225 448844.

Also at the Theatre Royal this month THE TRUTH Monday 9 – Saturday 14 May, times vary Florian Zeller, writer of hugely successful The Father which had its UK

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premiere in Bath and went on to storm the West End and win an Olivier award for actor Kenneth Cranham, turns his hand to another hit. This is a smart and complicated comedy which wallks the line between being the deceiver and the deceived.

AFTER MISS JULIE Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 May, times vary Helen George, best known for playing Trixie in Call the Midwife, plays the beautiful daughter of a wealthy landowner who strays into the servants’ quarters, where her flirting turns into a dark psychological drama.

ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT Friday 6 May, 7.30pm n Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon This is the Wiltshire Music Centre’s 18th birthday, celebrated in exuberant style by regular visitor, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. It features Mozart’s first symphony and his last, along with Miami-born bassoonist Michael Gordon’s own concerto. Tickets: £32/ £16 under 18s.

Tel: 01225 860100 or visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk Also at the Wiltshire Music Centre this month DENNIS ROLLINS’ VELOCITY TRIO Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm The centre’s artist in residence, jazz trombonist Dennis Rollins plays with his Velocity Trio. For this one-off they’ll be joined by Samuel Dubois on steel drums for a set that will delight jazz, funk and world music fans. Tickets: £18/£9 under 18s.

MARTIN AND ELIZA CARTHY Saturday 22 May, 7.30pm Continuing the centre’s track record of attracting national and international figures, comes veteran ballad singer Martin Carthy and his folk singer-songwriter daughter Eliza for what promises to be an intimate evening. They’ll be performing songs from their first duo album The Elephant. Tickets: £18/£9 under 18s.

JASON REBELLO AND ALISDAIR HOGARTH Wednesday 25 May, 7.30pm Renowned jazz pianist Jason Rebello is joined at a second piano by award-winning pianist Alisdair Hogarth and singers from the Prince Consort for an exploration of some of the greatest songs of all time.

The programme will include work by Schubert, Schumann, Debussy, Brahms and Gershwin. Tickets: £18.

OUT OF ORDER Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 May, 7.30pm n Tovey Hall Theatre, Central United Reformed Church, Grove Street, Bath The Argyle Players present a comedy by Ray Cooney. When Richard Willey, a government junior minister, plans to spend the evening at the Westminster Hotel with Jane Worthington, one of the opposition party's secretaries, things go disastrously wrong, beginning with the discovery of a body trapped in the hotel’s sash window. Tickets £10, to include programme and interval refreshments, from bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362.

COLOUR AND LIGHT IN RENAISSANCE VENICE Monday 9 May, 1.30pm n The Banqueting Room, The Guildhall, High Street, Bath Alice Foster, who teaches history of art, will give a lecture for the Bath Decorative and Fine Arts Society (afternoon branch) on the Bellini family who played a dominant role in the art of 15th century Venice and are credited with introducing Renaissance style in Venetian painting, helping to transform Venice into a centre to rival Florence and Rome. Members £5, non members £8. Visitors welcome. Visit: bathdfas.com.

JEREMY HARDY Friday 6 May, 8pm n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath Jeremy Hardy has been a stand-up comic since 1984 and will be one Continued Page 24 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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until he dies or wins the lottery. He’s a regular on Radio 4, on News Quiz, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation. In 2010, he published a book, My Family and Other Strangers, chronicling his desperate search for interesting ancestors. Tickets from £14. Tel: 0845 293 8480 or visit: komedia.co.uk/bath.

Also at Komedia this month SIMON EVANS Sunday 15 May, 8pm Middle class comedian has been immersing himself recently in economics like, he says, a pig in organic cleansing elements. Tickets from £14.

PAUL YOUNG Sunday 22 May, 8pm The man with the golden voice who brought us Wherever I Lay My Hat and Everywhere You Go, has been making music since the 1980s and comes to Bath with songs from his new album plus some of those charttopping hits. Tickets: £25 (advance).

CLOTHES SWAP Saturday 7 May, 7pm onwards n Picnic cafe, Saracen Street, Bath Bring good quality women’s, men’s and children’s clothes and enjoy a browse through other people’s gifted items. Help yourself to whatever takes your fancy for a £2 donation, with all proceeds to Julian House charity which works with homeless and vulnerable men and women.

CLASSICAL RECORDS WANTED Top prices paid for clean Classical Music vinyl LPs (Beethoven, Mozart etc.) from the 1950s onwards.

Labels include Columbia SAX, HMV ASD and Decca SXL. CD collections and vintage hi-fi equipment also of interest.

Call Tim: 07502 331438 or Adam: 07738 772381 or email: adam@viva-tonal.com

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INTIMATE EXCHANGES Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm n The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath Next Stage Theatre Company presents Alan Ayckbourn’s comedic series of inter-related plays. Just two actors play all the characters. Kay Francksen and Andrew Ellison reprise the roles that saw them nominated for awards when they played off-off Broadway, New York.

Tickets: £12/£10 concessions. Tel: 01225 428600, visit: missiontheatre.co.uk.

Also at the Mission this month SYNERGY Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 May, 7.30pm Novato Dance Company returns to the theatre for the sixth year running. This professional company includes dancers with all different styles, producing absorbing and spectacular performances. Tickets: £8/£6 concessions. #SOCIALMEDIAMADEMEA. . .

Thursday 26 – Saturday 28 May, 7.30pm Novato Theatre Company uses all kinds of theatrical techniques, including comedy, to tell their stories. Five girls abroad on a gap year can’t live without their social media. Watch what happens next. Tickets: £8/£6 concessions.

CARA DILLON Thursday 12 May, 7.30pm n The Edge, University of Bath, Claverton, Bath Irish folk singer Cara Dillon, pictured, has a rare and unique voice. She has collaborated with her musical partner (and husband) Seth Lakeman on songs old and new. Her visit to Bath is part of a short spring tour, of which some dates are already sold out. Tickets £20/£17/£15 UoB/students. Tel. 01225 386777.

JOANA SERRAT Friday, May 13, 8pm n Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Cross The Verge, just as its name promises, shows us another side of Joana Serrat, who so enchanted audiences on her 2014 album Dear Grand Canyon. On Cross The Verge, her third album, Joana lays bare all the cracks, inconsistencies and fears that come with life, with the album revealing itself to be an especially beautiful tribute to the acknowledgment of loss and the acceptance of the uncertain. To record this album, Joana travelled from her home near Barcelona, to Montreal, Canada to team up with producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, The Barr Brothers) in his analogue studio, The Hotel2Tango. Tickets: £10 (£12 on the door). The Chapel Arts Café, serving food and drink, will be open this evening. Visit: chapelarts.org, tel: 01225 463362.

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WHAT’S | ON

Also at the Chapel Arts Centre this month THE UNDERCOVER HIPPY Friday 27 May, 8pm Billy Rowan, aka The Undercover Hippy, is not your average singer songwriter. His music brings together acoustic guitar, soulful vocals, infectious reggae rhythms, and the lyrical delivery of a skilled mc.

Combining intelligent, provocative lyrics with dangerously catchy hooks and a feel good groove, this is music for the thinking man to shake his stuff to. Tickets: £8 (£10 on the door). The café will be open this evening.

EDITOR’S PICK BOX REVELS Monday 30 May, noon to 4pm n The Recreation Ground, Box, Wiltshire In 1926 Box Rec was opened as a public space for all to use. This year’s Revels celebrates its 90th anniversary with a Roaring 20s themed fete.

There’ll be the usual stalls and entertainment all afternoon, including wife carrying races and sock wrestling, plus a dog show.

Open gardens in Lansdown, early in June

YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: THE MUSIC OF JAMES TAYLOR AND CAROLE KING Saturday 28 May, 8pm From the creators of the hit West End show The Simon & Garfunkel Story comes a celebration of songwriters James Taylor and Carole King. This musical journey intertwines all the hits including I Feel The Earth Move, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Fire and Rain and You’ve Got A Friend. Tickets: £15. The café will be open this evening.

BATH SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY Tuesday 17 May from 2pm n The Shakespeare monument, The Dell, Royal Victoria Park, Bath Bath Shakespeare Society, founded in June 1916, is to mark its centenary with an event in the Dell. Celebrations garlands will be laid, sonnets read and speeches from the plays will be read. Funeral director and memorial consultant R Davies & Son has sponsored the cleaning of the monument.

Paul Young at Komedia

DISCOVERING THE ANCIENT MAYA Friday 20 May, 7.30pm n Bath Royal Scientific and Literary Institute, Queen Square, Bath A talk by Professor Norman Hammond FSA FBA, McDonald Institute of Archaeological Research, Cambridge University. Ruins of the Maya civilisation in Central America were first encountered by Spanish priests in the 1500s, but exploration did not begin until more than two centuries later. Since then, travellers and scholars have reported Maya cities in remote jungle locations. Admission: £4 visitors, £2 students and members.

LIFE DRAWING WORKSHOP Saturday 21 May, 10am – 5pm nBath Artists’ Studios, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath Artist Rob Lunn is hosting a quick start art life drawing workshop to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. The day-long workshop is £50 per place, to include all materials and tuition. Rob is donating his time and materials, with all profits going to Alzheimer’s Society. To book, email Rob: workshops@roblunn.co.uk or book a place using PayPal: roblunn.co.uk/workshops.

Learn more about life drawing from artist Rob Lunn What Americans think about the English country house, lecture at the American Museum

LECTURE: THE ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE Thursday 12 May, 7pm n The Stables at the American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath Country Life writer Clive Aslet will deliver a lecture to coincide with the exhibition of interiors paintings by Jeremiah Goodman. Prison or Arcadia? What Americans Made of the English Country House, explores the American response and contribution to English country estates.

Tickets: £7, tel: 01225 820866.

Also at the American Museum this month DUCK BAKER Sunday 29 May, 2pm One of the most highly-regarded fingerstyle guitarists of his generation, Duck Baker’s back catalogue covers virtually the entire range of American music, from traditional Appalachian fiddle tunes to blues, ragtime, gospel, swing, and modern jazz. Visit: americanmuseum.org.uk.

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PLANNING AHEAD . . .

PRINCESS IDA Wednesday 1 – Saturday 4 June, 7.30pm, but 2.30pm Saturday n The Wroughton Theatre, King Edward’s School, North Road, Bath Bath Gilbert and Sullivan Society presents the tale of Ida, whose cloistered academic life is turned upside down when the prince she was betrothed to at the age of one breaks in to her women’s college in order to claim her hand. Tickets: £14/£12 and £7 (concessions), tel: 01225 400295 or 01225 463362. Visit: bathgands.co.uk.

SPECTACULAR CONCERT Saturday 4 June, 7.30pm l St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, South Parade, Bath Three choirs – Bath Cantata Group, Bradford on Avon Choral Society and Paragon Singers come together in what should be a spectacular allEnglish concert featuring Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with Benjamin Bevan in the title role and Vaughan Williams’ Te Deum in G. Elgar’s Cello Concerto played by international soloist Tim Hugh. There will be a full symphony orchestra plus two off-stage bands for the Walton.

Tickets: £20, students £10, u2s free, Bath Box Office, Sharps & Flats music shop, Ex Libris Bookshop Bradford on Avon.

OPEN GARDENS: LANSDOWN Sunday 5 June, 2pm – 5pm l St Stephen’s Millennium Green and other gardens, Lansdown, Bath St Stephen’s Millennium Green Trust hosts the annual Lansdown Open Gardens to raise funds for the upkeep of the St. Stephen’s Millennium Green. There will be six gardens open. Tickets: £5, on the day from the Millennium Green, the St Stephen’s Centre and the gardens. There will be a plant sale and teas and home-made cakes. Visit: millenniumgreen.org.uk.

THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PICNIC Sunday 12 June, 10.30am _ 5pm n Parade Gardens, off Orange Grove, Bath A picnic for all to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, with music from Bath Spa Uni, Sam Evans Band, The Sheriff and Reece Hughes. Local independent food stalls, Grocer Events, Henny & Joe’s, Pizza Bike, A picnic for the Queen’s Jacobs Finest, Yammo and the Parade birthday in Parade Gardens Gardens café will be serving tea, coffee and sandwiches. Plus drinks from The Tipsy Botanist, Electric Bear and Honey and Daughter. Super Pirates will be running a children’s zone with bouncy castle, face painting and other activities. Tickets: £10, tel: 01225 463362. Charities: RUH, St John’s and Bath Volunteers Centre. Tel: 01225 463362.

CONCERTS IN THE FOREST Friday 17 – Sunday 19 June n Westonbirt arboretum, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire A weekend of three separate concerts by some big names past and present. Friday night it’s the Kaiser Chiefs, while some members of UB40 will be taking to the stage on Saturday evening, finishing with Tom Jones on Sunday night. The Kaiser Chiefs and Tom Jones concerts have sold out, but tel: 03000 680400 or visit: forestry.gov.uk/music for UB40 tickets.

JANE AUSTEN’S EMMA Wednesday 15 – Saturday 18 June, 7.30pm l The Tithe Barn, Bradford on Avon The Bradfordians present a version of Jane Austen’s witty novel about a flawed but ultimately likeable heroine with a penchant for putting her foot in it. Enjoy a picnic by the river with a glass of wine before enjoying this much loved classic. Tickets: £12/£10 concessions. Tel: 01225 860100, or visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Thursday 7 July, evening n The grounds of Prior Park College, Bath London based Garden Opera Company is returning to Bath to stage an alfresco performance of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Proceeds to Julian House charity, which works with homeless and vulnerable people. Tickets £38, adults, £20 child, visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk, tel: 01225 463362 or email: cathya@julianhouse.org.uk. n 26 TheBATHMagazine

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create @ a series of workshops, classes & events

classes* Fri Apr 29

contemporary ceramics

Fri May 6

stunning silk flower creations

Sat May 14

style your own lampshade

Fri May 20

contemporary ceramics

Fri May 27

the art of fabric printing

Fri June 17

sculpting with wire

*Most classes run from 10am -1pm; please check website for details

event Thurs June 9, 6 – 8pm

rooms in bloom!

To find out more/book your place, visit: www.verveliving.uk/classes, email: team@verveliving.uk or call 07712 67347 / 07785 332536 1 5 w a l c o t b u i l d i n g s, l o n d o n r o a d. b a t h b a 1 6 a d free parking in weymouth street furniture – styling – artworks – classes

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FACE | THE MUSIC

TIME TO ENGAGE

Catherine Mallorie talks to Bath musician Kelvin Swaby about growing up in the city, his love affair with music – and working as a mentor with teenage boys

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In the early 1980s, the young Kelvin was simply electrified by hip hop’s dynamic, creative energy. “And I realised there was a ton of material I could sample in my father’s own record collection.”

His first attempts at sampling involved using an old-style tape recorder to make two-second recordings of his father’s vinyl records. But quickly he moved on to more sophisticated technology and discovered the joy of singing himself.

As a child growing up, he says: “Music was the main thing in my life.”

But despite this, his achievement musically at school was faulted by teachers, who recognised his ability but lamented a lack of readiness to ‘engage’.

Kelvin’s development as a musician seems to have been more lived than studied. His love of music brought him into contact with a vibrant scene of young musicians in Bath and Bristol and he spent his time when not working in

the clothes shop Gap in Bath “Stealing time in studios and doing open-mic spots as they came up.”

At that time, he got to know other young local musicians, some of who went on to form highly successful bands including Massive Attack and Portishead.

❝

BATHONIAN, MUSICIAN, MENTOR: Kelvin Swaby

The kinds of experiences I enjoyed in Bath as a young person are now out of reach for kids who don’t have the money

❝

ou may lose your way and make mistakes. It doesn’t matter, says Kelvin Swaby, as long as you ‘turn up’.

Kelvin Swaby is a Bathborn, Bath-bred rock star and still true to his roots. But since 2007, Swaby and his band The Heavy have catapulted to fame, not least in the US, where their hit How you Like me Now? featured in Obama’s 2012 election campaign.

The Heavy deliver a compelling, nopunches-pulled, guitar-led sound, with up-front lyrics powerfully sung by Kelvin himself. The band has been celebrated as one of the few acts to earn an encore on the David Letterman show and have played to massive crowds at the US Super Bowl.

The singer describes The Heavy’s style as raw and honest, with musical influences that include Al Green, Dennis Brown and the Rolling Stones.

But his high-energy, onstage charisma does not prepare you for an encounter with the man himself. As he talks about his Bath upbringing, his path to fame and things that matter to him personally, Kelvin presents a down-to-earth and thoughtful approach.

Born 12 years after his parents moved to Britain from Jamaica, he speaks warmly of his childhood home, with its panoramic views of Bath and surrounding hills. Growing up in a family with no fewer than ten brothers and sisters, his childhood seems to have been vibrant, not just at home, but out and about in Bath itself.

At that time, he says: “Bath was somewhere with loads for young people to do. In the holidays I remember there were places for kids to hang out and workshops where you could do great things, like music and dance.”

His childhood was saturated in music, with diverse musical styles including rock’n’ roll, be-bop and reggae. “In our house there was always music playing,” he says, and this musical education has clearly had a defining role in his development as a musician. But his immediate, personal involvement with music only truly began at the age of nine, when he first encountered the new hip hop style that was coming from America. This intensely urban music made inventive use of new technology, often featuring clips of other artists’ recorded material (samples) to create an exciting, upfront sound.

“I was never ambitious,” he says. “We weren’t interested in ‘pushing, pushing’: we were just doing our thing.”

In fact, Kelvin’s success seems less driven by desire for fame, and much

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FACE | THE MUSIC

more to do with old-style values of work and commitment. He has little time for celebrity culture that rewards people for doing not very much, and says he has recommended his own teenage son to the lyrics of The Heavy track Turn Up. Here, the importance of just committing to something, whatever it is, is simply and energetically expressed. “You don’t need to be academically brilliant to be successful. You just need to focus.”

The singer admits that his own readiness to make things happen is due to an upbringing that was essentially positive in outlook. Which explains his interest in helping young people now enjoy a similar experience. For many youngsters today, he says, it’s hard to find positive role models and all too easy to go ‘off-track’.

For this reason, he has worked for a number years of with Bath-based charity Mentoring Plus, which provides volunteer mentors and a programme of activities that support vulnerable youngsters from Bath and the surrounding area.

He has delivered music workshops for groups of young people at Mentoring Plus. “We ran music sessions for them over a four-week period,” he says warmly, “And at the end the kids couldn’t believe what they’d achieved.

Being involved in music is good for any child. Playing music has opened the world up for me personally, and I want to show young people that if I can achieve musical success – without money – anyone can.”

Kelvin points out that boys who come to Mentoring Plus often lack positive male role models in their lives. Which is why he keenly supports the call of the charity for more volunteer male mentors.

“Two thirds of the young people who come to Mentoring Plus are boys. But two thirds of the mentors are women, which is why we’re currently looking for more men,” he says. “Volunteering involves meeting up with a young person for just a couple of hours each week over

a one-year period. To men who might be thinking of mentoring, I’d say the time you give to youngsters is so rewarding.

Too often now kids don’t get the attention and respect they need from adults. We want to help young people understand that if you can think it, you can do it. And at Mentoring Plus, that’s exactly what mentors do.”

Kelvin regrets that the opportunities he enjoyed in Bath as a young man are now all too hard to find. “Bath is such a wonderful place, but I’d like see more funding to create opportunities for youngsters locally. Sports projects, writing projects, music projects: the kinds of experiences I enjoyed in Bath as a young person are now out of reach for kids who don’t have the money. I think young people now can spend too much time just hanging out on the streets, rather than doing something valuable. I’d like to see children get more chances to really engage.”

And certainly, no one could fault Swaby now for lack of readiness to do just that, with a demanding touring schedule that takes him round the world.

The Heavy’s fourth album Hurt and the Merciless was released at the beginning of April and the band is now on a 31date international tour taking in venues across the States as well as Vancouver, Prague and Manchester. The nearest it gets to a home gig is when the band plays the 02 Academy in Bristol on Wednesday 18 May. “In the four years leading up to our new album,” he says, “ Everyone in the band had seen things in their lives that were pretty hefty, and you can feel that on the album. The music is more emotional, closer to the bone, and superhonest.”

No surprise there. Kelvin Swaby continues to walk the walk: keeping it real. And definitely ‘turning up’.

If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering with Mentoring Plus, call 01225 429694 or visit: mentoringplus.net. n

KELVIN’S MUSICAL HEROES: left to right, Al Green and ACDC Below, Kelvin running musical workshops for Mentoring Plus and pictured with the rest of the band, The Heavy

KELVIN’S TOP TEN TRACKS: Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers – Blow Your Whistle Al Green – Simply Beautiful Dennis Brown – Westbound Train Ruth Swann – Tainted Love Shirley Ellis – The Handclapping Song Howling Wolf – Evil The Faces – I’m Losing You AC/DC – Whole Lotta Rosie The Sonics – The Witch Toots and the Maytals – Funky Kingston

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BATH @ WORK Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work. View a gallery of Bath@Work subjects at: thebathmag.co.uk

Edward Bayntun-Coward Proprietor of George Bayntun’s and High Sheriff of Somerset

I

was born 50 years ago in the village of Dunkerton, just south of Bath. I entered the world in a snowstorm and was delivered at home by two firemen.

I have always liked a drama and was born to be a bookseller.

My great-grandfather, George Bayntun, founded his bookshop and bindery in Bath in 1894. We have been in our present premises in Manvers Street since 1939. My father, Hylton, took over in 1951 and I have been the proprietor since 2000.

I have lived beyond the environs of Bath and have travelled extensively through many of the warmer parts of the world. I read Modern History (that is 370 to 1914) at Oxford University and then spent 12 years in London. I was fortunate enough to work for the legendary bookdealers Maggs Brothers in Berkeley Square and tended to the great collector and philanthropist Sir Paul Getty.

It was during this time I met my wife Laura, who is partly American, partly Swiss and Swedish, but was brought up in Paris and regards Italy as her home. She eventually agreed to move to Bath, and we now have three teenage children. After dropping them at school I come into work, but the term might contravene the Trades Description Act. Nowhere could be less like an office.

The front shop is rather grand and contains display cases discarded

by Boots before the war. We continue to close for lunch every day, and our invoices are written out by hand. At the back is the bindery, which is a form of factory. There are a few machines, but they are all more than 100 years old, and look as if they were cobbled together by Heath Robinson. We are the last of the old trade bookbinderies and everything is done by hand.

All of our binders have served an apprenticeship, traditionally seven years, and all of our books are bespoke and treated as unique. We have customers from all over the world, and quite a few of them are famous.

Not everyone understands books, but those who do appreciate that we are involved in preserving the past. Our bindings should prolong the life of a volume indefinitely. Of course we have to move with the times, and some of our designs are really quite modern, as can be seen on our website: georgebayntun.com.

Sales from the shop are not what they were, as many now prefer to buy online, but as one of the few remaining antiquarian bookshops in the west country we are able to buy good stock without competing at auction.

I do not spend all of my days waiting for books to come in and out, and keep myself busy with a range of activities. I was Chairman of the Bath Preservation Trust for ten years, and that involved four museums, including the splendid No.1 Royal Crescent. I am still a trustee of the American Museum and am involved with various charities, including the excellent BaNES Carers’ Centre, of which I am Patron.

And now I am High Sheriff of Somerset. I had to promise the Queen that I would behave, and she in turn gave me ‘Custody and Charge’ of the county. No pressure there! n

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic.

Visit: capturethespirit.co.uk, tel: 01225 483151.

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ART | TRAIL

AN OPEN INVITATION

Larkhall, Newbridge, Widcombe and Bear Flat will take it in turns during the weekends of May to host open days for artists’ studios, galleries and homes. Pick up a brochure to follow the art trail and discover something new NEWBRIDGE ARTS TRAIL Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May The trail is now in its seventh year, with 50 artists and makers taking part, including 20 new participants, at 25 venues. At Bath Artists’ Studios in Comfortable Place, opposite Royal Victoria Park, four artists are showing paintings and photography in the Roper Gallery. Call into the Weston Methodist Church Hall in Kennington Road to see an eclectic mix of painting, jewellery, ceramics, photography and stonemasonry. At some venues, visitors can watch demonstrations and join drop-in workshops. Newbridge Primary School has an exhibition by the children, their art teacher and other artists as well as decoupage workshops on both days. Artists at 81 Newbridge Road will be demonstrating non-toxic printmaking methods using a traditional etching press. At Frontier Picture Frames in Locksbrook Road, there will be silk painting workshops and computerised mount-cutting demonstrations.

Fairfield House, Kelston Road, home to Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia during his exile in Bath from 1936–41, will be open showing artefacts and information about this period as well as a contemporary exhibition of intricate artwork related to Ethiopian and Rastafarian culture.

Visit: newbridgeartstrail.com for artist profiles and examples of work. A printed trail brochure, with a map, is available from local shops, businesses and Bath central library.

ON THE NEWBRIDGE TRAIL: top left, ceramic Buzz Off by Jan Byrne, top right, Silhouettes by Ann Hines, left, Woodpeckers by Fiona Powers and right, Sea of Possibilities by Barbara Cheney

LARKHALL OPEN STUDIOS Saturday 30 April – Monday 2 May Established members have been creating new work and some have departed from their previous style. Painter Richard Olver has adopted a more abstract approach and 10% of the proceeds of sales of his paintings go to the RUH Cancer Centre and the Red Cross supporting Ebola victims in Sierra Leone. New members will also be opening up their studios.

Anna Gahlin’s sensitive and evocative paintings celebrating can be seen, while Fairfield Park based jeweller Alison Redman will be opening up her studio, as will painters Tom Overment and Natalie Williams, who will also be offering refreshments.

Vicky Sanders has been creating seductive underwater automated mermaids and glorious textiles. Jonathan Davies’s paintings capture the beauty of the skyline surrounding Bath in autumn and winter. Jonathan has previously been selected for an RWA show. Bath Artist Printmakers have secured a further three years in Larkhall and will be giving demonstrations. For full details visit: larkhallopenstudios.com.

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CONTEMPORARY: top left, CA Circles by Helen Hyde, top right, Bathwick Hill by Jonathan Davies, right, ceramics

by Clare Day and, left, jewellery by Alison Redman

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ART | TRAIL

WIDCOMBE ART TRAIL Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May This will be the tenth year of the Widcombe Art Trail, with venues including the new Widcombe Social Club, St Matthew’s church, pubs, homes, and studios. Simon White’s furniture creations, as seen on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces can be viewed in Holloway, while Usha Pearce’s abstracts, will be at 28 The Tyning. Several artists will occupy Widcombe Social Club, including Annemarie Derrick who began her preparations months ago, planting roses and bulbs for her floral oil paintings. Catherine Beale has also been designing new ‘gravity painting’ adult workshops for visitors.

St Matthew’s is host to eight artists, including Elizabeth Hughes’s local scenes and Julia Trickey’s medal-winning botanical illustrations.

The White Hart will show paintings on stone and ceramics to a live ukulele band. View Amanda Brown’s creations at Flamingo while upstairs at The Ram there will be jewellery and paintings. In St Mark’s Road visit Jessica Palmer’s studio, then join in the live swing and jazz with Holly Marks at Action for Hearing Loss or try spinning with Sian Marie. There are several venues on or around Prior Park Road including number 29, home to Andrew Kelly’s stained glass and Alison Potter’s ceramic vases, and Emma Taylor’s paintings at the Secret Garden Cafe. There’ll be refreshments at Elizabeth Holden-White’s studio at 48 Tyning End. Enjoy the garden at Violet Bank Farm and take tea in aid of Dorothy House. Sue Wales is joined in her studio by Plodge Robertson and

Sarah Lewis, textile creator and organiser of the trail. Another green spot is the studio at Bewdley House, a gorgeous setting for Janet Cole’s new Bath images and invited artists’ architectural linocuts and silkscreen prints.

Widcombe Junior School is host to several artists and children’s workshops.

Download the trail map, booking details and a pictorial list of all artists visit: widcombearttrail.com SOUTH OF THE RIVER: clockwisefrom above, ceramic figure vase by Alison Potter, The Crow and the Hare by Vikki Yeates, Kitty by Sue Walesright, and Overlooking Pulteney Bridge by Janet Coles

BEAR FLAT ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS

FOLLOW THE BEAR: clockwise, se Long by MAT, Cliffs at Portland

by Wendy Batt, ceramics by Kate Marshall, Taking Turns by Anna Kot, and photography by Beata Cosgrove

Saturday 28 - Monday 30 May There are 45 artists and makers showing at more than 20 locations, from homes to group venues. There will be prints and paintings at the Bear Hotel and photography, paintings and wood engravings at the Devonshire Arms.

Fine Line Art Group is showing work at the Methodist Church Hall, where Beata Cosgrove will be doing portrait photography for visitors. Zib Edgely’s drawings and photographs will be on display in a caravan parked in Chaucer Road and the ever-popular children’s workshop will be in full swing in Devonshire Place.

Many established local artists and makers are taking part again. Ceramics by Kate Marshall, Esther Harwood and Andy Rhodes are all found in Shelley Road; mosaics by Lorelei Hunt at the Bear Pad coffee shop; felt work by Jo Willis and kinetic sculptures by Ed Willis are in Kipling Avenue. Visitors can enjoy Wendy Batt’s prints and Tess Farlow’s whimsical illustrations in Bloomfield Road and an eclectic mix of photography throughout the trail. David Ings’s bold, darkroom-printed photographs are exhibited at Chaucer Road and Tamara Penwell’s egg tempera images and smalti mosaics can be seen in Hensley Road.

Take the chance to chat and discover and be part of the pleasure that the artists and makers of Bear Flat have in presenting their works and sharing a little about the hows and whys behind the making. For a map and more information about all the artists visit: bearflatartists.co.uk.

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

GALLERIES IN FESTIVAL MOOD Bath’s multi-media festivals open this month, inspiring galleries to celebrate music, movement and colour

44AD ART SPACE 4 Abbey Street, Bath Open 12pm – 6pm (Sunday 1pm – 4pm).

WORKS ON PAPER – FOR YOUR WALLS, FEATURING WALTER LINDNER Tuesday 26 April (preview 6.308.30pm) – Sunday 8 May Small pieces of Berlin are being displayed for a few weeks in Bath.

Not the Berlin wall itself, but art.

Berlin Walls Art Events showcases an eclectic mix by artists from the recent past and present, established or emerging from the German capital.

Works on Paper – For Your Walls offers something different at this relatively new artists gallery that dares to be different.

Simon Hearnden, brother of the former Antiques Roadshow and Cash in the Attic presenter Jonty Hearnden, unearthed the delightful, accomplished monotypes of the enigmatic Walter Lindner (1936 –2007) at a flea market in Berlin in 2006. He later sold his Oxfordshire home to purchase the contents of the late artists studio, from the artist’s widow.

Wonderfully constructed and composed graphic works, but by a currently little known artist from the end of the last millennium

might seem an unusual choice for this event, but Simon recognises that Lindner is a true master of his oeuvre who’s works interest both artists and visitors alike. During 40 fruitful years Lindner perfected his technique, creating monotypes from hand painted glass plates, which he used as the basis for his unique, hand-finished, original artworks. Looking great in almost any location, these relatively inexpensive originals and artist edition prints also present a possible investment opportunity.

Works on Paper also includes wall space for a selection of contemporary, striking, signed stone printed lithographs. This fascinating and time consuming process, printed colour by colour, produces remarkably fine quality prints not possible via conventional four-colour process printing. There are few presses remaining, but artists queue to experience drawing directly onto a flat stone, working with a printer to create unique artists’ editions.

A selection of such prints by contemporaries Elvira Bach, Daniel Richter, Christiane Baumgartner, Stephan Balkenhol and Jonathan Meese are being offered for sale.

Contact info@berlinwalls.co.uk for further information or visit: berlinwalls.co.uk.

DAVID SIMON CONTEMPORARY 3 – 4 Bartlett Street, Bath Tel: 01225 460189 Visit: davidsimoncontemporary.com Open: Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sunday afternoons PETER LLOYD-JONES AND VICTORIA REES 6 – 28 May A rare chance to see the work of two established artists alongside each other, as husband and wife, Peter Lloyd-Jones and Victoria Rees show their work together. Peter’s recent work focuses on still life through pen and ink as well as oil paintings. His paintings have an energy to them that brings life to his compositions, whether looking at landscape or still life. They are intrinsically English with a contemporary, bohemian flair.

For this exhibition, which coincides with the International Bath Music Festival, Victoria is exhibiting drawings of the Southbank Sinfonia, Garsington Opera and rock band Jesus Jones.

This work has been largely developed during the rehearsals and live performances.

Throughout May Victoria Rees’ latest silk scarf collection will be on show at Article, the shop adjoining the gallery, owned by soprano, Lucy Simon. Textiles often feature bold colours

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Still Life by Peter Lloyd-Jones behind a repeat pattern of figure drawings taken from Victoria’s musician sketchbooks.

Both of these artists studied at the Ruskin School of Art and went on to the Royal Academy Schools. They have both had their work included at the Royal Academy Summer show and Victoria has shown at the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery.

Flautist by Walter Lindner

MENUHIN: A LIFE IN PHOTOGRAPHS 18 – 28 May Many in Bath have fond memories of seeing Yehudi Menuhin play and enjoying the programmes he curated during his tenure at the International Bath Music Festival. This exhibition, on the first floor gallery at David Simon Contemporary celebrates the great violinist’s centenary.

The exhibition will also feature violins and bows by leading contemporary British makers and historic instruments from the last 300 years.

To mark his centenary year Benjamin Hebbert Violins Limited has sponsored and curated an exhibition of press photographs used by the London Illustrated News and later the Daily Mail from Menuhin’s first tour of London in 1926, to his collaborations with jazz musician Stephane Grappelli. Benjamin Hebbert will be available (by appointment) during the music festival for valuations and consultation about stringed instruments.

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nick cudworth gallery

Through the Colonnade 1 - Oil on Linen

TIME PRESENT AND TIME PAST 3 – 31 May Featuring 2 new paintings of life size windows.

The images within represent times past and present.

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

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ART | EXHIBITIONS NICK CUDWORTH GALLERY London St, top of Walcot Street, Bath. Closed on Mondays. Tel: 01225 445221.

Visit: nickcudworth.com

Between Two Shores by Anna Gillespie BEAUX ARTS York Street, Bath BA1 1NG Tel: 01225 464850. Visit: beauxartsbath.co.uk ANNA GILLESPIE From 16 May New sculptures by renowned local sculptor Anna Gillespie. Also new landscape paintings

by David Tress and ceramics by Tanya Gomez.

TIME PAST AND TIME PRESENT Tuesday 3 – Tuesday 31 May Nick Cudworth’s new show spotlights two major new paintings which have been over a year in the making. Through the Colonnade I and II are oil on linen constructions which will hang on the wall as life size sash windows. Each painting shows an opposite view through Bath Abbey Church Yard to the Colonnade and beyond. Using the two separate panes of each window to tell the story of time past and present Through the Colonnade I shows an early 20th century view of the Grand Pump Room Hotel with a vintage car delivering visitors in the lower pane.

The upper pane shows this same view in the present day looking towards the Abbey from the same viewpoint. Through the Colonnade II, pictured, shows this actual Grand Pump Room Hotel (which was demolished in the 1950s) through the upper pane and from the opposite side of the Abbey courtyard. The opened lower window pane shows this view as it is now packed with visitors on a bright summer afternoon.

ONE TWO FIVE GALLERY 4 Abbey Green, Bath Open: Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm, or by appointment. Email: carole@carolewaller.co.uk Tel: 07803 033 629 TRANSFER Friday 20 May – Sunday 12 June A collaborative installation of Film, Sound and Light created by Fran Landsman, Carole Waller, Gary Wood and Will Renel. Transfer is an exploration of the relationships between moving image, sound and light, looking at how these elements can be manipulated by their interaction with non-traditional supports and surfaces. It takes place underground in the project space at the gallery during: Bath International Music Festival, Bath Fringe Festival and Forest of Imagination.

ART AT THE HEART OF THE RUH Main corridor gallery, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath Open: Monday to Sunday, 8am – 8pm daily FIRST WORLD WAR: ACTS OF KINDNESS Until 31 October The Royal United Hospital occupies the former site of the Bath War Hospital, which during the First World War saw the wounded treated here. A new exhibition will reflect the day-to-day life at the Bath War Hospital including reproductions of letters, photographs of soldiers, illustrations, poems, and artefacts sourced from local archives.

Artist in residence Edwina Bridgeman will be running workshops with patients of all ages to create a 3D tapestry which will be displayed alongside the main WW1 exhibition and remain at the RUH as a permanent legacy. Art at the Heart would also like to hear of any memorabilia relating to the Bath War Hospital, such photographs, slides, film, postcards or letters. Tel: 01225 825558 or email hetty.dupays@nhs.net.

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BATH CONTEMPORARY 35 Gay Street, Bath Email: gallery@bathcontemporary.com.

Visit: bathcontemporary.com Tel: 01225 461230 Open: 10am – 5pm, Mon – Sat SURFACE TENSION 6 – 30 May Presenting intuitively energetic landscapes and coastal scenes by popular artist Claire Wiltsher, who draws inspiration from the welcoming pockets of seasonal beauty of Hampshire and Dorset, and is widely recognised for her characteristic textured canvases. Alongside, there will be new bronze sculptural works by Sara Ingleby-Mackenzie, whose slim and elegant female studies strut and pose for the viewer with confidence and a subtle edge of wit.

Staged in Spring by Claire Wiltsher

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Palladio Cherries

by award winning artist Emma Rose

IN PRINT ONLINE + SOCIAL MONTHLY WE OFFER 20,000 copies 10,000 online visitors 12,000 twitterers Nobody does Bath better

An ongoing exhibition mounted by Emma Rose Art Works featuring Original Art . Limited Edition Signed GiclĂŠe Prints . Canvas Prints

First Floor Gallery 78 Walcot Street . Bath

www.emmaroseartworks.com

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ART | EXHIBITIONS BRADFORD ON AVON Lynchetts, Woolley Street Open evening: Sat 18 June, 6pm - 9.30pm Then open daily (closed Monday) 11am - 6.30pm Late opening Friday 24 June, 11am - 9pm BRADFORD ON AVON SCULPTURE GARDEN Saturday 18 – Sunday 26 June The Sculpture Garden is traditionally the first event of the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival, which follows later in the summer. Exhibits will be both figurative and abstract, in a variety of media. This superb show of local sculptors’ work – with a few special guests from further afield – has grown year by year and has become a favourite of the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival. There are several new exhibitors this year, and work is for sale. The location will be the gardens of Lynchetts in Woolley Street, with views over the town. You will find many pieces on the main lawn, with others in flowerbeds, along pathways and in the orchard and kitchen garden. Each day sculptors will be on hand to talk to visitors. There will be an opening party on Saturday 18 June, 6pm – 9.30pm. Tickets are

The Young Girls by Mary Cassatt HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney Street, Bath Tel: 01225 388569 Open: Daily, 10am – 5pm (11am Sundays) £6 to include a glass of wine, and This Side of Paris will be playing light jazz throughout the evening. Tickets: £3 on all other days. Visit: boaartsfestival.com/events/sculpture-garden.

EMMA ROSE Upstairs at 78 Walcot Street, Bath Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm Tel: 07885235915 / 01225 424 424 Visit: emmaroseartworks.com

VICTORIA ART GALLERY

By Pulteney Bridge Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sunday, 1.30pm – 5pm, closed Monday

THE BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS SUMMER EXHIBITION Until 4 June The prestigious Bath Society of Artists Summer Open exhibition is now open at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Victoria Art Gallery.

Now in its 111th year, the hugely popular exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent. It’s an open audition exhibition in which professional and amateur artists submit their pieces for acceptance.

The society was founded in 1904 with 26 members. It has grown over the years to a membership of around 120 diverse, talented artists. The exhibition, which is open to nonmembers, attracts more than 1,000 entries and 13,000 visitors. All of the work on show is for sale, and sales have doubled in recent years.

Many distinguished 20th-century painters have exhibited with the society, including Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, Gilbert Spencer, Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden, William Scott and Howard Hodgkin.

Exhibits may be paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints or mixed media, but not photography, computer-generated prints or Giclee reproductions. All must be originals.

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Palladio Cherries by Emma Rose

Nursery Scene by Tom Elliot

PALLADIO CHERRIES Throughout May Award winning artist Emma Rose presents an exhibition based round spring, Palladian vistas and landscapes – imaginary and real.

Encapsulated by the beautiful painting Palladio Cherries – available now as limited edition prints or canvas prints.

IMPRESSIONISM: CAPTURING LIFE Until 5 June Visitors have flocked to this very popular exhibiton of Impressionists’ work. It’s been curated by museum director Jennifer Scott and provides a rare chance to see work all together by artists, who include Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, PierreAuguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley. There are also a couple of paintings by Walter Sickert who lived in Bath.

and include the Bath Society of Artists Prize of £1,000, the Money Wise prize of £500 for best landscape, the Bristol Guild Prize of £250 for a 3-D work, and the Harry Walker RWA Young Artist Prize of £250, awarded to artists aged 18 to 25. There are also smaller prizes for prints, watercolours, small paintings and drawings.

During the exhibition members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourite artwork, with the winner of the Bath Society of Artists Public Choice Prize receiving £500.

Change to opening hours: the Victoria Art Gallery is now open on Mondays. The new opening hours are: 10.30am-5pm every day.

Tickets for the exhibition cost £4 (free to under 21s and holders of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Discovery Card). Entry to the permanent collection is free.

Blue Wave by Adela Powell GALLERY NINE 9b Margarets Buildings, Bath Tel: 01225 319197 Visit: gallerynine.co.uk Open: Monday – Saturday, 10am - 5.30pm SPRING EXHIBITION Until 31 May Along with Sasha Wardell’s translucent bone china and Disa Allsop’s forged, reticulated and patinated 18 carat gold and silver jewellery, Gallery Nine is featuring five new artists. James Wynne is a local sculptor who works with ancient seasoned English oak. Cornwall based ceramist Adela Powell constructs vessel and figurative forms using clays, enhancing them with layers of oxides, slips and glazes. Jane Ryan also Cornwall based, creates mostly reclaimed oak, hand painted automata. She also produces naive seaside scenes. Print maker Neil Bousfield’s wood engravings are heavily influenced by his current location, Norfolk.

Jeweller Ruth Hollywood takes her inspiration from nature and science including the microscopic world. Her unique pieces are made in recycled silver and colourful resin, the result is a vibrant and cutting edge.

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CITY | READING

BOOKS ON MUSIC

On the eve of the Bath International Music Festival and Bath Fringe Festival The Bath Magazine picks some musical notes of interest from independent bookshop Topping & Co

GEEK APPEAL

Complicated Game: Inside the Songs of XTC,

by Andy Partridge and Todd Bernhardt, published by Jawbone Press £14.95 Todd Bernhardt originally put this series of interviews with the former XTC frontman on MySpace and had 370,000 views, so has compiled them into this book.

Andy Partridge grew up in Swindon and we’re given a tour of his part of town, street by street. Like many other quirky, imaginative great British singer-songwriters, Partridge’s upbringing and surroundings influence his work. Fans of his and of the post punk era will be able to meet the man himself at Topping & Co on 25 June.

RESURGENCE OF INTEREST

Shostakovich: A Life Remembered, by Elizabeth Wilson, published in paperback by Faber and Faber, £20 Elizabeth Wilson’s detailed (and mighty) collection of stories about the life and music of Shostakovich was first published in 1994, but following Julian Barnes’ novel The Noise of Time, there has been a massive fresh interest in the life of one of the 20th century’s greatest composers. He was a creative genius, who could perfectly recall a piece of music after hearing it only once.

He and his family and friends also suffered brutal persecution at the hands of Stalin. It is a privilege to read first hand accounts of the composer’s conversations.

CULT LABEL

Popkiss: The Life and Afterlife of Sarah Records by Michael White published in paperback by Bloomsbury, £16.99 Sarah Records was founded in a basement flat in Clifton, Bristol by a pair of music enthusiasts, Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes in 1987. The pair worked tirelessly for years running a tiny record label that soon attracted a fiercely loyal following among lovers of indie music. Its bands numbered The Field Mice, The Sea Urchins, Blueboy and The Orchids. Canadian teenager Michael White was one of Sarah’s followers and when he came to the UK he met the couple briefly for an hour. In 1995 Sarah Records was deliberately shut down by Wadd and Haynes, with the promise that there would be no encore.

Even if you’ve never heard of the label, White’s telling of its rise and rise, its death and this collaborative retrospective book, makes this a fascinating and absorbing read.

AN INSIDER’S VIEW

Beethoven for a Later Age: The Journey of a String Quartet by Edward Dusinberre, published in hardback by Faber and Faber, £18.99 Edward Dusinberre was first violinist with the celebrated Takacs quartet and this carefully written book gives an insight as to what it’s like to be on the other side of the music in a concert hall. Each player is an accomplished musician in their own right, but of course they have to play as a team. As he points out: ‘the risk of losing control lies at the heart of any vivid encounter with one of the later Beethoven quartets.’ A welcome addition to a string player’s library.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

How Music Got Free: the Inventor, the Mogul and the Thief by Stephen Witt, published in paperback by Vintage, £8.99 I suppose a lot of us don’t really think about it as we pop our headphones on and summon up a mood appropriate playlist, that the way we listen to music has changed so much. This is a very detailed account of the people who developed the technological know-how to steal commercial music and share it with other music fans. This led to listeners expecting – and getting – their music for nothing. It changed the music industry on both sides of the Atlantic for ever. But, as witnessed by the revival of vinyl, the way we listen to music and the ways musicians make money, is ever evolving. A book for the millennial generation.

IN SEARCH OF A DIVA

What Happened, Miss Simone? by Alan White, published in hardback by Canongate, £20 Nina Simone’s songs, from the 1958 My Baby Just Cares for Me to the 1960s Feeling Good, I Put a Spell on You and Ain’t Got No . . . I Got Life, have stood the test of time. Her distinctive voice is instantly recognisable. But how many of us know about the woman behind the songs? Hers is a tale of a troubled, talented musician who was also a leading figure in the Black Power movement. Nina – real name Eunice Wayman – was born into a poor Christian family and, showing early promise, trained as a classical pianist.

When she started playing in jazz clubs, she changed her name to protect her family from the fact she was playing

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‘the devil’s music.’ She had a very turbulent series of relationships with men, including with her husband and manager Alan Stroud who raped her on the eve of their engagement. Journalist Alan Light’s biography was written following a bio-pic of the same name. Her later years were blighted by periods of depression and violent rage, and among other incidents, threatened a fan who’d come for an autograph with a knife and was abusive towards her daughter Lisa. These outbursts were prompted by her untreated bipolar condition. At the height of her success Nine Simone played the Carnegie Hall, but due to race laws at the time, her parents were forbidden from watching her performance.

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WE DO LOVE OUR TEA – DON’T WE?

Duncan Campbell HAS BEEN DEALING IN ANTIQUE SILVER SINCE 1986.

Starting with a stall on Portobello Road while still at university, he (wisely) resigned from his job in the corporate finance department of a city merchant bank in 1993 to pursue his obsession full time. Having served his apprenticeship in the London silver trade Duncan has been based in Bath since 2001.

Aside from the day to day business of running a shop, Duncan appears regularly as a silver specialist on BBC1’s Antiques Roadshow and is retained as a silver consultant with various institutions, museums and livery companies.

We British have the reputation for liking nothing better than a nice cup of tea. So much so in fact that, although we can’t compete with the Japanese for ceremony, we still love to wrap plenty of theatre and custom around this noble beverage.

Tea began to be consumed in quantity in this country during the last quarter of the 17th century. The very oldest English silver teapot, in the collection at the V&A, is dated 1670.

By the early 18th century we were importing masses of what was then a ruinously expensive leaf. Probably in part because of the cost of tea, our ancestors really laid on the style when it came to drinking it.

The first silver tea caddies appear around 1715, usually they came in pairs, one for green and one for black tea, and always with a lock to keep out the human tea leaves.

As the 18th century wore on, the ubiquitous silver tea set began to be a feature of every self respecting home in the country (those that could afford it of course). This remained true up until fairly recently when the availability and convenience of tea bags discouraged more modern generations from bothering with a teapot at all.

The sheer number of antique tea related items available is staggering. Even if we stick to silver only. There are literally hundreds of designs for caddy spoons (to measure out tea for the pot) dating from the 1760’s right up to the present. Pierced bowled mote spoons from the 1700’s for skimming the odd errant tea leaf out of your cup.

Tea strainers then took over from mote spoons in the 19th century.

Around 1900 silver tea infusers became available to the solo tea drinker to provide all the taste without having to brew up a whole pot.

Although all you really need is a mug, a tea bag and some milk, it is nice sometimes to make a bit of an occasion out of a tea break. n Duncan can be contacted on; duncan@beaunashbath.com www.beaunashbath.com, 01225 334234

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BATH | ARCHIVE

IF LOOKS COULD KILL . . .

Historian Catherine Pitt explores the hair-raising antics of Georgian Bath

I

f we could turn the clock as far back as 300 years ago, we’d find our Georgian forebears were just as preoccupied with their appearance and youth as we are in the 21st century.

The ideal of beauty in 18th century England was an exaggerated naturalism.

A pale complexion denoted that one didn’t work. Sun tanned skin, freckles and any blemishes were seen as a sign of the lower classes or of disease.

The soft, smooth, white skin of youth was recreated and heightened by an even covering of white ‘paint’ on the face, neck, chest and even hands. Blue veins were then painted on top to create the illusion of skin. Lips were stained red and cheeks highly rouged. Eyebrows were raised high and black crescentmoon shaped beauty spots, patches or mouches were selectively placed on the face. Hair was swept high off the forehead and usually in the form of a powdered wig. This look, incidentally, was aspired to not just by women.

The ladies and gentlemen of Bath would have slathered their faces and skin with various concoctions containing white lead, arsenic, mercury, spermaceti, carmine, and other unpleasant and unhealthy ingredients.

Bath shops, such as Mary Purdie’s on North Parade and Richard Warren’s in Alfred Street advertised in local pamphlets and newspapers detailing the cosmetics sold, including Lady Molyneaux’ Liquid Bloom and the popular Gowland’s Lotion, which contained mercuric chloride and stripped back layers of skin in a somewhat extreme 18th century method of micro-dermabrasion.

As the century progressed, the danger of some cosmetics became more widely apparent with a number of high-profile deaths. In 1776, the actress and courtesan Kitty Fisher, one of the first great British celebrities, died at the age of 26 in Bath, allegedly from the effects of the lead-based make-up she used.

Georgian make-up could cause hair and tooth loss, plus lesions on the face; yet to disguise the damage done people would apply even more make-up thus exacerbating the problems.

By the late 18th century the consumer looked to more natural organic ingredients, mainly consisting of vegetable dyes. In Bath in 1787 Mr Cratwell and Mr Moore sung the praises in a local paper of their Venus Vegetable Bloom that was now available to purchase from them.

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off and painted higher up the face, but for some the use of mouse or mole-skin as a false brow was preferred. If one had sagging features due to illness or the ageing process then cork padding could be put into mouth cavities to fill out any sunken areas. False teeth were not uncommon whatever one’s age, and these were made from real human teeth from the poor or dead, or carved from porcelain or animal ivory.

Hippopotamus ivory was much coveted for it was believed to be the nearest colour match to natural teeth.

Makeup had initially been used mainly by prostitutes and actresses, plus was often an aid to disguise disfigurements caused by illness or sexually transmitted diseases. The same

was true of facial patches. These could not only indicate one’s political leanings (left cheek for a Tory supporter, right cheek for Whig), but could also, through their position on the face, be a useful communication tool to sweethearts and potential admirers.

It is misleading to imagine the balls and gatherings in Bath to be glamorous affairs. Heavy make-up, powdered wigs and unwashed bodies would have created an atmosphere more akin to the description of a Bath Assembly given in Tobias Smollett’s Humphrey Clinker: “Imagine yourself a high exalted essence of mingled odours arising from putrid gums, imposthumated lungs, sour flatulencies, rank armpits, sweating feet, running sores . . . plaisters, ointments . .

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: Amy Dawn Adams, Miss Bath 2015, poses as a Georgian beauty – complete with classic beauty spot – for makeup artist Julia Harrison, who graduated from the Bath Academy of Media Makeup

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BATH | ARCHIVE

❝

A room full of very good Company, swore, That in spite of appearance, t’was very well known, Their hair and their faces were none of their own

❝

CHRISTOPHER ANSTEY, LETTER XII, BATH, 1766

DYING OF VANITY: left, actress and courtesan Kitty Fisher died aged 26 – believed to have been poisoned by the makeup she wore, which contained arsenic. Right, the accoutrements worn by a Regency woman, as seen in the Lady’s Bedchamber at No 1 Royal Crescent museum

. spirit of lavender, musk, hartshorn.”

To resolve any odour issue the Georgians wouldn’t have considered immersive bathing, except at the Baths as part of medical treatments, but preferred to mask smells with perfumes and oils. In Bath these could be purchased from specialist perfumers like Mr De Coppa, an Italian dealer who could be found at the sign of the Civet Cat in the Abbey Church Yard.

Hair, like makeup, was dictated by fashion in 18th century Bath. Red or grey hair was unfashionable, and local shops advertised the sale of hair dyes or recipes to change the colour. Hair loss was associated with illness and disease.

William Moore, who operated from the Orange Grove and High Street, did his part to cater for locals who were follically challenged by producing in 1777 a 40 page pamphlet, The Art of Hairdressing and Making It Grow Fast.

How successful the outcome of his advice was we do not know.

Both men and women tended to wear wigs, except for the very poorest, and had a plethora of styles to choose from.

For men, from the 1720s the full bottomed wigs so favoured in King Charles II’s court gave way to the much

shorter, powdered wig, styled into designs such as the sack-wig or campaign-wig. Some women had their natural hair weaved into their wigs, but more often than not, for comfort’s sake more than anything else, both men and women shaved their heads.

Women’s hair styles tended to become more flamboyant as the century wore on. Padding of horse-hair, cork or even iron structures, were added for volume and to create styles; plus ribbons, combs and feathers abounded. Eventually women’s wigs got to such an extreme in height and style that they were soon lampooned in print and press by illustrators such as Rowlandson, and writers such as Bath’s own Christopher Anstey.

Dressing, styling and powdering hair was time-consuming. In John Wood’s original home on Gay Street one can still today peek at an extant Powder-Room where a lady or gentleman would sit, covering their nose, eyes and mouth with a paper cone, while the hairdresser applied powder with a pair of bellows.

The powder stuck to the hair and wig by means of a pomatum made of fat or oil.

With some hair styles remaining unchanged for weeks if not months, it was not uncommon for wigs to become fetid, and for fleas or lice to hatch inside. A Cornish parson, John Penrose, who visited Bath in 1767 expressed shock that many had their own hair incorporated into these toupees since “(they) do not comb their heads for three months and endeavour to conceal the stink with perfumes, essences, etc” The cost of wigs could be very expensive. John Bally sold his in the city for between 16 shillings and 2 guineas each (around £50 to £150 in today’s prices).

They were considered prized

possessions, and in fact some Georgians regarded their hair so highly that they left their wigs in their wills to family or friends.

Enough barbers, hairdressers and peruke (wig) makers abounded in the city in the 1750s that it necessitated a Guild being set up. These mainly male frisseurs catered for both male and female clientele. Some came only to Bath when it was the season, much to the chagrin of the local hairdressers.

Competition was fierce and the advertisement of exotic credentials or important clients seemed an added enticement. For example in 1769 a hairdresser simply called Nadal advertised his arrival in the city to Kingston Buildings direct from Paris.

After the French Revolution in 1789 English ideals of beauty and fashion attempted to move swiftly away from any French influences, and instead looked to the countryside and the classical world for a simpler natural style.

In 1795 the government set about taxing hair powder which tolled the final death knell on the excessive appearances of the 18th century. From the 1800s onwards a wig was really only the mainstay of doctors, lawyers and the clergy. Today, the modern barristers’ and high court judges’ horse hair wigs are the last vestiges of an old custom.

Despite the poisonous potions and puffed up perukes available in 18th century Bath, locals and visitors alike could not keep the ravages of age at bay.

“That Beauty lives and ne’er will fade Tis false: Those wanton curls will fail That rosy colour yield to pale…

This face, these eyes, Which once could please, they now despise.”

(Advice to a Lady, Anon, 1765) n

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FOOD | NEWS

FOOD&DRINK TITBITS

■ Bath-based charity Send a Cow has launched a challenge for May inviting people to give up sugar for the month in return for sponsorship. Money from the Sweet Swap will support the charity’s work with poor farmers and their families in Uganda. To help people with the challenge, Send a Cow has sugar-free recipes from Uganda, River Cottage, Riverford and Demuths. These recipes have been made into an e-book with photos of the food which is shared with everyone who signs up to take part in the challenge. Visit the charity’s website to sign up: sendacow.org.

■ The former Dolphin pub in Lower Weston has been taken over by the Bath Pub Company and will open as the Locksbrook Inn this month after a £250,000 refurbishment. The Bath Pub Company, which also runs The Chequers, The Marlborough Tavern and The Hare and Hounds, says it is keen for the Locksbrook Inn to retain its own character. The canalside pub will be serving food and drink seven days a week. At the time of writing an opening date had not yet been set.

■ THE INN AT FRESHFORD: we were contacted by a number of readers following the inclusion of The Inn at Freshford among our Six of the Best country pubs last month.

They pointed out that the pub’s kitchens were not serving food, as we had stated. We always research our Six of the Best feature and printed the story on information we received in good faith that the kitchens would be open by the time we went to press.

THE CITY’S NEW COCKTAIL HOTSPOTS George Street in central Bath is one of the city’s favourite party spots, particularly now that live music venue Moles has reopened. There are plenty of good places to eat along the street and a couple of venues where one can enjoy a bespoke cocktail or two.

One one gloriously sunny spring evening recently we headed out to explore the newly refurbished Perrier-Jouët Champagne terrace at Sub 13 on George Street, writes Jessica Hope.

The revamped garden terrace is the only bar sponsored by Perrier-Jouët Champagne in the UK outside London, something which the bar’s director, Tim Whelehan is justly proud about.

Each chair is adorned with its very own Perrier-Jouët pillow, adding a touch of comfort for customers, and the tables even have matching Champagne candleholders.

Shrubs covered in twinkling fairy lights surround the garden, along with low-floor lighting illuminating the mismatch stone walls. And rather than having to head back inside to order drinks, customers can order from the garden bar during the summer.

Sub 13 has certainly prepared for all of the weather conditions we tend to experience in British summertime. There are outdoor heaters available throughout the terrace that customers can control themselves, and if you get a little chilly you can wrap yourself up in one of the Perrier-Jouët blankets supplied in wicker baskets.

PLACES TO BE SEEN: above, twinkling lights on the Perrier-Jouet Champagne terrace at Sub 13 and below, the new Circo bar – both in George Street

As you would expect from a bar that has won awards and critical acclaim since opening in 2003, the cocktails are delicious. Director Tim recommended us the perfect long tipple – a refreshing mix of vodka, blackberry liquor and lemon, topped up with Champagne and plenty of ice.

The bartenders take great care in creating the variety of drinks on the menu, which include cocktail staples such as brambles and caipirinhas, and more unusual creations

including an aptly named George Street punch and the pomegranate blush. There is also a selection of Perrier-Jouëtinspired cocktails. You can book tables inside or on the terrace.

At the time of writing we’ve only had a quick glimpse of the new Circo bar, which has relocated from South Parade.

It’s looking very swish inside and we’re very tempted by Rob Clayton’s small plates menu and the allure of good wi-fi coverage.

FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO THE VEGAN WAY OF LIFE

West country vegetarians and vegans will be flocking to Europe’s biggest vegan event, VegFest UK in Bristol this month. This is a huge event, staged in the Amphitheatre on the Bristol Harbourside over the weekend of Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May. Around 15,000 people are expected to attend the festival, with more than 180 stalls and globally inspired caterers serving food ranging from sushis, paella, Chinese stir-fries and barbecues, falafel wraps, crêpes, to Caribbean stews, pizzas, Moroccan street food, Thai curries, veggie burgers, chips and Indian food – and you’ll never have to check that any dishes are meat, dairy and fish free. There are also

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licensed bars, juice and smoothie bars, chai teas, coffee and other drinks.

Visitors can also browse for vegan food ingredients, merchandise and information and pick up tips from cookery demos. There’ll be talks on vegan nutrition, lifestyle, campaigns, a kids area, a Last Man Standing dance mat, workshops on vegan activism, plus acoustic music. The music continues into the evening with Marshall Jefferson on Saturday, supported by live sets from Alison Limerick and Adamski.

On Sunday hip hop/electronic dance group Stereo MC’s and vegan reggae artist Macka B headline, with support from local artist Andy Compton featuring Celestine and Sabrina

Chyld. Tickets in advance: £5 for each day and £8 for the weekend, plus booking fees. On the gate, £8 adults/£4 concessions, u16s free. Visit: bristol.vegfest.co.uk.

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Chapel Arts Café Chapel Arts Café is an independently owned business located under the Chapel Arts Centre in the heart of Bath. We aim to offer a unique experience with tasty vegetarian food, excellent drinks and great service in an artisan setting.

We do vegetarian – made from scratch, on the premises, when you order it. We offer healthy flatbreads, salads, soups and snacks, along with a diet-busting selection of homemade cakes, including vegan and gluten free options.

New art exhibition from May 18th.

We’ve partnered with Bath’s own mobile ordering app –

• Instore Butchery serving locally sourced meat • Gold award winning café serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas • Shop stocked full of delicious locally produced food and drink and our own range of home produced cakes, salads, award winning pasties, ready meals and desserts We look forward to welcoming you soon

So why not peruse our delicious new Spring menu, and simply order, pay and collect yourself a takeaway coffee to enjoy at your own convenience.

Redeem this code on the app for £1 off:

morning coffee

Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm Open for pre-gig suppers on Fridays and Saturdays, 5.30 – 7.30pm

Lower Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1QR Tel: 01225 920256 Web: chapelartscafe.com

Farleigh Road Farm Shop, Farleigh Road, Norton St Philip, Bath, BA2 7NG Tel: 01225 720006 Email: hello@farleighroadfarmshop.co.uk Web: farleighroadfarmshop.co.uk Facebook: Farleighroadfarmshop Twitter: @FarleighRoad

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The Diner’s Digest SIX OF THE BEST

Farm shops and cafés

Melissa Blease talks to the people who run farm shops and cafés selling the best of locally grown and reared produce

SHARPHAM PARK SHOP, KILVER COURT

Dedicated to growing one of Europe's most ancient grains in a sustainable environment on a 300-acre organic estate on the Somerset Levels, Sharpham Park is the champion of British spelt.

The shop – in the Kilver Court discount designer outlet – is the place to find everything spelt-related, from cereals including muesli, bran flakes and porridge to traditionally-milled spelt flours by way of multigrain rice flakes, pearled spelt (a tasty alternative to rice) and ready-made spelt risotto mixes, alongside farm shop produce from over 30 local suppliers and producers. The Harlequin Cafe is a gorgeous afternoon tea spot, while the Pantry Restaurant features spelt-based dishes from celebrity chefs including Hugh F-W, Heston Blumenthal and Yotam Ottolenghi on a diverse menu. If you fancy a shopping therapy experience in pretty surroundings, you've come to the right place.

Sharpham Kilver Court, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5NF Web: sharphampark.com / kilvercourt.com

PRIOR PARK FARM SHOP

If you’re going to do lunch at Prior Park Garden Centre’s Secret Cafe (best enjoyed in summer on the foliage-lined patio suntrap), then allow yourself plenty of time, not because service is slow (it isn’t), but because there’s simply so much to distract you on the journey to and from your bountiful half-time repast. The massive garden centre is an inviting, sensual haven of green paraphernalia, while a voyage around the pet department is like stepping into a miniature world of Dr Doolittle. The impressively stocked Farm Shop deserves spotlight status all of its own: fresh bread (including Hobbs House and Levito), larder essentials, choice cheeses, foodie gift inspirations and a selection of freshly prepared ready meals courtesy of local kitchen entrepreneurs turn your kitchen nightmares into dinner party dreams-come-true . . . and voids the need of a trip to the supermarket altogether.

Prior Park Farm Shop, Prior Park Garden Centre, Prior Park Road, Bath BA2 4NF Tel: 01225 480576; web: priorparkfarmshop.co.uk

FARLEIGH ROAD FARM SHOP AND CAFÉ

Many of the best recommendations start with a confession, so here’s mine: I once catered a dinner party for eight guests made entirely from homemade ready meals from the Farleigh Road Farm Shop. From soup to pudding via main course, salads and sides, all I had to do was reheat and/or serve. I can honestly say that it was one of the most successful, memorable suppers I’ve ever hosted. But – and I’m not trying to over-justify my cheating ways – what we ate that evening wasn’t too far removed from the kind of thing we’d all love to cook at home (although it has to be said that neither my pea and watercress soup, my pasties nor my lime and coconut cake have been awarded gold Taste of the West/Champion in Class awards).

Pretty much everything on the Farleigh Road menu, whether to eat in or take away, is made

from scratch in its kitchen, using ingredients from the shop and the onsite butcher. To supplement the array there’s bread from Bath Bakery, Midway Dairy milk, locally grown vegetables and fruit, Tracklements preserves and chutneys, Marshfield Farm ice cream, an olive bar and all manner of tasty stuff keep attention levels up – and your day-to-day shopping list up-to-date. The fully licenced cafe – also a proud recipient of a gold Taste of the West gong – features a large suntrap alfresco dining and children’s play area and opens for breakfast, lunch and spectacular vintage afternoon teas daily, and a roast every Sunday.

Farleigh Road Farm Shop and Cafe, Norton St Philip, BA2 7NG Tel: 01225 720006; web: farleighroadfarmshop.co.uk

GLOUCESTER SERVICES

If you're not already in the know about the goings-on at Gloucester Services, then this may well be one of the most unlikely foodie hotspot recommendations you'd ever read. This family-owned motorway pitstop has turned what's usually a bland refreshment break necessity into a destination gourmet food hall experience: a farm shop and kitchen bringing everything from larder essentials to luscious luxuries together under one roof. Everything in the kitchen is freshly made using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and the shop stocks produce from around 200 suppliers, none of whom are based more than 50 miles away. There's artisan bread, handmade pies and speciality cheeses, while the butcher's counter offers well-hung, traditional cuts of meat. Picnic on the motorway? Heck, if Gloucester Services offered camping facilities, I'd holiday here.

Find Gloucester Services on both sides of the M5 between junctions 12 and 11a.

NEWTON FARM

Set in pastoral surroundings just off the A4 heading towards Bristol (just off the Globe Pub roundabout), this family-run butchery and farm shop specialises in home/locally produced free range meats. But you’ll find far more to entice you when you visit to purchase your Sunday lunch centrepiece: think, organic Jersey milk, farmhouse butter and Beckington cream; coldpressed rapeseed oil made just up t’road; vegetables from Batheaston; Lovett Pies (using Newton Farm meats); Bertinet bread; ready meals courtesy of Cavendish Cooks . . . it’s a

one-stop stocking-up shop! Meanwhile, the fully licensed Parlour Cafe (formerly the farm’s dairy) offers courtyard seating and fabulous views across acres of greenery – the perfect place to tuck in to an ever-changing menu of fresh, seasonal delights wrought from the fabulous produce reared/grown/produced in the nearby vicinity. Top tip: gluten-free options abound here, as do bountiful breakfasts – and as one might expect, Sunday roasts are fab.

Newton Farm, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BT Web: newtonfarmfoods.co.uk

WHITE ROW FARM SHOP

Fresh fish, real meat, proper bread, a super-smart deli, loads of seasonal green stuff plus an onsite chippie, a casual cafe and an upmarket restaurant and grill: if you fancy a mini-vacation in foodie heaven, the multi-award winning White Row Farm (a 20-minute drive south of Bath) is a dream destination. Owners Steve and Heather Tucker maintain a strong ethos to either produce the scrumptiousness they rear/grow/make themselves or support the myriad local producers in the area. All the pork sold here, whether in Jon Thorner's butchers or the deli, restaurant or cafe, is reared on site; everything in the deli apart from the cheese is cooked and prepared by the White Row team. The vegetables are beautifully displayed. The fish and chip shop also operates a fresh fish counter with homemade fishcakes, terrines, seafood salads, fish pies and more, and the cafe and the restaurant put all that gorgeous local produce in the spotlight on menus that offer broad appeal.

White Row Farm Shop, Beckington, Nr Frome, Somerset BA11 6TN. Web: whiterowfarm.co.uk

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FOOD | HEROES

THIS MOON SHINES BRIGHT Melissa Blease talks to west country born Daniel Moon, who’s taken the helm at the five star Gainsborough Hotel, Bath

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ccupying two Grade II listed buildings in the heart of Bath, one of the city’s most recent additions to the restaurant/hotel scene opened last year.

The Gainsborough combines exclusive access to Bath’s natural thermal waters with a distinctly modern, glamorous urban vibe.

It may have moved into a historic set of buildings but the Gainsborough is also refreshingly forward-thinking in its approach to contemporary fine dining.

Word on the Bath foodie grapevine is that there’s a buzz about the hotel’s recently appointed head chef Daniel Moon. He is swiftly gaining acclaim as a rising star capable of taking his kitchen’s reputation to new heights.

Devon-born Daniel started his route to head chef working as a kitchen porter before moving up to his first commis position at St Olaves and Holme Chase in Exeter, where he was soon promoted to junior sous. In February 2002 he joined Hunstrete House Hotel (now the Pig Hotel) where he rose to the ranks of head chef, before moving on to Homewood Park Hotel, where he became head chef in 2008. Here he was awarded his third AA Rosette.

A stint setting up the food offering at the Hare and Hounds pub in Lansdown when it first opened its doors in 2011 gave Daniel yet more experience to add to his already illustrious CV. Then, in 2012, he was appointed head chef at Ston Easton Park Hotel, a historic Palladian mansion house hotel set in acres of rolling countryside south of Bath. But in January this year, fatherof-two Daniel returned to the city to undertake a role that many believe will be the one to really establish both him and the Gainsborough on the UK foodie map of excellence.

“I initially wanted to become a chef because I love art and creativity,” says Daniel. “For me, working with food was a great way for me to channel my own creativity. Gary Rhodes was my original food hero, because he was one of the first chefs that my generation saw putting English cooking and locally sourced, seasonal produce in the spotlight.

“I also knew from very early on that I enjoyed the team ethos environment that the kitchen had to offer; in order to climb the cheffing career ladder, the recognition of – and respect for – team work is vital, and that's a very strong 48 TheBATHMagazine

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ethos all the way along the line at the Gainsborough.”

But in his role as head chef, Daniel is responsible for the end product that his team supports him to produce. He describes his style of cooking as “marrying classic dishes and classical flavours with modern techniques and presentation.” He puts provenance and seasonality at the core of every plate of food, using local produce when it is at the peak of its tasteful best and making full use of the wealth of local suppliers.

As an army of chain restaurants and franchises offering menus cooked up at distant HQs continue to invade Bath, it’s Daniel’s staunch support of locally sourced, seasonal produce that earns him and the Gainsborough recognition as one of our food heroes.

I recently sampled Daniel’s cooking, which brought the quintessential flavours of a British springtime to the table. Dishes included an intense, deeply umami morel mushroom risotto, a tube of salmon, smoked under the glass

cloche it was presented in, and Daniel’s signature dish: moist, neat slabs of roast Creedy Carver duck breast accompanied by a spring roll of confit leg, plum puree and sesame. Was it divine? Indeed it was. A judgement I’d made, even before the decadent chocolate ganache that signed the whole experience off with a flourish arrived at the finale.

Our beautifully presented feast was served in the Gainsborough’s sophisticated dining room, by staff who make you feel as though they’re on hand to look after you, and only you.

And yet, despite the surroundings, Daniel’s food is most definitely the real star of the show here. Big flavours are pushed to the fore, expertly teamed with subtle supporting sides that are as memorable as the spotlight elements.

And all along, you know – you just know – that the dishes you’re tucking in to could only be enjoyed right here, right now in the west country – I don’t mind admitting that Mr Moon’s talent makes me swoon. It’s unlikely, however,

WEST COUNTRY CHAMPION: head chef at the Gainsborough Hotel, Daniel Moon has a loyal following from his time at Hunstrete House and Ston Easton hotels

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CHEF AS ARTIST: Daniel Moon’s plates are as delicious as they are beautiful – set off at their best in the surroundings of the Gainsborough Hotel

that such a rave review will go to Daniel’s head, as he remains down-toearth.

“I love the fact that there is a broad, healthy selection of restaurants in Bath that keep good chefs in the city on their toes, challenging us to strive for continual improvement,” he says, when we sit down to talk about the ‘competition’.

So which chef in Bath might Daniel most admire? “Without a doubt, that would have to be Sam Moody at The Bath Priory – he’s a great guy and he’s most definitely instrumental in raising Bath’s profile as a gastronomic

destination. We both won an Acorn Award [a peer-nomination initiative established by The Caterer magazine in 1986 to recognise the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry] in 2011, and it’s wonderful to be back working in the same city as him again, alongside so many other chefs who are doing fabulous things.”

Meanwhile, if you want to cook like Daniel, here’s his must-have shopping list of locally sourced, seasonal treats for May: “Creedy Carver duck is, in my opinion, the best produce of the south west. I also absolutely love working with the wild garlic that proliferates in

the countryside around Bath at this time of the year, also I’d recommend Bath Blue Cheese and Mendip lamb. And you have to make the very most of Wye Valley asparagus, grown just up the road – it’s amazing stuff, but it won’t be around for long.”

But something tells me that Daniel will.

Keep on doing what you’re doing, Mr Moon, and a sprinkling of stardust accolades may well be dusting your menus at the Gainsborough very soon.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel, Beau Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 358888; web: thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk. n

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic takes a break from judging the International Wine Challenge to pick some summer wines

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’ve just spent the last eight days judging at the world’s largest wine competition, the International Wine Challenge. With over 15,000 different wines entered, my fellow judges and I have tasted wines from all four corners of the world – from Peruvian Tannat and Mexican Nebbiolo to Chinese dessert wines and Czech Sauvignon – some great, some not quite so great. It’s an exciting time in the wine world, but, at times, it’s lovely to go back to the classics, and with this in mind, I’m focusing on France.

I’ve checked out a couple of sunny rosé wines, discovered a new find from Burgundy, and re-acquainted myself with a favourite lightish red. The clever chaps at Great Western Wine have also snapped up a clutch of new wines from France, including some delicious Loire gems, top notch clarets from Saint Emilion and Pomerol, and some funky new styles from lesser-know Madiran in south west France.

There’s at least 12% off all the prices of French wine at Great Western Wine this month, with a hefty 20% off if you buy a minimum of 12 bottles.

Cotes de Provence is riding high in the popularity stakes right now, beguiling wine lovers with its delicate peachy hue, and sparking dreams of Riviera summers. Chateau Sainte Marguerite 2015 Grande Reserve (GWW £15.95, down to £14.04 throughout May), with its tremulously pale colour, and delicate scents of strawberries, raspberries and lemon balm, is an elegant classic, bursting with silky soft flavours, a brush of herbs, and a zesty, citrus edge. Look no further for the perfect wine for relaxed alfresco drinks, and weekend lunches – spot on with chargrilled prawns and tuna niçoise, as well as breezy vegetable salads.

Another pink wine, this time with bubbles, is the exuberant and joyful Chateau de Brize Saumur Rose Brut NV (GWW £12.95, down to £11.40 until end May). It ticks all the boxes – pink, sparkly, dry, and fabulous value. From the picturesque Loire Valley, this award-winning fizz is an absolute gem, equally good at summer garden parties, celebrations, or as a simple weekend treat, with its delicate floral charm, and flavours of ripe berries and cream.

For white burgundy fans, there’s a delicious Pouilly Fuisse Domaine Saumaize-Micheiin 2014 ( GWW £19.95, down to £17.56 until end May), which delivers all the character that you’d expect from more expensive Burgundies, but without the price tag. Slightly further south than the great names of Meursault and Puligny Montrachet, this area can really deliver top-notch wines, if you’re careful which producers to choose. I discovered this last month – ripe, fleshy, full-bodied, yet deliciously dry, it’s a generous, smooth white, mingling baked apple fruit, with gentle vanilla, hazelnuts, and a creamy, buttery edge. This would be perfect with salmon hollandaise, soft cheeses or buttery roast chicken.

Finally on to my red choice for this month – a lively, bouncy, little-known red from south western France, Braucol Vigne Lourac Vin de Pays des Cotes du Tarn 2014 (GWW £8.95, down to £7.88 until end May). This is ridiculously good value at its normal sub £9 price, but is even more of a juicy, delicious bargain throughout May. Braucol is the name of the grape variety, and it’s on the lighter spectrum of reds – a perfect wine for spring and summertime, crammed full of lively sweet cherry and raspberry fruit, enhanced by a brush of wild herbs, with a delightfully soft, fruity finish.

If you prefer your reds light and fresh, this is one for you; chill it down slightly, and serve with big platters of charcuterie , chunky salads with bacon lardons, or gammon steaks. n­

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RESTAURANT | REVIEW

THE KING WILLIAM 36 Thomas Street, Bath BA1 5NN. Tel: 01225 428096

R E V I EW

NICE WORK, CHAPS

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jazz, which sounds improvised but is steeped in musicianship.

I like that this is still very much a pub. You can go into the bar downstairs, step over the odd snoozing dog (the pub is a favourite with local dog walkers) and enjoy a pint of real ale or local cider. You might stay for a bar meal of fish and chips or a burger, all nicely presented in best of modern British hearty style.

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But these four small triangles, coated in golden breadcrumbs . . . converted me in a mouthful

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f we are going to eat meat the least we can do is to try and use all of the animal. It’s economic, sustainable and respectful to the beast too. But you do wonder how, in days of yore, someone looking at a pig’s head on the chopping board considered that its cheeks might make a much sought after delicacy.

I have to confess I’d never tried the local dish of Bath Chaps – pork cheeks cured and cooked to a specific historic recipe – until the other evening at the King William. I guess I had always been a little squeamish and thought their appearance might put me off. But these four small triangles, coated in golden breadcrumbs and mouthwateringly deliciously tender and savoury, converted me in a mouthful. I enjoyed my chaps with the first of the English asparagus crop, a dusting of parmesan and a dash of zingy lemon emulsion – but the King William also serves them with apple sauce as a bar snack.

Try ‘em, I think you’ll like them.

The same goes for the whole King William experience. Thousands of us, on our daily commute, pass the pretty blue facade of this historic hostelry on the corner of London Road and Thomas Street, and if you haven’t been in recently, do take the time. If it’s good enough for food critic Giles Coren to have written that dining here was worth leaving London for, and has won numerous national accolades, it’s got to be a culinary go-to for the curious local too.

Charlie and Amanda Digney bought the King William over a decade ago and for the last 11 years have continued to serve their own brand of sustainable, seasonal and, largely, locally sourced food. Their approach is relaxed yet stylish, managing that fine line between making it things look effortless when actually great care and skill has been involved. Rather like the best

Or you might fancy a date night dinner à deux, in which case, book yourself a table in the candlelit first floor dining room. This is a charming Georgian room recently painted in rich dark green and hung with local artists’ views of Bath. If one of your party is, like a Dalek, not happy with stairs, particularly steep ones, you can opt to enjoy the ever-changing dinner menu downstairs in the bar.

But we were more than happy with our table in the window overlooking London Road as chef Joel Lear delighted us with a faultless evening of good food.

Joel has been at the King William a while and his food is worth seeking out. He keeps his menu short and sweet – with a choice of five starters and five mains, ranging in price from £6 for soup of the day, to £19 for lamb rump with crispy black pudding and Bombay potatoes.

Hand on heart, there wasn’t a dish on the menu

that I wouldn’t have wanted to try. Vegetarians are catered for and we know that the kitchen takes food intolerances seriously as we eavesdropped a booking conversation.

Almost everything diners enjoy at the King William is made on the premises. The bread is

by Bertinet bakery but the produce from Eades, Larkhall Butchers and Ruby and White is transformed in the kitchens. There’s also a well curated wine list, including organic wines. We enjoyed a crisp French Sauvignon Blanc.

My date very much enjoyed his big bowl of earthy, tasty celeriac soup, dotted with crunchy toasted seeds. He stayed with a vegetarian theme, choosing a fresh take on cauliflower cheese, served with truffle polenta, fresh asparagus, topped with a Parmesan crisp.

Every plate had lots of interest, but with all flavours working well together. A simple but effective combo of roast corn fed chicken breast with Jersey Royal potatoes and whole baby carrots was given added oomph with a springlike thyme butter and a small caramelised onion and olive tart tucked under the chicken.

Sometimes a chef, particularly in a pub, goes all out on the savoury dishes, paying less attention to the puds. Not here. How does this whet your appetite? A pale, trembling creamy pyramid of buttermilk pudding topped with a small crispy ginger meringue and sitting alongside a regally purple globe of blackcurrant sorbet and a triangle of light, lemony polenta?

A beautiful arrangement that was a pleasure to de-construct and devour.

There’s also a good cheeseboard, again keeping it local.

The King William’s culinary crown, like the crown hanging outside over the pub sign, remains as bright and shiny as ever. n

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THE | WALK

A TRIP BACK IN TIME

May’s walk has a historic slant as Andrew Swift visits the Cotswold town of Nailsworth for a short walk packed with sites of industrial heritage

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n March 2014, the Sunday Times rated Nailsworth as one of the best places to live in Britain, yet this little Cotswold town, lying midway between Bath and Cheltenham, remains surprisingly little known.

This may be due to redevelopment in the 1950s and 1960s, which transformed much of the town centre into something uninvitingly bleak and bland. There is much more to Nailsworth than this, however, and you do not have to wander far to discover hidden riches in the narrow streets and winding lanes of this former weaving town.

This month’s walk explores the littleknown valleys of the Miry and Horsley Brooks, south-west of Nailsworth town centre, along with the high ground in between.

To get to the starting point, head north from Bath along the A46. After the road drops down into Nailsworth, just past a large church on the right, turn left at a roundabout. Take the first left along Old Market, and after 100m, just past a zebra crossing, turn right and head to the upper level of the car park, where you will find free long-stay parking (ST849996).

After parking, carry on along Old Market. At the end, head up Horsley Road, to the left of the early 18th century Britannia Inn. After 100m, turn right up a lane by a triangular patch of grass.

After going to the left of Abbeyfield House, there is a view across the valley of the Miry Brook to Shortwood Chapel, with much new building on the slopes behind.

After 100m – with paths branching off to left and right – carry straight on past an iron gate along a fenced path through fields (ST846994). This area is known as Walkley Wood, but, although the wood 54 TheBATHMagazine

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still appeared on an OS map of 1883, it had largely gone by 1920, and now only a few trees remain.

After going past another iron gate, carry on up to a lane and turn right for 100m before turning right down a footpath. After going through a gate, bear left to follow a track down to a stile.

After crossing the Miry Brook, carry on past a large modern building which stands on the site of the ancient Lot Mill (ST841995).

Turn left at the end of the building, then immediately right up steps and through a squeeze stile. At the top, go through a gate onto a road. Across the road is the George, a popular local pub noted for food. Turn left and, when the road forks, bear right up Higher Newmarket Road. This leads through the site of Hillier’s Bacon Factory, established in the early 19th century, which by the 1970s employed around 250 people and slaughtered around 2,000 pigs a week. It closed in 1991 and was demolished – apart from a few buildings which have been incorporated into the new development – two years later.

After 175m, when the lane forks, bear left downhill past Tithe Cottage along a lane which soon turns into a rough track.

At the bottom of the valley, you come to the site of Node’s or Upper Mill, swept away when the dam burst after torrential rain in 1931. Over to your right are a spring and a hut which housed equipment for pumping water up to the bacon factory.

Double back between old containers and a row of dilapidated huts, and, after going past a gate, bear right down a path to a bridge across the Miry Brook (ST837997). Climb steps up to a lane leading past a house called The Nodes.

The cemetery on the left was attached to the original Shortwood Baptist Chapel, built in 1714 but demolished after the congregation moved to the chapel you saw earlier.

At the crossroads at the top, cross and carry on along a lane for 30m, before taking a footpath on the left between houses. Carry on as a downward path cuts across, negotiate your way past a gushing spring, and, at the road, head straight on along a track across Shortwood Green.

On the far side of the green, look to the left to see an old building with a tall brick chimney. This was once the Rising Sun Inn, and the chimney was part of its brewery.

Turn right up a path beside another cottage and carry on past a Quaker cemetery dating from 1695. After crossing a stile, head straight on up to the top corner of the field and go through a gateway. Head past the clump of trees ahead and cross a stile in the far hedge.

Bear left towards a stile which leads onto a lane (ST842990). Cross a stile in the hedge opposite and head straight on across a large field. Cross a stile on the far side, carry on down to another hidden stile, and, at the lane, head right down the path opposite.

At the bottom of this steep, former packhorse route, turn left past the houses of Swan Bank. Cross the main road, turn right along the pavement, and after 100m turn down to Horsley Mill. At the bottom, turn left to follow a permissive path along the valley of the Horsley Brook, where old millponds have been transformed into a beguiling sequence of water features as part of Ruskin Mill College.

At Ruskin Mill – originally known as

COTSWOLD CANTER: main picture, the millpond on the Miry Brook Opposite, sights along the route include Days Mill and so-called Walkley Wood, which now has few trees remaining, and far right, a view from the past: The Red Lion in Nailsworth, 1910

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FACT FILE ■ Length of walk: 3½ miles Millbottom Mill – you have the option of visiting a first-floor café, with a verandah overlooking the valley. You also have to walk along the road for a few metres before turning right past the back of Ruskin Mill, and left along a footpath by cottages after passing a hydro power generator.

Carry on and, when you come to a road, cross with care and head down Arnold’s Lane diagonally opposite (ST848992). After carrying on past a path coming down from the right, bear right when the path forks. This leads past an old

Brewery and the former Red Lion – now Lion Cottage – on the corner at the end.

Carry on along Market Street, and at the end you will see the Village Inn, which serves beer from its own brewery. Carry on along the main road and turn down steps opposite the church to cross the Horsley Brook.

If you look to the right you will see a threestorey wing of Day’s Mill, built of local stone around 1800, tucked away behind later buildings. Carry on across Old Market to return to the car park. n

■ Approximate time: 2 – 2½ hours ■ Map: OS Explorer 168 ■ Refreshment stops: Ruskin Mill cafe, open all day, lunch served 12.45pm – 2.30pm, tel: 01453 837527. The George Inn, Newmarket Road, open all day, tel: 01453 833228. The Village Inn, Fountain Street, open all day, tel: 01453 835715

■ Level of challenge: Eight stiles, some steps and possibly muddy stretches

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IT’S PLAY TIME!

Georgette McCready visits Pembrokeshire, where there’s fun to be had, whatever your age

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ince the wetsuit became an affordable accessory and the British embraced the sunny Californian surf culture, a break to the west coast of Wales has become quite the cool thing for families to do in school holidays.

The Welsh tourism people have dubbed 2016 the Year of Adventure for the principality, but in truth, wild, wet and wonderful West Wales has long been a playground for those in the know. Years ago we used to camp at St David’s with other families whose parents and children joined forces to enjoy the thrills of bodyboarding, crab fishing, communal barbecues, beach bonfires and giant sand-castle building.

And it didn’t seem to make any difference whether we went for the May Bank Holiday or in August – the weather could be equally sunny or rainy.

This corner of Pembrokeshire is in a weather micro climate, so it’s almost impossible to predict hail or heatwave.

One of our teenagers’ favourite activities back then, was to scramble out across the rocks in Caerfai Bay to hurl themselves off dizzingly high shelves and ledges into the deep waters beneath. We adults would take it in turns to join them as notional lifeguards, but looking back, this derring-do jumping was a high risk activity that could have ended in injury for the fearless boys and girls.

Happily the kids – and adults too – are still able to get their kicks on the rocks around the Pembrokeshire coastline, and in the water too. If you have active youngsters you could easily 56 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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find them a different physical challenge to try every day of a week’s holiday.

Award-winning adventure organisers TYF, based in St David’s have 30 years’ experience taking groups out to have fun safely. A couple of years ago we signed up for a coasteering afternoon, protected by hard hats and bouyancy aids, our instructors took us clambering down cliffs and over rocks to repeatedly hurl ourselves into the sea below. It was a session we all enjoyed.

Adrenaline junkies can also sign up for climbing sessions, again with expert tuition, to allow curious youngsters the chance to stretch themselves.

Catch the sun going down on glorious Whitesands beach and you could make believe you’re one of the golden few.

The sands and the car park are busy with people carrying surfboards. The dudes (male and female) pose to catch the light on saltsprayed tousled hair as they strip their wetsuits down to their

waists to show off muscles toned by hours of paddling to catch the ultimate ride on those big white breakers.

If your own beach boy or girl wants to progress from bodyboarding to standing up on a full size board, TYF offer on beach surfing lessons.

But what of the more sedate pleasures to be had within striking distance of St David’s, this village sized city? The coast path is never far away. If you fancy a walk, pretty Solva with its pubs, harbour and art galleries is four miles or so along the coast path to the west.

Our favourite walk is in the other direction, from Caerfai Bay to Whitesands, a wonderful stretch of coast where there’s always something of interest. It takes in St Non’s, with its holy well, views across to Ramsey Island over the rocks they call The Bitches and you can get a close-up view of both the old and the new lifeboat station under construction at St Justinian’s. There’s a fair bit of climbing, both up and down and the path comes very close to the edge in places, but at the end of the nine and a half miles there’s ice cream to be had at Whitesands and an hourly bus service back to St David’s.

Or you could go out for a couple of hours mackerel fishing on a boat, again with experts on hand to help with the bait and the catch, for the squeamish who can’t quite bring themselves to kill the fish, but are happy to boast later about how many they’ve caught.

There are plenty of places to stay in St David’s but we have always taken a tent.

Until now.

ADRENALINE JUNKIES: main picture, supervised coasteering with TYF of St David’s The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is due to take place at the Blue Lagoon, Abereidi – just up the coast from St David’s – over the weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September.

Divers, wearing no protection, propel themselves down the equivalent of eight storeys to hit the water

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TRAVEL | WALES

MEALS ON WHEELS: left to right, the woodburner in the corner beside the hob and custom-built spice rack, breakfast in bed and Ashleigh, the white van that became a mobile plush pad

Tapping into the vehicular equivalent of AirBnB, we turned to the Quirky Campers website to find campervan owners with vans to hire near us. There is a growing network of vans available across the south west and Wales.

We were lucky to hook up with Craig and Christine in Frome, who like us, are campervan enthusiasts. They hired a Quirky Camper from Bristol for their wedding and honeymoon and liked it so much they bought a Mercedes Sprinter white van to convert themselves.

The couple have done a splendid job in kitting Ashleigh out. She’s fully

insulated, with curtains for night-time privacy and warmth. There are lots of cupboards and shelves (there’s even a spice rack where White Van Man might have once hung his tools). The fold-out double bed is comfy and affords a view from the window when you’re enjoying your morning cuppa. A two-ring gas hob has a grill too, so you can make toast, and the sink is fitted with a pump action tap to draw water up from a large, but portable, tank.

The extra ingredient that sets Ashleigh apart – aside from the beautiful painted frieze of leaves around the

interior – is the woodburning stove in the corner. A set of neatly concealed drawers holds plenty of logs and kindling and there’s a carbon monoxide monitor for peace of mind.

Stationary she’s a veritable palace of a Tardis to eat, sleep and play Scrabble in.

But, as we both found out taking turns to drive her, give Ashleigh her way and she’ll revert to her White Van Man bad habits in the fast lane.

I found her enjoyable, and empowering to drive. That, and loading her up to go-as-you please made us vow to take another roadtrip very soon. n

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CITY | PEOPLE

CITYNEWS News in brief

n Entrepreneurial sixth form students at The Royal High School in Bath have raised £2,326.41 for charity by reinvesting just £10 each in a business enterprise scheme. Each student was given £10 to invest in entrepreneurial activities to make money. These activities ranged from buying and selling jewellery, cakes and candles to dog walking, bespoke artwork and making organic dog treats. They handed over their hard-earned profits to The Children’s Ward Forever Friends Appeal at a school assembly.

A BRIGHT IDEA FOR WALCOT BUSINESS As lighting shop Richard Hathaway withdrew from Walcot Street, existing interior designer Anne Fisher, just along the road, has launched Enlighten, to sell home lighting solutions.

Anne, who already runs the established The Sofa and Sofa Bed Company, said: “For some time I have recognised a significant opportunity to offer a comprehensive one stop lighting service to our customers in Somerset and Wiltshire, in London and indeed further afield.

“For many people the business of lighting a home is a daunting prospect and we aim to supply a huge range of beautiful lighting at reasonable and competitive prices. We will go the extra mile, offering a free home advisory service which will also include a member of our team of electricians where required. We have accounts with all the leading designer lighting companies and our salespeople will be pleased to advise and offer an expert eye and opinion.”

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Enlighten offers a sale or return service to allow customers to try a chandelier or floor lamp out for size at home. The range covers traditional and contemporary designs and includes pendants, wall lighting, floor and table lamps, bathroom and outdoor lighting.

PAINT LIKE ADAM

n The derelict industrial buildings, Newark Works, on the south side of the River Avon in central Bath, are to be redeveloped under a joint project between Bath & North East Somerset Council, design, engineering and management consultancy company BMT, and creative workspace provider TCN. The site, which comes under what has now been called the Quays South district of Bath, will be home for BMT’s new regional headquarters and to hi-tech companies which will bring jobs to the city. The council is creating a new area for business, which includes Bath Quays North (on the current site of Avon Street car park ), Bath Quays South which will be linked by a pedestrian and cycle bridge. Once the necessary floodworks and planning permissions have been completed, construction is estimated to begin next year, with BMT moving into its new offices in 2018. n Widcombe based software house, Mayden has seen its first six trainee software developers graduate from its training programme, Mayden Academy – and all have been offered jobs with the company. The academy was set up to help grow and retain developer talent in the Bath and Bristol region, which is considered to be one of the largest and most productive tech clusters outside London. It offers aspiring software developers the chance to learn the fundamentals of software engineering, and to become certified with industry recognised qualifications. Academy training also addresses the gap between theory and practical experience that many new developers come up against, by providing trainees with the opportunity to work on commercial projects alongside mentors. The graduation celebration took place at Mayden’s head office at One Widcombe Crescent. The graduates are: Charlie Coggans, Ross Eastman, Connor Jones, Marta Pleszynska, Lucia Velasco and Peter Wilkins. Mayden is a specialist software company mostly in the healthcare sector.

EXPANDING: interior designer Anne Fisher, with her new range of lighting called Enlighten, in Walcot Street, Bath

SHARING HIS SKILLS: Adam Calkin will be leading small groups at his Wiltshire home, aided by his daughter Clemency, who is a teacher

International wallpaper designer and interiors artist Adam Calkin is launching a series of workshops at his Wiltshire home, which has been featured in many magazines and the book English Eccentric Homes.

After a 35-year career spent decorating homes, businesses and public spaces, Adam now wants to share the techniques, such as wood graining and marbling and an understanding of how to create intricate repeats on fabric and wallpaper, that he has devised over years of practise. Adam designs wallpapers, furniture, ceramics and fabrics.

Eden, his iconic wallpaper for Lewis and Wood, is ten years old and still very popular.

A two-day course has been devised for beginners, followed by a three-day course for those with more advanced skills. Everyone will leave with a piece that they have created themselves. The beginner’s courses are £290 for two days and the advanced, £495 for three days. All materials, food and drink, are included in the cost. Contact: info@adamcalkin.com.

CHARITY HOSTS VISIT FROM NEPAL The headmaster of a school of more than 400 children in Kathmandu, Nepal, which includes children sponsored by Bath based charity The Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children, is spending three weeks in the south west of England on a fact-finding mission. Bishnu Paudel will be the guest of Lisa Whitehouse-Foskett, founder of the charity. The pair worked closely following the earthquakes of 2015, collaborating, organising and delivering aid to remote places, which otherwise would not have received anything.

Many children were orphaned and some have been sponsored so they can continue their education. The charity supplied aid to 20 mountain villages, schools and refugee camps, all thanks to support from people in the UK.

Bishnu Paudel is to spend time at Paragon School, Colerne C of E Primary School, New College, Swindon and Prior Park, where he plans to learn about the British educational system, so he can take ideas back to his own school.

Lisa is hosting a party at her home so he can meet some of the people who have supported the charity over the years. She said: “Sadly, we are still finding children who need our help, some as a result of losing family members during the earthquakes and through post trauma. We also need to build more schools.”

The Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children was set up by Bath chiropodist Lisa and her husband Peter in 2009.

Visit: nepalchildrenseducation.org.

Richardson Swift fp May.qxp_Layout 23 21/04/2016 15:43 Page 1

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

How did the Budget affect you?

A look at a few surprise measures

F

ollowing a quiet Autumn Statement in November 2015, with many announcements having already been made in the two main 2015 Budgets, the recent speech still had some surprises, especially for businesses, and people holding assets for capital gains.

Businesses In keeping with the longer term aim of gradually reducing corporation tax over the next few years, to make the UK one of the lowest tax jurisdictions for businesses, it was announced that Corporation Tax will be cut by a further 1% to 17% in April 2020. This follows the previously announced rate of 18% that was to apply.

However, in contrast to the future cut in corporation tax mentioned above, the rate of additional corporation tax on loans made by owner managed companies to their shareholders/directors will increase to 32.5% from the long standing rate of 25%. It applies to loans made on or after 6 April 2016.

The government will extend the 100% first year allowance (FYA) for low emission cars for a further three years from April 2018 to April 2021. However, the carbon dioxide emission threshold below which cars will be eligible for the FYA is to be reduced from 75g/km to 50g/km from April 2018. The main rate threshold for capital allowances for business cars will reduce to 110 grams/kilometre of CO2.

Class 2 National Insurance has been around for many years, but from 2018 it is planned to be abolished, with a new “merged” Class 4 charge taking its place for self-employed individuals.

The Budget speech was expected by many to stop, with immediate effect, business owners voluntarily liquidating their company and only paying capital gains tax, rather than income tax, on the distribution. Whilst the speech was silent

on this, the recent draft Finance Act does include a change for distributions made on or after 6 April 2016. We are still considering these new rules and to what extent voluntary liquidations will be caught, but the draft clauses seem to indicate that only situations where the shareholders start another similar trade within 2 years of the distribution will be exposed to income tax.

Capital Gains Tax Measures were announced which revisited some Entrepreneurs Relief changes from last years budget which resulted in unfavourable consequences for genuine commercial situations.

Three measures were introduced focussing on Joint Venture arrangements, associated disposals of personally owned business assets, and goodwill sold as part of a family succession; which in essence reinstate the availability of entrepreneurs relief on these types of disposals.

There were some unpredicted announcements on Capital Gains Tax rates for disposals on or after 6 April 2016, of assets other than properties which are not one’s principal residence (i.e. investment properties). Clarification for mixed use properties is to be included in the final rules.

The headline rate will be cut to 20% from 28% and there will be a cut to 10% from 18% for basic rate taxpayers.

In addition, a new 10% rate of Capital Gains Tax for gains will apply on newly issued shares in unlisted companies purchased on or after 17 March 2016, provided they are held for a minimum of three years from 6 April 2016, and subject to a separate lifetime limit of £10 million of gains.

band for 2016/17 is £32,000 with a 0% starting rate band of £5,000 for certain types of savings income. The government previously announced that the 20% basic rate limit would be £32,000 for 2016/17 and £32,400 for 2017/18. The figure for 2016/17 is unchanged; the figure for 2017/18 has been revised upwards to £33,500. As a result, the higher rate threshold (i.e. the personal allowance plus the basic rate band) will be £43,000 in 2016/17 and £45,000 in 2017/18.

The National Insurance Contributions (NIC) upper earnings limit will also increase to remain aligned with the higher rate threshold.

The ISA limit is to rise to £20,000 from April 2017, and along with the new lifetime ISA for people aged under 40 to save up to £4,000 per year and receive a bonus of £1 from the Government for every £4 invested, seems designed to aid people who have minimal pension provision. There is supposed to be no tax charge on drawing the funds early from the lifetime ISA, unlike a pension.

Jon Miles or one of his tax team can be contacted on Jon Miles 01225325580 if you want to understand these, and other Budget changes. See our website www.richardsonswift.co.uk

Personal Taxes The government proposes to increase the higher rate tax threshold to £50,000 by the end of the current parliament. The income tax basic rate

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

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ocl

141 Englishcombe Lane, Tel: 01225 445507

www.oclaccountancy.com

Your company and the new dividend taxation rules

A C C O U N TA N C Y

WORRIED ABOUT DEMENTIA?

Bath BA2 2EL

A major change to the taxation of dividend income came into effect on 5th April 2016 that will affect all owner managed businesses:

• The notional tax credit is being abolished • A new £5,000 dividend allowance will be introduced i.e. the first £5,000 of dividend income will be “tax free” regardless of other income • Over £5,000, new tax rates apply to all dividends e.g. 7.5% for basic

D

ementia has a huge impact on people, their friends and family. The dementia support and research charity, Alzheimer’s Society, wants to reassure people that there is information, advice and support that can help keep people connected. Chris Atkinson, from the charity, tackles some of the most commonly asked questions: Q. I don’t have Alzheimer’s, I have dementia, can you still help me?

Yes, we are here for anyone affected by dementia, not just Alzheimer’s. We do everything we can to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and the people who matter most.

Q. I’m worried about my family member/friend’s memory but I don’t know how to talk to them about it?

Talking about dementia can be frightening, but seeking help early offers the best chance of getting the right support, advice and treatment. This is where our Dementia Support Service can help. Our staff can give you help and advice about how to broach the subject and what to do next.

rate taxpayers and 32.5% for higher rate taxpayers

Q. Do I have to stop driving because of my dementia?

Someone who is diagnosed with dementia may be able to continue driving for some time. However, they must fulfill certain legal requirements. As the person's dementia progresses, they will reach a point where they can no longer drive safely and must stop driving. At Alzheimer’s Society we can give you the information you need.

• Provides new opportunities for tax planning • Means that drawing income from your own company by a combination

Q. Can I still do the things I enjoy doing?

At Alzheimer's Society, we believe passionately that life doesn't end when dementia begins. We speak to many people who are supported to continue doing the things they enjoy, and some have taken up new hobbies following a diagnosis. We want to see communities coming together to support people to lead more fulfilling lives and continue to take part in the activities that they have always enjoyed and help them find the confidence to try new ones.

Under the old system, dividend income was effectively free of tax for basic rate taxpayers. Although that has changed, the new system: of salary and dividend still returns the lowest effective tax rate when compared to alternatives such as salary / bonus or self employment.

The amount of additional tax payable will of course depend on a number of circumstances, but tax planning remains essential.

Call Marie Maggs, Mike Wilcox or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 for a no-obligation meeting.

We look forward to meeting you - and see our website for more, including FREE download guides.

What our clients say:

“Thank you for your excellent customer service, OCL has been one of the best things we have done as a business” “For us, in our 30 years experience, OCL Accountancy is the best fit we have found”

Boost your profits - Reduce your tax Maximise your wealth

Call Marie Maggs, Mike Wilcox or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting 60 TheBATHMagazine

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Q. Is there a cure for dementia?

Currently, there is no known cure for dementia. Scientists from around the world are involved in research to try to find one. However, there are drugs that can help to improve some of the symptoms or stop them progressing for a while, depending on the type of dementia. Non-drug treatments and support after diagnosis are also valuable. n

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BUSINESS | FEATURE

70 YEARS OF SERVICE

Leading Bath law firm Mowbray Woodwards celebrates its 70th anniversary

B

ritain was celebrating the end of World War II, Clement Attlee was Prime Minister, bread was being rationed and the American dance craze the jitterbug was sweeping the nation, when leading Bath law firm Mowbray Woodwards opened its doors for the first time in 1946.

Now, some 70 years on, the firm, which has always been based on Queen Square, is making plans to make sure its birthday celebrations are bigger and better than ever later in the year when it marks its seven decades helping people in Bath and the surrounding areas with their legal affairs.

Founded in 1946, Mowbray Woodwards is one of the oldest, most well-established law firms in the region.

It is renowned for its commitment to providing excellent personal service to all its clients and prides itself on taking the time to really get to know clients and understand their specific needs to get the most successful outcomes for them.

Last year, the leading independent research guide, Legal 500 acknowledged Mowbray Woodwards’ dedication to providing the best possible service to its clients at all times.

The firm received special recognition for its family law and personal tax, trusts and probate legal services. Special mention was given to Mowbray Woodwards’ family law team which was described as: ‘excellent in every case’ and the personal tax, trusts and probate team was praised for being ‘professional, friendly and trustworthy’.

Mowbray’s team of specialist solicitors can help individuals and

IN THE BATH COMMUNITY : main picture, Mowbray Woodwards’ Bath office in Queen Square Right, managing partner Tracey Smith and inset below, new arrivals Jennifer Clarke and Owen Mason

businesses with all their legal requirements from Family Law, Property, Wills, Trusts & Probate, Elderly Support, Mental Capacity, Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law, Motoring Law, Commercial Property and Commercial Law. To mark its special year, Mowbray Woodwards is launching a new brand identity and advertising campaign with a new message – Life and Law since 1946.

This highlights the firm’s history and the fact that it’s there for you providing expert personal and business legal services throughout all your life changes.

Managing partner of Mowbray Woodwards Tracey Smith, said: “2016 is an exciting year for us marking 70 years in the heart of Bath proudly serving people’s legal needs – whether they are personal or business-related.

“Our clients are our key focus and they benefit from direct contact with our exceptional, forward thinking, local legal experts who never rest on their laurels. We’re proud to be located in the heart of the Bath community and have always actively supported local charities and events.

“Preparations are well underway for our 70th anniversary celebrations later this year – so watch this space!”

To find out more information, visit: mowbraywoodwards.co.uk. n

KEY APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN GROWING TEAM This spring Mowbray Woodwards has strengthened its private client and residential property team with two new key appointments.

Owen Mason has joined as a solicitor in the private client team responsible for advising clients on wills, trusts, probate and powers of attorney.

Prior to his new role, Owen spent nearly three years as a solicitor at Cooperative Legal Services in Bristol. He said: “I am thrilled to be part of its expansion plans as the private client side of the business continues to grow and flourish. I love my role helping people to get their financial and property affairs in order and enjoy advising them on everything from drafting wills and estate planning to helping with inheritance tax matters.

It’s exciting to have the opportunity to develop my career in Bath, where my parents still live and where I spent several summers during my university days.”

Jennifer Clarke has joined the residential property team as a solicitor. Jennifer has enjoyed a stellar rise in her career since she started as a secretary at a law firm in Newport in 2009.

She quickly rose through the ranks becoming a paralegal while studying for her law degree at Cardiff University and following graduation, became a trainee solicitor in the residential conveyancing team with stints in wills and probate. Jennifer said: “The competition for roles for newly qualified solicitors is fierce. I am looking forward to becoming established in the Bath property market and helping as many people as possible achieve their property goals.”

Paralegal Dan Akers moves from business services to residential property and paralegal Harriet Woodman, from the family law team, has been awarded a training contract to become a qualified solicitor.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

The way you divorce could save your business

By Richard Sharp, Sharp Family Law – Bath and Bristol Solicitors. Producing Resolution not Prolonging Conflict

I learnt that Sarah knew little about the business and was concerned that she would lose out. Rob felt that the business was ‘his’ rather than an asset to be shared.

A nasty divorce can mean trouble for business The impact of marriage breakdown and divorce does ripple out well beyond the family home. A business caught in the cross-fire of a divorce will suffer. Inattention from a stressed-out, depressed or preoccupied owner can lose customers and business opportunities, divorce costs can escalate as competing lawyers and forensic accountants pick over the assets of the business.

A business interest is an asset to be divided between both spouses. It can often be the most valuable asset in the married and the biggest bone of contention in the divorce. Valuing it is a complex, costly and time-consuming.

How and who values it can be a major flashpoint of conflict. Aside from its financial value, the emotional attachments can inflame the one who created it as he or she faces the prospect of sharing it with the other who has had no involvement in it.

The process you choose for your divorce can determine its outcome What Sarah really wanted was the security of keeping the family home, not an interest in the business.

Rob wanted to keep control of his business in

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Bath and the future benefits it might bring. They both wanted to avoid the acrimony and trauma of a traditional adversarial divorce court process.

from the options available that met their interests and needs without either feeling disadvantaged.

The collaborative divorce process proved to:

They feared that might destroy the business and the wealth they were trying to divide. They didn’t want a judge sitting in the Bath county court determining financial arrangements in their place.

Rob and Sarah selected me and another Bath collaborative lawyer to work with them and together we committed to resolve matters between us without involving the court.

❝

a business interest is an asset to be divided between both spouses

❝

R

ob was successful entrepreneur who had built up a business in Bath during the marriage. He came to see me as his marriage of ten years to Sarah had come to an end.

We committed to resolve matters between us without involving the court.

We introduced a collaboratively trained financial advisor. He looked from a neutral perspective at the assets of the marriage including the business and the family home, and helped Rob and Sarah to understand the division options open to them.

A family consultant worked with them to address their emotions towards each other, develop communication and a level of trust between them.

Through a series of meetings attended by Rob and me, Sarah and lawyer, we found a solution

• Preserve the wealth held by Rob and Sarah and not destroy it • Ensure the right professional dealt with the right problem for Rob and Sarah • Encourage Rob and Sarah to think creatively and craft solutions that worked for them and their family • Enable them to decide and keep control of what happened and how fast it happened.

Every divorcing couple is different, and a collaborative divorce is not for everyone.

But Rob and Sarah found that a collaborative divorce can enable solutions to be found and destruction to be limited, to maintain those things that were important to them and their family.

To find out more, contact Richard Sharp at Sharp Family law on 01225 448955.

Clare Webb

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: 07798 606 740 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com

Monahans fp.qxp_Layout 1 15/04/2016 16:37 Page 1

Call Monahans Financial Services now on 01225 472800 Lennox House, 3 Pierrepont Street, Bath BA1 1LB www.monahans-fsl.co.uk

With Monahans Financial Services you’re in safe hands.

Our Family Wealth Transfer Advice can help to ensure your wealth is passed on through the generations to those you care about the most.

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FAMILY | EVENTS

FAMILYDIARY TWO BANK HOLIDAYS AND HALF-TERM MEAN MORE FUN FOR FAMILIES INTO THE WEST Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 May, 11.30am & 3pm n The egg theatre, Sawclose, Bath Travelling Light theatre company celebrates the 20th anniversary of this magical show about a glorious white horse who rises from the sea mist and ends up being kept on the 14th floor of a tower block. Suitable children aged seven and over. Tickets: £8.50/£7.50 children. Tel: 01225 823409 or visit: theatreroyal.org.uk.

Also at the egg theatre this month ANATOMY OF THE PIANO (FOR BEGINNERS) Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 May, 11.30am & 3pm Pianist Will Pickvance and his musical adventure was named Best Children’s Show runner-up by Fringe World last year. It all begins with an exploratory tinkle on the piano that quickly sweeps the audience up into the music. Tickets: £8.50/£7.50. Suitable for ages six and over.

STIG OF THE DUMP Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 May, times vary It’s almost 50 years since Clive King’s story of Stig and Barney was first published and this London Contemporary Theatre production brings them to a new audience. Suitable for ages five and over. Tickets: £8.50/£7.50.

SMILEY COYOTES Every Thursday in May, 10.30am – 12pm n The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath Join other families for a crafts workshop and a variety of fun activities, including singing and storytelling, in the museum’s beautiful grounds.

For children aged 0-5. £8 per family. Must be booked in advance. Visit: americanmuseum.org or tel: 01225 820866.

CREATE: ART Saturday 21 May 10.30am – 12.30pm n The Edge, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath Led by artist educator Dorcas Casey, this class is aimed at children aged three to 11 years, who must bring an adult. Activities vary from sticking, collage and drawing to printmaking and using textiles. Spend quality time together in an informal, supportive and friendly environment, and pick up tips for making art at home. £5 per child, £3 per adult. Booking is advised. To book tel: 01225 386777 or visit: icia.org.uk.

Also at The Edge this month CREATE: MOVEMENT Saturday 21 May, 10.30am – 11.30pm Create Movement is led by dancer and educator Laura Street and activities are often inspired by current ICIA exhibitions and vary from simple movement to playful creations.

Sessions are used to explore how our bodies move. Suitable for children aged three to 11, who must bring an adult. £5 per child, £3 per adult.

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Nutty Noah brings music and laughter to Bath

CREATENOW! Wednesdays in May, 4 – 5pm n The Pound arts centre, Pound Pill, Corsham Children can learn new artistic skills at this after-school club, run by a professional artist.

Suitable for ages six to 11. £60 for 10 weeks, taster session free. Discount for siblings.

Also at the Pound this month FAMILY ACTIVITIES: BRICKING IT Tuesday 31 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm n The Pound arts centre, Pound Pill, Corsham Get creative and build something spectacular.

The Pound provides a mountain of LEGO and it is your family’s challenge to create an impressive building. Free, donations welcome.

Booking not required.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: CRAFTY KIDS Thursday 2 June, 10.30am – 12.30pm Have some messy fun at this family craft workshop. Free, donations welcome. Age guidance five and over, with a colouring corner for pre-schoolers. No booking required.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Saturday 28 May, 2pm It will be a laugh a minute at this comedy show for children. Some of the best comedians on the world circuit will be performing. Tickets: £7, £6 concessions, £24 family.

BRISTOL OLD VIC THEATRE SCHOOL PRESENTS A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Friday 10 June, 7.30pm The whole family can step into the magical world of Shakespeare with this hilarious production of one of his most famous plays.

Tickets: £11/£10 for concessions. Box office: 01249 701628. Visit: poundarts.org.uk.

MUSICAL RUMPUS: RUN, RINDLE, RILL Saturday 21 May, 11am n Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon As part of Bath International Music Festival the Wiltshire Music Centre has invited Spitalfields Music award-winning interactive opera for babies and toddlers. Enjoy a magical musical journey with Vivaldi, shapes, songs and sounds.

Suitable for children up to two and a half.

Tickets: Adults £8, children £4. Book online:

bathfestivals.org.uk or tel: 01225 463363.

FAMILY MUSIC DAY Sunday 29 May, 11am – 3pm n Bath International Music Festival at Parade Gardens, Bath A free event for holders of B&NES Council (non-card holders pay £1.50 adults and 80p concessions). There’ll be drop-in workshops in musical marquees for children to have a go on various instrument, bands will play on the bandstand and there’ll be a treasure hunt.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic and make a day out of it.

NUTTY NOAH: WEAR YOUR PANTS WITH PRIDE Monday 30 May, 2pm n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath Half-term fun as part of the Bath Fringe Festival. Nutty Noah, as seen on CBBC, brings a mix of comedy, music and fun to Bath.

Tickets: £7 adults, £6 children. Tel: 0845 293 8480.

Also at Komedia this month MILKSHAKE! Tuesday 31 May, 11.15am Packed with magic tricks, sword swallowing, music, mind reading and cookies, the coolest comedy show for kids is coming to Bath this month. Nominated as the Best Family Show 2015 at the Brighton Fringe. Recommended for ages two to eight. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets: £7 adults, £6 children, £22 family.

THE TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Wednesday 1 June, 11.30am Bring your teddy and a picnic along for a fun filled performance with live songs, stories and music. Recommended for ages two and above.

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets: £7 adults, £6 children, £22 family.

TODDLER TRAILS Tuesdays in May, 10.45 – 11.30am n Dyrham Park National Trust property, north of Bath on the A46 Garden trails designed for toddlers; learn about shape, colour and numbers while exploring nature. Trail lasts approx. 30-45 mins. Arrive at the car park by 10.30am to catch the first shuttle bus down to the house. Trails may be cancelled in bad weather. Normal admission applies. Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrhampark, tel: 0117 9371333.

Also at Dyrham Park this month 50 THINGS DAY Wednesday 1 June, 11am – 3pm Head over to the Old Lodge for a fun-filled day of activities for all the family. Based on the National Trust's '50 things to do before you're 11 3/4', the team will be helping children to tick off a number of activities from the list, including flying kites and hunting for bugs.

Free, normal admission charges apply for the venue.

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FAMILY | EVENTS

ANIMAL ANTICS Monday 30 May – Friday 3 June, 10am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm n Roman Baths Children can get creative and make their own mobile influenced by the animals around the Roman Baths. All included in admission price, no need to book. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

BUTTERFLY BALL Wednesday 1 June, 10.30 – 11.30am & 12 – 1pm n Victoria Art Gallery Learn how to make a caterpillar picture and a butterfly mask at this free workshop for children aged three to six.

Also at the Victoria Art Gallery this month ANIMAL EXPLORER Friday 3 June, 10.30 – 11.30am & 12 – 1pm Using wax resist and a range of pencils and paints children can paint their favourite animal, inspired by the gallery’s paintings. Suitable for ages six – 11. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

MAKE A FOX CUSHION Thursday 2 June, 10.30am – 12pm n The Makery, Union Passage, Bath Children can learn how to make their very own fox cushion at this workshop. All materials and drinks included. £15 per child. Suitable for ages eight and over. To book tel: 01225 581888 or visit themakery.co.uk.

Also at The Makery this month WORKSHOP FOR TEENAGERS: MONOGRAM PURSE Wednesday 1 June, 10.30am – 12.30pm This workshop is perfect for those who have used a sewing machine before and are looking for a new project. Learn how to make your own zipped purse with a tassel zipper, decorated with your own initial. Add a pom-pom or decorate it with any shapes you like. £18 per person. All materials included. Suitable for ages 11 – 16.

THE CHANGING FACE OF FASHION Tuesday 31 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3.30pm n Fashion Museum Children can make flickerbooks to show how fashion has changed over the centuries, or have a go at dressing up Thaumatropes. Included in admission price, no need to book. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

SHAKESPEARE UNTOLD Saturday 14 May, 2.30 – 4.30pm & 7.30 – 9.30pm n The Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road Larkhall, Bath Shakespeare’s Globe and Seabright Productions present this family-friendly production based on the plays of William Shakespeare, but from the perspective of the characters you have never seen before. Romeo and Juliet is retold through the eyes of the Capulet Ball’s party planner,

Shakespeare from a new perspective at The Rondo Theatre while Titus Andronicus is staged from the viewpoint of the kitchen’s piemaker. Tickets: £14/£12 concessions. Tel: 0333 666 3366 or visit: ticketsource.co.uk/rondotheatre.

LEARN HOW TO CROSS STITCH Wednesday 1 June, 10.30am – 12.30pm n Wells Cathedral Taking place in the cathedral’s education room, families will be able to have go at creating their own masterpiece by learning how to cross stitch. £2 per person. Advance booking not required. n

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FITNESS | AND WELLBEING

FITNESS & WELLBEING

As the weather begins to get warmer, we’re taking advantage of the lighter evenings by heading outside and getting some exercise.

Here The Bath Magazine brings you the best spots in Bath where you can get fit and healthy ahead of your summer holiday

THE MEDICAL 32a Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AN Also at 37 Beckhampton Road, Oldfield Park Tel: 01225 444001 Web: themedical.co.uk THE Medical now has two practices in Bath based in the city centre and in Oldfield Park. Open mornings, evenings and on Saturdays, chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments are available from 8am to 8pm. There’s free on-street parking and the practices are located just a short walk from public transport links.

All of the chiropractors, physiotherapists and massage therapists are highly experienced, chartered members of their relevant professional associations and THE Medical is also approved by the government's healthcare watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, which assesses whether a practice is safe, caring and responsive to a patient’s needs.

Assessments start from just £9 and can be booked by phone or by email at info@themedical.co.uk.

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FITNESS | AND WELLBEING

HEALTH BATH

TAKE CHARGE BIKES

23 Crescent Lane, Bath, BA1 2PX Tel: 01225 465111 Web: health-bath.co.uk

1 Victoria Buildings, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, BA2 3EH Tel: 01225 789568 Web: takechargebikes.co.uk

HEALTH Bath exists to help you achieve optimal health and fitness through a scientific, individualised approach to transforming your health and body shape.

Their private personal training studio in Bath is equipped to create the atmosphere of an exclusive boutique hotel/spa, with the functionality of a high performance training gym.

Their team of experts will offer you an initial free consultation to discuss your health and goals before recommending a suitable package for you and ensure you will have the greatest chance of achieving them by addressing their three pillars of health: Lifestyle, Exercise and Nutrition: LEaN™.

No one would argue with the fact that switching your commute from using a car to riding a bike creates a host of benefits for both you and your surrounding environment.

Governments warn the public about heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity; all of these can be avoided by getting on your bike. Exercise, even at moderate levels, helps to reduce stress and depression, as well as improving your mood and self-esteem.

But could it be the idea of pedalling up all those steep hills around cities like Bath is putting people off switching to riding a bike to work? This is where the electric bike comes in.

It provides all of the benefits of a regular bicycle, but with the added bonus of not arriving at work needing a shower since it helps to reduce the effort of pedalling uphill and into headwinds. You can still take exercise and you are still lowering your carbon footprint, all while saving money.

Take Charge Bikes is an award winning company with locations in Bath, Exeter, Woking and Cheltenham. They offer a wide selection of quality electric bikes from commuting bikes, tourers, leisure, folding, cargo bikes, tandems and even mountain bikes.

They offer service and maintenance on all types of bikes as well as conversions in their fully equipped workshops.

Anybody who is considering an electric bike is encouraged to pop along and try a demo bike.

With 0% finance on offer and the cycle to work scheme, there are many options to help you purchase your electric bike affordably and comfortably.

An electric bike works like a regular bicycle but with power assistance when you want it.

Take charge of your life – you too can really benefit from an electric bike.

THE RECOVERY STUDIO At Bath Yoga Studio, Norfolk Buildings, James Street West, Bath, BA1 2BT Tel: 07843 643112 Web: therecoverystudio.co.uk Sophie Gover opened The Recovery Studio in January 2016 from premises on the outskirts of Bradford On Avon and now has a second branch in Bath city centre, delivering the latest techniques in advanced remedial massage and soft tissue therapy.

At The Recovery Studio, Sophie provides pain relieving therapy and rehabilitation to any lifestyle, occupational or sport related injuries, aches and pains, as well as postural assessment and muscular dysfunction re-alignment.

Sophie has significant experience in working with various elite athletes to include professional golfers and netball players, the Great Britain Skeleton team and the England Rugby Sevens team.

Sophie is a fully accredited physiologist with the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences and also holds the highest UK professional qualification in soft tissue therapy.

Visit Sophie’s website to book an appointment or email info@therecoverystudio.co.uk.

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FITNESS | AND WELLBEING

YOGA BODHI Studio 1, 8a Bartlett Street, Bath, BA1 2QZ Tel: 01225 464848 Web: yogabodhi.co.uk Yoga Bodhi is a dedicated yoga space in the centre of Bath, five minutes walk from The Podium car park. Simona has created a warm, quiet and light yoga space in the heart of Bath. Join their yoga classes, special events and guest teacher workshops.

There are yoga classes in a range of styles suitable for all, from beginners to advanced students and from gentle yoga to dynamic vinyasa practice.

They also offer a range of pre-natal and post-natal classes from baby massage and mum and baby yoga to strong mama post natal strength training. There is a spacious studio with varied classes running every week, a communal space to have tea and chat and changing rooms.

Yoga Bodhi has all the yoga mats and props you will need so you only need to bring yourselves. Classes run throughout the week.

PHYSIOIMPULSE 28 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG Tel: 01225 683007 Web: physioimpulse.co.uk Also at: Phase One, Comfortable Place; Genesis Lifestyle Centre, Weston and Bath Sports Centre, North Parade Founded in 2001 Physioimpulse have a team of specialist Chartered Physiotherapists. They also provide a range of treatments, including: - Chiropractic Treatment: Manipulative therapy for the treatment of all your spinal complaints.

- Sports Massage: For anyone who is taking part in exercise on a regular basis.

- Clinical Pilates: 1-1 Physiotherapy led sessions to maintain the beneficial effects of any treatment programme and also to improve core strength and flexibility.

- Bike Set-up and Running Analysis: For those looking to cycle or run further, faster or in greater comfort and all whilst avoiding injury.

Their multidisciplinary team provides the complete package of services for all your physical treatment needs.

Visit their website for an extensive list of treatments, advice videos and even exercise ideas.

GREEN KITE HEALTHCARE The Glasshouse, 85 Lyncombe Hill, Bath, BA2 4PJ Tel: 0333 332 1491 Web: gkhealth.co.uk

Green Kite Healthcare is a Bath-based network of local doctors who provide patients with health services that are no longer covered by the NHS – all to the highest standards of clinical care but delivered at highly competitive prices on account of being delivered from GP health centres rather than at private hospitals.

Green Kite currently offers a minor skin surgery service, including the removal of non-cancerous moles, cysts, warts, lipoma and skin tags which do not represent a health risk and are not covered by the NHS. The procedures are undertaken by doctors as convenient ‘one-stop’ appointments with the vast majority not requiring stitches. Patients have been delighted with the results.

TOTAL FITNESS BATH 3 Saracen Street, Bath, BA1 5BR Tel: 01225 444164 Web: totalfitnessbath.co.uk Road, cycleways, triathlon, electric, mountain biking, leisure riding, commuting or kids bikes - Total Fitness have it all. They stock specialized bikes and lots of clothing, accessories, shoes, helmets and much more to make your cycling experience comfortable and enjoyable. You can shop with them in-store, online or over the phone.

A large range of clothing and equipment is available for the triathletes among you, including trisuits and wetsuits.

Total Fitness Bath have a large, fully equipped workshop, which can deal anything from changing an inner tube through to a full service on any kind of bike – if it has two wheels and operates under pedal power, they will work on it.

BG Bike Fit is available to ensure that your bike fits you perfectly and this can be booked in-store or over the phone, as well as a wide range of cycle to work schemes and 0% finance on bikes and equipment above £400.

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B A T H

Summer Treats SPRAY TAN - £25 MINI MANICURE & PEDICURE - £40 HOT WAX BRAZILIAN - £30 ARTISTIC GLOSS MANICURE - £35 Available - August 2015

green street house, 14 green street, bath BA1 2JZ Tel: 01225 426000 Email: info@greenstreethouse.com www.greenstreethouse.com * No two offers can be used together. Quote this ad when booking

Specialists in Ellipse IPL Permanent Hair Reduction treatments

What is Cryotherapy and what does it treat?

Before and After Treatments

Dermapen Cryo is an advanced cryotherapy innovation that is fast, effective and safe and a new solution for removal of skin imperfections.

The Dermapen Cryo emits a fine jet of nitrous oxide under high pressure which destroys the tissue without damaging the

• Permanent Hair Reduction •

healthy surrounding skin.

• No more shaving, waxing or depilatory creams •

Dermapen Cryo offers the ideal treatment for

• Safe and effective, even on fragile or delicate areas •

• skin tags • sun damage • pigmentation • age spots •

• FREE CONSULTATIONS AND PATCH TEST •

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the orangery l a s e r

&

b e a u t y

c l i n i c

No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath • Tel: 01225 466851 • www.theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk

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The best little HAIR & BEAUTY SALONS IN BATH

Every year we run the hugely popular ‘Best Little Shops in Bath’ feature – but for this issue, we have saved something rather special for you. The Bath Magazine has been enjoying a tour of some of the city’s best hair and beauty salons . . . and wow, do we look good

ARTIZAN GEORGE STREET Artizan George Street Townhouse, George Street, Bath, BA1 2EH Tel: 01225 447087 Web: artizanbath.co.uk At this bespoke, boutique-style salon you will be treated to an exclusive Aveda experience. They will pamper you with Aveda hair products, for your hair type, and every client is offered an Aveda complimentary stress-relieving neck, head and shoulder or hand massage, using mood-lifting flower and plant essences – a lovely treat.

They have a reputation for excellent hair services and high customer satisfaction. On arrival your stylist will give you an initial consultation, where they will take the time to understand what it is you really want to achieve with your hair, whilst helping and advising you on what will work for your face shape and lifestyle. The Artizan George Street Townhouse mantra is: a hairstyle isn’t just about fashion.

It must suit your face shape, your lifestyle and, most of all, your personality.

THE ORANGERY LASER & BEAUTY CLINIC No. 2 Kingsmead Street, Bath, BA1 2AA Tel: 01225 466851.

Web: theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk The Orangery Laser & Beauty Clinic is an independent salon situated in a corner of Kingsmead Square in the heart of the city centre. The clinic has been established for over 20 years and has an excellent reputation. An oasis of calm with a friendly professional service they offer exceptional customer care and an extensive list of treatments by a small team of experienced Beauty Therapists and IPL Laser Technicians.

Additional to all the usual maintenance beauty treatments they are also well known for offering professional and affordable IPL Laser (Hair & Red Vein reduction) and retailing salon exclusive Guinot and Jan Marini Products.

PLANET BEAUTY 4 Moorland Road, Oldfield Park, Bath, BA2 3PJ Tel: 01225 469090 Situated on vibrant Moorland Road and recently renovated, Planet Beauty offers a warm, unique, hands-on professional service for all its clients.

Their therapists are highly trained in many varied areas including: laser; radio frequency; micro-dermabrasion; Nimue chemical peels; manicures; pedicures; waxing (specialising in intimate waxing); massage (swedish, reflexology, Indian head, sports, hot stone, hopi).

They are exclusive stockists in the Bath area of the Nimue beauty skin technology product range. Globally recognised as one of the most comprehensive skin resurfacing ranges on the market, achieving results across a variety of skin conditions, such as ageing, problematic, hyper-pigmentation and reactive conditions as well as providing preventative and maintenance home care products. Planet Beauty also stocks of Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup.

Whether you just want to pamper yourself or that special person, Planet Beauty prides itself in catering for everybody. Pamper packages for special occasions, birthday parties for young ladies, hen parties, weddings and of course gift vouchers.

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THE CLAIRE BROWN WISTERIA LANE SALON First Floor, 29 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG Tel: 01225 462112 Web: clairebrownhairsalon.com

Look up! Bath's best-kept secret on Milsom Street is above TM Lewin and through the archway to Broad Street Car Park.

Climb the stairs and be warmly greeted by a team of hair and beauty specialists, headed by creative director of 14 years, Claire Brown.

A 'room with a view' awaits, with a friendly atmosphere to relax, unwind and feel fabulous.

That is the Claire Brown promise.

A SP Wella salon, trained in women's, men's and children's haircare that is professional and affordable.

Claire specialises in wedding and party hair and offers a range of beauty treatments including henna and threading, as well as offering massage and tanning services. All of the team at Claire Brown are dedicated to providing the highest quality service. Claire is offering 20% off all services for readers of The Bath Magazine.

2 Trim Street Bath, BA1 1HD Tel: 01225 337912 Web: wisterialaneuk.com

Central to the busy streets of Bath, Wisteria Lane specialises in providing a relaxed and friendly service. The tranquil treatment rooms are spread over two floors and can cater for a wide range of customers.

It provides the perfect environment to relax and unwind your body and the upstairs nail room and pedicure suite allows you to sit with friends and pass the day away while enjoying the highest expertise in nail treatments.

Wisteria Lane use products that they are passionate about and that they know are of the highest quality, to ensure you leave happy and pleased with the results.

Using the high quality Young Nails brand, they create the perfect set of gel nails from a wide range of colours, twinkle finish or French polish. Young Nails Gel is an advanced formula, developed to deliver superior adhesion and strength, resulting in beautifully sculpted natural looking nails. The gel is non porous, causing no damage to your natural nail and is easy to maintain.

Alternatively, ManiQ is designed for those clients seeking a natural nail with tremendous shine, colour and chip resistance with a perfect finish and protection that will last for weeks. Brush on colour gel will help weak thin nails, giving you fabulous results without the maintenance.

Wisteria lane also specialises in waxing, including men’s and women’s intimate waxing.

Luxury brand Cirepil Perron Rigot hot wax is suitable for all techniques and skin types, using only the finest ingredients. There are various textures and types of product, especially designed for specific areas and skin types which are therefore targeted to your personal needs, ensuring perfect results every time.

For those wishing to explore more specialist treatments, Wisteria Lane work in partnership with Dr Paul Silvester to provide wrinkle correction treatments, dermal fillers and teeth whitening. There is also the option to try semi-permanent make-up with Bethan Francesca.

Whatever your beauty needs, you are always be guaranteed a warm welcome from hard working and bubbly staff at Wisteria Lane, whose aim is for you to leave them feeling self confident and looking great.

FRONTLINESTYLE BATH 4/5 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AJ Tel: 01225 478478 Web: frontlinestyle.co.uk FRONTLINEstyle Boutique Hair Salon and Day Spa is a longstanding, award winning family business offering a wide array of hair and beauty treatments perfect for every day pampering, a special occasion or hen party. This luxury Grade II listed treatment spa, spread across three floors in central Bath is renowned for its state of the art facilities and expert team of therapists.

Using only the very best quality brands and products such as Clarins, Caudalie, Wella, Living Proof and Philip Kingsley, to name but a few, this ensures customers receive a high-end professional service, time after time.

The friendly, polite and highly trained team specialise in hair and scalp concerns, as well as having a specialist wig fitting service. In beauty, expert therapists offer the award-winning CACI Ultimate non-surgical facelifts. Whilst the Ellipse 12PL offers permanent hair reduction and skin rejuvenation.

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BARE BEAUTY Helen Mulloy Reid, Priory Place, 158 North Road, Combe Down Bath, BA2 5DL Tel/text: 07986 863797 or e-mail info@barebeautytherapy.co.uk to book Bare Beauty operates from Helen Mulloy’s gorgeous cottage based in the lovely village of Combe Down. There is street parking right outside and off road parking to the rear of the cottage in a private lane. Helen offers an incredibly private, individual personal service.

Her clients leave with no fear of being caught with a post facial look or giveaway red marks post waxing.

At the last count there were over 575 different nail polish colours and 75 gel nail polish colours to select from so you are more than spoilt for choice. These are beautifully displayed in vintage tubs left over from Helen’s floristry and styling days, now given a new lease of life for Bare Beauty.

Helen is very excited to launch a new element to Bare Beauty with bridal make-up now available. She also has a wonderful range of 100% organic vegetable wax softly, subtlety scented candles made locally that she uses during treatments. These are also available to buy to take home.

The Bare Beauty signature facial is based around using the Suti product range as Helen is a great believer in keeping skin care simple, natural and effective with the use of oils, balms and fresh air.

'Be your own kind of beautiful' really sums up her feeling on make-up and she aims to create beautiful natural looking skin, softly groomed brows and feathery lashes with long lasting, flawless makeup using quality brands.

GREEN STREET HOUSE 14 Green Street, Bath. BA1 2JZ Tel: 01225 426000 Web: greenstreethouse.com Green Street House is a unique urban day spa located in the centre of Bath. They offer a luxury relaxation experience whilst providing high performance treatments, therapies, and rituals using their carefully selected range of spa products.

Green Street House’s focus is very much on the customer and their journey, attention to detail and overall wellbeing.

Boasting five treatment rooms including a ritual suite for dual treatments, a shower room for body wraps plus a heavenly relaxation suite to be enjoyed before and after treatments, Green Street House has something to offer everyone.

Green Street House can also provide for an array of occasions. Whether you’re seeking a hen party venue, a romantic gift for Valentine’s Day or a present for Christmas, the team offers a wide selection of booking options, retail products and gift vouchers to purchase.

They believe the Green Street House experience is an urban day spa like no other.

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JENNIFER LUCKHAM BEAUTY SALON 32 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AN Tel: 01225 428741 Web: jenniferluckham-beautysalon.co.uk

Claire Lawton (CIDESCO) and Heather Lippiatt co-own Jennifer Luckham Beauty Salon and this year are celebrating 26 years of keeping Bath beautiful.

11 St James's Street, Bath. BA1 2TW It’s a very special independent salon offering 01225 446311 beauty therapies, including Clarins face and body treatments, relaxing Thalgo wraps, manicures, pedicures, waxing, electrolysis and CACI non-surgical facelifts.

All the therapists are wonderfully experienced and have been with the salon for many years, which means there’s good continuity for regular clients combined with excellent understanding and care.

New customers are made to feel very welcome and are invited to a complimentary consultation to discuss their requirements.

CORNERS HAIR STUDIO

THE BEST OF THE REST THE SPA & BATH HOUSE The Royal Crescent Hotel, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LS Tel: 01225 823333

DAVID MAXWELL 10 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BQ Tel: 01225 435713

REGIS HAIR SALON Ist Floor of Jolly's, 13 Milsom Street Bath, BA1 1DD Tel: 01225 335308

JJ’s 217 London Road East, Bath, BA1 7NB Tel: 01225 858565

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style

Boutique Salons & Spa

Winner of Bath’s Best Independent Hair & Beauty Award 2015

MAY OFFER REE RECEIVE 2 F MENTS CACI TREAT GA WHEN BUYIN 9 F O SE COUR

Spend the day with us and enjoy our Grade II listed Boutique Day Spa & state of the art Hair Salon which offers an elegant and tranquil environment perfect for pamper days with friends or hen parties.

Book online www.frontlinestyle.co.uk 4/5 Monmouth Street Bath, BA12AJ 01225 478478 bath@frontlinestyle.co.uk

11 Broad Street Wells, BA5 2DJ 01749 672225 wells@frontlinestyle.co.uk

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Bear Grylls May.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2016 10:16 Page 1

HEALTH | BEAUTY

DESERT ISLAND

BEAUTY KIT

IMAGINE YOU’VE GOT THE CALL TO JOIN BEAR GRYLLS ON A REMOTE ISLAND. WHAT ESSENTIAL HAIR AND BEAUTY ITEMS WOULD YOU PACK? WE ASKED SOME OF BATH’S EXPERTS

W

hether you’re planning a tough, island challenge, or simply looking forward to whiling away a couple of weeks on a hotel sun lounger this summer, you’ll want to be equipped with the best skin and hair products to protect and enhance your natural beauty. We asked some of the people who run Bath’s best salons for their essential desert island products.

Claire Lawton of Jennifer Luckham is a fan of classic French brand Clarins, so has mostly picked its tried and tested products.

1 Clarins factor 50 Milk-Lotion spray, £20. A great lightweight spray, good for fair skin and all skin types exposed to intense sunlight. It’s also water and perspiration resistant, helps protect against the drying effects of salt, and nourishes, softens and revitalises the skin.

2 Thalgo Marine shower gel, £14.25. Should we find a freshwater waterfall, or spring to wash in on the island, this is a lovely way to get clean, especially when exercising and travelling.

3 Clarins One Step facial cleanser £21. If Bear is trying to get us moving on to the next challenge, this will be ideal on the move for cleansing. This double phased cleanser gently removes makeup, impurities and leaves skin fresh and comfortable.

4 and 5 Finally, bearing in mind, that I’ll want to look my best for the TV cameras, I’ve opted for Clarins Hibiscus lipstick, £20, and Clarins Wonder Perfect mascara £21.50 Claire says: “I’m looking forward to my weekend with Bear Grylls.”

Betsi from Green Street House says this it what she would pack to take with her.

1 The Dermalogica AGE Smart Starter Kit, £44, contains a full month’s regimen you can use every day for firmer, smoother, healthier skin. The kit contains: skin resurfacing cleanser, antioxidant hydramist, MAP-15 regenerator, dynamic skin recovery SPF30, multivitamin power firm, multivitamin power recovery masque and a handy sample size renewal lip complex.

2 Frangipani Monoi body oil, £35. For hair, nails and the whole body. A perfect after sun cream, which smells deliciously like the Polynesian tiare flower. This exotic oil is rapidly absorbed providing superior moisturisation for dry, parched or mature skin.

3 MOP C-System Hydrating hair conditioner, £14. Infuses medium to coarse hair with its softening moisturisers. Rich in anti-oxidants it’s ideal for colour-treated hair.

4 REN Flash Rinse One-minute facial, £32.

Revitalises and visibly rejuvenates the skin. With water-activated Vitamin C it will neutralise urban grey in a flash, leaving skin looking firm, toned and smoothed, while reducing the signs of fatigue, photo-ageing and skin imperfections.

5 Jane Iredale POMMIST hydration spray, £23.

When the going gets tough, this facial spritz hydrates, conditions and protects all skin types. It also helps to fix makeup securely in place – which is handy if you’re in a tropical environment.

The team at Artizan George Street Townhouse have picked Aveda products, which are stocked at the salon, as product choices as they are all 99% naturally derived, which they think Bear would approve of – that’s fairly wild isn’t it?

1 Aveda Stress Fix Concentrat, £22. Reach for this rollerball whenever life gets stressful. The aromaproven to relieve feelings of stress and includes essences of lavender, lavandin and clary sage from organic farms. It is formulated using the science of aromaology and the power of pure essential oils.

2 Aveda Dry Shampoo, £22, a non-aerosol powder mist that absorbs excess oil between shampoos with calming (very useful in extreme situations) shampure aroma of 25 pure flower and plant essences.

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Fran Warman at Frontlinestyle Bath, was quick to search through the salon’s shelves to find her ideal products.

1 Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance tinted moisturiser, £27. Complexion correcting, oil-free, hydrating SPF20 tinted moisturiser in an all-inone skincare treatment to hide imperfection, even skin tone and most importantly will protect skin from the sun.

2 Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, £18. A must for lips, it uses plants oil to nourish and comfort. And with its vibrant colour and nonsticky feel, this a go to product for the perfect pout on the island.

3 Jessica Phenomen Oil: midi size £9.50, large £14.10. This pocket sized hydrating oil is perfect for the whole body from cuticles to dry feet and knees with its combination of Jojoba and rice oils. You won’t be feeling dry as a desert.

4 Living Proof Healthy Hair 5-in-1 styling treatment, £13. Everything hair needs in one product – perfect for smoothness, volume, conditioning, strength and polish to keep stylish and practical too. Sulfate and silicone free, so I can be kind to my hair even if the island life isn’t.

5 Caudalie Grape Water, £10.

This refreshing cool mist provides instant hydration any time of day.

Moisturises, tones and soothes made from 100% organic grape water. This will help you keep your cool through any challenge.

We’re ready for our close-up, Mr Grylls. n

3 Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £21.50, lightweight, water-resistant UV defense mist that forms an invisible screen to help protect hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours, to minimise colour fading, damage and dryness.

4 Aveda Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser, £18.

This will be perfect for under the waterfall. A colour-safe formula that gently and effectively removes chlorine, salt and product build-up, while helping to maintain moisture balance.

5 Tangle Teezer Compact Styler, £12.99. Just about the best on-the-go brush. Excellent for detangling any hair type, wet or dry, on men or women. The brush is small with a removable cover to protect the teeth from fluff and dirt.

Rob PT May.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2016 11:13 Page 1

GET IN SHAPE FOR SUMMER

Rob Suchet, one of the UK’s top personal trainers, based in Bath, offers his top tips for looking and feeling better

F

irst step: clean up your nutrition.

Nutrition is the key. You may exercise three or four times a week, but how many times to do put food or drink in your mouth? Here’s my general prescription for healthy nutrition.

Eat less starch (cereal, bread, rice pasta, potatoes), no sugar and eat meat or fish at most meals. Eat as many green vegetables as you like (preferably organic) and no more than one portion of local, seasonal fruit per day (do not eat five portions of fruit every day). Snack on nuts and seeds. Dairy should be full fat, unpasteurised, or otherwise avoided. Drink water throughout the day and no fruit juice or fizzy drinks. Drink up to six cups of green/herbal tea daily and no more than one cup of normal tea or coffee. Avoid beer and spirits completely, the occasional glass of wine is OK. Chocolate should be at least 70% coco and eaten in moderation.

Take a high quality multivit, omega 3 fish oil and magnesium daily.

Saturated fat is not your enemy and does not cause heart disease. Cook with coconut oil, butter or ghee and never with sunflower oil, vegetable oil or other so-called ‘healthy’ seed oils. As a general guideline: if it says ‘healthy’ it probably isn’t. Always avoid the light, diet, low-calorie or decaff options, they are worse than the real thing. Replace table salt with an unrefined sea salt (pink or grey appearance) and use it liberally.

Remove artificial sweeteners and flavourings from your diet forever.

Use lemon/lime juice, chilli, pepper, fresh herbs and spices to add flavour. Sit down to eat and chew your food well: digestion starts in the mouth and you haven’t got any teeth in your stomach!

Change your mind and your body will follow.

This is an area which is rarely discussed, but for me it is one of the most important. The psychology of change is the most important factor.

How you behave is a reflection of how you see yourself. So if you want a significant change in your health or your body shape you have to actually become a different person than the one who has led you to this point in your life. You need to shed the old you and create a new identity: think like someone who exercises regularly, make decisions like someone who respects and values their health. This way the behavioural change is much easier and is lasting. Otherwise it’s just the old version of you trying to behave differently when faced with all the same difficult choices as before. So shed the old you, become a better version of yourself because once you change you mind your body will follow.

Get moving.

We’ve all heard the old adage: ‘take the stairs, not the lift’ – but it’s true. Don’t look for the closest parking space to the door, park in the furthest space away and walk. Run up stairs. Use a basket, not a trolley.

Carry your own bags and get off the bus one stop early. If all of these seem unlikely then do 30 bodyweight squats before every meal you eat at home. Even this short burst of exercise will change how your body uses the meal which follows and will store less fat.

Track your progress and tell your friends.

This can be a great motivator and there are loads of websites, apps, gadgets and social media platforms where you can track your progress and share it with your friends. Telling people what you’re doing will help them support you to achieve your goals. Good friends will help you stick to your healthy nutrition and exercise routine. Ditch the people who make you feel bad for wanting to improve yourself – it just exposes their own insecurities.

Seek professional advice.

These days we’re all more inclined to seek expert advice in order to get to the crux of what we need to do to learn something new. While you can have a go yourself, seeking the advice of a personal trainer or nutritionist/nutritional therapist will help you get straight to what you need to be doing to get the results you deserve. However, ensure you check out their credentials, and ideally ask to be put in touch with someone who has had similar results to what you hope to achieve. n Rob Suchet is a trained personal trainer, nutritional therapist and the founder of Health personal training studio in Bath, tel 01225 465111, visit: health-bath.co.uk.

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HEALTH | BEAUTY

HEALTH&

BEAUTY

IT’S TIME TO GET THOSE FEET READY FOR SUMMER. WE’VE DONE A BIT OF SOLE SEARCHING FOR THE BEST PEDICURES IN TOWN

A

ll right, hands up everyone who thinks they’ve got beautiful feet. Right. So not so many of you then.

It’s no wonder that at the first signs of sandal wearing warm weather we panic at the thought of putting that rough old skin on show.

I can’t quite believe I’ve got to my grand old age without having a pedicure before, so I went to visit Helen Mulloy Reid, an experienced beauty therapist who has worked in some of the top spas in the Bath area and now runs her own salon and mobile treatments, Bare Beauty.

What, I wondered, would a pedicure be like, and would my trotters look better afterwards?

Bare Beauty is based in a suite at Helen’s home. It’s an oasis of welcoming calm away from the stresses of the outside world.

Helen is a soothing presence and any awkwardness about the state of my runner’s feet is quickly dispensed. Post-winter feet are gently soaked in warm water containing Essie Marine Sea Salts, before Helen applies an Essie exfoliating foot scrub, which contains sunflower seed oil and milled walnut shell, for that pleasantly grainy sensation.

Once my toes and souls have been tidied and buffed, Helen massages a refreshing eucalyptus foot cream. It’s interesting how having your feet gently massaged has such a dramatic effect on relaxing the rest of your body.

Helen’s treatments are all natural and the Suti range is no exception. A rich and nourishing organic balm, created by reflexologist Suzannah Jenkins of Suti, makes my feet feel fabulous.

As the aches and pains are eased under Helen’s expert hands we chat about her philosophy of organic skin care. She has exacting standards about which products she will use and says many of her regular clientele also prefer to use treatments which contain natural ingredients. Bare Beauty is the only stockist in Bath of the Suti organic range and of Swedish organic brand Estelle and Thild.

One of the, previously undiscovered, pleasures of having a professional pedicure is choosing which colour to have your nails

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NATURAL PRODUCTS: Helen Mulloy Reid, who runs Bare Beauty in Combe Down and, inset, pictures from Helen’s salon, courtesy of Paolo Ferla painted. There are dozens and dozens of shades to choose from. A simple pleasure, I’ll grant you, but dashing back through the rain in my winter boots, I felt pretty good with my Aztec blue toes – all ready for sandal weather, when it finally comes. And yes, my feet felt softer, and still do.

PEDICURE TREATMENTS Bare Beauty, Combe Down Express pedicure, 30 mins, £25.

Includes polish removal, file and tidy, foot massage and polish.

Full pedicure, 60 mins, £30.

Includes polish removal, cuticle work, a foot soak, exfoliation a massage and a full polish.

Paraffin wax pedicure, 75 mins, £35.

A full pedicure, with the calming addition of paraffin wax – ideal for those who want an intensely moisturising treatment or who have poor circulation, stiff joints or chilblains.

Lower leg and foot massage, 15 mins, £15.

Contact Helen at info@barebeautytherapy.co.uk or tel: 07986 863797.

Frontline Style in Monmouth Street The salon offers a popular callus peel for feet. A skin softening peel gently penetrates into the epidermal layer of the skin, softening the callus to enable dead skin to be gently scraped off and then buffed. The treatment is then followed by a soothing, conditioning moisturiser which leaves your feet soft and smooth and revitalised, 30 mins, £30. With a shape and varnish, 45 minutes, £45.

Pedicure, 60 mins, £31.

Tel: 01225 478478.

Jennifer Luckham in Monmouth Street File and revarnish, 20 mins, £20.

Luxury pedicure, to include exfoliating and massage, 60 mins, £35.

Tel: 01225 428741.

Wisteria Lane, Trim Street The salon has a pedicure suite for clients. A full spa pedicure is £36.

A file and polish, £16.

Mini pedicure, £24.

Tel: 01225 337912.

The Orangery Laser and Beauty Clinic, Kingsmead Street Mini pedicure, £28.

Total experience pedicure, to include removal of hard skin, massage and polish, £65.

Callus peel, both feet, £45. tel: 01225 466851.

Green Street House, Green Street Spa mini pedicure, 30 mins, £22.

Spa pedicure, 60 mins, £35.

A cosmetic treatment for feet that comprises exfoliation, nail reshaping, cuticle work, foot filing for dry heels and a relaxing massage.

Includes nail varnish.

Spa luxury pedicure, 75 mins, £45.

Same as the spa pedicure but with additional moisture treatment using thermal booties.

Double Digits, 60 mins, £60.

A spa manicure, spa pedicure and an eyebrow wax. This treatment is done by two therapists in one hour.

Tel: 01225 426000.

Planet Beauty, Moorland Road Full pedicure, including polish, £32.

Full pedicure with French polish, £35.

File and polish, £11.

Tel: 01225 469090. n

RIGHT HAND.qxp_Layout 23 22/04/2016 17:27 Page 1

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CLIMATE &COLOUR Bath based designer Claire Rendall offers advice on the use of colour in different climates

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really closely. Avoid blues with too much green, avoid reds with too much blue, avoid yellows with too much blue.

Basically avoid any colour with a hint that will make it look dull and listless on a grey day.

Blues can look great as powder blue, soft and elegant, but there can’t be that green hue, or they will be depressing.

They can be that rich mid electric blue, but navy always makes me think “Why?” It seems like a wasted opportunity to do something interesting.

❝

In the UK . . . blue tiles to make the water look inviting. In the Mediterranean, white is the best background

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A

s we’ve all been enjoying the rich colours and sunshine brought into our homes every Sunday night with the delicious locations in The Night Manager and The Durrells, maybe it’s time to bring some of that gorgeousness into our own homes?

Beware. Have you ever bought a shirt or dress on holiday, brought it home and it just looks wrong? There’s always a danger when buying with “holiday eyes” and it’s simply that the light on that Greek Island or wherever is different.

Swimming pools (I know we don’t all have our own, but bear with me) in the UK need blue tiles to make the water look inviting. In the Mediterranean, white is the best background. The natural light imbues those beautiful azure tones. It’s the same with any colour. Bill Bryson said that living in the UK was like living in a white Tupperware box. It’s true that there’s something in the air here and that something means we need to tread carefully when introducing colour.

For all the contemporary chic of white and pale grey interiors, I do love colour.

I agree with the words set in stone on an entrance in Green Street: “A day without colour is like a day without the sun.”

Bearing in mind the light factor, there are classic mistakes to avoid in the UK. This will sound a little mad, but look

Thinking about how natural light changes the properties of a colour, always, always apply tests to large areas.

I use large white boards, apply the colour and move it around the room and leave it there for a while just to glimpse out of the corner of the eye so I can decide how it makes me feel.

I recently needed to choose a colour for a five floor residence that started in the basement and went up to an open

plan double height atrium and all conditions in between. I went for a soft grey, but it was pure grey, no blue or green undertones and that was important. A colour you really love in one home may not suit another. It will be about the size of windows and the quality of light coming into a room.

Returning from a trip abroad I was taken aback by the sudden green hues in the bathroom at home. Spring had sprung and the light filtering through the trees was having an amazing effect on the interior.

I would remind Bath residents that they would baulk if the could see the original colours of their Georgian homes. Colours then were acid bright.

This meant that when viewed under candle light they were bright and

GOT THE BLUES: main picture, a classic all white swimming pool in Greece and inset, a Georgian blue – bear in mind that in the 18th century these bright colours were seen by candlelight, lessening their dramatic effect

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CITY | INTERIORS

BOLD AND BRIGHT: clockwise from top, a white gloss console table was given a red splash effect, the photographs by Claire were computer enhanced and printed on glass; lime, duck egg blue and soft greys give a contemporary feel (from: cushlab.com); add just a dash of pink, red and orange (cushions from: cushlab.com or bring a little glamour with silvery sheened greens and blues, from Homesense

impressive. Under our artificial light they might just turn Mr Darcy’s stomach.

So think how you’re lighting a space when choosing colour. Be especially aware of the effect of the quality and direction of lighting and especially the minefield of LEDs and whether to choose cold or warm bulbs. Cold bulbs bring a harsh bluey white light that can change a colour completely and kill an interior.

Warm bulbs also change the colour but is much kinder and more simpatico with our natural light. Similarly, the reflected light from the inside of a lampshade will have an effect. White is the most common but silver or gold lined shades can have a dramatic impact on the quality of light and therefore the colours in your room.

There are colours that shouldn’t work together such as pink, orange and red, but they look hot and delicious. I think if you’re going to use colour, be bold.

Really go for it, but try to keep to pure colours. Think about texture too. Bright orange with a sheen may look a bit yick, but choose a matt finish and it’s suddenly smart and trendy.

There are some fabulous pure colour

paints available. Valspar has a gorgeous hot citrus orange and delicious lime green. Be sparing though, a whole room might tip you over the edge. Feature walls might be passé to some, but can still really work, as can a simple background and bright accessories. This may be the best route as you can easily chop and change.

There are endless books written on the subject of colour and colour therapy all waving a colour wheel around. Some are valid and make good points but I believe that at the end of the day it’s a totally personal response. What is chic and elegant to one person is cold and sterile to another and one person’s cosy is another’s suffocating.

I do have a theory about north facing dark rooms though and that is that trying to brighten them with lighter colours doesn’t necessarily work. Cold natural light will always be cold and light colours will just enhance the coldness. I often go with the flow and specify warmer colours to bring out what the space is about. There’s also perceived wisdom about which colours should be used in particular rooms.

Apparently green or blue is considered a no-no for dining rooms but I’ve seen it

used to great effect and it hasn’t made the food look mouldy. It’s down to scale and lighting. In India, particularly in Jodhpur the houses are painted a fabulous bright blue because it’s believed to repel mosquitoes. I don’t know if this is true but in the searing Rajasthan sunshine it looks fabulous.

Obviously with Lord Bath, the King of Colour anything goes. When I asked him why he wanted red curtains he said it was because it contrasted with the parkland outside. He long hankered for returning the Great Hall at Longleat to a version of its former glory. Pigments were expensive so when it was built, it was brightly coloured. Lord Bath’s version is probably more correct than the dour Victorian space we see today.

So my advice to anyone hankering after a little (or a lot) of colour in their lives is to go for it!

We are living in a time when the choice of paints, furniture and fabrics are fabulous. Be brave, be bold. I guarantee that a little splash of colour in your life will make you smile. n Claire Rendall is an international interior designer based in the UK. She has also designed for BBC DIY SOS. Visit: clairerendall.com.

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ROOM FOR CREATIVITY

Jessica Hope tries her hand at silk flower making at one of Verve’s artistic workshops

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hen the opportunity arose to make my own silk flowers, which would brighten up a room and not wither, I jumped at the chance. So I headed over to Verve on London Road to attend one of its creative workshops.

Alongside offering home styling and selling services, Verve holds a range of artistic workshops where local artists, specialising in areas such as wirework, ceramics and print making, teach small groups how to create custom-made pieces to add a personalised touch to their homes.

After a warm welcome, our workshop leader Tricia Hamilton, a milliner based in Bristol, got the group stuck in with painting large pieces of white silk with fabric starch. This strengthened the silk and made it easier to mould.

While we let our silk dry, we began making the stamen of our flowers.

Using long pieces of wire, we threaded a variety of sequins and beads, and twisted the wire to create a stem.

We then cut out our silk petals using templates and used a hotplate and a collection of Tricia’s special tools to apply heat spots to create the natural curve of petals. By threading our petals onto our stems and sewing them into place we were able to build our flowers, before adding a simple green silk leaf on the underside as a final touch.

All of the participants then sat back, enjoyed a brownie and a cup of tea, and marvelled at our rather beautiful creations.

We all seemed amazed that we had been able to make such delicate flowers with such ease.

As Michelle at Verve tells me, putting on the workshops allows customers the chance to be artistic and try out unusual techniques that they may not have come across before. One of the participants in the class was an arts student who had never worked with silk before, but after taking part in the class declared that she is now seriously considering using it in her final project at university.

As well as workshops, Verve also offers personal home styling services where the team will take clients through the steps of transforming the interiors of their homes.

Verve sells a wide variety of furniture, lighting, homeware and artwork, and they pride themselves on supporting British manufacturers and local artists.

Our workshop leader, Tricia Hamilton, began making hats eight years ago when her daughter asked her to make a fascinator for a wedding.

Despite having no knowledge of how to make one, Tricia began researching the art of millinery. A seed was planted and she was soon developing her own collection of hats for special occasions.

Nowadays she makes bespoke pieces for clients and supplies six boutiques in the Bristol area. While working on one of her three collections, Tricia also holds workshops at her home in Pill on hat making and up-cycling, among others.

If you would like to get your creative juices flowing, Verve is holding a range of workshops this month, including silk flower making on Friday 6 May and ceramics on Friday 20 May. Visit Verve at 15 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD. Tel: 07785 332536 or visit: verveliving.uk.

To find out more about Tricia Hamilton’s millinery collections, visit triciadesigns.com or call 07826 333103. n

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LIGHTING SPECIALIST 8 BATH STREET, FROME. TEL: 01 373473555 WWW.FIATLUX.CO.UK TUESDAY – FRIDAY 9.30AM – 5.30PM, SATURDAY 9.30AM – 5.00PM

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INTERIORS | DESIGN

LIVING ROOMS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS American artist Jeremiah Goodman has captured the homes of film stars and politicians in a series of romantic interiors over his long career. Georgette McCready enjoys his first European exhibition as it opens at the American Museum in Bath 84 TheBATHMagazine

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INTERIORS | DESIGN

INSPIRED INTERIORS: main image, Greta Garbo, Library, New York, 1990 Above, left to right, actor Sir John Gielgud’s sitting room in his London mews, 2002, President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy’s sitting room, and Cecil Beaton Winter Garden Inset, portrait of the artist Jeremiah Goodman Below, painting for Diana Vreeland, Park Avenue Sitting Room, 2000.

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he young American artist who first started drawing when he was a boy, given crayons to keep him quiet, found himself plunged into a world of fame and glamour when he accepted an invitation from actor John Gielgud to visit the UK. “Before I met him I painted interiors for my own pleasure,” recalls Jeremiah Goodman, “but he invited me to England, where I went in 1949, and began to introduce me to his friends. It was all very Brideshead Revisited and I found myself in the company of people like Cecil Beaton and Ivor Novello. I was invited to stay in glorious country houses.”

What kept Jeremiah – he is known simply by his first name – in the spotlight and feted for many decades to this day, is his unmatched talent for capturing the very essence of an interior in a romantic and dramatic style. His work gives the sense of being in a room in a way that a photograph cannot begin to do.

The great and the good have commissioned him to paint portraits of their homes, which show their

belongings, and therefore their lives, in the best light. Now, for the first time in Europe, we are able to see those paintings at close range as a collection is displayed in the Coach House in the grounds of the American Museum in Bath. The exhibition, Jeremiah! Inspired Interiors, comprises work in oils, acrylics and transparent watercolour and opaque gouache. They are exquisitely done with particular attention to detail, especially the texture of fabric and the quality of the light.

Jeremiah was born in 1922 to a family of five children in Niagara Falls, upstate New York. From an early age he wanted to be a film set designer and managed, as a young man, to get work with set decorator Joseph B Platt, whose work included design for Gone With the Wind and Rebecca.

But when Jeremiah was invited to go to Hollywood to work on a junglethemed movie he decided to remain in his native New York, where he set up a studio as an illustrator. His career covered both editorial and advertising projects. He provided illustrations for the cover of Interior Design magazine every month for an impressive 15 years.

The great and the good invited him to paint their rooms and word of mouth in the drawing rooms of the well heeled led to more clients, many of who became and remained friends. And so we are privileged to get a voyeuristic peek at the Duchess of Windsor’s boudoir in France, of fashion diva Diana Vreeland’s dramatic crimson room, and Ronald and Nancy’s private sitting room, filled with their favourite pieces and flowers in abundance.

Designers continue to be influenced

by Jeremiah’s work. Marc Jacobs used the Diana Vreeland red room as inspiration for a backdrop at his autumn/winrer 2015 catwalk show and Swedish fashion house Acne Studios commissioned three eight feet high

murals by him for its Dover Street London headquarters.

American playwright Edward Albee sums up part of what makes Jeremiah’s work special: “A drawing or painting of an environment must do more for us than a colour photograph would if the result is to transcend journalism. It must give us the experience of the thing. For us to penetrate into the picture a certain interesting and inventive distortion must take place.”

Sadly, the 93-year-old was unable to visit Bath himself, but the show has been curated by his friend Dean Rhys Morgan, who also manages sales of Jeremiah prints in his online gallery. n The American Museum in Britain is at Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD. The café and gardens open daily (except Mondays) from 10.30am, the house and exhibition galleries open daily (except Mondays) noon to 5pm. All are open for bank holiday Mondays. Jeremiah!

Inspired Interiors runs until 1 July. Tel: 01225 460503, visit: americanmuseum.org. A free shuttle bus between Bog Island in Bath city centre and the museum runs approximately every 45 minutes throughout the day.

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CITY | HOMES

A SLICE OF CRESCENT LIFE The Bath Magazine takes a look round two homes in Lansdown Crescent to find two very different approaches to living in a Georgian home

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f you were relocating to Bath a home in one of its historic and famous Georgian crescents would surely be something to aspire to.

Maybe not a whole townhouse – too many stairs and too many floors. But a decent size apartment, perhaps the same size as an average family home, and now you’re talking.

Bath estate agent The Apartment Company has two apartments for sale in Lansdown Crescent, both of them highly desirable. Lansdown Crescent is a very fine location, near enough to the city centre to be able to walk down the hill and enjoy all that Bath’s rich cultural life has to offer, and yet not on the welltrodden tourist route. You’re less likely up here to get coachloads of tourists taking selfies outside your front door when you step outside. There are also fabulous views from this crescent, with its distinctive metal lantern arches like a delicate necklace along its curve.

Both apartments are Grade I listed with many fine period features, such as decorative architraves and well proportioned sash windows. They’re both also bang up to date as regards to kitchens and bathrooms.

The first apartment is at Number 14.

It’s a two/three bedroom first floor apartment, beautifully presented. It also has an added little frisson to any potential buyer, in that there is consent to turn the existing sitting room and kitchen into one large open plan space.

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This is possible because it would be in the spirit of the original 18th century layout – not the modern kitchen – with the three windowed drawing room opening via traditional bridal doors into the kitchen/dining room at the other end. There’s consent too to incorporate the mezzazine area, currently used as a study or occasional bedroom, into a lighter space with a glass balustrade and improved head height.

In fact the home is very fine as it is.

The views from the sitting room window sweep down over the lawns to the front of the crescent – where from time to time sheep graze – and down over Bath itself. There are two bathrooms and the kitchen is a contemporary space with gas hob, oven, integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine.

The guide price on this first floor apartment – which has 999 years remaining from 2,000 – is £635,000 to £675,000.

Our second visit to Lansdown Crescent takes us to Number 18 and a three bedroom home that takes in the ground and lower ground floors. It also has the benefit of a garden.

You enter the home from the street via the front door and into the entrance hall, where stairs lead down to the lower floor. Open a door and you find yourself in a very pleasant, sunny drawing room with a marble fire surround, a high ceiling and a pair of sash windows, as

GREAT LOCATION: Lansdown Crescent – the one with the lantern arches and the sheep on the lawns below – is a desirable address for househunters Inset, Lansdown Crescent as it would have looked in the 18th century, with sedan chairs parked waiting to be summoned

well as working shutters.The drawing room leads back into the hall and from there to the kitchen, a modern room with wood effect cupboards and a glazed door leading out into the garden.

There is also a third bedroom, or study on the ground floor, and a bathroom with a white suite.

Opening the door to the garden is a very pleasant surprise. If you’ve ever visited the Georgian garden behind Brock Steet that’s laid out as it would have been in Bath’s Georgian heyday, then you’ll be pleased with the design here. The walled garden has neat paths beside borders and well clipped low hedges and topiaried bushes forming pleasing geometric shapes. There’s a large enough terrace to accommodate a big table and chairs for convivial alfresco dining. And as the kitchen is conveniently close, this makes an ideal arrangement.

Back inside and from the hall we

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CITY | HOMES

SUNNY ASPECT: left to right, the first floor at No14 and the ground floor drawing room at No18 Lansdown Crescent

descend to the lower ground floor. It’s worth noting that there’s space down here for cunningly concealing the washing machine in a cupboard.

The master bedroom is some 18ft by 17ft 11ins, so a generous size, and there’s a pair of sash windows with working shutters. The bedroom has fitted wardrobes and a fine feature fireplace.

The second bedroom is also a double room and the bathroom is fitted with a

white suite and spotlights.

This might make a very good home for someone downsizing from a full townhouse, as they wouldn’t lose out on much of what makes owning a Bath Georgian home so pleasurable.

There are 111 years remaining on the leasehold and the guide price on this property is £825,000 to £875,000.

To view either apartment call The Apartment Company, tel: 01225 471144. n

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ORGANIC: the vegetable garden at Holt Farm was created on former tennis courts

THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE

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n search of ideas and inspiration for your garden, or simply fancy a nose around someone else’s place, you may wish to take advantage of some gardens which are open in May. Holt Farm is home to the Yeo Valley Organic Garden whose owners are responsible for its yogurt. The farm garden extends to six and a half acres and is one of only a few ornamental gardens in the country to be Soil Association accredited. Tim and Sarah Mead and their team at the constantly evolving garden proudly boast that they make their own compost and feeds and use biological pest control – and yet they manage to run a large, productive vegetable garden and features such as the colourful tapestry of colour in their impressive long flower border.

Find out for yourself how companion planting, natural manures and other methods can be used in your own garden. Holt Farm also has a cafe and regularly runs workshops and lectures on green gardening. It’s open Thursdays and Fridays, 11am – 5pm, from Thursday 5 May and for the National Garden Scheme on Sunday 8 May, 2pm – 5pm.

Admission is £5 and the Meads advise that you don’t rely on your sat nav to find the farm. It’s just off the A368 between Blagdon and Ubley in Somerset.

Another great Somerset garden is Milton Lodge, which is in a fantastic hillside spot overlooking Wells Cathedral and the Vale of Avalon. It was created at the start of the 20th century and later restored to its former glory. Explore the terraces with their formal planting before crossing the road to the seven acres of naturalised woodland.

Milton Lodge gardens near Wells are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, 2pm – 5pm and for the NGS on Sunday 15 May. If you like to combine shopping with your garden visit a trip to Kilver Court in Shepton Mallet might satisfy both those yearnings. The gardens, as seen on television, are set against the backdrop of an old railway viaduct and feature beautifully planted mature borders and a parterre. Kilver Court is also home to a designer shopping village, including the Mulberry factory shop and the newly opened The Wiggly Shed, stocked by designer and plantsman Roger Saul with all kinds of interesting seeds, plants, tools and garden accessories. The gardens are open throughout the summer but specifically for the NGS on Wednesday 18 May, 10am to 5pm. Food and drink can be enjoyed in the Sharpham Pantry restaurant and Harlequin cafe.

If you’re keen to find out just what features are required to win a coveted Bath in Bloom prize, head through the garden gate of 25 Chaucer Road, Bear Flat over Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May, 1.30pm – 5pm. The owners are the proud winners of both a gold and silver gilt in Bath in Bloom. It’s a compact town garden with a container-filled courtyard and terraced areas which include a fish pond, flower borders and a resident tortoise. The garden will be open for the NGS as part of the Bear Flat Artists weekend and refreshments will be available as visitors enjoy touring open studios and artists’ homes as part of the neighbourhood art trail. n

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IT’S SHOW TIME

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Give me a garden show or fair for inspiration, shopping and cake, says Jane Moore as she picks the best horticultural days out this summer

here’s nothing like a day out to a good show or garden fair – it has all the right ingredients. One, a nice day out in usually a rather fab location. Two, plenty of ideas and nifty horticultural styling to ‘borrow’ for home. Three, lots of plants, sundries, knick knacks and general garden paraphernalia to browse at and possibly buy. Four, lots of plants for sale (have I mentioned that already?). And five, the prospect of a decent tea and cake – although I must say this is often somewhat disappointing compared to the NGS offerings – garden show organisers please take note.

TOBY BUCKLAND GARDEN FESTIVAL Bowood House, near Calne, Wiltshire Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, 10am 5pm I must say that Toby Buckland’s inaugural Garden Festival at Bowood in June last year ticked a lot of those boxes, including the cake box (excuse the pun) as the local Women’s Institutes were a decided presence last year.

We stocked up on a boiled fruit cake and Bara brith (Welsh tea bread for the uninitiated) before we did anything else.

(A knitted tea cosy and knitted cactus pin cushion, a present for my mum, were also purchased at the WI stall too).

The nurseries were great as were the guest speakers and this year promises to be even better with Charlie Dimmock and Roy Lancaster talking gardening and Ground Force anecdotes, no doubt.

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nurseries, live music, local food and garden speakers. It’s held over two days in the beautiful grounds of Bowood House. Tickets: £10. Website: tobygardenfest.co.uk.

WELLS GARDEN FESTIVAL The Bishops’ Palace, Wells Friday 10 – Sunday 12 June, 10am 5pm I didn’t get to Wells Garden Festival last year but heard good reports. This year The Bishop’s Palace Garden Festival, as it’s more properly known is celebrating The English Country Garden as its theme which sounds like a winner to me. The festival takes place within the 14 acres of gardens that contain the wonderful buildings and ruins of the Bishop’s Palace which are well worth a visit in their own right (see The Bath Magazine archives, June 2015).

There are specialist plant nurseries, speakers galore, demonstrations and more. I can’t inform you about the cake situation although that will be remedied this year as I’m speaking on the Friday, the opening day of the festival (The early bird catches the best cakes!) Other speakers include Mark Diacono and Tom Hart Dyke.

Celebrating the English Country Garden on the weekend of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, visitors can experience the Palace gardens filled with talks, stalls, hands-on demonstrations, refreshments, entertainment, top gardening personalities and new ideas on how to use and love your garden.

The general theme of festival will be The English Country Garden, which includes four sub-themed zones: How does my garden grow? Birds, Bugs and

Bees, Taking Care of my Garden and Enjoying my Garden.

Tickets: from £6.50 per day or £15 for all three days, with free entry for Palace Members, website: bishopspalace.org.uk/garden-festival On Sunday 12 June from 12pm there will be a mass picnic in honour of the Queen’s Birthday. All are welcome to bring along a picnic and join in, or preorder a picnic from the cafe.

RHS MALVERN SPRING FESTIVAL Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 May, 9am – 6pm I like Malvern – it’s not too big nor too small, there are some really nice nurseries there as a rule and it’s an easy drive from here. It’s also slap bang at the beginning of the gardening season just when the garden is the focus of attention. There are show gardens to steal from (not literally), shopping aplenty in the Floral Marquee and tips to be had from gardening and food demonstrations. And there is cake.

Tickets: from £15.Website: rhs.org.uk/shows-events.

RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 May, 8am – 8pm What can I say other than this is the big one. If you’ve never been then what are you waiting for. Go. But bear in mind it’s not for the faint of heart or weak of leg. The site may be small but there is so much to see you find yourself crisscrossing all day long. Go crack-of-dawn early to get the best view of the show gardens or stay right until the end and look at them then as the Londoners do.

And it’s the show gardens and spectacle that is the Great Marquee that you’re

BLOOMING LOVELY: Toby Buckland with some of his fellow gardeners at last year’s festival. He’ll be back again for the Toby Buckland Festival at Bowood House Facing page, the garden festival in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace in Wells and one of several Rare Plant Fairs which take place at different venues. Pictured is Kingston Bagpuize House

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GARDEN | NOTES

there for – no shopping to speak of, no cake, just Wow! Tickets: rhs.org.uk/shows-events.

RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW Tuesday 5 July – Sunday 10 July, 9am – 6pm (preview evening 4 July) If I had to choose a favourite show to simply settle back and enjoy as a gardener it would be Hampton Court. I love the space and grandeur of the setting, there’s plenty of room for the nursery stands and the show gardens are good and spacious too. The time of year is so much kinder too, both for us visitors and for the selection of plants. I’ve had agonies over what

to wear for Chelsea, whereas I’ve picnicked several times at Hampton Court. It’s a jolly good day out. For tickets visit the website: www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events – but be warned, tickets sell fast.

RARE PLANT FAIRS Taking place throughout the growing season from March to September, Rare Plant Fairs are the best place to find little specialist growers and nurseries from all over the country, some of which may not be open regularly (or at all) to the public at their home sites. These events are now a permanent feature of the horticultural calendar and they’re always held in beautiful

and prestigious gardens, making it a grand day out. You’re too late for the one at Wells Bishop’s Palace but there are plenty of others coming up including one at Kilver Court. They also have rather good refreshments which are often homemade and often include cakes.

Sunday 8 May, Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet 10am - 4pm. Tickets: £5 for fair and gardens Website: kilvercourt.com. Rare Plant Fairs website for other fairs: rareplantfair.co.uk. n Jane Moore is the award-winning gardening columnist and head gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel. She writes regularly for the Telegraph and can be followed on Twitter @janethegardener.

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PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

M

arshfield is the perfect location for those needing access to Bath, Bristol, and the M4. The village is bustling and vibrant with two pubs, various shops, doctor’s and vet’s surgery, pre school and primary school as well as various sports and riding activities nearby. At the heart of the village, The Gables is a Grade II listed, 17th century house, which has features in Country Homes and Interiors Magazine. The property has been lovingly restored over the last 12 years, respecting and enhancing the period features which are visible throughout the three floors of accommodation. On the ground floor, the sitting room has original fireplaces with a wood burner and adjoins the bespoke Neptune kitchen/dining/TV room. This room has under floor heating and opens out onto a pretty courtyard. The first floor houses two double bedrooms, a shower room and two single bedrooms one of which has attic space for a playroom/den or storage. The master bedroom is on the top floor and has an en suite with bath and under floor heating. Beneath the house is a tanked cellar, which is currently in use for wine storage but could serve as a music room or teenage den.The interest continues outside in the very large level walled garden. It has an outbuilding for use as an office/utility and has some beautiful fruit trees including fig, apple, pear and cherry. However, the icing on the cake is the charming ‘Mini Gables’, a listed playhouse, which matches the main home and has been featured in Hello Magazine. It has two floors, with electrics, TV and telephone point and will be the delight of children young and old! For full details and viewing contact Pritchards.

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

THE GABLES HIGH STREET MARSHFIELD • 4/5 Bedrooms • 2 bath/shower rooms • Large level, walled gardens • Cellar, outbuildings and loft space • Listed 2 storey ‘Mini Gables’ playhouse

Price: £1,075,000

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Langford, Nr Bristol A substantial 8-9 bedroom detached family property, extended over the years with many period features throughout, to include period fireplaces & working shutters situated in the desirable & convenient village of Langford.

• 8/9 bedrooms • 2 en suite bathrooms, 1 en suite WC & 2 family bathrooms • Snug, larder, boiler/store, former squash court with sauna • Tennis court, swimming pool • Set within grounds of approx. 2 acres with parking and garaging • Excellent access to Bristol, commuting stations & the Airport • Int area 9133 sq ft/848 sq m • EPC ratings: house G, studio G

Price: £1,200,000

Farleigh Hungerford An attractive double fronted detached period house dating back in parts to the 16th Century, presented to a particularly high standard.

• 3 double bedrooms, bathroom, shower room • Magnificent landscaped gardens • Detached double garage • 8 miles from Bath • Floor area approximately 1,891 sq.ft. (176 sq.m.) • EPC rating D

Guide Price: £895,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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Darlington Road, Bathwick A unique detached 4 bed house, that has been subject to a complete remodel, extension and renovation. This beautiful property, finished to exacting standards, is situated in the highly desirable Bathwick area of Bath.

• Unique remodeled detached house • Spacious light and airy, flexible accommodation • 4 bedrooms, 2 en suite wet rooms and bathroom • Sought after “no through road” walking distance to city centre • Close to good schools and local amenities • EPC rating C • Int area: 1913 sq ft/178 sq m

Guide Price: £875,000

Prospect, Camden A very well presented 4 bedroom Grade II Listed Georgian House which benefits from spacious open plan ground floor, superb modern kitchen/dining room, good sized recently refitted bathroom, garden office and lawned gardens to front and rear.

• 4 bedrooms, open plan kitchen/diner, 2 receptions, bathroom & cloakroom • Good sized lawned gardens to the front and rear • Garden office • Walking distance to city centre and Camden amenities • Floor area approximately 1572 sq ft/146.1 sq m

Guide Price: £680,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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THINKING PROPERTY Peter Greatorex, managing director of The apartment Company

Should price play a part when choosing an estate agent?

A

re you a devoted bargain hunter or a believer that you get what you pay for? When choosing an estate agent you need to undertake your research, your home is your biggest asset; therefore, you want to make sure you have found the best agent for you and your home. So although you may be focusing on the fees, we would strongly suggest that you look at what they offer first.

As we are the only apartment specialists in the area we are the first port of call for buyers seeking to buy an apartment. We have a strong database of potential buyers and can organise viewings extremely quickly. When choosing an estate agent, you want a company who not only secure viewings but can also negotiate the best sale price for your property. They need to back this up with a strong commitment to powerful marketing strategies to attract the right potential buyers. It is therefore essential that an agents’ actions are a priority when choosing who should sell your home.

Crafting beautiful homes In and around Bath

01225 79115 5

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The Apartment Company is a specialist estate agent only selling apartments, we prioritise customer service above all else, investing in our marketing, social media, and print. Our clients also agree, as on the independent review site allagents.co.uk we are number 1 in Bath, with an abundance of 5-star reviews. We value each review that we receive, as we want to make the experience for our clients to be the best it can be, and these reviews tell us if we got it right!

“The Apartment Company helped us find our property 10 years ago and did a great job then. For the second time, they did a fabulous job for us as we sold the property. It sold in under a week and at a price that exceeded expectations. Peter Greatorex runs a great company and all the staff were professional, helpful, efficient and clearly know the apartment market in Bath. The positioning, marketing, showing and follow through to completion was terrific. As we live in the USA, they handled things well from a distance and kept us informed all along the way. Using a specialist apartment company really worked well for us.

Many thanks for a job well done - an outstanding result achieved with true professionalism.” Pulman 08.04.16 allagents.co.uk If you're serious about selling your apartment, and value a quality experience make The Apartment Company your first choice as we strive to make you our Number One priority. Please contact us on 01225 471144.

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

The White House, Cleveland Walk, Bath

ÂŁ2500.00pcm

SHORT TERM LET - The White House is a relatively modern property built circa 1968. The accommodation is thoughtfully laid out and will suit the needs of many modern families. Detached and arranged over two stories also set within a substantial private plot. The ground floor is accessed via a large welcoming entrance hall which leads into a generous drawing room, snug/study and dining room which boasts a large bay and opens directly on to the garden. The kitchen and utility room over looks the garden which also provides rear access to the grounds. On the first floor you will find a master suite with dressing room and en- suite, plus three further bedrooms and a shower room. The White House offers private drive, double garage and tranquil landscaped rear garden with unique stone built garden palladium an ideal place to relax on a summers day.

Available now – Mid/end August 2016.

Bath Office

Lettings 01225 458546 | Sales. 01225 459817

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Hillside House, Batheaston A smart and spacious five bedroom detached house built in elegant Bath stone and finished to a high specification throughout, tastefully combining period features with contemporary comforts. Located on the outskirts of the popular village of Batheaston, the house benefits from convenient transport links into Bath and the M4 motorway.

Rent: ÂŁ3,000 pcm* living room with impressive south-westerly views | spacious dining room | contemporary kitchen | granite work surfaces | integrated appliances | 4 double bedrooms (1 en-suite) | study / guest bedroom | private garden | off street parking Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

*An administration fee of ÂŁ420.00 inc. VAT applies.

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SELLING YOUR PROPERTY? Choose an estate agency that will promote your best interests If you are currently thinking of selling your property, then consider using one of The Bath Magazine’s featured estate agencies to give you the best possible promotional coverage.

Our estate agents advertise with us as part of a bigger selection of print and online marketing which means your property is presented to the highest standard and will reach the greatest audience.

Bathl’s Biggest Magazine

We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £25.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £50.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 To subscribe to receiving the magazine go to our website; www.thebathmag.co.uk and scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click to an instant link Alternatively send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment

Subscription FORM Mr/Mrs/Ms ................Forename ..............................................

Surname ..............................................................................

Address ............................................................................ ..........................................Postcode ............................

Daytime telephone No ..............................................................

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Marketing Commentary Duncan Nash, of Bath estate agents Nash & Co asks a big question

I

t’s fair to say the start of the year was relatively quiet for the Bath estate agent, as is normally the case in this seasonal industry, but at Nash & Co we were fortunate enough to enjoy a steady stream of instructions and sales.

In a market where there was little in the way of stock and - a large and ever present number of applicants - it is unsurprising to see an increase in market prices and those properties selling for more than they are listed for.

We, at Nash & Co, used this time wisely, dedicating our resources to finding more instructions and providing the best service possible for our vendors and we proved very successful on both fronts. One need only look at our reviews on All Agents to appreciate the hard work my team put in this year for our vendors, with all but one review giving us an outstanding feedback.

We also sold some fantastic properties for some phenomenal prices. A prime example of this is the Newbridge Hill property we took on at the start of the year. Within weeks we had secured three offers and eventually sold the house for £50,000 over the asking price after diligently calling it out, advertising wherever we could, and ultimately organising best and final offers.

Another substantial Bath property, we have currently under offer, fell through earlier in the year and was snapped up in a similar style as a result of our continued efforts. Our marketing, phone outs, and viewings led to our vendors securing a much better price.

Lastly a third example was where Nash & Co came in as the third agent and agreed a sale at £50,000 more than one our competitors valued at.

At present, the market is beginning to pick up. We are noticing an increase in the number of market appraisals we are conducting, a surge in online activity on both social media and on our property portals, and – ultimately - the number of enquiries and properties we are taking on.

In the past 10 weeks, we have secured a number of quality instructions and from this a steady stream of exchanges. At the time of writing we also have 8 properties signed up and waiting to come to the market.

We are on track for a very successful year and we would love for you to be a part of it.

Expect to see many more Nash & Co listings in the coming weeks and yours could be one. Call us on 01225 444 800 for a free valuation.

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Green Park, Bath

Guide Price £575,000

A truly exquisite Georgian two double bedroom garden apartment situated in the desirable location of Green Park in the heart of Bath City Centre.

The property has approximately 1759 Square Foot of well balanced, versatile accommodation finished to the highest standard throughout.

• Georgian Garden Apartment • Immaculately Presented • Desirable City Centre Location • Two Reception Rooms • Modern Kitchen • Two Bedrooms • Contemporary Bathroom • Two Unconverted Vaults • Enclosed Rear Garden • Private Entrance

Grosvenor Place, Bath

Guide Price £450,000

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a substantial garden maisonette set in the popular listed terrace Grosvenor. Offering spacious accommodation, period features and a large mature rear garden. Internal inspection is highly recommended.

• 2410 sq feet - ( inc vaults ) • Generous room proportions • Large double bedroom • Dressing Room • Flagstone floors • Bath & Shower room • Stunning dining room • Contempory Kitchen • Mature large rear garden • Two Vaults

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Kelston Road, Bath

Guide Price £775,000

Presented to the market is this detached, architecturally designed, extended family home situated on Kelston Road to the west of Bath City Centre. Presented to the highest standard throughout the property benefits from 1855 sq ft of light, open accommodation spread over two floors with private parking and well maintained gardens.

• 2/3Reception Rooms • Modern Sleek Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Cloakroom • 4/5 Double Bedrooms • Master En-Suite Shower Room • Family Bathroom & Shower Room • Enclosed Well Maintained Gardens • Private Offstreet Parking

Norton St Philip, Nr Bath

OIEO £750,000

A beautifully presented executive family home situated in the ever popular village of Norton St Philip to the south of Bath. Finished to the highest standard throughout the property boasts flexible accommodation spread over three floors as well as a detached studio and garaging. No Onward Chain.

• 1992 Sq Ft of Accommodation • Sitting Room • Kitchen/Dining Room • Utility Room • Cloakroom • Four Double Bedrooms • Two En-Suites • Family Bathroom • Detached Studio

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NASH & CO

Lansdown, Bath

£975,000

Westwood View is a substantial, 5 bedroom, family house situated on a plot just shy of half an acre, in the highly desirable area of Lansdown. This lovely home offers 2,377 square foot of versatile accommodation, spread over three floors, and also has potential to extend (subject to planning) to either the rear or side which should make this an exciting opportunity for the right buyer. The expansive south/westerly facing rear garden provides the setting for some lovely rural views.In terms of location, Westwood View sits atop of the hill on Lansdown Road and it could not be better located for the private schools of Kingswood and Royal High,

£575,000

• 4 Bedrooms ● Double Garage ● Detached, Chalet Style Bungalow ● Views towards Solsbury Hill ● Conservatory ● Over 2000 square feet

● 5 bedroom family house • 2337 square feet • Lansdown location • Circa 0.5 acre plot • Potential to extend subject to planning • Fantastic level rear garden ideal for a family

Melbury, Bathford

A deceptively spacious 4 bedroom detached bungalow located on the eastern slopes of Bath in the popular village of Bathford. The property has far reaching views towards Solsbury Hill and the World Heritage City of Bath. Features of this well balanced home include an entrance hallway, 23’ lounge and a separate 22’ Dining room, a conservatory, Kitchen Utility, Bathroom, Shower room and a rear porch overlooking the rear garden. There is also a double garage with further off street parking for 3 cars off of Ostlings Lane. The property has no onward chain and offers immediate vacant possession.

enquiries@nashandcobath.co.uk 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED

www.nashandcobath.co.uk Tel: 01225 444 800

.co.uk

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NASH & CO

Kennet Park, Bathampton

£675,000

A lovely house in an equally lovely setting overlooking the Kennet and Avon Canal, this home could really be special if somebody was willing to do the work required. Benefiting from well-proportioned rooms and lots of light, this property has the potential to be a fantastic family home. Accommodation is set over two floors and includes: good sized living room, dining room area, conservatory, kitchen, study, four double bedrooms, bathroom, double garage, large front garden and mature south east facing rear garden, and entitlement for a private mooring on the aforementioned canal at the front.

£625,000 • Fantastic, 4 bed, family home • Level and generous rear garden • Breath-taking views at the rear • Double garage • Long drive

enquiries@nashandcobath.co.uk 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED

• 4 bedroom, 1960s, detached home ● South east facing garden ● Entitlement for a private mooring ● Double garage

Court Gardens, Bannerdown

4 Court Gardens is a detached four bedroom, family home with wonderful views over Bathampton and towards Limpley Stoke. The house is situated in a quiet cul de sac, offers almost 2,000 square feet of practical living accommodation and may need some updating to suit. Accommodation includes: entrance hall, 22’ living room, adjoining dining room, kitchen, downstairs w/c, utility room, three double bedrooms, large single bedroom, bathroom, and en-suite. There is scope to extend at the rear subject to planning permission. The real selling point of this property are the views that it offers from the rear of the house which span across from Limpley Stoke, over Bathampton, and towards Bath.

www.nashandcobath.co.uk Tel: 01225 444 800

.co.uk

NEW INSTRUCTION

Bloomfield Road

£560,000

An Extended and Much Improved 1930’s Four Bedroom Semi Detached Family Home Enjoying Stunning Panoramic Vistas across the Georgian City of Bath. Additional Features Include Three Receptions, Refitted Kitchen, Modern Bathroom, Two Shower Rooms, Off Street Parking, Gardens and Undercroft.

EPC - D

Local & Independent Serving Bath & Villages

Fidelis May.indd 1

01225 421000 www.fidelisinbath.co.uk

18/04/2016 13:45

Bennetts Road

ÂŁ510,000

NEW INSTRUCTION

OPEN HOUSE APPOINTMENT SATURDAY 7TH MAY BETWEEN 10am & 11:30am. PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE DIRECT ON 01225 421000 TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT A Detached Four Bedroom Chalet Bungalow Set in an Elevated Position with Stunning Country Views & Gardens. Hall, Sitting Room, Conservatory, Kitchen/Breakfast, Shower Room, Large Detached Office Space.

EPC - D

Local & Independent Serving Bath & Villages

Fidelis May.indd 3

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Norton St Philip, Somerset • Detached three bedroom bungalow • In the centre of a popular village • Near the village school and recreation ground • In good order, with gas central heating • Two bathrooms and a cloakroom • Gardens and off-street parking

Offers in the region of

£375,00

f we were presenting the TV property show Escape to the Country, we might well choose this three bedroom home in the village of Norton St Philip, between Bath and Frome, as our mystery house.

Our househunters may have thought initally that they wouldn’t consider a bungalow, but this detached property has a lot going for it and may well persuade them to buy. The bungalow is in a quiet spot, with enviable views. It’s close to the village primary schoool and the recreation ground and within walking distance of The George Inn. The bungalow is light and airy and very much up together, with a white bathroom suite, modern kitchen and gas central heating. The decor is neutral so the new owners could imprint it with their own style, be it funky, bold and modern or restrained classic English mode.

Shuck off your shoes in the entrance porch and head into the central long hallway. Sensibly, the sitting room, with its dual aspect and stone fireplace, faces the street, while off the good sized kitchen – complete with integrated feature – is the sunny conservatory which would make an ideal dining room.

In addition to the bathroom the main bedroom also has its own en suite .The second bedroom, ideal for small children. Upstairs the attic has been converted into a 23 foot long third bedroom which would double up as a shared bedroom.

Outside there’s parking in the drive and the gardens wrap around the house.

We can already see our Escape to the Country househunters talking about what they’re going to do with the house and planning their new lives in this popular village.

I

Mark Naylor, 1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath. Tel: 01225 422224

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k Mar r o l y a N

local • trusted • independent

Devonshire Buildings

Price Guide £615,000

A large Edwardian terraced home in this premier Avenue on Bear Flat. A large home with large accommodation but in need of upgrading and modernisation. It would appeal to anyone with imagination and flair.

• Large Poet's Corner home • Refurbishment opportunity

☎ 01225 422 224

• No onward chain • Generous basement accommodation

• Currently let - empty from July 1st • EPC = E

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

NEW INSTRUCTION

Sydney Place, Bath Located in a well regarded position adjacent to the Holburne Museum, this first floor apartment retains many of the original features having been the former Ballroom to Queen Charlotte in the early 1800’s. The Grade I Listed property now requires considerate and sympathetic refurbishment. EPC: Listed

Guide Price £695,000 • • • • • •

2 Bedrooms Stunning Drawing Room Grade I Listed Architectural Features and History Historic Legacy Overlooking Sydney Gardens

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

NEW INSTRUCTION

Great Pulteney Street, Bath

Guide Price ÂŁ550,000

A ground floor apartment located in the grandeur of Great Pulteney Street and offering the benefit of a private single garage to the rear. With potential to adapt its current layout, there is a tenant in occupation for those looking for a portfolio investment. Also offered with vacant possession. EPC:Listed

NEW INSTRUCTION

Kensington Place, Bath Guide Price ÂŁ300,000

This upper floor apartment provides elevated views and offers well proportioned accommodation. On the second floor the Grade II Listed property has a versatile layout with the option of one or two bedrooms. Also benefitting from a communal laundry facility, this makes an ideal city investment. EPC:Listed

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HEBDON HOUSE, Wiltshire

ÂŁ895,000

Beautiful country home, forming part of imposing nineteenth century manor house, with lovely mature gardens, in a superb location 2.2 miles from the delightful town of Bradford on Avon and 1.6 miles from thriving Trowbridge. Modernised throughout with many period features. Comprises drawing room, dining room, two cloakrooms, utility, four bedrooms, en suite wet room and two family bathrooms.

EPC Rating: TBC

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CHARLCOMBE, Bath

ÂŁ599,950

Three bedroom detached cottage located in Charlcombe, a semi-rural position in Lansdown, Bath. The property is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has lovely views. It comprises kitchen, sitting room, dining room, three bedrooms, bathroom, garage, cellar, parking and gardens.

EPC Rating: F

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Lansdown Crescent

OIEO £825,000

Grade II Listed Georgian apartment Ground and lower ground floor • Three double bedrooms • Two bathrooms • Period features • Stunning rear garden • Prestigious address • Approx 1,530 Sq Ft •

•

The property is entered via the ground floor, offering an entrance hall, a large drawing room with a wealth of period features including high ceilings, cornicing and fireplace. The third bedroom/study is found to the rear of the apartment along with the kitchen with a door leading onto the well manicured garden and a modern bathroom. On the lower ground floor is a large master bedroom with ample storage, a further second bedroom and another bathroom.

Cavendish Crescent

OIEO £550,000

Grade II listed • Georgian apartment • Lower ground floor • Courtyard • Open plan living • Two double bedrooms • Period features • Well presented Vaults • No Chain • Approx 1,003 Sq Ft

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Offering stunning and spacious living in one of Bath’s most famous Crescents, this delightful courtyard apartment will not disappoint. The property boasts open plan living comprising: large sitting room with a feature fireplace, an alcove used as a dining area, fitted kitchen, master bedroom, second bedroom, bathroom and a shower area. In addition, to the front of the property is a courtyard area with large vaults, and to the rear is a small courtyard perfect for alfresco dining which will benefit from the afternoon and evening sun. Viewing is highly recommended!

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Cavendish Place

OIEO £450,000

Grade I listed • Georgian apartment • Drawing room • Fitted kitchen • One bedroom • Period features • Immaculately presented • Sought after location • No chain • Approx 784 Sq Ft

Situated in an impressive Georgian house in a highly sought after location, is a fabulous second floor apartment. The property offers spacious accommodation comprising: entrance hall with ample storage, large drawing room with a wealth of period features, fitted kitchen with space for a dining area large double bedroom and bathroom.

Lansdown Villas

OIEO £330,000

Modern building Ground floor apartment Delightful courtyard • Modern kitchen • One bedroom • Luxury bathroom • Contemporary finish • Own front door • Allocated parking space • Approx 471 Sq Ft •

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This superb one bedroom ground floor apartment offers, an allocated parking space and a private three tiered outside area that is perfect for alfresco dining. Internally, there is an entrance hall with ample storage, open plan living area with a modern kitchen with integrated appliances, sitting room offering views across Bath, bedroom with built in wardrobes and finally a luxury shower room.

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Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Camden Crescent

£2,000 pcm

Georgian Second floor apartment Newly refurbished Three bedrooms • Bathroom • Shower room • South facing views • Central location • No pets Unfurnished • Agency fees £420 inc vat • Available now •

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A stunning three bedroom second floor apartment (one of five) in a recently refurbished Grade II listed Georgian townhouse situated on the northern slopes of Bath with breath-taking views over the City. The apartment is finished to a very high specification with a ‘wow’ factor and comes highly recommended.

Cavendish Lodge

£1,850 pcm

Prestigious residence • Second floor apartment • Two double bedrooms both with en-suites • Gated entrance • Beautifully maintained communal areas • Private lockable storage • Unfurnished • Agency fees £420 inc vat • Available now

An impressive and stylish two double bedroom apartment at one of the City’s most prestigious addresses. The property which is situated on the second floor, has superb views and is not overlooked. Externally the property boasts, private parking, visitors parking, well manicured gardens and a gated entrance.

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West House

£1,600 pcm

Period property Second floor apartment Three bedrooms Luxury kitchen Fabulous views • Contemporary bathroom and shower room • Garage and parking • Unfurnished • Agency fees £420 inc vat • Available now •

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Located in the highly desirable Bathampton village, moments away from the canal, with easy access to the City, is this exquisitely stylish, completely renovated three bedroom Apartment. The property is situated on the Top Floor, affording picturesque views and boasts a large open plan sitting room/ luxury Kitchen as well as three double bedrooms, luxury bathroom and shower room. There is a garage and parking as well as landscaped gardens to the front of the property.

Brock Street

£1,185 pcm

Georgian • Top floor apartment • Two bedrooms • Newly refurbished • Modern kitchen • No pets • Suit professional couple • Sought after location Unfurnished • Agency fees £420 inc vat • Available now

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A beautifully presented and refurbished Georgian two bedroom apartment with views in one of the most sought after areas in Bath situated between The Royal Crescent and The Circus and opposite Margarets Buildings a popular shopping area and restaurants and individual shops. An early viewing of this spacious apartment is recommended to avoid disappointment.

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Elms Cross | Guide: £2.85m LD

Cavendish Place | Guide: £1m

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Camden Crescent | Price on Application

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Getting results in Bath and beyond in 2016

Draycot Cerne | Guide: £1.45m

Sion Hill Place | Guide: £1m

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Berkeley Place | Guide: £1m

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Laura Place | Guide: £1.35m

Hanover Street | Guide: £635,000

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Great Pulteney Street | Guide: £635,000 LD

St James’s Square | Guide: £2.2m

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Great Pulteney Street | Guide: £4.5m

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Contact Savills to sell your property on 01225 282 979

Hamilton Road | Guide: £3m

Lansdown Place East | Guide: £1.25m

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Johnstone Street | Guide: £525,000

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Somerset Place | Guide: £3.5m

Top Floor Flat, Lansdown | Guide: £435,000

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