The Bath Magazine August 2019 by MC Publishing Limited

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ISSUE 203 | AUGUST 2019

£3.95 where sold

thebathmag.co.uk

FLIGHTS of FANTASY Through the Looking Glass – Maggie Taylor’s curious artwork on show at Lacock ON THE WILD SIDE

Championing wildlife in Bath with Nicole Daw

FRESH HORIZONS

Join a club, take up a course, develop new skills

A LIFE OF DRAMA

Miles Jupp plays David Tomlinson in The Life I Lead

SHOP, SHOP, SHOP Discover some of the city’s finest retailers

T H E C I T Y ’ S B I G G E S T M O NTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE AND LIVING IN BATH

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Contents August 2019 5 THINGS

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BATH AT WORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Essential events to look forward to this month

Neill Menneer’s portrait of funeral director Carol Spalding

THE LIFE I LEAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

ON COURSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Miles Jupp tells Melissa Blease about his new role as David Tomlinson at Theatre Royal Bath

Thinking of taking up a new hobby? Here are some ideas...

GUIDING READS WHAT’S ON

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Our guide to the top events happening around the city

STAR TURN

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Books to give you practical skills, from making jam to creative writing

MODERN AND MEDIEVAL

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Simon Horsford visits Montpellier, the second happiest city in France

Actor Ed Browning talks Poldark and his new short film Carnival

TRUE COLOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 WONDER IN LACOCK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Maggie Taylor’s quirky artworks on show at the Fox Talbot Museum

CITY ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 The latest art exhibitions from around the city

Catherine Pitt discovers Bath’s outlandish historical names

An essential guide to the very best retail experiences in the city

Melissa Blease dispels the nostalgia about the picnic experience .................................................

Emma Clegg visits Koffmann and Mr. White’s for a refined yet relaxed evening meal

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Kirsten Elliott’s Widcombe walk discovers forgotten pleasure gardens

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Jane Moore asks some experts about their favourite herbs

HOT PROPERTY

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More content and updates online: thebathmag.co.uk

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Nicole Daw explains why we need natural wilderness within our city

HERBAL DELIGHTS

SHOP, SHOP, SHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

RESTAURANT REVIEW

BATH ON THE WILD SIDE

A PLEASURABLE WALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

CHARACTERS IN BATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

UNPICKING THE PICNIC

Emma Clegg tunes into the colours that make her sing

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The finest homes to buy or rent

ON THE COVER

Anything but a Regular Bee, by Maggie Taylor, from the exhibition Through the Looking Glass at The Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock, until 12 January

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EDITOR’S PICKS COLOUR MATCH

I’ve been finding out all about the colours that suit me this month. I have also discovered that I am naturally drawn to many of the colours that I’m advised sit well on me, which is reassuring. Here is a great example of colours that fit my spectrum, a stack of pots by ceramicist Anna Lambert, whose work can be seen at Gallery Nine’s summer exhibition – see also page 38. galleryninebath.com

from the

EDITOR Editor photograph by Matthew Sterling

“

his was anything but a regular bee: in fact it was an elephant.” This quote from the chapter on flying insects in Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There is visualised beautifully on our cover by artist Maggie Taylor – yes, we are in the nonsensical land of Lewis Carroll. If you visit The Fox Talbot Museum at Lacock you will see a further selection of Maggie’s carefully curated and resonating digital artworks illustrating the book (see page 30). A different classy brand of nonsense is embodied by another favourite story, Mary Poppins, brought to life in the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews. George Banks, the father of children Jane and Michael, who changes within the narrative from stern money-maker to a joyful father flying kites, was played by David Tomlinson. Miles Jupp takes on the role of David in The Life I Lead at Theatre Royal Bath, revealing a story that was complex and a life that was always overshadowed by his George Banks role. Melissa Blease talks to Miles Jupp about the production on page 18. We have more thespian stories from Bath-based actor Ed Browning, who appeared as Paul Daniel in series one to four of Poldark, which is now once again on our screens. As well as our favourite Cornish drama, I talked to Ed about his role in a new short film, Carnival, produced and directed by Stuart Napier and filmed at the St Paul’s Carnival in Bristol (see page 26). In this issue we are extolling the virtues of the shops and retailers in the Bath area, who continue to surprise and delight their visitors with their wares and services, and who prove again and again that looking, holding, trying out and wearing any prospective purchases is the winning way to shop. Karl Lagerfeld would have agreed, I’m sure. See page 40 for this essential shopping directory. August is an excellent time for considering new projects and we have been finding out about picking up new skills by doing a course. Turn to page 62 for course ideas and training venues, with subjects ranging from upholstery and painting to wine-tasting and photography. Simon Horsford transports us to Montpellier on page 78, the second happiest city in France (Bordeaux is the first, in case you were wondering) to celebrate the introduction of flights to Montpellier from Bristol. Catherine Pitt takes us back to a hand-picked selection of outlandish characters from Bath’s history on page 38. And Melissa Blease creates her own brand of nonsense on page 56 as she decries the Great British picnic. Fair enough, but let’s get our cool bags and folding chairs ready. August here we come. Emma Clegg Editor

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

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WILD BATH

Talking of bees (or elephants), let me introduce you to this bee feeding on field scabious at Brown’s Folly wildlife reserve. Brown’s Folly is part of a B Line initiative being followed by wildlife trusts across the country. It is said that 40–70% of species could become extinct unless we enable plants and animals to move through the landscape. The B Line initiative is creating natural pathways so wildlife sanctuaries are not isolated, but are holistically connected to other natural environments. avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

BORAGE

The electric blue flowers of the gangly borage plant with their stems of fuzz and prickly leaves will light up your garden. Originating in the Middle East, borage is self-seeding, easy to grow and spreads rapidly. It provides a fantastic source of nectar for bees and other insects. You can add the flowers to salads, or eat them as you garden. Once the plant has finished flowering you can use it as a green manure.

ILLUSTRATION BY MAUREEN SEED The Bath Society of Botanical Artists; bsba.co.uk

only because something excites you, ❝ Buy not just for the simple act of shopping. ❞ KARL LAGERFELD (1933–2019)

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Quote code PERSOLEK for 20% off single vision and sunglass prescription lenses to Persol frames.

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ZEITGEIST

A piggy pile-on at Newton Farm

Discover For one day a year, Newton Farm opens its gates to visitors at Newton St Loe, where the public are invited to see how the team care for their animals and land. On 26 August, 10am–5pm, you can take part in a farm tour, jump on a tractor-trailer ride, browse local craft and artisan products, enjoy top food and drink, watch sheep shearing, and listen to live foot-tapping music. Plus there will be activities for kids, butter-making and welly wanging. Free entry for all; newtonfarmfoods.co.uk

Belcombe Court will become the beautiful backdrop for this year’s Iford Arts Festival

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Watch It was supposed to be a fun night out at the cinema for Meredith and Pip. But Meredith hated the film and Pip didn’t. Now it’s turned into an argument… After 36 years of marriage, surely Meredith’s parents, Chloe and Frank, can help them get over their troubles. But maybe they don’t like them, or each other. Will the argument tear them all apart? Bestselling novelist and screenwriter William Boyd’s darkly funny The Argument comes to Theatre Royal Bath from 7–24 August as part of the theatre’s Summer Season, exploring the complexities of human relationships and brutal honesty. Felicity Kendal (The Good Life, Relatively Speaking, Hay Fever) stars as Chloe, and Rupert Vansittart (Game of Thrones, Heartbeat) plays Frank, as Christopher Luscombe (The Nightingales, 2016 Olivier Award winner Nell Gwynn) directs this rib-tickling production. Tickets from £27; theatreroyal.org.uk

Wander It’s your last chance this month to see the Roman Baths illuminated at night by the light of flickering torches as the Torchlit Summer Evenings come to a close. The baths will be open until 10pm every evening until 31 August (last entry at 9pm), allowing visitors to walk on the 2,000-year-old pavements, taking in the magic of this beautiful historic location. Plus there’s a pop-up bar, so you can enjoy a glass of fizz as you explore the torchlit Great Bath and watch the steam rise from the natural thermal waters. Tickets and packages available online; romanbaths.co.uk

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Head to the Holburne Museum for a relaxed screening of the 2001 quirky French romantic comedy Amélie on 22 August. The award-winning film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet tells the story of a shy waitress (played by César and BAFTA nominated Audrey Tautou) from Montmartre who secretly helps those around her, and finds love. Shot in more than 80 locations around Paris, this charming tale has become synonymous with French cinema. The museum’s exhibitions and Garden Café will be open from 5.30pm. The film commences at 6.30pm. £8; holburne.org n

Roman Baths: Amy Sanders

Be transported to the 18th century in the neoclassical gardens of the Grade I listed Georgian house Belcombe Court in Bradford on Avon for this year’s highlight of the Iford Arts Festival. Pack a picnic, take a seat in the glorious geodesic dome, and prepare to be entertained as Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera L’elisir d’amore comes to life. Taking place on 31 August and 3, 6, 7 September, 7.30pm, this new production stars Claire Lees, Robert Lewis, Matthew Durkan and more. Gates open from 5.30pm. £130, under 18s go free; ifordarts.org.uk

August

Laugh

Admire

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THE BUZZ THE BUZZ Green flag for Hedgemead

Work carried out by residents and Bath & North East Somerset Council to improve and revitalise Bath’s Hedgemead Park has been recognised with a Green Flag Award. The 130-year-old park is one of five in the city that have been named as among some of the country’s very best green spaces. Alexandra Park, Bloomfield Green, Henrietta Park and Royal Victoria Park have also scooped Green Flag Awards. The parks are among a record-breaking 1,970 UK parks and green spaces and 131 in 13 other countries around the world that have been received the Green Flag Award. The award, now into its third decade, is a sign that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Walking the walk

My BATH

The Reverend Canon Guy Bridgewater was previously team rector and rural dean of Horsham, Sussex. He is Bath Abbey’s 29th rector, and took up his position in November 2018 Where have you made your new home in Bath and how have you been welcomed? Thank you so much for the wonderfully warm welcome that the Bath community has given to Jebs, my wife, and I. The abbey provides us with a rectory with stunning views from Bathwick Hill, and the walk down each morning is inspirational. We are just so grateful to be here. Why did you leave your Horsham parish? God’s gracious invitation, through the bishop here. Leaving behind great friends and a flourishing congregation was terribly hard after 11 happy years in Sussex – but I guess both we and the parish were ready for a fresh challenge... How do the challenges of the Bath parish vary from those in Horsham? Some things seem simpler, so far (a smaller congregation, and only one church to lead instead of five). But other factors are more complex and exciting: learning how best to serve our whole dynamic city with a bigger staff team and much bigger visitor numbers … oh, and also a rather sizeable building project in full swing. Do you feel a sense of awe working in Bath Abbey, because of its size and history? Absolutely. I regularly look up at our glorious west front and ask myself “How can anyone be worthy of looking after such a treasure?”

Over the last 12 years the Bath Moonlight Walk has raised over £1m to support patient care at local hospice, Dorothy House Hospice Care. This local event has now been refreshed to become the Hospice Care Hero Walk. The event will help fund more vital patient care as the hospice plans to double its patient numbers by 2025. The Hospice Care Hero Walk will take place between 6-10pm on Saturday 7 September in the grounds of the Bath Spa University Campus at Newton Park, with options for a 1km, 5km or 10km route; hospicecareheroes.org.uk

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Is it hard juggling the number of things going on in the abbey from day to day? Left just to me, the place would quickly become a shambles. It’s a tall order warmly welcoming and cherishing our many visitors, and also holding a full range of worship services, throughout such extensive building work – but thankfully I have inherited a fantastic team of abbey staff and volunteers who somehow manage to make it all possible – and to keep smiling, too! How well did you know Bath before you arrived last year? It was the old enemy down the road from Gloucester, where I lived for nine years. Now I’m happy to have swapped Kingsholm for the Rec though, and just trust I’ll remember to cheer on the right team…

There must be so many people associated with the abbey who you need to get to know. One of the immense privileges of being a parish priest is the fast track it gives you for getting to know folk from right across the local community. It is indeed great fun, and endlessly fascinating – and the best is that I know I’ve heaps of lovely people still to meet. How are you enjoying living in Bath? The glories of living here are still unfolding for us, as the seasons turn. But we can’t imagine ever taking such everyday architectural beauty for granted – and we love showing it off to the stream of friends and family who now all want to come and stay. What is your favourite place to visit here? This week it was just outside Bath in the National Trust’s Great Chalfield Manor and Garden, plus a stroll to nearby Courts Garden in Bradford on Avon, making for the perfect day out. But do ask me again in a week’s time, because the discoveries are coming thick and fast. What good books have you read recently? It’ll sound a bit pious, but I’m deeply into the Early Church Fathers at the moment, and what they teach from experience about the great adventure of seeking God: Isaac the Syrian, John Climacus, Symeon the New Theologian. Then at bedtime P.G. Wodehouse is always a treat – considerably lighter, but still not terribly trendy, I’m afraid! What is your preference in music? Both kinds, of course: country and western… Just kidding! Really it’s classical, jazz, blues, reggae, folk, alt country, 50s Rock and Roll, bossa nova, funk, prog rock, 60s and 70s singer-songwriters – almost anything except rap and thrash metal… But I’m told you have a history of rapping in Horsham... A scurrilous rumour! I deny all knowledge, and also (sadly) my erstwhile skate-boarding, beat-boxing and body-popping careers. ■ bathabbey.org

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News from around the city

Global appeal Following a successful fundraising campaign, two 19thcentury globes from the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution’s collection have been restored to

their former splendour. One is a terrestrial globe by Thomas Malby, Malby & Co (later Malby & Son), 1845, and the other is a celestial globe by John Newton, Newton and Sons, based upon the work of Reverend Francis Wollaston, F.R.S. and recalculated by W. Newton in 1830. BRLSI will celebrate the restoration of the objects on 25 September so the public can see how their money has been spent. The globes will be displayed alongside two examples of Senex maps in the BRLSI collection. There will then be a celebratory lecture by Laurence Worms on the subject

of John Senex, an 18th-century mapmaker, map publisher and the finest English globemaker of his day. Worms is co-author of the critically acclaimed book British Map Engravers and has lectured widely on various aspects of the history of the London map trade. He will uncover new information about the life of John Senex, the unjustly forgotten master cartographer, setting Senex in the context of the science and culture of his times and make the case for Senex’s key role in the making of the modern world. 25 September, 7.30pm, £5, £2 members. brlsi.org

Campaign to bring ToulouseLautrec’s Paris to Bath The Victoria Art Gallery is running a campaign on Art Happens, Art Fund’s crowdfunding platform, to raise £12,000 to showcase an exhibition of the prints of Toulouse Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre. The show will highlight the way visual art, music and dance were inseparably linked in the Montmartre of the 1890s, contributing to a leisure culture that catered for the needs of the expanding working classes. Toulouse-Lautrec, as a local resident and friend of many of the performers and impresarios, harnassed the recently invented process of colour lithography with his telling powers of observation to create bold and colourful promotional posters that were displayed on the streets of Paris. Given their exposure to the elements, these posters are now exceedingly rare. Mustering over 80 of them for this show is therefore a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The gallery plans to display 83 iconic colour posters by Toulouse-Lautrec and artists such as Steinlen, Bonnard and Mucha reflecting this golden era of the art of the poster. The gallery needs to raise the final £12,000 to bring these classics of art history from their normal home on the European continent.

Where there’s a will Actor Simon Callow is backing The Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Will Month scheme where people can make their will writing appointment for September with participating solicitors. Callow visited the Royal United Hospitals Bath to see how this fundraising initiative is helping to transform patient care. Simon Callow said: “It’s terribly important, for every possible reason, for all of us to have an up-to-date

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Troupe de Melle Eglantine, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

The exhibition will be accompanied by a busy programme of exciting events and workshops and the extra funds from the appeal will also help to support these. If you would like to be part of bringing Toulouse-Lautrec’s Paris to life in Bath,

Will. If you haven’t got one, help is at hand with the Forever Friends Appeal Will writing scheme.” There are 14 participating solicitor firms across Bath, Bristol, North East Somerset and Wiltshire who have joined the scheme. They will prepare and draw up a professional will at a reduced fee of £100 for a standard will and £150 for a standard mirror will or joint wills. To take part, call a solicitor listed on website, quoting ‘RUH Will Month’. foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk ■

you will be able to choose limited-edition rewards including bags and prints. You can donate until midnight on the 22 August via the Art Fund website: artfund.org/getinvolved/art-happens/toulouse-to-bath victoriagal.org.uk

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Roving reporter August.qxp_Layout 1 24/07/2019 11:38 Page 1

The dog days of summer Our roving reporter gets all hot and bothered at the idea of spending August in the city

t’s August and much of Bath has switched to out of office mode. Anyone with any sense – or the opportunity – has fled the city in search of the fresh breezes of the coast or the clear air of the countryside, leaving their home streets to just the gulls and the tourists. I don’t know why August seems like the worst month of the year to spend time in Bath city centre, but to me it feels more depressing that January. At least in January there are fewer people around, the buses and trains are less busy and the air is cleaner and crisper. And in midwinter you’re not constantly forced to walk against the tide of 100 tourists milling along on a narrow pavement, as we do in high summer. In the muggy heat I can feel the energy being sapped from me. The pavements are hard underfoot, hot and covered in unidentified stains. If you’re stuck working or living in the city centre in high summer there is so much that conspires to make one grumpy and anti-social. It is so noisy in the city at this time of year. You try throwing the windows open to let some air into Georgian buildings not designed for global warming, only to be deafened by the screeches of gulls wheeling round outside as though they’re circling a clifftop. A friend asked me on the phone recently if I was on holiday by the sea as she could hear the cry of gulls, but I was actually standing on Bath Spa station platform at the time. Does anyone else find it weird that the herring gull has swapped its healthy diet of fresh fish for leftover pizza and baguettes freshly plucked from an unwary visitor’s hand? Open windows also give us the chance to hear the repetitious (and sometimes tuneless) performances by buskers. I’ve discovered that some of our street musicians have only a handful of tunes that they crank out throughout the day. But I guess if Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and Puccini’s Nessun Dorma are the ones that get people dropping coins into your hat, then you’re going to stick to playing them – and it’s tough luck on the unwilling audiences inside nearby flats or offices. There’s always that bit in Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars where you’re willing the singer to hit the high notes, only to be disappointed as it’s invariably off-key. Now is a good time to get together with friends who were also unable leave town and enjoy a good old grumble. Favourite topics include how nothing ever changes in Bath and complaining that it’s all the same old crowd doing the same old tired things. We might compare Bath unfavourably to, say Bristol or Brighton, but I have it on good authority that these cities have their issues and their detractors too. But there is some comfort to be found in the dog days of summer. I like the fact that SouthGate has done much to soften its built environment, adding espaliered apple trees that no doubt someone will make cider from, and banks of artificial grass to loll around on. On street corners there’s the cheerful sight of containers filled with familiar and edible plants, such as fennel, bright nasturtiums and calendula. It would be nice if those who sport plastic flowers and hedges to hail summer follow this example and replace the plastic with real shrubs. Some of Bath’s greatest assets are its parks, the green lungs which give us a breath of fresh air. From Alice Park on the eastern side of the city to Alexandra Park on top of the hill above Bear Flat, there are numerous places where city dwellers can wander on soft grass beneath the trees. It’s good to see Royal Victoria Park being enjoyed by families and groups of friends for picnics, with a wide, open space where children can run free. One of my favourite places to escape the crowds and enjoy the plants and trees is the Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park. There’s a call-out for volunteers to work on the historic gardens, which might be a rewarding thing to do. The next session is on Wednesday 14 August, meeting at 10am at the Temple of Minerva. Gardening is just the thing to take one’s mind off the worries of the world. I’ll see you in September, when Bath will, like its post-holiday population, have resumed its healthy golden glow. n

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MUSIC CITY || INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

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THEATRE | INTERVIEW

TURNING ON A SIXPENCE Miles Jupp is the master of many genres of performance. He is now taking on a new challenge in a production at Theatre Royal Bath about the life of comedian and actor David Tomlinson, best known for playing Mr Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins. Melissa Blease talks to him about how he sees the role and about his multi-faceted career “Perhaps not,” says Miles. “But actually, there are laughs and lighthearted moments alongside the gasps. In some ways it’s quite shocking, but it’s very, very moving, too – I spend quite a lot of time switching from one mood to another, turning on a sixpence a little. It’s not really like anything I’ve done before in terms of the range of audience reactions it elicits. I’ve done lots of stand-up shows where it’s been just me on stage on my own for almost two hours, and I’d call that a relaxed experience in comparison to this. But theatre can’t be ad hoc in the same way that live comedy can be.”

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The more we discovered the more I got gripped, and suddenly I was immersed in David’s life

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alamory, The Thick of It and The Crown. Father Brown, The Durrells and Sherlock Holmes. Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mock the Week, The News Quiz: Miles Jupp’s acting, writing and comedy career goes on and on and on. And we still haven’t mentioned the fact that he and his wife Rachel have five children under the age of 10 (including a set of twins) to make sure the pace doesn’t drop at home either. Crikey, Miles; might you be the busiest man multitasking on Planet Multimedia today? “My CV is a sort of ongoing patchwork quilt, I suppose,” he says, in a thoroughly chilledout, understated fashion that suggests he’s sipping tea on a lawn by a river rather than commuting by train to his next pitstop. “One juggles it all together to try and fill it out.” And the most recent square on that quilt depicts yet another facet of Jupp’s genius for genre-flexibility. At the end of this month, Miles will bring the remarkable life story of stage and screen’s ‘quintessential Englishman’ David Tomlinson – known for playing iconic roles in iconic films including Tom Jones, Three Men in a Boat, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Love Bug and, of course, Mary Poppins – to the Theatre Royal Bath stage. This is in writer James Kettles’ new biographical comedy The Life I Lead, which received illustrious critical acclaim when it premiered at London’s Park Theatre earlier this year and visits Bath as part of the Theatre Royal’s summer season directly prior to a limited run at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End. To many of us, Tomlinson was (and always will be) the emotionally distant, bowler-hatted banker with the stiff upper lip who allowed a certain supernatural nanny to reveal the tender, soft centre beneath his starched, formal persona. The trajectory of Tomlinson’s own life, however, was far from supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Offering a stark contrast to the charmed life implied by the title of his 1990 autobiography Luckier Than Most, Tomlinson’s real back story was riddled with heartbreak, rejection and tragedy, taking in a murder-suicide (his first wife Mary killed herself and her two sons from a previous marriage by jumping from the window of a New York hotel in 1943) and the discovery of a ‘secret family’ courtesy of his father’s double life along the way. I’m guessing that The Life I Lead couldn’t be described as the theatrical equivalent of a spoonful of sugar, then?

And Miles is no stranger to theatre; I refer you back, at this point, to that CV. In 2012, he made his National Theatre debut in Alan Bennett’s People, and in 2015 went on to perform in the NT’s critically acclaimed production of Rules for Living alongside Stephen Mangan. He also appeared in The Way Of The World at Northampton’s Royal Theatre, A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg at Glasgow Citizens and Neville’s Island in the West End. Being David Tomlinson, however, has a uniquely personal connection for Miles. “I definitely feel very close to David,” he says. “He’s someone I always liked and admired, but I didn’t know much about him until James started researching his story – and it really is an extraordinary tale. The more we discovered, the more I got gripped, and suddenly I was immersed in David’s life. Then, when we were rehearsing, we started becoming quite close to his family. When James started writing, he had no connection with them until a mutual friend put him in touch with one of David’s sons who was really open and supportive of what we were doing, and not at all possessive or proprietorial. I’ve met most of David’s children now, and his second wife [the actress Audrey Freeman, with whom he had four sons and was with

for 47 years until his death in 2000, aged 83] came to one of the play’s press nights in London, and everybody was just incredibly starstruck by her. In many ways it was quite daunting when I first met them all; it’d be quite easy for them to think, who is this young upstart, ‘being’ David? But there was none of that. And I think the whole process of the play has been very moving, for all of them; there’s a lot of David’s pain in there – the pain he himself went through alone, and tried to protect those around him from. But the family have been great about it all, they’re really super people; I feel a closeness to all of them that I wasn’t necessarily expecting, and that’s been wonderful.” So is Miles, in terms of where he’s at in his career right now, living the dream? “Ha ha, perhaps I am!” he laughs. “But way back in the day, when I was a child, I really wanted to be a cricketer. At around 14 or 15, I started to want to act. Then, in my late teens, I got really interested in standup. I suppose you could say I was interested in lots of things at various times, and tried them all; now I’ve finally reached a point where I’m maybe slightly too busy, and want to focus on acting and writing – I’m nearly a third of the way through the second draft of a novel.” Oh of course he is! Given Miles’ capacity for multi project management, it wouldn’t surprise me if he said that he was working on the menu for his new restaurant in his downtime... but it turns out that he’s an expert at chillaxing, too. “I most definitely do have time off, yes of course,” he says. “I’m very good at ambling, so I’m looking forward to ambling around Bath while I’m at the Theatre Royal – there’s much to amble, in Bath,” he muses. “And simple things make me happy, such as just being around my wife and all our children, and those moments when you see other people take pleasure in others. When I see one of my children saying something funny and making one of the other kids laugh, that’s my idea of total happiness; that’s the kind of thing that makes the life I actually lead, as myself, so good.” So, the busiest man on Planet Multimedia’s priorities are practically perfect in every way; a certain supernatural nanny would most definitely approve. n The Life I Lead is at Theatre Royal Bath from 27 – 31 August; theatreroyal.org.uk

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WHAT’S ON in August There’s fun for all at Valley Fest

It’s Super Cider Saturday With The Wurzels at Bath Racecourse this month

The Three Inch Fools bring their take on Shakespeare to Bath and Bradford on Avon

Headlining on the main stage will be Basement Jaxx (DJ set), Razorlight and Tom Odell, and there’s top chefs such as Josh Eggleton, Rob Howel and the Free Range Chef serving up dishes; valleyfest.co.uk

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS n Until 3 November, Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village Artist Maggie Taylor returns to Lacock with a new exhibition inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic Through the Looking Glass. Taylor’s use of antique 19th-century photographic sources imbues her imagery with a Victorian character appropriate to Carroll’s narrative. Included in normal admission charges; nationaltrust.org.uk

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHT TOURS n 7 August, 1–1.45pm, Victoria Art Gallery Discover the stories behind the gallery’s principal treasures with Dr Chris Davies. Free, no need to book; victoriagal.org.uk

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM n 2–3 August, 6.30pm, Dyrham Park The UK’s premier all-male theatre company celebrate their 15th year with Shakespeare’s enchanting comedy in beautiful outdoor locations. This supernatural comedy of mischievous fairies, confused lovers and rude mechanicals is an intoxicating tale of clarity found from chaos as tangled love gives way to happily ever afters. Take a chair and a picnic, and enjoy one of the Bard’s best-loved comedies overlooking Dyrham Park’s spectacular 17th-century mansion. Tickets from £10; tlcm.co.uk VALLEY FEST n 2–4 August, Chew Valley Lake Step into a sumptuous weekend of eating, drinking, dancing and lazing by the lake. 20 TheBATHMagazine

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FAITH I BRANKO n 4 August, 8pm, Chapel Arts Centre Leading Serbian Roma violinist Branko Ristic and English accordionist Faith Ristic perform virtuosic original Roma-influenced music. £12; chapelarts.org

THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL n 10–11 August, 10am–5pm, Westonbirt School, Tetbury With more than 75 traders from local artisan food to international favourites, there will be something for all taste buds at this food festival, which is perfect for all the family. Discounted advance tickets available online; greatbritishfoodfestival.com

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING n 14 August, 7.30pm, Parade Gardens Five actors from The Three Inch Fools, with their instruments in tow, present a new take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing – a riproaring comedy of quarrels, deceptions and a frustratingly stupid man called Dogberry. Open for picnics from 6pm. Bring seating/blankets and suitable clothing for all weathers. £8/£16; threeinchfools.com

CALL MY BLUFF WINE TASTING n 15 August, 7–9pm, Le Vignoble, Milsom Place A light-hearted blind-tasting where you can enjoy samples of six different wines before attempting to guess the correct description, origin and price. Who is telling the truth? That’s for you to decide, and if you get the most correct guesses you’ll win a bottle of fizz. £15, booking essential; levignoble.co.uk MACBETH n 15 August, 7pm, The Courts Garden, Holt, Bradford on Avon Armed with all manner of musical instruments, acting troupe The Three Inch Fools present an inventive take on Shakespeare’s infamous Scottish play, accompanied by an original folk-inspired soundtrack. Expect a fast-paced, musicallydriven show, using all sorts of different instruments, plenty of multi-roling and many a quick costume change along the way. Grounds open for picnics from 6pm. £12/£15; threeinchfools.com COTSWOLD WARDENS WALK n 16 August, 10am–1pm, Dyrham Park Join the expert wardens for a walk in the surrounding countryside and discover great views back to Dyrham Park from the west. This is an eight-mile walk, starting from the car park. Places limited to the first 25 people to arrive; nationaltrust.org.uk TEXTILES FAIR n 17 August, 10am–4pm, The American Museum and Gardens The Textiles Fair returns for its sixth year with a mix of textiles, making materials, and made items both vintage and modern on show. There will also be demonstrations throughout the day. Normal admission applies; americanmuseum.org

Valley Fest: Adam Gasson

AUSTRALIAN SUMMER n Until 2 September, Longleat Celebrate an Australian summer at Longleat featuring an indoor beach and the fabulous End of Day Hooroo – a vibrant spectacle of music and dancing, sure to get everyone’s toes tapping, feet stomping and hands clapping. All of this, plus the Safari Park, historic house, and adventure castle is included with a day ticket or annual pass. Book online and save up to 15%; longleat.co.uk

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CULTURAL FILM SCREENINGS n Throughout August, The Little Theatre Cinema Just in time for a heatwave, Mozart’s fairy-tale opera The Magic Flute will be screened live from Glyndebourne on 4 August, while the Met Opera’s summer encores of La Boheme and Il Barbiere Di Siviglia will be shown on 5 August and 19 August. Movie classics Goodfellas will be shown on 11 August and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on 18 August, plus you can catch 1980s favourite Raiders of the Lost Ark on 25 August. The kids (and adults) will also be pleased to hear that Horrible Histories: The Movie will be on show from 2 August. See the full programme online; picturehouses.com/cinema/The_Little

SUPER CIDER SATURDAY WITH THE WURZELS n 17 August, gates open 2pm, Bath Racecourse A proper day out at the races west country style, all washed down with a glass of cider and followed by a live performance by renowned Somerset legends, The Wurzels. There will be seven races to watch, starting at 4.40pm, before the band kicks off the party at 8pm. From £12; bath-racecourse.co.uk FROM HADES TO THE MACHINE AGE n 20 August, 7.30pm, BRLSI The earliest specimen in the BRLSI collection is a meteorite formed during the Hadean, at the very start of the Precambrian Eon. Matt Williams, BRLSI collections manager, takes audiences on a chronological tour of objects from the meteorite through to the start of the machine age, represented by a Colt Revolver made in 1852. £2/£5; brlsi.org OPEN AIR THEATRE: CRANFORD n 21 August, 6.45pm, Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company for a unique performance of Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic tale of small-town Victorian life including the coming of the railways to this sleepy community. £15/£19. A two-course pre-theatre supper is available for £17.50, or take a picnic; avonvalleyrailway.org MA BESSIE AND HER PIGFOOT BAND n 22 August, 8pm, Chapel Arts Centre Julia Titus started to perform as Ma Bessie in 2015 in the hope of sharing the music of Bessie Smith and her contemporaries with a new generation. Mixing Julia’s rich, warm vocal sound with a dynamic group of musicians, Ma Bessie combines classic blues and jazz tunes from the inter-war years with a selection of original songs and hand-picked covers from the last 50 years of popular music. £13/£15; chapelarts.org BATH CATS AND DOGS HOME’S FUN DAY n 26 August, 11am–4pm, Bath Cats and Dogs Home, Claverton Down The rescue centre’s annual fundraiser returns for the August bank holiday Monday, where there will be a host of displays, games, stalls and food. Don’t miss the dog show, and learn a thing or two from the main demo ring. £4.50 adults, £2.50 children, free for under fours, family tickets £12. Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome. Free parking available at the University of Bath; bcdh.org.uk/funday AMERICAN GARDEN PARTY n 26 August, 11am–4pm, The American Museum and Gardens See out the summer in style as you head to the museum for a day of music, food, fun and games. Take a picnic along and enjoy it in the beautiful grounds. Music in the garden by Sticky Toffee Jazz. Normal admission applies; americanmuseum.org

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WHAT’S | ON

Go Gaga for tribute act Donna Marie Trego at The Forum

Chapterhouse Theatre will bring a touch of Cranford to Avon Valley Railway

Expect four-legged fun at Bath Cats and Dogs Home’s charity Fun Day

FREE RESIDENTS RACENIGHT n 27 August, gates open 2.30pm, Bath Racecourse Mix up your midweek with an evening of racing. Got a BA postcode? You’re in luck as you can get a free ticket! There will be seven races to watch, with the first commencing at 4.45pm. Maximum of two free tickets per household. Resident tickets must be booked by midnight on 26 August; bath-racecourse.co.uk UP LATE FRIDAY: COLLECTING CRAFT n 30 August, 5–9pm, The Holburne Museum Experience the museum free of charge after hours where you can immerse yourself in an eclectic programme of pop-up talks, art demos, installations, performances, DJ-sets and cocktails. Delve into the world of contemporary craft and making with live performances from artist Andrew Southall’s Shaker Stand Project and activities inspired by Sir William Holburne and his sisters; holburne.org A GAGA STAR IS BORN n 30 August, 7.30pm, The Forum, Bath Two incredible tribute shows are rolled into one mind-blowing Gaga experience as Donna Marie Trego and Adam Kelbie transform into Ally Maine and Jackson Maine and take you on an emotional journey performing songs from the multi awardwinning film A Star Is Born. This is followed by a celebration of Lady Gaga’s greatest hits, featuring awesome vocals, jaw-dropping replica costumes and amazing Gaga choreography. From £24.50; bathforum.co.uk THE DUNG BEATLES n 31 August, 8pm, Chapel Arts Centre Hailed by The British Beatles Fan Club as “definitely not your average Beatles band”, the band has earned high praise for its authentic musical renditions and closeharmony vocals. The band performs a wide mix of classic hits and more obscure album tracks from every year of The Beatles’ commercial success. £16/£18; chapelarts.org 22 TheBATHMagazine

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MOVIE BY MOONLIGHT: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY n 31 August, 8.15pm, Royal Victoria Park We will, we will, ROCK YOU! Get ready for this foot-stomping celebration of Queen and the extraordinary lead singer, Freddie Mercury as the award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody is projected onto the big screen. Entry is free, with charity collections going to the Forever Friends Appeal at the Royal United Hospital. There will be food stalls from the likes of The Scallop Shell and JC’s Kitchen, or take a picnic. Gates open from 5.30pm; foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk IFORD ARTS: L’ELISIR D’AMORE – DONIZETTI n 31 August and 3, 6, 7 September, 7.30pm, Belcombe Court, Bradford on Avon Enjoy Donizetti’s comic masterpiece L’elisir d’amore in the beautiful surroundings of Belcombe Court for the highlight of this year’s Iford Arts programme. Bashful village boy Nemorino is besotted with the wealthy Adina but she rejects him. His desperation deepens when Adina apparently falls for a handsome man in a uniform. In abject misery he turns to the dreadful and dazzling quack Dr Dulcamara for a love potion… Gates open for picnics from 5.30pm. £130, under 18s go free; ifordarts.org.uk PLANNING AHEAD... IN CONVERSATION: ALASTAIR SOOKE AND CHRIS STEPHENS n 4 September, 7–8pm, The Holburne Museum Join art critic and BBC broadcaster Alastair Sooke in conversation with Holburne director Chris Stephens as they discuss the work of the 19th-century French painter Édouard Vuillard, in celebration of the museum’s major exhibition The Poetry of the Everyday. Exhibition free to access from 6pm. £15; holburne.org AN EVENING WITH ROBERT HARRIS n 4 September, 8pm, Christ Church, Julian Road From the number one bestselling author of Fatherland, Enigma, Pompeii and The Ghost

comes a brand new historical fiction novel by Robert Harris: The Second Sleep. Join Robert as he talks about the inspiration behind his new book. £20 includes book voucher; toppingbooks.co.uk FASTLOVE n 6 September, 8pm, The Forum, Bath Direct from London’s West End, this is the world’s favourite George Michael tribute show. Celebrate the global superstar that is George Michael with all his hits including Father Figure, Freedom, Faith and many more. £25; bathforum.co.uk UPROAR: MOVIE NIGHT n 9 September, 7.30pm, Komedia Komedia Bath and Bath Mencap present the first ever Uproar: Movie Night. The auditorium will be transformed into a cinema for a screening of The Greatest Showman exclusively for adults with learning disabilities and their friends and families. A safe, relaxed event. Ages 18+. £5, carers go free; komedia.co.uk INTRODUCTION TO WINE n 11 September, 7.30–9pm, Society Café, Kingsmead Square An evening of tasting and discovering wines by Le Vignoble, hosted by Society Café. Broaden your knowledge and enhance your enjoyment of the wine that you drink. Designed for those with little previous knowledge, and covers wine producing countries, grape varieties, production methods and tastings. £15; levignoble.co.uk THIS IS TOMORROW n 12 September, 9.30am–6.30pm, Arts Lecture Theatre, The Edge, University of Bath This year’s Institute for Policy Research symposium aims to address the ongoing debates affecting our future by top academics and researchers, ranging from China’s growing dominance in the world and the future of work, to global security, climate change, Artificial Intelligence and ethics, and the future of welfare systems. Free, register before 2 September; bath.ac.uk/events n

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HIMAL FASHION and ACCESSORIES from the HIMALAYAS

Annual Autumn Event Following our hugely successful previous events, we are pleased to announce this year’s event dates are Friday 4th October and Saturday 5th October 2019, 10.30am - 4.30pm. Sunday 6th October 2019, 11am - 3pm 5, Old King Street, Bath (Health & Beauty Centre and Bath Chiropody Clinic; next to Hall and Woodhouse) We will have many beautiful items, all personally chosen, including: Beautiful jewellery • Pure Cashmere Shawls • Pure Cashmere Scarves • Pure Cashmere Ponchos • Pure Silk Handprinted Scarves Silk & Cotton Mix Dressing Gowns • Silk & Cotton Mix Pyjama Sets (beautifully presented in matching presentation bags) Luxurious Hand Embroidered Cashmere Shawls • Pure Wool Rugs Beautiful Embroidered Cushions • Home Accessories • Clothing • Handbags Children’s Slippers • Gifts for children, family & friends too Dare we mention…….. Beautiful Christmas Decorations Come along, bring a friend, enjoy a glass of Prosecco with us, shop! All profits from the event will be donated to The Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children Reg’d No. 1140503 (A local charity, supporting and funding the education of children throughout Nepal.)

We provide Bath Airport transfers to and from all major airports in the uk. We use only HI spec vehicles and give a near on chauffeur experience at less than regular taxi prices. • Airport transfers • City to city travel • Hi spec vehicles • 1-8 seat vehicles available • Account work considered • Free Wifi in selected vehicles • Card payments taken with Izettle • Prices start from as little as £39 Call or email us for a quote now! Web: romanbathprivatehire.co.uk Email: Info@romanbathprivatehire.co.uk Tel: 01225 484346

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MUSIC | INTERVIEW CITY | INTERVIEW

Ed Browning as Paul Daniel in Poldark

An actor’s life for me

The ability to make people dislike you is not normally a pivotal career requirement, but for an actor it’s pretty essential. Poldark actor Ed Browning tells Emma Clegg how he has recently embraced his inner anti-hero for a film called Carnival ll filming is hurry up and wait,” says Ed Browning. “There’s a huge amount of standing around, a lot of coffee and tea, a lot of chat, and you get to know people really well.” I also discovered that there’s a fair bit of waiting around when you are looking for work as an actor, with your life on hold as you wait for your agent to recommend you for a new part. Fortunately, Ed, who is from Bath, has had some good breaks during his 15-year acting career. Inspired by a standout drama teacher, Max Harvey, at Wellsway School in Keynsham – “he is one of the main reasons that I do what I do” – Ed then went to Bath College to study performing arts. The twoyear course propelled him straight into work, when he was offered a job in Channel 4’s comedy series Teachers starring Andrew Lincoln, which was filmed in Bristol. At the same time Ed won a new talent programme run by the BBC (he was chosen from 12,000 20 TheBATHMagazine 26 TheBATHMagazine

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applicants nationally), the prize for which was a part in an episode of the BBC afternoon drama Doctors.

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Whether it’s a small piece of theatre or a long-running series, every job I do is exciting and every job I do I want to do

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A “

With this professional experience under his belt, Ed was fortunate enough to get an agent straight after college and to be in work without having been to drama school. “I said that I’d see if I got work through the agent and if I didn’t, then I’d go to drama school,” he says. “Personally I don’t think three years

at drama school would have done much for me. I find acting is a very instinctive thing and I’ve learned a lot by working with other very talented actors.“ He also tells me that he watches everyone constantly on set – film technicians, lighting designers, actors and extras in scenes that are not his – and so every acting role brings him new knowledge and understanding about the industry. I ask about the audition process: how do you know what to expect? Ed, who has run Bath-based courses on audition skills, has plenty of audition know-how, but there is often a large element of the unknown. “In a commercial audition (for a role in an advert), the casting director will know in 10 seconds, as soon as you walk through the door, if you are right, because they know exactly what they are looking for,” says Ed. He tells me of an actor friend who, in a commercial audition for a washing powder advert, wore a new white T-shirt to look the part. But in a theatre audition, Ed explains, the casting

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CITY | INTERVIEW team might ‘workshop’ with actors for an hour to an hour and a half, because they know they will have to work with that person for weeks, and maybe go on tour, so they need to know that they are talented and that they will work well within the team. “One of the nice things about going into any audition is that you are not really sure what to expect. Whether you are auditioning or actually working, it’s an opportunity to play and that’s so much fun. Even if you go for a character that you don’t think you’re quite right for, you say ‘yes, I’ll give that a go’. Or play something a bit different just for the fun of it, and as you do this more, it becomes less and less nerve-wracking.” One character for which Ed has become known is that of Paul Daniel in the BBC drama Poldark. His character, appearing in series one to four, is a miner and the brother of Mark Daniel, played by Matthew Wilson, who murders his wife Keren after she is unfaithful. The internal shots, perhaps surprisingly, were filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol, with the outdoor and coastal shots in Cornwall. So how does the continuity and acting flow work? “I’ve never shot a production that shoots chronologically,” laughs Ed. But it’s surprising how quickly you get used to it.” Ed explains that in the first series there is a scene where Paul and Mark Daniel go to visit Ross Poldark at his house – they knock on the door, Demelza answers and filming ends. It wasn’t until a grand eight weeks later that the follow-on internal scenes were shot in Bristol. I learn, too, that Aidan Turner was already a good horse rider before Poldark – and that his confidence on a horse was absolutely crucial to his role – and that he learned to ride when he was filming The Hobbit in New Zealand. Reeling with all this behind-the-scenes information about Poldark and The Hobbit, I ask if Aidan is as lovely as he appears. The answer, of course, is yes. Ed’s latest project is a short film called Carnival, which tells the story of an absent mother returning to visit her young daughter and wanting to build a future for both of them. While at the carnival she meets a man from her past, played by Ed. Produced and directed by Stuart Napier, the film was shot at the St Paul’s Caribbean Carnival in Bristol and is full of vibrant colour and carnival atmosphere. “Filmed in the middle of the carnival, the way it was shot was very free-flowing, but cameras are now so small it made it relatively easy. The cast had only met briefly beforehand and the challenge, as is common with short films, was to find the scene in the moment.” Ed’s character, Darren, is not a likeable one. “When I first read the script I wasn’t entirely sure I was right for the character as he is quite an unpleasant guy. But Stuart didn’t want an obvious twodimensional bad guy. And it was a good opportunity for me to find a way of making that character convincing.” Warming to the theme of playing unpleasant characters, Ed refers back to Poldark and Jack Farthing’s portrayal of Warleggan, where viewers take an instant dislike to him with his lack of warmth, his armoury of serpentine expressions and cruel, meddling machinations: “As an actor you have to like something about your character. Jack Farthing is the most delightful person but everybody hates him because of who he plays. You always need to research the character and find a way of liking him. I’m not sure I liked my character in Carnival, but I understood where he was coming from.” What are Ed’s thoughts about becoming well-known? “I always go along when people say, ‘are you waiting for a big break?’. Yes and No. It’s my career. It’s every job I do. Whether it’s a small piece of theatre or a long-running series, every job I do is exciting and every job I do I want to do. You can’t sit back just waiting for that one opportunity. I can’t, anyway, because I’m not interested in fame and celebrity. I just love what I do.” Ed is very grounded in Bath and has no plans to leave: “My family and my life are in Bath, and there is just so much happening here, as well as nearby in Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester. And while London is vibrant with theatre productions, it’s only an hour and a half away. And Bath is such a great place to be – I can’t imagine moving away.” n

Scenes from the short film Carnival

Carnival will be screened in Bristol (details to be confirmed) and will then be available online; carnivalfilm.co.uk

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CINEMA | HIGHLIGHTS

Take two: films

The Little Theatre Cinema has two films this month that premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. One brooding and analytical, the other wayward and full of energy, they both raise questions about how to live a life well, says Emma Clegg

Pain and Glory

Antonio Banderas as Salvador

Not the most persuasive of titles, and do be prepared for a certain amount of, well, contemplation and angst. But there is a soft, self-affirming internal light here too. Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar takes on a film with a very personal-to-him angle. Antonio Banderas plays Salvador Mallo, an ageing film director facing ill health, pain, a slough of negative thoughts and unrelenting writer’s block. The film profiles the filmmaker’s childhood in the 1960s in Valencia, his first adult partner and breakup in the 1980s and his life-affirming connection with creativity and the cinema. The plot revolves around Salvador’s reunion with the star of a film of moment in his career, Alberto Crespo, played by Asier Etxeandia. Salvador visits Asier wanting to repair the rift in their friendship and his visit sees the heroindependent Asier offering him the drug and Salvador trying it out. This may seem extreme but it has convincing body in the film, indicating the low point that the character has

Animals Take two female thirty-somethings who love to live wild, to drink, dance, take drugs and party non-stop. Laura and Tyler, played by Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat, are two characters from Emma Jane Unsworth’s 2014 novel. In the film – adapted by Unsworth and directed by Sophie Hyde – the two friends live a high-octane social life, and appear to have no plans to stop and enough energy never to drop.

reached, and the compulsive power of a hard drug is used to draw parallels with the effect of other significant loves in the director’s life. The film includes imagined reconciliations with figures from his past: the aforesaid friend Alberto, his lover Federico played by Leonardo Sharaglia, and his mother, played as a young woman by Penelope Cruz and in later life by Julieta Serrano. These interludes serve in the narrative to heal the wounds of the past and work through the mental distress that still lingers.

Almodóvar seems to be expressing his own stage of life, his own weaknesses, a revealing change of perspective from previous films known for their empathy for complex and vulnerable characters. Pete Bradshaw in The Guardian describes the film as “an autumnal film in a ruminative minor key, with more pain than glory.” Maybe so, but the glory is there, tinged with sad reflections – love, memory and art – and both the pain and the glory have a cathartic power.

With fun the centre of their world, the girls work as baristas and live in a Georgian apartment in Dublin. Money seems no object, which doesn’t stand up to much scrutiny, but we all know that good fun in a film needs a tasteful context. While both appear devoted to each other and to their hedonistic lifestyle, things start to fray, as ever, when other characters upend the harmony. Namely Laura’s sister, Jean (Amy Molloy), once a wild party-goer herself, who announces to her sister that she

is pregnant, and Jim (Fra Fee) who is a concert pianist (really?). He falls for Laura and asks her to marry him, but then decides he is going teetotal. Which is so clearly not going to work when living with someone whose day is dominated by alcohol. But it’s easy to be a wise observer. Inspired by Jim, Laura decides to write the novel she has dreamed of, but doesn’t get far. The tension is whether to continue with her carefree life or to grow up, develop a work ethic and develop a life with meaning. Tyler keeps the high jinks going, as Laura weighs up what to do. It’s typical of any friendship – there are moments of joy and of anguish; life is dishevelled and you need some big energy to change your path. n

Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat as Laura and Tyler

SHOWING TIMES Pain and Glory From 23 August Animals From 9 August Little Theatre Cinema, St Michael’s Place; picturehouses.com/cinema/The_Little

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Top: Silver Spoon London 1810 - £30 Bottom: Silver Spoon Grenada 1810 - £1,200

Free Silver Valuations Please call us for an appointment

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MUSIC | INTERVIEW

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: main image, And What Alice Found There; below top, Beware the Jabberwocky; below bottom, As She Described it Afterwards; far right, Anything But a Regular Bee Â© Maggie Taylor

SAY HELLO...

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

Alice in Lacock

Digital artwork and a National Trust property might not appear to have much in common, but the associations in a new photography exhibition at the Fox Talbot Gallery in Lacock are seamless, Emma Clegg discovers

aggie Taylor is an artist who creates labour-intensive digital images of unreal worlds, humorous and reminiscent of Magritte or Dali. Maggie lives on the edge of a sun-drenched prairie surrounded by cows on the outskirts of Gainesville, Florida. Her artworks are, however, already gracing our region in a new photographic show at the Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock. Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, commissioned by the museum’s curator Roger Watson, is an exhibition of some of the artworks used to illustrate a new edition of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass, published in 2018 by the University Press of Florida. It follows a 2008 exhibition of Maggie Taylor’s work at the Fox Talbot taken from her illustrated Alice In Wonderland book. “The Alice books were written in the 1860s and so focus back on the 19th century – and the images that Maggie uses are photographs from the 19th century,” Roger explains. It’s clear how the artist’s work combines the strands of history, nostalgia, characters, dreams and enchantment that typify Carroll’s books as well as that of Lacock and the National Trust. What’s more, Lewis Carroll, or rather Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was well known for his interest in photography, which he took up in the mid-1850s, then a newly emerging art. Maggie Taylor’s digital composites, which have been widely exhibited in the USA and beyond, use 19th-century tin-type portraits, which she scans on a flatbed scanner and then combines with other images: “Maggie uses her camera for some shots, she scans books and objects, and all these are pulled together and created through the use of Adobe Photoshop to make these really sumptuous images,” says Roger. Describing her work, Maggie says, “To me the images work on two levels: they are about the specific objects, yet they also invite reverie or recollections. As I work with them, and after I use an object in several different images, that object begins to develop a personality. Some of the objects begin to play roles as if in a small theatre in front of the camera or on the screen.” When it comes to the character of Alice, every artwork uses a different figure of a girl – essential because they are all historic

images – and so the figure of Alice is everchanging, a perfect way of matching the dreams of every young girl reading the books and aspiring to fall down a rabbit hole or pass through a looking glass to find a magical adventure. “Maggie’s technique is the perfect way of working with photography and with Lewis Carroll in that the stories that he created in Alice and Through the Looking Glass are absurd and have characters created out of nothing, creatures that have never existed, and situations that couldn’t exist,” says Roger. “So using that within the work that Maggie Taylor does – creating realistic, photographically based and yet non-real situations in the images – mean that they work together really well.” Some of the artworks use photographic images of Lacock Abbey (see left), which make them especially at home in the Fox Talbot Museum, which houses permanent photography galleries. Roger explains that the balcony gallery where they are being shown, which covers almost three sides of the first gallery, is a perfect venue for a storytelling narrative. “My penchant is for photographic work that tells stories. Maggie Taylor is working here with the absurdity of Lewis Carroll’s own writing. But there is a flow to the exhibition, there is always a storyline that I work with.” “What is it but a dream?”, the closing line of Through the Looking Glass, seems never more appropriate. It’s time to go experience the dream. n Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There is at the Fox Talbot Gallery at Lacock Abbey in Lacock until 12 January

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

STATE OF THE ART Bath’s galleries and museums are bursting with a range of bright and vibrant exhibitions to add a touch of colour to the summer season GALLERY NINE 9b Margaret’s Buildings, Bath Open: Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm Tel: 01225 319197, web: gallerynine.co.uk SUMMER EXHIBITION Throughout August

This summer exhibition presents work by Makiko Oda, Anna Lambert, Elizabeth Renton and Barbara Peirson. Makiko creates elegant sculptural jewellery inspired by plant life, trees and flowers, formed from reclaimed slices of wood and layered with gold and silver leaf. Ceramicist Anna Lambert has developed her hand-built forms to reflect a connection with West Yorkshire. Elizabeth Renton makes wheel-thrown tableware from stoneware and porcelain, and artist Barbara Peirson mainly paints in acrylics and has an interest in figures, still life, landscapes and estuary life.

VICTORIA ART GALLERY

Pirton Fields bowlstack by Anna Lambert

By Pulteney Bridge Open: Daily, 10.30am–5pm Tel: 01225 477233 Web: victoriagal.org.uk

THE EDGE Andrew Brownsword Gallery, The Edge, University of Bath Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am–4pm Tel: 01225 386777 Web: edgearts.org THE THEATRE OF ROBERT ANTON Until 14 September Step into the world of Robert Anton at this exhibition of miniature mannequins, props and drawings by a littleknown artist of 1970s New York. Through his theatre, Anton transformed the debris of New York City that were considered abject – be it object, human, or animal – into an alternative world beyond judgement and limits, with simultaneously devastating and marvellous outcomes. Showing in England for the first time, this incredible collection will provide a fascinating experience for all the family. Free entry.

BERNARD OLLIS: A TALE OF TWO CITIES Until 15 September Bernard Ollis was born in Bath and he attended the Bath Art Secondary North Parade Passage, Bath School from 1962–67. by Bernard Ollis He completed his Masters in painting at the Royal College of Art, London where visiting artists and lecturers included David Hockney, Peter Blake and Howard Hodgkin. Ollis became director of the National Art School, Sydney from 1996–2008. He stepped down from this post to concentrate full time on his art, basing himself around his Sydney studio. He travels extensively and has held multiple artist residencies in diverse locations such as Cairo and Antarctica. The works in this show are based on memories and recent visits to the cities of Bath and Paris. WAR AND RUMOURS OF WAR Until 15 September Drawing largely from The Hepworth Wakefield’s outstanding collection of 1940s British works on paper, this exhibition revisits a decade of anxiety, austerity and idealism that resonates strongly with the present day. Many of the works were commissioned for the nation through the War Artists Advisory Committee. These pictures, many by women artists, reveal the impact of war on the home front during the Second World War and the years that followed. The part that the city of Bath played in this story centres around the Baedeker Raids of April 1942. The resulting devastation was documented by artists including Norma Bull, Leslie Atkinson and Clifford and Rosemary Ellis. Works by Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland, Barbara Hepworth and John Piper are also featured.

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

GRAY M.C.A 5 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath Open: Wednesday – Saturday, 10am–4pm, Monday and Tuesday by appointment Tel: 01225 422117, web: graymca.com THE SUMMER SHOW Throughout August Gray M.C.A will be exhibiting an exciting combination of original modernist textiles and the best of 20th-century fashion illustration from the masters of the discipline. These rare original works have great elegance and style, and bring a touch of sophistication to any interior. Above, Legend by Alan Reynolds, 1963, screen printed cotton satin, Edinburgh Weavers

DAVID RINGSELL Claremont Community Centre, Eastbourne Avenue, Bath Tel: 01225 315705 Web: real-images.com NEW VIEWS ON FAMILIAR PLACES Until 15 October This exhibition focuses on the power of painted images to make the viewer look with fresh eyes. David Ringsell has a contemporary take At The End of the Track on classic Bath architecture, by David Ringsell creating realistic compositions that retain a painterly quality. Originals and custom prints are available to purchase. Open during café opening times – currently Thursdays, 10am–2pm and at other times by arrangement. Free admission.

The Game of Shuttlecock by Édouard Vuillard

THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney Street, Bath Open: Daily, 10am–5pm (11am Sundays) Tel: 01225 388569, web: holburne.org LAUREN CHILD: THE ART OF ILLUSTRATION Until 8 September Step inside the eclectic world of Lauren Child MBE, the awardwinning author, illustrator and Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2017–19). This display and accompanying family trail celebrates the art of Child’s illustration, featuring works from her original stories as well as her re-workings of her favourite children’s classics and fairy tales, including The Princess and the Pea. It traces Child’s creative influences and processes, from her nostalgic love of dolls’ houses to her early passion for patterned textiles and interior design. VUILLARD: THE POETRY OF THE EVERYDAY Until 15 September Édouard Vuillard was one of the leading figures in French art at the end of the 19th century, famed for his small, subtle studies, mostly of figures in interiors. The Poetry of the Everyday celebrates the unique qualities of his early work (from the 1890s) in which he balanced an obsession with patterned fabrics and wallpaper with subtle, domestic psycho-dramas to create paintings with a striking emotional intensity. This is the most extensive UK exhibition of Vuillard’s works in more than 15 years, including many that are rarely publicly displayed.

BEAUX ARTS 12–13 York Street, Bath. Open: Monday – Saturday, 10am–5pm Tel: 01225 464850, web: beauxartsbath.co.uk SUMMER EXHIBITION Throughout August This exhibition combines work by more renowned artists with some new faces. Anna Gillespie’s sculptures and Helen Simmonds’ still lifes share gallery space with wave paintings by Dawnne McGeachy, and Lewis Chamberlain’s intricate pencil drawings.

River by Anna Gillespie

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THE FRAMING WORKSHOP 80 Walcot Street, Bath Tel: 01225 482748 Web: theframingworkshop.com Throughout August

Hannah Clare works in mixed media to produce drawings and paintings which explore layers of story, memory and experience. This exhibition focuses on the female form and draws on art historical imagery and themes. This exhibition runs alongside the permanent display of creatively framed objects and images collected and created to inspire visitors. Left, Waiting on the rock... by Hannah Clare

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WHY NOT FORK OUT FOR AN OLD SPOON? Lawrences in Crewkerne began their week of Summer Fine Art sales with over 470-lots of silver and vertu. The sale contained a number of collectable early silver spoons. Each was carefully assessed and catalogued by the auctioneers’ silver specialist, Alex Butcher, one of the leading silver specialists in Europe today with over 35 years’ experience in the field. Included in the sale was a West Country spoon, made in Exeter in c.1640-1660 with an `apostle` terminal and another slightly earlier in date (c.1635-1640), made by Richard Crosse in London, sternly simple in design, together with an unascribed provincial spoon from c.1600-1640 with Somerset connections, made by Thomas Dare of Taunton in c.1649 again with an apostle terminal and a spoon by Francis Jackson from the reign of Elizabeth I (London, 1565), bought for over £6,000. Recent highlights have also included a George II Irish provincial marrow scoop, made in Kinsale in c.1730 that was bought for £10,000 and a Charles I East Anglian spoon by Arthur Haslewood of Norwich (1635) that was bought for £11,250. “Silver spoons are not just beautifully simple in design but were very highly prized in the 16th and 17th centuries” says Alex. “Silver resists germs so the spoons were not so likely to harm their users if the utensils had not been thoroughly cleaned. Often one sees a worn edge to the bowl where the spoon was used to scoop up every last scrap from a dish of food. Treasured spoons may bear their owner’s initials, pricked carefully into the slender stem, and an additional date in the same style may indicate a gift of that date. There are many collectors in this vast field and competition can be intense for rare examples or spoons in really fine condition but there are plenty of opportunities for the occasional buyer. By holding such an item, one can feel literally in touch with a piece of history.” Entries are invited for their forthcoming Autumn sales. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON BUYING OR SELLING, PLEASE CONTACT: alex.butcher @lawrences.co.uk

Lawrences AUCTIONEERS The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB. T 01460 73041

lawrences.co.uk

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

NICK CUDWORTH GALLERY

TATTERSETT COLLECTIVE

London Street, top of Walcot Street, Bath Closed on Mondays Tel: 01225 445221 Web: nickcudworth.com

44AD Artspace, 4 Abbey Street, Bath Open: Monday – Sunday, 10am–5pm Web: 44ad.net

Throughout August This summer exhibition features originals and prints of Nick Cudworth’s paintings of Bath and the surrounding areas. Also included are paintings and prints of various subjects including portraiture and landscapes throughout the country. Nick paints in his studio to the rear of the gallery and is available to discuss the work with visitors.

20 August – 1 September This exhibition showcases the work of the Tattersett Collective, a group of artists from across the country who share a passion for oil painting. Visitors will see a wide variety of work from nine talented artists who each bring their unique style to the collection. View intimate street scenes of Bath and wider landscapes, sensitive portrayals of musicians and nature, as well as the finest paintings of cows in the west country.

Left, Walcot Steps III by Nick Cudworth Kelston Roundhill by Heather Gordon

MUSEUM OF EAST ASIAN ART Bennett Street, Bath Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, 12–5pm Web: meaa.org.uk EAST ASIAN LIFE Until 10 November The exquisite objects in the Museum of East Asian Art’s collection are now seen as wonderful works of art. However, many of them were originally utilitarian items used in daily life. From flower vessels to incense utensils, and from writing tools to accessories, this exhibition remembers the original function of many objects in the museum’s vast collection.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS 165 Newbridge Hill, Bath Tel: 07793 085267 Web: thehiddengardensofbath.co.uk 14 and 15 September, 11am–5pm Six artists will showcase their work including outdoor sculpture by Cathy Judge and Jacquie Primrose, paintings by Catherine Beale and John Gammons, and textiles by Gloria Pugh. Musicians will be performing throughout the day and light lunches, homemade cakes and scones will be served on the terrace overlooking the garden. Proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support. Entrance £6 on the day and £5 in advance, go online for details. n

COMBE DOWN ART TRAIL Venues around Combe Down, Bath Web: cdarttrail.com 7–8 September Now in its third year, follow the trail of red paper lanterns throughout the heart of Combe Down and explore 16 open art venues including artists’ homes and studios, as well as the brand new Hub at Mulberry Park and The Museum of Bath Stone. More than 45 artists’ work will be on show as well as animation workshops, flower crown making, music workshops and a children’s writing competition. There will be plenty of locally made artwork, jewellery, photography, print work, sculpture, craft and ceramics for sale. Free entry. 36 TheBATHMagazine

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Peggy by Catherine Beale

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CITY | HISTORY

Characters of Bath

Guinea pigs, pigeons, canaries, donkeys, fancy dress, muffins and oysters, knives, a penny whistle, a fez and an aircraft hangar are just some of the items associated with notable characters in Bath – Catherine Pitt investigates

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I like Bath for the freedom it permits. One can be as eccentric as one likes without exciting undue curiosity

MRS G. SINGERS-BIGGER, ST JAMES’ SQUARE, BATH, 1931

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eople make a city, and a city makes its people; whether those people are rich or poor, learned or uneducated, they all contribute to the local social history. Bath is no exception. Whether frozen in time through the means of photography, recalled by reminiscences amongst friends or online, or written about in books or newspapers, these real-life characters breathe new life into the past and make the city come alive. Some people are immortalised in print, though are often given pseudonyms to spare their blushes, like Squire Allworthy in Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones, published in 1749, said to have been based upon entrepreneur and local landowner Ralph Allen. Other local characters are shrouded in mystery, like Sally Lunn, whose name is so familiar in Bath, but whose actual existence is questionable. Even before photography some of Bath’s distinctive visitors and locals were depicted as the grotesque and exaggerated caricatures of 18th-century satirists and illustrators Thomas Rowlandson and James Gillray. Today photographic and other media resources, such as the prisoner’s portraits at Bath Records Office, allow us to put a face to Bath’s criminal past. There are still such memorable characters to be found on Bath’s streets today. The Bristol-born crooner Jerri Hart is one. Often seen in trademark hat and overcoat,

he can be found busking at the bottom of Milsom Street. Or Martin Salter, who can be regularly seen strolling to and from work, resplendent in Regency garb, and greeting passers-by at the door of one of Bath’s top tourist attractions, the Jane Austen Centre. In the more recent past, you may recall Paul ‘The Pigeon Man’ Charlton, who was a familiar site by The Pump Rooms, or the badge-bedecked wrestling enthusiast and charity fundraiser ‘Mad Eli’ Collins (d.2014) who was a regular sight in the front row of countless British wrestling shows and for decades sought donations for his toy laden window displays at his home on the corner of Laura Place and Johnstone Street. Though the familiar figures of 18th- and 19th-century Bath are far from living memory, the newspaper articles, memoirs,

Image © Bath in Time; bathintime.co.uk

BELOW LEFT: Mad Eli in his distinctive hat and jacket, covered in badges of wrestlers over the ages BELOW RIGHT: The familiar sight of Jerri Hart crooning in Milsom Street

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Squire Allworthy in Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones (to right of illustration) is said to have been based on Bath’s Ralph Allen

and books help to build up in our minds a picture of Bath’s past. Many fascinating characters appear merely as footnotes in records and leave you wanting to know more. The reasoning behind Victorian Police Sergeant ‘Punch’ Newton’s achievement of never having arrested anyone in his career may forever remain a mystery. Some, such as Sally Lawful, a prostitute turned do-gooder who was helped by the Salvation Army, were immortalised in contemporary ballads and songs, although these are no longer familiar refrains. Through the centuries street traders, hawkers and barrow-boys were familiar sights in the city. In the Victorian era you would have walked past Biddy the apple seller on Cheap Street, or stopped Muffin Bill for one of his hot baked cakes. Pie-sellers and oyster shuckers plied their fast food, and you could even enjoy your caffeine fix from one of the wheeled carts selling tea and coffee near the station. On Saturday nights at the entrance to Great Corn Street you would have found a man in a battered bowler hat, serving cups of hot green peas to passers-by. The contraption he sold them from even had seats inside which allowed diners to perch while consuming their food. Many trades, once so familiar on Bath’s streets, have long disappeared. Jimmy

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CITY | HISTORY

Astronomer Patrick Alexander built a hangar in his Batheaston garden

Woods, the mobile knife-grinder was one, renowned for visiting all the butchers and grocers within the city. Ernest Ball, the last chairman of Bath, retired in the late 1940s, after travelling around the city by Bath chair had ceased even to be a novelty. At the top of Marlborough Lane the figure of Donkey Prior with his animals was once so familiar, as he offered people donkey rides around Victoria Park for 3d, but today he’s a mere mention in print. Those with no trade, or those who were sick or old, survived in Bath by whatever means possible. In the 1900s a gypsy woman was a commonplace figure outside the Bath Guildhall, along with her caged canaries. For a few pennies the birds would pick a card from a deck, and the woman would then read your fortune. Another familiar character was Poor Phoebe Bush, an elderly woman of a nervous nature, who was forced by her circumstances to sing on the streets for money. In the same period in Weston a blind woman was often seen wearing a pinafore and a bell, being led by her son around the streets, selling papers to locals. Some resorted to scams and became wellknown through their dishonesty. ‘Shammer’ was one familiar figure in Victorian Bath. He begged on the streets, but the crutch he used was far too short and he was often seen walking unhindered, his crutch swinging merrily by his side. When he was begging he blessed those who put money into his cap, and shouted abuse at those who didn’t. Police intervention eventually forced Shammer’s retirement. Other characters were recalled with fondness because of good deeds. Mother Gibbs ran a newsagents on Lansdown Hill in the early 1900s, and was considered a generous supplier of sweets and toys to local children. In the late 19th century, Rufus ‘Crooky’ Crook, a butcher on Lower Borough Walls, could often be found in the police courts, as the queues of poor people outside his shop for the free meat on Sundays quite often caused highway obstructions.

Many of Bath’s characters had nicknames but were also renowned for their unusual mannerisms and unconventional dress. Robin ‘the Huntsman’ was one such, known for wearing a scarlet hunting tunic every day. In the summer a Dr Seneschall could be seen walking the streets wearing a heavy fur coat, regardless of the temperature. While on the street you could find a busker named Crummy who would serenade passers-by with melodic airs on his penny whistle, played only with the aid of his nostrils.

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Jack ‘Dicky’ Bird was a hardcore radical who could be found on election days with a be-ribboned donkey in tow

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Image © Bath in Time; bathintime.co.uk

Plate 6 of Thomas Rowlandson’s Comforts of Bath, satirising the city, 1798

Bath has long been accustomed to welcoming visitors and settlers alike. In the 18th century Bath welcomed aristocratic asylum seekers following the French Revolution. Most moved back when the situation settled, but some remained, like the miniature painter Madame de Beaurepaire. Other migrants in the 18th and 19th centuries included Italians such as the entertainer Guinea Pig Jack, and ice-cream sellers, often nicknamed Hokey-Pokey, the slang word in that period for ice-cream. There were also Indian street beggars and Turkish street sweepers, such as the so-called Terrific Turk on Bartlett Street who wore gold earrings and a fez. Class was no divider when it came to eccentrics, but wealth could enable the ideas of some. Take, for example, Beckford’s Tower, the folly high up on Lansdown, which was created with no real purpose by the eccentric writer and builder William Beckford (1760–1844). A lesser known man,

who acted in a similar vein, was a successful (but un-named) Bath toy seller, who in 1904 transformed his home into a castle, with a turret and battlements. It has been said that genius and eccentricity goes hand in hand, though it’s likely that the neighbours of aeronautical pioneer and enthusiastic astronomer Patrick Alexander (1867–1943) wouldn’t have thought so when Alexander erected The Mount in his garden in Batheaston, a hangar where he could build his aircraft, alongside a huge telescope. The shorthand enthusiast, inventor, and publisher Isaac Pitman (1813–1897) was also considered somewhat quirky. Known to stroll through the city, even in his later years, with his dog at his heels, Pitman insisted on his first name being spelt the phonetic way as ‘Eizak’, refused to drink tea, coffee or any alcohol, never smoked, was a vegetarian, and was an ardent follower of the Swedenborgian Church – all behaviours considered, at the time, to be quite eccentric. Politics could, and still can, bring out characters to the hustings and poll booths. Shavings George was one such individual who was a renowned heckler at political meetings, while Billy Madoo, a shoemaker by trade, was a soap-box municipal campaigner whose vocal opinions echoed the streets of late Victorian Bath. Jack Dicky Bird was one to outdo them all, a hard-core radical who lived in Southgate Street and could be found on election days with a brightly be-ribboned donkey in tow, ready to argue politics with anyone and everyone. There are many more characters only mentioned in passing, but they all leave an imprint in Bath’s history. For characters on the poorer end of the scale, as health care improved and the welfare state was introduced, many disappeared and were forgotten; others from quite different backgrounds are still fondly remembered. People come and go, but the true characters leave imprints in our minds, in photos, in our stories, and nowadays on social media, too. n

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THE BEST SHOPS OF BATH

A CITY OF GREAT SHOPS Welcome to our annual review of the best of Bath’s retailers Essential, interesting, designer, luxurious, cool or just downright eccentric... our retailers sell beautiful products with a customer service that is rarely found elsewhere. In this special feature The Bath Magazine promotes a selection of our favourite shops and stores that make the Bath one of the finest shopping destinations in the country.

MAGALLERIA 22a Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LN Tel: 01225 471586 Web: magalleria.co.uk Magalleria is a unique store selling the largest collection of international, independent and niche print magazines in Europe. It imports magazines, journals and zines from all over the world, with many exclusive to its range. Magalleria also provides magazine news, reviews and interviews from its online store and blog. Interest in creative print is currently sky-high. In addition to compelling content, production innovations now mean that the modern magazine is designed and geared to make reading a much more tactile, visually pleasurable experience than ever before. With knowledgeable staff, and offering strong depth in art, design and interior design, fashion, lifestyle, food, travel and literature, Magalleria is a store packed with ideas, information and inspiration.

THE BATH HAT COMPANY

LONDON CAMERA EXCHANGE

9 – 11 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN Tel: 01225 339009 Web: thebathhatcompany.com

13 Cheap Street, Bath BA1 1NA Tel: 01225 462234 Web: lcegroup.co.uk

This lovely shop has hats for all occasions, and is one of the specialist independent retailers which make shopping in the city such a unique and enjoyable experience. A-listed by Harper’s Bazaar magazine, the shop is brimming with colour and stocks a huge selection of contemporary designs, along with a hint of vintage and a touch of the outrageous, all beautifully hand crafted. For the man about town, it has a fabulous collection of gentlemen’s hats, colourful trilbies, fedoras, Donegal and Harris Tweed caps, Panamas and many more. All sizes are available.

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If photography is your passion then head to an institution where you are guaranteed a personal and helpful service from staff who really know their business. London The new 61MP full frame, mirrorless Camera Exchange can Sony a7R IV trace its origins back to the original photographic studio in Guildford in the 1950s. Specialities include sensor cleaning and image recovery as well as prints from phones, instant prints and passport photos. There is an excellent part-exchange service so that customers can either trade up with the latest photographic equipment or choose from the selection of used items. Space is also devoted to other types of optical equipment such as astronomical telescopes and sport optics – visit or contact the team for the best deals in Bath.

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THE BEST SHOPS OF BATH

JODY CORY GOLDSMITHS 9 Abbey Church Yard, Bath BA1 1LY Also at: 15 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 1AR Tel: 01225 470072 Web: jodycory.co.uk

DUOBOOTS 33 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DG Tel: 01225 600127 Web: duoboots.com DuoBoots design and sell stylish women’s boots and ankle boots, expertly made by Europe’s finest artisan bootmakers. With its unique calf-fitting boots, you’ll always find something that’s truly designed to fit you. On the high street, the typical calf size is 38cm. DuoBoots believe this simply doesn’t represent the majority of women out there, which is why they offer all knee high and over-the-knee boots in calf sizes ranging from 30cm – 50cm. You’ll find timeless classics alongside subtly trend-led styles. So whatever your size or style, DuoBoots fit beautifully.

Jody Cory is an independent jeweller and member of the National Association of Goldsmiths with more than 25 years’ experience. From her shop and workshop in Abbey Churchyard, Jody and her team create beautiful, unique pieces which are the perfect way to mark any special occasion. Friendly advice is available seven days a week from a team of highly skilled goldsmiths working in extremely covetable silver, gold and platinum and using personally selected rare gemstones. Old or broken treasures can be repaired or remodelled to become exciting new pieces to be enjoyed all over again and a free design service is available. Jody also offers restringing, rhodium plating and valuations. On display in her new shop on 15 Northumberland Place is a variety of highly interesting work from other UK designers. Her shop in the Abbey Churchyard offers skilfully crafted handmade jewellery from inexpensive silver pieces to diamond-set engagement rings and wedding rings in traditional and contemporary styles to suit all tastes.

GOODBODY WELLNESS 7 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ Tel: 01225 444144 Web: goodbodywellness.co.uk Goodbody Wellness is one of the UK’s first natural, traceable and tested CBD retailers. The expert staff value mother nature and always consider your wellness as a priority. Goodbody aims to offer you a moment of calm in a tranquil and relaxing environment acknowledging that we are in world of hustle and bustle where nothing seems to slow down. Not one of those faceless brands, Goodbody are always interested in you, passionate about your well being and hope to be the architect of your state of wellness and balance. The core values they possess and consumer interaction makes them different from online and non-specialist CBD retailers. Visit the Bath store to discover its extensive, market-leading range of over 50 different products.

ICARUS SILVER JEWELLERY 3 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AX Tel: 01225 463693 27 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LW Tel: 01225 489088 Web: icarusjewellery.com Unique to Bath, the Icarus shops are an immersive space where visitors are invited to relax and enjoy the beauty of each piece of jewellery at their own pace. Owner Dilek Köroğlu designs and makes some of the handmade silver jewellery pieces in the shop and is always happy to show you more of any particular style you desire. You are also welcome to discuss custom orders for bespoke designs. The shops are something a little bit different where you’ll be surrounded by beautiful things.

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KATHRYN ANTHONY OPTOMETRY 16 Pierrepont Street, Bath BA1 1LA Tel: 01225 464433 Web: kathrynanthony.co.uk Kathryn Anthony Optometry believes that to feel your best it’s important to get expert advice and have a choice of eyewear that will enhance your appearance. Whether you’re looking for glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses the small friendly team offers you a truly unique service. You will enjoy exceptional eyecare and a wide choice of beautiful frames sourced from all over the world with some of the most technologically advanced products on the market. Pop along and share their passion and discover how you can see better, look better and feel better.

ROBERT WELCH

FARROW & BALL

6 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ Web: robertwelch.com

124 – 126 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BG Tel: 01225 466700 Web: farrow-ball.com

Robert Welch Designs was founded in 1955 by Robert Welch, a graduate of the Royal College of Art. Today, still based in the 18th-century former silk mill at Chipping Campden, where it was founded, the company is run jointly by Robert’s children, Alice and Rupert. Steeped in 60 years of history, the in-house design team remain true to Robert Welch’s legacy and maintain a sense of continuity within the business by ‘designing the Robert Welch way’. Visit the company’s studio shop in Bath, to see the wide range of cutlery and homewares on offer.

HOMEFRONT INTERIORS 10 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP Tel: 01225 571711 Web: homefrontinteriors.co.uk Now in its fourth year, the eclectic Homefront Interiors has continued to grow with an ever-changing selection of homewares, gifts and cards. This independent little store may be small but it has a wide range and regularly updated stock of new and vintage homewares and follows a simple ethos of sustainability. This could mean recycled materials, fair-trade origin, small-scale production, or simply showing a little love and care to vintage finds. It is the clever mix of vintage and contemporary alongside an ever-growing selection of handmade pieces from local artists including textiles, ceramics, jewellery, art prints and cards that makes Homefront such a great destination. Perfect for gifts and unique finds for your own home.

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Located in a beautiful Grade II listed building the spacious showroom occupies a prominent position in Walcot Street, famed for its bohemian art and fashion scene. The showroom showcases the entire collection of Farrow & Ball richly pigmented paint colours and artisanal wallpaper designs. Customers can experiment with colour, texture and finish and browse the entire collection of wallpapers alongside Farrow & Ball’s edited palette of 132 paint colours in a range of interior and exterior eco-friendly paint finishes. The experienced showroom team are available to offer complimentary colour advice and decorating schemes. If you’re hoping for a little more guidance, the expert colour consultants are on hand to help you create your unique look with Farrow & Ball. Considering up to four rooms in an hour, they’ll share tailored design advice and suggest a cohesive scheme, all from the comfort of your own home.

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KIMBERLY Trim Street, Bath BA1 1HB Tel: 01225 466817 Web: kimberly.co.uk Kimberly in Trim Street Bath has stocked some of the world’s finest designers for over 36 years. The shop has established itself as a must-go-to store for everyday wear or for that special occasion. Current designers include: Max Mara Studio, Max Mara Leisure, Boutique Moschino, Amina Rubinacci, Fabiana Filippi, Schneiders and many more. At the beginning of each season Kimberly stages a series of in-house fashion shows in the store. The professionally choreographed presentations have become an important part of the Bath’s social scene. Shows are held most every week day over a two week period with morning and evening presentations available. Champagne is served. Kimberly’s next fashion shows commence from 13 September. You can book a seat online, by telephone or by popping into the store.

PAUL GREEN HI-FI Unit 8, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath BA1 3LN Tel: 01225 316197 / 337955 Web: paulgreenhifi.co.uk The Green family has served the Bath area with quality audio and visual goods since Ken and Gordon Green opened Green Brothers in Walcot Street in 1946. In 1977, Paul branched out and for over 40 years has offered an unparalleled service. In these days of cheap internet sales, service is becoming a thing of the past. Not at Paul Green Hi-Fi. Now based at the Brassmill Enterprise Centre and still a family business, the team offers unbiased advice on the system to suit you. The expert staff can undertake complete installation of audio and visual equipment and there is a full after-sales service including repairs. Products range from OLED TV and LED screens to wireless hi-fi and headphones through to high-end stereo and surround-sound separates and speakers. Paul Green Hi-Fi stocks most major brands from Audiolab to Yamaha and everything in between. There is plenty of free parking, disabled access and ground-floor viewing and listening facilities and staff will always be competitive on pricing. You are invited to relax in the friendly atmosphere in the knowledge that you will receive quality advice and service.

TINA ENGELL 29 Belvedere, Bath BA1 5HR Tel: 01225 443334 Web: tinaengell.com A short walk up from the city centre is well worth the effort to visit Danish goldsmith Tina Engell’s Scandinavian-style space. Is it a workshop or a shop? You will find glass cabinets full of beautiful handmade jewellery, as you would expect. Perhaps more unusually, this is also Tina’s workshop, with a huge workbench illuminated by industrial lamps and covered in precious metals, stones, hammers, chisels and clamps. Tina designs and makes every piece by hand, using traditional methods. Although you can buy off the shelf, she often works to commission, creating unique pieces of jewellery to order. She can design and make a bespoke piece, or take inherited jewellery and refashion it. In this open-plan space the entire creative process is visible, and the results are bold and individual.

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GREAT WESTERN WINE Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AP Tel: 01225 322810 Web: greatwesternwine.co.uk Expertise and good old-fashioned service is what sets Great Western Wine apart. The shop is an Aladdin’s cave of more than 1,000 of the world’s best wines and an eclectic range of rare, small batch spirits. Great Western Wine is constantly up to date with modern, award-winning wines, as recognised by the International Wine Challenge, which voted GWW the Best Wine Merchant in south west England. A selection of wines is always open for tasting, and enthusiastic, experienced staff encourage visitors to linger and browse while helping to find the perfect wine. Prices at every level are competitive. A mail-order service is also available and the same attention to detail and personal advice is available by phone, email or through their website. Regular wine-tasting events and dinners sell out quickly, at GWW and at some of Bath’s best restaurants which are supplied with its wines.

THE SILVER SHOP

OSKA BATH

25 Union Passage, Bath BA1 1RD Tel: 01225 464781 Web: thesilvershopofbath.co.uk

30 Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG Tel: 01225 637159 Web: bath.oska.com

This little gem of a shop continues to be one of Bath’s favourite gift and jewellery stores and is still a family-run and independent business. You’ll find it tucked away, yet close to Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. The shop is a firm favourite with visitors and residents alike and has a reputation for great customer service. Holding Bath’s largest selection of silver jewellery with prices ranging from £5 to £500, the staff work hard to source a wide selection of pieces with some ranges being handmade by local jewellers. With a small workshop on site, The Silver Shop also offers a charm soldering service for customers. Make this your first stop if you’re looking for a gift for someone special or just to treat yourself to something special, such as a clock or a candle, a christening gift or even a Charlie bear, the shop is certain to have something for you.

Located on Upper Borough Walls, OSKA Bath provides a relaxed shopping experience, with a friendly team offering help and guidance to create your perfect outfit. With two seasonal collections per year, each garment reveals individual characteristics through colour and pure materials, ensuring high-quality and contemporary products. A style that accentuates personality while at the same time conveying comfort and elegance. OSKA is currently moving into their autumn/winter collection, which combines the soft grey tones and inky blues with the accent tones of berry and mint green. Classic fabrics are reworked in new silhouettes with exciting prints created exclusively for OSKA. Book a personal styling appointment by popping in-store, giving them a call or emailing: bath@oska.com

BEAU NASH 31 Brock Street, Bath BA1 2LN Tel: 01225 334234 Web: beaunashbath.com As you walk from the Circus to the Royal Crescent you will come upon Beau Nash. Pay a visit and you will understand why they think we should all be using silver on a daily basis. Not only is silver beautiful and lustrous but – as our ancestors knew only too well – it is also antibacterial and, unlike steel, has no taste to taint your food. Beau Nash are great believers that silver should not be kept for ‘best’ – it is there to be used. It is no coincidence that silver always was, and still is, the first choice of royalty, the aristocracy and anyone else who can afford it. Quite simply there is nothing better than silver to eat, drink and serve food with. Offering the best of classic antique Georgian and 20th-century silver as well as unusual decorative items, its stock is all carefully selected for its quality and provenance. Aside from collectors items, there is a wide range of very useful silver for you, your children and their grandchildren.

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FOOTBALANCE 20 Green Street, Bath, BA1 2JZ Tel: 01225 333545 Web: footbalanceuk.com While you are walking the beautiful streets of Bath, make sure you visit FootBalance, a unique store for all your foot health needs, providing foot analysis, custom insoles, a carefully selected range of footwear, compression accessories and podiatry treatments. Since 2003, the company’s strong Nordic heritage has heralded a passion for helping people stay active for longer, to enjoy the things they love doing. During your visit to the FootBalance store be sure to experience the free foot analysis and learn how your feet affect your total body alignment. With over 75% of adults having misaligned feet, everyone can benefit from getting to know their feet and having custom insoles moulded to bring support, cushioning and balance to their lives.

THE FRAMING WORKSHOP 80 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BD Tel: 01225 482748 Web: theframingworkshop.com The Framing Workshop is a long-established bespoke framers, specialising in art and object framing, with quality materials, craftsmanship and an individual service at the forefront of each and every job undertaken. It has been framing for 30 years in Bath’s artisan quarter in Walcot. It also makes mirrors to order with any of the range of frames and has a selection of collections and curiosities on display in the workshop to inspire you. The Framing Workshop talks through the process with you to ensure you find a framing solution to suit your requirements, be it simple or more specialised.

SPOTTY HERBERTS 5 Queen Street, Bath BA1 1HE Tel: 01225 331834 Web: spottyherberts.com Discover a shopping experience showcasing an adventure in childhood, where children are welcome, where innocence and magic are alive and playfulness goes hand-in-hand with rainbow patches and fizzy sherbet sticks. This is Spotty Herberts, Bath’s triple award-winning, independent shop for children. The shop is brimming with colourful, practical brands of unisex clothes for children 0 – 10 years. Collections are chosen for their thoughtful design, singularity and ethical production, often sourced locally or British-made. Owner Kate explains the thinking behind Spotty Herberts: “We want to offer traditional, simple, clever toys you can pick up and play with again and again – a warm, nostalgic experience for children, and adults, with clothing that children love to wear, grow up in, grow out of and hand on and on.”

TAKE CHARGE BIKES 1 Victoria Buildings, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EH Tel: 01225 789568 Web: takechargebikes.co.uk No one would argue with the fact that switching from using a car to riding a bike creates a host of benefits for both you and your environment. Exercise, even at moderate levels, helps to reduce stress and depression, as well as improve your mood and self-esteem. But could it be that the idea of pedalling up all those steep hills around Bath is putting people off? This is where the electric bike comes in, having all the benefits of a regular bicycle, but with the added bonus for the rider of not needing a shower when they arrive at their destination. Take Charge Bikes is an award-winning company based in Bath with additional stores in Exeter, Woking and Cheltenham. It offers the widest selection of quality electric bikes from commuting bikes, tourers, leisure, folding, cargo bikes, tandems, and mountain bikes. Take Charge offers service and maintenance on all types of bikes too. Anybody who is considering an electric bike is encouraged to pop along and try a demo bike. 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.

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NICHOLAS WYLDE 12 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 462826 Web: nicholaswylde.com The south west’s leading designer jeweller, awardwinning Nicholas Wylde has been designing original, high-quality jewellery since first opening his Bath store in 1987. He has built up a reputation for designing outstanding pieces; from one-off commissions to larger corporate orders – all handmade, with great passion, in the workshop on the premises. An added cool factor: Nicholas Wylde offers his own patented diamond cut, the dazzling Wylde Flower Diamond®, with more cut facets than a brilliant cut diamond for that extra-special sparkle. You won’t find this gemstone anywhere else in the world. For vibrantly unique designs and excellent service from knowledgeable and helpful staff, Nicholas Wylde is a perfect destination for anyone looking for that truly unique piece of jewellery.

FLOCK BATH 12 – 13 The Corridor, Bath BA1 5AP Tel: 01225 442227 Web: flockbath.co.uk If you’re looking for something different for your wardrobe, Flock Bath sells beautiful clothes and accessories in a lovely independent environment that is rarely found on the high street. Located in The Corridor (the world’s second oldest shopping arcade) the store stocks a range of Italian imported fashion wear and accessories. Pop in today and you’re almost sure to find something individual and affordable to treasure. Flock Bath is a stockist of Ruby Shoo shoes and Disaster Designs accessories.

HOUSE OF RADIATORS 22 Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 2AA Tel: 01225 424199 Web: houseofradiators.co.uk House of Radiators sell traditional and designer radiators that can be off-the-shelf sizes/finishes, or in bespoke sizes and colours. Popular in Bear Flat where they are supported by loyal local customers, it not only sells to Bath areas, but throughout the UK and overseas. A family- run business that opened in 2011, the showroom has more than 100 radiators on display and the comapny is expanding the traditional cast iron and column radiator range due to increasing popularity. With more than 45 years experience in the heating and radiator industry and a small team in the showroom, they offer a friendly and high level of customer service. This is key in helping customers choose the right radiator for their home that will not only look amazing but will heat their room and do its job. Because they work with 20 of the leading manufacturers and distributors in the radiator industry, there’s always something to suit all budgets and styles. Locally they offer a free, at home consultation where they’ll measure up and work out the correct heat requirements and size up radiators accordingly.

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ORIENTAL RUGS OF BATH Bookbarn International, Hallatrow Business Park, Wells Road, Hallatrow, Bristol BS39 6EX Tel: 01761 451764 Web: orientalrugsofbath.com Oriental Rugs of Bath source a beautiful and eclectic range of handmade rugs, kilims and furnishings from the Middle and Far East, promoting centuries-old traditions and designs. Afghan tribal weavings are interspersed with ornate Persian carpets and Turkish mosaic lamps. The shop itself is nestled in the countryside between Bath and Bristol and offers exemplary guidance through the rug choosing process. Specialist cleaning, repair and valuation services are available and all stock can be purchased online.

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GOLD & PLATINUM STUDIO 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 462300 Web: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk Goldsmith and gemmologist Michael Parsons and his team run a delightful independent studio. They specialise in hand-making one-off engagement rings and wedding rings, as well as offering a wide range of individual pieces. Michael and his team undertake all types of commissions on site as well as carrying out remodelling and repairs. In addition Gold & Platinum Studio showcases a selection of independent designer jewellers and offers a superb choice to suit all budgets. Trading in Bath for over 40 years and with an enviable reputation for quality service, a visit is a must for jewellery lovers, anyone looking for a special gift or thinking of having a piece of jewellery made.

THE BATH FRAMER 7 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD Tel: 01225 920210 Web: thebathframer.co.uk

SILVER BEAR 34B Wellsway, Bath BA2 2AA Tel: 01225 422225 Web: silverbearjewelleryandgifts.com After five and a half years Silver Bear on Bear Flat is well established as the local go-to gift shop. On display is a vast array of gifts and greeting cards for all occasions. With free parking just outside, picking up a little gift or treat seems easier and less stressful than in the centre. Silver Bear also has a website where you can view the entire range of the lovely silver jewellery as well as many other items.

The Bath Framer, owned by Kelly, is a friendly boutique picture framers that has a beautifully quirky front of house and an amazing naturally lit workshop. Both are a joy to work in and for customers to see how frames are created. Since opening, the business has gone from strength to strength, building a client list of local residents, and businesses based in Bath, Bristol and beyond. A bespoke framing service, tailored to suit all individualsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, runs alongside a gorgeous selection of cards, gift wrap and wonderful stationery.

MOSS OF BATH 45 St James Parade, Bath BA1 1UQ Tel: 01225 331441 Web: mossofbath.co.uk Moss of Bath is an independent television and hi-fi retailer currently celebrating 57 years in business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a milestone that represents the type of strength and stability few independent electrical retailers ever achieve. From its modest beginnings the business now specialises in the sale, installation and servicing of consumer electronic products, including television, home cinema, hi-fi and portable audio products. The business boasts its own in-house, awardwinning service department as well as dedicated installation teams who undertake a wide range of installations from quote to completion. Managing director, Tim Moss is proud of the longevity of the business and its core values of integrity, hard work and outstanding customer service, and also gives testament to the loyalty of his customers, referral sources and friends. Tim and all the team pride themselves on being able to blend old-fashioned customer service within a high-tech industry and that MOB is big enough to undertake a wide variety of domestic and commercial installations while remaining small enough to care.

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MALLORY 1 – 5 Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AP Tel: 01225 788800 Web: mallory-jewellers.com Mallory is renowned as Bath’s destination jeweller. Now in its fifth generation, it is one of the country’s oldest family-owned and run jewellers, established in 1898 in its original Bridge Street premises. Today it boasts one of the largest in-house workshops in the UK, employing designer goldsmiths trained to the highest calibre, who create the most exquisite bespokemade jewellery, as well as two fully accredited watchmakers and a technician, who are qualified to maintain the finest of timepieces. Inside the showroom you will find a majestic emporium of fine and contemporary jewellery, watches, and luxury gifts and accessories from the world’s most exclusive brands. The imposing frontage may look daunting, however Mallory’s offerings encompass something to suit all pockets, with international names such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, IWC, Fabergé, Pomellato, Chopard, Montblanc, Tag Heuer, Longchamp, Longines, Breitling, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Georg Jensen, Fope and Mikimoto, as well as an extensive collection of jewellery designed by Mallory.

ELLIS & KILLPARTRICK 18 New Bond Street Bath BA1 1BA Tel: 01225 466954 Web: ellisandkillpartrick.com Ellis and Killpartrick was founded by Brian Ellis and Mike Killpartrick in 1979 who met while studying optometry at Bradford University. Both shared a keen interest in the new soft contact lenses that were just being developed at that time, but due to a change in family circumstances Mike bought Brian’s share of the business in 1985 and relocated the practice from George Street to its current central location in New Bond Street in 1991. Mike has continued his speciality interest in contact lenses but also lists other special interests including: glaucoma management and macular degeneration interventions. Ellis and Killpartrick has expanded the spectacle side of the business to showcase distinctive high-quality brands and is an exclusive distributor of Cartier, Lindberg, Chopard and Dunhill. Other high-end brands carried include Prada, Chanel, Oliver Peoples and Maui Jim. The company’s motto is ‘Professional Eyecare, Distinctive Eyewear’ and Ellis and Killpartrick is committed to providing patients with up-to-date information about the latest developments in eye care to help maintain eye health and to offer the most distinctive high-quality eyewear for those who benefit from spectacles.

NIGEL DANDO

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT OF BATH

11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY Tel: 01225 464013 Web: nigeldando.co.uk

7 Terrace Walk, Bath BA1 1LN Tel: 01225 340636 Web: independentspiritofbath.co.uk

Nigel Dando began his career after he gained a National Goldsmiths Diploma before going on to study gemmology at the Sir John Cass College of Art, Whitechapel. Today he sells an eclectic mix of new pre-owned and vintage jewellery, and has a particular interest in pieces from the 1920 – 1960 era. Together with ranges of contemporary silver jewellery at affordable prices, many of which are one-off pieces, the emphasis is on quality and style. He also buys gold and silver items in any form or condition. Nigel also sells investment precious metals at what he believes to be the most competitive prices in the city. Being one of the few provincial members of the London Diamond Bourse, Nigel offers undeniable expertise and value. He also offers a repair and valuation service.

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Established in 2013, Independent Spirit of Bath is an off-sales venue in the heart of the city, specialising in single malt whisky, artisan gins and the best UK and world craft beers. A dedicated whisky room houses a large range of single malt whiskies from Scotland and others from around the world. Private and scheduled events such as whisky tastings, gin masterclasses and cocktail masterclasses are hosted downstairs in the custom-built tasting room which can also be hired out for exclusive events for up to 20 people.

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ALEXANDRA MAY 23 Brock Street, Bath BA1 2LW Tel: 01225 465094 Web: alexandramay.com Alexandra May Jewellery was founded by jewellery obsessive Alexandra May in 1997. Found between the Royal Crescent and the Circus, the building has housed a shop on its lower floors since Victorian times. It is now home to Alexandra’s incredible collection of cult, collectible and classic costume jewellery. Alexandra and her staff of jewellery lovers form a team who are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and always willing to help you find what you want or explore a new look from their huge stock of iconic designers, such as Angela Caputi, Jean Louis Blin, Philippe Ferrandis, Simon Harrison, Konplott and Ayala Bar, and vast collections of classic silver and marcasite. Simply put, Alexandra May is a jewellery lover’s heaven.

CHANII B 9 Milsom Place, Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1BZ Tel: 01225 333693 Web: chaniibshoes.com If you love shoes and handbags then a trip to Chanii B is an absolute must. All creations are by international shoe designer Chantal Pilon, and her fabulous shop in Milsom Place is the only place in the UK where you can try on and see the full range of her limited edition shoes, bags and accessories. See a full display of bright colours, metallic leather and animal prints, plus heels of every shape and size. Her shoes are ideal for occasions and party outfits, as well as work and casual wear. All of Chanii’s shoes come with cushioned insoles, are made from leather or suede inside and out, and have well-designed shapes, which means you can walk and stand in them all day without hurting your feet.

CLANDAR

AVONVALE CARPETS

15 Cheap Street, Bath BA1 1NA Tel: 01225 335486 Web: clandar.co.uk

37 Kingsmead Street, Bath BA1 2AA Tel: 01225 427057 Web: avonvalecarpets.co.uk

Showcasing British textiles, Clandar excels at designing and making its own ranges of British tweed clothing – all manufactured by the team exclusively for its Cheap Street shop and for its website. All the tweed is sourced directly from historic British tweed mills, including house tweeds that have been designed and woven exclusively for Clandar. Reassuringly, it also looks to the British Isles first for its tailoring and manufacturing. British heritage and expertise and modern wearable designs combine to allow Clandar to offer pieces of the highest quality. Also on offer are the finest Scottish cashmere and British woollens, woven in historic British mills.

The choice of flooring is vital in transforming any room, and the range of options available can sometimes overwhelm. Luckily Avonvale Carpets is on hand to assist. They have served homeowners and businesses throughout the city of Bath and Wiltshire for over 45 years, providing an excellent choice of flooring, in-depth expertise and perfect fitting. An independent, family-run business, Avonvale Carpets offers you more than 80 years of hands-on experience with all kinds of quality flooring, satisfying the needs of domestic and commercial customers. Woollens, naturals, hard flooring, vinyls and tailor made too – you will be amazed at the variety on offer in the shop, which is just off Kingsmead Square.

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TOPPING & COMPANY The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LS Tel: 01225 428111 Web: toppingbooks.co.uk With rolling library ladders, oak flooring, handmade wooden bookcases, Topping & Company Booksellers is one of the best bookshops in the country and one of Bath’s most cherished independents. Pay a visit and you’re likely to be offered complimentary tea or cafetière coffee while you browse through more than 57,000 titles. It’s the perfect place for any bibliophile to spend an hour or two browsing. The team of passionate booksellers also host reading groups, subscription clubs, reading spas and an all-yearround author events programme, culminating each year in their autumn Bath Literary Festival.

BATH AQUA GLASS 14 Cheap Street / 15 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1NA Tel: 01225 789931 Web: bathaquaglass.com Bath Aqua Glass is a friendly local company creating handmade glass right in the centre of the city. From beautiful blown pieces and bespoke windows, to delicate jewellery and ornaments, the range on offer is staggering. It also has a studio on Walcot Street which is open for viewings seven days a week, where you can watch expert glassblowers create works of art using ancient techniques and even have a go. Afterwards, wander down to the Abbey Churchyard shop and select an item or two from the many stunning pieces available there.

AUDIENCE 14 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ Tel: 01225 333310 Web: audience.org.uk

JOLLY’S 13 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DD Tel: 01225 786900 Web: houseoffraser.co.uk Jolly’s is one of the oldest department stores in Europe. James Jolly first took retail premises back in 1823 before his son Thomas became the driving force behind the business, pioneering fixed-price merchandising. In recent years the store has been restored to its 19th- century glory by owners House of Fraser. Covering the full spectrum from homeware and accessories to cosmetics and fashion, the store’s magnificent beauty hall is full of luxury brands. Enjoy a spot of gift buying, whether you are looking for quality accessories, scented candles, delicate lingerie or something for the home. Jolly’s has always had retail innovation at its heart and retains its place as the jewel in the crown of Bath’s main shopping scene.

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The well-thumbed copies of Mojo magazine in the listening room at Audience and the love of old-school vinyl, are a clear sign these guys will share your passion for music. Their indepth knowledge will help you select a hi-fi, home cinema or custom installation system that will transform your listening experience. The team are true experts, and in a cool way they border on the obsessive, but are equally happy designing and supplying complex home entertainment installations, as they are recommending albums for your listening pleasure. Top-end products such as Linn, Naim and Bowers & Wilkins are available – all with outstanding performance and capable of astounding Studio Master music. There’s also a selection of demonstration stock and quality preowned items; a visit to Audience is a must – pause, play... and enjoy.

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THE BEST SHOPS OF BATH

THE DRESSING ROOM 7 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2JU Tel: 01225 330563 Web: dressingroombath.co.uk Since opening in Bath in 1985, The Dressing Room has maintained its reputation as the go-to place for the finest in lingerie, beach and nightwear. While offering the most exquisite lingerie collections from the likes of Marie Jo, Aubade, Empreinte and Prima Donna, the shop also has a wide range of basic T-shirt bras and invisible briefs. The beachwear collection features many brands, including Melissa Odabash, Maryan Mehlhorn, Gottex, Seafolly and Miraclesuit. The nightwear collection boasts Olivia Von Halle, Hanro Cottons, Laurence Tavernier robes, and silk gowns from Luna Di Seta and Marjolaine. With experienced and professional staff ready to help you, why not go along and have some fun?

UP TO SEVEN

QUADRI

6 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AX Tel: 01225 422333 Web: uptoseven.co.uk

16 Milsom Place, Bath BA1 1BZ Tel: 01225 329212 Web: quadri.co.uk

Have you found this beautiful shop on Pulteney Bridge yet? The team makes and sells lots of dresses, reversible dungarees, hand-knitted woollies and of course the store’s famous and incredibly cute hats; strawberry, Christmas pudding and a new dinosaur. Up To Seven is a major stockist of Frugi, Kite and Toby Tiger, organic cotton, fairly traded clothes for babies and children and always has lots of appliqued T-shirts, dresses, hats and baby gifts and dinosaurs. If you haven’t been in, or if you are looking for a baby gift, a frock for a special occasion or comfy clothes for everyday then pop in to Up To Seven to find the perfect solution.

Found in the heart of Bath’s Milsom Place, Quadri is a lovely, well-established luxury gift shop specialising in strong design and high-quality products. Quadri centres its attention on offering unusual fine and fashion jewellery, watches and homeware. The team take great pride in the selections of precious jewellery and clean, contemporary styled watch brands, while also endeavouring to offer a choice of unique fashion jewellery at an affordable price. Find beautiful pieces for your home with eye-catching, abundant Alessi collections or a gift for that notoriously difficult person to buy for. With a varied, everchanging range of stock and dedicated customer service, Quadri is the ideal shop to look for that extra-special something for any occasion.

COOPERS STORES 13 – 15 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN Tel: 01225 311811 Web: coopers-stores.com The highly-acclaimed recent winner of Best Small Independent Retailer in Domestic Appliances 2019, Coopers is an independent, family-owned, Bath-based kitchen appliance retailer with over 70 years of continuous trading. With a large showroom in the centre of Bath, you can see a fantastic display of range cookers, refrigeration, laundry and small appliances before you buy, and the dedicated, expert team are always on hand to help choose the best products. Coopers Stores aim to be very competitively priced against the other high street players and online sellers too. They can deliver throughout the south west and offer flexible delivery slots to fit with a customer’s needs. They have also established links with a great team of expert installers to offer a complete advise, buy, deliver, and install service. This is independent retailing at its best – values driven and superb customer service – which is a real antidote to the spiritless online experience and for many years running, a regular entry in our best shops of Bath list.

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THE BEST SHOPS OF BATH

SOUTHGATE BATH Web: southgatebath.com Boasting over 60 stores and restaurants, SouthGate Bath is a lively hub, where you’ll find many of your favourite high-street brands, as well as designer shops such as Tommy Hilfiger, Kurt Geiger and the brilliant My Small World children’s toy store. During the summer months, you can take a break from shopping, chill out on deckchairs and enjoy the colourful street decoration and public art installations. With the rest of the city’s great shops all within easy walking distance for shoppers to explore, there’s little doubt that shopping in Bath is one of the UK’s finest retail experiences.

RECEIVE THE BATH MAGAZINE BY POST NEVER MISS OUT 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, we offer a magazine mailing service.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM JUST £30 TR HAYES

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT

15 – 18 London Street, Walcot, Bath BA1 5BX Tel: 01225 465757 Web: trhayes.co.uk TR Hayes has been selling furniture in Bath for more than 100 years, and has a reputation for good quality and service. The large store features many well-respected brands, with an amazing array of furniture of all types on display – you can browse Hypnos beds, Parker Knoll Sofas and Ercol dining room ranges amongst others. Never one to rest on its laurels, there is always something a bit different at TR Hayes to catch the eye. One of the most desirable trends at the moment is velvet upholstery, and the Venice sofa on display in the contemporary showroom is vibrant example. This show-stopping British-made collection is available in a range of sumptuous plush velvet fabrics in colours from subtle neutrals to jewel-like greens and blues.

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thebathmag.co.uk/subscribe or Tel: 01225 424 499

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TAPAS REVOLUTION

DINING OUT IN SOUTHGATE Feeling peckish and looking for dining inspiration? Then look no further than SouthGate Bath, with 20 buzzing restaurants providing an eclectic mix of cuisines, you really are spoilt for choice; from Thai, Lebanese, Italian, American, British or Spanish there is something to tingle everyone’s taste buds. Across the road from the main shopping area - adjacent to the train and bus stations - you'll find The Vaults, offering you an array of cafés, bars and restaurants, where you can enjoy anything from pizza, pasta or gourmet burgers to coffee and cake. It's the perfect place to sit and plan your day, or to recharge your batteries over lunch after a morning's sightseeing in beautiful Bath. Why not try a cocktail at Be at One or a local craft beer at Graze?

ABSURD BIRD If American deep south comfort food is your thing, this is just the place, where you can enjoy satisfyingly tasty chicken or try their sliders - perfect for sharing. Combined with a fantastic cocktail menu and a really quirky atmosphere, it makes for a great place to host a celebration.

FRANCO MANCA

FRANCO MANCA A pizzeria with a difference, bringing you handmade, slow rising, sourdough pizzas with delicious combinations of all your favourite toppings. With a beautiful garden area, set in The Vaults in Brunel Square, providing the perfect place for laid back dining.

TAPAS REVOLUTION Fully authentic Spanish restaurant, from albondigas to zarzuela via chorizo, calamari, tortilla, gambas, jamon and churros. The perfect venue to enjoy the Spanish culinary culture of sharing, socialising and eating.

THAIKHUN Escape to South East Asia and enjoy colourful dishes in a feel good atmosphere, with a wide selection of Thai dishes for all palettes. Try something exotic or stick to your favourite Thai green curry or pad Thai accompanied with a Singha Thai lager for a really authentic experience.

GIRAFFE Specialising in an eclectic range of globally-inspired grub, a relaxing, family friendly restaurant with a menu which regularly changes and keeps up with current trends, lots of new flavours and dishes to explore.

COMPTOIR LIBANAIS

GRAZE

A real journey of discovery and perhaps a little unexpected in Bath, you will become enchanted by the décor and ambiance of the restaurant and feel as though you have really travelled to lands afar to savour the delights of their delectable, colourful and vibrant menu.

Wonderful location right next to Bath Spa train station and high above the bustle of Brunel Square and the streets below. Sit back and relax with a choice of local Bath Ales and tuck into wholesome, satisfying British cuisine.

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FOOD&DRINK NEWS PRIZE WINE IN THE CITY

Le Vignoble, the Bath- and Plymouth-based wine business, has brought home the prize for IWC Regional Merchant South West for 2019. Le Vignoble was awarded the prize in recognition of its efforts to become ‘the ultimate wine heaven’, offering customers a one-stop shop for wine education, a wine lounge and a wine shop at both their Milsom Street (Bath) and Royal William Yard (Plymouth) addresses. Yannick Loué, owner of Le Vignoble said, “It is a great achievement to have won the Regional Merchant South West award, and this is something I am very proud of.” levignoble.co.uk

NEW CHEQUERS CHEF

The Chequers on Rivers Street has a new head chef. Ross Harper grew up in Bristol and developed his cooking skills in the region, including a stint as sous chef at The Mill at Rode before heading to London in 2008 to work at the 2AA rosette St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar by Searcys. In 2011 he became head chef and founding partner at gastropub The Woodman in Highgate. Ross has set about making his mark on the food offering at Chequers, saying, “My style of food is honest, British, seasonally inspired and flavourful.” the chequersbath.com

THERMAE REFRESHMENT

As the temperatures rise, the Thermae Bath Spa has opened a new outdoor terrace bar on the second floor of the spa. Serving a selection of drinks, including prosecco, wine, beer, cider and soft drinks plus a choice of delicious ice creams, this new addition offers the perfect place to relax and chill out. Any time spent in the terrace bar is automatically added on to a visitor’s spa session. thermaebathspa.com

BACK TO THE BATH SPA

Executive chef Jon Machin has returned to the Bath Spa Hotel. Although he’s travelled the world, working on a deluxe cruise ship in Hawaii, Rio de Janeiro and Antarctica, Jon says that his heart has always been in Bath. As a young chef 12 years ago, he trained at the Bath Spa Hotel where he cooked for Michel Roux. Now he’s returned and is making changes to the menu. He is keen to win the loyalty of local residents, serving enjoyable food and providing fantastic service. “I’m really proud of how things have changed here,” said Jon. “The food’s different, the atmosphere is different. It’s relaxed, it’s delicious and just a lovely place.” bathspahotel.co.uk n 54 TheBATHMagazine

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the delicious guide the best places in the city to eat, drink and enjoy

the delicious guide to Bath featuring all the fave eateries and foodie treateries is available online at our website www.thebathmag.co.uk

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FOOD | AND | DRINK

Unpicking the picnic

The sun is shining and the sky is blue. Feeling the grass underfoot, you open your picnic hamper, which is bursting with savoury delights, cool drinks, fresh fruit and homemade biscuits. But, asks Melissa Blease, do picnics work in real life?

THE FOOD Showstopping picnic pie, the ultimate sausage rolls, effortless rainbow salad – ‘picnic recipes’ are just normal recipes filed under the appropriate hashtags (#alfresco, #picnicparty, #picnicperfection etc) for the summer season. Even if you do go to all the fuss (and trust me when I tell you that any kind of recipe that contains the words ‘showstopping’, ‘ultimate’ or ‘effortless’ will involve fuss) of attempting to recreate whichever picture-perfect portable comestibles are the prettiest, your fantasy around creating your own instagrammable, contemporary version of Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe is fatuous; by the time your feast has been wrapped, boxed and transported, the pastry will be pallid, the salad soggy, and the cook choleric. You could, of course, put all thoughts of Nigella, Yotam et al to one side for the day 56 TheBATHMagazine

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and rustle up a selection of simple sandwiches-to-go – if, that is, you happen to be a fan of sweaty cheese, weeping egg mayo and ham with the texture of cardboard, stuffed between two slices of bread with curling crusts. Let the supermarket/deli/local caff do the hard work for you? Sure thing – if you’re happy to pay around £30 for four sad sarnies, four bags of crisps, a handful of greasy cocktail sausages, two tubs of runny hummus, a slab of ready sliced fruitcake and a bottle of tepid water. Talking of not-sorefreshing drinks... White and rosé wines, Champagne, prosecco, beer, G&T, soft drinks and water all lose their charm when served warm on a warm day, and red wine at a picnic is as incongruous as iced coffee at a Christmas party. If you’ve discovered a portable wine/drinks cooler that actually does the job it claims to do, let me know. As for disposable barbecues... if you’re a fan of wasting your hard-earned cash on a flimsy foil tray that takes ages to light, won’t hold the heat when it does finally light and has a tendency to buckle under the weight of a single sausage, this is the option for you –

especially if you enjoy bingeing on burger buns stuffed with ready made coleslaw and hot dog rolls filled with lashings of mustard while the meat sits on your sorry grill cooking up E Coli.

❝

“If you’ve discovered a portable drinks cooler that does the job it claims to do, let me know”

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eating breakfast in bed, pizza deliveries and making your own pasta to the food-world award of ‘more hassle than it’s worth’, it seems that even picnics can result in nothing more than summertime strife.

THE FAFF Unless you happen to have a limitless supply of tupperware, cool bags, rugs,‘unbreakable glasses and tumblers, melamine plates, bamboo cutlery (bamboo is the new picnic schmoo, don’cha know), folding chairs, a portable pop-up gazebo, big cushions that are really easy to carry/pack and six butlers, it’s pretty darn impossible to rustle up an efficient, comfortable picnic experience.

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FOOD | AND | DRINK

PICNIC PAMPERING: Many of us see picnics as a civilised affair: a checked rug, a packed hamper, and everyone in joyful companionship. But does the reality ever match up?

have been wilting in the sun since noon. The whole garden will reek of eau de firelighter. The man/men of the house will be wearing comedy aprons with either silly slogans emblazoned across them (‘King of the Grill!’ ‘Caution: Dad Cooking!’, ‘This Is A Manly Apron!’ etc) or – worse – a cartoon drawing of scantily clad woman/man/cow. Chicken thighs will be recklessly chucked onto open flames that char the skin, leaving the flesh perilously pink within. The vegetarians/vegans will be served vegetarian/vegan sausages coated with a veneer of meat fat. There’ll be a seemingly endless supply of flimsy plastic forks, waferthin paper plates and totally redundant cocktail sticks all over the place but no knives, serving spoons or napkins in sight.

UNINVITED GUESTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS Wasps, fruit flies and ants; horseflies, midges and gnats. Hayfever, sunburn and hives. Dog poo, fag butts and footballs. Sand, soil and crumbs. Anything that can be spilled will be spilled, anything that can leak will leak, nobody will be able to sit comfortably for more than two minutes at a time because stretching out your legs has its limits, as does the cross-legged position, and the nearest loo is at least 30 minutes walk away. And don’t believe anybody who tells you that it isn’t going to rain. It mostly likely will. THE ALTERNATIVE PICNIC: THE BARBECUE PARTY The neighbours are having a barbecue party. Your host says the barbecue will start at 2pm, but although the barbecue itself still won’t be lit when you arrive, the salads will

TIPS ON EATING ALFRESCO: • If you’re hosting a summer lunch in the garden, keep it simple: prepare and cook everything that needs to be prepared and cooked indoors, in advance – and serve it indoors, buffet style. • If you’re craving a small plates/sausage rolls/cold beer in the countryside experience, head for a gorgeous garden somewhere like The Old Crown in Kelston, The Inn at Freshford, The Locksbrook Inn, The Boathouse in Newbridge and The George in Bathampton. • If you have a sudden urge for an impromptu urban picnic, opt for

❝

Everything you take with you that hasn’t been eaten, drunk or spilt has to be taken away with you again; allow yourself an hour for packing up on site

❝

If you load the car boot up with everything you need, then you need to park the car within easy walking distance of said picnic spot, which means your chosen picnic spot has to be within easy walking distance of a car park, lay-by or road... which means you’re hardly going to be dining in the pastoral paradise of your dreams. If you load up a rucksack, you’re going to be struggling beneath the weight of that rucksack for hours until you get to eat your own weight in soggy carbs and warm beer. Everything you take with you that hasn’t been eaten, drunk or spilt has to be taken away with you again; allow yourself at least an hour for packing up on site and another two hours when you get home for washing the crusty goo off the plastic plates, sorting masses of recycling out and sitting at your (clean, calm, civilised) kitchen table vowing never to do it again.

You’ll end up drinking too much and bingeing on crisps while you wait to get your hands on some actual food and then, when some actual food is finally cooked, you’ll hear the words: “kids get fed first, folks!” Call me a spoilsport, but experience has taught me that a real-life picnic rarely touches any superlative brand of idyllic. n

tasty, grab’n’go, wallet-friendly street food instead: everything served up by Chai Walla (Kingsmead Square), LJ Hugs (SouthGate) and the Thai Hut (Green Park Station) is freshly cooked and has access to calm, outdoor leafy spaces. • If you fancy a supremely elegant supper under the stars, realise your dreams on a rooftop terrace at The Ivy Bath Brasserie (Milsom Street) or The Mint Room (Lower Bristol Road), a pavement table outside of either The Circus (Brock Street) or Clayton’s Kitchen (George Street), or in/nearby the gorgeous gardens at both the Royal Crescent Hotel and The Bath Priory.

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Food review Aug Koff and Wh.qxp_Layout 1 24/07/2019 11:40 Page 1

RESTAURANT | REVIEW

Koffmann and Mr. White’s Abbey Hotel, North Parade, Bath BA1 1LF. Tel: 01225 461603; mpwrestaurants.co.uk/our-brands/koffmann-and-mr-whites

R E V I EW

Chefs étoilés Marco Pierre White and Pierre Koffmann loom large on the food scene, one the rockstar chef of modern cooking whose cuisine and growly persona created the celebrity chef, the other a thoroughbred senior chef à la française admired for his classic French cuisine, including his famous signature dish of pig’s trotter with chicken mousseline. Koffmann moved to the UK in 1970, joining Michel and Albert Roux at Le Gavroche. La Tante Claire, his London restaurant opening in 1977, won no less than three Michelin stars in six years and in 2010 he became head chef at Koffmann’s at the Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge. Marco Pierre White trained under Koffmann at La Tante Claire and was the youngest chef ever to achieve three Michelin stars, the third gained at The Restaurant Marco Pierre White at the Hyde Park Hotel. So, with their Michelin star status embedded and still shining, what next amidst a whirl of celebrity chefs with egos and culinary talents to wow the world? Marco has had an assemblage of projects in more recent years, from The Rudloe Arms in Corsham to the London Steakhouse Company, which has extended to venues including Bristol and Cardiff. So the Michelin glow has been achieved, both agree, and their collaboration now welcomes a more relaxed dining experience. “I enjoy it when I’m not working for Michelin stars,” says Koffmann, “because I always want to cook what I enjoy to eat.” Fair enough. But news of Koffmann and 58 TheBATHMagazine

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Mr. White’s English French brasserie, their enterprise in Bath at the Abbey Hotel, which opened in autumn 2018 in what used to be Allium restaurant, provoked some cynicism on the food scene – was it all a marketing exercise about the big food names? Relaxed brasserie/bistrot food, really? How involved would the great chefs actually be? We arrived at the restaurant, which is styled in a classic modern suede-coloured fusion of streamlined comfort and influence française. Welcomed by Claire, she told us that both Marco and Pierre had had lunch there that very day, spending four hours sampling all the dishes on their menu. With concerns on personal involvement assuaged, and fortified with a glass of the rich, smooth Château Labastide Haute Malbec, Cahors, we took in the menu. Il y avait definitivement l’air de 1970s British with prawn cocktail with Marie Rose sauce and brown bread and butter on the à la carte, and summer vegetable vol-au-vent, sugar snap and radish on the prix fixe menu (which is super reasonably priced). We didn’t try these, but were intrigued as to how exactly they have been Koffmann and Mr. White-ised in modern Bath. The French and English classics sat most comfortably together, although French took the lion’s share: escargots à la Bourguignonne, braised ox cheek in red wine à l’ancienne, soused Cornish mackerel with saffron and fennel and orange, and elderflower, summer berries and Champagne jelly. And for the bold, there’s the garden pea and ham soup with crispy pig ears. Rather wishing we could eat comme les grands chefs had eaten earlier that day with a

full array of dishes, we slimmed our choices down and tried Koffmann’s Waldorf salad (with halved toasted walnuts, juicy grapes and sweet crisps of apple enfolded by slender leaves of Romaine lettuce) and classic French onion soup (featuring earthy smothered crusts of deliciousness). For mains we went all viande dans l’esprit with grilled rump steak, sauce Béarnaise, Koffmann’s chips, roasted vine tomatoes (the chips were handcut to a perfect width with an oo-la-la mix of soft and crisp) and couscous d’agneau with sprouting broccoli and buttered leaf spinach. Couscous is originally a North African Maghrebi dish, so a little off the food inspiration piste, but the French adopted it and hey, we’re being bistro relaxed here, and its taste and texture blended smoothly with the slices of lamb and their oozing juices. For dessert I embraced indulgence with the Boxtree Mess, billed as the perfect mistake (think Eton mess with lashings of ice-cream and don’t look back), and Rob went more sophistiqué with Baba au rhum with Chantilly cream. I didn’t try the latter because I had lots of Boxtree to attend to, but I noticed that le plat a été mangé très vite. This was a refreshing experience – the severities of the Michelin regime put aside, we sampled the relaxed result of a 36-year friendship. L’essence de notre temps. n Koffmann and Mr. White’s is open Monday – Friday 12pm to 10pm, Saturday 12pm to 10.30pm and Sunday 12pm to 9.30pm. Prices à la carte: starters from £6.95; mains from £13.95; desserts from £5.95. Prices prix fixe menu: two courses: £14.50; three courses: £17.50. EC

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TRISTAN DARBY Columnist Tristan Darby provides a taste tour around the south coast of England

hoy there, sipmates, what better place to hoist the mainsail on our coastal tipple tour than Salcombe Gin, Start Point (£39.50 at Great Western Wine)? The iconic Start Point lighthouse marked the beginning of the 19th-century voyages of the Salcombe Fruit Schooners carrying the exotic fruits and spices that inspire the gin’s flavour. Fresh red grapefruit, lemons and limes are hand peeled each day and combined with nine other botanicals, including juniper, coriander seed, cardamom, cubeb berries, liquorice, and angelica root to create a smooth juniper-forward gin with bursts of fresh citrus and spice. Serve with lots of ice, premium Indian tonic water, a big slice of grapefruit and a breezy sea view. Now let’s drop anchor with a crisp, fresh English coastal wine. Lyme Bay, Shoreline (£16.95, GWW) is made just north of Seaton on Devon’s Jurassic Coast using top-notch bacchus, pinot blanc, reichensteiner and seyval blanc grapes sourced from Devon, Kent and Essex. It’s gorgeously light, dry, aromatic and fresh with subtle layers of zesty citrus, tropical fruit, elderflower, and nettle followed up with a lip-smackingly dry mineral and saline finish. This is English coastal countryside in a glass and the perfect wine for fresh seafood, summer afternoons in the garden, or a trip to the beach. Next, we cruise eastwards around Portland to the Isle of Wight, and the highly eye-catching bottle of Mermaid Gin (£39.50, GWW). Made in Ryde at the island’s first and only distillery by old friends Xavier Baker (a former brewer) and Conrad Gauntlett (a former wine-maker). Mermaid is distilled using local botanicals such as Boadicea hops grown at Ventnor Botanic Garden, locally foraged rock samphire and elderflower, and the first coriander seeds commercially grown in England. Other botanicals include juniper, lemon zest, liquorice root and grains of paradise which combine to create a distinctly hoppy, citrusy gin with a good measure of spice and piney juniper. I first tried this with a splash of good Indian tonic and Xavier’s preferred garnish, cucumber, which brings out the saline samphire, creating a real taste of the sea, but you could also use a slice of lemon or orange to enhance the citrus and hop character. Thankfully, the quality of the gin lives up to its beautiful bottle. A must-buy for salty sea-dogs. We end our voyage in the most famous seaside resort in the English Channel with Brighton Gin (£41, GWW). Distilled in small batches using 100% organic grain spirit, juniper, fresh orange and lime peel, locally grown coriander seed, and milk thistle, with another clever bottle design, this time reflecting the blue/green of Brighton’s famous seafront railings and featuring a pavilion/pier ticket as the label. Smooth, subtle and soft, this is a gin gentle enough to be sipped neat over ice with a twist of orange. If you prefer a longer drink, stretch it out with a good Indian tonic, plenty of ice and a wheel of orange to enhance the gin’s citrus character. n Learn more about the world of wine with Tristan on a course at Great Western Wine; greatwesternwine.co.uk/events THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic. Visit: capturethespirit.co.uk, tel: 01225 483151

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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

Carol Spalding

Funeral director

uring the 20 years I have worked within the funeral business I have always seen my role as one that, first and foremost, serves my families. To be the caring human being they have entrusted with the care of their loved ones and help them to find some way of dealing with the loss. My journey began at the end of a long marriage. Having not worked for several years, I decided it was time to broaden my horizons and apply for the position of a part-time funeral arranger. At the age of 43 I was able to bring life experience, as opposed to a professional background, and this has stood me in good stead over the years. After three years of working for a national chain, I was head hunted by a company that had formerly been Jolly’s of Bath and was changing hands and name and required staff. That was in 2001 and by 2014 I found myself the sole proprietor of the business, and, literally, a one-woman band. I hired in crews and vehicles and covered on-call and everything else on my own. The first few years consisted of long hours and hard work but throughout this time my daughter Sophie was my rock. From helping me to prepare loved ones for family visits to her role today as my fellow company director, overseeing finances, administration and H.R. We are also the only funeral directors in the area who have our costs on our website, something I feel only correct to be open about, especially at such an emotional time. In 2007 I remarried and my husband Ian came to work for me as logistics manager and we made the decision to purchase our own fleet of vehicles, a little scary but very exciting. Since then Sophie and I have expanded the business, so in addition to the Bath branch we also have an office in Frome and Saltford. In Bath I am blessed with a team consisting of Martyn Hurst, senior funeral director, Annie Booker, funeral director, Ian and our team Steve, Josh, Shaun, Terry, Darren and Alan, who also look after funerals from our Saltford office which is managed by Paul Lawrance. The Frome office is slightly more self-sufficient and is under the care of manager Wayne Kelly, supported by administrator Karen and senior manager Len. Our aim is that from the moment the family make contact with us they feel confident that we will be there to support them every step of the way, whatever their choice of service, whether cremation or burial, or a religious or non-religious celebration of a life, our experience will help guide them to the right choices, for them. We want everyone concerned to be assured that their loved ones will be cared for with respect and dignity. When all the arrangements have been made and the day arrives for that final farewell, the standard of our dress and how we conduct ourselves is hugely important. My gentlemen wear bespoke Edwardian frock coats and our funeral directors also have tailor-made coats. Coffins are always carried. As my husband always says, it the last thing you can do for those who have died. n

BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is all about going back to basics, just as nature intended. Human grade ingredients, protein, vegetables, vitamins and minerals, oils... no cereals or fillers added. With the BARF diet, along with a healthy lifestyle - we can just go back to nature, back to basics and help to keep our beloved pets healthy and happy! We deliver in and around Bath and Bristol daily. Prices start from £1.55 per 500g.

We can organise for samples of our food to be delivered to you so that your dogs can try it, as well as a chat/consultation to run through the benefits of moving to the raw diet. Our food is chunky, handmade and hand packed. We know exactly what goes into every single box. Our packaging is fully recyclable.

N AS SE E IN TATLER

CONTACT SAMANTHA WILKINS - 07794 819 673 info@wilkinssimplyraw.co.uk Norton St. Phillip, Nr. Bath

DEFRA LICENCED

Clarksons Funeral Directors Ltd: clarksonsfuneraldirectors.co.uk PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic. Visit: capturethespirit.co.uk, tel: 01225 483151 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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IN PURSUIT OF LEARNING It may be a long time since you last set foot in a classroom, but it’s never too late to pick up a new hobby or interest. Open up the possibilities with this guide to adult courses, clubs and activities

UPHOLSTERY CLASSES If you fancy a complete change in career, or would like to spend your free time creatively and industriously, the Traditional Upholstery School offers a range of courses in the craft of upholstery. Based in light-filled airy Georgian warehouse workrooms in Holt, courses include one-year part-time diplomas, evening courses, leisure classes and one-day workshops. Founder Joanna Heptinstall also runs classes in traditional lampshade-making and restoration, attracting students from all over the country and abroad. “Our unique selling point is that we teach traditional skills to a very professional standard”, says Joanna. • There is a range of courses starting this September. Visit traditionalupholsteryschool.co.uk for details

BATH WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOPS Rekindle your enjoyment of painting by joining a friendly Bath Watercolour Workshop day. Create your own flowing landscape while learning about colour and composition and chat about new exhibitions over a delightful deli lunch. Experienced tutor Catherine is passionate about watercolours and enjoys explaining her bold and loose wet-in-wet techniques with the help of examples and step-by-step demonstrations. She has curated new workshops for autumn/winter which include Atmospheric Landscapes for Beginners on Saturday 26 October in the Museum of Bath Stone. Go online for the full schedule or contact Catherine to find out about January workshops – it’s an ideal Christmas gift or personal resolution treat. • Visit: catherinebeale.com or tel: 07891 409490 to book

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ADULT | CLASSES, COURSES & CLUBS

ACTING & MUSICAL THEATRE Image: Portraiture workshop / Simon Ellingworth

Bath School of Acting, based in central Bath, is a highly regarded drama school with specialised courses in acting and musical theatre. The musical theatre course balances intense technique training across acting, singing and dance, and the acting course develops the essential elements of skills training while developing creativity and artistic identity. Bath School of Acting training includes focused audition preparations which allow students to develop skills and techniques and a repertoire for future auditions. The classes taught by industry professionals include masterclasses from patrons Jason Connery and Jeremy Taylor alongside experts from all walks of the performing arts industry. Although part-time, the intensive courses offer unrivalled daytime training of 14 hours a week, allowing the students the time to not only work but also take part in the numerous theatre groups in the area. Entry is by audition only.

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS AT THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

• Full audition details can be found at bathschoolofacting.co.uk; tel: 07577 709597

For anyone wanting to improve their photography skills, the Royal Photographic Society offers a range of workshops designed to develop both computer-based and practical photographic abilities. As well as an inspirational gallery, the RPS’s new building located at Paintworks in Bristol is equipped with a digital darkroom and is used for one or two-day workshops including ones on Lightroom and Photoshop. For those wanting to develop their camera skills across subjects as diverse as street, architectural, garden, night-time shooting or baby photography it uses nearby studios and locations. • Find out more at: rps.org/workshops

DEMUTHS COOKERY SCHOOL Demuths Cookery School is run by one of the UK’s leading plant-based chefs Rachel Demuth, who owned the award-winning Demuths Restaurant for 26 years. She is joined by a team of experienced chef tutors who teach an exciting and varied selection of plant-based courses for all abilities from beginner to accomplished cook. Courses focus on encouraging students to be confident with cookery techniques such as knife skills and using spices and herbs to flavour their dishes. All courses are full of nutritional and technical tips and the school prides itself on making vegetarian and vegan cookery accessible to all. Popular courses include 20-minute suppers, Southern Indian Thali, Thai and Vietnamese, Chinese and Middle Eastern as well as courses dedicated to bread-making, raw and gluten-free cookery. • For further information visit: demuths.co.uk Demuths Cookery School, 6 Terrace Walk, Bath BA1 1LN

EQUESTRIAN AT LUCKNAM PARK Home to 35 horses, the equestrian centre at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa provides an opportunity to experience the thrill of horseriding in incredible surroundings. The school caters for children and adults, from complete beginners to advanced riders and the full-size arena allows you to hone your riding skills in dressage and jumping. For the keen eventer or cross country enthusiast there is also a cross country course built by Badminton course builders The Willis Brothers. • For more information on the equestrian centre, visit lucknampark.co.uk or call: 01225 742777

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ADULT | CLASSES, COURSES & CLUBS

CLIFTON WINE SCHOOL Clifton Wine School is a local, independent wine education company which specialises in hosting wine tastings and wine courses in Bath and Bristol. Courses are open to everyone and no previous wine-tasting experience is necessary. The school is owned and run by Ruth Wiles DipWSET, who has completed the WSET Diploma qualification and is a qualified educator and assessor with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Wine courses and wine tastings focus on learning about the tipple in a fun, relaxed and informal environment. There are numerous courses taking place throughout the coming months during the evenings and at weekends in central locations in Bath and Bristol. Options include introduction-to-wine evenings, food pairing, the chance to focus on individual wine regions, WSET awards and eight-week World of Wine courses. Cheers! • 0117 3706576; info@cliftonwineschool.com; cliftonwineschool.com

LEARN TO STITCH WITH THE EXPERTS The Royal School of Needlework (RSN), famous worldwide for its expertise in hand embroidery, teaches at The Fashion Museum Bath and in Bristol. The Royal School offers a range of courses for beginners through to advanced, from stunning Goldwork and Silk Shading to traditional Jacobean and Blackwork. The RSN’s close links with royalty started when it was founded in 1872, and still continue to today with its skilled embroiderers and tutors stitching garments such as The Queen’s Coronation Robe and The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress. • Tel: 020 3166 6938; royal-needlework.org.uk

JULIA DAVEY WORKSHOPS

GIFT FRIPPERY Have you ever longed to gift wrap with style but not known how to? Amanda White from Gift Frippery has all the secrets and there is nothing she likes more than inspiring others. At her two-hour workshop, she provides quality papers and real ribbon for you to work with, and each workshop is a mixture of hands-on fun and demonstrations. You can choose your own workshop from the giftfrippery website, and in the autumn there will be a newly designed course particularly for book groups. Find Gift Frippery on Instagram where there are also IGTV videos to help you wrap.

There’s a great workshop just waiting to be discovered at Julia Davey. In the private, beautiful studio space you can acquire new craft and art skills from floristry to needlepunch and ceramics. Every workshop is led by a professional in that medium and you can gain confidence as you learn by being part of a small group of typically six to eight people. The workshops are based in Bear Flat. • Julia Davey, 20 Wellsway, Bath BA2 2AA. juliadaveyevents.com

• giftfrippery.co.uk

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ADULT | CLASSES, COURSES & CLUBS

BATH BRIDGE CLUB

COOKERY AT LUCKNAM PARK

Bath Bridge Club is a friendly all-abilities club with day and evening sessions throughout the week. Members meet in a pleasant clubhouse in Combe Down with ample free off-street parking. The club has gone from strength to strength and now has more than 300 members and is one of the top bridge clubs in the country. They offer duplicate bridge sessions, assisted play, lessons and seminars. What’s more, there is tea, coffee and biscuits at all sessions.

Love cooking? Lucknam Park Cookery School offers a variety of adult classes ranging from evening demonstrations to hands-on day classes. Enjoy coffee and pastries on arrival, learn great new recipes and techniques and enjoy a relaxed lunch in the school to sample your creations. Choose from courses such as Michelin Star Cooking at Home, Fish and Shellfish, Seasonal Italian or perhaps a masterclass with Lucknam Park’s Michelin Star executive chef, Hywel Jones. Courses range from £45 to £140 per person and adult and child classes are available during the school holidays. Gift vouchers can be purchased online.

• Oldfield Old Boys Rugby Club, Shaft Road, Bath BA2 7HP For further information go to: bridgewebs.com/bath or get in touch by email: bathbridgeclub@gmail.com

• For further details and dates visit lucknampark.co.uk

LOVE 2 LEARN AT BATH COLLEGE If you have always wanted to learn a new skill but haven’t had the opportunity, a Love2Learn part-time leisure course at Bath College is just what you need. All courses are timetabled to fit around your existing commitments, so you can learn in the evenings, at the weekend or even for a week in the school holidays. The college offers a wide range of art and design courses in traditional disciplines such as painting, printmaking, photography, glass, jewellery making, sculpture and ceramics as well as courses in design for the home such as interior design, upholstery and picture framing. If you would like to brush up on your language skills or learn a new language from scratch, there are courses at differing levels in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish.

100 DAILY WORKSHOPS EVENT

• All courses and many more can be found at bathcollege.ac.uk; For all enquiries call: 01225 328720

AT CRAFT4CRAFTERS SHOW, BATH & WEST SHOWGROUND

Go along to the Craft4Crafters show on 17–19 October and learn a fabulous new skill with a huge variety of workshops to choose from. There will be felting, embroidery, crochet, knitting, needlecraft, batik, stitch and embellishment with textiles, weaving and spinning, macramé, creative glass, paper shades, Powertex sculptures, wire jewellery making, papercraft, stamping, marbling, hobby craft and so much more. Plus, over 150 stands of the finest craft and textile suppliers and an extra hall with an incredible Quilt and Textile Exhibition including an impressive embroidered White Walker from Game of Thrones. For further details go to the website to book tickets. • craft4crafters.co.uk

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ADULT | CLASSES, COURSES & CLUBS

BRISTOL BOTANIC GARDEN The University of Bristol Botanic Garden offers professional RHS courses for those looking to further their career or interest in gardening and horticulture and a wide variety of short courses and workshops. Set in a fantastic location within the beautiful garden, the teaching rooms provide a tranquil environment away from the demands of everyday life. Upcoming short courses include herb workshops, photography at twilight, and seasonal autumn gardening. Keen horticulturalists can add to their professional development by studying the L3 Royal Horticultural Society evening courses starting in September 2019. For full details please visit website. • botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk

A CLASS IN GLASS Have you ever wanted to try making a stained glass window? Would you and a friend like to express your creative side learning an ancient art? If so, here is your chance. Bath Aqua Glass now has a beautiful new stained glass studio and a range of courses. The stained glass activity involves participants working on each stage of creating a stained glass window from scratch, including cutting the glass and leading. Forthcoming open days are 1 August, 9 September and 1 October – and it’s a great opportunity to visit the new studio and see stained glass being made. • The new studio can be found at: Ashley Wood Farm, Lower Kingsdown Road, Corsham SN13 8BG. Or visit: bathaquaglass.com for more information

THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM Get creative in the beautiful setting of the Holburne Museum. There are high-quality adult workshops ranging from oil painting and drawing to print-making, poetry and craft skills, all of them inspired by the museum’s collections and current exhibitions. Come along to learn specialist skills under the guidance of the trained tutors. Forthcoming courses include Illustration for Children’s Books on Saturday 17 August where you can join author Sean Julian for a masterclass in children’s illustration (10.30am-4.30pm, £60). Another August course is Making Miniatures on Saturday 31 August where you can learn how to make stunning porcelain flowers for a dolls’ house with professional miniaturist, Diane Gould (10.30am4.30pm, £60).

CNM has a 20-year track record of training successful practitioners in natural therapies, in class and online. There is a wide range of courses available in Bristol, at diploma and post-graduate level, as well as short courses. The CNM course range is extensive, covering areas such as nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, cooking for health and food photography. David Kirby (below), CNM Naturopathic Nutrition student, decided to retrain after many years as a London black cab driver with poor health and a stressful lifestyle. He has found the experience to be life-changing and is relishing the opportunity to pass on the positive benefits of natural medicine as a naturopathic nutritionist. Head to the website to find out more and discover where your potential lies. • 01342 410 505; naturopathy-uk.com 66 TheBATHMagazine

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Image © Sean Julian

THE COLLEGE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

• 01225 388569; holburne.org

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BOOKS

New pursuits

Want to try something new? Got an interest you’ve always fancied giving a go? It’s never too late to try your hand at a new hobby, so here’s a few books to help you down a different path GROW

The Half Hour Allotment

MAKE

Lia Leendertz, £14.99, paperback, White Lion This title by the Royal Horticultural Society (first published in 2005) has been a bestselling gardening book for many years. This latest edition presents a new illustrated format with hundreds of new photographs. The book shows you how to manage your allotment and enjoy fresh vegetables through the year on just half an hour’s work a day (with weekends off), with expert advice from Lia Leendertz and the Royal Horticultural Society.

The Little Upholstery Book

Pam Corbin, £20, hardback, Bloomsbury Described by Diana Henry as “the master” of preserving, Pam Corbin is the expert who professional cooks consult when they need anything to do with preserving. This book is the culmination of her years of experience, distilled into more than 100 tried-and-tested recipes. Her jams, marmalades and fruit spreads contain far less sugar than traditional recipes, and her chutneys and pickles are lighter and sprightlier than the oldfashioned kind. Pam shows how to make more unusual preserves too, such as glossy fruit cheeses to serve with Stilton and manchego. This is the only preserve-making bible that you will ever need.

RECYCLE

Shelly Miller Leer, £25.99, paperback, Schiffer Publishing

Looking to learn something a little different? Upholstery doesn’t have to be intimidating. Shelly Miller Leer, founder of HomeRoom and Upholstery Club, uses her casual teaching style to give you the confidence and skills to take on an upholstery project. Six information-packed chapters cover upholstery concepts, simple projects, terminology, tools, materials and supplies, as well as advice on setting up an in-home shop and finding a shop space to lease if you fancy taking your newfound hobby to the next level.

DISCOVER

Pam the Jam: The Book of Preserves

Somerset: 40 Coast and Country Walks

John and Annie Fergusson, £6.99, paperback, Pocket Mountains Walking is one of the easiest and most satisfying forms of exercise – and makes for a great hobby too. Fancy stretching your legs and seeing more of the local area? This handy pocket-sized guidebook provides 40 circular walks that will help you explore the Somerset landscape in all its glory, featuring its uplands, lowlands and woodlands, with all the wetlands in between. There are plenty of extraordinary buildings, wildlife and history to see around every corner.

The Creative Writing Coursebook

WRITE

Julia Bell and Paul Magrs, £18.99, paperback, Pan Macmillan

Have you had a story stuck in your head that you want to put down on paper, but don’t know where to start? This fully updated comprehensive guide to practising your creative writing takes aspiring writers through three stages of essential practice – from getting started, shaping your structure and characters, to finishing your work and finding publishers. Featuring a foreword by Marina Warner and contributions from 44 authors such as Kit de Waal and Amy Liptrot, and filled with a wealth of exercises and activities, this is the perfect book for people who are just starting to write as well as those who want some help honing work they’ve already completed.

Abstract Acrylics

CREATE

Waltraud Nawratil, £12.99, paperback, Search Press Whether you have some experience with painting or you’re a complete beginner, artist Waltraud Nawratil shows how to combine a love for nature with an interest for abstract painting in this guide. Learn how to use acrylics, watercolours or airbrushing, as well as natural materials such as sand, bark and leaves to create captivating pictures full of colour and vitality. Readers will learn how to observe the natural world around them, and be inspired to create their own work at home. n THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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CITY | NEWS

CITYNEWS GARDEN IN THE SKY

OLIVE TREE GOLD

NEWT BEGINNINGS

Have you found the secret garden at SouthGate? Just raise your head and gaze up at the brightly coloured flower archways and the butterflies and dragonflies hidden in the canopy on St Lawrence Street. There are also mini meadows with exotic poppies and market carts with fresh herbs and lavender and you can drink ciders and cocktails as you soak up the sun in the Secret Garden Bar. The garden installation is there until September. southgatebath.com

Bath’s Queensberry Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant recently raised £2,345 for Hospitality Action with their Social Sunday three-course charity lunch in the Michelinstarred restaurant. They were also given a gold award at the 2018/2019 Taste of the West Awards in the hotel category, with the Olive Tree Restaurant securing gold out of all the restaurants considered. thequeensberry.co.uk; olivetreebath.co.uk The Newt in Somerset is a new hotel and spa opening on 29 August. Located on a country estate between Bruton and Castle Cary, the hotel is set within Hadspen House and its stable yard. It includes a world-class spa with indoor/outdoor swimming pool, gym, bar, restaurants and 23 bedrooms. The restaurant offers a garden-led menu and the spa a selection of garden-scented treatments. thenewtinsomerset.com

BOUTIQUE BOLTHOLE Broad Street Townhouse is the newest addition to the Butcombe Pub and Inns collection, a city-centre bolthole with 11 impeccably designed bedrooms, a café by day and a speakeasy bar, The Blind Pig, by night. The grade-II listed property dates back to 1885 and is nestled in the heart of the city at 32–33 Broad Street. Built from traditional Bath limestone, it provides an authentic base from which to explore the city. Butcombe Pub and Inns has led the extensive renovation to restore the building back to its former 19th-century glory, in partnership with award-winning design and build specialists Concorde BGW.

Did You Know?

inated The older generation dom rter but qua first the in Bath visits to a younger the second quarter saw n of crowd, with the proportio 18–24 year olds more than that of the 65+ crowd.

Guests arrive via the original shopfront façade, greeted by Victorian inspired bordered tiling, high ceilings, sash windows and exposed timber staircases – leading to the 11 en-suite bedrooms set over three floors. broadstreettownhouse.co.uk

RUN FOR CANCER Philip Pettemerides, lead clinician at Edgar Buildings Dental in Bath and clinical lead for the South West and Wales with Portman Healthcare, has recently completed a 6.75km race in Munich while attending the EAED conference on Decoding the Centre Effect. The conference, which is based on Aesthetic Dentistry, brings together dentists from all over Europe and as far afield as the USA, Australia, Japan and Korea with lectures and live procedures beamed in to the lecture hall. Philip ran a good race, coming in eighth out of 50 runners. He wanted to raise £500 in aid of Cancer Research UK and has so far raised £1,050. If you would like to donate visit his giving page: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/ andr-philips-giving-page

BATH BUSINESS BAROMETER provided by

UPDATE: JUNE 2019

High Street Footfall (Month on month % change)

n Following the April to May dip, footfall in Bath bounced back with a 6.1% increase in June over May. This is a strong performance over the south west (5.1%) and nationally (2.5%). It is also a much stronger month-on-month performance compared to last year, where the June – May 2018 increase in Bath was only 3.9%. Week 25 was the best week of June 2019, attracting just over 20% of the month’s footfall. This is unsurprising given the weather during that week was the most pleasant.

n June and July have brought some exciting new enterprises to Bath: Goodbody Wellness Centre (Broad Street), Underwood Restaurant (Argyle Street), Mountain Warehouse (Stall Street) and Fly Fitness Studio (Bath Street) are now open for business, so do check out their oﬀerings. August brings some unique events including a Dachshund “Pup-Up” Café at Revolution (George Street) and a blind winetasting at Le Vignoble (Milsom Place). There are also lots of family friendly events at the Victoria Art Gallery and the Holburne Museum.

Bath

+6.1% South West UK

+5.1%

+2.5% Springboard Research Ltd.

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Let’s talk about care

ocl A C C O U N TA N C Y

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

www.oclaccountancy.com

Proposed simplification of Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax (IHT) is broadly a tax on the transfer of assets that you build up during your lifetime and then pass on to others, either during your lifetime, as a gift, or when you die. The Office of Tax Simplification has undertaken a detailed review of the design of the inheritance tax system (which is often viewed a complicated tax) leading to recommendations for making the tax easier to understand, more intuitive and simpler to operate. The review focuses on simplifying three main areas: • Lifetime gifts • Interaction with Capital Gains tax and • Reliefs for Businesses and Farms

Talking about care can be a daunting conversation. No-one likes to think they might lose their independence, but if you or someone you love is struggling with daily tasks, a conversation on the options available, is a worthwhile discussion. Our friendly team at Mogers Drewett are here to help you navigate the path. The first step is to establish how much care you need. A needs assessment with your local authority will help you understand whether you may need support at home, or require a move into a residential home. Care home considerations Choosing a care home is an important decision. The first thing to establish is what is available, that will meet your needs. There are many different care environments to choose from, each offering varying levels of support and independence. It is important to visit a number of options and to establish the right balance of support that will suit. Our team regularly visits with people and we like to get to know them as a person, not just dealing with their legal queries but also talking to them one to one. If any issues become apparent - whether they are legal or not - we help to resolve them. We pride ourselves in making sure we treat everyone with a level of understanding. Once a decision has been made on the care home, the next step is to make it a home! At this stage it’s important to decide what personal possessions you want to bring to make the new place of residence as comfortable as possible. At Mogers Drewett, our team are dedicated to providing practical and empathetic support for you or your loved ones. We go beyond just legal advice with services that are personalised, taking into account what you need now and what you may need in the future. To find out more, please visit our website www.mogersdrewett.com

Lifetime gifts: It is recommended that the current annual gifts exemption, the marriage exemption and exemption for normal expenditure out of income should be replaced with a single gift allowance which allows an individual to give a fixed amount each year with no rollover of unused limits. The figure suggested is £25,000 pa although this will be subject to further consultation. A further simplification of lifetime gifts would be to shorten the period for them from 7 years to 5 years and also to abolish the tapering of inheritance tax payable for gifts made between 3 and 7 years prior to death. Interaction with Capital Gains Tax: Under current rules when someone inherits assets, the acquisition value of the assets for capital gains purposes is the market value of those assets on the date of death. Any previous gains are wiped out. This is known as the ‘capital gains uplift’ on death. This “uplift on death” can distort decision making, particularly relating to the transfer of assets that benefit from spousal exemption, Business Property Relief or Agricultural Property Relief from IHT, in that it provides an incentive for taxpayers to transfer their businesses or farms on death rather than in life. This is a distortion as it can lead to these assets being transferred at a suboptimal time from a commercial or personal perspective. One option being considered to remove the distortion is replacing the capital gains uplift with a “no gain, no loss” transfer of certain assets.This would mean that there would be no capital gains uplift on death but those to whom a business passes would instead acquire the assets at the historic base cost of the person who died thus transferring any gain to the beneficiary. This would bring the treatment for transfers on death in line with “gifts holdover relief ” for capital gains used for lifetime transfers. Parity between treatment in life and on death should eliminate the distortion caused by capital gains uplift. Reliefs for Business and Farms: There are further proposals to simplify the rules around criteria for claiming Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief beyond the scope of this article.

For tax saving tips contact us – call Jacqui Bates, Marie Maggs or Tom Hulett 01225 445507 for a no-obligation meeting. See our website for more.

Kate Norris, Later Life Support Team at Mogers Drewett

Call Jacqui Bates, Marie Maggs or Tom Hulett on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting

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CITY | NEWS

CITYNEWS TOP RURAL SERVICE

AWARDS FOR LUCKNAM

NEW SHARP FACE

Keynsham-based broadband provider Truespeed has been awarded Best Rural ISP 2019 by the ISPA, the UK’s trade association for internet service providers. Driven by a community-focused ethos, Truespeed are providing the south west’s residents and businesses with the UK’s best rural broadband. The judges said that Truespeed’s “commitment to local community hubs and its focus on hard-to-reach areas made them stand out in a very competitive field.” Many residents and businesses in Chew Valley are in areas neglected by the national ISPs and are already benefitting from Truespeed’s ultrafast broadband service. The company is in the process of building out its full fibre network across the south west. “Winning this award in a very competitive field is great news for Truespeed. We have been focused on helping rural communities bridge the widening rural/urban digital divide by building an ultrafast, highly reliable broadband network that will last for generations,” said CEO Evan Wienburg. truespeed.com

Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa has received three awards at the Annual Awards of Excellence 2019. Eleanor Dimes won Young Waiter of the Year, and Jamaar Semper-House and Rich Henderson both won the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts’ Annual Award of Excellence. The candidates achieve the award based on their ability to reach the standard of excellence set by the judges. Hywel Jones, executive chef and director of food and beverage at Lucknam Park, commented: “We are thrilled with the success that Ellie, Jamaar and Rich enjoyed in the recent Annual Awards of Excellence. Their success is testament to not only their natural talent but to their hard work, dedication and commitment.” lucknampark.co.uk

Thomas Airey is the newest addition to Sharp Family Law’s Bristol family law team. Thomas is a strong advocate of constructive solutions to family law issues. He advises on all aspects of family law, including the division of financial assets, parenting arrangements and cohabitation and prenuptial agreements. Thomas’ goal is to minimise the unnecessary financial and emotional costs of divorce, especially when children are involved. “I’m thrilled that Thomas has joined us,” says Richard Sharp, senior partner. “He shares the firm’s approach to protect what matters most and empower people to move on with their lives.” Sharp Family Law is the largest niche firm of family solicitors in Bath and Bristol who work with clients from across the UK. sharpfamilylaw.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Bath really blooms for summertime shoppers Allison Herbert CEO Bath Business Improvement District

ummer means one thing for Britain in Bloom entrants – judges’ visits. Be assured, it’s not all about who has the biggest begonias; the Royal Horticultural Society has exacting criteria when it comes to their annual competition. In fact, the marking scheme more closely resembles that of a GCSE paper. Naturally, the judges are looking for examples of horticulture achievement but this is only 40% of the marks. They also judge on community engagement and environmental responsibility. The reduction in local authority funding increases the reliance on businesses and volunteers and the impact of climate change is being heard. The drought of 2018 had a significant impact on plants and emphasised the need to address water conservation. This year, the Bath BID has focused on new-style hanging baskets and planters that include water reservoirs. These are a more sustainable solution requiring less water, less labour, less vehicular fuel and thus less pollution. They don’t need moss (which destroys natural habitats) and the plant nutrients stay in the baskets resulting in healthier, stronger plants. The BID works with Royal Victoria Park’s department to encourage their use across the city and together they created three themed planting schemes: Carnival and Festival, full of orange and red flowers to celebrate the city’s events; Healing Spa with blues and mauves to reflect Bath’s therapeutic history; and Astronomy which

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contains silver and white to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo lunar landing and our city’s stargazing links. In a delightful quirk this theme has continued with the baskets outside Gap; the flower colours reflect the various planets in our solar system. The fabulous Wild Walcot community goes from strength to strength, growing vegetables at Corn Market, bags for life blooms on Abbey Gardens and wildflowers at St Swithin’s and St Michael’s churches. Thanks go to Indigo Hotel, the Parks team

and to Bath in Bloom volunteers who have revitalised the large beds on Manvers Street which had unfortunately become a focus for vermin and litter. Now they are bright, clean beds full of native species which will grow well and attract pollinators. Even within an urban environment we can help with biodiversity as well as provide a gorgeous floral welcome to visitors. The biggest change for 2019 is the hard landscaping in SouthGate. The design of the planters, seating, sculptures and playful mounds take their cues from cultural associations with Bath. Fruiting apple trees are trained around a handmade bronze framework to create a circle of apples reminiscent of Circus and Crescent architecture and reference the traditional apple orchards of Somerset. The wildflower planting of the oak trough mini meadows and market carts reflect the British countryside. What lovely start to a visitor’s trip around the city. The Bath Business Improvement District (BID) is a Britain in Bloom entrant for 2019. We were delighted to take the lead in the South West last year and to be nominated to national status for this year. We won’t hear from the judges until October, but certainly the feedback on the streets and via social media shows that the collaborative efforts of businesses and community groups are worthwhile. n

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FAMILY | EVENTS

Family diary IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN THIS MONTH SUPER PIRATES HOLIDAY CLUB Thursday 1 – Thursday 29 August, 8.45am–5pm n Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Keynsham Make this summer holiday an unforgettable one and enjoy a world of adventure including indoor soft play areas, mini golf, animal handling, boating, face painting, pig racing, falconry shows and much more. Guided by qualified Super Pirates crew members, children will need to bring a packed lunch, morning snack, water bottle and wear weather-appropriate clothing. Suitable for ages five to 11 years. £33 per day; avonvalley.co.uk

TYNTEFEST: BEATRIX POTTER TALES Wednesday 7 August, 10am–12.30pm n Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol Celebrate National Playday at Tyntesfield and enjoy a day inspired by the tales of Beatrix Potter. There will be storytelling, face painting, crafts and games. Suitable for ages two to five years and their families. Tiny tots are welcome and free of charge when accompanying an older sibling or companion. Appropriate outdoor clothing is essential. Adults free, children £9; nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield ME, MYSELF AND I Wednesday 7 and Friday 9 August, 10.30am–12.30pm and 1.30–3.30pm n Victoria Art Gallery Explore some of the gallery’s amazing paintings of people which can be found on the first floor displays, and be inspired to create your very own junk portrait using a range of mixed media supplied by the gallery. Free; victoriagal.org.uk SUMMER CAMP FUN Wednesday 7, 14, 21, 28 August, 11am–3pm n American Museum and Gardens Kids can get a taster of what it’s like to go on an American summer camp at these weekly day camps, offering a range of indoor and outdoor activities for different ages. 74 TheBATHMagazine

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STAMP A STORY Friday 2 August, 10.30am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–3.30pm n Victoria Art Gallery Investigate one of the gallery’s most popular paintings, The Watersplash, and create a story about taking a goose for a walk. What’s the plot? What antics does the goose get up to along the way? Use stamps and special papers to help illustrate the story. Free; victoriagal.org.uk

There’s plenty of fun to be had at Tyntesfield this summer

Suitable for ages five and above. Normal admission applies; americanmuseum.org PUPPET-MAKING WORKSHOP Thursday 8 August, 10.30am and 2pm n The Edge, University of Bath Using a selection of everyday items and inspiration taken from Robert Anton’s current exhibition at The Edge, create your own puppet and unique character with the help of artist Edwina Bridgeman. A relaxed, playful workshop for all the family. Suitable for ages five and above. £4; edgearts.org SUMMER ART CAMP Monday 12 – Friday 16 August, 9am–4pm n The Holburne Museum Enjoy five days packed full of fun, creative activities inspired by the museum’s collection and exhibitions, led by an experienced team of artists. For ages five to 11 years. £40 per day; holburne.org ACTNOW SUMMER SCHOOL 2019 Monday 12 – Friday 16 August, 9.30am–4pm n The Pound, Pound Pill, Corsham A fun and intensive week of activities that focuses on developing skills of improvisation, physical theatre, characterisation, performing and script writing with theatre company The Last Baguette. £80; poundarts.org.uk MEASURE FOR MEASURE Monday 12 – Friday 16 August, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30–4pm n Roman Baths

Learn all about the different methods and objects that the Romans used to weigh and measure items. Find out about ancient weights and measures and create your very own Roman measuring ruler. Included in the general admission, from £18 for adults and from £13.05 for children; romanbaths.co.uk SUPERHERO WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP Wednesday 14 August, 10.30am–12pm n Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock Bring out your creative and imaginative side as you design and craft your very own superhero identity and design a costume before grabbing your cape, mask and boots and helping to save the world. Crafting resources and light refreshments provided. £7; wiltshirescrapstore.co.uk ALICE IN WONDERLAND Friday 16 August, 6.30–8.30pm n Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol Head to the croquet lawn for an evening screening of Lewis Caroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. Bring a chair and picnic and enjoy some nonsensical fun and excitement for the entire family. Dressing up as your favourite character is welcomed. Adults £16, children £8; nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield MEN BEHAVING DADLY Saturday 17 August, 9–10.30am n St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon Head to the church’s crypt and get the chance to meet other dads, catch up, make some new friends, and have some quality

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Enjoy birthday madness at Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park

Design a collage in the style of the Fashion Museum’s Glove Stories exhibition

time with your little one. There are toys, games, toast for the kids and coffee and bacon butties for the dads. £3 per dad. Suitable for pre-school children only; stswithinswalcot.org.uk MAGAZINE MIX–UP Tuesday 20 August, 10.30am–12.30pm and 1.30–3.30pm n Fashion Museum Using the Glove Stories exhibition as inspiration, use crafts and magazine collage to create a design in the style of fashion designer John Galliano’s amazing newsprint gloves. Included in admission price, no need to book; fashionmuseum.co.uk

ARABIAN NIGHTS Wednesday 22 – Sunday 25 August, times vary n The egg Join Scheherazade as she relies on her wits, skills and creative flair to build a wondrous world in order to save her life. Standard £12, children £10. Lap seats available for £1.50. Suitable for ages seven and above; theatreroyal.org.uk THE VICTORIANS GO TRAVELLING ABROAD Thursday 29 August, 10am–12pm n Radstock Museum This Victorian-themed arts and crafts

morning promises to be an exciting summer holiday activity. £3 for children, £1 for adults; radstockmuseum.co.uk 30TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Friday 30 August – Sunday 1 September, 10am–6pm n Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Keynsham Celebrate the park’s 30th year with a funfilled weekend that all the family can enjoy. Expect water fights, special appearances from the likes of Andy and the Oddsocks and The Twerzels, live music and much more. Free for Active Annual Pass holders, standard admission prices; avonvalley.co.uk n

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EDUCATION NEWS SCHEMING TO READ Award-winning children’s author, Dr Joanna Nadin, has visited Michael’s Junior School to congratulate pupils on taking part in a successful pilot reading scheme organised by Bath Spa University and its Students’ Bath Spa University students with pupils from Union. Dr Sally Griffin, St Michaels C of E Junior School and Joanna Nadin access and participation manager at Bath Spa University said, “Since January the scheme has seen 13 Bath Spa students volunteering their time every week in three primary schools to listen to children read on a one-to-one basis.” The Primary Readers Scheme has been developed to encourage reading among primary school children in Bath and to support them in their reading journey, from the first steps reading with adults to developing a love for books outside school.

HEAD OF THE PRIOR PARK PACK Ben Horan has been appointed the new headmaster of Prior Park College. Selected from an impressive field of candidates, Mr Horan succeeds James Murphy-O’Connor and will take up his post on 1 September. Mr Horan is currently the senior deputy head academic at Merchant Taylors’ School in London, a post he has held since September 2014. Educated at The John Fisher School in Croydon, Mr Horan read History at Magdalen College, Oxford. He began his teaching career at St Benedict’s School in Ealing, before moving to Eton College in 2004. At Eton, he had a number of roles, including head of history and history of art, 1st XV rugby coach and deputy housemaster. He has spent the past five years at Merchant Taylors’ overseeing the academic development of the school and continuing to be involved in the wider life of the community as a rugby and cricket coach and a pastoral tutor. Chair of Governors, Mr Michael King, stated “Ben brings with him a wealth of experience and the Prior Park community looks forward to working with him to develop our vision for the college.” priorparkcollege.com

AN ECO-TOWN VISION

Four Year 5 students from Widcombe Junior School recently spent time at Nash Partnership’s office in Bath as part of a eco-town competition. The students have been working on an eco project which culminated in a competition judged by Nash Partnership’s Associate Architect Paul Miller. As part of the project, Paul visited the school and spoke to the children about architecture and its link with the environment. Paul then judged the students’ competition entries to choose winners in the categories of Best SketchUp model, won by Jack; best physical model, won by Eva; and best ideas, won by Luke and Poppy. The students spent time at Nash Partnership’s office as part of the prize. nashpartnership.com n RIGHT, from left to right, Eva, Jack, Ben and Poppy 76 TheBATHMagazine

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TRAVEL

The Hotel de l'Agglomeration is one of the dramatic architectural features of the district of Antigone

The Hôtel de Ville and its distinctive glass facades

A beguiling city Voted the second happiest city in France, Montpellier is evidently a city that’s doing things right. Simon Horsford uncovers its rich history, stand-out architecture and dominant museum and arts culture, as well as its winding medieval streets, lush gardens and atmospheric squares

Place de la Comédie is Montpellier's central square and one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe

Montpelier’s Porte du Peyrou

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Place de la Canourgue is the oldest in Montpellier

a late afternoon pastis; Place de la Canourge and Place de Jean Jaurès are both worth seeking out. The former also leads on to rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau where I stumble upon not only – reputedly – the city’s best boulangerie, but also a couple of terrific restaurants, Des Marées d’Ecume (great for lunch) and Le Petit Jardin.

❝

The city itself is on a roll and one of the most seductive and inviting cities in southern France

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otted around the side streets of Montpellier are small posters of President Macron bearing the words ‘Fake Views’. President Trump has a lot to answer for. But then again maybe we should be blaming someone else. The 16th-century apothecary and supposed prophet Nostradamus, who attended medical school here, predicted that when the pine trees on the old city walls died Montpellier would disappear. The pines have gone – they’ve been replaced by cypress trees – but the city itself is on a roll and is one of the most seductive and inviting cities in southern France. Fake news has been around a long time. Now less than a two-hour hop away from Bristol after the introduction of easyJet flights in June, the capital of the Languedoc Roussillon region has been dubbed ‘the city with everything’, from the arts to sports. Little wonder the town’s progressive and politically independent mayor, Philippe Saurel, told me he thought of it as ‘paradise’. The seventh largest city in France has a youthful vibe, too – 30 per cent of the population is aged under 30. This is thanks to its thriving universities (Renaissance writer François Rabelais was a student here) and distinctly liberal feel – it hosted the first gay wedding in France in 2013 at the eyecatching, blue-hued, Jean Nouvel designed Hôtel de Ville de Montpellier. Architecturally it’s creating waves, too, while just before my visit, the city had hosted 600,000 people for the annual International Festival of Extreme Sports and during my stay it was staging five matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Montpellier is putting down a marker to be noticed on all fronts. Exploring the city is joy and easily done on foot – car access is limited, although as an alternative there is an excellent tram service (four lines, each distinctively coloured to reflect the elements). Unlike other cities in the south, Montpellier has no Greco-Roman links, emerging, instead, in the Middle Ages. The result is that the historic heart of the old town Écusson (which is shaped like a shield), is a beguiling labyrinth of narrow, high-sided streets lined with tiny shops with everything from vintage clothes to handmade chocolates, artisan jewellery and elaborate bakers, and even a lovely old-fashioned toy shop dating from 1973. But as a reminder that I’m in the present, the ancient alleyways are occasionally daubed with Banksy-style graffiti, or, as my guide Yulia points out, the signature artworks of Mr BMX, whose style is to embed half a BMX bike or a shopping trolley into the brickwork, the latter designed to be a basket for people to donate clothes or food for the homeless. Elsewhere in the evening in one of the numerous picturesque squares, I find a DJ pumping out sounds to a swaying crowd. In the daytime these tiny squares make the perfect stop for a morning coffee or, perhaps,

The medieval centre is bracketed by the city’s own Arc de Triomphe, or Porte du Peyrou as it known here, and the wonderfully grand, wide open space of the Place de la Comédie. The former is dedicated to who else but the Sun King, Louis XIV. If you can get on a tour, you can walk up some tiny steps to the top of the arch – well worth it – otherwise make do with wander down the Peyrou Royal Promenade where you can gaze at the Corinthian Chateau d’Eau and the Romanesque Arceaux aqueduct, constructed in the 18th century, together with a huge equestrian statue of Louis XIV, which was built to mark the end of the city’s flirtation with Protestantism. Try and go on a Sunday when a flea market takes centre stage. I make my way slowly down to the impressive pedestrian arena that is the Place de la Comédie with the same Haussmanian style buildings you’d see in Paris, the Three Graces statue at its centre and with Opéra Comédie at one end and the Jardin du Champ de Mars at the other. It’s grand and evocative with numerous cafés and

restaurants. I grab a citron pressé and people-watch during a brief rain shower. Among many events, the square is home to a wine fair in November and a Christmas market. Back in the historic heart, I pop into the grandstanding gothic Cathedral St Pierre, parts of which date back to the 14th century. Next door is the Faculty of Medicine – around since the 13th century it’s the oldest continuously operating medical school in the west. It has fiercely high standards with only around 10 per cent of those who apply to study going on to qualify. If you are not too squeamish, take a tour of its Museum of Anatomy and its collection of the weird, wonderful and unmentionable, giving an insight into medical practice over the centuries (book through the tourist office). If jars containing parts of the human anatomy and wax casts aren’t for you, then try the Musée Fabre, renowned for its 16th – 19th century European art (there’s a striking picture by Delacroix entitled Exercices Militaires des Marocains), but also for its works by Pierre Soulages, dubbed ‘the master of black’. Just opened too is the uber-cool Moco, set in a 19th-century former town house near the station with a lovely garden and snazzy bar/restaurant. It’s a showcase for contemporary art in the city, exhibiting regularly changing works from private collections and solo artists – the opening exhibition features sculptures, photographs and videos owned by Japanese entrepreneur Yasuharu Ishikawa. After a surfeit of art, I go in search of some greenery and where better than the Jardin des Plantes, the oldest botanical gardens in France. Here I look out for a 400-year-old green olive tree, where over the years people have placed prayers and love letters into the fissures of its trunk. I then peek into Eglise Saint-Roch, dedicated to Saint Roch, who spent much of his life helping plague victims, of whom he is the ➲

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patron saint. He is also the patron saint of dogs and you will see a lot of them in Montpellier – occasionally being carried in a handbag. So much for the old and what about the new? I make a circuitous journey through the city, via some colourfully inspired graffiti along rue des Pradiers to Antigone, the fabulous neo-classical inspired district designed by the Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill between 1979 and 2000. Loosely inspired by Ancient Greece, the streets have names such as Place de Marathon and Place de Sparte. Here the dramatic Médiathèque Centrale Emile Zola (the library) and the Piscine Olympique Antigone (swimming pool) are set opposite each other – they represent mind and body and resemble the outline of a liner and a cruise ship respectively. With the open spaces, lawns and trees, Antigone is a bold sight in more ways than one – my guide Bruno explains that a part of this development of apartments and offices is devoted to social housing, once again revealing the city’s desire to be forward-thinking and inclusive. Walking through the Place d’Europe, which looks like a post-modern version of the Royal Crescent in Bath, I spot Sou Fujimoto’s ‘white tree’ apartment building, designed to appear as though it has grown organically out of the ground, where huge balconies extend from the 17 floors. After reaching the River Lez, I double back towards Philippe Starck’s La Nuage (a complex including a swimming pool, gym and medical centre) in Porte Marianne. It does look a little cloud-like and was supposed to be transparent, but the occupants were unhappy with that idea.

FIVE OTHER PLACES NOT TO MISS n Planet Ocean – with immersive displays such as a sea storm simulator, penguins and sharks, there is something to engage all ages here. And if you need more there’s a planetarium too. It’s in the Odysseum Quartier, a buzzing shopping, drinking and eating centre. n The seaside – the Mediterranean is only seven miles away so make the most of the beaches: Carnon is one of the nearest – take the tram and then walk, or cycle, or cycle the whole way. The streets of the old city

Boarding the tram, I move on to Marche de Lez, a little creative hotspot on an old industrial site with a vast antiques shop, hipster barber’s, cafés, a creperie and clothes stalls. Even more is promised, too, as Les Halles du Luz was due to open in June with an array of gastronomic outlets and bars – the kind of places you’d find at Bristol’s Wapping Wharf. As I head back to the centre, I realised what the mayor meant. This is a city that’s going places, somewhere that has embraced the old and the new. And it’s a city with a smile on its face. Nostradamus would be relieved. n easyJet flies twice a week from Bristol to Montpellier until the end of October, easyjet.com; montpellier-france.com

n Dine here – Les t’Ocqués (rue Roucher), Restaurant La Place (Place St Ravy), House D’Anna (rue des Trésoriers de la Bourse) and La Tomate (rue Four des Flammes – the oldest restaurant in town) won’t let you down and are well priced. n Food markets – Stock up on cheese and an array of beautifully presented foods at Halles Castellane or Les Halles Laissac – the latter’s glass roof is meant to resemble a cantaloupe melon. You might get a bottle of the lovely local wine, Pic Saint Loup, here, too. n Get sporty – Montpellier has top-line football and rugby teams and is also pretty handy at handball, water polo and women’s basketball. Make a date to see one of them in action.

Montpellier’s Jardin des Plantes was created by order of Henri IV in 1593

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

HEALTH & BEAUTY NEWS Children’s handwashes, breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues and a forthcoming weekend of wellness – Crystal Rose on the latest updates in the sector

BLOOMING FUN HANDWASHES GOOD BODY, MIND AND SOUL If it’s cannabidoil-infused coffee, edibles and beauty products you’re looking for, then head to the Goodbody Wellness Centre, located on Broad Street. Offering 45 different cannabidiol (CBD) products, such as bath bombs, skincare, coffee and muscle rubs, Goodbody Wellness is the first of its kind to hit the UK health scene. With reports claiming health benefits in cases of anxiety, stress and skin irritation, the use of CBD currently has no known psychoactive effects and its popularity is on the rise. • Goodbody Wellness Centre, 7 Broad Street, Bath BL1 5LJ;

goodbodywellness.co.uk

Making washing your hands a whole lot more fun, Bloom and Blossom have collaborated with the Roald Dahl Story Company to create five new handwashes. Each scented with aptly matched ingredients, all bottles resonate with childhood classics such as Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Twits. There’s James’ magical handwash infused with (you guessed it) peach, George’s marvellous handwash scented with candyfloss and marshmallow frosting, and a wicked organic tea tree and lemon eucalpytus-infused soap courtesy of The Twits. The whole range, made from 98% naturally derived ingredients, is cruelty-free, vegan and has injected a little bit of magical fun into handwashing. • Bloom and Blossom Roald Dahl handwashes, £3.99 each, available at Waitrose; bloomandblossom.com

CHARITY CANDLE Infused with cassis, delicate lily of the valley, narcissus and green ivy, this year’s charity candle from Jo Malone continues to shine a light on mental health. Stamping out stigmas supporting those living with mental health problems and empowering people to recover, reconnect and grow, for each sale of the Lily of the Valley & Ivy candle, Jo Malone will make a donation of 75% of the retail price to ten of the inspirational charities that the British brand supports. • Lily of the Valley & Ivy charity candle, £48, Jo Malone; jomalone.co.uk

WICKED GUMMIES A new vegan range of nutritional gummies has launched. Established by former Protein World head of global marketing Richard Staveley, the range consists of five different flavours. There’s a hair, skin and nail gummy containing high levels of biotin and vitamins A, E and C, a probiotic version that contains 1 billion CFU health bacteria in each serving and a sleep aid that contains low doses of insomnia and anxiety-reducing ingredients. • Wicked Gummy Co, from £14.99; wickedgummyco.com

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FEELING THE ZEN A weekend that combines health, nature and hedonism in a picturesque location – Manor Farm, Ebbesbourne Lake, Wiltshire, to be exact – is set to pitch up on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September. Expect a weekend full of wellness, exercise, glamping, food, drink, dancing and children’s activities. There’s Yang Yin yoga with Clare Allen on Saturday from 12.30–1.30pm, regular farm runs taken by Tom James, zen treatments at the intimate spa including an Ayurvedic face treatment and so much more. Tickets are available to book now. • Verve Festival; feeltheverve.com

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CITY | PERSONAL STYLE

True colours

Which colours best suit you: rich, warm, earthy and vibrant colours, or clear, bright, vivid and icy ones? If the former, you are Autumm; if the latter you are Winter. Find out more as Emma Clegg visits Waller and Wood, meets colour consultant Annabel Czyba and gets some advice on the colours that suit her best

should not wear black, I discovered when I met Annabel Czyba at Waller and Wood in Abbey Green, because it drains the colour from my face. This is unfortunate given that black takes up a good 50% of my wardrobe. Textile artist Carole Waller had invited Annabel, colour consultant from House of Colour – an international company offering image consultants and personal stylists – to visit and to give short colour consultations to some of Carole’s clients. Intrigued, I put my name down, not realising that this could have serious repercussions. My experience started with some colour history. French chemist, Michel Chevreul (1786–1889) experimented with the effects of placing different colours alongside one another and examined the optical effect now used in colour printing and colour television. In the 20th century the Swiss artist Johannes Itten, who worked and taught at the Bauhaus School of Art in Germany, continued Chevreul’s analysis and established the rules of colour theory, including the 12-point colour wheel, still widely used today. Itten is also attributed with being the first person to associate colours with four types of people. The advent of colour in the film and television industry in the 1940s brought about an interest in the different effects of colour on people’s appearance. Artist Robert Dorr observed how an actress could look wonderful one day, yet tired and older another and recognised that this was the effect of the colour she was wearing on her skin. He then commissioned a medical team to establish that we are all born with a skin tone and if you know what colours represent you it helps you to look younger and Before the consultation

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healthier. You can see this effect at work in gangster films such as The Godfather, where typically actors who look good in winter colours such as white, black navy, grey and red are dressed in camel and brown, and the colours make them look distinctly shifty. Itten and others, through their involvement with colour, have established that each individual has a basic skin pigment which falls into one of four groupings which are defined by the unique combination of depth, hue and tone; in colour analysis these have become known as Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter because of the pattern of colours found in each group. Two of these groups reflect warm-based colours which complement Spring and Autumn; the other two reflect cool-based colours which enhance Summer and Winter. All House of Colour consultants use these theories as the basis of their work. So, armed with a square carousel swishing with precision-dyed nylon swatches (36 colours on each side, with each side representing a seasonal colour range), Annabel first created a blank canvas by draping me with a plain fabric. The next stage was to establish whether my skin tone suited warm or cool colours, so I was draped with Autumn colours (warm), and then Summer colours (cool). Autumn was the clear winner. Then we needed to evaluate the two warm seasons, to work out whether I needed bright clear colours (Spring) or soft colours (Autumn). “With Autumn and Summer it is as if the paint has been mixed with milk, so it’s opaque. Spring and Winter are clear and bright so it’s as if they have been mixed with water,” explained Annabel. This is where I became layered up with colours. I was

Starting with a blank palette

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Annabel Czyba, who suits the Winter spectrum of colours

surprised how clear the effect of the different shades was on my skin, which changed in character as one drape was taken away and was replaced by another. Some of the shifts were more subtle; others were dramatic. There was one deep ruby shade that I could see completely drained the colour from my face. I was now officially someone who suited the Autumn colour range. While this short consultation meant that I knew the colours that suited me (my Wow colours), a full colour consultation (in a small group) would have shown me specifically how to wear some colours, giving proportions of colours that were appropriate to wear, so a very suitable colour might have a 100 percentage. “My best colours are the deepest colours in winter, and not much brightness. In summer, with a tan, I wear quite a lot of white with a splash of colour,” says Annabel, who suits a Winter spectrum.

Wearing my Wow Autumn colours all at once

Wearing a Carole Waller ‘Autumn’ scarf

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Another option is the House of Colour style consultation. This looks at the shapes that flatter you and affordable styles that capture your personality. Advice is also offered on creating a capsule wardrobe and identifying the accessories that suit you. The third option is a make-up consultation, a three-hour session that shows you how to wear the colours that will naturally light up your face. Carole Waller, whose one-of-a-kind painted fabrics have formed the basis of her richly coloured, easy-to-wear clothes and scarves, has been working in consultation with Annabel to develop colour groupings of scarves in each of the seasonal colour ranges that are recommended. In doing this, she realised that a large proportion of her clothes on display were in Autumn colours, her own seasonal colour. Working with the Winter and Summer colours was particularly challenging as Carole regularly uses orange and yellow, and these cooler ranges have no warm yellows. Carole now has a range of scarves following each colour season, so in theory everyone will find a scarf in a colour that will suit them. As for me, I’m spotting colour types in the street, and am looking for alternatives to black in my recommended Autumn spectrum, so that I can achieve the best version of myself that I can possibly be. n

ABOVE: left, Spring colours are clear, bright, warm, light and splashy; right, Summer colours are soft, blue, smoky and rose BELOW: A scarf from Carole Waller’s current range, using dramatic Winter colours – clear, bright, vivid and with high contrast

Carole Waller is offering half hour taster colour consultations with Annabel Czyba on 14 October, £55, tel: 07803 033629 to book. Waller and Wood, 4 Abbey Green, Bath; wallerandwood.co.uk House of Colour consultations with Annabel Czyba are in Wroughton, Swindon. Colour consultation £150; style consultation £205; make-up consultation £60; book colour and style sessions for £355 and get the make-up session free; tel: 01793 814276; houseofcolour.co.uk/annabelczyba

Chef at the Marlborough Tavern, Jack Scaterfield THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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BEAUTY | REVIEW

Hair to stay

Hair – it’s right on top of your head and if it doesn’t feel right, then neither do you. Emma Clegg visits Frontlinestyle for a consultation and treatment and finds out about the help that can be offered to those with hair problems

e are all well-motivated to pay good attention to our hair – it is an inescapable part of our appearance, after all and healthy, thick hair is attractive. But what to do if you have problems, perhaps with lankness, a flaky scalp or areas that are thinning? When I visited the salon on Monmouth Street for a consultation, Amie Brown, Frontlinestyle’s manager, told me that there are many solutions for problem hair. Amie tests the movement of the skin on my scalp, pushing it gently with her fingers – it needs to be reasonably flexible to be healthy, she tells me, and a tight scalp, which can be created simply by tension, will invariably need some attention. Keeping your scalp in good condition can be helped, I discover, by giving your head a massage when you wash it, taking time over it and stimulating the skin, which will in turn increase the blood circulation to the hair roots. My consultation starts with a Nioxin nioscope, a specialised magnifier (smaller than a camera) placed against the scalp that produces detailed images. The result was a series of pictures of my scalp with supermagnified hair strands. Amie pointed out the oils that could be seen around the roots. She explained that this is a natural process that will happen over time after washing, but too much can also indicate a build-up of products around the hair follicles, which can leave the hair looking flat. Amie tells me

that she has had clients coming in concerned about their thinning hair thinking that they need a wig, and their nioscope images then indicated that the follicles are blocked – so once the scalp has been stimulated and revitalised the result will often be a much healthier hair growth. Amie gives me a System Professional Deluxe treatment, to hydrate and give volume. The solution is applied to wet hair and left for 10 minutes under a diffuser before being rinsed off. My hair and head

felt completely revived afterwards, and the benefit was magnified by a superb hair cut. Amie also showed me the salon’s wig consultation room. There are a small selection of wigs in store, but after an initial client consultation examples can be ordered in for clients to try, and are available in a selection of colours, thicknesses and lengths. Some of the wigs are made with human hair; others are synthetic. The wigs and hair pieces have lace fronts, where the mono tops give an illusion of a natural parting by making it look like hair is naturally growing from the scalp. Remy hair pieces are the topof-the-range choice – these are where the human hair strands are completely aligned in the natural direction of hair growth, which means the hair cuticles run in a unilateral direction and the texture of the hair will feel very natural. Having a wig might be seen by many as an option to avoid, but when you are feeling self-conscious about thinning hair, it can provide a massive confidence boost. Hair loss is such a private and sensitive area, how reassuring to have access to a specialist, personal and discreet service. n Frontlinestyle offers hair treatments from £10 (the System Professional Deluxe treatment is £20), synthetic wigs from £90 and human hair wigs from £500. A wig consultation is £30, which can be offset against a purchase. Frontlinestyle, 4-5 Monmouth St, Bath and 11 Broad Street, Wells; frontlinestyle.co.uk

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PROMOTED CONTENT

“Three things attracted me to CREATE. The first was their more natural and less invasive approach to IVF with reduced amount of drugs. Number two was the quality of their internationally renowned consultants, and number three was their treatment cost.” Pictured here, CREATE patient Celine and her daughter Romy

A new IVF clinic in Bristol is giving West Country women more choice when it comes to fertility treatment IVF is a technology that transforms lives. Since the first ‘test-tube baby’ Louise Brown - a Bristol-local - was born in 1978, more than 8 million babies have been born around the world as a result of the treatment. A new clinic in Bristol is now offering treatment based on the natural approach used in the first IVF, enhanced with the latest technology.

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How does Natural and Mild IVF treatment work? In Mild IVF, women are normally given lower doses of hormone injections aiming for a mild response from the ovaries. In Natural and Natural Modified IVF, doctors aim to collect naturally selected egg/s. Doctors will advise on the optimum treatment, often depending on whether a woman has a normal egg reserve, in which case Mild IVF is a more suitable treatment, or low egg reserve, when Natural IVF is a better fit. Individualised treatment plans are created for each patient.

and follicles, to assess the potential quality of eggs and also check the uterus for the chance of implantation and risk of miscarriage. After this point, CREATE clinicians are able to advise on the best individual treatment pathway.

A fresh alternative With a new state of the art clinic now open in Bristol city centre, CREATE Fertility is committed to offering women in the South-West an IVF treatment which is woman-friendly with better health outcomes for mothers and babies, while enjoying equivalent success rates to conventional higher stimulation IVF. Treatment is available privately or on the NHS. NHS patients who are eligible will receive treatment in line with NHS guidelines.

An initial consultation with one of the clinic’s specialists is the best way to obtain an accurate picture of fertility health and a personalised treatment programme. For a limited time, CREATE Bristol is offering readers initial consultations for only £149, a 60% reduction in price.

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Advanced technology An initial consultation is the best way to obtain an accurate picture of fertility health. At CREATE, this includes an advanced 3D & Doppler ultrasound scan and a consultation with an expert clinician. This is to check the blood flow to the ovaries

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Brown’s Folly near Bathford is a 100-acre site of special scientific interest

Nicole Daw

A life in the wild

Nature and wildlife is under threat and there is a need to protect it, but how does it affect urban Bath? In a myriad of ways, says Nicole Daw, people and wildlife officer at the Avon Wildlife Trust

ath, best known for its ancient Roman Baths and historic urban architecture has another rich side; it’s a city surrounded by countryside. I have been lucky enough to explore this in the three years I have worked for Avon Wildlife Trust. The trust is focused on championing wildlife across Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. My own career has always involved time outside, with people, trying to bring about that sense of wonder the natural world can stir up in us. If only we weren’t all so busy being busy. A PERSONAL CONNECTION A child will often have time to stop, crouch and watch a determined ant march by with a breadcrumb, larger than itself, held aloft. But as adults how often do we take notice of the small things? Immersing yourself in nature doesn’t need to involve elaborate voyages to vast landscapes or tropical habitats – it doesn’t really even require a trip. Just take a step out of the door, and in Bath it is not long before you find a green space, or a tree, or a clever little plant growing from a wall. 90 TheBATHMagazine

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How is it even doing that? There is something therapeutic about just looking at shapes, patterns, and movement, and thinking about what part that plant or animal has to play in this complex world. For several years now the term nature deficit disorder has been used to describe our increasing disconnection to nature. The trend in our society dominated by technology is to learn about the world from a screen sitting on the sofa, rather than by immersing ourselves in the natural outdoors through a robust welly walk in the woods, or with a wander through one of our delightful parks. Natural England estimates that £2.1 billion would be saved annually through averted health costs if everyone in England had equal access to green space. Just five minutes a day in the natural environment can improve both mood and self-esteem. I feel genuine joy when I open the curtains in the morning and see the sunshine streaming down on the wildlife patch in my postage-stamp garden, with busy bees and beautiful butterflies flitting and zipping from oxeye daisy to foxglove and back again. Connecting with nature is something we can all do for ourselves and encourage in others.

THE BATHSCAPE PROJECT For those looking for some wellbeing support, or interested in the opportunity to connect with people outdoors, Avon Wildlife Trust’s Wellbeing with Nature Team work regularly at Bath City Farm running wellbeing courses and drop-in volunteering sessions through the city-wide Bathscape project. Bathscape is a five-year year National Heritage Lottery funded project which aims to reconnect people with the natural landscape surrounding Bath. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Once outside and enjoying green spaces, especially when people are volunteering their time to look after them, I have noticed a real sense of pride develop in people, and from this community groups can form, grow and flourish. A brilliant example is Wild Walcot on Walcot Street. Here a small group of traders wanted to enhance the area by creating a wildlife garden at the derelict and overgrown street entrance. We worked with them to make this happen with the support of corporate engagement days, something we offer for businesses all over the Avon area. Now the

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GUEST | COLUMNIST

LANDSCAPE SCALE CONNECTIVITY Wildlife havens or reserves, such as Brown’s Folly and Bathampton Meadow, have been managed by Avon Wildlife Trust and other organisations for years. They provide wildlife with safe havens to thrive in but they cannot alone provide the solution to our current extinction crisis. As climate and landscapes continue to change at an accelerated rate, it has been predicted that 40–70% of species could become extinct unless action is taken to enable plants and animals to move through the landscape. They simply cannot survive by being confined to tiny fragments of habitat, even if they are the best bits of habitat about. Bath has the potential for great connectivity of habitats around and through it. In fact it is almost entirely surrounded by B-lines, a series of insect pathways running through our countryside and towns, countrywide. The work of our trust is focusing on creating what we call a nature recovery network in the area. In Bath this includes working in these B-line areas by restoring and creating wildflower-rich habitats. By linking existing wildlife areas together, creating a network of biodiversity

The B-Lines project aims to create a series of insect pathways running through our countryside and towns

highways across the landscape, we can provide options for pollinators such as bees and butterflies as well as other wildlife.

❝

Plants and animals simply cannot survive by being confined to tiny fragments of habitat

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garden is a reality, used by shoppers, residents, workers and visitors. Flowers bloom, vegetables are grown and wildlife thrives in this little oasis in the city. The story does not end here though – Wild Walcot now has a much greater vision, to create a green corridor along Walcot Street. Driven by the local community it has grown into much more than we could ever have imagined. St Swithin’s Churchyard now has a wildflower meadow, beetle bank and bug hotel, there is a vertical allotment on the street and community wildflowers growing from planters outside St Michael’s Church. Through the Bathscape project we will be working more closely in Bath on green spaces and within communities to create opportunities for people to learn and develop skills in nature conservation. Our work has now started and the programme will continue to develop over the next four years. Volunteers from all walks of life are warmly welcomed as there will be a suite of opportunities.

NATIONAL ACTION We are also working on a national scale by joining with all 46 wildlife trusts across the UK as part of the Wilder Future campaign. The campaign calls for political change and asks people to take action in small ways where they live to help wildlife. These individual actions add up to something much more significant across the country. Politically, the campaign is calling for the creation of nature recovery networks to

better protect and join up important places for wildlife. In England, the campaign is calling for the government’s upcoming environment bill to include measures to drive the creation of these networks. As a resident of Bath you can do your bit too, just like the gardeners of Twerton and Whiteway are doing. Blooming Whiteway is a project which focuses on growing. They grow plants and develop community cohesion by making wildlife-friendly gardens and celebrating them. If you look at an aerial view of streets in Bath, or any city, you can soon see that rows of gardens can create mini B-lines as garden ponds are connected to hedgehog hibernation sites which are connected to perfect foraging grounds. n To find out about: wellbeing programmes, visit avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ wellbeingwith-nature; volunteering or to sign up as a Bathscape volunteer email info@bathscape.co.uk; Avon Wildlife Trust, the Wilder Future Campaign and how to get involved visit: avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ wilder-future A bee feeding on field scabious at Brown’s Folly

Wild Walcot’s community wildflower planters

Bug hunting in Manor Woods Valley

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THE | WALK Lyncombe Vale

The lost pleasures of Lyncombe Kirsten Elliott takes a walk in Lyncombe Vale and encounters what used to be its three pleasure gardens. The route passes the site of Spring Gardens, one of the most successful of the three, and takes in some breathtaking views

uring its Georgian heyday, Bath’s pleasure gardens were among the glories of the city. Originally quiet places to walk for exercise and gentle refreshment, they slowly transformed into fantasy worlds. With their groves and grottoes, fêtes and fireworks, they mingled artifice and nature to create a world of magical illusion. Along their tree-lined, lamplit avenues, well-heeled visitors sought refuge from the dusty streets. Perhaps the most astonishing aspect was the sheer number and diversity of these hedonistic havens. Many had swings among their attractions, but swinging was strictly forbidden on Sundays. Most were within easy reach of the city centre but there were also three pleasure gardens in Lyncombe, which we visit in this walk. En route, you will pass the site of Spring Gardens, which offers some breathtaking views. The walk begins in Laura Place. Walk up Argyle Street, past the Boater, and descend the steps just before the bridge down to the river. Head south, passing the Beazer Maze and the Recreation Ground. From 1737 to 1798 this was the site of Spring Gardens, famous for its public breakfasts, concerts and its firework displays, attended by thousands. 92 TheBATHMagazine

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On the other side of the river is the present day Parade Gardens, once the earliest of Bath’s gardens, associated with the Assembly Rooms which stood here. Follow the riverside path southwards, passing the end of South Parade, from where steps descended to the ferry. On your left is the cricket ground, where there was a small pleasure garden in the early 19th century known as Waterloo Gardens. We know little about them, apart from that they were small, cost three pence to enter and had a swing. Continue along the riverside path, under North Parade and the railway bridges, and after crossing the canal head up to Rossiter Road. Turn right until you reach the second set of pedestrian lights, cross Rossiter Road and Claverton Street, head right, passing the former toilets, and turn left up Lyncombe Hill. This steep hill was the original route to Lyncombe Vale. As you climb, notice the varied architecture – elegant late Georgian villas, miniature castles, and Victorians boldly introducing brick – and look out for glimpses across the valley to the left. At the crossroads, go straight across to pass Rosemount Farm, and descend Lyncombe Vale Road towards Lyncombe Spa – now the Paragon School. Turn right and the school building comes into view. A spring

whose waters turned brandy deep purple was discovered here in 1737. By 1742 this house was erected as lodgings for those taking the waters, with a small extension on the east side as the pump room. Although some historians say it was not a true pleasure garden as it did not have events, in many ways, with its spring and formal grounds, it was close to the original notion of gardens as part of a healthy regime. Occasionally there was music, it was licensed for alcohol, and supplied food to visitors. Today, the spring feeds a gravity-driven fountain, while an overflow gushes out from the wall. The spa was sold in 1767 to William Street, an apothecary, who ran it with his partner David Kinneir as a sanatorium where people could be inoculated against smallpox. This entailed suffering a mild dose of smallpox, which deterred people from using the spa. By 1773 Street had converted it to his private residence, calling it Lyncombe House, where he lived until his death in 1785. The buildings nearest to you were the stables and coach houses. West of the spa, on the opposite side of the road, is the site of another pleasure garden, King’s James’s Palace. In 1724, Captain Peter Drake came to Bath to meet entrepreneurs to advise them on setting up gaming tables.

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THE | WALK

Lyncombe Vale Road in the early 20th century He was taken to dine with them “at a thatched Cabbin, within a Mile of the Town, called King James's Palace.” However, in 1777, Charles Waters set up a pleasure garden here, where drinks could be served, and dinners supplied. In addition “a great variety of flowers, flower-roots, shrubs, plants etc” were for sale. It was reached by a new carriage road running alongside the Lyn Brook, now Lyncombe Vale. Its popularity was largely due to the air of tranquility and respectability, although Robert Tanner, who ran it from 1790, introduced illuminations and fireworks as well as music. The garden lasted until 1793 before being sold, after Tanner was declared bankrupt. Head back past Lyncombe House and take the lower road along Lyncombe Vale, taking care on the section with no pavement, before taking the raised pavement beside the Lyn

Brook. Jane Austen walked along this “raised narrow footpath” in May 1801, describing the scenery, in a letter to her sister, as “very beautiful”. As the road rises to meet the pavement, a house with a rounded end comes into view. In 1737, John Wicksteed, who ran a toy shop – or gift shop – in Orange Grove, invented a water-driven machine for engraving semi-precious stones. After a short spell in Bathampton, he installed his machine here to supply tourists who had come to admire Ralph Allen’s house at Prior Park being built at the head of the valley, or stare at the tramway, which ran alongside the carriage road, carrying huge blocks of stone to Allens’s wharf. When Lyncombe Spa closed, John Wicksteed’s son James decided to open these grounds as a pleasure garden which he named the Bagatelle, declaring that he had found a chalybeate – or iron-bearing – spring in the grounds. In addition to bathing in a specially built canal supplied by the spring, there were public breakfasts, music and dancing, organised by friends of Richard Sheridan, who ran the Bagatelle for Wicksteed. In September 1773, for example, they “exhibited each morning gratis, the Rise and Fall of the Chalybeate Water at the Bagatelle, with proepilogical Songs on the occasion, sung by poor William the gardener.” Unfortunately, poor William was taken ill, so the songs did not take place.

By 1775, perhaps in an attempt to revive its fortunes, the garden was renamed Cupid’s Garden. It then gained a reputation for being disreputable and respectable visitors stopped coming. By 1778, the Bagatelle was no more. Turn left, following the route of Allen’s tramway, to return to Widcombe where you can choose between seeking refreshment at the White Hart, another of Ralph Allen’s enterprises, or heading back into town, either along the river, or by crossing Halfpenny Bridge towards the station. n You can find out more about Bath’s pleasure gardens in Kirsten Elliott’s latest book, No Swinging on Sundays – the Story of Bath’s Lost Pleasure Gardens by Akeman Press.

FACT FILE n Distance: 2.5 miles n Time: 1.5 hours n Level of challenge: On roads but with a steep climb and descent, and with steps at Pulteney Bridge n Lunch: Large groups should book for lunch at the White Hart, Widcombe; whitehartbath.co.uk

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INTERIORS

The travel bug

August is the month of travel, and as well as creating rewarding new experiences it also stimulates us with new styling and new colour mixes that we can admire and take ideas from to enhance our own homes. You might be visiting exotic climes, or you might choose to travel around the world from home, collecting visual ideas. Each new interior will bring a different sense of place, a different interior perspective, and a different character. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the dazzling blue and white contrasts of white walls, sea and sky in Greece or the faded glamour of a traditional French interior, observe them, enjoy them and draw from them. Here are nine locations on an inspirational whirlwind international tour n

American diner style

Baroque French glamour

Canadian with a big forest view

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PHOTOGRAPHY, OPPOSITE PAGE: clockwise from right: Markus Winkler, Jean-Phillippe Delberghe, Hello Lightbulb, Artsy Vibes, Sonnie Hiles, all from Unsplash

PHOTOGRAPHY, THIS PAGE: clockwise from right: Arpa Sarian; Clarisse Crosset, Lorenzo Nafissi; Orlova Maria, all from Unsplash

Moroccan tiling for cool corridors

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INTERIORS

Stark urban in New York

PHOTOGRAPHY, OPPOSITE PAGE: clockwise from right: Markus Winkler, Jean Phillippe Delberghe, Hello Lightbulb, Artsy Vibes, Sonnie Hiles, all from Unsplash

Electric blues and cool whites in this Greek balcony and sea view

Little House on the Prairie: distressed boards and natural touches

Indonesian chill with refreshing greens and naturals

Rich, intricate oriental

Graham & Greene

Mary Jane Evans

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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 £40.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £70.00 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

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The Framing Workshop has been trading as an independent family run business on Walcot Street for over 28 years. We treasure you, our client, and spend time helping you to ďŹ nd the best way to display and protect your cherished objects, artworks and memorabilia. Creativity and respect for each artwork are core to what we do. Every picture tells a story. Come and share yours.

80 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD Tel: 01225 482748 www.theframingworkshop.com framing@theframingworkshop.com

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“Founded in 2011 by Marcus Spanswick, who already had 20 years’ experience in the industry, Mardan Removals and Storage Ltd is a, family run, professional full service removals and storage company based in Bath. Marcus wanted to build a company that he and his team would be proud of. The key to the company’s success is providing a personalised service, treating each customer as an individual to ensure they get an excellent removal service. Mardan have a fleet of vehicles allowing them to offer; commercial moving, local to international moves and storage”.

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Margaret Grant from Sheppards Gardens

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Rosemary, summer savory, lovage, mint, lemon balm, borage, chives; CENTRE: Sorrel

Herbal magic

Jane Moore follows the herb trail from field to fork and talks to two chefs and two thirsty gardeners, asking them all about their favourite herbs – from rosemary to sorrel – and their favourite ways of using them

t’s barbecue season, and what better than a few herbs to spruce up those salads and cold drinks? Perfect. So now it’s time to create a useful little herb corner which will add scope and interest to your summer cooking. Will ready access to a handful of fresh herbs lift your cooking to a new level? Read on to find some advice from local chefs about their favourite herbs and ideas on what to do with them.

MICHAEL NIZZERO The first stop on my culinary tour was my colleague at The Bath Priory, executive chef Michael Nizzero, who makes huge use of herbs in his elegant dishes. “Top of my list at the moment is lovage,” he says. “It works so well with seafood such as crab and lobster and is really nice and fresh tasting.” Not a common herb these days, lovage was used widely in kitchens in the past and Michael describes the flavour as a mixture of celery and parsley, and an invaluable addition. Michael’s second choice is more familiar: 100 TheBATHMagazine

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“My father is Italian and I grew up with rosemary everywhere – inside the kitchen and out in the garden. I would not be without rosemary now,” he says. Michael loves adding a sprig of rosemary to infuse a tomato sauce right in the last few minutes of cooking. His other suggestion is more elaborate, involving baking lamb shoulder with a salt and rosemary crust. According to Michael you cook the lamb first on a high heat to seal the crust and then lower the temperature to keep the moisture in. I think I’ll leave the cooking to him, however, and stick to growing the rosemary, especially as it’s such an easy-going garden plant. Not only is it edible but it also makes a lovely addition to the sunny flower border with its evergreen foliage and sky-blue flowers. Michael’s third pick is a herb that he prizes more for its flowers than its leaves. “Borage flower is so nice and peppery as well as a beautiful blue,” he says. “It brings an amazing touch to a dish because of how it looks, and it also has its own flavour.” The little self-seeding annual is a darling of gardeners as it is a fantastic attraction for

pollinating insects such as bees. We happily allow it to seed freely around the kitchen garden and Michael has obviously been making the most of it. “It’s superb with smoked salmon, avocado and vodka crème fraîche,” he says. Being a more simple soul, I like to pop it into a jug of Pimm’s. CHRISTOPHE LACROIX Luckily for me one of my neighbours is the celebrated Bath chef Christophe Lacroix whose previous restaurants The Pinch of Salt and Le Petit Cochon many readers will remember fondly. Christophe now has his own little bistro/café, Ma Cuisine, in Larkhall, and keeps the likes of me supplied with freshly prepared ready-meals that are better than anything I could cook myself. So what herbs does he rely on to flavour his fabulous dishes? “Sorrell is absolutely my favourite,” he says. “Growing up in France it was near where my mother put out the laundry and we would pick it and eat it raw when we were collecting the washing.” “That must be a French thing,” I say, as I’m not fond of the sharp, bitter taste.

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GARDENING

“Oh but it is very French,” agrees Christophe. “Salmon and sorrel is a classic combination in France – very old school.” His second herb choice, chives, is more to my taste – I love that mild onion flavour when it is snipped over salads and omelettes. So does Christophe, although he favours using it with lemon to bring out the flavour even more – I’ll take his advice and try that for my salad dressings in future. Chives are wonderfully easy to grow and are very attractive with their fine leaves and pink flowers, which are also edible. Christophe’s next choice leaves us both puzzling and leads to something of a comedy moment. “Sarriettes is a herb of Provence,” says Christophe. “But I don’t know what it’s called in English and you can’t often get it here.” “Ah, I wonder if it’s savory,” I say. “But yes, most herbs are quite savoury,” says Christophe, looking slightly bemused. We’re both right, of course – it is summer savory, an annual herb with a peppery taste something like thyme which Christophe likes to use with slow-cooked dishes such as lamb. TWO THIRSTY GARDENERS The Two Thirsty Gardeners are a blogging duo based just outside Bath who like to experiment alcoholically and otherwise with plants of all sorts. Their ways with herbs are

somewhat different to those of our two chefs. With rosemary, for example, a sprig or two is simply dunked into a gin and tonic – “it really livens up the drink,” they say – and a stripped rosemary stalk makes a fine cocktail muddler, I’m told. “We also use it as an adjunct from which to brew beer – combine it with coriander seeds and you’ve got a spicy, citrus base from which to make a pale ale or witbier,” says Rich Hood. Another favourite herb of theirs is lemon balm, and that’s a real favourite of mine, too. This is an easy-growing perennial that, as Rich says, “pongs of lemon sherbets.” He and fellow thirsty gardener Nick Moyle mix the leaves with raspberries to make a fruity syrup which they use in cocktails. The fresh or dried leaves also make an excellent summery lemon tea. Their final choice, mint, is one I heartily agree with and for many of the same reasons: “We love the hardiness of mint. No matter how much we neglect it, it just keeps bouncing back!” says Rich. That very robust nature is something of a problem for the gardener, though, as mint can take over the garden unless you give it strict parameters in a container. This approach gives you the opportunity to grow a few different mint varieties without taking up too much space.

The Two Thirsty Gardeners, Nick Moyle and Rich Hood

Top of the Two Thirsty Gardeners’ herb list is apple mint, while ginger mint with its slight spark of heat is one of my favourites. “We use apple mint for making tea and mojitos,” says Rich. “Mostly mojitos.” Now that’s my kind of gardening. n Jane Moore is an award-winning gardening columnist and head gardener at The Bath Priory Hotel. Twitter: @janethegardener

Create space with a garden room GARDEN OFFICES • LOG CABINS • STUDIOS • SUMMERHOUSES POSH SHEDS • TIMBER GARAGES • OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

01225 774566 • www.gardenaffairs.co.uk Visit our Display Centre at Trowbridge Garden Centre 288 Frome Road, BA14 0DT THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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the directory

to advertise in this section call 01225 424 499

Electricians

Holiday Rental

60+ luxury properties for lets 2 nights to 5 months Holidays – For business – Friends & family – Temporary accommodation during renovation/relocation Contact: 01225 482 225 alexa@bathholidayrentals.com www.bathholidayrentals.com Providing 4 & 5 star self-catering properties since 2006

Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

House & Home

Email: annadesign@btinternet.com

KEIKO KISHIMOTO Holistic Treatments for Wellbeing

Aromatherapy • Reflexology/Facial reflexology Japanese Cosmo Facelift • Deep Tissue Massage For more information, please visit:

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• Interior and exterior

• Wallpaper specialist • Ceiling repairs and lining

• Working with designer paints • Free quotations

• Over 20 years experience

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PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

his picturesque thatched period property is believed to have been built in the 1600s, originally as a barn. It has evolved over the years into a superb country family home. The property was extended in Victorian times and this part of the house has a tiled roof. Internally the rooms are well-proportioned comprising a large bright sitting room with attractive fireplace with log burning stove and a good size kitchen/dining room fully fitted with French doors leading out to the beautiful rear garden. There is a secondary living room/snug and conveniently two staircases lead up to the first floor which provides four bedrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, a bathroom and a shower room. Throughout the property there are many period features including exposed beams, an apex ceiling, oak doors and solid oak flooring. A particular feature of the property is the beautiful secluded garden. To the rear there is a large sunken terrace which faces both south and east and gets the sun most of the day. In addition there is a large enclosed lawn, a good size gravel parking area for a number of vehicles, and log stores. The property is not overlooked. It is safe, private and peaceful. This is a quite wonderful property and a viewing is strongly recommended by the sole agents Cobb Farr. Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, The Circus, Bath. Tel: 01225 333332

St Christophers, Ditteridge, Box • A beautiful Grade II listed thatched period property • Large gardens • 4 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • 2 reception rooms • Large kitchen/breakfast room • Parking for several vehicles • Adjacent to open countryside

Guide price: £1,000,000

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Silver Street Farm, Brokerswood £1,500,000

• • • • • •

Refurbished farmhouse (4 bedrooms) 2 bedroom annexe/holiday let 2.5 acre plot Ménage and paddock 2 stone built garages No onward chain

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

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The Tramshed, Bath OIRO £950,000

• • • • • • • • •

Wonderful city centre location with river frontage Secure gated access Concierge service Lift access Secure gated under-ground parking 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and guest cloak room Loft style accommodation and well fitted kitchen Underfloor heating 2 balconies

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

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have a reputation throughout the area for providing rental apartments of a certain standard, which is why we continue to attract tenants of merit.

Peter Greatorex, managing director of The apartment Company

How can you retain the capital value of your rental apartment in Bath?

e live in an old city yet its heritage and vibrancy attracts people from all over the world, some of whom decide to make it their home. The need for rental property never decreases, giving you fantastic opportunities. Should you be a landlord of a portfolio of one property or many, we know that you want to be achieving good capital growth. Working with our landlords we can help to support this as well as minimise void periods, but how? When you know and stick to your niche, you get to understand every minute element of it. Working solely with apartments, our understanding of the market enables us to give our landlords advice that we know will give them direct financial benefits, today and for the years to come. Where we differ is that we only take on those apartments that we know meet our tenantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs in terms of quality and condition. We

[SOUTH WESTERN] LIMITED

Crafting beautiful homes

Bath | Somerset | Wiltshire | Cotswolds | Dorset

01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk

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Knowing the market as we do, we strive to achieve the best results for our landlords. You will quickly know that your property is in good hands under our care, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also important to realise the benefit of looking after your property too. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tenants are particular, and rightly so. They are looking for a long-term home, and as such want to find a place they will feel proud of. They do not want a property that looks as though the landlord has lost interest and no longer cares. Tired decoration, signs of neglect, and lots of those odd jobs needing attention can make our tenants question if an apartment is for them. Over time it can be easy to neglect the small things, yet these can lead to long-term issues if ignored for too long. To enable you to retain the capital value of your property you must also invest in its upkeep to provide the beautifully presented apartment your tenants expect. Void periods can be a financial drain on even the most experienced landlords, and having strategies in place to keep these to a minimum is essential. We also find that those apartments where care has been taken to maintain a high standard of decoration and finish are let quickly, minimising those dreaded void periods. Are you taking advantage of the advice your letting agent is giving you? Are you missing out on the financial rewards that retaining good capital growth can bring? If you have an apartment in Bath and would like to know more, our lettings team are here to advise and support your portfolio. Are you ready to listen? The Apartment Company Pg@theapartmentcompany.co.uk or call 01225 471144.

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Beaumont House, Lansdown A smart and spacious two bedroom maisonette occupying the lower two floors of an impressive period building, benefiting from attractive communal gardens and off-street parking. Located on one of Bath`s most desirable residential streets, the apartment offers convenient access to the city centre and the M4 Motorway.

Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

*A Holding Deposit equivalent to one weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rent will be payable.

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CITY | BUSINESS

Property in Bath remains buoyant by Alex Tan, Area Supervisor at Andrews Property Group

ven if the weather forecast doesn’t always reflect it, summer has officially arrived. We’re over halfway through the year and with longer, lighter evenings it’s a time to both reflect on the year so far and make plans for the coming months. For many, now is the time to start planning a house move in order to achieve the all-important ‘completion before Christmas’ goal! And overall, Bath is a great place to be planning this as the market continues to perform well and remains in demand amongst many purchasers. Our latest figures show that over the long-term, properties here perform better than the national average. Since 2000 the national house price increase is equivalent to £10,400 per year, whereas in Bath it’s been a very healthy £16,800. Of course, this is simply an average and doesn’t apply to all properties; size, type, specific location and overall condition all play an important role in determining value. Indeed, those near to sought-after schools remain, as always, highly popular with relocating families and will always command a premium as a result. Indeed, whilst values for both flats and houses in Bath stand at above the national average (£375k for a flat here compared to £299k nationally and £497k for a house compared to £293k), flats have in fact suffered a year on year drop in value across the Bath region. In comparison, detached homes have enjoyed the greatest year on year price growth – in many cases of up to a third! Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For those looking to start their journey on the property market, a flat may prove to be a feasible investment option although the flip side is that for those looking to size up from a flat to a house, the step up may be larger than it has been previously. This has a knock-on effect on the rental market; young professionals taking an increasingly long-term view to their rental status consequently become more particular on the standard of rental property they’re prepared to live in. Families looking to relocate to a certain area, meanwhile, may rent whilst they bide their time for a suitable home to buy and they too will expect a home of a certain standard. Students renting via private landlords have continued to decline as more and more purpose-built accommodation is developed. As these landlords look to diversify in to the young professional and family market they will, therefore, need to be mindful of the standards these markets currently demand.

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Overall, whilst the number of properties on the sales market is lower than it has been in the past, we remain confident in the stability of the market here in Bath. Purchasing a property, whether as a home to live in, or as an investment, is always best viewed as a long-term commitment and certainly the positive growth across all property types in the city should reassure anyone considering Bath for their next home. This fabulous Georgian house in the Camden area of Bath will particularly appeal to families who are looking for something a little different with a quirky history and interesting layout. Formerly a public house and also a brewery, as a private residence it now offers three bedrooms over three floors and views of the city that really needs to be seen to be believed. n Andrews Bath, 1 Princes Buildings, Bath BA1 2EY Tel: 01225 466 182. www.andrewsonline.co.uk

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Central

Andrewsonline.co.uk

Circus Mews BA1 £775,000

01225 809 571

A beautifully presented City centre property nestled between the Royal Crescent and Kings Circus. Spread over three floors with garage parking and courtyard garden. This modern home offers two reception rooms, kitchen, four double bedrooms and study/bedroom 5. There is also a shower room and en-suite. Energy Efficiency Rating: C

central@andrewsonline.co.uk

To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk

Camden

Andrewsonline.co.uk

Belgrave Road, BA1 £775,000

A wonderful family home in one of Larkhall’s most desirable roads. This end-terrace property is spacious, filled with light and has a large, delightful south facing garden. The house offers spacious accommodation and is set in an idyllic location with stunning views and parking. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC

01225 809 868 camden@andrewsonline.co.uk

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To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk

24/07/2019 09:45

Bear Flat

Andrewsonline.co.uk SOLD STC

St. Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Road, BA2

A charming, Grade II listed Georgian home positioned within 300 metres of Widcombe Parade. Three Bedrooms, three reception rooms, two bathrooms and a terraced garden with stunning city views. Energy Efficiency Rating: D

01225 805 680 bearflat@andrewsonline.co.uk

To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk

Newbridge Andrewsonline.co.uk

Warwick Road, BA1 ÂŁ615,000

This beautifully presented, Victorian home is brimming with period features has been completely refurbished. Four bedrooms, open plan sitting and dining room and enclosed west facing rear garden. Energy Efficiency Rating: E

01225 809 685 newbridge@andrewsonline.co.uk

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To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk

24/07/2019 09:45

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