15 minute read
TIMELY PERSPECTIVES
Young writers: evaluating the past
Seventeen year old Alice Small, who is studying A Levels at Kingswood School, has taken four objects being used as the focus of BRLSI’s recently published Discovery Trail apps and asks the question, what are the links between them?
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Ameteorite, the skull of a dinosaur, a book and a crucifix – what could be the potential links between these divided fragments of history? These four objects are currently on display at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, to celebrate the launch of BRLSI’s new Bath Discovery Trails app, offering four free trails around the city.
The trails, entitled The First Meteorite, The Railway Leviathan, On the Origin of Species and The War Crosses each take roughly an hour and a half to walk and provide the opportunity to immerse yourself in Bath’s historical scenery, while learning about multiple aspects of the authenticity of the city on your way.
The four objects
The First Meteorite in question is a part of the Krasnojark Pallasite, discovered in central Siberia in 1779. Being 4.2 billion years old, the extraordinary age of this extra-terrestrial object is almost incomprehensible. It sits unassumingly in its display case, gently sparkling under the lights, but otherwise looks fairly ordinary. It is therefore difficult to grasp the fact that this object has cycled back round to our modern-day world, while carrying with it the history of a practically unknown era of existence.
The Railway Leviathan is actually the skull of a yet unnamed species of Steneosaurus, a marine crocodile with a similar appearance to the perhaps more familiar Indian gharial. This fossil is estimated at 160 million years old, yet it is still over 26 times younger than the meteorite! It’s impressive in its size, being around one metre long and showing us the enormity and physical strength of this creature, but I am also struck by its significance within the vast chasm of time; it is both unworldly and alarmingly familiar.
Reverend Leonard Jenyns received his copy of On the Origin of Species as a gift from Darwin himself, just a few months after its publication in 1859. Jenyns was actually one of the founders of BRLSI and had a lifelong friendship with Darwin. This is shown by the letter displayed in the front of the book –Darwin revealed that he knew not everyone would accept his revolutionary ideas: “Of course it is open to everyone to believe that man appeared by separate miracle, though I do not myself see the necessity or probability.” Darwin knew from his study of fossils that his ideas provided links with a world far older than the accepted 4,000 years of the Bible. Could people accept that human existence is just a tiny part of the immense cycle of the earth’s reinvention?
Fittingly, The War Crosses are a sombre reminder of the very short existence of individuals who have lost their lives in the tragedy of conflict. Rosaries and crucifixes were gathered from the bodies of Russian soldiers, taken from where they lay on the battlefields of the Crimean War, by Dr Thomas Egerton Hale (the first field medic to be awarded the Victoria Cross). The dulled metal relics and glass beads embody the hundreds of thousands of lights which go out in peoples’ lives when they lose their loved ones. These tiny mementoes are a stern reminder of how devastating the effects of human conflict can be and how quickly life can be taken away.
What can these museum objects teach us?
At first glance, it would appear that these four items hold little relationship or meaning to each other. They belong to different eras or people and have lived separate lives. However, the objects seen together do challenge our concepts of modernity and human significance.
For example, the crosses and the book in isolation seem old to us; they are in a museum, which gives them historic and cultural value, and the ideas and meanings they convey are discussed by historians.
The first meteorite and the handwritten page from Darwin’s 1859 Origin of Species
Human life is seen as the most important and sacred thing... but in the vastness of time we paradoxically feel hugely insignificant ❝
However the presence of the skull and the meteorite counter this, so that the other objects can actually be considered quite modern. Societal views on what is considered modern life are constantly changing. What may seem crucial and significant now, may well be neglected soon but then emerge as important and with a higher level of meaning in the future.
The earth, too, is continuously recycling material, to provide new ways in which we can view the past, as well as to produce futuristic things. The meteorite, an object which was ‘living’ billions of years ago, was cycled back to the ‘modern’ world of the 18th century and was studied as something new, despite its age and history. Fossils at millions of years old were studied by Darwin to aid his thoughts on what was then a revolutionary idea of evolution. Human life is seen as the most important and sacred thing; when people are killed needlessly in wars, we keep and display items to remember them by –but in the vastness of time we paradoxically feel hugely insignificant.
These wonderful objects, each remarkable in their own right, have no literal links to each other, but to me they all, as a whole, contribute to our understanding of significance and meaning in the modern world. n
BRLSI’s Bath Discovery Trails app is available to download for free. BRLSI (16 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HN) is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, free entry but donations encouraged; brlsi.org
EDUCATION NEWS
INCREDIBLE IB RESULTS
The Year 13 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) students at Royal High School Bath GDST have achieved a set of excellent results. The school’s IB students achieved an impressive average point score of 40 out of a possible 45. Four students excelled, achieving top marks with 45 points, and four others achieved a score of 44. According to UNIS, “less than 1% of students receiving the IB diploma obtain a score of 45 points” and “only 7% receive the top grade of a 7” so all students have done phenomenally well.
Another two students who are doing A Levels with one IB course as a standalone subject have received IB certificates in Computer Science and Mandarin, achieving top marks with 7 points each. This year’s scores were based on externally marked assessments and predicted grades submitted by the school and based on evidence from throughout the course. Mrs Jude Taylor, IB coordinator, said, “These students have dealt with more uncertainty than most young people of their age, and have become remarkably resilient as a result.” royalhighbath.gdst.net
MILLFIELD AT TOKYO
The Olympics is approaching fast and Millfield School is delighted that multiple of their alumni have been selected to compete in their sports at the Euan Dale games. The school currently has four swimmers who have been selected for their respective countries which is the largest number of swimmers they have had at any games since 1988. In addition Millfield has alumni competing in Triathlon, athletics and Rowing. The swimmers are coached by Old Millfieldian, former Olympian, and the school’s current Director of Swimming, Euan Dale. Euan is in Tokyo as part of Team GB’s coaching team and will assist Millfield’s group of selected swimmers in their quest for Olympic success. millfieldschool.com
KINGSWOOD DRAMA
A small number of guests were recently treated to Kingswood School’s summer production of A Walk in the Wood. The promenade performance took place through the idyllic school grounds and there was plenty of energy, enthusiasm and talent on display along with some brilliant costumes.
It was a final production for the school’s departing head of drama, Mrs Catherine Nash, who has taught at Kingswood for the past 16 years. Mrs Nash said: “I’d like to thank all the 60 strong cast, crew and teachers who helped to bring this project to fruition. The grounds made a wonderful background to my last show at Kingswood. I have loved working in this very special place and wish everyone the very best for the future.” kingswood.bath.sch.uk
CITYNEWS
KATY DID WELL
This year, one of Thatcher’s ciders, Katy, has scooped a string of top awards. The cider produced by the Somerset cider-maker has been awarded the best-in-class trophy for new world style ciders at the 2021 International Cider Challenge, a competition judged by some of the country’s most respected drinks experts. This follows hot on the heels of a gold medal from the Taste of the West awards.
Katy Cider – made with the stunning rosy red apples that are always first to be harvested at Myrtle Farm – is a fine, fresh and fruity bottled cider that has been crafted for over two decades. This 7.4% cider has a subtle sweetness, a refreshing sparkle and crisp, tangy finish. Katy was not the only Thatcher’s cider to be recognised in the competition. Two of its speciality Cider Barn ciders, Cox’s and Grenadier, and its first alcohol-free cider, Zero, were all awarded medals. The complete range of Thatcher’s ciders is available online from thatcherscider.co.uk
FRINGE BENEFITS
With a grant from Arts Council England and assistance from B&NES council, Bath Fringe will be running a month and maybe more of arts and happenings: exhibitions, performances, and installations, in the city centre shop at 5 Broad Street (BA1 5LJ). The idea is to make something that showcases local and locally linked contemporary professional artists, and is both accessible and innovative. From midweek to weekend, daytimes and some evenings, there will be something different in the shop or on display in the windows.
The programme is being assembled by Bath Fringe & Fringe Arts Bath (FaB) with local arts charity Streats Ltd. and is managed by FaB associate Priscila Buschinelli. See the website for details as they are confirmed.
FaB runs a programme of arts in empty shops every year in May/June, and Bath Fringe is interested in putting performances and events into places where you wouldn’t expect to come across them. fringeartsbath.co.uk
STONE KING NEW APPOINTMENTS
Melenie Mayall
Stone King LLP has further strengthened its team with the arrival of five new appointments at the national law firm’s Bath office. Solicitor Melenie Mayall joins the Private Client Property team along with Gregory Mason and Maesie Woods who take up paralegal roles. Also joining the Queen Square office are paralegals Conor McDonald in Business Property and Leanne Shears in Trust and Estates.
Stone King managing partner Steven Greenwood said; “We are delighted to welcome all five new members. Their arrival, particularly during this busy time, builds and strengthens the help we offer our clients across a diverse range of needs.”
The five new appointees join the 236-year-old law firm which has offices located in Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds and London. stoneking.co.uk
SWIM TRAINING AID
Torpo®, the revolutionary new replacement for the kickboard, has been launched online by Wiltshire entrepreneur, airline pilot and swim instructor Martin Cook. Torpo® has been designed to not only replace a traditional flat kickboard for all swimmers, but also as a training aid for professional swimmers at the highest level. It has been trialled by senior coaches and swimmers, including Paralympic swimmer Stephanie Millward.
The Torpo® float is designed to be perfectly unstable in roll, and the swimmer has to use core strength and coordination while kick training, which ultimately benefits the full front crawl stroke. It is also excellent for kick training in breast, fly and back strokes. Sustainably manufactured, 5% of Torpo profits will go to charities reducing the impact of plastics and pollution in rivers and oceans and to charities teaching swimming in under-privileged parts of the world. torpo.co.uk
HOLIDAY HUNGER PROGRAMME
Bath Rugby Foundation has been asked to scale up its holiday hunger programme ‘Breakout’ to help battle child food poverty in B&NES. The charity is working across B&NES with Bath Area Play Project, Youth Connect South West, and other partners to deliver summer holiday activities and nutritious food for those most in need. A total of 12,000 fun and powerful ‘Breakout’ sessions will run, reaching the 4,000+ children in B&NES who currently receive free school meals.
BreakOut sessions will run until 27 August in Keynsham, Larkhall, Midsomer Norton, Odd Down, Paulton, Peasedown, Radstock, and Twerton for children, families, and teenagers.
Professional footballer Marcus Rashford’s recent campaign to end child food poverty, unlocked a £220 million Government support package for children on free school meals over the school holidays. Bath Rugby Foundation, Bath Area Play Project and Youth Connect South have been awarded the full allocation of this funding by Bath and North East Somerset Council, which is available as a direct result of Rashford’s campaign.
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ACCOUNTANCY
141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL Tel: 01225 445507 www.oclaccountancy.com
Did you claim the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme Grant and have you received a letter from HMRC that you are unsure how to address? Are you aware that the amount received is taxable as income?
HMRC has recently published guidance suggesting that those who made a claim under the SEISS scheme need to check that they have recorded the income in their 2020/21 tax return correctly.
The notice forms part of HMRC’s clampdown on incorrect and false claims. HMRC have advised that they are currently investigating around 12,000 such cases.
Up to date guidance has been issued by HMRC following their discovery that many of the self-assessment tax returns already submitted for 2020/21 include entries that don’t match the figures they have on record.
To refresh your memory, all self-employed payments from the first, second and third grants should be included on your 2020/21 tax return in the ‘’Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant’’ box because the grants are assessable as income. For those of you who intend to file your tax return yourself by paper (i.e., before the 31st of October) this is box 70.1 of the self-employment pages should you use the full self-employment pages or box 27.1 should you use the short self-employment pages.
If you have already submitted your tax return and discover that you have recorded the payments in the wrong place, it is recommended that you submit an amendment to your tax return to HMRC. If you don’t, HMRC will assume that you have not reported the payments and will automatically amend your tax return. If you have included the figure but in the wrong box you may be taxed twice on the same income.
HMRC are also automatically amending tax returns where the amount of SEISS payments reported do not match the payments recorded on their computer system. In this instance HMRC will issue a revised tax calculation which you should review.
Should you receive an amendment from HMRC (or any other letter) do not ignore it! We are here to help if you need it.
For tax saving tips contact us – call Marie Sheldrake, Tom Hulett or Mike Wilcox on 01225 445507
Call Marie Sheldrake, Tom Hulett or Mike Wilcox on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting
What happens if parents disagree over vaccination of their children?
With the UK’s medicine regulator approving the Pfizer vaccine for children aged between 12 and 15 last month; the Government has indicated that it will roll vaccines out if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommends it.
If this happens, then it is likely that some children who are offered the vaccine may be faced with parental opposition from parents who do not wish their children to be vaccinated.
So, what happens when there is a disagreement on whether a child should be vaccinated? Family Lawyer, Elizabeth Dowler, discusses the options for parents.
This is a minefield for most parents but for those who have separated and have a duty to consult with one another in relation to any major decisions in a child’s life, both points of view are equally important. What happens when they cannot agree?
Allowing a court to decide whether to vaccinate a child
If parents disagree on whether to vaccinate their child, and their child is unable to provide their own consent, an application can be made to the court to allow the vaccination to proceed.
Such cases are likely to be tense, adding an additional pressure on family life and by bringing this before a court it places a life changing decision in the hands of the judge to make a medical decision for a child despite having no medical qualifications.
By the very nature of medical intervention cases, only one party can “succeed” and the effect of having a decision imposed on a child against one parent's wishes may fracture family relationships.
Mediation
One alternative to Court is for parties to try and resolve the issue through Mediation.
Mediation is a form of dispute resolution which is focused on finding a solution to problems in an amicable way. It provides a neutral forum for parents to sit down and discuss the issue constructively with a view to reaching a positive solution that works best for the child and family.
For more information on how to reach a solution to a disagreement about your child’s medical treatment, whether you and your partner are separated or not, please get in touch with our family team for advice and support on how to reach a solution that works best for all involved. Please contact Elizabeth Dowler on 01225 750 000 or elizabeth.dowler@mogersdrewett.co.uk.
