The Bath Magazine December 2016

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ISSUE 171 | DECEMBER 2016 £3.95 where sold thebathmag.co.uk

THE BATH FESTIVAL +

EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW INTERVIEW WITH CHAIR JOHN CULLUM

STRICTLY DANCE

WE CHAT TO DARCEY BUSSELL ABOUT HER NEW PROJECT

COMFORT FOOD

THE CLIFTON SAUSAGE MAKES A BANG IN BATH

INSPIRED GIVING

IDEAS TO MAKE PRESENT SENSE

MERRY

C HRISTMAS

PLUS:

CHRISTMAS INTERIORS, DECORATION AND A FULL-ON FESTIVE WHAT’S ON

THE CITY’S BIGGEST MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE AND LIVING IN BATH

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66

26

Contents December 2016 REGULARS

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

THE ESSENTIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

CULTURE

A round-up of fun events and activities to do with the family

Five Christmassy things we reckon you’ll want to do in December

MY BATH

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20

Designer Kathryn Shayler of Key Lime Design, and a Christmas Market stallholder, shares her favourite places to go

FACE THE MUSIC

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68

THE BATH FESTIVAL

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26

As newly appointed media partner we’re going to be bringing you the lowdown on the new-look festival – starting right here

WHAT’S ON

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48

A glittering array of festive concerts, theatre and music

Theatre Royal Bath panto director Michael Gatrell’s top ten

THE WALK

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106

Andrew Swift charts a perfect blow the cobwebs away route through Widcombe, Lyncombe and Fox Hill

BATH@WORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Neill Menneer photographs the Mayor of Bath Paul Crossley

EXHIBITIONS

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60

See what’s showing at the city’s galleries

A GOOD READ

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44

Six of the best biographies and autobiographies

GNOMES AT THE MUSEUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

GUEST COLUMN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

We ask the esteemed Holburne: ‘What’s going on?’

Tour guide and historian Julian Mittra of Around and About Bath delves into what Bath life must have been like in Saxon times

FOOD & DRINK

FEATURES

FOOD HEROES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

STAR PROFILE

Singing the praises of stallholders at Bath Farmers’ Market ...............................................................

66

We talk to Strictly Come Dancing judge the uber glamorous Darcey Busssell about her new dance project to get us all up on our feet

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BEHIND THE MENU

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Tips on serving a joyful meat-free Christmas

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Contents December 2016 EATING OUT

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76

Why The Clifton Sausage should be renamed The Paragon Sausage

FINE WINE

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82

Angela Mount picks her favourite fizz and wine to toast your Christmas guests and pair with your delicious feast

HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH & BEAUTY NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

88

Beautiful products they’ll be delighted to find under the tree

REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Fire and Ice: Louise Harrold tries a revolutionary new facial

LEISURE SHOPPING

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28

The Christmas gifting starts here . . .

MORE SHOPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Have you considered scouring our museum shops and art galleries for original and thoughtful presents?

HOME INTERIORS

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30

110

Interior designer Clair Strong reports back from the big London shows

GARDENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Award-winning garden columnist Jane Moore looks into the history of the plants we associate with Christmas

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 We sing the praises of life in lovely Larkhall and Lambridge

HOMES FOR YOU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 The best houses and flats on the market to buy or to rent

CHRISTMAS TREASURE HUNT HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW BATH?

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Enter our fun competition in which all you have to do is identify 35 spots around Bath from our photographs to be in with a chance of winning afternoon tea for four in the elegant surroundings of the Pump Room. We’ve given you until Tuesday 3 January to get your entries in, which means you’ve all of the holiday to argue with Grandma about which street that piece of ghost writing can be found on . . .

THE COVER

Wishing all our readers, contributors, distributors and advertisers a very Merry Christmas and health, wealth and happiness for 2017

We hope you enjoy it, and good luck!

Even more great content online: thebathmag.co.uk

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TH E

PE RF EC T CHR IST MA S GIF T

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BE PREPARED: here’s hoping we can all get everything sorted in time to channel our inner lazy cat come Christmas time

from the

EDITOR

W

e at The Bath Magazine were delighted to get an early Christmas present when Bath Festivals invited us to be their new media partner.

We attended the unveiling of the launch of The Bath Festival for 2017, in which it was revealed that the new-look festival of music and words sung, written and spoken, will offer the most wideranging cultural smorgasbord in the festival’s history.

Over the coming months we’ll be bringing you more news of the festival, of which big – and up-and-coming – names are heading to Bath in May. We begin this issue with an interview with festivals chairman John Cullum, sometimes simply known as ‘Jamie’s dad’, who gives us an exciting glimpse of what we might expect from the city’s new-look festival, see Page 26.

This issue mostly concentrates on the matter in hand, the imminent arrival of the darkest, shortest days of the year and our annual bid to banish all that gloom by throwing ourselves into the tinsel and carolling of Christmas cheer. There are any number of pop-up gift pages to inspire your present choices, along with bags of suggestions as to what you and your loved ones might want to do in the run-up and during the festive period. Whether your tastes run to bellowing “He’s behind you!” as you unleash your inner kid at the pantomime, or to a mellow and soulstirring candelit service of traditional Christmas music, we’ve got something for everyone. We’ve even scoured the city’s museum shops to find some rather splendid and original gifts.

And while we’re in giving mood, we, that is historian Catherine Pitt and I, have lovingly and painstakingly prepared a Christmas Treasure Hunt (Page 88) with you in mind. You like to think you know Bath well so we’re challenging your knowledge to identify 35 sites around Bath city centre to be in with a chance of winning afternoon tea for four at the quintessentially elegant Pump Rooms. You may be able to do some of them from your sofa, but we’re willing to bet you’ll need to get your boots on and take a walk around town, as we did, to find all of them. This is a search that all the family can take part in and you have until the beginning of January to find them all. Good luck!

In other news, as they say, there’s a salute to the stallholders and producers of the Saturday Bath Farmers’ Market at Green Park Station (Page 81), the Mayor of Bath is the subject of Neill Meneer’s portrait of Bath at Work (Page 84), while the Christmas walk, compiled as ever by the reliable Andrew Swift, takes in Widcombe, Lyncombe and Fox Hill (Page 106).

I’d just like to extend a huge thank you to my wonderful, creative freelance team who bring our editorial pages to life each month, and to you for all your support during 2016. Happy Christmas to each and every one of you!

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

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DECK THE HALLS: I fondly imagine myself like this, in a picturesque landscape, gathering up some mistletoe and other greenery to artfully decorate the house. The truth is more likely to involve wellies, a pair of secateurs and a carrier bag full of wet foliage which will within hours wilt in the central heating Picture: courtesy of the Wellcome Library, London

ALL-YEAR GLAMOUR: wandering around the National Trust property The Courts at Holt, I was bewitched by artist Sonya Rothwell’s latest painted venture. The artist, who is based at the Wiltshire property, has broken out of her usual canvas to adorn cushions, clothes and wallpaper with her distinctive alchemy and sparkle. This handpainted wallpaper is called Sacred Geometry, from: gallery beautiful.com

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday ❝Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and

went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukkah’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!’

DAVE BARRY

Contemporary US columnist

❞

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ZEITGEIST

5

things to do in

December

Home

WREATHED IN SMILES: picture courtesy of Honeysuckle Flower Company of Farleigh Hungerford which runs wreath making workshops

Decked out Whether your Christmas decorations involve popping a sprig of holly over a picture or filling the front garden with lifesize reindeer draped in flashing lights, this time of year provides the ideal opportunity to bring out the window dresser in all of us, to bring a bit of light and lustre to the darkest days of winter. We’ve plenty of ideas in this issue for decking your halls with boughs of this and that, but meanwhile we’re off to open the first window on our Advent calendar . . .

Support Bath Christmas Market continues daily in the city centre until the evening of Sunday 11 December. Love it or loathe it, the market brings thousands of visitors to the city. This year 85 per cent of stallholders are from Bath and the surrounding area and 89 per cent of their products are handmade. Look out for stall 61, which is on Orange Grove by the abbey.

This is the charity chalet, which each day is run by a different charity as a fundraiser. This is a relatively easy way to go and support your favourite charity and to meet its volunteers and other supporters.

The Christmas tree is decorated, the kettle’s on and there’s the excited anticipation that any minute now ‘they’ will arrive and the family will all be together. What could be nicer than that warm glow of reunion? However much we rail against the commerciality of Christmas it does give many families and friends the excuse to gather together.

Wherever you choose to spend your Christmas we hope it is spent somewhere homely and safe at a time when so many in the world do not have this surety. Let us not take these things for granted.

Pictured is one of the exquisite silver pieces in the Holburne Museum Silver shop. Be inspired by Bath’s museum and gallery shops for your Christmas shopping, see Page 70.

Celebrate What better place than to experience the true spirit of Christmas than in the Lantern of the West – Bath Abbey, beautifully lit against the night sky. The abbey has a full programme of Christmas services suitable for all kinds of people. Shoppers at the Christmas Market are invited to attend short 20 minute carol services at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on Saturdays 3 and 10 December. Families will enjoy what is traditionally known as the Donkey Service on Sunday 18 December. There are two services, at 3pm and at 4.15pm. Children are invited to come dressed as a shepherd, angel, wise man or citizen of Bethlehem to create a Christmas tableau. The service features the charming Mr Frosty the donkey. All are welcome, no reserved seating or tickets required, but do arrive early to avoid disappointment. There are more services and Christmas music concerts in the historic building, find out more details on the abbey website: bathabbey.org.

Eat We might bleat on about our dedication to choosing seasonal food, but most of us take for granted that we can enjoy raspberries, new potatoes and tomatoes all year round. There are very few foodstuffs left that we only eat at certain times of the year. May we draw your attention to the mince pie, eaten at Christmas time in British households for centuries – although the custom

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of filling them with actual mincemeat has been dropped these days. We like them homemade, fresh from the oven, the pastry crisp and the dark, spicy fruit inside eaten as hot as the mouth can stand. In some families eating the first mince pie of the season comes with the tradition of making a wish. All we know is to get that instant festive feeling, pop one in your mouth.

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Handmade Handm made in the Heart of Bath Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

See more online thebathmag.co.uk

Contact us:

tm

s i r

Spar kl

e

C s i th

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Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Editor Tel: Email:

Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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Contact the Advertising Sales team tel: 01225 424499 Advertising Sales Email:

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The Bath Magazine and The Bristol Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher.

The Bath Magazine is distributed free every month to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout Bath and the surrounding area. We also have special distribution units in the following city centre stores and coffee shops

Engagement & Wedding Ringss Bespoke Jewellery | Designer Colleections 9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1L 1LY Y 01225 460072 www.jodycory.co.uk

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 thebathmag.co.uk Š MC Publishing Ltd 2016

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Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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Rare

and

Beautiful

18ct yellow gold Opal and Diamond pendant.

Priced at ÂŁ1720.00

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ist

THE CITY THE BUZZ

Support

This year’s December fun run in aid of Dorothy House Hospice Care is inviting people to either dress as a traditional Santa or adopt fairy wings to take part. The 5k run/jog/amble takes place on Sunday 4 December from 11am in Winsley, home of the hospice. There’s also an invitation to join others in remembrance of loved ones at a series of Light Up a Life services. These will be held at different churches between 29 November and 9 December as part of the Light Up a Life annual appeal, which last year raised £45,000 to help the hospice continue to provide essential palliative care.

To find out service details visit: dorothyhouse.org.uk.

My BATH

We ask Kathryn Shayler, director at Keylime Design, what she’s doing this month

What brought you to Bath?

I adore living in Bath and moved here with my family in 2012. We were living in Devizes, but I am a Londoner at heart having studied at St Martin’s School of Art in Covent Garden and lived in Chiswick for many years and I missed the hustle and bustle of city life. My husband and I had always planned a move back to a city to give our two children more opportunities growing up and to give ourselves the buzz of city life that we were missing, but we didn’t want to go back to London. My son was at school in Bath, commuting every day, so it seemed the natural choice. We rented for a couple of years to see if the move would work for the family and I am delighted to say it did. We bought an apartment in the city centre and have never looked back.

Search Thanks to the hard work of

What are you reading?

I am lucky to be part of a thriving book club. We have just finished The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley, the winner of the 2015 COSTA first novel award. Luckily our choice corresponded with a meet the author evening at Waterstones. It was interesting to get an insight into Hurley’s inspiration for this unusual supernatural novel.

Next up is Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.

volunteer Philip Bendall Bathonians will be able to trace their family ancestry online using the Bath Burial Index. The index, which can be found via Bath and North East Somerset Council’s batharchives.co.uk, contains a compilation of information on burials at 48 of Bath’s cemeteries and graveyards, past and present. It currently has more than 240,000 entries, from 1660 to the present day, plus more than 30,000 images of surviving memorials.

What music are you listening to?

I love live music and try to get to at least one music festival in the summer. This year we spent five wonderful days immersed in folk, indie and pop at The Larmer Tree festival near Salisbury, where I discovered The Treacherous Orchestra.

It’s upbeat and great music to work along to. I have also been listening to the soundtrack for the French movie Un Homme et Une Femme, a transportation to the 60s.

Need to know

Anyone who’s gone to the Royal United Hospital by car, either as a patient or a visitor, will recognise the worry that not having the right change for the car park can bring. Now the new car park at the RUH has a computerised parking system, which uses an automated number plate recognition system (ANPR). This will give drivers the option to pay by phone or online once they have left the hospital (before midnight), if they were not able to do so while they were there. Blue Badge holders will have to log their car registration on the ANPR database to continue to park for free.

To register tel: 01225 824100.

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Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

I am desperate to try Comptoir Libanais, the new Lebanese restaurant in Southgate. The interior looks amazing. I’ve never been to that part of the world but their interior seems very authentic. I can’t wait to try it – especially as there’s plenty on their menu for vegetarians.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

One of my favourite places is the Victoria Art Gallery. The exhibitions are so well put together and never disappoint and I just feel so lucky to have this amazing resource on my doorstep. My Discovery card means I get in for free too so if ever I need a visual fix, I pop down. My daughter and I enjoyed the exhibition of sculpture by

Kenneth Armitage. His work is so of its time but also incredibly contemporary and very inspiring and collected by David Bowie apparently.

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

My passion overlaps into my working life which is wonderful. I get to spend every day designing and creating items using print and fabrics. I trained as a graphic designer but had always hankered after doing something with fabric so when the opportunity came along to pursue my interest I jumped at it and have spent the last couple of years building up my textile designs. I try to squeeze in at least half an hour of exercise every day. I hardly ever use the car and walking is a must when you are surrounded by so much beautiful architecture, but oh those hills!

What local outdoor event will you be attending?

This has to be the Bath Christmas Market. I signed up for 11 days last year and absolutely loved it so this year I am doing the full 18. I thought that as I live in the centre I may as well take part and my business seemed to fulfil all the criteria – local, handmade, items not normally found on the high street etc. The atmosphere is amazing and I got to meet so many people from all over the world. Selling online as I do can get a little lonely so its great to be able to get out and meet people who want to buy my designs.

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

I try to make the most of my membership at The Little Theatre. As well as movies, it also runs Exhibition on Screen, a brilliant way to see exhibitions up close that I wouldn’t normally get to go to. In January they are showing I, Claude Monet so I will be getting a ticket for that.

Once the Christmas market is over I will be enjoying a rest before clearing the decks ready for summer themed designs and new ideas for next year. I will continue building my online visibility on sites such as Notonthehighstreet, as well as my website keylimedesign.co.uk. I also want to explore other ways of illustrating on to fabric. I have discovered a fabulous screen printing workshop, Marshfield Screen Print so I am looking forward to learning a new skill. n

We’re following some Christmas themed tweeters, there’s @ChristmasCount – a countdown for all obsessed with how much time is left until 25 December and @XmasFilmQuotes for clips and quotes from all your favourite Christmas films and TV shows. Warning: may contain giffs of Will Ferrell as Elf

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GUEST | COLUMNIST

CHRISTMAS IN SAXON BATH JULIAN MITTRA, DIRECTOR OF AROUND AND ABOUT BATH TOURS, REVEALS BATH’S FESTIVE CONNECTIONS WITH THE ANGLO-SAXONS

A

s the owner of Around & About Bath tours and a former history teacher, I’ve recently become fascinated by Bath’s history in the so-called Dark Ages – a period that began with the Roman withdrawal from Britain in 410 CE and ended with the Norman Conquest in 1066.

This period of Britain’s history is often called the Dark Ages because we have relatively few records from this time and it was characterised by warfare and violence. It was also a period of drama and flux during which England, Scotland and Wales, as we know them today, were formed. Although the Romans abandoned Aquae Sulis and the rest of Britannia to their fate in 410 CE, recalling the legions to deal with rampaging barbarian hordes on the continent, Bath did in fact continue to play a prominent role in England’s history in this new, darker age.

One of the most famous events of this period was the Battle of Badon Mount. This was supposedly fought between the legendary King Arthur and the Saxon ‘savages’ that had invaded Britain in the late 400s and had been remorselessly pushing westwards. We are not entirely sure of where this battle took place, but based on historical references, many believe Solsbury Hill – just above Batheaston – is the most likely site. It is here that the Christian Britons repulsed the encroaching heathen AngloSaxons, killing hundreds in an almighty battle that lasted three full days and resulted in the Saxons being driven back east for at least a generation.

It is, however, the Saxons rather than the Britons that have seized my imagination. Despite Arthur’s great victory, within a couple of generations, the Bath region was firmly under the control of the West Saxons and the Britons had retreated west and south to become the people we know today as the Welsh and the Cornish.

It seems that the Saxons were fascinated with the crumbling Roman ruins they inherited at Bath and one of the most famous Anglo-Saxon poems, The Ruin, written in the 8th or 9th centuries – around 500 years after the Romans left – appears to refer to the derelict city: Wondrous the stone of these ancient walls, shattered by fate.

The districts of the city have crumbled.

The work of giants of old lies decayed . . . . . . Stone courtyards ran streams of ample water, heating the great baths, conveniently flowing into the great stone vats . . .

By the time this poem had been recorded in

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CROWNING GLORY: The stained glass window showing King Edgar’s coronation in Bath Abbey the 900s, Bath’s importance as a Saxon town was well established. The founding of a convent in Bath in 675 CE attests both to the fact that the heathen Saxons had been successfully converted to Christianity and also that Bath’s stature was growing once again.

It is from this time that Bath starts being referred to by the name we recognise it today.

Hat Bathu or Hot Baths was the name it was given by our Saxon forebears. The convent was soon joined by a monastery and thus Bath’s role as a centre of religious importance was restored – both the ancient Britons and Romans had linked Bath’s springs to their respective religions.

Finally, in the 880s, King Alfred the Great made Bath one of his new boroughs. This development of fortified, self-governing towns that would act as a network of defences and provide men and supplies would ensure that it was the Anglo-Saxons that ended up the dominant force in England, not the Vikings.

Bath’s prosperity was thus guaranteed by Saxon patronage of the city in religion, politics and defence.

There is clearly more to Bath’s past than the Romans, Normans and Georgians. While Bath Abbey ensures we can clearly see the Norman’s influence on Christianity and many people are aware that many of our modern Christmas traditions such as sending cards, giving presents and decorating a tree stem from the Victorians, what relevance have the Saxons on this festive time of year?

The answer is quite a lot. It is fascinating to discover that Saxon paganism merged with early Christianity to form many of the Christmas traditions we still practice today. The term ‘Yule’ referred to the sun or light and was the name for the Saxon festival marking mid-winter solstice.

At that time the Julian calendar was in use, which marked mid-winter’s day on 25 December and the pagan Saxons would spend the 12 days before Yule lighting candles and keeping fires burning to mark the occasion. It is no

coincidence that the celebration of Christmas emerged alongside the conversion of the Saxons to Christianity around the same time.

Other Saxon traditions also continued.

Burning a Yuletide log was a common Saxon tradition which consisted of burning an ash or oak log lit from the remains of the previous year’s log on 25 December. The ashes were then spread across the fields and the burnt remains kept in the house to ward off fire until relit to light the next Yule log the following year.

Holly and ivy were also central to the Saxons’ celebration of Yule. Both were revered as they did not die or wither as other plants seemed to during winter, but kept their greenness and vitality. They symbolised continuity and fertility, with holly representing the masculine, and ivy the feminine. While these meanings have been largely lost on us today, we continue to use holly and ivy in our modern Christmas decorations.

The fact that our Saxon past seems so removed from us today is primarily due to two reasons. Firstly, the period of the Saxon kingdoms was a precarious and unstable one.

Fewer records were made and of those, many were probably destroyed during that time.

Secondly, after 1066 the Normans did a spectacularly good job of annihilating much of Britain’s Saxon culture and history in an attempt to establish the dominance of their own. It is no coincidence that the Normans destroyed much of the Saxons’ physical heritage (such as churches), literally building their own versions on top of their remains.

As we enjoy this festive season and reflect on times gone by, is it worth sparing a moment’s thought for Bath’s Saxon ancestors? Who, over a thousand years ago, would have huddled in dimly lit, wooden-framed houses, sitting close to a smoky fire, wrapped tightly in thick sheepskins celebrating the end of the year and the coming birth of a new one with customs we take for granted today. Perhaps it is worth taking some time to consider this over the festive period. n Visit: aroundandaboutbath.com.

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GRASSE

Luxury Items for Home and Garden | Truly Tempting Skincare A unique shopping experience with fresh style and approach 3 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA 01225 444260 | www.grasse.me.uk

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AN ARTISTIC SMORGASBORD: clockwise from the top; performance poet Caleb Femi at the festival launch party by the Roman Baths; audiences enjoying events at past festivals; bottom left, chair of The Bath Festival John Cullum; NYC group Naturally 7; politician turned celebrity Ed Balls and jazz musician Madeleine Peyroux (picture courtesy of Mary Ellen Mark)

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BATH | FESTIVAL

LET’S GET THIS CITY BUZZING Georgette McCready spoke to John Cullum, chair of The Bath Festival about creating a ten-day celebration of music and words that we’ll all want to be part of in May 2017 replacing that with corporate funding. We already have Wessex Water and Rotork signed up and three more big sponsors who I am bursting to name, but can’t until they’ve signed.

“There is already a buzz about the 2017 festival, which was apparent at the launch night at the Roman Baths. We had performance poet Caleb Femi, the young people’s poet laureate for London, perform for us. While we don’t want to frighten the old guard, this was something new and very exciting.”

Caleb Femi will be back in May – check his live poetry out on YouTube and see for yourself.

This sense of anticipation under the new regime has prompted more prominent people to come forward to be festival patrons. A couple of years ago, says John, there were nine, perhaps ten patrons. This year already there are nearly 60 and these include Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis and Sir James Fuller of the brewing dynasty. Board members too are not the demographic you might have expected to see in Bath Festivals’ black tie era, including musician Will Gregory, of Goldfrapp fame, and Bath born businessman Peter Medlock, who is in his early thirties. There is also a dedicated raft of philanthropists who have agreed to underwrite some of the events, which allows programmers a bit more freedom in their choices of bookings.

❝

We want that Party in the City night level of visibilty and pzazz running through the whole ten-day festival

❝

T

here was a somewhat heated debate in the city a few years ago when one of Bath’s institutions, long admired for its classic appearance and tradition, announced it was going to add an unashamedly modern 21st century extension. Some felt the Holburne Museum’s bold decision was a step too far, a blot on the city’s Georgian reputation. Others welcomed architect Eric Parry’s extension and are delighted to see, five years on, that the Holburne Museum has sailed into its bright new future with visitor numbers up and a wider audience attending, even if some of those are only there to enjoy cake and coffee in the café overlooking Sydney Gardens.

A similar sea change is happening with Bath Festivals as necessity, the mother of invention, heralds a brave new world for the arts scene in the city. From May 2017, the Bath International Music Festival and its sister act, the Bath Literature Festival, will join forces to become THE Bath Festival. Those capital letters are mine, but they stress that the new joint organisation’s aim is to create something as exciting and all-embracing as the Edinburgh Festival and to attract a new audience too.

It’s early days but interest has been created as one by one the line-up for the new festival is being revealed. Already we hear that awardwinning Irish writer Colm Toibin and politician-turned-Strictly Come Dancing star Ed Balls will be coming to Bath, while the Forum hosts a panel event inspired by Nikesh Shukla’s anthology The Good Immigrant (recently seen at both the Roundhouse and Latitude) discussing how British society treats its non white members. Also booked is New York a cappella group Naturally 7, who toured with Michael Bublé and will tick the box for fans of The X Factor in Bath who up until now might have thought Bath Festivals didn’t have anything to offer them. The purists will be pleased to hear though that the classical side of the festival is also catered for, as the Philharmonia Orchestra is booked to play, as is international jazz star Madeleine Peyroux.

The coming together of the two strands of words and music will also inspire other events, including, we hear, a celebration of the lyrics and music of recent Nobel literature prizewinner Bob Dylan.

I talked to Chair of The Bath Festival John Cullum, who as a lifelong music enthusiast and father to one of jazz’s cool British stars Jamie Cullum, knows what audiences want.

Is the newly combined festival of literature and music merely a product of the withdrawal of public funding, I asked? Not at all, he says as he begins to enthuse about what’s bubbling under in the planning process.

“We are very excited about this new festival, which will be a fusion of words and music. And while we may have lost public funding we are

The three artistic directors for 2017 are journalist and editor Alex Clark, for literature, and experienced musical programmers David Jones and James Waters for the classical, jazz, world, folk and pop strand of The Bath Festival.

John outlined the vision for the new-look festival, which will run for ten days from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 May 2017, and which will kick-off with the free Party in the City, enjoyed by so many people of all ages each year.

“We want that Party in the City night level of visibility and pzazz running through the whole ten-day festival,” he says. “We want banners up, to see the streets full of pop-up artists, of street food, so that everyone knows there’s a festival going on. I have been to many festivals around the world and we have a fantastic city here in Bath with some great venues. We’re going to use the Assembly Rooms site. There’ll be a marquee for sponsors and entertaining and another on the other side, a green room for the artists.”

Talks are underway to put on events in the streets, in Queen Square and Alfred Street and

to use venues of different sizes and character, including Komedia and the egg theatre. “We are talking to the Natural Theatre Company, and we are talking to Bath Fringe. I know only too well how a good festival has a good fringe.

When Jamie was starting out he played the fringe, I can remember going to see him play in the Spiegeltent.”

So, aside from the new festival having greater visibility – the city’s traders will be encouraged to put on displays as they did with the trail of decorated bicycles for Bike Bath and the Tour of Britain this summer – John and his fellow board members would like to see emerging talent brought to the fore. He would like to encourage some the big name acts to bring their own protégées to future festivals.

The big daddy of the festivals in Bath, the music festival, dates back to 1948, and in its time has put on world famous and cutting edge performances. John says he’d love to get some big names of pop for future years. A few years ago, while he was fundraising for the Royal United Hospital, he was instrumental in getting Jamie Cullum to play a charity concert on the Rec, then bringing Westlife to play in the city.

Would Jamie, or that other Bath-linked jazz star Clare Teal, ever play Bath Festival, I wondered, as they never have in the past?

“We’ll be talking to both of them about future years,” says John, before explaining that Jamie and Clare would not have played the festival in previous years as they would have been deemed too populist.

John and his board are combining some free ranging wish fulfilment with bums-on-seats business acumen to make this and future festivals a success. As a result they’ve harnessed the tourist pulling power of VisitBath and the business community, Bath Business Improvement District, to enhance the festival, and are already planning almost three weeks of entertainment for the 2018 to mark Bath Festivals’ 70 year milestone.

They are keen not to be seen as elitist and are building plans to create a similar frisson as elicited by the appearance of David Walliams at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, when families queued excitedly to hear their favourite children’s author. Musicians and writers will go into schools and the community to meet people of all ages and from different backgrounds under the creative learning programme. Students at Bath Spa University will also be involved, as the university is a creative partner.

The 2017 programme is still unrolling, visit: bathfestivals.org.uk. You can sign up to be a festival member from £25 a year, which confers early booking rights, while there are even more privileges for £250 a year benefactors. The full programme will be announced in January and, as a proud media partner, The Bath Magazine will be bringing you news of The Bath Festival over the coming months. n

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CHRISTMAS | SHOPPING

Gift Ideas FOR THE LADY

Marie Jo Axelle in rising sun, various shapes and styles available, The Dressing Room, 7 Quiet Street, Bath, BA1 2JU. Tel: 01225 330563 or visit: dressingroombath.com

Aretha Tassel scarf, £25, Weird Fish, 7 The Corridor, Bath, BA1 5AP. Tel: 01225 337766 or visit: weirdfish.co.uk

Michael Kors gold and silver watch, rrp £379, outlet price £246, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2DY. Tel: 1793 507600 or visit: mcarthurglen.com/uk

Chloe bag, £245, Chanii B, 9 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ. Tel: 01225 333693 or visit: chaniibshoes.com

Ladies classic glove with 100% silk lining in claret by Dents, £59, available in Jolly’s, 13 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DD. Tel: 01225 462045 or visit: dents.co.uk

Scandi Dandi Printed Cord Dress grey/red mix, £59.99, Mistral, 20 New Bond Street, Bath, BA1 1BA. Tel: 01225 462186 or visit: mistral-online.com

Bespoke artisan products, Icarus Silver, 27 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LW. Tel: 01225 489088 or visit: icarusjewellery.com Colorado Alaska in sand, £98, The Bath Hat Company, 9 – 11 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN. Tel: 01225 339009 or visit: thebathhatcompany.com

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FACE | THE MUSIC

THE GENIE BEHIND THE SHOW

Melissa Blease talks to pantomime director Michael Gattrell as he puts the final shine on Aladdin at the Theatre Royal Bath

L

ove it or loathe it (but please, why on earth would you loathe it?), the pantomime season has crept up behind us for another annual outing.

Oh no it hasn’t? Oh yes it has! And this year, Bath is in for a bumper bonanza of traditional treats when the curtain rises on Aladdin at the Theatre Royal Bath on Thursday 8 December.

Starring award-winning actor Bill Ward (familiar to many for his longrunning roles in ITV’s Emmerdale and Coronation Street), children’s TV presenter Mark Rhodes, grande dame extraordinaire Nick Wilton, Gemma Naylor (Nick Jr; Go! Go! Go!) and multi-talented Bath boy about town Jon Monie, one of the most popular pantos promises to bring thrills, spills, shenanigans and spectacular special effects together in one big fabulous Christmas cracker.

But a pantomime needs much more than a few swipes of a duster against an ancient lamp if it’s to really make the magic happen. And in this instance, it could be said that Michael Gattrell – who will be celebrating a personal landmark as he once again takes his seat in the director’s chair at the Theatre Royal this year – is the real genie behind the scenes.

This year marks Michael’s 25th year working on a professional pantomime.

Also an agent for theatre, TV, film and commercials for Chris Davis Management, Michael’s CV includes stints on uniquely seasonal productions around the UK, including the world premiere stage production of Rod Campbell’s charming, best-selling book Dear Santa. So where did his interest in pantomime begin, a quarter of a century ago?

He says: “I was in pantos as a child and I loved the end product so much that the magic, for me, never wore off. I was involved in my first professional pantomime in Horsham back in 1991. It was Dick Whittington starring Lynda Baron. I still have the original poster on the wall in my office today, but over the years I’ve filled my mind with pantomime experiences. I’m not obsessed by pantomime, but I like to think that I know what I’m doing.”

But in an age when hi-tech cinematic experiences, computer games and social networking dominate the agenda for so many young people, is it still possible to weave an attention-grabbing spell in such a traditional format?

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advancement of technology in pretty much all areas of modern life, including pantomime,” he says. “I love working closely with lights and special effects specialists in order to keep the spectacle spectacular. Casting is obviously really important too. Our stars appeal to all ages and bring everyone along for the ride.

“I aim to make sure that there really is something for everybody to engage with, and like many people I love visual comedy. But it must never drag. If at any point people are looking away from the stage, it’s not happening. So above all, it has to be entertaining, with never a dull moment.”

Michael isn’t anticipating enduring any dull moments during his annual visit

to Bath, either. He says: “I love Bath – it’s a very intelligent city, on so many levels. There’s a real sense of culture here and it’s very cosmopolitan. The team at the Theatre Royal are so warm and friendly, it’s a fabulous venue, and the city as a whole has a great buzz.

“I’ll be staying with friends in nearby Bristol but I spend pretty much all of my time in Bath. I love having coffee in Boston Tea Party on Kingsmead Square.

Last year I discovered the Gin Bar, and the cast, crew and I will be in and out of the Garrick’s Head on a regular basis!”

But as fun as Michael makes that part of his role sound, his job comes with challenges, not least of all being away from home at one of the most familyand friends-orientated times of the year.

MUSIC IS KEY: pantomime director Michael Gattrell Opposite, Aladdin cast members Jon Monie, Gemma Naylor, Bill Ward, Mark Rhodes and Nick Wilton, pictured at Bailbrook House Hotel Portrait and cast members picture by Anna Barclay

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FACE | THE MUSIC

He was born in Portsmouth but now lives just along the coast in Chichester. He says he will miss his regular walks to the sea shore not far from his home and spending time with friends and family during the build-up to Christmas while he’s working in Bath.

“Although it’s a strange time of the year to be away from friends and family, they are all very supportive and will definitely come and visit. I even credit myself with being a pretty good tour guide these days. But they all know that I switch off from home life for a short while and immerse myself in panto life while I’m away.

They’re very understanding, so it’s all good.”

And it can’t be said that he won’t be kept busy in order to keep his mind off seasonal separation anxiety. “It’s a very tight period of time from when the set arrives to our first performance so to a great extent, I rely on the experience and the comradeship of everybody around me to help keep clear heads. It is a real team effort. I’m very calm and patient about it all though . . . until I have to keep the actors quiet so I can get a word in!”

When it comes to picking his favourite pantomime, Michael is reticent: “Each show is different, and likewise, the cast,” he says, very diplomatically. And while he also won’t reveal any secrets about what surprises may be in store for Bath audiences this year, he makes no bones about the fact that, in order to create a fresh, uplifting production, music is key.

“When it comes to music for pantomime, I like to include a healthy blend of familiar or traditional numbers mixed with a smattering of more contemporary songs, perhaps with a bit of a lyrical twist here and there to fit the theme, all of which will offer broad appeal to all generations.

“As you’ll see from my playlist, though, I’m quite eclectic in my personal tastes, but all the songs I’ve selected really mean something to me.”

I tried, dear readers to get him to share this year’s panto playlist, but you’ll have to wait until curtain up to find out what big numbers he’s picked. But here’s his personal top ten:

MICHAEL’S TOP TEN TRACKS: Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings A beautiful classical piece that always gives me a sense of serenity. It’s my relaxing in Bath music.

Carly Simon – Coming Around Again Ah, this takes me back to my teenage years, and those teen love memories.

Arthur Askey – Busy Bee I love vaudeville, and this is most definitely an iconic vaudeville number. I remember seeing Arthur Askey performing this on The Good Old Days on TV years ago – a great performance of a great number.

One slot by Billy Ocean’s When The Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going.

Madonna – Sooner or Later This song was featured in Warren Beatty’s 1990 movie Dick Tracy, starring Madonna as the fabulous femme fatale Breathless Mahoney. It’s a beautiful jazzy tune, and I really love Madonna’s vocals on this particular track.

The Carpenters – Yesterday Once More Quite simply, just a beautiful song – that’s it!

Kander and Ebb – We Can Make It I love all the songs in the musical The Rink but especially the one I’ve chosen as it brought me together with my close, dear friend Josephine Blake, who has now retired from the business.

But my goodness, in her heyday Josephine was a phenomenon, and this song goes some way to proving why.

Howard Goodall – The Hired Man I would love to choose pretty much anything that Goodall has composed. He’s an amazingly talented musician and composer.

Stephen Sodheim – Being Alive This is from the George Furth musical Company, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Company is one of my favourite musicals. I’ve been in it myself, and sung this song many times. It’s also my signature tune if I get up and sing at a party or a gig.

Stephen Sondheim – The Miller’s Son From A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim, yes it’s Sondheim again! I’m a huge fan of his work, and this song brought Sara, one of my dearest friends, into my life some years ago. Sadly, Sara is no longer with us. She was an amazing character actress. n

Su Pollard – Starting Together Su is one of my closest mates and I’m so pleased she achieved such success with this song, which climbed to Number Two in the UK charts in February 1986, only to be kept off the Number

Aladdin is at the Theatre Royal Bath from Thursday 8 December – Sunday 8 January. To book tickets contact the Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit: theatreroyal.org.uk.

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shannon. FP 1.qxp_Layout 1 25/11/2016 13:56 Page 1

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clandar.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2016 16:45 Page 1 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Clandar's Harris tweed coat and House tweed waistcoat and tie

A VERY BRITISH AFFAIR

The Bath Magazine speaks to the founder of a Bath company determined to bring British textiles to the fore

S

itting in the shadows of Bath Abbey is a shop that has been doing rather exciting things over the past four years.

Clandar works with British tweed mills and sources its own tweeds, linings, buttons and trims, which it sends to its tailors to be made up into its own designs for both men and women. Its tweed ranges are exclusively made for its Bath shop on Cheap Street and its website.

It also offers the most indulgent Scottish cashmere and merino wool, which is woven for Clandar in British mills, that were founded over 150 years ago.

Having become a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike, looking for something of high quality that genuinely comes from the British Isles, we spoke to Clandar’s founder, Rianna Pritchard.

What made you open a shop in Bath?

I became interested in business from a very young age, as I had grown up in a family business. So, when I moved to Bath in 1999 and fell in love with the city, the idea of opening a business here one day, seemed like a very natural thing to do.

The question was, what would we sell? I'd always been interested in different cultures and found it odd that you could travel to the Far East, for example, and easily acquire the most beautiful items that had been skilfully produced there, but that the same couldn't be said for Britain. It was odd, as Britain had such a reputation for making fine, quality items and British made goods were world renowned.

I understand the economic argument of it being cheaper for retailers to make items abroad to keep their costs down, but surely, there’s a place for high quality, skilfully made British items to be sold in Britain? Surely, customers should be offered this choice? So, I thought, right, I’m going to sell British made items. It's been quite a journey!

Had you been working in the textile industry?

No, after reading Economics at university, I went to law school for two years and then joined a large corporate law firm.

Unfortunately, the Law wasn’t for me. I needed a career where I could be creative and deep down, I wanted to run my own business.

I’d always been interested in textiles, colour and design and now find myself doing something I adore. The design and cut are of paramount importance. I’m interested in designs that are truly flattering . . . that look great on real people. I’m also obsessed with sourcing the highest quality fabrics and trims. I literally look through thousands of tweed and lining swatches and every now and then I’ll come across something that stops me in my tracks. Something that literally makes me say “wow!”. It's these items that make it into our ranges.

One of the hardest parts of the process is finding tailors and manufacturers in Britain that can turn our designs and fabrics into actual clothing, as the majority of them have been forced to close, due to retailers taking their manufacturing abroad. It’s a shame.

Have there been any recent highlights?

This year we’ve been so excited to develop and showcase our first ladies coat. It’s made from an earthy toned Harris tweed, which we source directly from one of the mills in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Harris tweed is still handwoven on manual handlooms by islanders in their tiny cottages, on these rugged, windswept but utterly beautiful Scottish islands. It’s phenomenal in this day and age.

We have the Harris tweed sent to our English tailors on 50m rolls and then we post them burnished metal shank buttons and a golden, two-toned shot twill lining, that we have carefully sourced ourselves. To be honest, we were a little nervous when we introduced the coat, but thankfully, it has proven to be

extremely popular.

Another Rianna Pritchard highlight has been the creation of our House tweed. We’ve worked with a British mill to design our own tweed colourway, that the mill will not weave for anyone else in the world. They wove 250m of it for us recently. We have turned it into waistcoats and ties and are currently working on turning it into men’s jackets. We feel so privileged to have our own House tweed and to be able to offer something so exclusive to our customers.

What's it like running a business in Bath?

It's fantastic. I have been genuinely taken aback by the support we have received from locals. They really understand what we are doing. Even the models on our website and flyers are locals. They aren’t professional models, but appreciate what we are doing and were kind enough to help us out. On that note, if anyone reading this thinks that they might be model material and would fancy modelling for us . . . drop us an email. All ages welcome!

It’s not just me though. I have an absolutely excellent team around me. We are lucky to have attracted some fabulous people to work in our shop – individuals who are truly interested in what we are doing and who themselves have a rich background, that they bring with them. It’s a real joint effort.

What’s next for Clandar?

I believe in letting the business grow organically and prefer our customers to lead the path we take. There’s probably expansion on the horizon. Let’s see what the future holds – I’m sure it’s going to be exciting.

Clandar, 15 Cheap Street, Bath, BA1 1NA. Web: clandar.co.uk. n

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CHRISTMAS | SHOPPING

Gift Ideas FOR THE LADY Ardingly Rose Dress, £75, Cath Kidston, 3 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LG. Tel: 01225 331006 or visit: cathkidston.com

Merino lambswool scarves, £35, Clandar, 15 Cheap Street, Bath, BA1 1NA. Tel: 01225 335486 or visit: clandar.co.uk

Ladies Skagen two tone watch, £105, Quadri, 16 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ. Tel: 01225 329212 or visit: quadri.co.uk

Haflinger Sassy slipper, £45, Silvershoon, 11 Upper Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1RG. Tel: 01225 469735 or visit: shoon.com

Blue long sleeved cape, £99.95, Franchetti Bond, 5 Upper Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1RG. Tel: 01225 517002 or visit: franchettibond.co.uk. Available in a range of colours

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Boneyard Leopard scarf by Sabina Savage, £285, Carina Baverstock Couture, 11 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1JY. Tel: 01225 866610 or visit: carinaboccasionwear.com

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Gold & Platinum Studio Handmade and Bespoke Jewellery 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR | Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE : www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk | e: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS | GEMS

Gift Ideas JEWELLERY

Oval cut rubellite and diamond cluster earrings set in 18ct white gold, £5,420, Mallory, 1 – 5 Bridge Street, Bath, BA2 4AP. Tel: 01225 788800 or visit: mallory-jewellers.com

Bespoke artisan products, Icarus Silver, 27 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LW. Tel: 01225 489088 or visit: icarusjewellery.com

Birthstone silver amulet necklace in turquiose, £108, Quadri, 16 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ. Tel: 01225 329212 or visit: quadri.co.uk

18ct yellow gold, Carousel Collection, multi-colour sapphire ring, 0.37ct, £1,000, Nicholas Wylde, 12 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR. Tel: 01225 462826 or visit: nicholaswylde.com

Earrings, 18ct yellow gold set with 0.60ct white diamonds & large white South Sea pearls, £2,300, Tina Engell, 29 Belvedere, Bath, BA1 5HR. Tel: 01225 443334 or visit: tinaengell.com

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18ct white gold 0.25ct diamond pendant on 18" chain, £1,570, Jody Cory Goldsmiths ltd, 9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY. Tel: 01225 460072 or visit: jodycory.co.uk

Gold pine cone charm bracelet, £395, Gold and Platinum Studio, 19 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR. Tel: 01225 462300 or visit: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS | SHOPPING

Gift Ideas FOR THE LORD RakesProgess, a new gardening and photography magazine, £10, Magalleria, 22A Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LN. Tel: 01225 471586 or visit: magalleria.co.uk

Oslo-loudspeaker by Vifa, Woodhouse and Law, 4 George’s Place, Bath, BA2 4EN. Tel: 01225 428072 or visit: woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless Headphones, £319, Moss of Bath, 45 St James's Parade, Bath, BA1 1UQ. Tel: 01225 331441 or visit: mossofbath.co.uk

Sterling silver hammered finish torc bangle, £250, Gold & Platinum Studio,19 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR. Tel: 01225 462300 or visit: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

A pair of silver enamelled compass cufflinks, £220, Jody Cory Goldsmiths ltd, 9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY. Tel: 01225 460072 or visit: jodycory.co.uk

KTM Machina Force 27.5 10 CX4 10s SLX, £1,949, Take Charge Bikes, 1 Victoria Buildings, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, BA2 3EH. Tel: 01225 789568 or visit: takechargebikes.co.uk

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Purg scarf, £18, Weird Fish, 7 The Corridor, Bath, BA1 5AP. Tel: 01225 337766 or visit: weirdfish.co.uk

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HOMEFRONT - INTERIORS -

Homewares Interiors Handmade Gifts Vintage Finds Chalk Paint T: 01225 571711 E: info@homefrontinteriors.co.uk 10 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LP homefrontinteriors.co.uk

Paint Workshops | Lampshade Making | Knitting Classes

Avenida Home

Avenida Home | Tel: +44 (0) 01225 571 718 | Mobile: +44 (0) 7909 895 139 isabel@avenidahome.com | 27 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN, UK

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CHRISTMAS | SHOPPING

Gift Ideas FOR THE LORD Harrods gold bar, minted in 999.9 (24 carat) fine gold.

Harrods Bank, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL. Tel: 020 7225 6789 or visit: harrodsbank.co.uk

Construction pen, £22.95, Quadri, 16 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ. Tel: 01225 329212 or visit: quadri.co.uk

Pro-Ject Audio Turntables: The Classic, this model £799 (prices for Pro-Ject turntables start at £200), Moss of Bath, 45 St James's Parade, Bath, BA1 1UQ. Tel: 01225 331441 or visit: mossofbath.co.uk

Sterling silver bar link cufflinks inlaid with Ashford Marble, £250, Gold & Platinum Studio, 19 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR. Tel: 01225 462300 or visit: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

Twain shot glasses set by Izola, £28, Kilver Court Designer Village, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF. Tel: 01749 340410 or visit: kilvercourt.com

Harris tweed caps £45 and Scottish cashmere scarves £117, Clandar, 15 Cheap Street, Bath, BA1 1NA. Tel: 01225 335486 or visit: clandar.co.uk

Ruark R4i Integrated Music System, £649, Paul Green Hi Fi, Brassmill Lane, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Bath, BA1 3JN. Tel: 01225 316197 or visit: paulgreenhifi.co.uk

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CITY | READING

OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES We pick six of the best memoirs and biographies from the shelves of our city’s bookshops

Grayson Perry: The Descent of Man Hardback, £16.99, published by Allen Lane

Alan Bennett: Keeping On Keeping On Hardback, £25, published by Profile

Is a male artist in a dress best placed to examine the state of masculinity in our modern world?

Grayson Perry, adopting his usual seemingly easy-going chatty style, argues articulately, persuasively and assertively in this part-memoir parttreatise, that yes, he is perfectly placed to comment. He makes a strong argument for us to look at how we indoctrinate gender roles on to little boys and girls.

He tells the tale of a nine-year-old American boy who was bullied for wearing a My Little Pony backback to school. The school’s response to the bullying was to advise the boy to change his rucksack. The year: 2014. Do we now need a new instruction manual for the future of mankind? Read this and decide for yourself.

This is the third volume of Bennett’s collection of prose and covers his diaries from 2005 to 2015. Aside from various theatre productions, the filming of The Lady in the Van and his civil partnership to Rupert, he writes vivid vignettes about his daily life. He records coming to Bath for a book signing at Topping & Co, but while he is very complementary about the shop he is scathing about Bath’s town planning. As he heads to the station via Southgate he observes: “acres of indifferent modern buildings all carefully constructed in Bath stone as if that was all that was necessary to bind the city together.” As always with Bennett’s writing he has a very good ear for dialogue. His style is acerbic and observational, cutting but not cruel. Included in this mighty tome, of more than 700 pages, is the transcript of a darkly comic radio play, Denmark Hill.

Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run Hardback, £20, published by Simon and Schuster His legions of fans have been falling over themselves to get copies of this forthright autobiography of one of the giants of rock and roll. For years we have heard few actual spoken words from him, but here, in a book that took him seven years to write, he unfolds the story of what made him, from his childhood in a poor neighbourhood in New Jersey. In unflinching but emotional honest style his prose unfurls in as engaging style as his lyrics.

There is the loving relationship he has with his grandparents, his less easy interaction with his father, his teenage acne years (hard to imagine the now-chiselled Springsteen applying Clearasil to his zits and trying to control his unruly hair), encounters with girls, and the pride he has in his children. Throughout, music is the pulse that drives this story and we learn that the joy we see when the Boss is playing live is genuine, unbridled pleasure and for him, his truest freedom is found on stage.

John Le Carré: The Pigeon Tunnel, Stories from My Life Hardback, £20, published by Viking If you’ve ever wondered, while reading one of Le Carré’s spy thrillers, whether any scenes could possibly happen in real life, then his first memoire reveals that, yes, a lot of what he writes about stems from his own experiences, both as a spy and as a global traveller. Reading this is like sitting in a gentlemen’s club bar hearing anecotes beautifully told over six decades, from tales of dancing with Yasser Arafat, to interviewing a Russian gangster via an interpreter.

Jeremy Paxman: A Life In Questions Hardback, £20, William Collins The Grand Inquisitor, capable of striking fear into the hearts of students on University Challenge and leaders of political parties on Newsnight, reveals a little more of the man behind the microphone in this memoir. It may ring a bell with others of his generation (he’s 66) as he talks about his upbringing, his father who was ‘incapable of expressing affection’ and he and his brother’s utter misery at prep school. He also tells self-deprecating stories about himself alongside some behind the scenes tales from the BBC studios. There’s this gem on Paxo from Andrew Marr: “Jeremy Paxman looks disdainful and contemptuous and furious with his guests because he by and large is. You can’t fake these things on television.”

Paul Morley: The Age of David Bowie (How David Bowie Made a World of Difference) Hardback, £20, Simon and Schuster The death of the British artist (for he was always so much more than musician, singer, actor, writer) David Bowie shocked us all when he died, after a very private battle with cancer, on 10 January this year, shortly after releasing an acclaimed last album, Black Star. Who better than to write a detailed, thoughtful and thorough book about Bowie’s life, career and public image, than broadcast, writer and critic Paul Morley, who’d been a fan since he was in his early teens? If you were one of those left bereft by his death, this

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book will be like bumping into another friend of the deceased while you’re still in shock at the graveside. Morley is the one who will lead you back through all those memories, talk about the good times, the meaning behind this gesture or that, and make you smile and remember. Do you recall clips of a teenage Bowie, all washed long hair and soft-voiced telling a bemused Cliff Michelmore on BBC TV about his Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to LongHaired Men? Have you seen him in The Man Who Fell to Earth, Labyrinth or Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, or witnessed one of the live gigs as he revealed yet another persona? Morley says: “I found him and at the same time he found me.” Such was Bowie’s charismatic power.

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ALL THINGS WEIRD AND WONDERFUL The Grand Detour, a new free exhibition at the Holburne Museum by acclaimed contemporary artist Djordje Ozbolt manages to both surprise and entertain

W

ord of gnomes being spotted on the lawns of one of Bath’s finest addresses came to the attention of our newsdesk the other day.

Concrete gnomes, our informer whispered urgently down the line. Some of them painted in bright colours.

Quick as a flash we sent our intrepid reporter hotfooting it down to the scene of this cultural crime, with strict instructions for her to return with quotes from outraged residents up in arms at this aesthetic dumbing down of a historic corner of Georgian Bath.

Sure enough, there they were, a group of gnomes, with their companions, a scatter of concrete cats and even a princess wearing a stone crown, gambolling round in a magical circle on the lawns of that most majestic of Bath institutions, the Holburne museum. Not since the days of Mad Eli, the Bath king of collectors, had there been so many gnomes seen in Great Pulteney Street.

Our reporter burst through the doors of the museum to enquire as to why these clod-footed peasants had been allowed so close to the hallowed 17th and 18th treasures and paintings of the Holburne collection.

Imagine her surprise when, in place of a reverend and serious portrait at the foot of the museum stairs, she came face to face with a grotesquely grinning painting of Benjamin Franklin, his 46 TheBATHMagazine

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mouth forced into a smile by three Disney inspired cartoon birds rendered in very modern, vibrant hues. And there was more shock and outrage to come.

In the museum café the rattle of cake fork on china was stilled as people turned to look, smile and even laugh out loud, at the sight of a virulently purple and orange pair of giant sized Japanese netsuke peering through the glass back at the visitors.

Fleeing upstairs for the sanctuary of a soothing Gainsborough there are more surprises. Here is the tranquil Byam family, mother, father and daughter, just as Thomas Gainsborough painted them in the 1760s and just as they’ve always been at the Holburne. Feeling like Alice once she’d fallen down the rabbit hole, our witness turned to the opposite wall to find that same leafy peaceful Gainsborough landscape, but rendered acid house trippy in cranked up colours, like a masterpiece viewed through a coloured Quality Street wrapper.

The Holburne’s director Jennifer Scott invited acclaimed London based Serbian artist, Djordje Ozbolt, fresh from achingly trendy Hauser and Wirth in Somerset, to – in her word – ‘invade’ the Holburne and come up with his own unique take on the historic collection.

She is pleased and happy that the resulting newly inspired works of art have given visitors to the museum a

fresh look at what was already under their noses.

The visitor can follow the Ozbolt trail, beginning with those gnomes outside, from room to room. The first thing that strikes you is that Ozbolt is an extremely talented, competent painter in the old school tradition of being able to render skin, feathers and textiles in fine detail. But then, with cultural references, dark humour and childish delight, he gives these pieces a totally different take – and so powerfully evokes something fresh from us, the viewer.

Some pictures are a tad disturbing, like Happy Meal in which a floral still life is garnished with a 21st century urban display of takeaway cartons. In Dementia, in place of Gainsborough’s Mr Wolllaston’s face as he leans on a gate, is a psychedelic spaghetti where his features usually lie. Others, such as the marvellously straight faced, lanternjawed Lord Square of Square will induce a snort of laughter.

If these pieces, and the gnomes, continue to illicit such spontaneous bursts of joy in visitors surely they’re welcome to stay. n Djordje Ozbolt: The Grand Detour is at the Holburne until Sunday 5 March, admission free. The Holburne is open daily, aside from 24 – 26 December and 1 January.

A FRESH TAKE: top row, Dementia, the circle of gnomes on the lawns of the Holburne, Happy Meal, Smile Benjamin Smile, Vague Memories and Good Birds Go to Heaven – all by Djordje Ozbolt

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Now taking appointments: 01373 764345

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WHAT’S ON in December EVENTS ARE LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

IN REHEARSAL: Patrick Walsh and Joseph Marcell at the Ustinov theatre. PICTURE: Simon Annand

OUT OF FOCUS Wednesday 30 November – Saturday 3 December 7.30pm n Tovey Hall Theatre, United Reformed Church, Grove Street, Bath The Argyle Players present Out of Focus by Peter Gordon, a comedy drama in which a group of people assemble at a church hall, each thinking they are there for a separate activity – Brownies, table tennis, a talk on steam trains and so on. In short, confusion reigns. This unlikely group decide to put on a pantomime but this too becomes impossibly confusing and eventually descends into hilarious chaos. Tickets: £10 (to include programme and refreshments) from bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362.

EDITOR’S PICK CLARE TEAL’S FESTIVE FIESTA Monday 19 December, 7.30pm n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath Award winning singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal serves up a sensational cocktail of seasonal music with her trio. Enjoy an uplifting blend of sparkling songs, made famous by the likes of Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald plus lesser known standards and Clare’s own original material, all delivered in her inimitable style with some great banter between numbers. Tickets: £25 from: komedia.co.uk.

Bill Ward at the Theatre Royal PICTURE: Anna Barclay

Havannah good time in cabaret at the Chapel Arts Centre

BONBON CABARET: BONBON AND CHUMS Thursday 1 December, 7.30pm n Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe, Bath After a three year sabbatical the fabled Bonbon Cabaret is back, featuring a scintillating array of talent in a variety show format. Monsieur Le Bonbon will introduce a splendiferous line-up of quality acts including character comedy and music plus, of course, the ineffable Widcombe Players; and no Bonbon Cabaret would be complete without the unmissable pickled egg raffle. Tickets: £14 / £12 concs, visit: bathcomedy.com or tel: 0800 411 8881.

JAMES ACASTER Thursday 1 – Saturday 3 December, 8pm n The Rondo theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall The lugubrious British comedian who’s a four time nominee for the Foster’s best comedy award at Edinburgh brings his unique brand of humour to Bath for three nights. Tickets: £13 – £15, tel: 0333 666 3366.

BEAR FLAT CHRISTMAS MARKET Saturday 3 December, 10am – 4pm n Methodist Church Hall, Bruton Avenue, Bear Flat, Bath Bear Flat Artists join up with the Bear Flat Association to present its Christmas Market offering original, unusual hand-made gifts and local produce. There is a drop-in craft session for children and a café serving teas, cake and wholesome light lunches. Entry is free

Clare Teal at Komedia WE THREE BEARS: Homecoming family event at the American Museum

1816: THE YEAR WITH NO SUMMER Until end of January, Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm n Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath The eruption of a volcano in Indonesia 200 years ago caused vast quantities of ash to accumulate in the atmosphere, which triggered a catastrophic change in weather patterns, resulting in the year with no summer. Crops failed and famine and distress spread. Meteorologist Luke Howard, documented the weather in The Climate of London, which along with others from the BRLSI library, are on show. Admission is free.

BYBROOK BAROQUE ADVENT CONCERT Sunday 4 December, 6pm n St Thomas a Becket Church, Box Soprano Hannah Grove joins instrumentalists Andy Webb (recorder and trumpet), Alison Townley (violin), Vanessa Hammond (oboe), Kathryn Drury (cello) and Helen Coombs (harpsichord) for an early evening

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Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution Forthcoming events:

Only Men Aloud at Komedia performance of Advent music in the historic Norman church of St Thomas a Becket. Retiring collection for the Friends of St Thomas.

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS Sunday 4 December 6.30pm Sunday 18 December, 6.30pm n Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath Celebrate Christmas in a welcoming traditional church with a magnificent choir in a glorious Georgian building in central Bath.

There’s a candlelit Advent carol service on Sunday 4 December, the traditional service of lesson and carols on Sunday December 18, the family crib service on Christmas Eve from 4.30pm, followed by Midnight Mass from 11.30pm on Christmas Eve. ONLY MEN ALOUD Sunday 4 December, 7.30pm n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath Only Men Aloud will perform a selection box of music, ranging from traditional Christmas favourites to rock and pop classics – all delivered with their trademark wit, magnificent voices and musical style. Tickets: £27 from: komedia.co.uk/bath or tel: 0845 293 8480.

Also at Komedia this month THE MINISTRY OF BURLESQUE’S TWISTED CABARET Wednesday 14 December, 8pm Expect an uproarious revue of razor-wit and frisky burlesque featuring the daring antics of scantily clad showgirls, the sultriest of sirens and the edgiest comic-cabaret masters. This is a chance to go overboard on the dressing up and get ready for high camp comedy, risqué song and Victorian villainy.

Tickets from £18 to £48.

THE BOHEMIANS Sunday 18 December, 7.30pm Internationally renowned Queen tribute band The Bohemians offer a high energy roller coaster ride of a concert through Queen’s back catalogue, from Killer Queen and Don’t Stop Me Now, to We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions. Raise the roof to a rendering of Bohemian Rhapsody. Tickets: £16 (this is a standing gig).

BAMBOO FOR CONSTRUCTION 9th December

THE YEAR WITH NO SUMMER

WAR REPORTAGE – JULIA MIDGLEY 14th December HOW GOOD IS DEMOCRACY? 3rd January

OPENS 22 NOVEMBER

A FREE EXHIBITION

AT BATH ROYAL LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION

THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY 10th January

Victor Suchar Christmas Lecture 2016 An Evening with Dame Julia Higgins Tuesday 6th December, 7.30pm

www.brlsi.org 16 – 18 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HN 01225 312 084

Celebrate Christmas in a welcoming traditional church with our magnificent choir in a glorious Georgian building in central Bath

THEATRE IN THE LIFE AND WORKS OF CHARLES DICKENS Monday 5 December, 7.15pm n BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath Bath Evening Decorative and Fine Arts Society talk, That Jocund World, given by Elizabeth Merry, explores the world of stage in Dickens’ childhood and maturity and looks at the importance of theatre in his life. Pre-booked visitors £8, students free. Tel: 01225 742989 or 01225 742819, visit: bedfas.co.uk.

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY OPEN DAY Tuesday 6 December, 2.15 pm n Manvers Street Baptist Church, Manvers Street, Bath The Bath Shakespeare Society has vacancies for people who would enjoy regular readings of Shakespeare. The group meets at 2.15pm on alternate Tuesdays at Manvers Street Baptist Church, reading three plays in the autumn and three in the winter/spring season. A convenor allocates the roles and gives an introduction. In April members celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday with an invited speaker, and in the summer the society may read something different, contemporary or modern. All are welcome to the open afternoon. Contact the chairman, Dr Peter Davies, tel: 01225 873087, or the secretary, Diana Pidgeon, tel: 01225 858630.

ROTARY CLUB OF BATH CAROL SERVICE Tuesday 6 December, 6.30pm n Bath Abbey, Bath A wonderful opportunity for the people of Bath to come together under Continued page 50

Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath

Candle-lit Advent Carol service – Sunday 4 December, 6.30pm A service of lesson and carols for Christmas – Sunday 18 December, 6.30pm Children’s crib service – Christmas Eve, 4.30pm Midnight Mass – Christmas Eve, 11.30pm 'Seeking God through beauty in worship, honesty in our faith and doubt and service in our community’

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one roof and herald the arrival of Christmas through music and readings. Entry is by ticket only as numbers are limited, from the Bath Abbey shop, Bath Building Society branches at Wood Street and Moorland Road and Bath Property letting in Southgate.

IN PRAISE OF LOVE Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 Wreath making at Farleigh Hungerford December, 7.30pm n The Mission theatre, Corn Street, Bath Next Stage Theatre Company presents Terence Rattigan’s intense drama, described as ‘an outstanding dissection of the nature of love and pain.’ Tickets: £12 / £10 concessions, tel: 01225 428600 or email: nextstagebath@aol.com.

FESTIVE WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS Thursday 8 or Sunday 11 December, choose from morning, afternoon or evening classes n Wick Farm, Farleigh Hungerford, near Bath Get the season off to a merry start with a fun and relaxing wreath making class with Honeysuckle Flower Co. Make a gorgeous festive wreath to take home, plus pick up hints and tips for Christmas decorations. Christiane of Honeysuckle Flower Co has lots of experience making Christmas wreaths, having taught classes at Liberty of London, Harrods and Babington House. Places are £45, including refreshments, to book visit: honeysuckleflower.co.uk or email: flowers@honeysuckleflower.co.uk.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: BATH SPA BAND WITH MENDIP MALE VOICE CHOIR Friday 9 December, 7.30pm n St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath Join the Bath Spa brass band and Mendip Male Voice Choir for a chance to sing along to favourite Christmas songs and carols. Tickets: £8, from Bath Box Office www.bathboxoffice.org.uk 01225 463362.

Raffle in aid of Dorothy House.

BATH MINERVA CHOIR Saturday 10 December, 7.30pm n St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, Bath Join Bath Minerva Choir for its Christmas Celebration concert featuring tenor James Oxley and The Bristol Ensemble. The programme will include Britten’s St Nicolas Cantata, followed by a selection of carols. Tickets: £15 (seats unreserved), under 16s £5, from Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362, visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk.

CONCERT: CHRISTMAS WITH NOCTIS Saturday 10 December, 7.30pm n American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Claverton, Bath Join Bath’s award-winning chamber choir for What Sweeter Music, a selection of carols by Lauridsen, Todd, Rutter, Nordqvist, Ives, and Jonathan Lane. £10 – to register call 01225 820866.

Also at the American Museum this month HOLIDAY HOMECOMING Sunday 18 December, 1 - 4pm Fun for all the generations, with the chance to meet Father Christmas, join the choir for carols, and create Christmas crafts. Included with gardens only admission. Drop-in, booking not necessary, recommended age three and over.

CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL Friday 9 – Sunday 12 December, 10am – 6pm n Central United Reform Church, Argyle Street, Bath A display of decorated themed Christmas trees made by community groups, service clubs and charities. Admission is free but people are encouraged to give to help raise funds for the Children’s Hospice South West and the Genesis Trust.

KINGSMEAD SQUARE MINI MARKET Saturday 10 December 10am – 5pm n Kingsmead Square, Bath There will be stalls selling Christmas gifts, along with the chance to enjoy fresh food and drink. Santa will be in his grotto to meet new friends, from 10am to 2pm, with proceeds to charity.

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WHAT’S | ON A HISTORY OF FASHION IN 100 OBJECTS Daily until January 2019 n The Fashion Museum, the Assembly Rooms, Bath A display of 100 items from the museum’s collection. One of the earliest garments is an embroidered waistcoat worn by an aristocratic woman from the time of Shakespeare. The exhibition also includes a jacket by Paris couturier Lucien Lelong, worn by Vivien Leigh in 1948. Tickets: £8.75 / £7.75, £6.75 children. Free with Discovery Card or Art Pass.

SEASONAL MUSIC AND CAROLS Saturday 10 December 11am n St Nicholas Church, Bathampton The Freshford Singers, with conductor Bernard Wight, will be singing a mixture of medieval, traditional and new seasonal music. Free admission, retiring collection to support the church.

La Serenissima at the Wiltshire Music Centre

Alan Barnes does Dickens jazz style at the Wiltshire Music Centre

Victoria Art Gallery hosts fun activities for children

THE ALAN BARNES OCTECT Saturday 10 December, 7.30pm n Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon Join international jazz saxophonist Alan Barnes for a new take on Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol. There’ll be readings from the novel, with music to bring the story and characters to life. Tickets: £16 / £8 under 18s. Visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk or tel: 01225 860100.

Also at Wiltshire Music Centre this month LA SERENISSIMA Friday 16 December, 7.30pm One of the UK’s leading historical performance ensembles presents a glorious programme featuring work by Dall’Abaco, Bononcini and Torelli as the musicians lead us on a Grand Tour of Bologna and Verona. Tickets: £22 / £11 under 18s.

PARAGON SINGERS/FLORILEGIUM Saturday 17 December, 7.30pm Leading local choir the Paragon Singers celebrate the choir’s 40th anniversary. The programme comprises JS Bach’s B Minor Mass and BWV 232. This will be director Keith Bennett’s final concert after 33 years at the helm. Tickets: £22 / £6 under 18s.

EDITOR’S PICK HOT POTATO SYNCOPATORS Saturday 17 December, 7.30pm n The Mission theatre, Corn Street, Bath Have a jolly evening with this trio of dashing daredevils of swing. These wizard chaps serve up a spiffing performance of music from the 1920s, with some tip-top jazz and vaudeville comedy. You’ll find yourself tapping your spats and nodding gently. Tickets: £10 / £8 concessions. Tel: 01225 463362.

TonkyHonk music with the Hot Potato Syncopators at The Mission

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CLUB PARADIS: BURLESQUE AND CABARET Saturday 10 December, 7.30pm n Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Strap yourselves in for a night of high jinks, with bump’n’grind legend Havana Hurricane topping the bill. Also for your delight are Bath based singers the Belle Fleurs, vaudeville act Miss Betty Blue Eyes and burlesque acts Lilly Laudenam, Starla Bright and Krystal Rouge. Compered by the mysterious Countess and her assistant Teezy Overeazy. Tickets: £20, or £25 on the door. Bookings: chapelarts.org or tel 01225 461700 Also at Chapel Arts this month 20TH CENTURY FOXES Friday 16 December, 7.30pm It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. . . Dress up and join Bath’s cult cabaret crooners for an unusual and uplifting blend of stylish swing ina heady Yuletide tonic flavoured with the spirit of Christmases past, sprinkled with knockabout shennanigans and served warm and smooth.

Tickets: £15, or £17 on the door.

THE SUPERSKAS Sunday 18 December, 7.30pm Re-booked following their last performances last year due to popular demand. Chapel Arts manager says: “This band will have you dancing from the moment they begin their first song, I guarantee it.”

Covering songs made famous by Toots & the Maytals and Desmond Dekker, through to The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners and The Selecter, The Superskas come complete with horn section and male and female vocalists and are guaranteed to get the party started. Tickets: £14, or £15 on the door.

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Bath Camerata at Christ Church STAMPING FOR CHRISTMAS Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December, 2pm – 3pm n Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Stamping for Christmas, no not an invitation for tiny tantrums, but friendly drop-in sessions at the publicly owned gallery for families to have a go at stamping and inking Christmas cards and gift tags. A nice break from dragging round the shops . . .

GET A CAMERATA CHRISTMAS Saturday 17 December, 7.30pm n Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath The award-winning chamber choir promise a feast of Christmas music old and new, including A Sleigh Ride, a few Merry Ding Dongs and the odd Partridge in a Pear Tree. There’ll be mulled wine and mince pies.

Tickets: £15 (under 25s £7.50) from: bathcamerata.co.uk or Bath Box Office 01225 463362 TROUBLE IN MIND Until Saturday 17 December, times vary n Ustinov Studio, Sawclose, Bath Actress Tanya Moodie, who starred with Lenny Henry in Fences and has just played Gertrude in Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company, plays an actress in 1950s America. Her character is in an anti-lynching play, in which she’s directed by a white director in this award-winning comedy drama from the 1950s by Alice Childress.

Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 discounts, preview performances £12. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk.

CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP AND LUNCH Tuesday 13 December, 10am – 1pm n The Gainsborough Hotel, Bath Led by award-winning floral designer Johanne Wood, participants will learn how to create their festive wreathes. Johanne will promote the use of rich red colours and festive fragrances, such as cinnamon and pine. Places are £85, to include all materials, lunch and refreshments.

Tel: 01225 355329 or visit: thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk.

FATHER CHRISTMAS AT TEDDY’S LODGE Tuesday 13 December, 10am – 11.30am n King Edward’s Pre-Prep and nursery school, Weston Lane, Bath All local pre-school children and toddlers are invited to come and see Father Christmas in his cosy grotto at Teddy’s Lodge. Entry fee: £2 admission (to be donated to charity). Free off-street parking. To book a place tel: 01225 421681.

BATH BACH CHOIR: CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 December, 7.30pm n The Pump Room, Bath This will be the 70th year that the choir has put on its series of carols by candlelght. Under the baton of musical director Nigel Perrin the choir’s beautiful harmonies will get you in the mood for a magical Christmas. Tickets: £18 and £22 from Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 online at: bathboxoffice.org.uk.

TALES FOR TOTS Saturday 17 December, 11am – 11.45am n The Edge arts centre, the University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath An interactive workshop themed around Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man, designed to fire the imagination of three and four-year-olds. Places: £6 per parent and child, children must be accompanied. Box Office: 01225 386777, or visit: edgearts.org.

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THE WAX DOCTOR BATH’S ONLY SKI WAXING SERVICE Traditional alpine package: • De-wax and de-rust • Edge sharpening • Hot hand wax and brush finish • Base repairs extra • No harsh machinery

Skis £20 and Boards £25 Bath based Free city-centre pickup Text/call Kieran @ 07740 698 654

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WHAT’S | ON Also at The Edge CREATE: ART Saturday 17 December, 10.30am – 12.30pm Hands-on sessions for five to 11-year-olds, led by artist educator Dorcas Casey and allowing parents and children to get stuck in to making art. £5 per child, £3 per adult (children must be accompanied). Pre-booking advisable, tel: 01225 386777.

CREATE: STORIES Saturday 17 December, 10.30am – 12.30pm Led by dancer and educator Laura Street, this is an interactive workshop for five to eight year olds, incorporating music and movement, bringing characters to life. £5 per child, £3 per adult (children must be accompanied, tel: 01225 386777, visit: edgearts.org.

BATH PHILHARMONIA: THE SNOWMAN Thursday 22 December, 3.30pm n The Forum, Southgate, Bath The family favourite film will be screened with a stirring addition of the soundtrack played live by the Bath Philharmonia orchestra. There will also be a screening of Disney classic Fantasia! Tickets: £18 adults, £12 children, from Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 online at: bathboxoffice.org.uk or call Ticketline: 0844 888 9991.

PLANNING AHEAD . . .

WIDCOMBE MUMMERS Sunday 1 January, from noon n Various location,Widcombe, Bath Widcombe Mummers will be peforming the traditional New Year’s Day play at various locations in Widcombe. This year’s play is New Dragon, New Tricks and will feature a new dragon in a highly elaborated version of the St George story. Suitable for all ages. Free. For performance times visit: widcombemummers.org.uk.

DICK WHITTINGTON Wednesday 11 – Sunday 14 January, 7.30pm (matinees Saturday and Sunday, 2.30pm)

n The Rondo theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall A traditional family panto, written by Gill Morrell, with songs, dance, slapstick, spectacle, villainy, romance, undersea puppetry and a spectacular storm. Follow the adventures of Dick and his cat Tiddles.

Tickets £12 / £10 / £6 under 12s from: ticketsource/rondotheatre or tel: 0333 666 3366.

EXPLORE MINDFULNESS WITH RUBY WAX Saturday 14 January, 11am n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath Topping & Co bookshop has organised a stimulating morning with Ruby Wax, here to talk about her latest book, Mindfulness for the Frazzled. Ruby’s definition of mindfulness isn’t about sitting on a hillock, legs in a knot, humming a mantra, it’s something that can help us all: learning to notice your thoughts and feelings so you can truly experience life. Ruby Wax is here to show us how and why to change for good. Tickets: £7 in advance, includes £7 against the price of the book, from the bookshop in the Paragon or tel: Ruby Wax, coming 01225 428111. to Bath in January JENNY ECLAIR Saturday 18 February, 8pm n The Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon Following a sell-out tour, How to be a Middle Aged Woman (Without Going Insane), the professional grumpy old woman, Splash survivor and novice knitter Jenny Eclair extends her hit tour. Semi-bearded and suffering from outbreaks of gout and hysteria, Eclair puts middle age under the microscope. You are welcome to join her, just button your cardi up properly and wipe that lipstick off your teeth. Tickets: £17.50, tel: 01225 860100. n

St Catherines Gallery Madonna and Child, 18th century oil on canvas, 69 x 50cm, Peru. www.stcatherinesgallery.co.uk The Beautiful and the Unusual

01225 851695 mary.cruz@btconnect.com

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CHRISTMAS | COUNTDOWN

THAT FESTIVE FEELING Jessica Hope puts on her Santa hat and heads out across the city in search of some festive fun to get in the Christmas spirit

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ith the smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts in the air, the sound of carols exuding from the abbey’s walls, and late night shoppers bustling around for last minute presents, Bath is the perfect place to get in the festive spirit. With the countdown to Christmas underway, here is a selection of just some of our favourite things to do in the city to get you in the festive spirit.

point over the festive period. So get out your woolly hats, dust off those walking boots and go explore the beautiful countryside surrounding Bath. Our resident walker Andrew Swift has all the information you need for a festive walk on page 106. Or visit our website for a range of walks to enjoy this winter: thebathmagazine.co.uk/category/walks.

TORCHLIT TERRACE DINING BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET Grab a cup of mulled wine and munch on a mince pie as you wander around the bustling Christmas Market by Bath Abbey. Over 170 chalets run by many local businesses will be filled with unique toys for children, gifts for adults and plenty of delicious food goodies on display. The market runs until 11 December.

APRÈS SKI BAR Shopping in the Christmas Market can be thirsty work, so why not visit the snow topped cabin outside the Abbey Hotel on North Parade for a warming mulled wine or coffee?

Covered in twinkling lights and with plenty of woolly blankets, this is a great spot to warm up and feel festive. Open from 10am – 11pm daily, runs until 8 January.

CHRISTMAS WALKS There’s something almost routine-like when it comes to a family walk at Christmas time – it seems like nearly everyone goes on one at some

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The Pump Room is hosting a festive dining experience by torchlight overlooking the Roman Baths this December. Guests will enjoy a glass of fizz on arrival before indulging in a five course meal on the terrace adorned with Christmas garlands and candles. The menu includes options of honey glazed bacon, hazelnut gnocchi, pavé of venison, and eggnog custard tart. Available for bookings on: 18, 19, 20, 22 and 23 December from 7pm. £60 per person. Call: 01225 444477 or visit: romanbathssearcys.co.uk.

BATH ON ICE Royal Victoria Park will be the host for Bath’s temporary ice skating rink again this year.

Wrap up warm, get those skates on and skate along to your favourite Christmas songs. There will be a fully licensed bar selling soft drinks, hot cider and Champagne to quench your thirst after your skating session, and if you’re feeling peckish then there will be a wood fired oven serving delicious fresh pizzas. Booking in

advance is recommended. Open daily from 10am – 9pm (except for Christmas Day) until 3 January. Tel: 07496 053136 or visit: bathonice.com.

GLOW IN THE DARK MINI GOLF If ice skating isn’t your thing, then Royal Victoria Park will also be hosting glow in the dark mini golf this year. Compete against each other under the festive lights. Tickets: adults £5.50, children (under 16) £4.50, concessions £5, family (two adults and two children, or one adult and three children) £17. Open daily from 10am – 9pm (except for Christmas Day) until 3 January 2017. Visit: bathonice.com.

PANTO SEASON: ALADDIN Every year throughout December children and adults alike spend their evenings shouting “he’s behind you!” in the Theatre Royal, and this year won’t be any different. This year’s pantomime is Aladdin, with Coronation Street and Emmerdale actor Bill Ward playing the wicked magician, Abanazar. The title role of Aladdin will be played by Mark Rhodes, winner of the 2015 BAFTA Children’s Presenter Award as half of Sam & Mark and runner-up in Pop Idol. Much-loved comedian Jon Monie will be returning by popular demand to play Wishee Washee, Eastenders actor Nick Wilton will make his debut as a Dame as Widow Twankey, and Gemma Naylor from Go!Go!Go! on nickjr plays Princess

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CHRISTMAS | COUNTDOWN

The Christmas market

Longleat Safari Park at Christmas

Bath on ice

Jasmine. Aladdin runs from 8 December – 8 January, times vary. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk or call: 01225 448844 to book tickets.

£12 children and students. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk or call: 01225 823409 to book.

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CARD WORKSHOP

Wrap up warm and explore Westonbirt’s wonderful trees which will be lit up once again this winter using extraordinary lighting designs. Families can walk along the illuminated trail to see the forest from a new perspective, before visiting the Merry Marquee for a hog roast and hot chocolate. Taking place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 25 November – 18 December, times vary.

Booking essential. Call: 03000 680400 or visit: forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt.

PANTO SEASON: CINDERELLA This year’s pantomime at the Bristol Hippodrome is going to be bigger than ever, with ice skating icons Torvill and Dean skating around the stage as Cinderella’s fairy godparents. With glittering costumes, real Shetland ponies, and fantastic skating routines, this production is one panto you won’t want to miss this Christmas. Cinderella is on at the Bristol Hippodrome from 10 December – 8 January, times vary. Visit: atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome to book tickets.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Back by popular demand, join the Fundraisers for this traditional Carols by Candlelight evening at St Michael’s Without Church on 10 December from 7.30pm. After a bucks fizz reception, guests will enjoy a sit down meal with wine, followed by carols. Dress: black tie or formal suit. The menu includes steak and ale pie, fillet of salmon with a watercress sauce, or vegetable moussaka. £39.50 per person. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk or call: 01225 448844 to book.

ROBIN HOOD The egg’s Christmas show will follow the life of the legend of infamous outlaw Robin Hood as he outwits the evil sheriff of Nottingham and falls for Maid Marian. Expect spectacular sword-fighting performed by Robin and his merry men. Written and directed by Greg Banks. Suitable for ages six and over. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Robin Hood runs at The egg from 8 December – 15 January, times vary. Tickets: £18 adults,

The Victoria Art Gallery is hosting a free dropin workshop for children where they can make Christmas cards and gift cards using a range of stamps, ink and paint. Taking place on 17 and 18 December, from 2 – 3pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The gallery is open daily from 10am – 5pm, and is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. Visit: victoriagal.org.uk.

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SNOW MOUSE After an extended run last Christmas, Travelling Light Theatre Company is back with a new story about a little white mouse’s adventures in the snow. This follows the tale of a young boy who, while playing outside in the snowy woods, comes across a sleeping mouse buried under the snow. Together they explore the winter wonderland and laugh the whole way. The New Adventures of Snow Mouse is on at The egg from 15 December – 22 January, times vary. Suitable for children aged three months – four years old. Tickets: adults £8.50, children £7.50, nurseries £6.50. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk or call: 01225 823409 to book.

REINDEER ON THE ROOF! It’s Christmas morning, but all is not as it may seem. Darcy wakes up to find her presents under the tree, plus a reindeer on the roof! Is it lost? Is Father Christmas wondering where it is? Follow Darcy’s adventure in trying to get her new friend back to Lapland where he belongs. Suitable for the whole family. Booking in advance is recommended. Reindeer on the Roof! is on at The Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road from 8 – 18 December, times vary.

Tickets: £10 – £12. Visit: rondotheatre.co.uk or call: 0333 666 3366 to book.

ALL ABOARD THE STEAM TRAIN In the run up to Christmas, Avon Valley Railway is hosting a festive experience on board a steam train. Sit back and enjoy the rolling countryside before having a visit from Father Christmas himself. Each child will receive a special present and all the family can

enjoy the mince pies and festive biscuits on offer. Taking place on various dates in late November and throughout December. After Christmas Day, you can continue the festive spirit with a post-Christmas steam train experience where each guest can enjoy a glass of sherry and a mince pie while travelling through the countryside. Taking place on various dates from 26 December – 1 January.

Booking for both events is essential. Call: 0117 9325538 or visit: avonvalleyrailway.org.

CAROL SINGING There’s something special about singing Christmas carols to get you in the festive spirit.

Bath Abbey will be holding its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve at 7pm – this has become so popular over recent years that it is now a ticketed event, entrance is free. Visit: bathabbey.org for an application form or visit the abbey office.

There will be plenty of other places across the city to listen to carols in the run up to Christmas. To find out more, turn to our What’s On section from page 48.

BATH AT TWILIGHT While it may be rather chilly outside, why not relax in the naturally warm waters at Thermae Bath Spa? The main spa closes at 9.30pm, making it the perfect spot to see the city at night while enjoying the warm spa waters. You can also relax in the steam rooms which are individually infused an aromatic essences, such as eucalyptus mint and lotus flower. The Springs Café restaurant is also open from 10am – 9pm (last serving at 8.15pm), so spa users can enjoy its seasonal menu. Thermae Bath Spa is open all year excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Call: 01225 331234 or visit: thermaebathspa.com.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Longleat Safari Park will be transformed into a glowing winter wonderland this season with the biggest Chinese lantern festival in Europe.

Marking the safari park’s 50th anniversary, a variety of extraordinary animal lantens will be on display. 2016 also marks 150 years of Beatrix Potter, so the likes of Peter Rabbit will guide guests around the park. You can also jump aboard the Santa Express and head to the enchanting woodland grotto. Taking place until 2 January. Visit: longleat.co.uk or call: 01985 844400 to book tickets. n

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

GAZING AND GIFTING

In the run-up to Christmas there are some spectacular exhibitions around, plus to chance to buy unique work Bath at Night by Daz Smith

BATH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Bath Central Library, the Podium, Bath daily 9.30am – 5pm ANNUAL EXHIBITION Tuesday 29 November – Saturday 3 December Our beautiful city features in a number of the 100 photographs by some talented men and women in the society’s annual show.

Late winter afternoon, the chemist by Peter Brown

VICTORIA ART GALLERY Silbury from the sanctuary by Anna Dillon

BLUESTONE GALLERY 8 Old Swan Yard, Devizes, Wiltshire Tel: 01380 729589 Opening times: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, Saturdays, 9.30am – 5.30pm ANNA DILLON Throughout December Having lived in Avebury as a child Anna has a deep affection for the wide open vistas and ancient spiritual sites of Wiltshire. Her bold use of line and colour catches the light and shadow that rolls across the Downs.

By Pulteney Bridge Open Daily, 10.30am – 5pm Tel: 01225 477233 Visit: victoriagal.org.uk PETER BROWN: A BATH PAINTER’S TRAVELS Saturday 3 December– 19 February This is a major show by a popular Bath artist, who is a familiar sight on the city streets where he parks his easel and paints in all seasons and all weathers – earning himself the nickname Pete the Street. The works featured in this show include Bath locations such as Milsom Street, Lansdown Road, Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge, captured at different times of day and

months of the year, alongside views of less well known spots. Bath’s streetscapes can be compared with other locations the artist has visited, including Arles, Dublin, Granada, London and Seville. A book to accompany the exhibition of the same name, published by Victoria Art Gallery, features more than 100 new oil paintings and drawings, alongside diary commentaries by the artist. The gallery, which is owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council is open daily, 10.30am to 5pm.

Entrance to the main gallery is free, but entrance to the exhibition is £4, although free to under 21s and holders of the Bath Discovery card. Pete will be giving a talk and book signing on Saturday 3 December from 11.30am.

Admission is free with an exhibition ticket.

GALLERY NINE

Guy Royle brooch silver /gold

9b Margarets Buildings, Bath Tel: 01225 319197 Visit: gallerynine.co.uk Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5.30pm

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CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION Until Saturday 31 December The Christmas exhibition features highly decorative works of ceramicists Katrin Moye and Derek Wilson. Katrin Moye is a ceramic artist specialising in making tableware using the traditional technique of slip painting on earthenware. Print maker Merlyn Chesterman, who specialises in woodcuts, returns to the gallery, supported by new work by Gail Brodholt.

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

Making Faces: a tribute to Tommy Cooper by Nick Cudworth

NICK CUDWORTH GALLERY London Street, top of Walcot Street, Bath Closed on Mondays Tel: 01225 445221 Visit: nickcudworth.com

Ceramics by Steven Jenkins at Black Swan Arts

BLACK SWAN ARTS 2 Bridge Street, Frome Opening times: 10am – 4pm, Monday – Saturday and Sunday 4 December Admission free Visit: blackswan.org.uk Tel: 01373 473980 30 YEARS 30 ARTISTS Until 24 December This is to be the finale to Black Swan’s 30th anniversary year. The exhibition features past and present studio holders, talented makers from an eclectic mix of disciplines including ceramics, jewellery, painting, pottery and printmaking. As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations the gallery invited submissions from artists who have shown there over the years. These include ceramicist Kate Cooke and Bath artist Edwina Bridgeman.

CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION Throughout December An exhibition of original oil paintings and prints reflecting the artist’s technique of high realism and highlighting his many interests including still life, comedy, music, landscapes and cityscapes. It features a new piece, Making Faces which shows one of his favourite comedians Tommy Cooper who was able to bring the house down with just a change of hat.

KIT GLAISYER Great Pulteney Street studio For an appointment email: kitglaisyer@gmail.com or tel: 07983 465789. To view portfolio visit: kitglaisyer.com BATH RESIDENCY Kit Glaisyer, a widely admired landscape painter, returns to Bath for a year-long residency at his new studio on Great Pulteney Street, where he will be welcoming visitors.

This follows on from his popular Cinematic Landscapes exhibition at the Octagon Gallery in 2013 and continues his revival of the Romantic landscape tradition, taking inspiration from the west country, particularly the Dorset countryside. Kit works on each piece for between six to eight months, combining

Artist Kit Glaisyer traditional and contemporary techniques to create a magnificent series of panoramic landscape paintings.

THE EDGE University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath Open Tuesday to Thursday, 11am – 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 11am – 5pm, closed Sunday, Monday, free admission, tel: 01225 38677 Visit: edgearts.org.uk JERWOOD DRAWING PRIZE Until Saturday 17 December Showing the work of UK-based drawing practitioners, from student to established artists. Some 61 works by 55 artists were selected from 2,537 submissions.

Artwork by Kristian Evju for the Jerwood prize

HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney Street, Bath Tel: 01225 388569 Open: Daily, 10am – 5pm (11am Sundays) SILVER: LIGHT AND SHADE Until 22 January This exhibition brings together historic and contemporary silver masterpieces. It includes a selection of objects on loan from UK museums and private collections displayed alongside highlights from the Holburne. Enjoy some outstanding silver of historic and artistic importance and view these pieces alongside the work of skilled contemporary makers including Hiroshi Suzuki, Malcolm Appleby, Rod Kelly and Adi Toch. Admission to the Holburne is free while to see the exhibition, tickets are £10 / £9, two for £10 on Tuesdays Under 16s free.

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Pergola by Mariusz Kaldowski, W 35.00” x H 35.00” £1500

Mem

ber

The Art Gallery home of ArtGallery.co.uk

Gall ery

Spencer House, 34 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8AQ Tues-Sat. 9.30-5pm. Tel: 01666 505152 help@artgallery.co.uk artgallery.co.uk

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

44AD GALLERY

EMMA ROSE

Abbey Street, Bath Open daily, 10.30am – 7pm

Upstairs at 78 Walcot Street, Bath, Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm Tel: 07885235915 or 01225 424 424.

Visit: emmaroseartworks.com

JACKIE HARDING: RECENT PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS AND WATERCOLOURS Tuesday 29 November – Sunday 4 December Light, space and colour inhabit Jackie Harding’s paintings. They convey through paint the living presence of air and water - or the sky and sea - and are frequently animated with birds, animals or solitary human figures. Exotic flora and intense light enter her compositions of beaches and palms against transparent, jade seas, courtesy of trips to Egypt, Morocco, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Cornwall and other locations. Harding’s artistic bent reaches back to early childhood, when her imagination was inspired by exotic cultures and distant locations.

CITY OF LIGHT During December Original paintings, limited edition giclée and canvas prints by Emma Rose. Land and seascapes, impressionist and semi-abstract artwork reflecting the natural world, ageing beauty and memory.

City of Mellow Fruitfulness by Emma Rose

BATH CONTEMPORARY 35 Gay Street, Bath Email: gallery@bathcontemporary.com Visit: bathcontemporary.com Twitter: @BathContemp Tel: 01225 461230 Open: Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm, WINTER SHOW 2 December – 28 January A selection of affordable work suitable for Christmas gifts, including colourful, cosy scenes from printmaker Frans Wesselman RE and delicate little porcelain bowls with rich glazes from Peter Wills. Also new paintings from Corinna Button, Moira Huntly and Norma Stephenson, as well as miniature etchings by Peter Ford and ceramics from Melissa Kiernan, Albert Montserrat and Mick Morgan, and introducing ceramicist Neill Curran.

Last of Summer by Jo Oakley

View from St Magdalena Rupit by Moira Huntly (detail)

BEAUX ARTS York Street, Bath, Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm Tel: 01225 464850 Visit: beauxartsbath.co.uk NICK MACKMAN Until 23 December The Christmas show features the British Wildlife Artist of the Year Nick Mackman, whose ceramic menagerie, including wild dogs, elephants, bactrian camels, warthogs, will over-run the York Street gallery during the lead-up to Christmas. Mackman is a favourite – her last show at Beaux Arts in 2014 sold out. Also new paintings by Jo Oakley and ceramics by Chris Keenan.

IMAGIANATION GALLERY

Collectable prints by the delightfully named Orson Kartt

ONE TWO FIVE GALLERY 4 Abbey Green, Bath Open: Daily, 11am – 5pm, later while Christmas Market is on. Email: carole@carolewaller.co.uk Tel: 07803 033 629 COMFORT AND JOY Embrace the essence of the festive season with a delightful mix of work by six artists: Kaz Robertson, jewellery; Orson Kartt, prints; Hannah Facey, glass; Annie Beardsley, jewellery; Carole Waller, paintings and painted clothing and Gary Wood ceramics.

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Terrace Walk, Bath Tel: 01225 312996 Visit: imagianation.com Open 10.30am – 5.30pm WINTER WARMERS Throughout December Imagianation warmly welcomes three new artists. Caroline Day’s contemporary flower paintings are highly textured, bold and simply stunning. Tim Carroll’s figurative paintings and unique ceramics are full of richness and imagination. Trevor Lilistone’s porcelain and stoneware ceramics are appealing with their elegance and colour.

New collections by gallery favourites Yvonne Coomber, pictured, Dick Smith and John Horsewell.

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nick cudworth gallery

Nightlights – Limited Edition Prints on Paper and Canvas

Christmas Exhibition 1 – 23 December

A selection of paintings and prints reflecting the artist’s many interests including landscapes, music and portraiture.

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

Merlyn Chesterman wood cut – We swam into the dancing light

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ONE | TO ONE

ON POINT

Former prima ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell talks to Emma Payne about bringing her new dance fitness programme to the south west, behind the scenes on Strictly, and the role that got away . . . expands. Proud to launch the programme, and give it a perfect score à la Strictly, was Redmaids’ School with which Darcey has a special connection. Teacher and dance instructor Dawn Clark, who now runs a Saturday morning ballet club at the school, also studied at the Royal Ballet School, which Darcey joined aged 13. “Our paths obviously crossed constantly even though she was in the year above me,” says Darcey of her former classmate. “And you always admire the kids above you because they’re that one step ahead, and they’re always very supportive.”

❝

It’s for every kid to have a go at, so any ability and any age can have a chance to experience dance

❝

W

e can probably all admit to looking on enviously at the sequin-garbed celebs on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing at one time or another, envisaging a sudden career change and attempting to emulate the tango with all the seductive charm of Bambi. Cue kindly judge Darcey Bussell’s latest venture – dance fitness programme Diverse Dance Mix, which offers an informal way to explore the art form, sans obstructive living room furniture. With classes already established for adults in London, Darcey’s new focus is encouraging a new generation of twinkle toes to get involved.

“Our biggest project, or the thing I’m most devoted to, is the schools,” Darcey enthuses during a chat with us before a visit to Bristol’s Redmaids’ School to deliver a taster session. “It’s for every kid to have a go at, so any ability and any age can have a chance to experience dance.” To ensure accessibility, the choreography is carefully adapted and kept simple so that beginners with absolutely no experience can follow the steps. Sounds like we would just about manage it, then . . .

One of the motivations behind DDMIX is broadening children’s perceptions of dance.

“We try to deliver at least 20 different styles in our dance programme,” says Darcey, and on perusing the impressive line-up we spot everything from waltz to Bollywood, hand jive and Russian dance. “We have a lot of fun with it, but students are actually getting a little flavour and understanding of some big, important national dances, which are still performed around the world.”

DDMIX isn’t just an opportunity for children either, as Darcey’s aim is also to encourage anyone who might be interested to train and become an instructor. “We’re determined to recruit more so that we can feed the programme into as many schools as possible,” she explains, with the hope that DDMIX could eventually run alongside the core PE curriculum. “We’ve devised this so it’s easy to deliver. PE teachers that are interested in music or have rhythm would be able to deliver it themselves as well. So we’re not just isolating it to experts in dance.”

There’s hope for us then, especially with Bristol firmly on the cards as DDMIX

We need a little support simply watching archive footage of Darcey in some of her most memorable roles at The Royal Ballet Company, where she was principal dancer for almost two decades. Be it Giselle, Manon or The Nutcracker, each masterpiece presents different emotional and physical challenges for the soloist – the latter in particular. (Who knew it was possible to stretch a leg that far above one’s own head?)

But as a headstrong principal dancer, Darcey took it all in her stride. “However hard things get, you’re not going to give up all that training!” she laughs. “There were times where you’d get exhausted physically and mentally, but it’s such a fulfilling career because you know you’ve worked for 10 years to get into a job.”

And the dramas in the studio diminish when compared to the sensationalism of ballet’s greatest plots; doomed lovers, murder, vengeance and supernatural disturbances are all tropes of the most popular 19th century works, and all of them conveyed corporeally. “You have to express yourself through your body,” says Darcey, whose lyrical, sensitive style helped her to

stand out as a professional. “If you’re telling a narrative it has to travel across an orchestra pit, right across into the public.

You can appreciate a great physique and a great technique, but if a dancer doesn’t have soul and a passion for it, it doesn’t travel. It’s different with every choreographer or director and how they influence you,” she adds.

“When you’re an experienced principal you always want to make every show your own. You can’t change the steps; it is really just your interpretation of the character. It’s your own personality that will shine through.”

For a soloist, the opportunities to explore every aspect of humanity are limitless, but even in such a varied career as Darcey’s, some stones are destined to be left unturned.

“There are a couple of roles I would’ve loved to have done,” she says, though there’s no sense of regret in her voice. “One that sticks out is a big classic, Don Quixote. It has a big influence from the Latin world and South America. It’s very athletic and you’re a very confident person when you dance it. You have to be very feisty, and when I performed it in the dress rehearsal I injured myself. I always blame myself for getting over excited.

So I suppose that’s the one that got away.”

It’s also testament to those responsible for the set, costumes and lighting that these complex stories continue to appeal to modern audiences. “I just love the visuals, for me it’s like you’re transporting a piece of magic across to the public, without special effects.”

Could one of those creative avenues have offered a potential alternative career, perhaps? “I would’ve loved to be a part of the design team, and I know I would’ve really enjoyed that,” she says. “All those years working in a theatre have really made me interested in design and lighting, and I really appreciate the techniques that you use in a live theatre.”

And yet, somehow we can’t quite imagine Darcey scaling a lighting rig or sitting at a sewing machine – her impact on the world of ballet is such that it’s impossible to think of her in any other role. At 20 years old she was appointed principal at The Royal Ballet, after just a year working with them – most dancers are expected to put in a good three

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ONE | TO ONE

YOUNG JUDGES: it’s a 10 for Darcey’s DDMIX programme from the Redmaids’ students Image © Redmaids’ High/Barbara Evripidou

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having to offer the kind of supportive criticism that Darcey does so well.

“Don’t worry, I’m aware of that!” she laughs, as we point out the disparity between dancing in Swan Lake and doing the jive in penguin costumes. “Being part of Strictly is like being part of another dance company,” she explains, with the same friendly enthusiasm that has made her a firm favourite on the judging panel.

“I feel that everything I missed about being in The Royal Ballet I get an element of with the show. It’s another live performance and everybody is working for the same goal, which is lovely, but it’s on a very different level because I’m not the dancer any more.”

❝

Being part of Strictly is like being part of another dance company

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years before such a promotion – and enjoyed a glittering career which only ended in 2007.

“When you have immersed yourself from a very young age – and I feel incredibly blessed that I fell into something I enjoyed so much – it’s hard to think of what else I might have done,” she says. But when asked if she would ever return to the stage, the answer is clear: “Fortunately there are a lot of younger, much fitter people than me so I’ll leave it to them.”

Indeed, despite its deceptive effortlessness on stage, the physical toll of 30 years in ballet cannot be underestimated – frankly, we remember taking one adult beginner’s class once, and that, alone, introduced us to muscles we didn’t realise we had. But when your career requires you to push your body to its limits, injury is all part of the job.

“Those were the times I learnt the most about myself – my weaknesses, my strengths, and what I was capable of achieving,” says Darcey. “I used it as a path to getting stronger, to being a better person in the end, instead of using it as a negative or as an excuse. It’s all part of the journey.”

The secret to Darcey’s positive outlook?

Music.

“I turn on the radio as soon as I walk into the kitchen in the morning because the sound of the music just lifts you,” she says.

For a moment we entertain the idea of the greatest English ballet dancer in a generation thoroughly enjoying a bit of Justin Bieber while rustling up breakfast.

But the thought suddenly pales in comparison with the prospect of watching the likes of Ainsley Harriot salsa to the sound of Don’t Touch Me Tomatoes – surely one of the highlights of Strictly 2015 – and

POPULAR: Darcey Bussell has won a new generation of admirers for her stylish appearance and dance advice as one of the judges on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing

Although Strictly has brought Darcey to a whole new audience, it is but one branch of a busy post-ballerina career. Since her final performance – Kenneth MacMillan’s Song of the Earth in 2007 – Darcey’s successes have included children’s book series Magic Ballerina, a visual autobiography, and taking the position of president of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2012.

With such a wealth of accomplishments it’s hard to imagine keeping the balance

between family and work – Darcey has two daughters with Australian businessman husband Angus Forbes. “Not many dancers would juggle having two children and keeping a career going.” But Darcey has characteristically harnessed the challenges and found inspiration through her daughters. “My kids assisted my career – I know that sounds really strange, to have kids as part of your learning, but what you put into art is about life.”

Certainly this ethos is mirrored in the spirit of DDMIX, which focuses on the fun of dance and improving fitness and wellbeing rather than becoming a slave to the gym. And it’s definitely something we can get on board with – the latter establishment having been largely absent from our lives since the days of feigning illness during games at school.

“I just think, why can’t kids in schools – instead of only being delivered team sports – have access to dance and have a chance to have fun with it?” Darcey says.

And I have to say, if the option had been there when I was at school I would have waved farewell to the drudgery of netball and hockey in the rain without a moment’s notice. n Darcey is looking for dance teachers, fitness instructors and ex-dancers to become accredited DDMIX instructors in the Bristol area. Primary and secondary schools can also introduce DDMIX into their PE curriculum, with schemes of work existing for KS1, 2 and 3. DDMIX can either teach current staff members or offer their own instructors. For more information, visit: diversedancemix.com.

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CREATIVE GIVING: clockwise from top left; handsome ceramic tea and rice bowls at the Museum of East Asian Art; Christmas card of the Holburne by artist Andrew Peacock; Bath Spa skincare range at No1 Royal Crescent; unique tote bags at The Fashion Museum; Regency Christmas decs at the Tourist Information Centre; original art

by Agnes Pollock at Verve, London Road; Christmas cards by Bath designer Laura Fearn at the Tourist Information Centre; gifts in the shop at Haynes International Motor Museum; original silver decorative pieces in the Silver shop at the Holburne Museum and bright fabric brooches by Kaffe Fassett at The American Museum;

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CHRISTMAS | SHOPPING

ARTFULLY YOURS

It’s worth scouring the city’s museum shops and galleries for original and beautiful presents

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t all started with the Victoria and Albert Museum, which opened a gift shop filled with objects as covetable as the museum’s treasures themselves. No longer were visitors limited to buying a pencil in the gift shop as their eyes feasted on beautiful and unique pieces, many of them unavailable anywhere else. Here in Bath we’re pretty spoiled for choice for gift shopping in the city’s museum shops and galleries. Have a browse and you’ll find some really original gifts at all price points.

You may even be tempted to buy a museum admission ticket while you’re there, as several of the venues (particularly No 1 Royal Crescent and the American Museum at Claverton) will be decked out with a festive theme in the run-up to Christmas.

pieces for all tastes. Throughout the Bath Christmas Market there’s the chance to meet the artists, who will be in the gallery: Rod Craig on Sunday 4 December, Jon Tremaine, on Saturday 10 December and Caroline Day on Sunday 11 December.

THE MUSEUM OF EAST ASIAN ART This stylish little museum shop on Bennett Street is always worth a visit at Christmas time for its range of beautiful and unusual items. This year the shop adopts an east meets west theme. We were particularly struck by its series of delicate ceramic bowls. Whether you’re serving dishes of spicy noodles, steaming miso soup or simply a bowl of homely cereal, these would make a nice gift. The shop also sells authentic organic Japanese incense scented with jasmine, apple or green bamboo and a range of tea sets accompanied by East Asian tea. If you call in on a Saturday during December there will be free tea tasting.

THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM To coincide with the exhibition Silver: Light and Shade, the museum has set up its own silver shop selling unique pieces which incorporate the precious metal. There are delicate little bowls, architectural candleholders and, naturally, jewellery with work by both national and local makers, including Bath jewellers Gill Silversides and Tina Engell. In the gift shop there’s also a range of distinctive blue and white ceramics by Bath ceramicist Janine Roper, some of which are inspired by Sydney Gardens behind the museum.

Also eye-catching are the hand-dyed silk scarves in muted natural hues by Bath Spa University student Ali Brown and Christmas cards by artist Andrew Peacock. Proceeds from the sale of cards will be donated to the Gardener’s Lodge art group which supports people with experience of homelessness and mental health issues. The museum is open daily.

THE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE This is a good place to find books by local authors and locally produced items which celebrate the city of Bath. There is art work from designer makers including Alice Tait and Sally Harker, and local artists Richard Briggs and Robert Kann of Pitch 26, plus a range of local beers from Electric Bear and Bath Ales, alongside the ever popular Bath Gin. Bath designer Laura Fearn has a sparkling range of colourful Christmas cards featuring seasonal scenes from Bath – a nice choice to send to family and friends (also available from her website: laurafearn.co.uk). Over the Christmas Market period the gift shop at the Visitor Information Centre is open from 9.30am – 7pm Mon – Thurs, 9.30am – 8pm Fridays and Saturdays & 10am – 6pm on Sundays.

VERVE LIVING This is fast becoming the go-to place for original work by emerging makers, designers and artists.

Owners Michelle Roberts and Jacqui Edminston have filled the London Road showroom with all manner of collectable objects and art. There are bold abstracts by Andrea Wright and oil paintings of ceramics by Dutch artist Agnes Pollock, who lives near Bath (if you’re looking for an original painting for someone who likes

BATH ABBEY SHOP WHISKERED GENTLEMAN: Oswald the fox, giclee print by Ben Rothery, available at Imagianation gallery, Bog Island interiors, Agnes’ calm pieces start from £85 unframed). Gifts include scented lavender bags made from offcuts by Bath based designer Laura Rushford of Lux and Bloom, whose cushions would brighten any sofa and pleasingly tactile small handmade leather coin pouches by Glenn Mason of the Leather Brick Company.

THE FASHION MUSEUM This is a good source of stylish presents for the fashionista in your life. She, or he, will appreciate where you shopped as they unwrap a vibrant printed silk scarf by One Hundred Scarves, or a Mr Darcy necklace designed by Bath brand Glamorous Glue. The tote bags, featuring bewigged characters and quotes about the etiquette of the Georgian ballroom, are nicely quirky and unique. There’s also a good selection of books about various aspects of fashion and design, which will be sure to impress.

Right on our doorsteps and open to non-paying visitors, this small but well stocked shop supports the historic abbey through its merchandise. Traditional Christmas gifts include Nativity scenes, stick-on stained glass transfers and some sumptuous Tudor-like plump velvet, beaded crosses which would look equally good hanging on the tree or as part of some deliciously decadent New Year’s Eve costume.

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM If you’ve someone in your life who gets excited about getting their hands on some fat quarters, a trip to the Claverton museum’s shops (plural) is worth heading up the hill for. The shops are filled with unusual and useful items, ranging from a simple Shaker style box to the peacockbright colours of the designer Kaffe Fassett collection. There are also lots of delightful items that children will enjoy finding in their Christmas stockings. The museum is open from noon, daily apart from Mondays, until Sunday 18 December. You can grab lunch or afternoon tea and cake while you’re up there.

NO 1 ROYAL CRESCENT A large sign outside the museum reassures you that you don’t need to buy an entrance ticket to visit No1’s packed gift and souvenir shop. It’s actually full of covetable bits and pieces, including some glamorous be-jewelled Regency inspired costume jewellery. There’s a good range of natural, nicely packaged Bath Spa skincare too, which we’re told numbers Mary Berry among its fans. Be quick though, the museum closes for Christmas on Sunday 11 December.

IMAGIANATION The gallery on Bog Island has an eclectic mix of gifts and artworks including signed prints, handmade jewellery and raku ceramics. Pick up some original art by south west artists John Horsewell, Yvonne Coomber and Shane Feeney.

From Jon Tremaine’s intricate wildlife drawings to Trevor Lillistone’s ceramics, there are original

FURTHER AFIELD . . .

HAYNES INTERNATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM With the largest collection of cars and motorcycles in the UK – almost 400 – you can combine a day out with some Christmas shopping at the museum in Sparkford in Somerset. Petrolheads who get excited about Cadillacs, Ferraris, Jaguars or Aston Martins, will be in motoring heaven and their partners get the chance to pop more transports of delight into their Christmas stocking as they scour the contents of the museum gift shop. For children Haynes has laid on a fun quiz trail, tracking down all of Santa’s Elves through the galleries.

Visit: himm.co.uk for more information. Find the museum at Sparkford in Somerset BA22 7LH. n

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FOOD | NEWS

TITBITS

■ Moe Rahman, general manager of The Mint Room in Bath, and his team, have been supporting local charities, raising more than £7,000 by hosting events organised by Julian House, The Rotary Club of Bath, and the NSPCC, and supplying award-winning food at fundraising evenings for the charities. “It’s all about supporting the Bath community, and giving a little bit back,” said Moe. “It's important that we support each other.” The Mint Room was also first on the scene to help earlier this year when many households were evacuated due to the discovery of a Second World War bomb in Lansdown, ferrying carfuls of curry, rice and naan to residents and firecrews at the Bath racecourse and the Guildhall.

■ Join in with a wreath making workshop on Wednesday 14 December at popular farm food shop Newton Farm Foods in Newton St Loe, led by Sarah Wilson of Compton Flowers.

The day runs from 10am and includes lunch, refreshments, materials and expert tuition.

Places are £39.50 and need to be booked in advance – tel: 01225 873707 or email roz.golding@newtonfarmfoods.co.uk. The farm shop is also hosting a free carols and crafts day on Sunday 11 December, from noon. Browse around craft stalls with a glass of something warming and a festive nibble.

Chuffy the train will be taking families for a fun train ride around the village. At 2pm the carol sheets come out for a sing-a-long.

■ Bath College students got the chance to work with some of Bath’s best chefs for a charity lunch, raising £1,000 for Hospitality Action. Organised by the Chefs’ Forum, chefs included David Campbell, executive head chef at The Royal Crescent Hotel, head chef Daniel Moon from The Gainsborough Hotel, and Michael Topp and Martin Black from The Manor House Hotel. Lucknam Park chefs Elly Wentworth (who recently starred on BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals) and Dean Westcar also took part. Some 80 guests attended the event at the Bath College Shrubbery Restaurant.

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STUDENTS TACKLE FOOD POVERTY

A new social action project has been launched

by University of Bath students to help feed those in need across the city and to save food waste. Food Drop is a voluntary couriering service that delivers the surplus food from Pret a Manger in SouthGate to three local charities.

The charities support young people with drug and alcohol misuse problems and families experiencing domestic violence.

Food Drop also organises smaller projects, including a recent large food drive for Bath Food Bank at the University of Bath where students were encouraged to donate foodstuffs.

Project founder Miranda Emma Khamis, a psychology student, said: “I came up with the idea for Food Drop after spending a lot of my time in cafés revising and I soon noticed how much food was wasted.

“It shocked me when I found out that over seven million tonnes of food is wasted globally, yet one in seven people have experienced food poverty. I wanted to do something on a local

FOOD DROP: students launch Food Drop to distribute food to those in need in Bath level, and help those who maybe in need of food in our local community.”

To find out more, visit: fooddrop.co.uk or email: info@fooddrop.co.uk.

CAKE COMPANY WINS FIVE AWARDS

Bath Cake Company won five awards at Cake International at the NEC in November.

Four members of the team entered their creations into various categories of cake decoration, picking up four bronze awards and one silver.

Managing director Celia Adams said: “The show is a brilliant testament to the talent of sugar artists in the UK and across the world.”

The company also offered its students from its decorating school to display their cakes as part of a student table at the event. Their chosen theme was Remembrance Sunday, and students created pieces that showcased the skills they had honed during their classes. Celia said: “Each student worked really hard to create a piece that not only showcased their talents, but paid tribute to Remembrance Sunday. Well done to everyone involved.”

Visit: bathcakecompany.co.uk.

RESTAURANT FOOD IN YOUR HOME

After ten successful years running French restaurant Casanis on Saville Row, to local and national acclaim, chef Laurent Couvreur and his wife Jill passed the baton to a new young chef and took a few months off travelling through Europe.

Now back in Bath, the couple have started a new personal chef business called Le Chef Privé, bringing awardwinning restaurant quality food to the comfort of people’s own home or to their holiday or rented home.

For a special lunch or dinner Laurent will take all the stress out of your party and cook a specially designed menu to impress and excite your guests.

Laurent’s style of cooking from the south of France with a twist will bring incredible flavour to your plate and a ray of sunshine to your home. For more information contact: info@lechefprive.co.uk or visit: GREAT REPUTATION: experienced chef Laurent Couvreur is now offering his lechefprive.co.uk. expertise serving private dinner parties as Le Chef Privé

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RESTAURANT | REVIEW

THE CLIFTON SAUSAGE 5 Bladud Buildings, The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LS Tel: 01225 433633; web:cliftonsausage.co.uk, twitter: @cliftonsausage

R E V I EW

COME IN FROM THE COLD

W

hen lunch has been what is these days termed, aldesko, ie a Tupperware box of watercress, pea shoots and tinned tuna eaten while you work, with little joy and barely touching the sides, you find yourself looking forward to something hearty for dinner. And on a dark winter’s evening, with the rain bouncing off the pavements, and soaking the parts of your body between umbrella and boots, what you really, really want is to come in from the cold and tuck into some good, old-fashioned, unpretentious comfort food.

The Clifton Sausage restaurant, in one of Bristol’s most desirable districts, has been dishing up its unfailingly classic bangers and mash to its legions of loyal followers for over a decade. Then, just a few weeks ago, when fellow Bristol business The Cowshed, quit its Bath city centre restaurant premises, The Clifton Sausage owners Simon and Joy Quarrie saw this as their chance to take the brand out to a second city and moved into the beautifully refurbished and extended premises in The Paragon. If you go in daylight, do take a look at the view they’ve opened up at the back of the building of the green hills on the other side of the River Avon. Luckily for fans of The Cowshed most of the staff, including the chefs and the front-of-house team have stayed on.

They are also continuing the tradition of excellent (and popular) Sunday roasts, of two courses for £18. You might want to book though.

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ingredients which are all carefully sourced.

With bangers as big as a Bonfire Night firework and properly meaty, tender and tasty, even the most cynical diner will be won over, as we were.

There’s a shortish menu, best described as modern British. Starters include Cornish mussels with smoked bacon and cider, or there’s the grazing platter of mixed charcuterie and salad for two. I sampled the Cornish squid, cooked with salt and chilli and well matched with cubes of tasty chorizo, while John thawed out from the cold (the restaurant is lovely and warm) with a large bowl of soup of the day, which happened to be white onion, served with fresh bread. At £6 this would make a sustaining lunch in itself.

There is a wide range of sausages to choose from, including lamb, mint and apricot, beef and Butcombe ale and the seasonal reindeer and cranberry (just don’t tell Father Christmas).

John opted for classic Gloucester Old Spot while I decided to try pork with award-winning Bath Soft Blue cheese. We could have chosen the toad in the hole option, which a couple at a neighbouring table were tucking into with enthusiastic gusto, but instead went for champ, which is mashed potato studded with chopped chives. And although our large bowls of steamingly hot food came with a generous serving of onion gravy, you could really taste that this was made from actual potatoes, properly mashed. A really filling sausage main course is £10.45.

If you can’t decide which sausage to go for there’s a tasting plate with beef, pork and lamb, plus the choice of a rolling mash of the day, which when we visited was black pudding.

To help our five-a-day, we shared a large

bowl of cauliflower cheese (£4), easily big enough for three as a side dish. This was perfectly cooked with none of that wateriness you sometimes get with restaurant cauli. I’m still not sure if fermented grape juice counts as part of your five-a-day, but we decided that to be on the safe side we’d have a rich and fruity bottle of Chilean organic Cabernet Sauvignon (£23), a wine which proved plenty robust enough to stand up to the big, meaty flavour of the sausages. There’s a choice of mustards too, just so you know they’re catering for all home comforts.

If you’re vegetarian, or dining with vegetarians, worry not. There are special meatfree sausages, served with shallot gravy, or a pumpkin, spinach and goats cheese pie. Or you might have a friend who eschews the sausage, in which case they can pick the fish dish of the day or tear into an old school steak and chips.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, the service efficient and despite serving what might be considered traditional fare, the overall vibe is contemporary.

To stave off heading back into that dark, coalblack night, we ordered one pudding and two spoons. Sheer greed, but that almond cheesecake with a poached pear and amaretto ice cream was damn good.

So I’m back at my keyboard, with my dutiful mixed salad box ahead of me for lunch, thinking wistfully about that big, comforting bowl of sausage and mash.

The Clifton Sausage is a welcome addition to the Bath foodie scene. I just wonder whether, given its address and its pride in serving the best of British, it shouldn’t rename itself The Paragon Sausage. n

GMc

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FOOD AND | DRINK

Gift Ideas THE FOODIE Chandos Deli has a delightful hamper box deal. Select your favourite deli products and have them all wrapped up in a hamper box and ribbon for an extra £4, or spend over £30 and the box is free. Chandos Deli, 12 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EH. Tel: 01225 314418 or visit: chandosdeli.com

Artisan cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield’s Bath shop is the ultimate destination for cheese lovers. There is a superb range of gift items and luxurious cheese hampers on offer over Christmas. Paxton & Whitfield, 1 John Street, Bath, BA1 2JL. Tel: 01225 466403 or visit: paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

Crystal Head Vodka, £42.50 70cl, Great Western Wine, Wells Road, Bath, BA2 3AP. Tel: 01225 322810 or visit: greatwesternwine.co.uk

Create your own Taste of Bath hamper of the best artisan produce from within 10 miles of Bath or select a ready-made hamper. Prices for ready-made hampers start from £80. Taste of Bath, tel: 01225 683 021 or visit: taste-of.co.uk

Gift sets of single cold pressed extra virgin rapeseed oil and vinegars, Fussels Fine Foods, from £12. Visit: fusselsfinefoods.co.uk or visit the Fussels stall at the Bath Christmas Market

The All I Want for Christmas Hamper – includes penguin snowed under slab, Champagne truffles, salted caramel snowflakes and a classic Christmas H-Box, £35, Hotel Chocolat, Southgate, Bath, BA1 1AQ. Tel: 01225 448665 and visit: hotelchocolat.com/uk

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THE

Indian Dining

✶ Christmas Menu 2016 ✶ • Indian Street Food-style canapés on arrival

To Begin

Choose from

Trio of Turkey Tikka Somerset Turkey tikka served three ways, with fresh mango and avocado salad.

Kashmiri Lamb Chops Baby Wiltshire lamb chops marinated in a traditional Kashmiri spiced marinade, grilled in the charcoal tandoor and served with red onion salsa and mint chutney.

Spiced Scottish salmon.

Grilled salmon fillet, marinated with mustard, saffron and caraway seeds, served with onion and tomato chutney.

Harabhara Kebab (V) A vegetarian kebab, cooked on the plancha, made from potato, home-prepared Paneer, spinach and peas, served with mint chutney and tomato chutney.

To follow Choose from Turkey La Zawab The Mint Room's spiced roast Somerset turkey, made to our chef's special recipe, served on a bed of mixed peppers and onion in a creamy sauce ( spicing is mild to medium, according to guests' tastes) Rogan Ponje A northern Indian dish of tender Wiltshire lamb shanks, simmered in a rich tomato and onion sauce,served with chargrilled, masala- spiced purple sprouting broccoli.

Chennai Halibut Pan-fried halibut, cooked in a southern Indian style, with coconut milk, mustard seeds and red chillies and grilled cherry tomatoes A choice of naan breads and saffron rice will be served with each main course

Desserts Choose from Traditional Indian caramelised Rice Pudding with a saffron-infused cream sauce Christmas pudding served with cinnamon custard Chocolate Goulab Jamum with vanilla ice cream

✶

£30 for 2 courses

£35 for 3 courses ✶

Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road Bath BA2 3EB

Tel: 01225 446656 www.themintroom.co.uk info@themintroom.co.uk

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‘I WAS INSPIRED BY MY MUM’

Melissa Blease goes behind the meat-free menu at Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School with Lydia Downey

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s Bath’s own green goddess Rachel Demuth recalled on the 25th anniversary of her eponymous, legendary restaurant in 2012: “When I first opened the doors to my bistro in 1987, vegetarians were thought of as weird, brown-sandalled hippies who ate weird, brown, stodgy food.”

Ah yes; many of us remember the lacklustre vegetarian reputation. But Rachel knew that a vast proportion of thoughtfully imaginative foodies were being misrepresented. Back then in the late 80s, only 2% of the UK population defined themselves as being vegetarian, there was a burgeoning interest developing in meat-free menus – and, of the many Bath restaurant institutions, it was Demuths that evolved with the times. It offered its diners a banquet of international inspiration and vibrant, sensual flavours alongside fresh takes on traditional British fare – sans the roast beef, of course. But Rachel's passions and focus evolved too. In 2013, she sold her ground-breaking restaurant to her former head chef Richard Buckley (who continues to fly the flag for modern meat-free food at Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen), leaving Rachel free to concentrate on her cookery school, food writing and related projects.

Today, Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School – based in a light, airy former Georgian townhouse on Terrace Walk – offers a curriculum as lively and inspirational as the surroundings, with around 10-18 full, half-day, five-day and evening courses on the curriculum alongside diploma courses and cookery school holidays. Rachel is supported by a team of experienced tutors who specialise in different styles of cuisine headed by lead chef Lydia Downey, who has been at the school for three years having spent the previous quarter of a century honing her skills in cafés, a delicatessen and several bakeries.

Lydia says: “Growing up vegetarian meant tucking into endless nut roasts which, though tasty, weren’t particularly exciting. But engaging with my own heritage as my career developed has changed all that. I’m half-Chinese, so I specialise in Chinese cooking and baking, and I love to cook the food I grew up eating – I like to think I’ve inherited my mum’s skills.”

Growing up in Leicester has had an impact on Lydia’s larder too. “After Chinese food, my favourite food is definitely Indian. Where I grew up, I was lucky to have access to the most fantastic authentic ingredients, and I still 78 TheBATHMagazine

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probably make a curry at home at least once a week. But if I had to choose a personal signature dish, I guess it’d have to be tofu with peppers and black bean sauce. It’s wallet-friendly, incredibly simple to make and just so, so delicious, whether you’re vegetarian or not”.

Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian – these days, personal dietary definitions are a moveable feast without regimented diktat. The Meat Free Mondays campaign is trending at a pace, while a recent survey conducted by market research experts Mintel estimated that while 12% of us eschew meat and fish altogether, thousands more identify themselves as flexitarian, which means substantially cutting back on the amount of meat they eat.

What does Lydia think has been the main motivation behind the increase of people avoiding meat and animal byproducts? “Largely thanks to the internet, TV, press and media we’re all more aware of how mass food production works, and affects our health and the environment,” she says.

“As a result, the majority of people coming to the cookery school now are

meat eaters who want to reduce the amount of meat they consume while increasing their intake of vegetables and pulses. But we’ve also seen a huge rise in demand for vegan classes as more and more people are choosing to give up not only meat but also dairy products, for health and ethical reasons.”

In keeping with current inclinations, Lydia opts to buy local, organic and seasonal produce wherever possible, and takes issue with supermarkets for offering largely only perfect, unblemished and evenly sized fruit and vegetables. “On a recent holiday in Italy, I found it really refreshing to see that all the produce in the shops is locally grown and shoppers aren’t bothered by so-called imperfect or ugly fruit and vegetables – only buying fresh food that looks right is such a ridiculous notion, and a trend that we can all do without.”

But while faddish behaviour may annoy her, Lydia makes no bones about being addicted to Instagram in order to keep up with what other cooks, chefs, food stylists and food writers are inspired by.

“I’m also a very grounded, realistic cook, though, so I do find some food

FRESH FLAVOURS: this page, Lydia cooking with her mother Opposite page, colourful party food, Indian spiced rostis topped with green and tomato chutney (for recipe see Demuths’ website) and, right, comforting noodles studded with red pepper, broccoli, mangetout and beansprouts

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fashions a bit ridiculous, and sometimes even worrying – the whole clean eating buzz is just not my thing at all. But I love to see food being developed in a clever, creative way – aquafaba (bean water used in vegan baking), for example, has been revolutionary for me, and very exciting.”

Ah, exciting: it’s a word that was rarelyused about vegetarian food. But at this time of the year, when so much talk revolves around gobbling up turkey and so many menus are dominated by meaty treats, can Lydia offer us a little bit of face-free razzle dazzle?

“Vegetable side dishes have always excited me. It’s hard to beat a plate of colourful, wellcooked seasonal vegetables – simple as that,” says Lydia. “But for a special vegetarian centrepiece for a celebratory dinner, I like to make a filo pie stuffed with a mix of vegetables

combined with chickpeas or lentils and bulgar. I use vegetables that won’t clash with the traditional Christmas dishes such as roast potatoes; spiced, glazed carrots; honey roasted parsnips etc, so a Mediterranean theme of peppers, aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes always works well. You’ve got lots of flavours going on, but it’s simple and easy to prepare in advance.”

Lydia is keen to solve our Christmas gifting conundrums as well as our festive menus, by suggesting a cookery school voucher as a present.

She says: “There are so many cookery programmes on TV lately where everything that's shown is perfect, but it’s usually all cooked by skilled chefs, which may be thoroughly tantalising, but where do we actually learn how to do it ourselves? We teach

home cooks everything from basic skills upwards in a range of themes and cuisine styles, from simple courses such as Fast and Delicious to special interest courses, in a very hands-on environment.

“We aim to encourage everybody, whether beginners or veterans, to gain confidence in their cooking and use a greater range of ingredients. I like to help people to be brave and more creative with flavours, and I particularly love it when someone comes up to me at the end of a class to say how inspired they are as a result of attending the class.”

New year, new you. Maybe it’s time for a few less beefy menus at home? In 2017, I’m going back to school with Lydia. n Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School, 6 Terrace Walk, Bath BA1 1LN. Tel: 01225 427938; web: demuths.co.uk.

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GET FRESH ON SATURDAYS Melissa Blease meets some of the food hero traders at Bath Farmers’ Market who’ll be supplying us with fresh produce for our Christmas tables

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ye Valley, Winchester, Stroud and London’s Borough Market – certain farmers’ markets have earned near-legendary status in foodie circles.

But the original – and, many would argue, the best – is here in Bath under the glass roof of Green Park Station.

Bath Farmers Market was formally established at Green Park Station in 1997, making it one of the longestrunning farmers’ market in the UK – one of many reasons we’ve chosen its traders and producers as our Christmas Food Heroes.

Bath Farmers’ Market, part of the Ethical Property Company portfolio, sees more than 2,000 people pass through at peak times, browsing, tasting and, of course, shopping from a wide selection of traders, most of who are based within a 40-mile radius of Bath.

There’s a wide range of vegetables, meat, fish and bread; cheese, pate, wine, beers, eggs, pies and, on my most recent visit, fresh oysters, offering a selection of largely organic, seasonal produce every Saturday morning. There’s a buzz and a friendly atmosphere far removed from the bland, vacuum-packed experience offered by your average supermarket.

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the very beginning, namely Keith Goverd (who specialises in apple juice), Phil Collins (a vegetable grower from Bromham, not the rock star drummer) and Chris Rich (a market gardener from Batheaston). Alongside them, many of our stallholders have been with us for several years – we’re quite a close-knit family these days.

“When the market was originally established we traded once or twice a month, but due to customer demand we made a huge commitment to trade once a week. We’ve worked hard to maintain our founding principles including sustainable, ongoing development, and encouraging and promoting small local businesses. Our traders have longstanding relationships with their customers, who have become friends to catch up with on a Saturday – we know their names, and even their dogs’ names.

“We understand what they want and, even more importantly, enjoy the benefits of listening to them. I’ll often hear Phil Collins telling his customers that the carrots they’re buying were pulled late on Friday afternoon. And those carrots won’t be packed in a chilled container or wrapped in polythene; they’re just fresh, and local, like real food should be. They may not be all the same size and they sometimes still have a bit of soil clinging to them, but my goodness, they’ll be delicious.”

But as popular as the market is, maintaining the initiative as a local commercial and social gathering place doesn’t come without challenges, including attracting new local traders who comply with the market’s standards and keeping ahead of corporate changes in and around Green Park Station.

Today, Green Park Station hosts a variety of markets. There’s Bath Artisan Market on selected dates throughout the year and the Vintage and Antiques Market on the first and last Sunday of every month. The Green Park Brasserie has recently introduced the Bath Pizza Co, which offers pizzas made with produce sourced from neighbours (such as the three-cheese pizza topped with cheeses from Homewood Artisan Cheese), creating a unique collaboration between local businesses.

Meanwhile, a smart row of cabins now lines the main corridor stretch of the former station itself, providing a permanent home for vendors such as Tunley Farm Butchers and Smokehouse, the Chilli Hut, Eberico, the Thai Hut, Wolf Wines and Manna from Avon. The latter offers a tantalisingly array of Malaysian and Balinese exotic treats made on site every day from locally sourced ingredients, dished up at bargain prices. “The location, the diversity of the customers and the camaraderie among traders – that’s what

NEVER GO HUNGRY: main picture, freshly made dough at the Bath Pizza Co means shoppers can take a break while stocking up. Pictures courtesy of the Bath Pizza Co and Mike McNally TIME TO BROWSE: Opposite page, left to right, fresh peppers and tomatoes from the Isle of Wight, centre hot spicy sauces, and, right, shoppers look and taste before they buy at the Bath Farmers’ Market

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makes the market such a very special place,” says Timothy Douglas, who runs Manna from Avon with his partner Stephanie Body. And Timothy’s neighbour Samuel Shaw of Wolf Wines agrees: “It’s fast becoming an upcoming street food destination, in a similar fashion to Borough Market. I enquired about a Saturday stall, but it turns out I approached at the perfect time, just as the cabins were being built. ” Regular shoppers, too, have much to say about why they continue to choose the market over the convenience of a nearby supermarket.

“By controlling prices and driving independent traders out of the high street, the supermarkets think they have the biggest influence on the way most of us tend to shop

today,” says shopper Emily Foster, who I started chatting to in the Lovett Pie stall queue.

“But the way I see it, we’re going back to basics again – even celebrity chefs are keen to promote themselves as champions of farmers’ markets.

While lots of people think they’re getting bargains in the big shops, I know that I can buy fresh vegetables, fresh bread and fantastic meat and fish here for a fraction of the price I’d pay if I only ever shopped in the supermarket.”

Taking inspiration from Emily, I did a bit of checking; and as far as quality and freshness goes, I know where I’ll be stocking up on my festive feast ingredients and it won’t involve having to faff about for a pound coin for a trolley. And even though many supermarkets

are keen to promote ethically sourced meat or vegetables from local suppliers, or even offer you tasters proffered by folk wearing brightly coloured aprons and cotton caps, they’re never going to be able to replicate the shopping experience of a farmers’ market.

Supporting sustainable development and environmentally-friendly practises may well be today’s hot potato dinner party topics, but such policies were at the heart of Bath Farmers’ Market’s aims almost two decades ago, proving that the heritage city’s foodie heaven leads where green pretenders can only claim to follow. Why not join the Green Park party, and discover a shopping experience worthy of celebration. n

THE US DELICIO GUIDE LOOKING FOR SOME FESTIVE RESTAURANT INSPIRATION? The Delicious Guide to Bath 2016 featuring all our favourite eateries is available online at our website thebathmag.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic picks those all-important wines to enjoy at Christmas

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o here we are again – the Christmas wine column; the time of year when my phone gets overloaded with texts from friends wanting advice for their festive vinous purchases. I’ve always thought that everyone gets a bit too serious about wine for Christmas. Of course everyone wants to impress guests, be it family or friends, but wine is the support act here, not the star. Having said that, the wine choices need to enhance the experience of the feast, mingle in a companiable way with the riot of flavours and be worthy of conversation and compliments.

Chablis, Bordeaux and port are all Christmas classics, but I always choose wines with a bit more spice and richness to complement the main event.

If your Christmas bibulous traditions begin at breakfast time, kick-start the day with a bucks fizz, using not Champagne, but a light, refreshing sparkling wine, such as Chiarli Cleto Pignoletto brut NV (Great Western Wine £11.95) – don’t waste great Champagne by adulterating it with orange juice. Also a great little sparkler for Christmas Eve drinks.

After presents and when the bird is in the oven, it’s time to relax momentarily and Champagne is the order of the day. Bath is a city which fiercely supports independents; it’s no different with Champagne. I love endorsing small family growers, who make the bold step, not to sell their grapes to the big branded houses, but go it alone and produce their own fizz. Champagne Gobillard Premier Cru Grande Reserve (GWW down to £21.50 until end December) is a perfect example of this, and stole the show at a recent sparkling wine masterclass that I hosted. This is truly superb stuff. Fine mousse, creamy, toasty, seductive and mellow, yet with a refreshing citrus top note. It has elegance and style in spades, and is a steal at the Christmas price.

You don’t want to overcomplicate things on Christmas Day, so for white wine pick one which will be equally at home with a seafood starter, and proves perfect as the white for the turkey or goose. If you like vibrant, fruity whites this is the one for you, and proved popular at the recent Great Western Wine annual portfolio tasting; Yealands Estate Pinot Gris 2015 (GWW £12.95) – packed with heady scents of peach and melon, ginger, wild herbs and honeysuckle. It’s fruity but dry, and as perfect as any wine to cope with the richness of the stuffings.

Moving onto reds, and I want to ring the changes again.

Rioja, Chianti, Rhone blends are all great matches, but I’m choosing to tempt you to the seductive richness and spice of Argentina but not Malbec. Argentina’s most planted red grape is Bonarda, but it hasn’t risen to the giddy heights of Malbec in terms of recognition. It’s always been a favourite of mine, and I think this one would be a perfect foil for the feast. Bonarda 1883 Estacion 2013 (GWW £11.95) oozes a velvety-soft, seductive charm, and guaranteed to bring a smile to every face. Stuffed with rich, soft blackberry, with wafts of violet aromas, hints of bitter chocolate and a smooth yet spicy finish. It is also tremendous value, and a great all rounder, tripling up nicely for Christmas Eve drinks and Boxing Day lunch.

And so to pudding, to mince pies, to cream and brandy butter, followed by cheese. What to serve with this surfeit of gluttonous marvellousness? A sensuous and stylish amber dessert wine from Italy. Bertani Recioto Valpolicella 2012 50cl (£23) is made from red grapes, which have been dried and are full of rich, concentrated flavours. Swirl the glass to get a mix of cinnamon spice, dried figs, chocolate and candied peel. It has a sumptuous, silky headiness, full of indulgent, festive flavour, yet with a citrus fresh kick on the finish.

Happy Christmas to you and yours. n

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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

Paul Crossley Mayor of Bath

I

was born in Gosport to a naval family. We moved regularly including spending time in Cornwall and Malta – which were wonderful times for me and my two brothers. In the early 70s I studied computing at Brighton when computers were as big as buildings. This is where I met Maggie. We married in 1975 and have three adult children.

Since graduating I had a 28 year career in computing and IT, working on very large and highly pressured industrial projects in south and west England and managing staff across Europe, India and America. I also had two contracts over six years in Zambia and Liberia. While in Zambia we regularly travelled with friends in our Landrover, camping in the bush and seeing the most amazing variety of bird and animal life. In Liberia I organised a qualified blacksmith to come out from England to teach these skills to the local workers, ensuring long-term employment in the Horse Club.

We returned to England in 1984 and needed a base for contracting and to be close to family in Wiltshire. I discovered Bath, lost my ‘itchy feet’ and have lived here since then.

Since my early teenage years I have been politically active, driven by three main principles: developing liberal society; preserving and improving our environment and advocating social justice. I am internationalist and remain a keen supporter of the European project.

I was elected councillor for Southdown in 1988 and have represented Southdown since then (apart from 1996 to 1999 due to reorganisation). In 2002 the council was obliged to ‘modernise’ and adopted the Leader + Cabinet + Scrutiny model. I was elected as group leader of the Liberal Democrats and became the first Leader of B&NES. I led the council for nine years between 2002 and 2015. I am pleased with what B&NES delivered under my leadership, for example creating the fantastic Threeways school from separate specialist provision and resolving the building chaos I inherited surrounding the new spa, ensuring it was completed and delivered what it promised.

I like to solve seemingly intractable problems. The regeneration of Radstock had been argued about for over a decade. I got regeneration going by leading on cultural regeneration to transform the purpose and use of Victoria Hall. From this start I was able to convince local people that the new housing would benefit everyone in Radstock in a new enlarged and vibrant community.

In my spare time I love sport, travel, scuba diving and music.

My first memories of Bath are all music related, travelling up from Gosport for the Blues Festival on the Rec in June 1969 at an allday cost of 18 shillings and 6 pence. On three occasions I attended rock concerts at The Pav including Jimi Hendrix Experience.

In 2016 I became the 789th Mayor of Bath. It is a great honour to represent and serve the people and communities of this fabulous city. So far I have had 350 engagements, varying between meeting young people facing great difficulties to famous footballers. My theme for my year in office is Bath – a Transition City to raise awareness and build resilience to environmental changes. n

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic.

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

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JUST HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW BATH? Take part in our festive treasure hunt with the chance to win afternoon tea for four at the Pump Room

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ere are 35 places in Bath – all bar one are in the city centre. Simply name the street, or where appropriate the building too, and send your entries in by noon on Tuesday 3 January to be in with a chance of winning afternoon tea for four at the Pump Room, Bath. Entries should be labelled Treasure Hunt and include your answers (numbered), your name and contact details. By post: The Bath Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or by email: editor@thebathmagazine.co.uk, subject: Treasure Hunt.

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BATH LANDMARK: main picture, courtesy of Neill Menneer from the book, Bath he created with Bath historian Kirsten Elliott

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Treasure hunt compiled and photographed by Catherine Pitt and Georgette McCready, with additional material

by Jessica Hope

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LOOK AROUND: most of these sites we’ll have walked past many times – but just how observant are we? All but one of our sites can be found within Bath city centre

12 THE PRIZE: AFTERNOON TEA FOR FOUR AT THE PUMP ROOM

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The first prizewinner of our Christmas treasure hunt, whose name will be pulled at random from all those who identify all the photographs correctly, will be invited to take afternoon tea with three friends at the magnificent Bath Pump Room to celebrate their success.

The prize must be taken before the end of January, but we’re sure you’ll be quick to book. You and your guests will enjoy a delicious selection of sandwiches including the quintessentially English cucumber sandwich. There’ll be tasty poached salmon shot served with crispbreads and a Cheddar scone with tomato and chive cream cheese. Tuck in to homemade scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, fresh fruit tart, decadent chocolate and coffee opera cake, delicious raspberry choux bun and macaroons.

While you eat, enjoy the grandeur and history of the Pump Room to live music from the Pump Room Trio or resident pianist.

If we have whet your appetite to visit or have given you an idea for a Christmas present for a loved one you can buy them a gift voucher for them to enjoy this treat in their own time.

Gift vouchers are available online at: pumproombath.co.uk, click GIFTS.

14 IN PLAIN SIGHT: all of the sites in our Bath treasure hunt can be seen at any time – they’re all on public view, like this lion – perhaps he’s sad as he doesn’t have much of a view to look out at

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28 30 EXTRA BROWNIE POINTS: do you know the name of the two saints associated with the wooden crest of Number 35, or the composer associated with Number 34?

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CITY | PEOPLE

CITYNEWS News in brief

ONE IN TEN JOBS IN TOURISM

B HOME OF HUMOUR: director of Bath Comedy Festival, Nick Steel (right) with writer Jem Roberts, welcoming comedy hero Monty Python’s Terry Jones to the festival n Bath Comedy Festival, now approaching its ninth year, has teamed up with VisitBath to build the festival into a larger feature on the city’s cultural calendar. Over the years, under the directorship of founder Nick Steel, the festival has gone from strength to strength, hosting stand-up by the likes of Arthur Smith, Henning Wehn and Lucy Porter, as well as supporting up-and-coming acts. The partnership has been awarded £15,000 by the Arts Council. Banners and street decorations will create a festival atmosphere, and there’ll be an on-street ticket booth for the festival, which runs from 1 to 17 April 2017. n Bath Festivals is looking for a new chief executive. John Cullum, Chair of Bath Festivals, said: “We’re looking for someone with sound experience of programming, marketing, collaboration, fundraising and finance in an arts or similar organisation. Important qualities include courage, energy and enthusiasm in leading change, delighting sponsors and supporters.” The closing date for applications is 17 December. Visit: bathfestivals.org.uk. n Jonothan McColgan, director of Combined Financial Strategies in Bath has won Financial Adviser of the Year at the 2016 Growth Investor Awards in Mayfair, London. Jonothan said: “Winning this award against such tough competition from all over the country is the highlight of my career.”

ath Tourism Plus, known to most of us as VisitBath, has been taken over by new owner Bath & North East Somerset Council. Up until now the organisation, which promotes Bath to British and overseas visitors, was jointly owned by the council and the Chamber of Commerce.

Tourism is the city’s biggest employer, supporting some 9,400 jobs (around ten per cent of the workforce) in an industry which generates £431m for the local economy.

Statistics back up the importance of the role of tourism in the city’s income. A recent report into 2015’s tourist industry in B&NES revealed there were 1.105 million overnight stays and 4.6 million day visitors. Of those visitors 776,000 came from the UK, spending an average of 2.24 nights in the area. Overseas visitor numbers were up between 2014 and 2015 by an astonishing 30 per cent, rising to 329,000 visitors, spending a total of £93.7m.

These figures are from last year, so we won’t know yet what 2016 looks like in terms of visitor numbers Bath is climbing the table in the list of popular destinations. VisitBritain figures released earlier this year placed Bath in 12th place as the most popular city to visit for international visitors, a leap of five places up the league table, placing Bath ahead of York, Leeds and Nottingham.

David James, chief executive of Bath Tourism Plus, said: “This is fantastic news. However, we will not rest on our laurels, we will continue to work hard and place further investment in our marketing efforts with the support of our industry and local authority partners. I would like to thank my team for their hard work and thank our industry for their continued support by being members of VisitBath.”

VisitBath is recognised by VisitEngland as an exemplar company and being one of the top performing tourist boards in the UK. There are no proposed changes to the services provided by BTP and its brand VisitBath. n

CREATIVE IRONS ADDS FIRE TO UNIVERSITY One of Britain’s best loved actors, Jeremy Irons has been installed as Chancellor of Bath Spa University in a ceremony in Bath Abbey.

He said: “I am delighted and honoured to become the first Chancellor of Bath Spa University. I look forward to playing a part in the university’s growing success and international renown for creativity, culture and enterprise. The arts stir our emotions like nothing else. They inspire action and change human behaviour, so we must not underestimate their potential impact when investigating and addressing societal and global issues.”

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christina Slade, said: “As our new Chancellor, Jeremy Irons becomes an important part of our connected, creative community and I have no doubt he will provide much inspiration to students and staff alike.”

WAR-SCARRED BUILDING IS A MONUMENT TO CITY’S PAST A memorial plaque to those who died in Bath during the Second World War has been erected on one of the city’s last buildings to still bear the scars of the Bath Blitz. The plaque, telling the story of what happened in 1942, is on the former Labour Exchange, James Street West, the subject of a massive redevelopment, led by Rengen.

The building which juxtaposes the old battlescarred Grade II listed Bath stone and three new floors now includes 78 student rooms and commercial space on the ground floor.

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build something from scratch. We decided to preserve the building and today marks the end of that process. We are proud to unveil this plaque in memory of all those people who died in the Bath Blitz.”

Brian Vowles, chairman of the Bath Blitz Memorial Project, one of the contributors to the project, said: “This, the former Labour Exchange, is the only one now left which bears the scars of this, the most dramatic episode in Bath’s long history and for that reason this building is as equally important historically as the Roman Baths, the section of the medieval city wall, the crescents and the Pump Rooms.”

Empiric Student Property bought the building

in a deal worth £7.65m. The council will retain ownership of the ground floor. Nisbets, supppliers of catering equipment is to move in.

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ocl A C C O U N TA N C Y

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

www.oclaccountancy.com

Are repair costs on a Buy to Let property tax deductible?

This is a regular client question for which there is no simple answer as it depends on the facts of the case.

Where the ‘repairs’ result in a significant improvement to a property’s original condition, these costs are seen as capital and will not be deductible in the profit and loss account - and HMRC can argue if buying a property in good condition is ‘capital’ then the cost of putting a dilapidated property into good condition must also be capital, especially if it was bought for a discount that reflected its poor condition. It is also possible, however, to argue with a new purchase, that some of the works were carried out to attract a certain type of tenant; in this case, the cost would be deductible.

On-going, generally the costs of routine maintenance & repairs, such as painting or plumbing can be taken as a revenue cost and so reduce profits and tax.

For tax saving tips contact us – call Marie Maggs, Lesley Allen or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 for a no-obligation meeting.

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

What our clients say:

“Thank you for your excellent customer service, OCL has been one of the best things we have done as a business”

“For us, in our 30 years experience, OCL Accountancy is the best fit we have found”

Crafting beautiful homes in stunning locations Bath | Somerset | Wiltshire | Cotswold | Dorset

01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk

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And finally……

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and successful New Year.

Special thanks to all our clients for their business in 2016 and we look forward to meeting lots of new faces in 2017!

Call Marie Maggs, LesleyAllen or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting

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CITY | PEOPLE

CITYNEWS News in brief

n Two lawyers with extensive experience of the healthcare and social care sectors have joined the Bath office of Royds Withy King as partners.

James Sage and Hazel Phillips, pictured, joined from Burroughs Day in Bristol, bringing a track record of advising care providers, pharmacies, dental practices and GPs. James specialises in providing advice on employment law, CQC registration and compliance and safeguarding.

His work is described as ‘excellent’ by the Legal 500. Hazel advises on CQC registration; challenging CQC inspection reports and enforcement action; sales, mergers and acquisitions; partnership agreements; safeguarding, fees and funding. n Bath law firm Mowbray Woodwards has been celebrating the success of Samantha Taylor, pictured, who has qualified as a chartered legal executive.

Samantha, who joined Mowbray Woodwards in 2013, works in the private client team specialising in wills, probate and estate planning, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney. n A group of mums were delighted when Ed and Josh, members of Ballet Boyz, who were appearing at the Theatre Royal Bath, dropped in to join their exercise class. The women were attending a wellbeing and exercise session run by charity Make a Move, designed to help with post natal depression. Mothers are referred by health visitors to Make a Move’s sessions, which are supported by a National Lottery grant.

A THIRD OF HOMES SELL OFF-PLAN Interior designer Jane Clayton & Company has dressed and furnished a show home at The Chocolate Quarter, a £60m retirement community developed by the St Monica Trust at the old Cadbury’s Factory in Keynsham.

Wendy Melluish of Jane Clayton, said of the brief: “There is so much history associated with the architecture of such an iconic building and we felt it was crucial to tap into that. The overall feel of the scheme is neutral colours with blue highlights, which has been introduced through cushions and artwork.”

Due to open next summer, The Chocolate Quarter will contain 136 apartments and a 93-bed care home, offices, shops and leisure facilities, including a 50-seat cinema and pizza restaurant. The apartments will be a mixture of one and two-bedroomed properties, priced from £200,000 to £450,000.

More than 30 per cent of the apartments were reserved off-plan during the first week

NEUTRAL: Jane Clayton & Co’s vision at The Chocolate Quarter that the show home opened. The show home is open on weekdays 10am to 4pm and 11am to 2pm at weekends. Tel: 0117 949 4004 or email: sales.tcq@stmonicatrust.org.uk.

MICHAEL EAVIS SUPPORT FOR CHARITY The Forever Friends Appeal has gained Glastonbury festival founder Michael Eavis as an ambassador for its fundraising Walk of Life.

The appeal is working towards raising in excess of £8.5m for a new cancer centre for the Royal United Hospital. The annual Walk of Life, which takes place in May, was originally started by sisters Vanessa Kyte and Nicola Noble to help improve cancer facilities at the RUH after Vanessa’s diagnosis. Sadly Vanessa died but the Walk of Life has continued each year in memory of her and as a tribute to all the others who have died.

The walk always offered the choice of a 21 mile route, or shorter 12 and nine mile distances. New for 2017, the event’s route will be extended to a full 26.2 miles – making it a full marathon walking event. Last year’s walkers raised more than £50,000.

Vanessa’s sister Nic said: “The Walk of Life has grown from strength to strength over the past 11 years and it’s been very exciting (and emotional!) to watch it grow in numbers. We contacted Michael Eavis to ask whether he would consider becoming an ambassador for the event; a well-respected local man who himself has achieved inspirational success with Glastonbury Festival over the years. Vanessa

would have wanted nothing else.”

Michael Eavis said: “The Royal United Hospital in Bath has always been close to my heart, having myself received excellent treatment there in past years.”

The Walk of Life will take place on Saturday 13 May. Michael will be at the start in Bishops Cannings to greet walkers, before joining them as they begin their walk along the Kennet and Avon canal. Those who don’t fancy a full marathon can opt to walk a 10 mile route from Bradford on Avon to Bath.

Earlybird online entries are open, for £15 per person. Visit: foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or tel: 01225 821535.

HAPPY FEET: last year’s Walk of Life participants gather outside the finishing point, the Holburne Museum

RECIPE BOOK SHOWCASES LOCAL TALENT A recipe to try at home from the head chef at the Royal Crescent Hotel is just one of the local dishes shared in a new Get Stuck In guide, The Bath Cook Book, which is on sale now.

David Campbell, former head chef of the England rugby team and current executive head chef at the Dower House restaurant in The Royal Crescent Hotel wrote the book’s foreword and shared a recipe, with step-by-step instructions on how to make hay-smoked salmon, cauliflower purée, radish and lemon.

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including The Beaufort, Fat Fowl, The Longs Arms and Woods Restaurant. Jamie’s Farm, the Box charity which cares for inner city children, also shares its approach to healthy eating, making appealing dishes for young appetites.

The book is filled with photographs, recipes and anecdotes from chefs, growers, makers and suppliers from the Bath area, showing off the best food and drink The Bath Cook Book is £14.95 and is available from all the businesses in the book. It will also be sold in book shops including Waterstones.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

‘TIS THE SEASON OF GIVING Calvin Healy of Bath based accountants, Richardson Swift, provides some seasonal pointers on how to make the most of tax relief over the festive period.

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hristmas should be a time for giving.

Whether you’re an employer thinking about how to reward staff for their hard work, or a private individual hoping to give a generous gift to a family member, it’s worth remembering that the taxman is not quite as generous as Santa Claus when it comes to giving.

It’s important to consider what you can do without creating any unnecessary and potentially costly tax problems.

the gift is trivial, which means it does not exceed £50 in value and is not cash or a voucher, the taxman will consider the benefit exempt. So this might cover a seasonal gift of a turkey, small hamper, or wine.

Over £50: If the gift does exceed £50, normally the exemption is lost and the whole amount becomes taxable on the employee.

However, as with anything in tax, the detail is slightly more complex so further advice should be sought if this is the case.

FOR EMPLOYERS:

Christmas bonuses

The Christmas Party

Unfortunately, for the employee Christmas bonuses in the form of cash and vouchers will always be taxable. However, for the employer the cost is treated in the same way as normal salary and is tax deductible for the business.

The cost of the Christmas party (and indeed other annual functions) is generally an allowable tax deduction for the business. However, the deduction will not apply if you are a sole trader and you plan to treat only you and your spouse or partner to a night out!

If structured correctly, the Christmas party shouldn’t be a taxable benefit on the employee as long as the party is open to all employees and the cost per head isn’t more than £150, which includes any transport or accommodation provided.

The limit applies on a cumulative annual basis so consideration is required, if say, you’ve already thrown a summer party.

FOR INDIVIDUALS: The main tax of concern is inheritance tax and ensuring full use of available tax free exemptions.

Small gifts Up to £250 in any tax year can be made tax free and to as many people as you wish. The exemption is separate to the annual exemption which covers the first £3,000 of gifts made in any tax year.

Gifts to employees Gifts out of income Gifts are usually an allowable tax deduction for the business.

Under £50: The employee themselves may be taxed under the benefit in kind rules. However, if

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Gifts can be made out of income, tax free. In order to qualify the gift must be part of your normal expenditure and, taking one year with

another, be made out of surplus income so that your current standard of living is maintained.

Finally, if you have already bought your Christmas gifts and your employer is due to pay out your Christmas bonus shortly you could always pop the amount you receive into your pension pot. This may enable you to obtain some higher rate tax relief.

I’ll save the subject of pensions for a later date but if you need advice now on this or any of the other issues covered here, please do get in touch.

E. ch@richardsonswift.co.uk T. 01225 325580.

Calvin Healy

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CITY | SHOPPING

SHOPPING SPECTACULAR IN SOUTHGATE

T

his year SouthGate Bath is inviting you to a join it for a very quintessential Christmas. Discover glorious gifts and allow yourself a tasty interlude, enjoy drinks served on a classic Routemaster bus and indulge in scrumptious season food and entertainment, all until 6 January 2017.

If you’re still there as evening falls, why not taste the world at one of Southgate’s new restaurants? Tuck into the amazing street food of Thailand at ThaiKhun, enjoy fresh, healthy Lebanese cuisine at Comptoir Libanais, both now open. Joining the line up soon is Absurd Bird, offering soul food from the American Deep South and Tapas Revolution, for the real taste of Spain.

Shops in Southgate are open from 7.30am – 7pm, Monday to Saturday, and 8am – 6.30pm on Sunday. Restaurants will be open later.

SouthGate Bath has everything you’ll need this year to make your Christmas go with a bang. n Visit: southgatebath.com or call: 01225 469061. Follow Southgate on Twitter: @SouthGate_Bath.

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Call Monahans Financial Services now on 01225 472800 Lennox House, 3 Pierrepont Street, Bath BA1 1LB www.monahans-fsl.co.uk With Monahans Financial Services you’re in safe hands.

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

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HEALTH | BEAUTY

A TOUCH OF

Christmas SPARKLE Here are some beauty products and gifts we’re hoping will make it into our stockings this Christmas

Thermae Bath Spa vouchers make a great gift for friends and family. They include full use of the spa and a range of specially selected spa packages.

Gift vouchers are available from: thermaebathspa.com and the Thermae Bath Spa Shop, Hot Bath Street. Reservations: 01225 331234

Party Season Booster Coffret by Clarins, includes Detox Booster 15ml, OneStep Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser 30ml and HydraQuench Cream 15ml, £30, FrontlineStyle, 4 – 5 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AJ. Tel: 01225 478478, visit: frontlinestyle.co.uk

Damask full length folding travel mirror, £45, Magic Mirror. Not made of glass, and perfect for home and professional use, camping, holidays, travel and festivals. Visit: magicmirroruk.com

Elemis Pearls of Wisdom gift set, £199, Green Street House, 14 Green Street, Bath, BA1 2JZ. Tel: 01225 426000 or visit: greenstreethouse.co.uk

Nimue Christmas Gift Box, £60, worth £125. Set includes: Eye Treatment 15ml, Anti-Ageing LeaveOn Mask 60ml, Active Hand Repair 15ml and Super Hydrating Serum 30ml. Planet Beauty, 4 Moorland Road, Oldfield Park, BA2 3PJ. Tel: 01225 469090, visit: planetbeautybath.co.uk

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Gift vouchers for the perfect pampering treatment are available from The Orangery Laser and Beauty Clinic, No. 2 Kingsmead Street, Bath, BA1 2AA. Tel: 01225 466851 or visit: theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk

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Beauty review DEC.qxp_Layout 1 25/11/2016 14:43 Page 1

HEALTH | & | BEAUTY

R E V I EW

LOUISE HARROLD SETS ASIDE HER SCEPTICISM AND SAMPLES S-THETICS CLINIC’S EXCLUSIVE NEW TREATMENT

Removal of moles, skin tags, cysts and other skin lesions If you have been thinking about getting rid of an annoying or unsightly skin lesion then we can help you • Removal of single or multiple skin lesions • Simple, surgical procedure using local anaesthetic • Delivered by highly experienced local doctors • Convenient ‘one-stop’ appointment including consultation and procedure • Easy-access clinics in BANES with free parking

READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP

A

s someone who approaches most things with a healthy dose of scepticism, I find it difficult to wax lyrical about almost anything; however sometimes needs must, and a bit of enthusiasm is not only justified but necessary after receiving a treatment as good as the new Fire and Ice facial at Bristol clinic S-Thetics.

Exclusive to S-Thetics, it’s often referred to as the red carpet treatment due to its ability to give instant results to any given Hollywood starlet before an important premiere, and is the bestseller at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel spa. Impressive credentials; although I wonder how the treatment translates to the ‘normal’ woman; the one travelling home after the treatment via an Uber, rather than a private jet.

On arrival, the process feels different – no mood lighting, aroma of essential oils, or ambient sounds circulating via a poorly hidden CD player.

Instead I’m in a reassuringly clinical office, with a knowledgeable, friendly dermatologist, receiving a detailed analysis of my skin. The Fire and Ice facial promises big things; the fire element being a mild chemical peel that resurfaces the skin, and the ice element being a soothing mask offering hydration afterwards. I am told it will provide instant visible results that same day which will include plumper skin, a noticeable reduction in fine lines, and the always coveted, dewy, healthy glow.

The dermatologist talks me through the science behind each step. As I’ve never had any form of chemical peel before she is keen to make sure I understand what is being applied to my skin and why – if this facial is more pricey than some, at £125, this is down to the quality of the pharmaceutical grade ingredients used. The ‘fire’ – the resurfacing peel – is formulated with sugar cane extract (a natural, potent source of the glycolic acid used in chemical peels), combined with clinically formulated vitamins A and B3.

As the resurfacing masque is applied, I am told I will begin to feel a tingling warmth that will intensify, and right on cue, my skin starts to warm up. This was the part I had been slightly apprehensive about; what if it heated up too much? Or I was left with a red face? While everyone’s skin reacts slightly differently, I feel reassured knowing the sensation can be quickly counteracted with a neutralising agent at any point. But I find myself enjoying the sensation immensely. At this point I don’t know if it is a placebo effect but I am sure that I can feel my skin improving.

After allowing a few minutes for the resurfacing to work, my skin is cleansed and the ‘ice’ – the rejuvenating masque – is applied. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, green tea, grape seed and rosemary extract, this concoction feels absolutely heavenly as my dermatologist takes time smoothing it therapeutically over my skin, allowing it to sink in slowly.

With the facial complete I am keen to see the results in the mirror, particularly as, with the dermatologist’s back turned, I fleetingly run my finger over my skin and am struck by how velvety-soft it is. Even before catching a glimpse of myself, I know the result is going to be good and, while I am not sure anyone ever looks their best immediately after a facial, I am surprised to see that the the promises and claims attributed to this facial ring true. The fine lines I have been gaining in recent years have seemingly been buffed away to almost nothing, and (while I detest a cliché) my skin really does look radiant. I look noticeably different; rejuvenated and refreshed, and am left quite impressed.

The effect lasted – a couple of weeks later when I was still receiving comments on my skin and the “have you done something different?” queries from friends. n S-Thetics at Bristol Plastic Surgery, 58 Queen Square, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 910 240, visit: sthetics.co.uk.

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Please contact us or visit our website for further information

www.gkhealth.co.uk Email: info@gkhealth.co.uk Tel: 0333 332 1491

Healthcare

Registered with the Care Quality Commission (ID: 1-1603137933)

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 UK (6 issues) or £40.00 Euro zone; £30.00 UK (12 issues) or £70.00 Euro zone; World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 You can also subscribe to receive the magazine on our great website;

www.thebathmag.co.uk Alternatively send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment

Subscription FORM Mr/Mrs/Ms ................Forename ..................................

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Frontline FP.qxp_Layout 1 25/11/2016 11:13 Page 1

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EXCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS OFFER Book an Elemis Biotec Facial in December or January and we will give you the next one HALF PRICE! *must be the same person for both *must be used before 31st March 2017

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December 2016

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Walk December V2 Final.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2016 17:03 Page 1

THE | WALK

A FINE POINT OF VIEW Andrew Swift enjoys a winter walk from Widcombe to Lyncombe Vale and Fox Hill

T

he December walk – designed either to blow the cobwebs away or to provide a break from the frenzy of the festive season – is a short, but by no means undemanding, country walk starting out from Widcombe.

It starts by exploring Lyncombe Vale, which in the 18th century was home to several pleasure gardens. From there the route crosses fields on the slopes of Fox Hill before heading back across the valley to take in panoramic views of the city from Alexandra Park. Then, after following a newly-restored footpath through the woods below Beechen Cliff, it is back to Widcombe, where there is a choice of pubs and cafés.

A word of warning – although less than four miles long and on the edge of the city, this walk has several steep, muddy and potentially slippery sections, along with scrubby fields and steps, so good footwear is essential. A gentle stroll through manicured countryside this is not, but well-shod walkers – not to mention dogs and lively children – should find it well worthwhile. The route can be found on OS Explorer map 155 and should take around two hours to walk.

DIRECTIONS Head to Widcombe and turn up Prior Park Road beside the White Hart Inn. After 75m, turn right up by Prior Park Cottages and left in front of Prior Park 106 TheBATHMagazine

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Buildings, alongside the Lyn Brook. At the end, carry on along Prior Park Road.

After passing a car dealership occupying the former Upper Widcombe Mill on the left, turn right along Lyncombe Vale. This takes you past the former Bagatelle pleasure gardens – also known, somewhat suggestively, as Cupid’s Gardens – on the right. Keep to the left-hand pavement along Lyncombe Vale and you will soon find yourself high above the road, with the Lyn Brook – here converted to a millstream for Upper Widcombe Mill – burbling along beside you. Jane Austen walked along this ‘raised narrow footpath’ in May 1801 and described the scenery as ‘very beautiful’.

After the road rises to meet the pavement, the brook disappears into a culvert by Lyncombe Vale Farm. Just beyond a rustic lodge are the gates of Lyncombe House, now the Paragon School, but originally Lyncombe Spa, whose chalybeate spring once attracted visitors seeking a restful alternative to the hustle and bustle of Bath’s Pump Room.

Carry on along the road and at the T junction bear left along Lyncombe Vale Road, passing Lyncombe House. A little further on, as you pass the drive to a house called Westward, look to the right to see a large house on the hill above.

Now called Lyncombe Court, it was once known as King James’s Palace, due to the story that King James II visited Lyncombe Vale when he came to Bath in

1687. In the late 18th century it was surrounded by pleasure gardens where firework displays, concerts and public breakfasts were held.

A few metres further on, follow a footpath sign up steps on the left. After a crosspath, continue up more steps before following the path as it curves left alongside a fence. When you come to a bridge over the trackbed of the Somerset & Dorset Railway – now the Two Tunnels Path – turn right across it. After going through a gate, follow a track bearing slightly to the left up a field where dogs need to be kept on a lead, as there may be sheep.

Go through a gate at the top and turn left along a lane. After 150m, when you come to a gatepost for Foxhill Grove, turn right uphill. After another 150m, turn right along a footpath past the back of Foxhill Grove Farm. Carry on with the fence on your right along a well-walked track and continue in the same direction through a scrubby field. After 200m, as the track curves right into a copse, views of Lansdown and Kelston Round Hill open up ahead.

Continue in roughly the same direction through another scrubby field. After 150m, when the path forks, bear right and carry on through the remains of an old kissing gate (KG). Carry on down a broad path with widely-spaced steps beside a wall, behind which you can glimpse the baronial Gothic splendour of Entry Hill House.

OVER THE ROOFTOPS: the view from Beechen Cliff

ALONG THE WAY: Opposite page, an old postcard of the raised pavement at Lyncombe Vale, centre, a Georgian summerhouse said to have been used as a synagogue, and right, Lyncombe Court, once known as King James’ Palace

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THE | WALK

After passing some magnificent beeches, carry on down into Lyncombe Vale. Continue along a lane for a few metres, before turning right to follow a footpath sign by a house called Lynden.

After 150m, you will see, through a fence ahead, the Lyn Brook issuing from a culvert. Carry on between fences and after 75m, when you come to another path, turn left up it.

As the path climbs out of the valley, it gives way to ever steeper steps. At the top turn right along Greenway Lane. After 100m, go through a KG on the left and bear right through playing fields. The circular building behind the wall a little way along on the left, built as a Georgian summerhouse, is believed to have been used as a synagogue in the late 19th century. At the end of

the field, go through a gap in the hedge and a KG. Carry on through a field and follow a track as it curves left alongside a fence to emerge in another field with views.

Go through a KG at end and turn left up a path into Alexandra Park where a viewing platform overlooks the city, and again you will find extensive views over Bath. Carry on along a path at the edge of the escarpment, which, after 150m, leaves the park to continue past the backs of houses. At the end turn right down steps.

Carry on down a path and, after more steps, turn right into Magdalen Gardens, where volunteers have effected an extraordinary transformation of this long neglected spot.

Opposite is St Mary Magdalen Chapel, which

had its origins in a leper hospital founded in the 12th century.

At the end of the park, go up a short flight of steps and continue along a path. After crossing another path, carry on through the woods, past graffiti-covered walls of ruined cottages and a disintegrating World War Two air raid shelter higher up. Eventually the path leads down steps.

At the bottom, head across to a large house on the far side of a patch of grass and turn right down the road. Turn left down Lyncombe Hill at the end and right at the bottom, where the pubs and cafĂŠs of Widcombe await.

Level of challenge: steep and potentially slippery sections, with several flights of steps and it may be muddy. n

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solace for the solstice v2.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2016 16:15 Page 1

SOLACE FOR THE SOLSTICE As daylight wanes with the approach of the darkest days of the year Bath based author Pam Kelt channels her inner Druid with ideas for bringing light and lustre into the home

W

e are fast heading for 21 December, the Winter Solstice, which marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. For the ancients, this was the moment to assert the power of light over darkness and prepare for the harsh months ahead. Although eclipsed

by Christian doctrine and contemporary commercialism, this calendrical moment is still crucial to many, harking back to our primitive instincts.

So this year, why not leave the shiny tinsel and plastic baubles in the attic and turn to natural materials for an alternative seasonal look? It might have its roots in the so-called Dark Ages, but it’s resonating in designer shops, bringing light and colour into any home.

Head into the woods and go foraging (where permitted). Forest floors provide a cornucopia of decorative fare – pine cones, birch twigs, moss, cypress and alder seed pods, birch twigs, stray fir tree branches. Top up with green swathes of holly, laurel or ivy from the garden if you can.

Then get creative and convert your home into a wintry bower. Start by laying robust swags on the tops of cupboards or dressers, or weave through banisters.

Garlands are fiddly but fun – best reserved for robust evergreens. Bind with wire then work in clusters of holly, pyracanthus or snowberries from the

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garden. (Avoid yew berries – they are poisonous.) A fancier version might feature walnuts, chestnuts or cloved kumquats, tied with ribbon.

Real ivy doesn’t last long in central heating unless you can keep it watered, so experiment with winding the strands of a house plant into a rooted wreath and stud with frosted pine cones. Raid the cupboards for silverware, chunky glassware and wooden candlesticks and nestle into the greenery for some hygge cosiness.

If you’re into Scandi-minimalism, twisted willow is dramatic laid on shelves, secured with double-sided tape.

To paint, reduce mess by placing the branches in a cardboard box and either spray-paint or dollop plain emulsion or chalk paint onto the stems. For smaller items such as alder cones, throw into a food bag along with the paint and ‘smudge’, then fish out and leave to dry in old egg boxes.

Get serious with lighting. Fire, as a symbol of purification and lighting the darkness, is vital in solstice rituals.

The fireplace is your focal point: flank with over-sized rustic garden lanterns and pillar candles. If you line the lanterns with moss, for safety reasons, only use battery-powered lighting or LEDs. Elsewhere, create a mystic niche by cramming a dish with assorted candles.

For a dramatic centrepiece, make an ice candle – a great activity for children.

Finally, no would-be Druid would be without a pagan ball, a mass of berries and leafiness. Try the Blue Peter style double coat-hanger technique, shaped into two spheres at right angles to each other, or tie together two hanging baskets to form a wicker globe. Bind with (or tuck in) evergreens, add mistletoe and hang in your porch. Think Glamelot and drape with discreet LEDs or suspend an old pendant or Celtic brooch on velvet ribbon.

By the time you’ve dressed the Christmas tree, fluffed up the faux fur throw and poured the mead, Merlin himself would feel at home in your greenwood grotto.

FOR THE DARKEST DAYS: top, make your own Christmas decoration out of natural materials Inset, a modern Druid ball photographed at the entrance to Milsom Place

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MAKE IT YOURSELF: FROSTED PINE CONES

You will need: a few dozen cones, PVA glue, Epsom salts, thread.

• Dab tips with glue then dunk the cones into a bowl of salts.

• Glue on a thread hook and leave to dry.

• Dangle from cupboard knobs, door hooks, mirrors, finials, houseplants – or save for the Christmas tree. I’ve put these frosted alder cones in a jewellery box and set it among the interlaced beech tree roots in Rainbow Wood, reminiscent of Yggdrasil, the Viking tree of life.

Looking for unique Christmas gifts?

artworks – accessories – lifestyle

THURSDAY 15 December 6 – 9pm NATURE’S BOUNTY: above, fresh apples, wax-infused with a dash of wintery bling, photographed at The Wild Bunch florist, Princes Street, Bath Right, Punchwork lantern and a chunky pillar candle create instant atmosphere, as photographed in Grasse, 3 Argyle Street, Bath

Join us for a spot of late night shopping over a glass of festive fizz. We’re sure you’ll find something special to tempt you!

MAKE IT YOURSELF: ICE CANDLES

You will need: two plastic bottles/cartons (one large, one small), water, candle, plant pot/bowl, drainer, greenery.

• The smaller carton should be at least 4.5cm diameter. Weigh it down at the bottom the larger carton, creating a gap of a few centimetres all round.

• Fill the ice ‘shell’ with water and freeze. The trick is to allow for the melted water and to keep the containers flat in the freezeing process.

• Once frozen, remove the inner container by adding a little warm water inside and run the outside of the frozen candle under lukewarm water for a minute to release.

• Place the ice candle on a dish to catch drips and insert tea light.

If the tea light fades, twist a regular candle into the tea light base. Before freezing you can fill the cavity with twigs or leaves.

Cranberries look stylish, as do mistletoe, rosemary, fern or the petals of a late rose.

Add drops of essential oils (juniper, sandalwood, frankincense) for a new sensory dimension. n

15 Walcot Buildings. London Rd. BA1 6AD Free parking opposite and in Weymouth St w: verveliving.uk 07785 332536

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Interiors December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 15:31 Page 1

CITY | INTERIORS

IT’S SHOW TIME Bath interior designer eClair Strong looks at emerging trends in highights from the 2016 London Design Festival

THE GREEN ROOM: the latest favourite shade is borrowed from nature, here KALAK tiles, made by a young Austrian design house using a combination of graphics and the ancient Japanese firing technique of raku 110 TheBATHMagazine

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CITY | INTERIORS

I

recently made my yearly pilgrimage to the shows at London Design Festival. Also known as Design Destinations, there are a number of shows that take place over the duration of the festival. These are where all the top names in interior design showcase their products and launch new innovations. It’s always an exciting and inspiring event and this year was no different. Here are just a few of my highlights:

DECOREX INTERNATIONAL The 39th edition of Decorex International appeared to be its biggest yet.

There were over 400 exhibitors at the rather grand Syon Park venue.

A highlight of the show is always the entrance, which this year was created by renowned British furniture designer, Tim Gosling. Gosling’s exhibition The Heritage of Chair Making explored the links between architecture, interior design and the heritage of British Craftsmanship.

With so many exceptional exhibitors at one event, it’s almost impossible to pick out the best. However, I was excited to see one of my favourite companies Bert & May launch a line of fabrics with patterns inspired by some of their most popular encaustic tiles. As with all of Bert & May’s products, the focus was on craftsmanship and quality.

PHOTO by Ruth Ward

100% DESIGN More than 300 exhibitors fill the halls of Olympia London, a beautiful light-filled space. I like 100% Design for its straightforwardness; there’s no fuss, no frills, just simple celebration of great design. I really loved the beautiful tiles of Austrian company, KARAK. This young studio produces tiles using an interesting combination of digital design techniques and the traditional raku method of firing. This low-temperature firing method is almost exclusively used to create Japanese tea ceremony pottery so its application here is very unique and the resulting tiles very beautiful.

Another great find was Bright Green, who are British designers, manufacturers and installers of artificial and living green walls. I’ve always loved the idea of green walls, particularly inside. There’s something so textural and dynamic about them. Bright Green’s creations are like works of art, and their artificial plants are incredibly convincing – I was quickly fooled.

LONDON DESIGN FAIR London Design Fair plays host to the largest collection of exhibitors during London Design Festival. This year there were 501 exhibitors, 61% of whom were British. The Old Truman Brewery is a huge, sprawling space and I wasn’t able to see everything. However, what I did manage to see was a testament to the variety and skill of craftsmanship in the UK and beyond.

I’ve always loved the work of Sandberg, a Swedish design company. It presented Signatur, beautiful wallpapers designed by four female artists.

This latest collection is modern, graphic and playful featuring children’s book characters, jazzy 1950s graphics and lucky four-leaf clovers.

I was also blown away by London based artist, Camilla Lee’s Resound collection of beautifully handcrafted iPhone amplifiers in walnut, oak and ceramic. The gramophone-inspired amplifiers were created to put the warmth and interaction back into music listening.

DESIGNJUNCTION And last but certainly not least; DesignJunction, held at its new Kings Cross location. On arrival at the first thing that caught my eye was the striking entrance to Cubbitt House. Designed by Satellite Architects, the 70 metre long by 7.5 metre high installation was made using Danish designer Peter J Lassen’s grid system.

There were a number of areas within DesignJunction, including Cubbitt House, The Canopy, Granary Square and The Crossing.

Cubbitt House is the trade destination, showcasing more than 100 international design brands in furniture, lighting and accessories. The Canopy, a pop-up retail venue featuring 70 luxury companies (favourites included Another Studio and Elizabeth Rose). The Granary building based Crossing was home to a number of interactive installations and live demonstrations. And finally, Granary Square, which featured bespoke red Monopoly houses filled with conceptual installations, creative projects and workshops.

As ever the shows at London Design Festival were a feast for the senses. Inspiring, exciting and vibrant – it’s always hard to leave. I’m looking forward to next year already. n

EYE CATCHING: top the dramatic entrance to Cubbitt House created for DesignJunction; above, moody blues at Decorex; Sandberg wallpaper and, below left Resound No2 tabletop gramophone inspired amplifiers by Camilla Lee

Clair Strong Interior Design is a small, friendly, creative business based in Bath and London, providing services for residential and commercial clients.

Visit: clairstrong.co.uk or contact: clair@clairstrong.co.uk.

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Property December.qxp_Layout 1 21/11/2016 14:48 Page 1

BATH | PROPERTY

FIT FOR GEORGIAN GENTLEFOLK The neighbourhoods of Larkhall and Lambridge on the eastern fringe of Bath offer a wide of range of handsome 18th century homes for households of all sizes

I

t is often said that Bath is a series of village communities, each with its own character and charm.

Widcombe, Oldfield Park, Bear Flat and Weston all have their merits, but this month we turn our attention to lovely Larkhall and Lambridge, to the east of the city.

Sitting in a car in traffic on the busy London Road many may be unaware of the delights that lie hidden behind trees and houses. There are many fine Georgian homes to be had in this part

of town and Larkhall itself has almost everything you need to prepare you for Christmas. Pick up your turkey from an excellent award-winning butcher, your locally grown sprouts from the greengrocer and a selection of cheese from the deli. There’s also a Co-op supermarket for pretty much everything else for the festive table, while Langbridges, the best hardware store for miles around will have the tree lights you’re looking for. There’s the Rondo theatre too in St Saviour’s Road,

bringing professional and amateur productions to your very doorstep, including comedy pre and post Edinburgh. Locally are both primary and secondary schools and the delightful Alice Park, a level green space that’s equally good for toddlers to pootle about safely in, or for adults to go for a gentle jog among the trees.

Larkhall holds a regular community festival and there are all sorts of activities to get involved with, from the gardening club to the scouts. The prosaic will be pleased that from this side of Bath it’s a short hop up the A46 to the M4 and is a commutable distance from Corsham and Chippenham.

BEAUFORT EAST Just around the corner from the heart of Larkhall is this classic Georgian terraced townhouse that has been carefully restored, offering pleasing harmony between modern comfort and historic features such as shutters, ornate cornice work and fireplaces. It has big sash windows which let the light in and to front and rear the house looks out over greenery, with trees along London

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POPULAR AREA: this page inside Beaufort East a 18TH CENTURY BEAUTIES: Opposite page clockwise from top left, outside Lambridge House and right, the facade of Beaufort East, Worcester Villas and the drawing room at Lambridge House.

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BATH | PROPERTY

Road to the front and St Saviour’s Church at the back.

The house is on five floors, including a bedroom, bathroom and open plan sitting room with kitchen on the lower ground floor which could be used as a self-contained apartment as it has its own front door – a very handy granny annexe. And because Larkhall shops are a level walk away and buses run regularly into the centre of Bath, this would be ideal for an independent-minded relative.

In the main house the ground floor is mostly taken up with a huge open plan kitchen and dining space, the latter with a handsome black and white tiled floor. A utility room for the family laundry is neatly tucked away at the back of the house. There’s a modern well fitted bathroom on the half landing, which leads up to the first floor with a traditional Georgian drawing room opening via traditional wedding doors into a withdrawing room. These wedding, or bridal doors as they’re sometimes known, are a feature the Georgians particularly enjoyed as it allowed the two rooms to be opened up to allow space for the company to dance. The house has five bedrooms and two bathrooms on the top two floors.

The only bit of the property that needs some work doing on it is the back garden. A new retaining wall between the house and the neighbours is needed and the garden itself is a blank canvas, ready for a plantsman or woman to stamp their mark. There’s useful storage for

garden tools, bikes etc in two vaults which lie to the front of the house.

The property has a guide price of £1.1m, the agent is Savills, tel: 01225 474550 to arrange a viewing.

LAMBRIDGE HOUSE One for aspiring Mr Darcys who haven’t quite got the wallet to buy an entire Pemberley, this is the next best thing – a large apartment in a grand mansion. Lambridge House is a surprisingly large Georgian country house set in what can only be described as grounds, approached down a long drive off the London Road and yet seeming as if it’s secluded and quiet once you arrive.

The Garden Apartment, which is on the market, has its own front door, which is approached via its own south facing stone terrace overlooking the lawns – which someone else has the trouble of mowing.

Inside it is very much an elegant Georgian gentleman’s home, with sash windows, beams and full of character. There is a fine woodburning stove set in the fireplace of the drawing room and plenty of room for a traditional Christmas tree. The kitchen dining room has an eating area with fitted benches around it, always allowing one more guest to be squeezed in around the table and the host to be able to chat to people while he cooks.

There’s a handy utility room for washing one’s stocks and britches, plus a cloakroom.

The apartment’s three bedrooms are all a good size and there is a large family bathroom.

Aside from the terrace the property comes with its own greenhouse and shed for storage.

There is also parking on site. From country estate to city centre is but a level stroll which can be done in about 20 minutes and Larkhall is conveniently nearby for shopping on foot or by car. The agent for the garden apartment is The Apartment Company and offers are invited in excess of £630,000. Tel: 01225 471144 to arrange a viewing.

WORCESTER VILLAS Proof, if proof were needed, that this side of Bath is much sought after as a great place to live, is the speed at which homes in the area are snapped up. This end of terrace cottage in Worcester Villas is a case in point.

The cottage sits in an enviable position on the edge of St Mark’s School grounds, looking out across its gently sloping lawns. It’s a Georgian property that has been thoughtfully modernised and maintained, making it ready to move into.

Inside the house has accommodation on three floors. There’s a sitting room, a kitchen diner, two bedrooms and a bathroom, with separate WC. There are also gardens to front and rear of the house. The asking price was £500,000 through Andrews estate agents and it wasn’t long before the property was under offer. n

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KITCHEN CASE STUDY

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FOR A KITCHEN THAT HAS THE WOW FACTOR KITCHEN DESIGNER KELLY-MARIE HICKS AT HOMEMAKER BATH REVIEWS A RECENT PROJECT IN OLDFIELD PARK, BATH

THE CHEF’S KITCHEN... practical, but perfect for the party season BEFORE

K

elly's client is delighted with his new kitchen and has no hesitation in recommending Kelly to everyone!

There's been A LOT MORE INVOLVED in designing this kitchen with Kelly's structural ideas also playing a massive part from the beginning. This transformation also involved knocking down a wall, blocking a door, changing the windows to biofold doors and really opening up the current kitchen and separate dining area to create the ultimate party kitchen.

Her client is a fabulous cook and says that his kitchen is now perfect as everything is easily accessible and he just loves using the big island to do all his preparation & baking.

His only ask was that the kitchen was extremely practical but had the all important wow factor!

Kelly spent time touring the rest of his property to gain a good idea of his style and preferences, and came up with a beautiful

matt-lacquered kitchen and striking red glass feature panel. The lighting also plays a big part of the design and has wonderful led lights and a sound system to give it that 'wow' appeal at night also.

He says, ‘When you walk into the room it really oozes style & sophistication! Kelly has the eye; whether it’s a family kitchen,country kitchen or a party kitchen - she really makes the clients dreams come true!”

Kelly has a dedicated team of fitters who fit the kitchens to absolute perfection.She also has the very best people to do all aspects of building work and alterations of the space.

From the removal to the decoration, she will make the process as stress free as possible.

Her fitter Paul Beauchamp fitted this kitchen and what a wonderful job he did!

A ★★★★★ service Mr N - Oldfield Park.

HOMEMAKER 8 Pulteney Terrace, Bath BA2 4HJ. Tel: 01225 481 881 homemakerdesign@btconnect.com

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HOMES AND | INTERIORS

Gift Ideas FOR THE HOME

Delft blue stoneware bowls by NSP Pottery, £10 each, available at the Fleur De Lys in Norton St Philip, or visit: facebook.com/NortonstPhilipPottery or email: nsppottery@gmail.com for more information

Oranges birch wood tray, £20, Avenida Home, 27 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN. Tel: 01225 571718 or visit: avenidahome.com Handmade coasters of maps of Bath and surrounding areas, £4.99 each, Silver Bear Jewellery & Gifts, 34a Wellsway, Bath, BA2 2AA. Tel: 01225 422225 or visit: silverbearjewelleryandgifts.com

Rustic stoneware plates that are dishwasher, oven and microwave safe, from £14.95, Grasse, 3 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BA. Tel: 01225 444260 or visit: grasse.me.uk

Framed Alice quote, £40, The Bath Framer, 7 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath, BA1 6AD. Tel: 01225 920210 or visit: thebathpictureframer.co.uk

Copper measuring cups, £26.95, Homefront Interiors, 10 Margaret's Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LP. Tel: 01225 571711 or visit: homefrontinteriors.co.uk

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WW2 Spitfire model, £525, Savannah Home, Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG. Tel: 01225 317272 or visit: savannahhome.co.uk

The Panasonic DX802, Moss of Bath, 45 St James's Parade, Bath, BA1 1UQ. Tel: 01225 331441 or visit: mossofbath.co.uk

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HOMES AND | INTERIORS

Gift Ideas FOR THE HOME

Lapuan throw Misteli red/white, £75, designed by Marja Rautiainen, Shannon, 68 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD. Tel: 01225 424222 or visit: shannon-uk.com

Provence table lamp, reduced to £108 until 24 December (rrp £135), Enlighten, 78 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD. Tel: 01225 424424 or visit: enlightenofbath.co.uk

Letter noticeboard, £45, Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG. Tel: 01225 418300 or visit: grahamandgreen.co.uk

Vase, £32, Quadri, 16 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ. Tel: 01225 329212 or visit: quadri.co.uk

Blue and white garden bird print on linen by Jen Rowlands, £60, and hand knitted pure wool indigo squares cushion by Katie Victoria, £65, Verve Living, 15 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath, BA1 6AD. Tel: 07785 332536 or visit: verveliving.uk

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Souvenir of Bath collection, range from £18 – £130, Modern Souvenir.

Visit: modernsouvenir.com

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HOMES | GARDENING

A NATURAL CHRISTMAS Jane Moore takes a closer look at traditional Christmas greenery

C

hristmas is all about tradition, those age old rituals and customs that take you right back to your childhood and have been around for ever, or so it seems. I like real Christmas trees, twinkly lights, carols and mince pies – especially the mince pies. But for me it’s all about the tradition and that doesn’t mean any new-fangled designer decorations of blue and silver. They’re so cold and and frosty when Christmas is all about the warm glows of gold, red and green. Holly, ivy and mistletoe are about as ancient decorations as you can get, but there are also the newer ideas such as Christmas roses, Christmas box and even the good old Christmas tree isn’t as old as you might think.

CHRISTMAS TREES It all starts with the tree. The tree becomes the focal point of many a British living room for a couple of weeks in December – rather than – or perhaps as well as the TV. You would be forgiven for thinking, as most people do, that Prince Albert brought the tradition from Germany when he married Victoria. Actually they merely revived and popularised a tradition that started in Georgian times at the Royal Court. I like a nice Nordmann fir if I can afford it as they’re lovely and chunky. They also don’t drop their needles anything like the Norway spruce which is the classic, green Christmas tree with a lovely pine scent. Keep them outside for as long as possible to reduce the needle drop.

HOLLY I’m always on the lookout for some good holly with berries in the run up to Christmas – if it’s been a cold autumn it’s often in short supply as the birds have eaten the fruit. Failing that a jazzy sprig or two of variegated holly may not be quite traditional but looks lovely tucked on top of picture frames.

Traditionally the prickly holly represents the crown of thorns Jesus wore, the red fruits the drops of blood, and Scandinavians refer to holly as Christ Thorn. In folklore it’s also regarded as warding off evil fairies from entering your house and running amok and it’s bad luck to bring it into the house before Christmas Eve. IVY In Germany ivy is only ever used to decorate the outside of the house and I can’t think that we use much indoors ourselves, except perhaps for the odd candle decoration. A piece tied to a church was also said to protect it from 120 TheBATHMagazine

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lightning which sounds like an amalgamation of old pagan tradition with Christian.

MISTLETOE This strange plant is said to hark back to the Druids and ancient winter solstice rituals although there is little real evidence of this. Nor is it banned from churches as is popularly believed too.

But nonetheless, I think that, as mistletoe is so strongly linked with Christmas and the New Year that there must be some dimly remembered folk history associating mistletoe and the deep winter.

CHRISTMAS ROSE The beautiful winter flowering Helleborus niger flowers in the depths of winter and that makes any plant rather special. Add to that classic simplicity and good looks plus a somewhat shy flowering habit and you have a plant

that made Victorian head gardeners rise to the challenge of making it flower for Christmas. These head gardeners lifted entire plants of Helleborus niger in September and brought them under glass to force them into flower for Christmas Day. Not easy as, despite their name, Christmas roses usually don’t flower until January or February.

CHRISTMAS BOX I’m a huge fan of Sarcococca or Christmas box. An innocently diminutive glossy evergreen ball for most of the year, it comes into its own in the dark gloomy days of winter, flowering its socks off with such a strong scent of vanilla sweetness that even tattooed lorry drivers delivering to The Priory kitchen are stopped in their tracks, sniffing appreciatively as they pass a nondescript ball of greenery.

Brave guests who venture into the garden in the winter always notice the

GATHERING IN: main picture, holly and ivy growing wild at Sham Castle Opposite, fiery pyrocathus berries, pure white Christmas roses and mystic mistletoe Pictures courtesy of Pam Kelt, hellebore from Plantsplus.co.uk and mistletoe Jonathan Briggs at Mistletoe Matters

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HOMES | GARDENING

Sarcococca shrubs we have dotted about strategically. There are four species and they’re all good, especially as front garden path plants where they’ll sit unremarkably all year until you need a lift as you dash into the warmth of the house.

YULE LOG No, not the chocolate kind! That’s just a vestige of what must have been a lovely tradition. The burning of a Yule log hails from Scandinavia originally but goes back way before medieval times in this country. The Yule log was an entire tree, carefully selected and felled and brought into the house with great ceremony. The biggest end would be placed into the hearth while the

rest of the tree stuck out into the room. It would be lit from the remains of the previous year’s log, which had been kept especially for this purpose, and then the log would be fed into the fire throughout the 12 days of Christmas, retaining the last piece for the following Christmas. It’s easy to see why this has died out: central heating, carpets, and smaller houses. But there’s something lovely about the idea of this log heating hearth and home throughout the festive period that I guess we’ve tried to commemorate in the chocolate version.

CHRISTMAS WREATH The real wreath of foliage and fruits is one tradition that seems to have revived somewhat

in the past few years as workshops and whatnot spring up in December at farm shops and florists. The word comes from the Old English ‘writhen’ meaning to writhe or twist and wreaths as we know them today probably started out as Kissing Boughs, evolving into door wreaths and mistletoe bunches. It really is easy to make a jolly looking wreath or buy a basic wreath and decorate it with pine cones, fruit, ribbons and bundles of cinnamon sticks.

It’s festive and fun to do and does make you feel very Christmassy. n Jane Moore is the award-winning gardening columnist and head gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel and presenter on BBC’s Gardeners’ World. Twitter @janethegardener.

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Pritchard PIF DEc 16.qxp_PIF Full Page 24/11/2016 11:17 Page 85

PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

T

urleigh is a sought-after hamlet approximately 2 miles west of Bradford on Avon and within walking distance of all the amenities in Winsley. Edgecombe is situated within a south facing plot of approximately 1 acre, in an elevated position with far reaching countryside views. There are three/four floors of accommodation with an internal floor area of around 1910 sq ft, which briefly comprises: Ground floor: Family room and drawing room. First floor: Dining room, study, kitchen and utility room. Second floor: Three bedrooms and family bathroom. Upper floor: Bedroom four with en suite bathroom.

The house is decorated in a contemporary, neutral style to provide a welcoming and easily maintained, spacious family home. The gardens are mostly laid to lawn, beautifully planted and included fruit trees, a vegetable garden, greenhouse, pond, stream and sun terrace from which to enjoy the views. Parking comes in the form of a detached garage and there is enough additional space for several vehicles.

EDGECOMBE COTTLES LANE TURLEIGH, NR. BATH • Four bedrooms • Two bathrooms • Large gardens with pond and stream • Desirable countryside location • Contemporary, neutral décor

OIEO: £925,000 Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

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DeCeMBeR 2016

ouse hunters in Bath looking for a new, waterside apartment are being advised to visit Bath Riverside, the multi awardwinning development on the south banks of the River Avon.

However, anyone seriously interested in buying will need to get a move on as strong demand has resulted in only a handful of this property type remaining.

Located in the Alexandra House phase, the two-bedroom properties are positioned from the ground floor up to the fourth, and the variety is expected to appeal to those with different buying criteria from those wanting views to easy ground level access.

Not just the preserve of trendy hipster thirty somethings, these apartments have appealed to a wide-ranging clientele such as downsizers or those wanting a lock up and leave.

Crest Nicholson, the housebuilder, is offering to pay the stamp duty and with Help to Buy available this has broadened the scope of potential buyers to include first timers wanting to unlock the door to their first home.

A pleasant 15 minute walk along the flat, pedestrian tow path or Upper Bristol Road takes residents to the heart of the city centre and amongst the wide range of shops, cafes and local amenities, and has acted as another major selling point for buyers.

Christine Hamilton, sales advisor said: “A recent surge in sales since the summer has meant fewer and fewer opportunities on our apartments and we’re now geared up to sell most, if not all of these by early 2017.

“It’s interesting to note that around 75 per cent of buyers at the development have come from the local area while a staggering 97 per cent said they have some kind of connection to Bath.

“There is now a thriving new community at Bath Riverside that has fast developed its own sense of being which has become part of the fabric of the city.

“Anyone who was considering buying an apartment at the development must make up their mind now or have to wait until the next phase of apartments is released.” n For further information please call 01225 463 517 or visit: crestnicholson.com/bathriverside. The marketing suite on Victoria Bridge Road is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

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THINKING PROPERTY Peter Greatorex, managing director of The apartment Company

Give your buyers some magic and sparkle

L

ights have been switched on, Christmas adverts are competing for our attention and around the UK many of us are starting to feel a lot like Christmas. The season itself is more than an event; it is wrapped up in many emotions, kind of like moving home. That childlike tingle you get when you know you have found the one, and that sensation in the pit of your stomach when you’re given the keys and you open the door for the first time knowing that this apartment is now your home.

When you’re selling your home it’s easy to be swept away with the season, therefore we want to give you some handy tips so that you and your buyers can both enjoy the magic and sparkle. At The Apartment Company, we believe that selling your home is all about the senses and during the festive season you really can have some fun.

Scrap the plugins, and go for natural. If you have a real tree you will know there is nothing more delicious that the scent of pine filling a room. Make our own room scents using infused herbs, spices and fruits. Not only do they smell nice but they’re so beautiful that you would want them on display. Imagine a mason jar filled with oranges, cinnamon, and cloves and maybe a touch of allspice, potential buyers will be fascinated by the scent and also your creativity.

I don’t know about you but brrrrr the weather has changed, so warm your buyers by lighting your fire and putting your heating on.

Now when they step out from the cold they will start to feel cosy, what a great way of making them feel at home.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, where possible decorate with natural foliage it will really enhance the features of your apartment.

But also be mindful of holding back on the grotto look. Buyers will be expecting decorations but they also want to view your apartment that will be hard if it’s filled with tinsel and large singing snowmen.

When people are viewing a property they often think where they would place their Christmas tree, which is why this season is so powerful. Allow your home to create the right impression and they could be leaving your apartment thinking ‘All I want for Christmas is you’.

The Apartment Company, granting some moving wishes this Christmas If you’re looking to buy, sell, let or rent an apartment in Bath choose the agent who has the golden touch, we invite you to experience The Apartment Company. Tel: 01225 471144

The changing face of the estate agent Duncan Nash, of Bath estate agents Nash & Co asks a big question

I

recently read an article in The Telegraph that said estate agents were only trusted by 11% of the population and were the fourth most distrusted profession behind bankers, journalists and politicians, hardly an accolade.

Having worked as an estate agent for over 30 years, I have had to suffer many derogatory comments (not often aimed at me!) about estate agents, and how disliked they are. I have even been introduced by a good friend to someone I do not know as “this is Duncan, he is the captain of our sports team”, not “this is Duncan, he’s an estate agent” I occasionally wonder if my good friend was too embarrassed to say? But are all agents still the same as say the class of 1986? Have there been no real changes or improvements made in the industry? If so, is it still fair to use those throw away comments like never trust an estate agent?

When I was a young trainee agent learning my trade in the late 1980s in North London, there were ultimately some sharp practices going on. I remember being asked by my then manager to drive round Highbury and Islington looking for suitable places to erect a ‘For Sale’ sign. A favourite used to be where there was a block of flats with one or more for sale boards already outside the block. From memory it was called flyposting, and its practices lie firmly in the late 80s as far as I am concerned.

Well to speak up for the modern day real estate business, I believe a lot has changed and for the better.

At Nash & Co we are members of a re-dress scheme called the Property Ombudsman, should any clients or customers have a grievance. We are also by choice, members of the National Association of Estate Agents, enabling us to demonstrate transparency and ensure that we are at the forefront of developments in the industry and to provide the very best moving experience to our consumers.

As far as rules and regulations go, since 1979 we have been governed by the Estate Agent Act, which basically tells us legally how we should act.

However we now also have to comply strictly with Anti Money Laundering, Regulations, Consumers Protection Regulations, Data Protection Act and the Equality Act amongst others.

These Acts and Regulations help form how we practice and provide the backbone of how we work. It is important for you the customer, and it is important for us as agents to know the rules of the game and abide by them. It is after all a more litigious society, where we appear to be encouraged to complain rather than praise a service.

Where there have been huge leaps and improvements is in customer service. At Nash & Co it is like a drum we keep beating to each other, the one that talks about feedback and communication, being courteous and respectful, being fair, honest and straight down the line.

Nash & Co are trying to improve year on year and were really proud to win a silver award for Best Customer Service in Bath amongst estate agents in 2016. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that there are many good and excellent agents in Bath and they provide stiff and healthy competition.

If you get to use an agent in 2017, I hope it’s a great and wonderful experience and in some way it helps to change your perception of what and how we do things.

Have a Merry Christmas.

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Wishing you all A Happy Christmas

NASH & CO SOLD

LANSDOWN, Lansdown Road Guide Price: £940,000

SOLD

CITY CENTRE, Catherine Place Guide Price: £640,000

SOLD

Guide Price: £750,000

SOLD

SOLD

LANSDOWN, Richmond Place

BANNERDOWN, Bannerdown Road

Guide Price: £960,000

Guide Price: £1,350,000

enquiries@nashandcobath.co.uk 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED

Guide Price: £905,000

WIDCOMBE, Prior Park Cottages

Guide Price: £625,000

LANSDOWN, Sion Road

NEWBRIDGE, Newbridge Hill

SOLD

BANNERDOWN, Court Gardens

SOLD

SOLD

Guide Price: £535,000

SOLD

NIMLET, Five Mile View Guide Price: £410,000

SOLD

EAST HARPTREE, Summerleaze Guide Price: £860,000

www.nashandcobath.co.uk Tel: 01225 444 800

.co.uk

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Bear Flat Fair Oaks, Freshford ÂŁ1,100,000

Camden Dowding Road, Bath, BA1 ÂŁ700,000

Fair Oaks is the creation of local house builder Cotswold Homes located in a stunning rural area on the outskirts of Bath. Freshford Fields is a small development of only six detached homes and Fair Oaks is the final property remaining. Located on the fringe of Freshford ,with stunning barn style elevations to the front and a contemporary entrance hall featuring floor to ceiling windows, open plan kitchen/family/dining area, five bedrooms (two of which are en-suite) and family bathroom. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBA

Dowding Road is a highly regarded location in the extremely popular Larkhall area of Bath. Just 1.1miles from the centre with an array of shops and abundant community events. This detached two/three bedrooms home, requiring modernisation, is a fantastic opportunity. Offering fine views to St Saviours and Solsbury Hill, pretty garden which wraps around the property, garage and the driveway. Energy Efficiency Rating: E

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Bath Central Leopold House, Percy Terrace, Bath, BA2 ÂŁ379,950

Newbridge Wells Road BA2 Guide Price ÂŁ575,000

A two bedroom, two bathroom apartment part of the award winning riverside development and adjacent to the River Avon in the centre of World Heritage Bath. The building comes with a gated underground parking area, lifts in the building and recently done communal gardens. Energy Efficiency Rating: B

Beautiful stone built semi detached cottage full of character and charm. Accommodation includes sitting room opening to dining area, utility room with WC, beautiful kitchen/breakfast room with French doors that open onto the south facing garden and four double bedrooms. Garage and parking. Energy Efficiency Rating: N/A

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King Edward Road • Spacious Edwardian semi-detached house • Four double bedrooms • Garage and parking space • Private enclosed gardens • Three reception rooms • Modern kitchen • Period features • Superb family sized accommodation • Price: £685,000

ldfield Park continues to grow as a residential hub for families, with a number of well respected schools nearby, including Hayesfield and Beechen Cliff. This property can be found on the upper slopes of Oldfield Park, with Bear Flat and Moorland Road shopping parades just a stone’s throw away, making this a great spot for when you need to pop around the corner for the necessities.

This Edwardian double fronted semi-detached property is both spacious and full of character, boasting four double bedrooms and plenty of family space downstairs, where you can imagine a family making themselves feel right at home.

There are two reception rooms to the front of the house. The sitting room has a handsome period style fireplace and bay window, and the formal dining room also has a period fireplace. At the rear of the house is a third reception room, which could be turned into a family room or study, as well as a kitchen with modern wooden units and black granite working surfaces.

Plus there’s a downstairs cloakroom.

On the first floor, there are three double bedrooms with wooden flooring throughout and a well appointed bathroom.

The attic has been converted into a large, light fourth bedroom, with Velux windows to both the front and rear elevations.

There is a private, well tended garden to the rear with a small ornamental fishpond (with fish included).

The size of the garden is perfect to host a barbecue for family and friends in the summer months, and with its high walls you won’t have to worry about disturbing the neighbours.

This property also includes a single adjoining garage and additional off-street parking.

O

Mark Naylor, 1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath. Tel: 01225 422224

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k Mar r o l y a N

local • trusted • independent

Meet the Mark Naylor Lettings Team After a busy year Mark Naylor Estate Agents are excited by the need to expand their lettings team to manage the demands of their growing business. Now with seven experienced and qualified members of staff, the team are looking forward to a busy future and are taking this opportunity to introduce the two new members of the team.

Sarah Bryant Sarah joins the Mark Naylor Lettings team excited to work for an independent agent, allowing her the opportunity to provide that personal service to each and every client.

After working for Andrews on George Street as a Lettings Manager, Sarah has 15 years experience in the property industry and has worked in a variety or roles over the years. She joins the Mark Naylor Lettings team as the New Business Manager, where her main role is to carry out market appraisals and to develop the business. Sarah advises that anyone considering the purchase of a buy to let property should get in touch early so she can assist with their search.

☎ 01225 422 224

Georgina Curtis Georgina joined the team in November after moving from Edinburgh back to her home city of Bath. She previously worked for Click-Let property management for over a year, where she gained her NFOPP technical award in residential letting and property management. Georgina is now a full time Lettings Negotiator within the team and having grown up in Bath she can use her knowledge of the city and the market to advise clients.

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BROCK STREET, Bath Two bedroom, two bathroom well presented second floor apartment located on the corner of prestigious Brock Street and the architecturally important Kings Circus in central Bath.

EPC Rating: Exempt Grade II listed

ÂŁ695,000

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HOBBEMA HOUSE, Dyrham

ÂŁ1,025,000

A charming period seventeenth century country house in the desirable village of Dyrham. The property offers two reception rooms, kitchen, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, separate detached self contained studio, parking and gardens.

EPC Rating: Exempt Grade II listed

LD SO

LD

Grade I Listed Georgian Ground and lower ground • Three bedrooms Garden • Approx 1,530 Sq Ft

Modern building • Second floor • Three bedrooms • Allocated parking Lift • Approx 950 Sq Ft

Henrietta Street

Prestigious building • Second floor • Beautiful décor • Two bedrooms • High spec kitchen • Private parking

SO £420,000

Grade I Listed • Georgian • Maisonette • Private entranc • Three bedrooms • Central location • Approx 1,091 Sq Ft

LD £385,000

Grade I listed • Georgian • First floor • Two double bedrooms • Well presented • City centre • Approx 744 Sq Ft

Connaught Mansions £495,000

Catharine Place

£400,000

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Second floor • Two bedrooms • Communal gardens • Bright • 604 Sq Ft

LD

St James’s Street

SO

LD £390,000

Grade I Listed • Georgian • Ground floor • One double bedrooms • High ceilings • Drawing room • Prestigious address

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£450,000

Grade I Listed • Georgian • Second floor • One bedroom • Fitted kitchen • Prime location • Approx 784 Sq Ft

SO

LD SO Great Pulteney St

Cavendish Place

£500,000

SO

SO

SO

£495,000

£550,000

Modern building • Ground floor • Three bedrooms • Communal garden • Lift • Approx 956 Sq Ft

SO

Grade II Listed • Lower ground floor maisonette • Two bedrooms • Modern kitchen • Garden • Spacious

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Lower ground • Two bedrooms • Stunning interior • Approx 1,195 Sq Ft

Northanger Court

LD

Park Street

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Top floor • Two bedrooms • Stunning views • Approx 1,005 Sq Ft

LD

Marlborough Buildings £500,000

LD

£525,000

Camden Crescent

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LD

LD

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£575,000

SO

•

LD

Northanger Court

•

SO

SO

LD

Lansdown Crescent £700,000

Grade I Listed • Georgian • Lower ground floor maisonette • Two double bedrooms • Garden • Parking

LD

Grosvenor Place

SO

LD £700,000

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Two reception rooms • Two bedrooms • Terrace • Lift • Approx 2,234 Sq Ft

SO

Portland Place

SO

SO

LD

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Lansdown Place West £380,000

Bloomfield Road

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Lower ground floor • Stylish kitchen • One bedroom • Courtyard • Private vaults

Period property • Three bedrooms • Stunning refurbishment • Far reaching views • Approx 1,163 Sq Ft

£375,000

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LD LD £305,000

Albion Place

Grade II Listed Georgian Top floor • Double bedroom • Stunning views • Kitchen with dining • Approx 586 Sq Ft

Georgian style First floor One bedroom • Well presented • Views • Approx 410 Sq Ft • Close to the City centre •

£215,000 •

£310,000

Grade I Listed • Georgian • Lower ground floor • One bedroom • Open plan • Central location • Approx 615 Sq Ft

Dale House

£290,000

Period property • Second floor • Two double bedrooms • Contemporary • Garage • Approx 735 Sq Ft

SO

Newbridge Road

£205,000

Victorian Ground floor One bedroom • Private garden • South facing • Approx 439 Sq Ft • On all main bus routes •

Paragon

LD

Period property • Ground floor • Two bedrooms • Well presented • Communal garden • Approx 872 Sq Ft

LD

Spencers Belle Vue £280,000

£325,000

Grade II Listed • Georgian • First floor • Well presented • One bedroom • Period features • Approx 657 Sq Ft

SO

The Grange

SO

SO

LD

£310,000

Broad Street

SO £315,000

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Second floor • One bedroom • Spacious • Private store room • Approx 673 Sq Ft

LD

New development • Ground floor • High specification • Beautiful Schmidt kitchen • Luxury bathroom

SO

George Street

SO

SO Millennium Court

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Lower ground floor • Cottage style kitchen • One bedroom • Private parking space

LD

SO

LD

£325,000

Cleveland Cottages £310,000

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£325,000

Modern building • Two bedrooms • Contemporary kitchen • Open plan living • Central location • Approx 736 Sq Ft

LD

Grade II Listed • Georgian • Open plan • Two double bedrooms • Newly refurbished • Approx 1,125 Sq Ft

•

St Georges Place

SO

LD SO Longfox Manor

Grade • Listed • Georgian • second floor • One bedroom • Fabulous views • Large sitting room • Approx 646 Sq Ft

LD

Widcombe Crescent £325,000

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SO

LD £345,000

Modern building • Third floor • Two double bedrooms • South facing balcony • Garage • Visitors parking • Approx 742 Sq Ft

SO

LD

St Patricks Court

LD

£365,000

Georgian • First floor apartment • High spec modern kitchen • Period features • Two double bedrooms • Central location

SO

LD SO

LD SO Manvers Street

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Grove Street

£200,000

Period apartment Central location • Ideal investment or first time buy • One bedroom • Approx 443 Sq Ft •

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T LE

T LE

T LE

LE

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Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Great Pulteney Street £1,850

Marlborough Buildings £1,800

Royal Crescent

Georgian First floor Beautiful interior • Two double bedrooms • Luxury en suite & bathroom • Furnished

Georgian Second floor Three double bedrooms • Well presented • Two luxury bathrooms • Prime location

Georgian Lower ground floor Private courtyard • Two bedrooms • Well presented • Prestigious address

£1,250

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£1,200

Georgian Period features Unfurnished • Two bedrooms • Level walk to City centre • First floor apartment •

T Portland Place

£1,350

Georgian • Maisonette • Two bedrooms with en suites • Lift • Delightful terrace • Luxury bathroom • Period features

LE

St Georges Place

£1,250

Modern • Two bedrooms • Permit parking • Well presented • Unfurnished • Modern bathroom • Central location

Henrietta Street

£1,225

Second floor • Two double bedrooms • No pets • Close to City centre • Newly refurbished • Unfurnished

LE

T

Green Park •

£1,500

Lower ground floor • Two double bedrooms • Stylish interior • Courtyard • Vault room • Modern bathroom and en suite

LE

T LE

T

£1,200

Georgian First floor Two bedrooms Well presented • Gas CH • Unfurnished • Prestigious address • Open plan •

•

T

Catharine Place

Georgian • Lower ground floor • Two double bedrooms • Vaults • Open plan sitting room kitchen • Well presented

LE St James’s Parade

Park Street

LE

T £1,250

Georgian • First floor • Two bedrooms • Well presented • Period features • Approx 1,089 Sq Ft • Central location

£1,625

Georgian Second floor Three bedrooms • Shower room • Stunning refurbishment • Beautiful views •

T

£1,550

Victorian • Three bedrooms • Luxury open plan kitchen • Contemporary bathrooms • Fabulous views • Garage and parking

Camden Crescent

LE

LE

West House

LE

T LE Green Park

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T

£1,600

Prestigious building • Two double bedrooms with en suites • Allocated Parking • Communal gardens • Gated entrance

£1,700

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T

•

LE

LE Cavendish Lodge

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•

T

•

T

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Kensington Chapel

£1,200

Conversion Ground floor Two double bedrooms • two en suites • Open plan living • Furnished • No pets •

•

Park Street

£1,200

Two double bedrooms Sought after location • No pets • Parking permit • Georgian • Well presented •

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Georgian Second floor One double bedroom • Good decorative order • Suit professional couple • Period features

Russel Street

£1,100

Rochfort Court

£1,050

T

Period property • First floor • Two double bedrooms • Allocated parking • Communal garden • Unfurnished/ Furnished

Widcombe Crescent

£925

Georgian • Sought after Crecent location • One double bedroom • Spacious • Fabulous views

T

T North Parade

Weston Lodge

LE

T

£975

Period property • Second floor • One bedroom • No pets • Prestigious location • Well presented • Views

LE £925

One double bedroom • Central location • Unfurnished • Well presented • Top floor apartment

Georgian • Second floor apartment Two bedrooms • Stunning views • Period features • Modern kitchen

•

LE £1,100

Modern building • Ground floor • Two double bedrooms • Furnished • Level walk to the City centre • Well presented

St James’s Square

Southbourne Mansions £1,100

T

•

LE £975

Two floors • Period apartment • Central location • Unfurnished • Well presented • Two bedrooms

T £925

One double bedroom • Ground floor • Centrally located • Period features • Furnished

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The Regina

LE

T LE Queens Parade

£1,100

LE

LE

£995

Georgian • First floor • Two bedrooms • New kitchen • Central location • Well presented • Period features

•

LE

T Period property • Two bedrooms • Well presented • Garage and parking • Sought after location • Communal gardens

T

Druids Garth

Georgian • Second floor • One bedroom • Sought after location • Beautifully presented • Part furnished

T

Great Pulteney Street £1,100

Duke Street

LE T

Period property Second floor Two double bedrooms • Stunning views • Prestigious address • Well presented •

LE

LE

T

Cavendish Place

•

LE

Modern building Two double bedrooms • Bike street • Communal garden terrace • Central location • No pets

Marlborough Buildings £1,195

T

£1,200

•

LE T

LE T

LE T Laurence House

£925

Furnished • One bedroom • Modern kitchen • Central location • Modern kitchen & bathroom

Chatham Row

£875

Georgian • Ground floor • Private front door • Period features • Central location • Unfurnished

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