The Bath Magazine February 2025 by MC Publishing Limited

A Place in the Sun

lights, solar imagery and the sounds of the sun to t he Assembly Rooms

AROUND THE CLOCK

Horologist Steve Fletcher explains the wonders of The Repair Shop

DIGITAL REPUBLIC

An initiative to build digital skills in the local community UNDER THE LENS

Photographer Paul Gooch captures the spirit of the city

WORKS OF ART

Georgian satire, Renaissance maps and 20th-century portraits go on show

Step

Luke

Horologist

Mid-20th-century

One

No slurping, ﬁnger licking or making a show of yourself when dining in a restaurant, says Melissa Blease

A photograph of Tessa Brand by Joe Short

Dave Attwood on team dynamics, retirement and Aperol spritz

Sarah Williment on bringing digital democracy to Bath

Andrew

Mirror mirror on the wall, which is the best wall to use?

Plan your vegetable plot and browse the seed catalogues

FROM THE EDITOR

Ihave always adored older things. It’s more than having a statement interest in vintage and retro items; it’s because an object made in the past has a colourful living history, and multiple stories of people and places to tell. So the chance to speak to horologist Steve Fletcher, star of BBC’s The Repair Shop, was a real treat. The show sees a group of skilled craftspeople, including Steve, repairing loved family heirlooms brought in by the public. It’s not about adding financial value, but about restoring faded, damaged and broken items using traditional skills. We see the process, and then we see the emotional reactions from the owners. Steve, who is visiting The Forum this month with other members of the team to share stories from the barn, told me about

how he loves working on the show, and how it has caught the zeitgeist of the times (see page 20).

We are also celebrating artefacts from the past in an arts special starting on page 36, which takes an insightful look at three new exhibitions in Bath – one of the finest collections of Renaissance maps in the world at the American Museum & Gardens; the satirical works of Thomas Rowlandson and John Nixon at Victoria Art Gallery; and iconic portraits of the 20th century, from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at the Holburne.

To capture the here and now we profile a collection of photographs on page 44 from Paul J Gooch’s recently published photobook, The City of Bath – Enduring Structures and Transient Lives, which finds a novel way of animating the city for the present day.

We engage with the digital world too, with Sarah Williment who sheds light on how digital exclusion affects disadvantaged communities and explains ways that individuals and businesses can help bridge the digital gap (see page 62). We also ‘reflect’ upon the integration of mirrors in the interior (see page 76); get the lowdown on life post retirement from ex Bath Rugby Lock Dave Attwood on page 58; and Melissa Blease takes a firm stance on how manners in restaurants are not quite as exemplary as they once were (page 48).

The days may be chilly, but we have sunshine on our cover (courtesy of installation artist Luke Jerram) and light and warmth in our hearts to carry us through February.

May the Sun be with you!

Revel in the snowdrops

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Emma Clegg, Editor

With support from Great Chalfield Manor and the National Trust, Dorothy House is hosting an annual Snowdrops Open Garden event on Sunday 16 February. So head down to Great Chalfield Manor and enjoy an early spring stroll amongst the snowdrops in the grounds of this beautiful 15thcentury manor house in the tranquil Wiltshire countryside. Teas, coffees and cakes will be served. Entry is between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on 16 February, with an entry fee of £7, which supports Dorothy House’s delivery of personalised palliative and end-of-life care across B&NES and parts of Somerset and Wiltshire. Pay on arrival, or pre-register at dorothyhouse.org.uk/getinvolved/events/snowdrops

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City updates

GET CURIOUS IN THE CITY

Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas is back, lighting up Bath from 10–31 March with an expanded programme of over 40 book talks, film screenings, live podcast shows, music, walking tours and writing workshops designed to entertain, challenge and inspire. Curated by the Bath Arts Collective, this year’s festival continues to champion the spirit of curiosity and innovation while celebrating Bath’s unique cultural and creative scene.

The dynamic programme features globally recognised names and homegrown talent. Key highlights include award-winning journalist Gabriel Gatehouse, who tackles the volatile state of American politics in his book What Next for America?, and sports administrator Baroness Sue Campbell whose book The Game Changer discusses her groundbreaking career. There is also a series of Podcast Live Shows including Three Bean Salad with comedians Mike Wozniak, Henry Paker and Ben Partridge. Other events include Should Prisons Be Beautiful? with criminology professor Yvonne Jewkes and philosopher Andy West, and The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, an extraordinary untold story presented by historian Anne Sebba. Workshops include The Anyone Can Be a Podcaster! workshop with Nigel Fryatt who will guide participants through scripting, recording and editing to create a 10-minute pilot episode and Writing 9-5: What a Way to Make a Living! with Jennie Godfrey and Samuel Burr. To close the festival Elif Shafak and Alev Scott bring an exclusive Curious Minds Conversation called Women, Water and Wanderlust

Tickets are on sale from Thursday 30 January at 10am via batharts.co.uk

AMENDED RUGBY STADIUM PLANS

Bath Rugby has submitted amended plans for a new state-of-theart stadium at The Rec, the club’s home since 1894. The amended application reflects valuable feedback from the public, key stakeholders, and B&NES, addressing technical points identified since the initial submission last year.

The new stadium design boasts significant improvements, including lowering the heights of the West and East Stands. These enhancements are not just aesthetic; they aim to elevate the matchday experience while preserving the unique character of the surrounding area.

“We’ve listened closely to the community and our stakeholders, as well as the statutory consultees that are invited to comment, and we are committed to delivering a stadium that meets the needs of our fans and respects the rich heritage of Bath,” said Tarquin McDonald, Chief Executive of Bath Rugby. “This showcases an exciting vision for the future, with significant public benefits that will positively contribute to the entire community."

Key benefits of the new stadium design include:

• A new curved roof form which reduces the heights, resulting in increased views of the city and surrounding hills

• Enhanced landscaping to the river

• Redesign of East and West Stand facades

• Re-engineered and enhanced seating bowl

The resubmitted plans retain all the benefits included in the original application from 2023:

• 18,000 capacity stadium with enhanced accessibility

• Contemporary and sensitive design

• Increased community use with new stadium facilities

• Regenerated riverside, retention of mature trees, as well as further landscaping and bio-diversity measures

• A host of sustainability measures to support a target of net zero operational carbon

• Riverside café/restaurant, Club shop and museum for nonmatchday use

For more information, visit the dedicated Stadium for Bath page on the Bath Rugby website: bathrugby.com/stadium-for-bath

Supporters and the public are now able to comment via the Council’s planning portal until Saturday 8 February. shorturl.at/tAPYj

Andy West

Anne Sebba

THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY

Listen to love

This concert for Valentine’s Day on 14 February (7.30pm-9.45pm) at The Forum with Bath Philharmonia is full of brooding musical romanticism, fabled love, passion and heartbreak. It features internationally acclaimed Brazilian violinist Guido Sant’Anna performing Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto. Lighting sparks of orchestral virtuosity, Bath Philharmonia perform Manuel De Falla’s dizzying and passionate Ritual Fire Dance alongside Zoltán Kodály’s Romanian folk-tune inspired Dances of Galánta. Tickets from £28.50. bathboxoffice.org.uk

Absorb a tale full of sound and fury

A screening of Macbeth on 8 February with David Tennant and Cush Jumbo who lead a stellar cast in a new 5-star production of Shakespeare’s classic, filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in London. Unsettling intimacy and brutal action combine at breakneck speed as Max Webster directs this tragic tale of love, murder, and nature’s power of renewal. Tickets: £16/£9 U18s + students.

Macbeth screening, 8 February, 2pm, Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford-on-Avon. wiltshiremusic.org.uk

Feel the passion

Bath Opera has assembled a stellar international cast for the major roles in this fully staged production of Bellini’s Norma. It is a tale of epic passions across the divides of conflict, in this case between the conquering Romans and the Gaul Druids around 50BC. A taboo-breaking love triangle threatens to provoke a blood-curdling response but culminates in the ultimate self-sacrifice. Casta Diva from Norma features in the blockbuster film Maria starring Angelina Jolie, portraying Maria Callas’s relationship with her signature roles. Tickets £15/£29. bathboxoffice.org.uk; bathopera.com

19-22 February, 7pm, The Roper Theatre, Hayesfield School, Upper Oldfield Park, Bath

Engage with AI experts

University of Bath Ignite+ is a free half-day event to showcase the cuttingedge research involving AI/ML within the University of Bath’s computer science department. Speakers from industry and academia will present case studies of the how the latest research in computer science tech has been used to transform businesses, innovate products and create growth. Engage with experts across computer sciences, and take part in workshop discussions. eventbrite.co.uk

University of Bath Ignite + 27 February, 9.30am-1pm DoubleTree by Hilton, Walcot St, Bath

Stand together for Ukraine

The Together We Stand concert in support of Ukraine at Bath Abbey on 24 February (7pm to 9pm) will feature Ukrainian music in a fantasy style by young composer Mariia Yaremak from Ukraine (see image). The concert opens with the children’s choir Voices for Life singing in Ukrainian. The Argyle String Orchestra will then perform together with pianist Mariia Yaremak, and you’ll also hear the beautiful voice of Ukrainian star Nicole Medin. During the concert, artist Alexandra Dikaia will create a unique painting live, afterwards to be auctioned to raise funds for the city of Oleksandriya, Ukraine. Tickets £15-£40. bathboxoffice.org.uk

My Bath

KATE ABBEY

Kate Abbey is a Festival Director, Arts Consultant and a Trustee at Bath City FC Charity Foundation. She is co‐founder of Bath Arts Collective who launched the city festival Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas in 2024.

Where were you born and brought up?

I was brought up in the beautiful Devon countryside with my parents, sister, an assortment of animals and a lot of books!

What brought you to Bath? My husband and I moved here in 2006 with our son who was 18 months old. We’d left London to try out life in a small Oxfordshire village but missed the culture, buzz and work that a city provides so decided to settle in Bath. It also brought us closer to my parents who live in Freshford.

How do you ﬁnd Bath as a city to live in?

Bath has been full of positives. It’s been a wonderful place to bring up our two children, now both teenagers and embarking on their own adventures – I couldn’t have done without the green spaces, numerous coffee shops and places like The Egg, Little Theatre, The Holburne and Bath City Football Club.

Professionally Bath has supported me as I’ve forged a whole new career post children as an Artistic Director and Festival Programmer. I’ve met my tribe – those who care deeply about the impact of their work on the communities they represent and are generous with their time and expertise.

A current frustration that is shared by most of us working in this space is inequality across our city, specifically in terms of the cultural

opportunities (or lack of). Cities belong to everyone who lives in them and ours can sometimes be in danger of only listening and responding to a privileged minority.

Name a favourite place in Bath. I love the upstairs room at my favourite pub, The Grapes. It’s called Pocock’s Living Room and is a Jacobean space with a lime plaster ceiling dating from around 1812. It’s regularly used now for brilliant events like Babel Book Club, music performances and art drawing classes.

How does Bath balance its history and its role as a contemporary city? Hmmm, honestly, if I was writing a school report, I’d probably say ‘could do better’. Preservation is hugely important and clearly crucial in terms of our tourism industry – but we must also celebrate innovation and experimentation and stop ourselves from constantly referencing former glories.

How and when did you get involved in organising festival events? I met my Bath Arts Collective work partner-in-crime, Kate Hall, at the school gates about 10 years ago and she spotted that I was in need of a fresh challenge and brought me into the instantly addictive books and music festival world. I’m a programmer, so my role is to find the writers, thinkers, comedians, musicians and performers to build interesting and eclectic lineups. She’s a producer so turns my thoughts and ideas into reality. We then have Jasmine Barker, who drives all the marketing and audience development elements.

I’m a magpie – drawn to shiny new things, so I love the thrill of creating events, collaborating with others, meeting fascinating people and seeing them connect with audiences. When we fail (live events are hard to always get right), we come together, dust ourselves off, and get out and do it again! When you get it right, it's the best feeling in the world.

What have been some of your most precious moments in the city? This is a very personal one but my daughter (now 16)

was born on our kitchen floor. She came sooner than we thought she would and despite only being 10 minutes from the RUH it became clear that wasn’t going to be an option. My husband always reminds me that he dragged a mattress up from the basement – and so once again I’d like to thank him for his contribution! And professionally there have been so many amazing pinch-me moments, I’ve been so lucky. March 2024 however saw us take a big gamble and launch Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas – 30 book talks, film screenings, live performances, writing workshops and walks held in over 13 venues across Bath. Jeremy Bowen, Bryony Gordon and Robin Ince were headliners, we brought award-winning LGBTQ+ Polari Salon to Komedia, held the Big Bath Pop Culture Quiz, showcased local writers and partnered with both universities.

We brought the whole thing to life, from original conception to delivery in just under 20 weeks, starting with an idea and some generous support from a few venues and our festival bookseller, Mr B’s. To have our own festival that contributes to the cultural ecosystem in Bath (we’re back for more in March 2025) feels very special.

What would be your choice of Desert Island Discs book to take to your island?

And what would be your luxury? Please don’t make me choose! If forced to make a decision I think it would be Station Eleven by Emily St.John Mandel, a gripping read that asks the question if civilization was lost, what would you save and how far would you go to preserve that?

And a luxury… A very large gin and tonic in a very heavy tall glass please. With crisps.

Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas runs from 10-31 March. Visit batharts.co.uk for the programme line-up.

Jasmine Barker, Kate Hall and Kate Abbey

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Naturals blog...

with the ﬁshermen

Fishermen are up with the sun so they can get the best catch, and dress in yellow so they can be seen in all weathers. The seafaring life can be tough, however, especially if you lose track of your nautical vessel. There’s always relief in the singing of a sea shanty, however...

Arrrrrrrr, me lovelies!!!! Me and my crew are on a search for our vessel – an aqua-quest, if you like.

So where is our bloomin’ boat?

We’ve lost our boat!! Four fishermen has lost their boat, how has this come to pass, I hear you cry! Oh yes sir, indeedy. We have lost our boat. That is the sad state of affairs in our topsy-turvy world. Let me tell you why we have lost our boat…

We have never seen anything like last night’s storm. The rain came down in torrents…. Got into my bones and all my crevices, it did. We were rushing around trying to set up the sails, but then we realised it was a motor boat. So instead, we shouted a lot… and then we sang a sea shanty or two… We even did imitations of Robert Shaw in Jaws, but it was no good… the storm was upon us and we thought we were gonners.

They say that the sea is a cruel mistress – well she was that night. The waves were 30 foot high in the horrendous winds. Then, without a warning, we were scooped us up like a doughnut in a fat-fryer. Or like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz (except of course we are big burly fishermen in sowesters, not a small girl in gingham wearing red shoes).

Proper swept up with the storm, we was! We were tossed around in the sky and flew through the air like big yellow seagulls… Then we were thrown aground… but where was our boat? Still at sea? Or did it follow us and land somewhere near? Now we can’t find our bloomin’ boat!

I am the captain, Captain Cod, and the rest of the crew are Rod, John Dory and of course Annette. In the course of our journey to find the boat, we have met many lovely people. There was the kind lady who extracted several fish from my beard and a number of verruca plasters from John’s hat. Also the chap who drew us a detailed map to help us find the Severn Estuary, where there is lots of mud that it was quite possible our boat could be stuck in. We also met a fashion designer who after meeting us decided to start a shop on Etsy because she says our rainwear is high fashion! Many people have volunteered to write a sea-shanty to describe our plight. Here is one of my favourite efforts:

The storm was upon us, Oh aye oh aye, And the wind took us flying, Oh aye, through the sky

With a hey-ho, Ashore we did rest,

Me in my oilskins

And him in his vest.

With a hey hoy, No longer afloat, We wander the land... Where’s our bloomin boat?

So if you see a really big fishing boat while you are walking in the hills around Bath, please let us know… you can’t miss us, because we are bright yellow and boatless.

naturaltheatre.co.uk

Empire of the Sun

Luke Jerram’s celestial installations have been captivating global audiences for almost a decade, and his latest project is no different. Helios, a seven‐metre wide sculpture of the Sun, is making its first earthly appearance at the Assembly Rooms, available to see until 23 February, providing a new view of the star up close.

Since Luke Jerram’s 2016 exhibition Museum of the Moon, a seven-metre-wide sculpture of the moon that has since been presented in more than 40 countries, his astronomical portfolio has grown to include Gaia (2018) which visited Bath Abbey in 2023, Mars (2021) and, new for 2025, Helios

Named after the Greek god of the Sun, Helios debuted at Bath Assembly Rooms for two free weekends in January, and will now be on display every day from 30 January until 23 February. Scaled so that each centimetre represents 2,000km of the real Sun’s surface, the breathtaking installation is a chance for audiences to see the Sun’s intricate details, complete with all its sunspots, fibres, solar flares and spicules, up close for the first time.

Luke said of the installation: “As an artist, my job is to come up with ideas, and in some ways that’s the easy bit. The hard bit is then delivering on my promise, which is to create artworks that inspire and uplift people.

“Helios has taken more than six months to create, and there has been a huge amount of development and testing along the way, failures and successes, but I’m really pleased with the way it’s turned out. I love to see the surface ripple with the internal lighting – I think it really animates it and brings it to life.

“This artwork also allows you to walk all the way around it and see it from different angles – there’s a warmth to it, and in the middle of winter having an artwork like this is rather uplifting and gives people a sense of warmth and wellbeing.”

Luke’s background is in intergalactic artwork, and having been elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2019, Helios was made in close collaboration with specialists in the field. The imagery

“There’s a warmth to it, and in the middle of winter having an artwork like this is rather uplifting and gives people a sense of warmth and wellbeing”

for the artwork was compiled using photographs of the Sun provided by astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green (taken between May 2018 and June 2024) and NASA observations of the Sun, with guidance from solar scientist Professor Lucie Green of University College London.

The installation fuses solar imagery and sunlight with a specially created surround-sound composition by Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson that includes NASA recordings of the Sun. This is a fully immersive experience where people can take the time to consider the scale and significance of the installation and the Sun itself.

With the Sun as a life-giving force for humanity and its cultural

and spiritual significance in many societies globally, the artist hopes that the installation will present an opportunity for people to come together and connect across communities.

Commenting on the project, the Trust’s Director of Access and Conservation, John Orna-Ornstein, said: “Working with Luke has been such a natural fit for the Trust. Both passionate about the climate crisis and ensuring that as many people can access the arts and culture as possible, Helios presented the ideal opportunity to collaborate.

“Helios provides a simple and bold way to connect the public to the National Trust's ambitions for the coming 10 years, heralded in its new strategy. It will provide a dramatic focal point for specifically created events and programming, as we seek to engage more people with the benefits of experiencing nature and culture.

The sculpture hangs from the centre of the Ball Room ceiling at the Assembly Rooms, and audiences are given a 360° view, allowing them to walk right underneath it, experiencing its wonder amid the grandeur of the Grade I listed building.

Throughout 2025, The National Trust will display Helios at various locations across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to make the installation as accessible to as many people as possible.

Luke Jerram’s Helios is on display at Bath Assembly Rooms daily from 30 January – 23 February, 12pm – 6pm. Tickets are free for National Trust Members, or £5 for adults and £2.50 for children age 5–17. Free for under 5s.

Normal admission rates apply; visit welcometobath.co.uk to book. Bath Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath; nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/bath-bristol/bath-assembly-rooms

The repair man

Who would have thought that watching people mend broken and worn‐out objects would become an addictive, feel‐good experience? That’s the format that The Repair Shop has created, and eight years after the ﬁrst episode the items keep on rolling in to the famous barn... Ahead of The Repair Shop team’s visit to the Forum this month, Emma Clegg talks to horologist Steve Fletcher.

The Repair Shop, which first launched on our TV screens in 2017, follows an uplifting formula where broken or damaged family heirlooms are restored by a group of skilled craftspeople in a barn in West Sussex. The available specialists encompass furniture restorers, metalworkers, ceramicists, upholsterers, luthiers, paper conservators, experts in music boxes or stained glass windows, soft toy restorers, leatherworkers, hatters, master goldsmiths, and more.

With a fast promotion from BBC2 to BBC1, and the 14th series currently airing, it’s proved not only to be an engaging format but one that has captured the heart of the nation (and beyond, in Australia and Holland). Its success is based on its many connecting strands: it offers a wholesome antidote to throwaway culture and embraces the environmental zeitgeist; it has a deep appreciation of traditional crafts skills and the history of objects; and demonstrates a real sense of the power of family. It also shows the deep emotional connections we have with the things we own that are not shiny and new, which radiate heartfelt memories of those who made them, commissioned them and used them.

Horologist Steve Fletcher is one of the core team at The Repair Shop who has been there from the beginning, along with his sister saddlemaker Susie Fletcher. Often affectionately known as ‘the guy with two spectacles’, he is a watch and clock repairer who works on timepieces and internal mechanisms for the show. On 25 February Steve and a selection of the other specialists are visiting Bath Forum to share their stories from working in the barn and to answer questions from the audience, an exciting prospect for Repair Shop fans.

Steve explains how he got involved: “In 2016 I received an email from a company that I hadn’t heard of asking if I would be interested in taking part in a new show. Thinking it was spam, I nearly deleted it

and would have done if my partner, Mel hadn’t stopped me.”

Within a few weeks, Steve was filming in the (now famous) Repair Shop barn within The Weald and Downland Living Museum in Chichester. “I had never done any filming or TV work at all, so I got down there, wide-eyed, not knowing what was going to happen, and I was booked to do a couple of weeks. And it was just amazing. What a fantastic experience – although it was extremely cold in January when we started filming.”

[The Repair Shop] shows the deep emotional connections we have with the things we own that are not shiny and new, which radiate heartfelt memories of those who made them, commissioned them and used them

For the viewer the barn comes across as a busy hub of activity, friendship, mutual respect and cooperation, a cross, if you like, between Pa Ingalls’ workshop in Little House on the Prairie and Father Christmas’ hardworking elves in the North Pole. It never looks cold in the barn, despite any frosty January temperatures, because it’s full of smiling, skilled craftspeople eager to help anyone who walks through the doors with a battered, damaged, precious item to be mended.

Steve remembers fondly the very first piece that was shown in the workshop. “It was a clock that was made by someone who was completely blind – he had died, but his daughter brought the clock in, which had been made out of bits and pieces. It was an amazing, amazing device that showed the stages of the moon – it was phenomenal.”

Steve still remembers the impact of that first project. “That first repair was so rewarding, because none of us knew how it was all going to work and we just gelled from day one, all of us just gelled. And we’ve just stayed friends – every time we go down the barn, it’s like meeting old friends.”

Many repairs on the show involve collaboration, as one specialist’s skills often complement another’s. There might be an item with a battered leather strap or a chipped china doll’s head or a warped wheel that will benefit from another specialist’s contribution, so each endeavour becomes a labour

Steve with his sister Susie Fletcher, who is a saddlemaker

of consultation and cooperation, and, crucially, money is never mentioned. “I’m so thankful that we don't mention money and the value of things, really, because it’s beyond that. It’s better than that. It feels that the real value of what we do is nothing to do with money at all”, says Steve.

Steve runs his own horology business in Oxfordshire and is the third generation in a family of watch and clockmakers. His daughter, Millie, manages the business, while his son, Fred, joined as an apprentice clockmaker in 2020. “I’m really lucky to be in this family trade. I didn't coerce my son to join us – it was completely his decision, as it was mine, and we’ve got a thriving business with 12 people working doing watch and clock repairs. Many of these are youngsters, and that is so important for me to know that at my ripe old age, I can hand over all those bits of the trade to the next generation.”

This focus on preserving traditional craftsmanship is a theme woven throughout the programme. In 2022, Steve, along with the then host Jay Blades and other specialists, visited Dumfries House in Ayrshire, now owned by the King’s Foundation, to repair pieces from the Royal Collection. There, they met students from the Prince’s Trust (now the King’s Trust), learning skills like stonemasonry and blacksmithing. “It’s so important to pass on these skills. There are fewer and fewer traditional craftspeople, and once they’re gone, the expertise goes with them,” says Steve.

Although Steve’s expertise is in timepieces, many of his repairs involve mechanisms that aren’t time-based, such as cuckoo clocks or clockwork toys. “I’ve had to learn new skills, but clock and watchmaking involves a range of techniques. It’s not just mechanical; it’s also about finishing and figuring out how all the parts work together, and if there’s something missing, you have to reinvent what you think was there.”

As a child, Steve was fascinated by how things worked. “I was lucky enough to be brought up when there weren’t any computers, and we

made our own fun by making things and repairing things. I was always taking things apart, wanting to see how things worked. I was always trying to invent perpetual motion, much to my grandfather and father’s amusement. I've always had an inventive mind and have continued to invent my own things.”

This inventiveness extends to Steve’s work on The Repair Shop. Early in the first series, background noise from his microphone became a problem. “My apron rustles when I wear a mic, so I put it inside a pen top and hooked it over my apron. It worked brilliantly.”

Each repair involves around two hours of filming for every minute of TV, and with each piece receiving about eight minutes on screen, a lot of footage is cut. “We don’t film a show the way it’s presented. Each episode is a mix of different items. I might fix a clock one week, and then Dom [Chinea] might repair a car two months later. The two could then be edited together into one show.”

The highlight of each episode is the ‘big reveal’, when the owners return to see their restored items. This is where the real emotional power of the show comes through. Steve admits, “I’m a big softy. It’s so difficult not to get emotional when you see the owners’ reactions. And it’s not just the experts who get emotional; it’s the whole crew of about 25 people. It’s all real, absolutely real.”

Steve emphasises the unique nature of the show: “There’s no other place that does what we do. It’s all about collaboration, and the most enjoyable repairs are the ones where we all work together.” n

The Repair Shop Live – Secrets from the Barn is at the Forum on 25 February at 7.30pm where Steve Fletcher, Will Kirk, Lucia Scalisi and The Teddy Bear Ladies – Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell – share heartfelt anecdotes, cherished memories and behind-the-scenes stories from life inside the barn. Tickets £36.50. bathforum.co.uk

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Chunky Textured Cotton. Jumper in Mint. £120

Modal Lace Vest. in Mountain Lake, £32.

Viscose Drape Cape0 Dress0in Navy, £2550

Silk Scrunchie in. Dusty Pink, £16.

Portland Vintage Classic Trainer, £1450

Nakoa Leather Mix Jacket0 in Pink, £3650

Gold Vermeil Earring, £95.

1. Mallory Pink Sapphire and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18ct White Gold, £3585.00

2. Mallory Ruby and Diamond Half Eternity Ring in 18ct White Gold, £5300.00

3. Mallory Pink Sapphire Bracelet in 18ct White Gold, £6475.00

4. Chopard Happy Hearts 18ct Rose Gold Onyx and Diamond Pendant, £6920.00

5. Mallory 14ct Yellow and White Gold Stud Earrings, £465.00

6. Mallory Onyx Cufflinks in Sterling Silver, £180.00

7. Omega De Ville Prestige 41mm Watch in Steel, £4800.00

8. Mallory Ruby and Diamond Ring Platinum and 18ct Yellow Gold, £16245.00

9. Longines Mini DolceVita Watch in Steel, £3450.00

10. Opal Stud Earrings in 18ct Yellow Gold, £1100.00

11. Mallory Mother of Pearl Cufflinks in Sterling Silver, £150.00

12. Mallory Onyx Signet Ring in 9ct Yellow Gold, £1850.00

13. Montblanc Meisterstück Olympic Heritage Paris 1924 Fountain Pen, £780.00

14. Montblanc Sartorial Red Leather Pen Pouch, £160.00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

1. Mallory Pink Tourmaline Pendant in 18ct Yellow and White Gold, £2120

2. Mallory Ruby and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18ct White Gold, £4595

3. Chopard Happy Hearts Purple Silk Twill Scarf, £337

4. Mallory Antique Pearl and Pink Tourmaline Arrow Brooch in Yellow Gold, £800

5. Mallory Sapphire and Diamond Half Eternity Ring in Platinum, £5500

6. Mallory Diamond Half Eternity Ring in Platinum, £12000

7. Mallory Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Earrings in 18ct Yellow Gold, £1750

8. Mallory Diamond Hoop Earrings in 18ct Yellow Gold, £3900

9. Mallory Victoria Diamond Ring in Platinum, £24950.00

10. Mallory Sapphire and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18ct White Gold, £3995

11. Mallory Cut Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 18ct White Gold, £2695

12. Fabergé Heritage Palais Yelagin 18ct Rose Gold Red Enamel and Diamond Pendant, £6000

13. Chopard Happy Sport 36mm Watch in Steel, £6390

14. Lalique Sparrow Pink Luster Crystal Sculpture, £429

15. Mallory Glasgow Sterling Silver Photo Frame, £390

What’s on

MUSIC AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE

n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park Road

Enjoy live jazz/funk/soul/swing at Green Park Brasserie on Weds and Thurs from 6.30–8.45pm and Fri and Sat from 6.30–9.45pm. Visitors can continue to enjoy the £15 pizza and pint/prosecco deal, and February brings a new music collaboration as 7 Hills festival founder Matt Owens introduces The Nightjar. There is also a children’s menu for February half term and a special set of live jazz on 14 February for Valentine’s. greenparkbrasserie.com

REBALANCE BATH – FESTIVAL OF WELLBEING 2025

Until 16 February

n Locations around the city

ReBalance Bath, Festival of Wellbeing is celebrating its third year! Experience wellbeing for yourself with tons of feel-good activities, meditation, and exclusive hotel and spa packages. Chase away the cold dark days of winter and treat yourself at this celebration of feel-good activities, mindfulness and motivation, exclusive hotel and spa packages, taster sessions and family fun. You’re bound to find the perfect experience for you. welcometobath.co.uk/rebalance-bath-2025

U3A: THE GHOSTS OF PASSCHENDAELE

6 February, 10.30am–11.30am

n The Pavilion, North Parade Road

Author Frederick Petford shares the fascinating history behind his novel The Ghosts of Passchendaele, taking in the formation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission during the Great War, and the remarkable survival of witchcraft in the Cotswolds. Doors 9.45am for coffee. Free members/£5 non-members. u3ainbath.uk

BALLINGER JEWELLERY POP-UP

7–9 February, 10am–6pm n 22c New Bond Street, Bath

Join Ballinger for its first ever jewellery pop-up store! You’ll find all of Ballinger’s hero pieces, new-season hits and some special one-off pieces too. The first 20 customers on Friday 7 February will receive special free treats! ballingerjewellery.com

CARL WRIGHT: ‘BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE’MAKING A GARDEN IN THE BURREN

10 February, 7.30pm–9pm

n University of Bath Gardening Club, Room 1 Level 1, East Building, East Car Park, University of Bath, Claverton Down Carl, owner and creator of the award winning Caher Bridge Garden in County Clare, will be talking about the garden he developed despite some of the most inhospitable conditions imaginable. Open to all, annual membership £25, visitors £8. ubgc.org

ALDRIDGES OF BATH AUCTION

11 February, 10am (viewing Sat 8 Feb) n Online

Decorative and household sale, including Victorian, Edwardian, 20th-century and modern household furniture and furnishings, decorative china and glass, pictures and prints, mirrors and rugs. aldridgesofbath.com

HYMN FORUM: HOW SHALL I SING THAT MAJESTY?

11 February, 6.30pm n Bath Abbey

Everyone is welcome to join Choral Evensong at 5.30pm, sung by the Abbey Boys and Lay Clerks, prior to the Hymn Forum. Panel chair: Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater; guest speakers: Revd Canon Martin Draper; Tim Ruffer, Publishing Director, RSCM Publishing; Huw Williams, Director of Music, Bath Abbey;

Revd Canon Dr Gordon Giles; Canon Chancellor, Rochester Cathedral. No tickets required. bathabbey.org

I DO LOVE A GOOD EXTINCTION!

12 February, 6pm-7.30pm

n University Hall, University of Bath, Claverton Down

The Milner Centre for Evolution is hosting a free public lecture at the University of Bath with academic, author, and awardwinning broadcaster, Ben Garrod to mark Darwin Day on 12 February. The lecture will explore the wonders of evolution and learn from one of the leading experts in the field, followed by a Q&A. bath.ac.uk

MILTON JONES: HA!MILTON 13 and 14 February, 7.30pm n Komedia, 22–23 Westgate Street, Bath

This is not a musical. Milton Jones is tone deaf and has no sense of rhythm, but at least he doesn’t make a song and dance about it. He has more important things to discuss. Like giraffes…and there’s a bit about tomatoes. A whole new show of daftness. You know it makes sense. £32.50. komediabath.co.uk

VALENTIN E’S DAY DINNER

13 and 14 February

n Bailbrook House Hotel, Eveleigh Avenue, London Road West, Bath

This Valentine's Day enjoy an enchanting evening of fine dining at Cloisters

Restaurantwith a specially curated multicourse dinner menu, featuring seasonal

Milton Jones is appearing at Komedia

Sounds of our City with CitySound Voices March 15th 2025

A concert of music by composers with strong links to our city of Bath at the Roper Theatre, Bath BA2 3LA at 7.30pm

In aid of Dorothy House Hospice Care

Conductor: Matt Finch

Accompanist: Peter French

Narrator: Richard Wyatt

Bath Strings Academy

MGB

The Saxations

Tickets £15 from Bath Box Oﬃce www.bathboxoﬃce.org.uk

01225 463362

www.citysound.org.uk RCN 1168389 photo attribution WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

ingredients and designed for an unforgettable Valentine's dining experience. Each dish has been thoughtfully created to celebrate this romantic occasion. handpickedhotels.co.uk/bailbrookhouse

HALF-TERM FUN FOR KIDS: TERRIFIC TILES CRAFT SESSION

15 February, 9.30am–3.15pm n Bath Abbey

Design your own unique ceramic tile inspired by the stunning medieval and Tudor birds and flowers that adorn the Abbey. This hands-on session is free with admission or a Discovery Card. It’s the perfect way for your family to get creative and explore history together. No tickets required, drop in throughout the day. Age 4+. bathabbey.org

HOW TO MAKE & BAKE SOURDOUGH

19 February, 10am–4pm n Iford Manor Kitchen

This small, hands-on masterclass is perfect for beginners, as well as those wishing to improve their bread-making skills. Award-winning Head Chef Matthew Briddon will teach you all you ‘knead’ to find out how to get started, or improve your sourdough knowledge. Iford Bakery now supplies The Circus, Homewood Park, The Bird and others in Bath with sourdough. Discover Iford Bakery’s secrets to the perfect bake! The day includes refreshments, lunch and all materials. £125pp. ifordmanor.co.uk

THE CARRIVICK SISTERS

20 February, 8pm–10.30pm n Chapel Arts, 9 Lower Borough Walls

The Carrivick Sisters are one of the UK’s top young bluegrass and folk acts. Twins Laura and Charlotte perform their original songs and instrumentals along with a few carefully

BATH & COUNTY CLUB EVENTS IN FEBRUARY

VALENTINE’S TALK: SO WHO IS VALENTINE?

Friday 14 February, 12pm for 12.30pm, with two-course lunch to follow. £27

HISTORIC MAPS OF BATH TALK

Tuesday 18 February, 6pm for 6.30pm, with two-course supper to follow. £27

ST DAVID’S DAY DINNER

Friday 28 February, 6.15pm for 7pm, three-course dinner, £40

Event venue: Queens Parade, Bath BA1 2NJ. Booking essential, by email: secretary@bathandcountyclub.com or telephone 01225 423732.

chosen covers on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and clawhammer banjo. Their busy touring schedule is rapidly building them a reputation for engaging and entertaining live performances with tight sibling vocal harmonies and multi-instrumental virtuosity. Tickets £14/£15. chapelarts.org

KANDA BONGO MAN

22 February, 7.30pm

n Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon Arriving just in time to chase winter away, this giant of African music brings the party to town, with his high tenor vocals, 9-piece band, enviably energetic dancers and signature hat. His infectious brand of Congolese Soukous, the popular guitar music of Central and East Africa, is hard to resist. £24/£13 U18s + students. wiltshiremusic.org.uk

LOOKING AHEAD

VENETIAN SPLENDOUR

1 March, 7.30pm–9.30pm

n Church of Our Lady and St Alphege, Bath BA2 3NR

Join the Paragon Singers and experience the majestic works of Willaert, Gabrieli, and Monteverdi, alongside compositions by composers across Europe who were inspired by the polychoral technique, in which multiple choirs sing from different

EVENTS AT BRLSI

THE WAR IN UKRAINE: WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

18 February, 7.30pm–9pm

Professors Paul D’Anieri and Rajan Menon discuss the current situation in Ukraine and consider whether peace is possible in what has become a war of attrition. £4-£8.

YOUR LIFE IS MANUFACTURED

19 February, 7.30pm–9pm

Join Tim Minshall for an insightful and entertaining tour through our manufactured world, revealing the seismic impact it has on our lives and the natural world and exploring how it could offer us a path to a sustainable, more equitable future. £3-£6.

RORKE’S DRIFT: WHAT THE FILM ZULU GOT RIGHT (AND WRONG)

24 February, 7.30pm–9pm

Most people’s knowledge of the Anglo-Zulu War is defined by the 1964 film Zulu, starring Michael Caine. But the real events of the famous battle were quite different to those depicted on screen. Historian Mike Nicholas sets the record straight! £3-£6.

THE RISE & FALL OF COMPOSER MILTON WELLINGS

28 February, 7.30pm–9pm

Beneath a tree in Locksbrook Cemetery lies the grave of composer Milton Wellings. He wrote the music for sentimental parlour songs popular in the later 19th century and achieved fame and fortune – so why was the epithet ‘Famous Composer’ on his headstone necessary? A talk by Stephen Bird MBE FMA. £3-£6.

n BRLSI, 16 Queen Square, Bath brlsi.org

locations, creating a striking, spatial dialogue. Music by Victoria, Monteverdi and Gabrieli, accompanied by the English Wind Consort and conducted by Sarah Latto. Tickets: £20/£5 (includes programme). bathboxoffice.org.uk; paragonsingers.co.uk

A MUSICAL SOIRÉE

1 March, 7pm (doors open 6.30pm) n Bath Abbey

Step into spring and enjoy a medley of your favourite opera arias and choruses as

The Carrivick Sisters at Chapel Arts

well as some of the best-known songs from much loved West End musicals. An evening with a varied repertoire of music and song, showcasing the many talents of the Abbey choristers. Enjoy a glass of fizz and an informal evening of light-hearted musical entertainment in the surroundings of Bath Abbey. Concert bar available. bathboxoffice.org.uk; paragonsingers.co.uk

WEDDING SHOWCASE

2 March, 11am–4pm

n The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa Entry is available with a complimentary pre-booked ticket (one ticket per couple). This gives you entry to the showcase, a glass of fizz for the future bride and groom and a curated gift bag filled with inspiration to complement your wedding journey. The events team will give you their undivided attention to discuss your dream wedding and will ensure your visit is memorable and inspiring. royalcrescent.co.uk

THE HELLEBORE GARDEN OPEN DAYS

2 and 9 March, 2pm–4pm n Kapunda, Southstoke BA2 5SH

A stunning garden display as seen on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World with plants for sale. Entry £7. Tea and homemade cakes. Supporting Dorothy House Hospice and The Wessex MS Therapy Centre. kapundaplants.co.uk.

ARTS SOCIETY: 17TH-CENTURY DUTCH

PAINTING – ART IN THE GARDEN OF GOD

3 March, 11.30am-12.30pm

n Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath and online

Dutch art in the 17th century dealt with the lives of real people: at times ordered, at others bawdy or self-important, and occasionally tragic. The new Protestant mentality allowed astonishing advances in society as shown by Rembrandt, Vermeer and more. Lecture by Douglas Skeggs. Tickets £10 in venue, or £7 on Zoom. Email bath@theartssociety.org to book. theartssocietybath.com

U3A: CLIMATE CHANGE - CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

6 March, 10.30am–11.30am n The Pavilion, North Parade Road

This talk by Helen Haddon asks what part can we play in climate change, the biggest challenge threatening us. She will look at research about community engagement in climate change, historical precedents of major shifts in societal behaviours and attitudes that can give us hope. She will share stories from self-organised communities in Bath and Birmingham which have been used in the national charity, EcoTogether programme. Doors 9.45am for coffee. Free for members; donation of £5 for non-members. u3ainbath.uk n

Arts & exhibitions

Jennifer Anderson, until 21 February, Beaux Arts, 12-13 York Street, Bath

In their winter exhibition Beaux Arts are showcasing the work of Jennifer Anderson, featured recently on Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year. Painters on show include Akash Bhatt, Alex Callaway, Graham Dean, Nathan Ford, Mark Johnston and Melissa Franklin Sanchez. Beautiful Limoges porcelain ceramics are by Chris Keenan and ceramic sculptures by Nick Mackman beauxartsbath.co.uk

Framed Textile Embroidery and Watercolour, throughout February, Gallery Nine, 9B Margaret's Buildings, Bath

Aly Dalrymple uses watercolour paint and free machine embroidery stitch on natural calico, working in layers of stitch and paint that are built over time.

Aly’s artistic journey is fuelled by a connection to the natural world. She creates intricate hangings that delve into wildlife, environment, folklore and story. Through layers of stitch, paint and movement her dreamlike worlds are designed to captivate the viewer. Each piece sends a message of change and growth, provoking questions and feelings. galleryninebath.com

Joshua Donkor, until 5 May, The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath

The Holburne has curated a display of recent works by Joshua Donkor (b. 1997), a Ghanian-British painter who grew up in Bath. His work is deeply personal, using portraiture to reflect family history, identities and experiences, exploring how feelings of belonging and estrangement play out through different generations. Donkor approaches portraiture as a collaborative exercise between him and his sitters. holburne.org

Belinda Crozier – People and Places, 5-28 February, Sandra Higgins Art, Milsom Place, 41 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DN

Belinda Crozier’s paintings are about her two loves…people and places. “I choose to paint these subjects because something about both of them has moved me enough to want to observe and study them more intensely. It could be the form of a tree or a fleeting look from a person that suddenly sets my curiosity off. Each is worthy of my utmost attention and the challenge is to find the beauty in both.” This is something Belinda achieves in these exquisitely executed landscape and portrait paintings. Private view, 5 February, 6.30pm-8.30pm.

A selection of artists’ work curated by Sandra can also be seen at The Empire, Grand Parade, Bath – with viewing by appointment only (email sandra@sandrahiggins.com).

sandrahiggins.art

Susie Fitzsimmons Solo Exhibition, Southville, Bristol, 8-12 February (11am–7pm)

Susie Fitzsimmons is showing a large, vibrant solo exhibition of her paintings and drawings throughout her home in Southville (BS3 1NX). This enjoyable eclectic collection, in both subject, media, style, and scale is held together by theme and careful hanging. Each space is dedicated to the theme’s title, visible upon entry. So too, Work in Progress. The five rooms and their adjoining spaces show: Climate Fair and Foul; People I Know and Wish to Have Known; Aspects of the figure; Still Life; The Land and its Workers; The Uneasy Room and Musicians Playing. The strength and vitality of Mexico and its people are dominant throughout her work. Susie says of her work: “I often couch dark imbalances in the world with plant forms... vegetables!”

115 Stackpool Road, BS3 1NX; susiefitz.com Image: The Loving Courgette by Susie Fitzsimmons

Ancestral Foundations by Joshua Donkor

Sister, Oil on canvas by Jennifer Anderson

Bath Art Fair

Now in its ninth year, the award‐winning Bath Art Fair returns to the Bath Pavilion this February. Featuring over 80 professional artists from all over the country, the fair affords the opportunity for visitors to chat to artists about their inspirations and creative processes and connect with a work of art in a unique and relaxed atmosphere.

Bath Art Fair organiser and professional artist of over 30 years Alce Harfield is this year welcoming 80 exhibiting artists. Previous exhibitors attending the fair include landscape and seascape painter Claire Henley from Warwickshire who holds the record for the fastest sale at the private view of five minutes! Also returning is Sam Weeks from the West Midlands whose eye-catching abstract acrylic paintings are inspired by the artist's fascination with ancient philosophies and finding her place in the universe.

New to the fair is North Tyneside based architectural artist Ben Staves whose hand-drawn maps of towns, cities and sporting worlds are a magical feast to the senses. Also exhibiting for the first time is Cornwall-based artist Simon Birch whose passion is the movement and energy inherent in land and seascapes.

For the third year the fair will be supporting Bath-based charity Bath Welcomes Refugees with the raffle of an original painting of Glastonbury Festival by Alce Harfield. Over £3000 has already been raised for this charity who support refugees in the city.

Tickets are on sale now for the private view on Friday 21 February (6-8.30pm) and the weekend (22-23 February, 10am-6pm). Prices £8 in advance; £4 concessions (over 60s and students); under 18s free. n

alceharfield.com

The Bath Art Fair, Bath Pavilion, 23–25 February. For tickets and a preview of artists visit bathartfair.co.uk

Above: Hanging sculptural mobile by Alistair Berg (Frome, Somerset); Below, clockwise from top left: Acrylic painting by Sam Weeks (West Midlands); Tehidy Woods by Simon Lewis Birch (Cornwall); beach scene by Claire Henley (Warwickshire); and hand-drawn map by Ben Staves (North Tyneside)

Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol brings rarely seen works together to explore the ways artists are inspired by photography. Director at the Holburne Chris Stephens shares his thoughts on the exhibition.

Iconic at the Holburne Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol

The story of modernism in painting is the story of artists’ attempts to rethink their art following the invention of photography. Once the camera had taken on the role of representation, what was painting for?

In the early 20th century, artists sought to depict those things that the camera could not; Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque invented Cubism; the Italian Futurists and, in Britain, the Vorticists developed new languages to describe in paint the experience of the speed and energy of a modern world of industry and motorised transport. Later, artists from Piet Mondrian to Mark Rothko used abstraction to express ideas and sensations beyond the physical or visible world. After the Second World War, many artists took on photography and its offspring, film and television, by appropriating its products. Recognising the ubiquity of the new media, artists looked to photographs and film stills for source material for their art. At the same time, they reflected upon the symbolic and emotional aspects of photography and its dissemination through the media that were then expanding exponentially.

This phenomenon came to be associated especially with the artists gathered under the label ‘Pop Art’. In Britain, it was associated with a group of artists, too young to have served in the war, who benefitted from the more open access to further education in the post-war period. Undoubtedly, the fact that they came unencumbered by traditional values freed them to radically rethink what art could look like and the subjects that it might address. In place of landscape, still-life, portraiture and – most highbrow of all – abstraction, this

For some, the use of appropriated imagery introduced a kind of pathos that derived from a photo’s sense of time and movement frozen

new generation made art based on adverts, the cinema, the new colour magazines, corporate logos, and new technologies, most of them fundamentally changed by the massive influx of American influence that came with and followed the GIs of the war years and after.

The Holburne’s new exhibition Iconic focuses on one aspect of this new art – portraiture – a subject especially fascinating for the way the appropriation of photography helped refresh a form of painting that the camera seemed to have made redundant. Artists used photographs as the basis for portraits not as a way out of long sessions in front of their sitters but to inject different qualities to their paintings. For some, the use of appropriated imagery introduced a kind of pathos that derived from a photo’s sense of time and movement frozen. Others, of course, made images of people based on photographs as a way of reflecting more broadly on those images and the individuals captured

in them. This new art was often not just about portraiture or the mediation of imagery but about the cult of celebrity and the formation of identities and historical narratives that resulted from such imagery and its ubiquity. Hence the title, Iconic.

While this phenomenon was most associated with Pop artists like Peter Blake, Pauline Boty and Joe Tilson, it actually went back much earlier. The critic Lawrence Alloway reckoned Pop Art started in London in 1949, when Francis Bacon first exhibited his characteristic paintings based on an amalgam of photographic sources from Eadweard Muybridge’s sequences of animals in motion to stills from Serge Eisenstein’s movie Battleship Potemkin. In fact, artists had been using photography for even longer: in the 1930s the paintings of Walter Sickert (who ended his days in Bathampton) were based on photographs and were influenced by his old friend Edgar Degas’s debt to photography. Both Sickert and Bacon found a certain poignancy derived from the sense of a photograph being a fleeting moment captured. Photographs provided them not just with an image but also an emotional intensity, even perhaps a sense of mortality.

In contrast, many of the works in Iconic seem more celebratory, focusing on the famous images that helped turn certain individuals into celebrities. We see portraits of the people who became emblematic of those times: Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, Yuri Gagarin, Che Guevara, David Hockney. Some artists, famously Peter Blake, presented themselves as fans, celebrating in paint the film stars and musicians they admired. Others suggested an ideological position in their focus

on certain political figures. Richard Hamilton most obviously addressed the power of such imagery, his appropriation of a contact sheet from a Marilyn Monroe photoshoot speaking to the role of such imagery in the actress’s tragic end. Most famously, Andy Warhol’s screen-printing of enlarged photographs was a deceptively simple reflection on the creation of icons through the repetition of images.

If this new movement benefitted from the opening up of art schools to a wider social demographic, the art world continued to be dominated by men. Iconic does, however, include the two women who infiltrated the masculine ranks of British pop art. Jann Haworth depicts such stars of Hollywood’s golden age as Mae West and Shirley Temple while using traditional female practices like sewing and needlework. Pauline Boty, whose career only lasted a few years before her early death aged 28, turned pop art on its head by celebrating male sex symbols. Long neglected, her rare work is now widely celebrated and highly sought after.

Appropriately, Iconic includes some really famous works and images. At the same time, it is full of surprises and extraordinary paintings and drawings of great skill and beauty. In a world dominated by digital media and the bombardment of images 24/7, the exhibition poses questions about the role of photography in establishing fame and defining identities while bringing to Bath great works of art that speak of another time, 50, 60, even 70 years ago. n

Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol, until 5 May, The Holburne Museum; holburne.org

Myths and Memories at the American Museum & Gardens

The new exhibition at the American Museum & Gardens is the first major display of the American Museum’s world‐renowned map collection in over a decade, reframing the way the maps have historically been shown.

Myths and Memories: Renaissance maps

The American Museum & Gardens is presenting one of the finest collections of Renaissance maps in the world in a new special exhibition for 2025. Opening on 15 February, Myths and Memories: Renaissance Maps brings one of Bath’s most celebrated museum collections back into the spotlight, for a must-see show this spring. This exhibition will launch the museum’s exciting year of exploration, which will feature special exhibitions and events, including a pop-up planetarium, stargazing, a thrilling space exhibition, and seasonal family trails such as the Map Explorers garden trail for February half term.

Myths and Memories is the first major display of the American Museum’s world-renowned collection in over a decade, reframing the way the maps have historically been shown. On display is the incredible power, beauty and history of Renaissance maps, with a fascinating new exploration of the myths and memories that created them.

American Museum founder Dr Dallas Pratt began collecting historical maps as a teenager, drawn by the brightly coloured, intricate illustrations. Thinking only of the decorative qualities of these pieces, he had no idea that his first impulse purchase would lead to over 60 years of collecting. Dr Pratt eventually amassed a collection of hundreds of maps, seeking out rare and fine examples throughout his life. In 1988 Dr Pratt presented his 200 maps to the museum – one of the greatest Renaissance map collections in the world, recording European artistry, knowledge and discovery.

The Renaissance maps in the American Museum’s collection were created during the mid-15th to early-17th centuries, a time when

European explorers were seeking out new trade routes around the world and first encountered the land we now call America. Some of the earliest maps on display are medieval examples of zonal maps, including the first printed T-O map (a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features). Pratt’s favourite map, a world map by Haci Ahmed, is one of only 10 known copies. One of the most recognisable maps to visitors, is Abraham Ortelius’ World Map. Ortelius was one of the most successful Renaissance mapmakers and his popularity helped to make this world view one of the most enduring. Often cited by collectors as ‘one of the biggest cartographic mysteries’, the Fool’s Head map by an unknown maker shows the world in place of a jester’s face. For the first time, this exhibition considers the connection between this map and the Ship of Fools allegory that was popular at the time. Previously, the maps have been presented as documents that tell the

From Medieval beliefs to Classical revival, Christian tales and Islamic inﬂuences, [Renaissance maps] illustrate the building and borrowing of ideas

story of European ‘discovery’ during the colonial Age of Exploration. In Myths and Memories: Renaissance Maps, the exhibition revisits this Eurocentric narrative, making space for Indigenous viewpoints and a wider range of perspectives on the creation and impact of the maps. Through this broader lens, the intriguing question arises – how have these special maps shaped our collective history and memory?

Stepping into the Exhibition Gallery at the American Museum & Gardens, visitors can explore the stunning artistry of these rarely seen maps up close and find out more about their origins and purpose. For Chief Curator, Kate Hebert, it was important to share the complexity of the maps, and consider what the maps represent and their impact on the world from a range of perspectives: “Renaissance maps contain a convergence of knowledges. From medieval beliefs to Classical revival, Christian tales

Views of Mexico City (formerly Tenochtitlán) and Cusco Franz Hogenberg (1535-1590) and Georg Braun (15411622), copperplate engraving, Antwerp, 1575

and Islamic influences, they illustrate the building and borrowing of ideas. Few maps displayed in the exhibition were intended as tools of navigation. Instead, they were visual aids to understanding the world and one’s place within it. They reflect European aesthetic conventions, religious and moral philosophies, and scientific developments of the time. Mappaemundi, and other Medieval maps of the Christian world, illustrate world views – not in a geographical sense, but they represent beliefs. They literally map knowledge.”

Including Indigenous perspectives is key to the new exhibition’s curation. Kate explains why: “Indigenous memories were co-opted into European memory through maps; shared through reproductions of conversations, accounts, and of Indigenous maps themselves, and even taken from recounted tales on ships. These permeated into Renaissance Europe’s expanding understanding of the American continent, its people and landscapes, and were woven into its maps. Many shapes, forms, and motifs found in Renaissance maps survive on maps today, demonstrating their lasting legacy.”

Counter Mapping, a short film about the remapping of native land, courtesy of Emergence Magazine, brings the exhibition up to the present day. In the film, Jim Enote, a traditional Zuni farmer and director of the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center in New Mexico, shares his work with Zuni artists creating maps that bring an Indigenous voice and perspective back to the land, countering Western notions of place and geography and challenging the arbitrary borders imposed on the Zuni world. n

Myths and Memories: Renaissance Maps, 15 February – 22 June. Opening from half term, the Map Explorers garden trail launches the museum’s year celebrating exploration. americanmuseum.org

Practical Inheritance

Southern celestial hemisphere Imagines Coeli Meridionales, Euphrosynus Ulpius (d.1552), woodcut, Venice, 1530

Mirror of Mirth & Essence of Bath at Victoria Art Gallery

Visit Victoria Art Gallery to see an impressive collection of satirical illustrations from the gallery’s collection, including those of Georgian cartoonists Thomas Rowlandson and John Nixon. Bath artist Perry Harris is showing his own cartoons of Bath and some local watercolour landscapes alongside the main exhibition.

Satire in Georgian Bath and in the city today

Over 200 of Victoria Art Gallery’s finest satirical artworks, are featured in Mirror of Mirth, an exhibition running at the gallery until 13 April featuring the humorous works of Thomas Rowlandson, John Nixon, and other artists of the era. This exhibition promises to pull back the curtain on 18thcentury Bath, exposing the scandals, quirks, and lively social scene of the time with a playful yet revealing lens.

In the late 18th century, London’s craze for satire was at its peak, with Thomas Rowlandson leading the charge. His sharp eye and prolific pencil spared no one among the elite, and when the great and the good escaped to the elegant spa resort of Bath for the season, Rowlandson followed, inviting his friend John Nixon to join him. A merchant and talented amateur artist, Nixon brought his own lighthearted take, and together they captured the quirks of Georgian life, from the wealthy aristocrats to the everyday figures in their shadow.

These comic artworks would have been displayed and sold in print shops around Bath, to the amusement of passers-by. They poked fun at the ‘nouveau riche’ who frequented Bath at the time, and even helped change public perceptions of the politics of the day.

Mirror of Mirth will include the finest satirical works from the Victoria Art Gallery collection, including Rowlandson’s celebrated Comforts of Bath series, a boisterous survey of the activities offered in the city. The teasing observational sketches of Nixon offer a gentler alternative to Rowlandson’s scathing send-ups.

Alongside Mirror of Mirth, the gallery will host a display of work by contemporary artist Perry Harris, a cartoonist and landscape artist who uses paint and digital colour to bring Bath to life. He has worked as a cartoonist for punk fanzines, as a stage scenery painter, an architectural illustrator and an art technician. This selling exhibition will focus on cartoons and watercolours of Perry’s favourite Bath landscapes, including Primrose Hill, the Cotswold Way and Smallcombe Vale.

Perry told us about the exhibition and how he feels about exhibiting alongside Thomas Rowlandson (see opposite).

Above: Hey Venus, Perry Harris

Far left: Comforts of Bath – The Gourmets, 1798, by Thomas Rowlandson

Left: In the Pump Room, 1800s, by John Nixon

As a contemporary satirical illustrator how do you feel about having an exhibition alongside the work of Georgian satirist Thomas Rowlandson?

When I started putting the exhibition together I was unaware of what the exhibition in the main gallery would be, so I was thrilled when I found out. Posting cartoons on social media seems to a 21st-century equivalent of what Georgian cartoonists were doing, so this is something that I’d aspired to be associated with.

What led you to towards your interest in cartoons and satire? And what do you aim to capture in your work?

In the late 1970s I became interested in underground comics and co-created a punk fanzine called Vague, where I first started to draw cartoons. These early cartoons were based on a personal narrative which has largely been the basis of subsequent work. Over 45 years later Vague still exists, with the first compendium published in 2023 and a second due this year. My Bath cartoons tend to be a fairly gentle parody of life in the city.

Has Rowlandson’s work inﬂuenced your approach to your own illustrations?

There are a set of drawings called Miseries of London that I really like and I always enjoy seeing his portrayals of Bath. James Gillray – the caricaturist and printmaker famous for his etched political and social satires who was a contemporary of Rowlandson, has probably been a bigger influence. He often plays with scale, so you’ll see crowds of tiny people or stunning dreamlike images.

What work are you showing in the exhibition?

The exhibition combines cartoon drawings and watercolours. I had some doubts as to whether showing both these styles together would work, but one day last summer I was in the Oxfam bookshop and there was a copy of Rowlandson: Drawings & Watercolours – I took this as a sign of the way to go!

I had built up a collection of about 1200 Bath cartoons, mainly line drawings that I’d coloured digitally, which creates vibrant images for social media. For the exhibition I have selected some of my favourites and redrawn and hand coloured them. They include a variety of themes, such as the weather and lockdown.

I’ve included one of my drawings created for The Forest of Imagination, which I’ve supported over a number of years, which links with both the Rowlandson Assembly Room images and my landscape watercolours. I’ve also drawn some new cartoons especially for this exhibition.

What is it that makes Bath so special as a subject for your work?

Bath is endlessly inspiring, I’ve tended to use it as a playground for my imagination, selecting a location that I can make anything happen in, such as having giant rabbits leaping around The Circus in the springtime. Going back to Georgian Bath, the surrounding landscape has also been an important part of visiting the city and this is illustrated in the watercolours.

Would you have liked to work as a cartoonist in Rowlandson’s time? And what might your illustrations have looked like?

…I’m not sure, I’ve never supported myself through my artwork, so I would probably be living in dreadful poverty – or if I’d made it would have awful gout! (The drawings would be the same, but without the smartphones.)

How important is the work of satirists in society?

Historically, it has made a huge impact: Gillray probably caused Napoleon more aggravation than most of his enemies and during the two World Wars satire helped hugely to boost morale. It is important for a healthy society to be able to parody itself – humour is something uniquely human (I think!) and should be cherished. The world is changing fast, often making it difficult to know what is satire and what is real. The rapid escalation of AI and the ever evolving world of social media are changing society, so more than ever before I believe it is important to be able to highlight the absurdities of life.

Posting cartoons on social media feels like a 21st-century equivalent of what Georgian cartoonists were doing

Two Cities, Perry Harris

Perry Harris

Lots of Money for Monet’s Master at Auction

Lawrences January Fine Art auction in Crewkerne yielded exceptional results, with bidders securing remarkable artworks across various periods and styles. The sale saw outstanding prices throughout, with notable highlights demonstrating the continued strength of the art market.

The sale included six exceptional works from a private collection in Dorset that showed the late owner’s breadth of taste. A skilful still life of a cut pie with a lemon, glassware and a nautilus shell upon a dish is ascribed to the Dutch master Willem Claesz. Heda (1594-1680). This oil on panel, exemplifying the Dutch love of textures and composition, bears a signature and date (1642) and was bought for £81,250

Three further highlights from the same collection comprised superb oils by Eugene Boudin (1824-1898), the French master of beach scenes, marines and skies. Having trained under Jean Francois Millet, his love of painting outdoors led to his encouraging a young Claude Monet to do likewise. Boudin exhibited with the Impressionists in their first exhibition in 1874 and he is considered to be the vital transitional figure between the Romanticism of Corot and ‘La Vie Moderne’ as shown by the Impressionists. The three pictures, depicting boats and bustling life at Deauville, Trouville and on the River Touques achieved £96,250 with a total for the collection of six paintings of £222,500

With strong bidding across all categories, Lawrences January Fine Art auction once again demonstrated the strength of the market and the enduring appeal of exceptional antiques and fine art resulting in a sale total of just under £1.1m

Lawrences are welcoming consignments for their forthcoming Fine Art sales to include:

Silver | Vertu | Pictures | 19th/20th Century Design | Ceramics

Free valuations are available online at lawrences.co.uk.

Home visits also available throughout Bath and the West Country without charge or obligation.

South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB. T: 01460 73041 E: enquiries@lawrences.co.uk

1A Woodlands Estate, Westbury, BA13 3QS T: 01373 822337 E: wessex@lawrences.co.uk

Reflections on Bath

Bath is a much photographed city and for good reason. A new series of images around the architecture of Bath by photographer Paul J Gooch finds new angles, reinvents some of the classic shots and animates them for the present day.

When I moved to the city of Bath in 2012, I found that wandering through the streets of Georgian buildings, with clear symmetry, proportion and balance, inspired me to take photographs. With a developing passion for photography, I became interested in the concept of carrying out a photography project to explore and better understand the architectural heritage of my newly adopted home town. In parallel, I also became interested in the concept of creating a photobook as an ideal way to publish the resulting body of work.

The traditional genre of architectural photography does not usually include people. The main exception being to include a small number of human figures in the periphery of the frame to provide sense of scale (much like an architect’s drawing). While including a number of pure architectural shots in my photobook, I was very keen to develop my approach and to photograph both the architecture and the people who live, work and socialise in the city of Bath.

When researching the concept for the photobook, I began to experiment with long exposure and (in particular) multiple exposure photography. These techniques allowed me to show Bath’s historical architecture with clarity and also to blend people into the frame. This approach depicts people as ethereal, transient forms against the backdrop of these enduring structures. By presenting people in a transient state, we underscore the idea that people are simply fleeting guardians of the splendid buildings of Bath.

When contemplating the above, I considered the question: what purpose does architecture serve without people? So why not include people in architectural photography? I was particularly pleased, when discussing some initial examples of my transient style photography with a friend, who commented that the “transient figures breathe a sense of life into the architecture”.

Within the photobook, I have included a section of photographs using reflections as a fascinating way to observe and capture the fleeting

nature of people passing through the city of Bath. I found that this approach complemented the multi-exposure approach described above and also created a surreal, multi-layered, painterly perspective. Reflections were captured using a variety of surfaces that included glass, paintwork and water. The resulting semi-abstract images foster a sense of mystery that is designed to stimulate the imagination of the viewer and to also invite the viewer to look at the familiar with fresh eyes.

Photographs record a slice of time and serve to document tomorrow’s history. To further contemplate the passage of time and humanity’s transient condition, I have included a chapter of ‘then and now’ photographs taken around the city. While the architectural structures endure, it is interesting to observe the vintage photographs within this chapter and to see how the modes of transportation, dress styles, human behaviour and population density etc. have dramatically evolved over the last 150 years or so.

My photobook is intended to celebrate Bath’s well-preserved classical architecture. However, just like all cities across the UK, Bath has its issues and challenges. I felt the need to create a photobook with some thoughtprovoking content to offer a balanced perspective.

This photobook has been generated in the hope of demonstrating to future generations, that the incumbent guardians of Bath’s architectural heritage (those living in the present day), have successfully balanced ongoing urban development pressures with a sensible and appropriate approach to conservation and sustainability.

The above picture is a montage of eight separate exposures taken over a 10-minute period. The resulting image captures a sense of energy and the hustle and bustle of people wandering along Stall Street. The inclusion of smart phone photography, puffa jackets and ear buds imbue a modern feel as we contemplate the transience of human life.

The image below was taken in Bridge Street. The face is from a painting hanging in a side window of the Victoria Art Gallery. I placed the face carefully in the window frame, as if trapped in time, looking at the passers-by in the current day.

Left, top: The Holburne Museum originally opened as Sydney Hotel and construction was completed in 1799. The photobook displays this picture opposite an illustration of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio's Villa La Rotonda to show the strong sense of Palladian architectural influence. The building has embraced change with the completion of a contemporary extension in 2011. More recently it featured in the Bridgerton drama on Netflix as Lady Danbury's house.

Above: Strolling down Green Street in the rain, I noticed the reflection of St Michael's Church in a puddle on the ground. The shape of the puddle perfectly framed the reflection of the tall spire and the reflection had a painterly feel. Pedestrians around me seemed perplexed as I waited for five minutes or so, with camera poised above the puddle, waiting for the hooded subject to wander casually into the composition.

Left, centre: Photographed in the Circus and organised by Extinction Rebellion, a theatrical funeral procession took place where 400 Red Rebels marched to a sombre drumbeat, mourning for the natural world destroyed by climate change.

Left, bottom: The homeless in the city punctuate Bath’s architectural landscape alongside its historic structures. Photograph taken in Kingston Parade (next to the Abbey).

The photobook The City of Bath - Enduring Structures and Transient Lives by Paul J Gooch is available from pauljgooch.com at a price of £36. It is also available from Topping & Company Booksellers in York Street and le fou de bassan in Green Street.

WPossible Inheritance Tax Solution

BY RON PRINGLE Beau Nash Antiques

ith the arrival of the new government, many are reconsidering their financial strategies, particularly when it comes to inheritance tax. While silver has long been appreciated for its beauty, its potential as an investment is increasingly coming into focus. Largely due to its use in industry and fuelled by the growth of the renewable energies & medical sectors, silver has grown over 85% in the last 5 years, and 21.5% in the past year alone. This makes silver an interesting option for those exploring ways to manage inheritance tax.

A recent customer story illustrates this. A gentleman visited our shop and was captivated by a beautiful George I wine ewer, which I’d been researching extensively. The piece, steeped in history and fine craftsmanship, highlights the enduring appeal of silver. Five years ago, a similar ewer sold in auction for £2,000; today, its value has doubled to £4,000, reflecting the upward trend in silver prices. He purchased the ewer as a gift for his teenage son, combining practicality with a personal touch. Unlike cash, silver can offer more than just financial value — it’s tangible, beautiful, and can be enjoyed in everyday life.

The government’s approach to inheritance tax has made many people turn to tangible assets as a way to preserve and grow wealth across generations. Silver stands out for its dual benefits: as a collectible that carries historical and aesthetic significance and as an asset that appreciates in value. It’s a strategy that aligns both financial foresight and personal enjoyment.

Of course, a word of caution: silver, like gold, can fluctuate in value. And for any gift to be inheritance tax-free, you need to ensure they meet the seven-year rule—assuming, of course, you kept track of the purchase date. But as financial landscapes evolve, silver remains a compelling option for those seeking to protect wealth while enjoying its beauty and legacy.

No financial advice here—just some food for thought! beaunashbath.com; info@beaunashbath.com; www.antiquesilver.shop 07535137808 @beaunashbath

No laughing manners

Has respectful behaviour around the dining table been lost in the mists of time?

Melissa Blease calls out poor table manners, including slurping, finger licking, loud talking, and (sin of sins) grabbing food from others’ plates.

According to global hospitality data analysts SevenRooms, 34% of UK consumers dine out three times a month on average, with those aged between 22-29 dining out at least once a week. One would assume, then, that we all know how to behave when doing so? Hmm…

The concept of ‘table manners’ can just as easily be referred to as being sensitive to those around us, and as much of a vital form of environmental awareness as all the big-hitting environmental awareness responsibilities that (rightly) dominate debates across our domestic and social lives. It’s a sad societal observation, then, that considering how our general behaviour impacts on those around us seems to have become a fusty old concept, lost in the mists of time.

When discussing the topic of modern manners, all too many people begin a whispered observation on the subject along the lines of “call me old fashioned...” or “perhaps I’m getting old...”. But why should anybody make excuses for noticing that inconsiderate, impolite and/or downright immature behaviour has apparently become socially acceptable?

For a list of the worst offenders: read on! But it’s probably best not to read this feature while eating your lunch…

Dress codes

Grubby rugby kits, sweaty cycling lycra, filthy flip flops revealing filthy feet, underarm pelt springing out from baggy vests, wet towels still reeking of the swimming pool slung over the back of a chair: they’re all being strutted on the ‘put you off your food’ catwalk going on around us. Oh, and nobody wants to be clouted on the back of their heads by an overstuffed backpack while they’re sipping their wine, either.

Finger lickin’...bad

Slurping, gulping and chomping. Sneezing into hands. Frantically puffing and blowing on forkfuls of hot food. Picking teeth with

fingernails. Greedily sucking every last scrap of marrow from bones. Noisy, tonsil-revealing yawns. Belching. Loudly opining, and talking over others who want to join the debate. Scalp (or anywhere!) scratching. Parents who pick babies up to sniff their nappies... yuk! Having digested that list of obnoxious crimes against social intercourse, people who run their fingers through gravy and salaciously lick their fingers could be said to be committing a comparatively insignificant offence. But they’re not; the whole list is downright disgusting – and happening right now, in restaurants across the land.

Greedy pigs

There are people out there – and their numbers are legion – who help themselves to food from their fellow diners’ plates without being invited to do so. They’re usually the same people who refill wine glasses from a shared bottle because they’re drinking faster than the folk they’re supposedly sharing it with and think nothing of asking “are you leaving that?” the moment you put your cutlery down for a break. At the other end of the same spectrum: friends or colleagues who agree to a group dinner date… then order nothing and drink only water; it’s stressful for fellow diners, and rude to the restaurant you’re eating in.

Tech turmoils

The gentle hum of conversation and soft background music that creates the traditional restaurant soundscape is a beautiful thing. So, when you’re taking a break from the chaos of everyday life, why clutter up a calm, clear restaurant table with phones, iPads and charging leads? And why contribute to the cacophony of ringtones, text alerts and –the worst offender! – groups of diners hosting Facetime get-togethers with remote ‘dinner guests’. Change the tech-addicted algorithm, people!

Sprawl (and small) talk

Manspreading males, shoppers who dump carrier bags here, there and everywhere (except beneath their own table), vacant seats randomly pushed into aisles: if you haven’t booked the whole restaurant for private hire, don’t act as though you have.

And although it’s lovely to see cross-generational groups eating out together, letting the kids use the space between tables as a racetrack/hideand-seek zone, encouraging little people to take over the nearest empty table to use as a colouring-in desk or allowing screaming ﬁts and tantrums to burn themselves out without grown-up intervention (as in, talking quietly to or even taking your screaming child off the premises while the drama is going on) isn’t acceptable behaviour, regardless of how cute the kiddies might be.

Vile vocabulary

There exists, somewhere embedded deep in our collective consciousness, a rather pleasant exchange between restaurant customer and waiting staff that begins with “Please may I have....” followed by your choice from the menu. So why the heck have people decided that “can I get”, “bring me” and “I’m gonna go for” are better ways to order? Oh, and by the way: your waiter is not your “love”, “darling” or “mate”... and neither they nor your dog should be expected to respond to a ﬁnger snap.

Bad bookings

If you make a booking for a restaurant, you either honour that reservation or let the restaurant know that you can’t make it… simple, right? Apparently not. A survey recently published in The Caterer magazine revealed that the number of consumers not showing up for their reservations hit a record high in 2024, with 17% of guests failing to honour bookings or inform venues in advance that they need to cancel. The result? A whopping £17.59 billion in lost revenue for the hospitality industry, not accounting for the additional cost of wasted food, wasted staff and a negative effect on staff morale.

Antisocial media

Everybody makes mistakes – and the vast majority of restaurant owners want to correct mistakes as soon as any hiccups are detected. If the problem concerns a particular dish, raise the issue as soon as you encounter the problem, not when your plate is clean. And if you have a problem with any part of your experience, raise it quietly and courteously, with the manager of the restaurant at the time, not on a public restaurant

Restaurant staff: help us out here!

Weary Ways

Working front of house can be stressful for all manner of reasons. But please don’t make it even more stressful for customers by letting us know that you’re tired, sick of your job or more interested in texting your mates than serving us.

Coming, ready or not

“Your food will arrive when each dish is ready”. Okay, fair enough if we’ve ordered mix’n’match tapas. But even then, the onus of ensuring that dishes are served hot and freshly-prepared is the responsibility of the restaurant kitchen, not the diners - and few people want plates of vegetables to arrive 10 minutes before their steak, or somebody’s starter to arrive when somebody else is midway through their main course whether we’ve ordered a Small Plate feast or an a la carte spread.

Do you keep your gadgets on the table when dining out?

review site or your social media channel the next day. You might not be dining with white napkins and silver service when you visit a restaurant, but if there is a moral to all this, it’s that reclaiming respect for dining etiquette would improve the experience for everyone. n

Checkity-check,

quickity-quick

When it comes to the check-back (you know, “is everything alright with your meal?”), maybe hold back on asking the question until we’ve had time to eat at least a couple of forkfuls of food. Also in this category: please wait until we’ve drunk at least two-thirds of the wine in our glasses before refilling them from the bottle we’re sharing; we’re pretty much all au fait with the concept of the upsell, and feeling rushed is never relaxing.

Top Tip

Please don’t hand us the card reader with the barked request “would you like to leave an additional service charge?”... especially not when the menu has made it clear that service charge will be added to our final bill unless we request it to be removed. And please don’t stand at the table while we discuss this - the pressure can have a negative impact on our generosity.

d’Arenberg’s Delights

Recommendations by Tom Bleathman from the Great Wine Company

Based in McLaren Vale, Australia, d’Arenberg is one of the country’s most highly regarded wineries, easily recognised by their iconic red stripe across each of their bottles. Led by the charismatic fourth-generation winemaker Chester Osborn, d’Arenberg offers a wide range of outstanding wines, from light whites to their renowned heavier reds. This February is the perfect time to try d’Arenberg’s wines, currently on offer at The Great Wine Company. greatwine.co.uk

Dry Dam Riesling 2023 d’Arenberg

This slightly off-dry Riesling is perfect for those dreaming of a warm summer’s day. With aromas of orange, ripe green apple and lime, partnered with fresh minerality. On the palate, the wine is crisp with lovely fresh acidity.

Olive Grove Chardonnay 2022 d'Arenberg

Named after the olive trees which block their harvester on the vineyards, this is a superb example of easy-going Australian Chardonnay. Fragrant with nectarine and green apple, roasted nuts, and vanilla. On the palate, it is wonderfully textured and has a lovely, savoury finish.

Laughing Magpie 2018 d’Arenberg

The name ‘Laughing Magpie’ refers to the Kookaburra which is a native Australian bird, famous for its distinctive laughing call. Chester’s young daughters always affectionately called them laughing magpies. This wine is predominantly made up of Shiraz but a small amount of the white grape, Viognier (another nod to the magpie) is also added to help increase the wine’s aromatics. This wine is full of blackberry, plum and a hint of pepper and has a wonderful silky texture. Brilliant now, but this will age fantastically over the next 5-10 years.

Dead Arm Shiraz 2018 d’Arenberg

The Dead Arm Shiraz is the icon wine of the estate, and it’s easy to see why. This powerhouse of a wine has aromas of blackberry, plums, and spice, all wrapped up in dark chocolate. On the palate, this is intense and silky with a lengthy finish. This showstopper is still young and will age superbly over 10-15 years. n

5-10g fibre 3 plants

Chocolate Olive Oil Mousse

FROM TIM SPECTOR’S FOOD FOR LIFE COOKBOOK

Extra virgin olive oil and dark chocolate make for a deliciously rich and bitter combination, and a polyphenol packed mousse. If you can, use a good‐ quality fruity olive oil to take this to the next level. We’ve used aquafaba from a tin of chickpeas instead of egg whites; next time you use some in a recipe, keep the liquid and store it in the freezer for desserts like this.

Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus 1 hour chilling

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 100g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids), broken into pieces

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus extra for drizzling

• 2 tsp maple syrup

• 1–2 pinches of salt

• 140ml aquafaba (liquid from a tin of chickpeas at room temperature)

Method

• 70g hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

• 150g cherries (fresh or frozen), stoned

Top-up:

Crème fraîche

Chopped hazelnuts

1. Place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and slowly melt the chocolate (make sure the bowl does not touch the water). When ready, remove from the heat and add the olive oil, maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Mix to combine.

2. Put the aquafaba in the clean, grease-free bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whisk for about 5 minutes, or until it forms stiff peaks.

3. Stir a spoon of the aquafaba into the chocolate mixture and then add the chocolate mixture to the whisked aquafaba. Use a metal spoon to gently fold the mixture together – don’t beat it or you will lose the airy texture.

4. Spoon into four small glasses and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Top with cherries, an extra drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.

Combe Grove at Home Metabolic Health Programme

BY DR REBECCA HISCUTT PHD RD, Programmes Manager, Combe Grove Centre for Metabolic Health

Combe Grove at Home is a comprehensive 12 week online programme delivering medically measurable results, developed by Metabolic Health specialists at Combe Grove, your local centre for Metabolic Health here in Bath.

Imbalanced Metabolic Health affects up to 93% of adults. Common symptoms linked to Metabolic imbalance include fatigue, hunger and cravings, weight gain, poor sleep and aches and pains. These symptoms often coincide with an increasing list of accompanying health conditions and medications.

With the Combe Grove at Home programme, you gain the flexibility of resetting your Metabolic Health from the comfort of your own home, alongside dedicated support from your personal Metabolic Health Coach.

The programme includes:

• 12 week online content with dedicated one to one support

• Two comprehensive Metabolic Health checks including blood test

• A small cohort of like-minded individuals with group sessions

• Live webinars on each of the 5 Roots Of Metabolic Health™

• Three 45 minute consultations with your Metabolic Health Coach

• Personalised action plan

• A treatment or therapy to complement your personal health goals

• Bespoke Welcome Box delivered to your door with all the tools you need throughout the programme

• Personal ongoing Q&A support from your Metabolic Health Coach

Visit: combegrove.com Email: welcome@combegrove.com Tel: 01225 834644

This recipe is extracted from The Food for Life Cookbook by Tim Spector (Jonathan Cape, £28). All photography by Issy Croker.

Portrait of Bath

Tessa Brand, owner of The Dressing Room, Bath

Over 20 years ago, Tessa Brand bought The Dressing Room on Quiet Street in Bath and has continued the shop’s tradition of selling the very finest in lingerie, beach and nightwear to loyal customers and new friends alike.

The Dressing Room is nothing short of an institution in the city. The original shop opened in 1985 and Tessa took on the business in 2003 – and it has not only survived, but thrived in the face of a global pandemic – not to mention online shopping. But you can’t get expertly measured for a bra on a website, can you?

“I often say to customers – and I’m only half joking – that really good, well-fitting underwear is addictive,” says Tessa. “Once you’ve tried on something that is so comfortable, so supportive and so well made, it’s hardly surprising that you would want to come back for more at some point.”

The

personal level of service and enthusiasm for the craftsmanship brings people back year after year

The lingerie brands at The Dressing Room (with the exception of one entry-point make) are all made by hand, with the overall development – from design onwards – taking about 18 months. “There are 47 different pieces which go into making one bra, four different thread types and 32 different stitching movements. The underwires are all padded and rarely felt ”, says Tessa.

The shop also offers beachwear and nightwear and as with the lingerie, there is a fitting service for beachwear, with sizes ranging from 10 to 22 and A to G cups. “It’s so important that a woman feels comfortable, both physically and mentally, when she is choosing a swimsuit (for example) and we will often be able to direct her purely because of our knowledge of a brand’s style, fit and length and this can be very reassuring.”

Tessa hasn’t always been in the retail industry. After serving in the Royal Navy after leaving school, she moved to Aston Martin’s head office under the leadership of Victor Gauntlett, so it’s no wonder that she hunts out the best for her customers and can spot quality from a mile off.

The personal level of service and enthusiasm for the craftmanship brings people back year after year. “I have customers who’ve been shopping with us for more than 30 years,” Tessa says, “but most days we’ll still get someone in who’s never been through the door before and I really love that.”

dressingroombath.com

Main photograph by Joe Short, an award-winning photographer based in Bath. joeshort.com

Spirit of the wild

The British winter is an ideal time to travel down under, which is enjoying its early summer season, and as flights usually start being sold eleven months in advance, now is the perfect time to start planning your trip – with a little help from our expert friends at Miles Morgan Travel, who have created an itinerary just for you

Australia is a land of stunning natural wonders, vibrant cities and unique wildlife – and it can offer unforgettable experiences – so what would be your ideal adventure to the land down under? Customers often ask us this question – and to help them realise their dream trip, we like to recommend a blend of iconic sights and off the beaten path adventure. Read on for a just a taste, or a ‘light bite’, of what Australia offers for visitors...

First things ﬁrst

Start in Sydney, New South Wales, and explore the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge – which you can climb for a fee and see the city from a unique viewpoint. Head over to Bondi Beach and soak up the surf culture there. Catch the ferry to Manly for a gentle coastal walk and perhaps a sunset cruise around the harbour.

Next on your not-to-be-missed list is a visit to the Blue Mountains. Hike through the hazy eucalyptus forest that give the mountains their name, marvel at the Three Sisters rock formation, or why not try wine tasting and stargazing? A one-of-a-kind stargazing tour among the vines located in Wentworth Falls where you will embark on a captivating space

journey led by an Astronomer in the timeless beauty of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains dark skies.

Next stop...

Catch a ﬂight up to Queensland for the ultimate marine adventure on the Great Barrier reef – a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, it’s home to endangered species of turtles, dolphin, dugongs and whales. Not a diver or snorkeller? One novel way to explore the reef is The ScubaDoo – a small yellow motorised scooter with a large viewing dome, which acts as a diving helmet and is supported by a ﬂoat from the surface.

Back on land, head to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and take a guided tour led by indigenous rangers to learn about the rich biodiversity and its cultural signiﬁcance.

The heart of the Outback

No trip would be complete without a visit to the Northern Territory. It’s the heartland of the Outback, and Uluru awaits you in Australia’s Red Centre. Witness an amazing sunrise or sunset over this iconic sandstone monolith; it’s a magical and sacred place for the Aboriginal tribes here.

Sacred Uluru in Australia’s Red Centre

We also recommend you explore nearby Kata Tjuta and learn about the spiritual stories of the Anangu people. You will be captivated by the rock art and dot paintings depicting the Dreamtime legends of the indigenous people. There are plenty of different ways to make the most of your outback experience. You can stay in a luxury Outback lodge, try ‘glamping’ in ﬁxed tents or sleep in a swag beneath the stars.

When it comes to exploring Uluru, you can cycle or take a camel ride around the rock, hike around the base or take to the skies for a scenic helicopter ﬂight.

Heard of Tasmania?

The quieter, less well-known of Australia’s states (and a hidden gem), it offers, among other things, a rugged wilderness in the form of Cradle Mountain, the aptly-named Friendly beaches and Wineglass bay in Freycinet National Park.

‘Tassie’ is home to the quirky Tasmanian devil and the white wallabies of Bruny island. Just for fun, take a trip to Crescent bay down the Tasman peninsula, take boogie boards and slide down the huge dunes until you hit the water. If you're in Hobart on a Saturday, the Salamanca markets are worth a visit – it's all fresh local produce and local artisan products.

Take

a side trip to Phillip island to see the tiny penguins doing their nightly

‘parade’, when they pop out of the water and stroll up the dunes to ﬁnd their sleep spot

Magical Melbourne

Finally a stop in Melbourne – a true Aussie city but with a European feel with its dynamic arts scene of Fed Square, lane way cafés, trams and Victorian-style shopping arcades – and take a side trip to Phillip island to see the tiny penguins doing their nightly ‘parade’, when they pop out of the water and stroll up the dunes to ﬁnd their sleep spot.

How about a cool way of seeing the city? You can take a tour along the Yarra River, right at sunset by kayak. As the sky darkens, you’ll see the city come to life. From Melbourne, you can drive or take a tour along the famous Great Ocean road to Apollo Bay; keep a lookout for some native wildlife including echidnas and bandicoots, as well as whales and dolphins. En route you will pass the Twelve Apostles, glorious limestone stacks that emerge from the sea – a real highlight of this world-famous coastal route.

Trusted experts

The Miles Morgan Travel teams in Clifton and across the south west are passionate about making your travel dreams a reality, and we hope this has given you ‘food for thought’ for your next holiday. The information provided on these pages doesn’t even cover the whole of this incredible destination. To ﬁnd out more, seek help with some suggestions for stopovers and to discover even more tips to inspire you to start planning your trip down under very soon, get in touch with Miles Morgan Travel Australia experts. n

milesmorgantravel.co.uk; call the Bath team on 01225 486800

Stunning skies over Uluru

Sydney Opera House

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

Dave Attwood

Bath Rugby lock Dave Attwood retired from professional rugby at the end of 2022/23 after an 18‐year career that saw him amass over 350 senior appearances, which included 175 for Bath, and 24 caps for England. Retirement has seen him taking on roles as a Leadership and Communication Consultant at Farleigh Performance, as a public speaker and as a mobile events bar owner.

Q. How do you look back on your time as a rugby player?

I look back with pride, especially about the longevity of my career. Playing as a second row in rugby is very physically demanding – lots of heavy traffic and a great deal of physical load. I’m proud that I was able to perform at the top level for so long.

Q When did you ﬁrst start playing rugby?

I started when I was nine, after I moved to a rugby-playing primary school. A boy’s mum in my class was the coach of the local team, and that’s where it all started. I hoped rugby could become my career, but at 15, I thought I should go to university and get a ‘real job’. At university, I began playing men’s rugby and quickly found myself back in the England fold, with a professional contract at Bristol.

Q. What would you say is your proudest moment in rugby?

Two moments stand out for me. The first is my first cap for England at Twickenham against New Zealand in 2010. It was such a special moment for me and my parents. The second is playing in the Premiership final at Twickenham in 2015 with Bath. It wasn’t just about winning one game, but the whole campaign. To get to that final, with so many challenges along the way, and then to run out in front of 60,000 Bath fans – it was an extremely special moment.

Q. When did you realise it was time to retire from rugby?

For most players, it’s a physical decision. Your body just can’t keep up anymore. For me, it also became clear during my final season at Bath when I met some of the younger players who were born after I started my career. That really drove home the idea that it was time for me to step aside. I didn’t want to cling to rugby as a lifeline; I wanted to go out on a high and not risk tarnishing the pride I had in my career by staying too long.

Q How did you adapt your rugby experience when you retired?

While I was still playing, I had some conversations with the team at Farleigh Performance, who specialise in organisational development. It became clear that many of the things I took for granted in rugby – skills like giving and receiving feedback, clear communication, and building strong relationships – were highly valued in business. I had a natural ability to understand team dynamics from my 20 years in professional rugby, which made it easier to transition into the business world.

Q. How do you compare playing rugby to being in business?

In business, ego tends to play a bigger role. Also, individuals often seem more disconnected from the overall goals of the company. In rugby, when

you win, everyone shares in the success – it’s a collective celebration. But in business, if you close a deal or land a new client, it can feel anonymous, and you’re often disconnected from the company’s bigger success. The key is helping organisations collaborate and work toward a common goal, making them feel like they’re all pulling in the same direction.

Q. Can lessons around decision-making under pressure in rugby be adapted to the business world?

Yes, definitely. In rugby, decisions are immediate, physical, and have visible consequences. If you get something wrong, you can be trampled or hit directly. The stakes are high and mistakes are immediately obvious, so you learn quickly. In business, decisions are more subtle, and the consequences aren’t as immediate. But the ability to stay calm under pressure, to not stress about things you can’t control, and to make decisions with a clear head is something I’ve carried over. In rugby, the learning curve is steep; in business, we need to create situations where decision-making is more immediate, so people can learn faster.

Q How have you bridged the gap from player to consultant? I’ve done it in a couple of ways. One is by expanding my portfolio. Consultancy work in the business world is my main focus, but I also run a mobile bar and events company, Apéro, which keeps me connected to my rugby roots. I serve drinks down at the Rec and at the Bristol Bears most weeks at rugby games, and this keeps me grounded. In business consulting I use my rugby experiences to help organisations improve. I’ll often use rugby footage to discuss scenarios with teams, which keeps me connected to the sport in a meaningful way. It’s less of a reinvention and more of an evolution of who I am.

Q. Tell us about your Apéro mobile bar

I’ve always been frustrated at rugby games where you could only get beer or cider. I love the culture of rugby, where you can enjoy a drink, but I thought there should be more variety. After a trip to Italy, I had the idea of offering Aperol Spritz at games. At first, I lobbied the club to diversify their drinks, but then I thought, “Why not do it myself?”

Image courtesy of Charles Tyrwhitt

I bought a horsebox, turned it into a bar, and started serving Aperol Spritz. To make it work for large crowds, I began mixing it in 20-litre kegs and serving it from taps, just like a regular bar. I can turn up, serve some drinks, make people smile and have a good time. I use authentic ingredients, and I think you can taste that, and that’s important to me. It’s been a lot of fun and a great way to connect with people at events, from weddings to corporate functions. The feedback has been fantastic!

Q. How do you feel about Bath Rugby’s current success?

I’m thrilled to see them doing well. Johann van Graan is an excellent director of rugby, and the club has made some smart recruitment choices. Bath has a strong blend of experienced players and homegrown talent, and they’re finally reaping the rewards of years of hard work. I’m excited to see them succeed, and it’s fantastic to watch from the sidelines. I still stay involved with the club by hosting Q&A events for members and keeping in touch with players I’ve known for years, like Charlie Ewels, Ben Spencer and Tom Dunn.

Q. Has retirement given you a better work-life balance?

Absolutely. I now have the time to attend my kids’ school events –things like choir services and swimming galas – which would have been impossible when I was playing. I also have my weekends back, which means more family time. It’s been great to enjoy that freedom and flexibility. I can go on holiday without worrying about training or match schedules and I go to the gym when I want, not when I’m told.

Q. Are your children showing any interest in sports? They’re not very interested at all, which is a bit devastating! My daughter is very artistic, and my son is into mechanics and building

things. But I haven’t pushed them into sports – I wanted them to have the freedom to explore their own interests, without the pressure of following in my footsteps – and I’m very proud of their passions. n theaperobar.com; farleighperformance.com; bathrugby.com

Bath business

LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

BEEFY BOYS IN BATH

The cult-favourite, award-winning burger restaurant

The Beefy Boys is expanding with the opening of a new restaurant in Milsom Street, Bath.

As part of their soft launch from Tuesday 10 February to Wednesday 5 March, The Beefy Boys willl be offering fans an exclusive chance to experience their burgers and sides with a 20% discount on food in exchange for honest feedback about their meal, the service and the overall experience. The soft launch and burger testers’ discount will be available for pre-bookings only.

This restaurant opening is the fourth for The Beefy Boys’ and their popular dirty American-style burgers, featuring 100% grass-fed Herefordshire beef. The soft launch will allow diners to sample some of the signature dishes, while helping the restaurant team to fine-tune their food, drink and service ahead of the official launch on 7 March.

Co-founder Murf said, “We’re so excited to be opening in Bath, and we want to make sure that everything meets the high standards we have set in our existing restaurants.” thebeefyboys.com

Bookings for the soft launch period from 10 February – 5 March are open now at opentable.co.uk

PITCH TO THE BATH DRAGONS

A new business competition launches this month, with a prize of £20K. Bath Dragons is a new business support initiative, set up and funded by a top team of experts from some of the area’s highprofile business services companies: accountants and tax advisers Richardson Swift, lawyers Mogers Drewett, business finance experts South West Business Finance (SWBF) and The Business Exchange Magazine (TBE).

Aimed at businesses that are ready to grow, Bath Dragons offers companies a shot at winning a package of business support, including 12 months of legal, financial, accountancy and tax advisory services as well as publicity and PR advice. To be chosen they will have to go through a gruelling process of interviews and have their development plans picked over by some of Bath’s toughest business experts, the ‘Dragons’. The panel will be made up of Richardson Swift managing director Debbie Boulton, Corporate and Commercial Partner at Mogers Drewett Tom Webb, co-founder of South West Business Finance Dan Smith and founder of The Business Exchange Magazine Anita Jaynes.

Bath Dragons is open to registered companies based in B&NES or within a 10-mile radius of the city. Companies must be able to show a turnover of £500K or over and have been trading for more than two years. The competition will culminate in a live final, where four businesses will present their ideas and face questioning in front of an audience. The winner will be decided by audience vote. Entries will be via an online form, which goes live after the launch on 12 February at DoubleTree by Hilton. mogersdrewett.com; richardsonswift.co.uk; swbf.co.uk; tbebathandsomerset.co.uk

NEW CEO FOR STONE KING

Vicky Brackett has joined national law firm Stone King as its CEO, following a period of strong growth for the firm. Vicky has extensive experience in law firm management. Having built a commercial litigation practice, Vicky went on to lead the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at Thomas Eggar and was elected as Managing Partner in 2012. She led on the acquisition of Thomas Eggar by Irwin Mitchell, where, she held roles as Chief Executive of the Business Legal Services Division and, latterly, Group Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to joining Thomas Eggar, Vicky was a commercial litigator at Freshfields for 10 years. Her roles as lawyer and leader have involved developing and delivering strategy and change across legal and business services teams, talent management, and client development and acquisition. stoneking.co.uk

Bridging the divide

We spoke to Sarah Williment, Director at Bath Bridge and Programme Director for The Bath Future Talent Programme, about the Digital Divide Collective initiative to tackle digital poverty in the region. She sheds light on the challenges facing disadvantaged communities and explains how local businesses and individuals can help bridge the digital gap.

Sarah Williment, Programme Director of the Bath Future Talent Programme and a Director at Bath Bridge, feels passionately about tackling digital exclusion. Since the establishment of Bath Bridge in 2012, created to support Bath’s aspirational identity and dynamic future, the community interest company (CIC) has evolved signiﬁcantly. It is now focusing its efforts on addressing digital poverty in disadvantaged communities with its Digital Divide Collective initiative, helping to enable people in the region to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

In 2019, as Sarah took on the role of Programme Director for the Bath Future Talent Programme, a leadership development programme for local leaders, she found herself grappling with the question of how participants could develop their leadership skills while also contributing to their communities. In seeking an answer, Sarah and the two other voluntary directors – Fiona Dawson, Director at health tech ﬁrm Mayden, and Steve Fuller, co-founder of branding agency The House together with Annie Legge, Co-Founder of Tech4Good South-West –discovered a signiﬁcant gap: digital poverty. Many people in Bath’s most disadvantaged areas lack the necessary devices, infrastructure, and skills to engage with the digital world, leaving them isolated from services and opportunities.

“Digital exclusion affects people across all walks of life,” says Sarah, “and we thought it would be a great challenge for our Future Talent cohort

to explore how we could address this issue in a meaningful way.”

The project quickly expanded. In collaboration with local partners such as Julian House’s Refugee Service and DHI’s Project 28, Bath Bridge started working to bridge the digital divide for socially excluded groups. The initiative was launched by Bath Bridge and Tech4Good South-West as the Digital Divide Collective at the Bath Digital Festival in 2022. It was supported by Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, who highlighted just how pervasive the digital divide is in our communities.

For many in Bath, especially in the most deprived areas like Twerton West, Whiteway and Southside, digital exclusion is a harsh reality. With large portions of these communities living in poverty, facing issues such as food insecurity, mental health struggles, and domestic abuse, the lack of access to technology compounds their difficulties. According to statistics from the Digital Poverty Alliance, one in ﬁve children lacked proper devices for homeschooling during the pandemic, while 53% of offline individuals cannot afford broadband.

Sarah Williment

Our vision is to create and run a Digital Playground – an interactive, inspiring space designed to spark curiosity, encourage play, and build digital skills

Local charities such as the Southside Family Project and Age UK B&NES are seeing the detrimental effects of digital exclusion ﬁrsthand. “In some of the most vulnerable communities, people are simply unable to access the services they need – whether it’s applying for jobs, getting health advice, or ordering food,” Sarah notes. “The problem isn’t just the lack of infrastructure or devices; it’s the skills gap too.”

To combat this, the Digital Divide Collective brings together a range of partners, including Mayden, St John’s Foundation and the British Computer Society, to work on long-term solutions. The Collective has now expanded its monthly meetings to include anyone who wants to contribute, offering a collaborative space for individuals and organisations to discuss digital inclusion efforts.

“Our vision is to create and run a Digital Playground – an interactive, inspiring space designed to spark curiosity, encourage play, and build digital skills”, Sarah says. “It’s all about making digital skills accessible and fun. Whether people are exploring a new device, learning how to access essential services, or developing their skills to secure a job, we want to create an environment where people feel supported and conﬁdent.”

The vision is pioneering, and Sarah is optimistic about its potential. “We know this is an ambitious aspiration and recognise that it’s very early days, but starting somewhere and beginning to raise awareness of the scale of this challenge has to be a positive step.”

To achieve these goals, Bath Bridge and the Digital Divide Collective are actively seeking support from the local business community. Many companies are already committed to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and employee volunteer programmes. Sarah says that these businesses can make a signiﬁcant impact by donating obsolete devices, offering volunteer hours, or providing digital training.

The Collective needs more resources – both ﬁnancial and human – to keep moving forward. “We’ve recently secured a small amount of funding from the Good Things Foundation, which has allowed us to appoint Alastair Rzeznicki as a part-time coordinator, but there’s so much more we need to do. We’re looking for businesses that can contribute volunteering hours, digital training and skills support, unused devices, as well as ﬁnancial sponsorship. Every little bit helps.”

For individuals interested in supporting the cause, there are several ways to get involved. Volunteering to assist local residents with their digital skills or donating unused laptops can make a signiﬁcant difference. Bath Bridge has already received donations through a tech bank set up during last year’s Digital Festival, allowing the distribution of 30 devices loaded with essential software, and Sarah is keen to expand this effort. “We’ve collaborated with Jangala, a charity that helps provide free internet access, who have given us some free SIM cards. But it’s not just about handing out tech – it’s about equipping people with the skills to use these tools.” So this is a multi-faceted challenge – with a focus on addressing the lack of technical infrastructure, building digital skills and knowledge, and develoing soft skills such as self-conﬁdence.

Engaging with communities in need is one of the Collective’s most sensitive tasks. “We are aware that we can’t ever know or understand ﬁrst hand the challenges they face, so it’s essential that we partner with local organisations that already have the trust of these communities,” Sarah explains. “By working with groups like the Southside Family Project, Age UK BaNES, Bath City FC Foundation, Twerton Infants School, and the Twerton & Whiteway Community Network, we can ensure that we’re addressing real needs and providing support that makes a difference.”

Looking to the future, the Collective are planning a pilot project in Twerton, in partnership with Bath City FC Foundation’s Reconnecting Twerton initiative. The project will help people in these communities engage with the Learn My Way app, a digital tool designed to build basic digital skills. “We hope this will be just the beginning of a much broader effort to tackle digital exclusion,” Sarah says. “The key challenge for us now is to secure more funding and resources. We need to build a team of volunteers and partners who can help us make this vision a reality.”

For Sarah, the Digital Divide Collective represents an essential step towards a more inclusive and equitable future for Bath. “Sometimes the people most in need are those least able to seek out where the most appropriate and useful support is available. We are working to offer people ways of ﬁnding digital solutions to some of the challenges they face in their daily lives. ” n

To learn more or to get involved, contact the Digital Divide Collective at hello@bathbridge.co.uk.

Watch, read & listen

Make plans and book tickets for a live podcast, settle down in front of the new Bridget Jones film at The Little, discover Jane Austen in a different way and enjoy a novel written by a lawyer about a lawyer.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Bridget Jones finally has some luck in her life. She has a great job as a screenwriter, her family and a new boyfriend; however, the fact that he is over 20 years younger than her isn't the only thing that is causing problems. Directed by Michael Morris and starring Renée Zellweger, Leo Woodall, Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Emma Thompson. 130 minutes. 13–23 February, various times. Little Theatre Cinema, Bath picturehouses.com

The power of the pod

Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas has announced its programme for the forthcoming festival, which runs from 10–31 March, offering an eclectic mix of book talks, podcast shows, film screenings, workshops, live performances and walks to inform, challenge, entertain and connect.

Notable among the mix are a selection of live podcasts. These include The Therapy Works Podcast Live: Every Family Has a Story with author and psychotherapist Julia Samuel and her two psychotherapist daughters on 24 March. There is also The News Meeting Podcast - Live in Bath with Tortoise Media on 26 March, addressing the idea of who decides what leads the news. Another to note is Past Present Future Podcast Live - Churchill: The Politician with Nine Lives with podcast host David Runciman and guest historian Robert Saunders on 29 March, on how one man’s political career could encompass so many twists and turns of fortune.

Discover Jane Austen through objects

In association with Jane Austen’s house, Chawton Cottage, the book Jane Austen in 41 Objects by Kathryn Sutherland provides a fresh perspective on the writer’s life.

Jane’s family, as anxious to cover her tracks as to bring her before a growing public, handed down to biographers a life filled with gaps. So what can we discover from looking at the things that she cherished or cast aside, that she touched or that furnished her world? A teenage notebook; a locked tea caddy; the theatrical poster for a play she attended; the dining-room grate at Chawton Cottage where she lived; even the last manuscript page of her unfinished novel and a lock of hair kept by her sister, Cassandra, are featured. Also included are more recent objects contributing to Jane Austen’s rich cultural legacy. Kathryn Sutherland is Senior Research Fellow, St Anne’s College, Oxford, and Patron at Jane Austen’s House. Published on 13 bodleianshop.co.uk).

Bath Arts Collective; batharts.co.uk

Find Sanctuary

Why would you claim asylum in your own country? Alex Donovan is a young refugee lawyer in crisis. Helping desperate clients reach safety gives his job meaning. But he now finds himself demoted, signed off sick, and facing redeployment. Then there is Amy, the irresistible junior barrister who seems to be drifting away from him. With all to prove, Alex dreams up a plan to restore his honour and secure Amy’s affection. Sanctuary is the debut novel by Tom Gaisford, a barrister in the field of immigration and asylum law. Published in April, you can pre-order the book from Bath Publishing’s cintopress.co.uk, at £12.99 (plus P&P).

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Health & beauty

Engage with some of the many events at the ReBalance Bath festival, and consider a lipomassage treatment at The Orangery to feel slimmer and lighter.

ReBalance Bath builds on the city’s 2000-year deep rooted connection to wellbeing. Running from 30 January – 16 February, here are just a few of the events taking place.

LIFESTYLE RESET AT THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA

Monday to Thursday, 30 January – 16 February n The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath

Enjoy an hour in the gym, followed by an hour in the spa for £25. Pre-book by calling 01225 823333, subject to availability. Quote ‘ReBalance Bath’.

MOVEMENT, HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE – WALKING SOLVES

6 February, 12.30pm–2.30pm

n Upstairs at Bath Pizza Co, Green Park Station Join Ben Morris and Peter Lant for a bite to eat and a walk through why movement is key to our mental and physical health and performance, and what to do about it.

AQUASANA IN THE ROOFTOP POOL

5 and 12 February, 8am–12pm

n Rooftop Pool at Thermae Bath Spa

Explore mind, body and soul with expert teacher Bex Bridgford for a morning of Aquasana in the Rooftop Pool followed by a two hour spa session with use of a towel and robe. £50.

Feeling bloated? Clothes feeling tight?

The answer is easier than you may think...

METABOLIC HEALTH AND MINDSET

7 February, 2pm–3pm

n The Library, Combe Grove Health and Wellbeing Centre, Brassknocker Hill, Bath

Join Lead Metabolic Health Coach, Graham Eastgate and Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Heidi Rearden to explore how we think and what impact this has on our health. £10.

COMBE GROVE HORTICULTURE, WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION TALK AND TOUR

7 February, 11am–12.30pm

n Combe Grove Health and Wellbeing Centre, Brassknocker Hill, Bath

Join Wildlife and Conservation Team Leader Steve Hill and horticulture apprentices as they take you on a tour around Combe Grove’s Kitchen Garden and conservation areas. £10.

ROMAN RETREAT AT THE ROMAN BATHS

12 February, 3pm–4.30pm

n Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre, Swallow St. Explore how Romans relaxed and bathed at the Roman Baths 2000 years ago. You’ll delve into what the Roman spa routine looked like, and get to hold 2000 year old Roman objects. Free.

See the full range of events and book through welcometobath.co.uk/rebalance-bath-2025/

The Body Clinic at The Orangery is offering a Lipomassage treatment that harnesses the secret to a youthful slim physique. The state-of-the-art technology called LPG Endermology Lipomassage slims down the body and reduces cellulite, with remarkable results achieved in 4-14 treatments.

The before and after photos show remarkable results in 4-14 weeks

Beauty is about maintenance and these treatments not only slim and tone your body but they also help relieve water retention by boosting lymph drainage. The treatment has a stimulating effect on the body’s natural healing process, activating the collagen, elastin and fibroblasts within the skin. It is ideal for those dieting, losing weight or undergoing medical weight loss, as the skin-tightening effects help reduce the risk of sagging, crepey skin.

The treatment process consists of wearing a white body stocking to protect the skin from pinching, then relaxing on the couch while the machine gently massages your body. The effect is that you instantly ‘feel’ slimmer, lighter and walk away with a spring in your step.

Book in with Victoria for a free consultation where you can discuss your body concerns and your health and lifestyle. LPG Endermology is 100% safe with no downtime and little to no contraindications.

Victoria Rawlinson, The Body Clinic, The Orangery Clinic, No. 1 Argyle Street, Bath; tel: 01225 466851.

Visit theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk to see the full range of treatments

BEyelid surgery - Blepharoplasty in the spotlight

Interview with Consultant Ophthalmologist & Oculoplastic Surgeon Gemma Manasseh

lepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to treat excess eyelid skin, has become increasingly popular among individuals seeking both functional and cosmetic improvements to their eyes. To shed light on this procedure, we spoke with consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon Miss Gemma Manasseh, a specialist in functional, reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery, and complex cataract surgery. Here, she explains the ins and outs of blepharoplasty, its beneﬁts, and who might consider it.

To start, could you explain what blepharoplasty is and what it entails?

Thank you for having me. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, fat or muscle around the upper and/or lower eyelids. This can improve the appearance of the eyes and give them a more youthful, refreshed look. It may also be performed for functional reasons, particularly when excess skin on the upper eyelids, known as dermatochalasis, obstructs the vision.

Who would be an ideal candidate for blepharoplasty and why would they seek it?

Ideal candidates are typically those in good health and have concerns about hooded upper eyelids or puffy lower eyelids. Individuals are typically in their 40s and older as the effects of aging lead to reduced elasticity and stretching of skin. The excess upper eyelid skin may be causing functional problems, such as heaviness of the lids or impaired superior and peripheral vision. Individuals may also experience soreness and irritation of the skin between the folds of the eyelids. Others may be seeking the procedure for cosmetic reasons, such as wanting to reduce the appearance of tired or aging eyes and have a brightened, refreshed look. Commonly, individuals have a combination of concerns. They may notice a shadowing of their vision and at the same time feel self-conscious about a hooded appearance of their eyes. Blepharoplasty can address both these issues in one procedure.

What does recovery from blepharoplasty look like?

The recovery from blepharoplasty is usually straightforward and easily tolerated. Patients will experience swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort for the ﬁrst week or two. The sutures are removed in clinic one week following surgery. I usually recommend taking about a week off work and avoiding strenuous activities for two weeks. By the third or fourth week, most of the swelling has subsided, and patients can see the results more clearly. Scarring is minimal, as the incisions are strategically placed within the natural creases of the eyelids. Over time and with appropriate care, scars fade signiﬁcantly and are often barely noticeable.

Are there risks or complications associated with blepharoplasty?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Thankfully, they are relatively rare when the surgery is performed by an experienced surgeon. All surgery carries a risk of infection or an adverse reaction to the sutures or anaesthesia. After blepharoplasty, some patients may experience dry eyes or difficulty closing the eyes fully - this tends to be temporary and resolves once the eyelids have fully healed. There may be slight asymmetry in the results. In very rare cases, a second operation is required. Therefore, it is crucial to have a detailed consultation beforehand in which the individual’s concerns and treatment goals are thoroughly explored, as there are often a number of treatment options available. My approach is to ensure my patient has a full understanding of the potential risks and beneﬁts of each option before reaching a treatment decision together.

How does blepharoplasty differ when performed by an ophthalmologist like yourself, as opposed to other specialists?

As an ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, I have extensive training in both eye health, eyelid structure and function, and the unique interaction between these structures. This dual expertise allows me to approach blepharoplasty with a strong emphasis on eye safety, ensuring that eyelid function is preserved and the potential risks caused by “over-doing” blepharoplasty surgery are avoided. Patients often ﬁnd reassurance in knowing that their vision and eye health are prioritised throughout the process. Ophthalmologists are also trained in intraocular microsurgery, a practice that requires meticulous precision. Having blepharoplasty surgery carried out by an ophthalmologist with oculoplastic subspecialty training, you can feel conﬁdent that your surgery will be approached with the same level of precision and perfectionism required for intraocular microsurgery.

What advice would you give to someone considering blepharoplasty? Do your research and consult with a qualified and experienced oculoplastic surgeon. Make sure to ask about their specific training and experience with blepharoplasty. Be clear about your goals and don’t hesitate to ask questions during the consultation—it’s vital that you feel confident and comfortable with your decision. Lastly, keep in mind that this is a highly individualised procedure. What works for one person may not be right for another, so having a tailored treatment plan is essential.

In closing, how do patients typically feel about their results? Patients often tell me they feel more confident and that their eyes look brighter and less tired. Only last week a patient thanked me for "giving me the gift of my eyes back”. For those who had functional issues, the improvement in vision and comfort can be substantial. It is very rewarding to see how this procedure can make such a significant difference in someone’s confidence and quality of life.

Blepharoplasty can be a transformative procedure for those seeking to enhance their appearance or address functional concerns. With experts like Miss Gemma Manasseh, patients can feel assured they’re in capable hands. If you’re considering blepharoplasty, consult with a qualiﬁed specialist to explore your options. ■

To make an appointment contact: 01225 220 295 Email: office@theeyeunit.co.uk www.theeyeunit.co.uk

Tetbury’s hidden corners

Exploring Tetbury brings a host of discoveries for Andrew Swift, including a station with its original signalbox, a Finnish railway carriage, a medieval street, a Victorian police station, a former workhouse and a 16th‐century bridge.

Tetbury may be known for its antique shops, upmarket hotels and royal associations, but it is also a town of surprises and hidden corners. This month’s walk – along paths and pavements, as well as muddy tracks – is an introduction to a few of them.

Approaching Tetbury from the west along the A433, when you reach the crossroads by the colonnaded market house, carry straight on. Follow the road as it drops downhill and at the bottom turn right into the Old Railway Yard Car Park.

The station closed in 1964, but two buildings survive – the Goods Shed, now an arts centre and café, and the original signalbox – restored and reinstated after a spell as a garden shed. There’s also, curiously enough, a Finnish railway carriage, which arrived in 2018.

Leaving the car park, cross over and walk up the road you just drove down. After 100m, cross back and turn left down steps to begin the ascent of Chipping Steps, a medieval street which was once a main entrance to the town. It leads to The Chipping – the medieval name

for a market square – now used as a car park. Head diagonally across it, cross the road to Christ Church and turn right past a row of Georgian houses. Priory House, set in its own grounds at the end, dates from 1767, although its former stables, which you can find if you turn left along Eccles Court, incorporate part of an ancient manor house, some of whose blocked-up windows survive.

Just past the stables, bear right along a walled path. Turn left at the main road and at the crossroads turn left into Long Street. The Victorian police station on the corner is now a police museum. After that, though, the 17th and 18th centuries predominate. There can be few streets with such a magnificent and varied range of ancient buildings as this.

A little way along, on the west side, the Old House (now Josephine Ryan Antiques) dates from around 1600, although its facade was added a century and a half later. The Elizabethan provenance of Porch House, to its left, however, is undisguised, although the two-storey porch which gives it its name was added in 1677.

Long Street’s grander houses were built for clothiers and wool staplers, some of whom also traded here. The long central bay of the Highgrove shop, further along, was originally the loading bay of a warehouse connected with the adjoining building. Beyond it is the Close Hotel, described in 1594 as ‘a fine new house’ and for centuries home to the town’s leading families.

Cross the zebra crossing and turn right at the crossroads along Church Street. The Market House across the road was built in 1655, when Tetbury was at the peak of its prosperity. Talboys House, which you pass a little further on, dates from 1620.

Cross the zebra crossing and carry on, crossing the end of The Green before turning left through an archway and climbing steps to St Marys’ Church. The first view of its interior is as stunning as it is unexpected. Tetbury’s medieval church was demolished in 1777 – except for the tower and spire – and replaced by this glorious Hallenkirche, flooded with light. The tower and spire were eventually demolished in 1891, after becoming unsafe, but rebuilt to the original design.

On leaving the church turn right and head diagonally across the churchyard to emerge on The Green. Turn right and at the end turn right down Fox Hill, passing the old Fox Inn on the left.

At the bottom, a 16th-century bridge crosses the Tetbury branch of the Avon which rises just over a mile away. This stretch of the fledgling river once marked the boundary between Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, and the letters W and G can still be made out on the northern parapet directly above it.

On the far side, turn right down a lane. After 150m, just after crossing the Avon, turn right through a kissing gate. A few metres further on bear right along a muddy track beside a barbed wire fence.

When you eventually emerge onto the Bath Road, the cottage you can see to your right was a tollhouse built when the road was turnpiked in 1743. Originally, the road ran not across the bridge, but down the track to the right of it. When the bridge was constructed in 1775 a new tollhouse was built 100m up the road.

It is only as you head down the old road that you appreciate the scale of the bridge. After curving under it, the old road dwindles to a narrow path climbing steeply uphill. Turn left at the top and, when the road

The Cutwell Brook flows between Bath Road Bridge

The old signalbox

forks, bear left down Cottons Lane. Turn left at the end across a packhorse bridge and then right to follow the Cutwell Brook for 50m before crossing a narrow footbridge and continuing along its right bank.

When you emerge on Charlton Road, you can see another tollhouse 75m to your left. Turn right uphill, passing a green with a Victorian post box and an old pump. St Saviour’s Church, which you pass on the left, was built in 1848 for those who could not afford the pew rents charged by St Mary’s. It was not built on the cheap, however – one of those involved in its design was the famous architect Augustus Pugin.

At the end of New Church Street, a left turn along Hampton Street takes you past a row of wool warehouses built around 1784. They were later converted to a brewery, and, if you look up when you reach the end, you will see a monumental tower added in 1898, when the brewery was rebuilt after a fire.

Head back to the crossroads and cross ahead at the traffic island to walk along the west side of Long Street. Although you visited Long Street earlier, walking on this side gives you a much better view of the buildings opposite.

Cross the zebra crossing by the Close Hotel and, at the end of Long Street, head straight on past the Snooty Fox – originally the White Hart. Ahead lies Tetbury’s main market place. On the far side, its portico supported on slender columns, is the Talbot Inn, first recorded in 1580 and closed around 1988. As you turn left, you pass the former Crown Inn, built in 1693, closed around 2012, but still the starting point for Tetbury’s annual Whitsun Woolsack Races.

A little further on, Kingsley House Nursing Home, on the right, occupies the former workhouse. Beyond that, the road drops down Gumstool Hill, which the Whitsun racers have to negotiate with

woolsacks weighing up to 27kg on their backs.

At the bottom of the hill, turn right along a footpath to cross a bridge over the Avon leading to the goods shed and car park. n

Andrew Swift has written books such as On Foot in Bath: Fifteen Walks around a World Heritage City (akemanpress.com).

Length of walk: 2.5 miles

Approx time: Two hours

Level of challenge: Although mostly on pavements, the walk also includes steps and rough and muddy paths.

Free long-stay parking is available in the Old Railway Yard Car Park.

The brewery tower

It’s so much easier to spend time with loved ones when we all live closer together. Family events, quality time with the grandchildren or simply having the peace of mind of being close by are just a few of the benefits.

Pemberley Place offers a selection of new 1 and 2 bedroom apartments for sale exclusively to buyers over 55. Each low maintenance apartment benefits from contemporary style fixtures and fittings, a balcony or terrace, and a range of onsite communal facilities designed to make life comfortable and enjoyable. And visiting couldn’t be easier – Pemberley Place is conveniently located on Beckford Drive, off Lansdown Road, a short drive to the north of Bath city centre.

Pemberley Place has been designed for independent living with optional support should you ever need it. And, with a range of affordable purchasing options available, buying an apartment here could be a lot more affordable than you might think.

Pemberley Place is brought to you by Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit specialist provider of homes for people over 55 with more than 60 years of experience in the sector. For more information visit www.anchornewhomes.org.uk

Vanity affair

Trying to decide who is the fairest of them all at home?

You’ll need a mirror for that. Whether you’re aiming to radiate more light around a room, make an interior design statement or simply need to see yourself better – we reflect on some gorgeous mirrors available to order now.

Esara Brushed Gold Slim Frame Arch Floor Mirror, £345, ruma.co.uk

Images: A distressed mirror or classically-shaped piece can suit period-style interiors that blend antique elements with contemportary accents. Pictured top, Laura Ashley Rochelle Square Wall Mirror from John Lewis, £160, johnlewis.com; pictuered bottom, bathroom from Little Greene with walls covered in Stag Toile - Juniper wallpaper; littlegreene.com

How do you see yourself? Most of us have likely experienced the bizarre shapeshifting that can occur between the version of you that brushed your teeth compared to seeing yourself rush past the hallway mirror, who then looked uncertainly into their changing room reﬂection, and the person catching a glimpse of themselves in a passing shop window looking completely unrecognisable.

Forget fairy tales – mirrors have real life magical powers to influence how we perceive ourselves in the world. A good mirror, well placed, can boost your confidence ten-fold. A bad mirror in poor lighting, set at an unflattering angle, holds the potential to ruin your day. And these glass portals can have the same marked impact on the way our homes look and feel too.

Magic mirror on the wall

Mirrors are an interior design secret weapon, effortlessly transforming the feel of a space with their ability to reﬂect light and create the illusion of more room. Natural light and space are at a premium in many of Bath’s homes (thanks to the city’s grand period architecture and its many green spaces), and mirrors can make a huge impact, both practically and aesthetically.

When placed thoughtfully, they have the magical ability to brighten up even the darkest corners. By reﬂecting light from windows or lamps, mirrors bounce brightness around the room, creating a sense of warmth and inviting energy. This simple addition can make a space feel more vibrant and airy, turning a dull, lifeless room into a glowing, uplifting environment.

But mirrors do more than just add light – they also open up a space visually. In smaller rooms or ﬂats, where square footage is often limited, mirrors can create the illusion of expansiveness. A large mirror on a wall can make the space feel twice as big, visually extending the boundaries of the room and making it feel less cramped. This is especially effective in tight hallways, cosy living rooms or bijou bedrooms where every inch counts. With just one carefully-positioned piece, you can instantly increase the sense of space, creating an open, free-ﬂowing atmosphere.

Moreover, mirrors introduce depth and dimension into a room. A mirrored accent on a wall, a statement mirror above the mantelpiece, or a mirrored coffee table can add a touch of glamour and sophistication, reflecting not just light but the beauty of your décor. The reflective surfaces create subtle movement too, making the room feel dynamic, rather than flat and a little dull.

When used creatively, mirrors don’t just serve a functional purpose; they enhance the style and ﬂow of any room, infusing it with light, space, and personality. It’s no wonder they’re a go-to in any stylish home – whether your décor embraces period features, has a vintage maximalist vibe, is a bohemian paradise, makes the most of reﬁned mid-century class, or rests on sleek, Scandi-inspired minimalism. Turn the page for more ideas...

1. Wrap-around reﬂections: Why look at yourself from just one perspective? Make sure every angle is working to your satisfaction.

Trois Mirror in Antique Silver, £475, Oka, oka.com

2. A match made in heaven: Your mirror’s frame should complement your room’s vibe. Match its colours, textures, and shapes to the furniture around it for a seamless look. A sleek black frame might pair beautifully with modern metal accents, while a wooden frame brings warmth to natural materials.

Polygon Mirror, £70, oliverhayden.com

3. Standing tall: No need to drill holes in the wall – free-standing mirrors are your best friend. Many now come with a little shelf for storage, making them both stylish and practical. Place one anywhere for ﬂexibility and a chic statement piece that does more than reﬂect.

Rattan Cherry Floor Mirror, £350, johnlewis.com

4. Turn back time: Why not get a mirror that doubles as a clock? These clever designs combine function with style, offering a sleek way to keep track of time while admiring your reﬂection. Perfect for living rooms, kitchens, utility rooms and entryways... take your pick!

Libra Interiors Beaded Mirrored Round Wall Clock, £150, johnlewis.com

Gleaming Primrose Mirror, £448–£1298, Anthropologie, anthropologie.com 1 23 4 5 6 7 8

5. Round and around: Add a little drama with a convex mirror. These curved beauties distort reﬂections in a fun way, making your space feel bigger and more dynamic.

Convex Glass Porthole Mirror, £65, Graham & Green, grahamandgreen.co.uk

6. Surrounding fabric ﬂair: Draw attention with a decorative border – this overmantle mirror inspired by Italian design instantly elevates a room with its striking frame and tapestry-inspired upholstery.

Judarn Floral Wood Overmantle Mirror, £598, Anthropologie, anthropologie.com

7. The great outdoors: Bring some glamour to your outdoor space with a weather-proof mirror. When placed carefully in a courtyard or garden, mirrors can reﬂect light and greenery, making even the tiniest space feel larger. Just make sure it’s securely ﬁxed and away from direct sun to avoid any accidents!

Round Metal Vintage Cream Mirror, £59.95, melodymaison.co.uk

8. Grand gestures: For a dramatic statement, try a large vintagestyle mirror leaning against, rather than ﬁxed to the wall. It’s an eclectic look when combined with modern furniture and can make a room feel so much airier and spacious.

We specialise in design, manufacture and installation of bespoke kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, home studies and media cabinetry.

www.skyinteriors.co.uk

E: enquiries@skyinteriors.co.uk

T: 01225 707372

Melksham SN12 8BZ

Showroom viewing Mon‐Fri 8am‐5pm Saturday via appointment only

Growing your own

February is the perfect time to plan your plot, browse the seed catalogues and start sowing crops indoors or under cover, writes Elly West, no matter the size of your garden...

Iremember one summer in recent years when, for days on end, I was able to eat my lunch in the garden. Every day was the same – tomato and basil salad, with tomatoes picked straight from the vine, warmed by the sun, and a succession of basil leaves from seeds sown straight into the soil at weekly intervals. Admittedly, I wasn’t as organised last year, but my New Year’s resolution was to ﬁnd the time and space to sow some crops from seed and enjoy the satisfaction of fresh and healthy home-grown food.

Now is the perfect time to plan your plot, browse the seed catalogues and start sowing crops indoors or under cover. Whatever the size of your garden, there are plenty of fruits, vegetables and herbs that are easy to grow and don’t take up much room. While it’s nice to dedicate an area of the garden to edibles, perhaps with some raised beds and maybe even a greenhouse, crops can just as easily be grown in pots, window-boxes, hanging baskets or in among the ﬂowers and shrubs in an existing border. Growing your own food is an all-round win-win situation. Who can argue with the appeal of spending less at the supermarket and the convenience of seasonal crops at your ﬁngertips?

Location, location, location

First steps will be to choose a space. Most edibles prefer a decent amount of sunlight and well-drained soil, so a raised bed is ideal, where you can bring in new good-quality compost or topsoil. If space is at a premium or you don’t want to create a permanent bed in the garden, then

containers are perfect for crops as you can position them in a sunny spot and clear them away at the end of the growing season.

Grow-bags are designed for this purpose, or you can ﬁll just about any container and use that. These aren’t permanent displays, so you may not be as concerned with appearances or longevity. Old buckets, half-barrels, clay or plastic pots, compost bags or upcycled pallets can provide space for some veg or herbs.

Ensure your containers have adequate drainage holes to prevent water logging, keep an eye on them daily during sunny spells and water regularly, as there’s nothing more frustrating than putting in all that care and attention, only to have your plants die while you’re away on a sunny weekend break. The larger the containers, the more you can grow and the less often you will need to water.

If you don’t have much room, then consider crops that climb upwards, maximising your vertical space. Beans are ideal as they are so easy to grow, and keep cropping through the summer. Scrambling over a wigwam they’ll add height and structure, and are attractive in their own right with their bright red and white ﬂowers. A cane tripod for beans can easily be squeezed in among your ornamental plants, or you can grow them over a trellis or wires on a fence.

My favourites are the multi-coloured borlotti beans – pale pink with red-brown speckles – that are tactile and fun to dry and use in kids’ craft projects, as well as being tasty in soups, casseroles, or cooked and cooled and added to a salad.

Fruits of your labour

Don’t rule out a fruit tree in a small garden either. They are often grown on dwarfing rootstocks, which keep them small and suitable for containers or the border, or you buy plants ready-trained as cordons or espaliers, to grow flat against a fence or wall. Soft fruits such as blueberries (which like acid soil, so are better grown in pots filled with ericaceous compost), gooseberries and blackcurrants can all be kept small and are suitable for pots.

Hanging baskets are a great place for strawberries or trailing cherry tomatoes, and can be hung from a bracket on the house or attached to a wall or fence post. Both of these crops like lots of sun and regular watering, and will beneﬁt from being high up out of the way of slugs and other pests.

Some vegetable seeds should be started off indoors or in a heated greenhouse, as they need warmth to germinate. Seeds to sow towards the end of February include tomatoes, chillies, peppers, cucumbers, squashes and courgettes. Other more hardy crops can be sown outdoors at the end of this month, with a little protection from a cloche or in a coldframe, to give them a head-start for earlier crops. These include lettuces, radishes, peas, beans and spring onions.

Once your plants are underway, consider adding fertiliser to give them a boost. Tomatoes, peppers and squashes will all do better with a liquid feed during the growing season. Or just scatter some slow-release fertiliser pellets around your plants and fork them into the soil.

If you want to ﬁnd out more about growing crops, then seed-swapping is a great place to meet like-minded people and get hold of some seeds. Upcoming events in our region include Get Seedy! with Seedy Saturday on Saturday 8 March at Timsbury Conygre Hall, North Road, Timsbury

BA2 OJQ (seedysaturday.org.uk) and Wild About Bath’s next seed swap on Saturday 10 May (wildaboutbath.org), with location to be conﬁrmed.

n ellyswellies.co.uk

Plant of the month: Lettuce

This salad staple is on my list of crops to grow this year, as I’m fed up with buying it in bags and finding it goes soggy and brown within days of opening. Instead, I’m looking forward to picking handfuls of fresh leaves as and when I need them. Lettuce is an amazing crop and can be grown all year round on a windowsill, or outdoors from March onwards. They’ll even keep going in winter if you cover outdoor plants with cloches from October.

Lettuces come in a wide variety of colours and textures, and many ‘cut and come again’ varieites are ready to pick around six weeks after sowing. Lettuces like a spot that gets some shade, as they are prone to bolting and setting seed in full sun. Moist well-drained soil is best, and make sure you water them regularly, as they have shallow roots and lose a lot of moisture from the leaves. Keep the leaves coming by picking a few from the base each time, promoting new growth at the top.

Wysteria Barn is one of three properties within this development and it is a 4 bedroom converted barn with an amazing open plan kitchen/dining and sitting area with delightful views to the rear over open countryside. The kitchen has a beautiful bespoke kitchen with integrated appliances. There are 4 superbly appointed double bedrooms, the master bedroom having an en-suite shower room and bedroom 2 has the benefit of a Jack & Jill bathroom. The barn also has a separate utility room, together with a cloakroom. The rear garden is accessed from the kitchen/dining area by fully glazed bifold doors which create the beautiful feeling of inside out living. The property has the benefit of underfloor heating throughout with engineered oak flooring and with carpet in the bedrooms. Parking is to the side of the property.

The property is accessed to the front with a courtyard style front garden area with a single parking space with additional parking for several vehicles to the side of the property. To the rear there is a large level garden and a large patio area, there is a gate at the end of the garden which can be used to access the fields behind.

Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, The Circus, Bath; Tel: 01225 333332

37 Market Street, Bradford on Avon; Tel: 01225 866111

West Woodlands, Nr Frome

• 4 superbly appointed double bedrooms

• Contemporary bespoke kitchen

• Open plan kitchen/dining area and sitting area

• Large level rear garden

• Ample parking

£775,000

Lower Oldfield Park, Bath

£1,150,000

An extremely substantial family home set in a superb location for local shops, schools and the city centre. The property offers gorgeous accommodation over 3 storeys with 2 reception rooms and a refitted and open plan kitchen/diner. 5 bedrooms, ensuite facilities and family bathroom.

• Victorian property with 5 ample bedrooms, 2 reception rooms

• Ensuite facilities

• Modern kitchen/diner

• Gardens front and rear and garage/parking

LAST REMAININGPROPERTY

Longmead, Norton St Philip

£600,000

Detached property presently being built by Malcolm Lippiatt Homes, a renowned local developer.

• Detached new build house

• Age exclusive properties where one of the purchasers will be 55 years old or more

• Sought after village location

• 2 bedrooms both with en-suites, separate large shower room

• Single garage with boarded area and loft ladder

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

Steeple Ashton, Wiltshire

Leigh Road, Bradford on Avon

High quality care in Bath

At Rush Hill Mews care home in Bath, our highly trained teams are experts in providing high quality care from residential, nursing and dementia care, to short term care. Our purpose-built home offers luxurious facilities, including a coffee shop, hair salon, library and beautiful landscaped gardens.

A lifestyle tailored to you

At our ‘good’ CQC rated home we’ll support you to continue living your life the way you choose. We’ll learn all about your interests and preferences so we can create a fully personalised lifestyle plan that you’ll enjoy whether it’s gardening, cheese and wine socials or playing chess.

Trust us to care

Rush Hill Mews care home in Bath is part of Care UK, the country’s most awarded large care provider. We’ve been delivering high-quality, person-centred care for over 40 years.

In our recent relative survey, 93% of families were impressed with how the staff treated their relative with kindness, dignity and respect ^ and 91% were happy that the staff appear to be trained in latest procedures to keep residents safe at all times*.

To find out more about Rush Hill Mews call 01225 808 843

Rush Hill Mews

Clarks Way, Bath, Somerset, BA2 2TR. careuk.com/rush-hill-mews

The peaceful village of Neston is brimming with charm, featuring a pre-school and primary school, a country pub, and a vibrant community spirit with year-round events like a firework display and village fete. Just two miles away, the historic market town of Corsham provides a delightful mix of boutiques, cafés, and leisure facilities, including a state-of-the-art leisure centre. Surrounded by picturesque countryside and close to popular destinations like Lowden Garden Centre, this is village living redefined.

Guide Price £575,000

Britton House, a Grade II listed cottage bursting with traditional character, the light & airy rooms wrap themselves around you in such a calm and comforting way, the perfect family home and ideal for home working. Upon entering the property, the beautifully cosy lounge and dining room, boasting exposed beams and a classic fireplace, as well as a pretty window seat looking out onto the High Street. The country kitchen benefits from a beautifully traditional Belfast sink and stand alone oven and hob. There is also a W.C on the ground floor. Upstairs the property boasts three spacious double bedrooms with beautiful exposed beams and a family bathroom with shower over bath. The principal bedroom and en-suite, on the top floor, currently used as a nail studio.

The property also benefits from a separate, south facing garden, an exclusive quiet space, perfect to challenge a keen gardener or enjoy as a calm outside space, located along a small pathway to the side of the property. There is a large cellar in the basement, offering ample storage, but also offers potential to be converted.

As a whole this property comes with massive scope & presents a wonderful step into country living with all the supporting amenities. Free on street parking. No onward chain.

Zest Sales & Lettings 1a Mile End, London Road, Bath, BA1 6PT | Tel: 01225 48 10 10 www.zestlovesproperty.com

Marshfield

New Year, New Approach: The Power of Video Show Rounds in Property Marketing

By Peter Greatorex

As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to rethink how your property is being marketed - particularly if your home has been on the market longer than expected. Last month I discussed the benefits of selling discreetly. While discreet sales offer privacy and exclusivity, there’s another approach that’s equally important for those who are keen to showcase every aspect of their home - video show rounds.

This method is not just about showcasing your property; it’s about attracting serious buyers and optimising viewings. Here are my thoughts on how a well-crafted video tour can breathe new life into the sale of your property:

A professionally produced video tour provides potential buyers with a comprehensive and immersive first impression. Unlike static photos, a video show round allows them to experience the flow, space, and character of your home as if they were there in person. Furthermore, I like to work with my clients to narrate the videos so that together, we can tell buyers about the most important aspects of the property. This more personal approach sets the property apart in a crowded market, helping to rekindle interest in homes that may have grown stagnant in traditional listings and provide information which can’t be depicted in photos or even written text.

Attracting the right buyers

For me, one of the greatest advantages of video show rounds is their ability to filter out casual browsers. By offering an in-depth view of the property, video tours ensure that buyers who book an in-person viewing are already seriously interested. They’ve seen the layout, the features, and the overall style, so they’re not coming to decide whether the property appeals to them - they’re coming to confirm it’s the right fit.

This level of prequalification means fewer time-wasters and a higher likelihood of securing offers from motivated buyers. Additionally, those attending viewings are more likely to ask detailed, informed questions about the property, streamlining the sales process and making negotiations smoother.

Adapting to how consumers view their content

As with everything we look to purchase in today’s world, we are used to having a plethora of information available to us. Yes, sometimes too much. However, when making such a huge decision as purchasing a house, can there ever be too much information? I would say not.

Today’s buyers increasingly expect properties to be presented using modern tools like video. In fact, surveys show that listings with video tours attract significantly more attention than those with photos alone. For sellers, this isn’t just about keeping up with trends, it’s about meeting buyers where they are and providing the transparency they need to feel confident in booking a viewing.

Revitalising a stagnant listing

If your property has been on the market for some time without traction, the new year is an excellent opportunity to try something fresh. A video show round can reintroduce your home with a compelling narrative that highlights its best features. Whether it’s the way the morning light floods the kitchen or the seamless indoor-outdoor flow, a video can bring these elements to life in a way photos simply can’t.

In my experience, the substantial returns make the investment in video production more than worthwhile. By reducing the number of uncommitted viewings, saving time, and attracting serious offers, a video show round ultimately enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of a sale.

In 2025, selling a home isn’t just about listing and hoping for the best, it is very much a buyer’s market at present, so sellers need to approach marketing it in a way that resonates with today’s buyers. If you’re looking to inject new energy into your property’s listing, perhaps consider the transformative impact of a video show round. It’s a modern, strategic approach that could be the key to turning interest into action.

For more information or to see some recent examples of how video has helped my clients, call 01225 904999.

4 Queen Street, Bath, BA1 1HE | 01225 904999

info@petergreatorex.co.uk | www.petergreatorex.co.uk

Peter Greatorex. Managing Director of Peter Greatorex Unique Homes

Bathwick Hill, Bath

OIEO £900,000

A beautifully presented, historic apartment in a 19th Century, Grade II* listed Italianate villa, comprising two double bedrooms, an elegant drawing room, a dining/family room, a modern ﬁtted kitchen, a reception hall/breakfast room/study and 2 bathrooms. Beautiful views are afforded over adjacent landscaped gardens and woods. Council Tax Band E. EPC rating E.

Peter Greatorex Sarah White Sophie Clesham Managing Director Senior Operations Sales Negotiator Co-ordinator

view video

Churchill, Somerset

OIEO £825,000

Dating from the early 19th Century, this charming semi-detached family home sits in the heart of the old village of Churchill on the edge of the Mendip Hills in approx. a 1/3 of an acre with garage and driveway parking. Council Tax Band F. EPC rating D.

Chilcote, Wells

OIEO £1,500,000

An imposing mid 19th century Manor house in the Gothic Revival style. This spacious 5 bedroomed property has high ceilings, large stone mullion windows and impressive ﬁreplaces. Set in gardens of 2/3 acre this well presented home is within easy reach of the City of Wells and has far-reaching views. EPC rating E.

Peter Greatorex Sarah White Sophie Clesham Managing Director Senior Operations Sales Negotiator Co-ordinator

view video

Properties for sale

See our latest available properties

Johnstone Street • Guide Price £1,950,000

Introducing a magnificent Grade I listed Georgian townhouse, featuring a spacious east-facing garden and garaging. Currently configured as four student rental apartments, this property offers a remarkable opportunity to be restored into an exquisite family residence, subject to the necessary listed and building consents. Ideally situated just off Laura Place, in the vibrant heart of the city centre.

We know Bath.

Catharine Place • Guide Price £600,000

A stunning two bedroom first floor apartment forming part of a splendid Grade II Listed building, currently being used as an Airbnb (with permission). Lower East Hayes • Guide Price £650,000

A wonderful Grade II listed Georgian Town house having retained many of its period features. Living room, kitchen, dining room, three to four bedrooms, family bathroom. Garden with a studio. No onward chain.

Wonderful village location offering plentiful rural walks in the surrounding countryside. A truly delightful, spacious apartment and immaculately presented throughout.

• 1 Bed, 1 Bath £1,300p/m

With fine views from the rear balcony. this most attractive, spacious apartment benefits from generous room sizes with high ceilings and beautiful period features. Kelston • 3 Bed, 1 Bath £2,475p/m An admirable converted, stone-built coach house. The wonderful private garden, with grape vine clad pergola and BBQ area is a real gem.