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ISSUE 141 • JUNE 2014
THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BATH £3.00 where sold
RADEV REVISITED THE RADEV COLLECTION II COMES TO THE VICTORIA ART GALLERY .
P LU S M U C H M O R E I N T H E C I T Y ’ S F I N E S T M O N T H L Y G U I D E T O L I F E A N D L I V I N G I N B A T H
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THE | CONTENTS
JUNE 2014
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@ thebathmagazine
www.thebathmag.co.uk
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WORLD CUP ALERT
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Five things to look out for in June
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The exhibitions and galleries to go and see this month
THE CITYIST Priory hotel manager Andrew Foulkes shares his favourite things about Bath – plus the chance to see Robert Plant in concert
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FACE THE MUSIC
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MRS STOKES ARTIST AT HOME
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WEAR IT WELL
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NATIONAL TREASURE
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The city’s cultural calendar for June
Enjoy La Bohème at Prior Park 4 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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BATH AT WORK Award-winning photographer Neill Menneer has Bath optician Mike Killpartrick in his sights
26 WHAT’S ON 31 OPERA AL FRESCO
FOOD HEROES Silvana Tann talks to vegetarian pioneer Rachel Demuth about her latest venture
24 POSTCARD FROM FROME Reasons to visit this creative hub
A SPA BATH TREAT You and seven friends could enjoy a private session at the bijou Cross Bath
Dyrham Park’s appeal for a new roof
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS A round-up of city news and views
HEAD FOR THE HILL A fresh take on the Cotswolds
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FAMILY FUN From puppetry to the great outdoors
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SCHOOL REPORT New from the classroom
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A GOOD READ From reptiles to recipes . . .
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SUMMER STYLE Look good: feel fabulous
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THE WALK Andrew Swift heads out to the Somerset Levels
LIGHT THE BARBIE Angela Mount’s got suggestions for wine to enjoy while you’re cooking outside
Stylist Natasha Musson pulls Jigsaw pieces together for occasion and casual wear
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EATING OUT Rugby fans’ favourite The Boater scores a nice conversion
Painter Sonya Rothwell’s journey from Sydney to a country house estate
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6 OF THE BEST Melissa Blease picks some charming places to enjoy afternoon tea
Our columnist raises a glass to the silver haired doyennes out on the town
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STYLISH GETAWAY Why they’re beating a path to the Archangel in Frome
The Rev Martin Lloyd Williams of St Michael’s Without
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ART IN THE CITY
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GARDENING Jane Moore visits open gardens in Bath
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HOT PROPERTY Find your next home in the city or country
Cover: The Underground Man by David Harkins, the Radev Collection II courtesy of B&NES Councilʼs Victoria Art Gallery
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D
esigner, writer, artist and all-round good sort, William Morris once wrote: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” – a pretty good rule to live life by I always think. That’s what we’ve tried to do for you this month on our editorial pages; have things which are both useful to you, or if not useful, then beautiful. Who wouldn’t want to live in a historic country house surrounded by some of the loveliest gardens in England? We went to meet the delightful artist Sonya Rothwell who’s set up her studio, and her home, in the National Trust’s The Courts in Holt, to find out what it’s like to be a tenant in such glorious surroundings (page 16). And she doesn’t even have to mow the lawn . . . We’ve gone big on art in this issue too. Hardly surprising given Bath’s healthy art scene and the number of galleries in the city. Our arts pages begin on page 32 and we think there’s something for every taste. My personal favourites are the sinister little fairies created by Tessa Farmer who are invading the Holburne Museum shortly. Check out these gothic miniatures, they’re fascinating. There are two competitions I’d draw your attention to. There are tickets to be won to see the nigh legendary Robert Plant, he of the tousled curls and golden tonsils, at Glastonbury Abbey, plus the chance to win exclusive use for eight people at the Cross Bath of the Bath Thermae Spa (pages 10 and 49). May your long midsummer days be warm, sunny and happy.
Georgette McCready Editor
THEBATHMAGAZINE Editor Email: Tel: Deputy editor Email:
Georgette McCready georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk 01225 424499 Samantha Coleman sam@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Web content editor Email:
Dulcie Carey dulcie@thebathmag.co.uk
Production manager Email:
Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Commercial production Lorna Harrington Email: lorna@thebathmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:
Steve Miklos steve@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Contact the advertising sales team, tel: 01225 424499 Advertising sales Liz Grey Email: liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk Advertising sales Email:
Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk
The Bath Magazine and The Bristol Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED, and are independent of all other local publications.
All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague.
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ZEITGEIST
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Support
The Chelsea Fringe, an alternative ‘out of town’ garden festival running alongside the Chelsea Flower Show, is coming to Bath for the first time. The Plants Party in the Park day is being held beside and on the bandstand in Royal Victoria Park on Saturday 7 June from 10am to 4pm. Organised by Bath garden designer Rosie Nottage and Bristol garden designer Louise Bastow, the free event will include horticultural happenings for all ages. There’ll be a garden design clinic, with experts on hand to answer questions throughout the day, guided botanical tours of the park by Bath’s Parks Department and planting workshops for children run by Atelier Nursery. Bath in Bloom will launch a sunflower growing competition for children to celebrate 50 years since Bath first won Britain In Bloom. There’ll be music on the bandstand, a plant sale, and refreshments from Sam’s Kitchen and the Canary Gin Bar.
Every time there’s a football World Cup England football fans show their eternal optimism by swotting up on the other teams and planning their diaries around their home team’s fixtures. For those who want to watch the tournament, it begins on Thursday 12 June and ends on Sunday 13 July – although come to think of it those might be dates worth bearing in mind if you’re not a football fan. Here in Bath you’ll be able to join in with a fun quiz, How to Enjoy the World Cup, which is being staged on Thursday 5 June, from 8pm at The Ram at Widcombe and organised by Topping & Co bookshop. Chris England, coauthor of An Evening with Gary Lineker, and the Al Murray Pub Landlord books, brings us the ultimate guide to the 2014 World Cup. It’s the only book you’ll need to see you through the 7,830 minutes of football coming to our screens. From a full tournament schedule combined with advice on how not to think about Sepp Blatter, to tips on the tricky business of picking a second team (in case England don’t go all the way), whatever your age, whether you’re a fanatic or just an innocent bystander, here’s how to enjoy the greatest carnival of kick-a-ball the world has ever seen. Tickets £7.99, includes a copy of the book and a complimentary drink, tel: 01225 428111. Children go free.
Enjoy The action-packed Bath Fringe Festival continues through to Sunday 8 June with events at venues all round the city. For free fun check out the on-street happenings for the Bedlam Fair and the FAB Art Fair on Sunday 1 June, or artist Stanley Dornwood’s installation on Walcot Street, which will culminate in the End of the Road show in Walcot, spiritual home of the Fringe, on 8 June. For music, look at the Spiegeltent’s line-up, or why not try the 20:20 Vision New Writing Festival for writers aged 30 and under at the Old Theatre Royal in Corn Street on Saturday 7 June. For this and so much more pick up one of these brochures or visit: www.bathfringe.co.uk.
Celebrate
Pedal power Enjoy a weekend of cycling by taking part in the annual Bike Bath series of events over the weekend of 28 – 29 June. Whether you’re serious about your Lycra, want to set yourself a new challenge, or enjoy an amble out with your family there is something for everyone. Distances range from 100 miles, 60 miles, 30 miles and 20 miles and with feed stations offering some of the region’s finest fare you won’t get hungry or thirsty en route. Starting and finishing at the Rec the rides head out into the beautiful countryside which surrounds Bath, taking in places such as Castle Combe, Cheddar and Weston-Super-Mare. Find your level of challenge and register your place, visit: www.bikebath.co.uk. There will be some places available on the day.
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Award winning Zenith Youth Theatre Company (formerly known a Bodlets) is to hold a gala evening on Sunday 8 June at the Theatre Royal in celebration of its golden jubilee. This will be the culmination of a year-long series of events and productions held to celebrate 50 years of entertaining Bath. The show, staged by artistic director Scott Rogers, will be looking back over half a century
June
NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY: England’s first game is against Italy on Saturday 14 June at 11pm
of musicals from 1963 to the present day and will feature the current 50strong members of Zenith with guest appearances from former members many of who have gone on to careers in professional theatre. There will also be highlights from anniversary shows Miss Saigon and Les Miserables to bring the house down. Tickets from £18. Tel: 01225 448844 or visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk.
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A brand to catch your eye I
f you’ve been walking along Pulteney Bridge recently you may have noticed, quietly and without fuss, the opening of a new shop – with a name that should catch your eye. The name, fervently whispered in fashion circles, is Cutler and Gross and the British luxury eyewear producer will be taking over at 9 Bridge Street from 23rd May. Founded in 1969 by Graham Cutler and Tony Gross, Cutler and Gross have been producing quality glasses for over 40 years. The duo launched the brand by opening a small store in Knightsbridge, London, offering the first truly bespoke eyewear on the market. “At the time, there were no luxury, bespoke sunglasses on offer,” says the label’s Chief Executive, Majid Mohammadi. “Fashion labels were not doing sunglasses.” Today, Cutler and Gross has over 500 point of sales in over 50 countries, with its own retail stores in London, New York, Toronto and Hong Kong. Bespoke is a word that is thrown about a lot in the fashion world: shoes, suits, bags, everyone is doing it. But truly bespoke sunglasses are still hard to find and it is something Cutler and Gross holds dear. Each pair of Cutler and Gross frames is handmade in the brand’s own factory in Cadore, Italy and takes up to four weeks to manufacture. This painstaking production involves 42 separate steps, with every frame assembled and polished by hand. Attracting the likes of Bryan Ferry, Grace Jones and Elton John since the 70’s the brand has a cult A-list following. From Hugh Grant to Madonna and Rihanna to Lily Allen, scores of WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
artists, architects and designers have seen the world through Cutler and Gross frames and have long provided the brand’s core custom. But while its fashion-forward frames are highly-coveted, you’re not likely to find them on any high street. “I like to describe Cutler and Gross and its presence on the market as a ‘worldwide club’ in which only the very top tier of partners and consumers are included,” says Mohammadi. Dedicated to artisanal craftsmanship, Cutler and Gross aren’t just a fashion brand. Founded by optometrists, the new Bath store will offer full optometric and prescription services. “Some people think of us as just selling frames and sunglasses, but when Mr Cutler and Mr Gross opened their shop in 1969, they were pioneers: both were optometrists who understood how to make a medical necessity into a key fashion item, and we are still, uniquely, a luxury brand based on medical principles” adds Mohammadi Steeped in British heritage, there are few better places for Cutler and Gross to open their first UK store outside of London than alongside Grade 1 listed Pulteney Bridge. With its very own uniquely British heritage and a foundation built on timeless design the city of Bath harmonises acutely with the philosophies of Cutler and Gross. The location was carefully selected and had to meet strict criteria, as each outlet essentially functions as an extension of the brand itself. “Some brands value high visibility and plenty of passing trade, but you’ll never find a Cutler and Gross store on a well-trodden path. Typically, our shops are tucked away like little gems; they’re destination stores, which is a retail format in line with our customers’ preferences,” says Mohammadi.
9 BRIDGE STREET, BATH • 01225 428427 JUNE 2014
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THE CITY The buzz View
The Trauma Recovery Centre in Bath is holding an art exhibition to raise money to help children, young people and families who have experienced trauma. The art exhibition, heARTs Unite will be held on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June at the Guildhall in Bath and will feature over 60 pieces including painting, fashion design, ceramics, sculpture and glasswork. Artists exhibiting include Karen Burnett, Marco Cazzulini, Jonny Gamble, Liz Harding, Libby Page, Lucie Richmond, Caspar Taylor and Matt Waite. The charity is inviting businesses to sponsor pieces of artwork prior to the exhibition and further details are available at: www.heartsunite.org. An auction of some pieces will be held on Friday 13 June. The Trauma Recovery Centre is the only centre of its kind in the UK offering therapy to children and young people who have suffered sexual abuse, violence, bereavement and trafficking. More information about the Trauma Recovery Centre, visit: www.trc-uk.org.
Support A dog show, music and dance and a hog roast will all be part of the Dorothy House Hospice Care summer fete at Winsley next month. Organisers are hoping for unbroken sunshine on the afternoon of Saturday 12 July, so everyone can make the most of the stalls and entertainment. There’ll be children’s games and a competition for the dog with the waggiest tail, plant stalls and the ever-popular Pimms tent. That will be followed, on Tuesday 15 July, by a gardeners’ panel answering questions on all things horticultural; Wednesday 16 July is quiz night, and there’ll be a jazz lunch on Sunday 20 July. For more details, and to book for any of these events, go to www.dorothyhouse.co.uk.
My BATH We ask Andrew Foulkes general manager of The Bath Priory what he is doing in June What brought you to Bath? The opportunity of working at The Bath Priory for Andrew and Christina Brownsword. Also my wife and her family have lived in the Bath area all their lives, so we wanted to settle down and have a family ourselves (baby Foulkes is due on 4 June) which also played an important factor in coming to Bath.
Your passions? What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing? I love to run (albeit slowly) and believe fit in body, fit in mind.
What are you reading? Just finished Will It Make the Boat Go Faster by Harriet Beveridge and Ben Hunt-Davis, an absolute must read for any sports/business fans. My next book is Great Speeches of our Time by Hywel Williams – thought I could impress the imminent Baby Foulkes #intelligentdad.
What local outdoor activity or event will you be doing or visiting? I entered the Bath Half this year and will definitely be entering next year for Hospitality Action Charity, which cares for people who have worked in the hotel and restaurant business.
Which café or restaurant takes your fancy? Clearly my favourite is our fine dining at The Bath Priory, Sam Moody’s food is just my type of food, however if I had to choose somewhere else in Bath it would be Chris Staines at Allium. I love the way he packs so much flavour into his food. I am also a big big fan of Hand and Flowers in Marlow by Tom Kerridge. Which museum or gallery will you be visiting? I love the No.1 Royal Crescent museum, it’s got proper Downton Abbey style and what a view of the Royal Crescent from the dining room window.
What is on your MP3 player? I don’t own one, but I love Talk Sport radio, which is a must listen on my way into work in the morning.
Film or play? What will you be going to see this month? I’m not a massive film buff, however I did watch Captain Phillips recently – Tom Hanks at his best. What other projects have you got at the moment? The Pantry which is a relaxed dining and drinking experience has recently opened at The Bath Priory. Pop along and try it out for yourselves. It’s open from 9am until late and we welcome you for a morning coffee and naughty slice of cake, lunch or a well deserved drink after work – we’re masters in cocktails. Visit: www.thebathpriory.co.uk or tel: 01225 331922.
Win tickets to see Robert Plant One of the greatest – and most distinctive – voices in British rock and blues, former Led Zep frontman Robert Plant is putting on a one-off gig in Somerset in August and we’ve got three pairs of tickets for readers of The Bath Magazine. Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters will perform alfresco in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey on Saturday 9 August, as part of the Abbey Extravaganza founded by Michael Eavis, with what promises to be a barnstormer of a set, topped off with a firework display to finish. The band will be mixing African trance, psychedelia, and 21st century warped dance beats into a web of re-envisioned Led Zeppelin classics.
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To enter, answer this question: What was the name of Grammy winning 2007 album made by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss? Send your entries marked Robert Plant to email: competitions@thebathmagazine.co.uk or post: The Bath Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED by the closing date of noon on Friday 20 June. Do remember to include all your contact details. To buy tickets: advance tickets are £35 adult and £20 children aged six to 16. Gate prices are £40 adult, £25 for a child aged six to 16. Visit www.glastonburyabbey.com/Extravaganza. There is a £3.50 delivery charge per order.
We’re following @bathontv Bath’s own online community TV channel which brings video clips and news from city happenings to Twitter. #puttingBathontheglobalmap.
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FACE | THE MUSIC
The Rev ‘without’ The Rev Martin Lloyd Williams, rector of St Michael’s Without Church in central Bath, talks to Mick Ringham about life in his historic church and the music that lifts his spirit
O
ne time political spin doctor Alastair Campbell famously dictated to former Prime Minister “we don’t do God” and Tony Blair was persuaded not to end a speech with “God bless Britain.” It seemed for a while that those in power found the ‘G’ word slightly embarrassing, with Christianity entering a rather hesitant period. But recently a quiet resurgence in faith has taken place, with more people proudly and publicly declaring their faith; a change that’s welcomed by the Rev Martin Lloyd Williams, rector of Saint Michael’s Without in Bath. He would undoubtedly suggest that religious faith never really went away, but he does cheerfully admit: “There appears to be a new found confidence and optimism in today’s church with the public getting actively involved. This is a positive step in reaching out and offering up ideas and values to people and, importantly, giving them hope.” Martin was born in Watford and moved to Bath at the age of three, attending local schools before leaving to study at Oxford’s Westminster College and at theological college. It was while teaching in Nepal and trekking through the Himalayas undertaking a three year missionary assignment, that he met Jackie his future wife and mother of the couple’s three children. After his ordination Martin became curate of St Swithin’s in Walcot and after seven years there, in 1997 was appointed rector of St Michael’s Without in Broad Street. This church has been the subject of a dramatic physical transformation in recent years, with a complete yet sympathetic renovation, a harmony of ancient and modern. Some people didn’t like the removal of the pews, but surely there can’t be many in the congregation or visitors to St Michael’s today – including the legions of Bathonians who traditionally come and buy their charity Christmas cards at stalls set up in the church every year – who haven’t noticed a more open and welcoming atmosphere? Martin says of this “the character and interior of the present church is primarily for worship, prayer and quiet reflection, yet paradoxically the space it provides enables us to offer the community a café and a venue for a wide range of events and meetings, including concerts, recitals, talks with even the odd celebrity book signing.” And having seen the lovely Nigella Lawson grace the nave of St Michael’s I’m in full agreement with him. Martin describes his musical tastes as eclectic. He plays down the fact that he is a talented musician and is pretty useful on the guitar, often playing it at church services. I asked him who would he like to be locked in the church with? “That is such a difficult choice to make but I would rather like a chat with Pope Francis.”
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FAURÉ’S IN PARADISIUM DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN AND REALLY DOES OFFER YOU A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN
❞ Martin’s top ten: ❶ Domenico Cimarosa – Oboe Concerto in C A wonderfully tuneful and life-giving piece of 18th century Italian music that my parents would sometimes listen to on Sunday lunchtimes, when I was growing up. It’s so full of good memories and yes, it still evokes the marvellous aroma of Sunday lunch cooking!
❸ Tom Paxton – My Lady’s Flying a Wild Dove This giant in folk music is still going strong. He must be in his late 70s by now and I hear he’s playing at the Colston Hall this year, so I’m booking a couple of tickets. This is such a beautiful love song and makes me think of my darling wife Jackie. ❹ Giacomo Puccini – O Mio Babbino Caro Who can fail to be moved by the beauty of Puccini’s aria? We had a holiday in Puccini’s home town of Lucca during 2009 and heard this aria sung in the church where he had been an organist. It was just three unforgettable minutes, despite the fact that it’s actually quite a sad song. ❺ Davey Arthur and The Fureys – The Green Fields of France Jackie and I heard The Fureys in concert on our honeymoon in Ireland 25 years ago and they were absolutely fantastic. There is currently a huge interest in the First World War as we mark the 100th anniversary of its start, but this particular song is an appropriate response to all war. ❻ Adrian Snell – Night and Day
❷ Gabriel Fauré – In Paradisium This is from his famous Requiem and is so popular and hugely loved. I first sang it as a treble at St Nicholas Church at Bathampton. My father was conducting and it made a lasting impression on me. In Paradisium does what it says on the tin and really does offer you a foretaste of heaven. 12 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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This track is from Fierce Love, his latest album, which received its premiere at St Michael’s. Much of the inspiration came from Adrian’s work as a music therapist at Three Ways Special Needs School here in Bath. Our son, Benedict with his friends George, Christopher and Lily, have helped Adrian perform this song on a couple of occasions to the great delight of everyone present.
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FACE | THE MUSIC
FAMILY FAVOURITES: left to right, Henry Purcell, composer of Dido’s Lament, The Beatles’ Let it Be and Tom Paxton singing My Lady’s Flying a Wild Dove
❼ Henry Purcell – Dido’s Lament An utterly captivating piece of music from Dido and Aeneas. Our eldest daughter sang this accompanied by a professional orchestra during her last term at school, before leaving for university to study music. She was very good indeed.
❾ JS Bach – Cello Suite No 1 How can one instrument do so much by itself? The genius of Bach probably has something to do with it. Jackie and I try and persuade our youngest daughter to play it for us when she is home and when she does, the entire house vibrates – it’s extraordinary.
❽ The Beatles – Let it Be It’s incredible to think that these talented writers and musicians broke up over 40 years ago and left behind such a catalogue of wonderful songs. This particular one is such a great song to listen to over and over again; it’s also a good one to bash out on the piano for a sing–along with family or friends after a couple of drinks.
❿ Steven Faux – Psalm 67 This is from The Psalm’s Cantata, another wonderful piece by my friend and colleague Steven Faux. Again it was premiered at St Michael’s last year. Psalm 67 prays ‘may the face of God shine upon us that the whole earth may know your ways’. The Bath and North East Somerset County Choir directed by Tim Parker have made a terrific recording of this, which is incredibly moving and joyful. ■
WHAT LIES BEHIND THE NAME St Michael’s Without is so called because the original church was built outside the shelter of Bath’s medieval city walls. The first record of a church on this site is an entry, dated about 1180, in the monastic rolls of Bath Abbey. We don’t know why the church was dedicated to Saint Michael. It may have been built around 973, when King Edgar was crowned in the Abbey, and that Saint Michael was chosen as an appropriate patron saint to guard the main approach to Bath via the north gate. The first St Michael’s appears to have fallen into decay, and a second was built between 1370 and 1400. The money for its construction may have come from the wool trade. Broad Street gets its name not from the width of the street, but from the broad cloth weavers who lived there. The church was run at this time by Benedictine monks, with the rectory somewhere on the site of the Hilton Hotel car park. The Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII brought changes. In 1539 the Prior of Bath had to surrender his entire monastic establishment to the Crown, and the monks were pensioned off. Bath Abbey was stripped of its glass and metal ornaments, and the lead from its roof and was to fall into decay until its restoration in 1618. Under the king’s purging of the monasteries the altars in St Michael’s were demolished and its holy pictures were sold. During the English Civil War of the 17th century defences were set up at the north gate of the city. By then the church appears to have become dilapidated. An old print
shows it as it was in 1731, with a square battlemented tower and a thatched roof. It was suggested that the church should be rebuilt, and John Wood offered to design and build the replacement, on condition that space was given in the new church for the pews of his tenants. In a vestry meeting in 1731, the parishioners construed his offer as a patronising slur and, much to his indignation, refused it. Instead the new building was designed by churchwarden John Harvey, a stone-cutter, and consecrated in 1743. The great architect John Wood was understandably snippy about the new church. There were jibes that the building was so ugly that a horse would refuse to be taken past it unless blind-folded. Over time this building too was outgrown by its congregation and a fourth church was designed in the Early English style of Gothic architecture by the city architect CP Manners, who is said to have been inspired by the Lady Chapel at Salisbury Cathedral. This church was consecrated on 4 January, 1837, but because of constraints of space the church stands unusually at north and south, instead facing east towards Jerusalem. The latest changes occurred in 2006/7 when improvements included removing the pews to make a flexible space, replacing the gallery, rebuilding the entrance and installing a lift, a café, restoring the organ and commissioning artwork, including some small bronze figures at the door, to welcome visitors into the church. ■
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Mrs Stokes
©www.robbiddulph.com
takes a sideways look at life in Bath
Bath’s amazing greys
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’ve got a few decades to go before I have to decide whether to eke out my pension or cash it in all at once for a house in France, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel like an honorary retiree at times. When you spend your life as a writer/events organiser like I do, answering emails in the morning and spending quite a lot of time swirling cappuccino froth around the rims of coffee cups in the afternoons, you start to notice that a lot of the other people around you in Bath’s daytime hours are Amazing Greys. Except they’re having all the fun. I’m talking not specifically about the celebrity pensioners on the Angela Rippon gameshow, but about the battalions of silver and bottle-blond bobbed ladies in late middle age (and where does middle age end these days anyway?), who are reaping the rewards of a life of hard worked (or well invested) by lapping up the delights of Bath between 9am-3pm, Monday to Friday. And seeing as a friend my own age has been longing for her sixties ever since university, I decided to launch my own investigation into the lives of that generation. And I’m here to report they got it good.
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THESE LADIES OF A CERTAIN VINTAGE ARE FIRMLY ESCONCED IN THE LOFT AT LUNCHTIME
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Crafting beautiful homes In and around Bath
01225 791155
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For a start, they’re always well-dressed. Okay, purple waterproofs and rubber Hush Puppies are only de rigueur in a rainstorm, but once these ladies of a certain vintage are firmly ensconced in The Loft at lunchtime, they reveal the uniform of the liberated, which centres around fabric drapery – either around the neck in pretty cotton print or as gaberdine scarf doubling as a cardi-coat to cover all sins and allow them to give in to the joy of food. There are two distinct styles of senior sirens: those who favour comfy slacks (or ankle length skirts), dangly earrings, plastic framed glasses and long, tunic tops in cheesecloth or soft periwinkle jersey (finished with swathes of scarf) and those racier types who dye their hair blonde, favour tight dark denim jeans, Breton tops, leather bombers and statement necklaces (and a scarf – skinny this time though). The latter sort are usually tanned too, with that ‘fresh off the yacht’ look and with a silver fox in tow, well-groomed and knitted into a fisherman’s jumper or buttoned into a smart blazer. The men give off the air of having given up all the pretence of machismo – as if they’re repaying their wives’ years of loyal catering service by now accompanying them to every coffee morning, museum and art exhibition, Easy Jet mini-break and Theatre Royal matinee without a peep of protest, because once you hit your later years, the female of the species is king (and more able-bodied too). The famed grey pound is also important, something I realised at a recent Bath in Fashion catwalk show. A trio of glossy-haired older ladies in scarves out on a jolly at £12 a time sat behind a trio of student bloggers and whispered approvingly that “the young have scrubbed up well” before watching a conveyor belt of lovely leggy models model clothes far too young for the mature audience. And when you’re out to eat, or go to a show, these lively ladies in their fabulous 50s, supple 60s, sprightly 70s and energetic 80s are all around, keeping businesses going with their patronage and chatter. Yes, I can see what my university friend means now – your Best Exotic Marigold Hotel years really are your golden years. Maybe I should just go gracefully grey and start now. ■
@mrsstokeschina
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HOLDING COURT The Courts at Holt sees many thousands visit its historic gardens each year, but most people don’t get beyond peering through the windows of the house itself. The current tenant, artist Sonya Rothwell afforded Georgette McCready (with notebook) and Dulcie Mae Carey (with camera) a rare tour of the interior
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rtist Sonya Rothwell had been living and working in sunny Sydney, Australia when she had a yearning to return to her native Britain, with its changeable weather and rolling green countryside. But it wasn’t until she was in Peru, with her sevenyear-old daughter on a global adventure that she happened upon an 18th century manor house in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, surrounded by some of the most exquisite gardens in England. They were in Peru when Sonya, browsing the internet, spotted The Courts on property website Rightmove, advertised by the National Trust for rental and was determined to make it home for her and daughter Peony. The pair discussed where they’d like to settle and agreed to return to England to take a closer look at the ten bedroom house. She takes up the tale: “We got here last Easter and applied to rent it. They said they were surprised it hadn’t been snapped up sooner as these properties go very quickly, and I thought to myself ‘that’s because it was waiting for me!’” Sonya, as is customary with all tenants of National Trust properties, was subject to an interview to make sure she was the sort of person who’d look after one of the country’s historic treasures and that she’d be happy living in the goldfish bowl world where paying visitors traipse past your home throughout the year. “Luckily for me I really like meeting people,” she says, “And so we moved in last August, when the house was empty – quite literally empty, not even curtain rails, a fridge or anything.” So mother and daughter set about making the empty shell a home. Sonya has clearly worked tirelessly to breathe life into the house, painting the walls in sympathetic – and Trust approved – shades of Farrow and Ball and hanging her own vibrant romantic paintings throughout the house. In every room we see where the old lives in harmony with the new. The 16 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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elegantly proportioned drawing room is furnished with a pair of sofas in front of the fire, occasional tables are adorned with all manner of fascinating objects, from antique paint brushes to a carved horse’s head. Above the fireplace a pair of stuffed antelope heads, one sporting a black jet beaded necklace, the other a bow tie and sunglasses, exchange a flirtatious smile with each other. Sonya has applied her artist’s sense of colour, shape and textile to every corner of the house. There is something to catch the eye everywhere you look as eclectic pieces hang on the walls and evidence of a happy home life, like the native American headress and top hats in the hallway, abound. The beds are made up with fine Egyptian cotton bedding and then layered with furs, while the polished wooden floors are warmed with cowhide and sofas plumped with big cushions that Sonya has painted. She explains how an old sofa in the very gracious stately home drawing room, was bought for just £42 on Ebay, given a new lease of life and indeed, a new colour, thanks to the application of upholstery spray paint. You’d never know that this sumptuous piece hadn’t cost a small fortune. Sonya’s magpie collection of beautiful items – lamps, vases, mirrors, textiles – have been bought on her travels through Australia, India and South America and added to with shabby chic English chairs she’s picked up at salerooms, fairs and charity shops. She clearly takes pleasure in finding beautiful things and giving them a fresh take, a different setting. The Yorkshire born artist has made the old place feel homely and lived in. As we walk round the rooms she caresses a wall with her hand: “When I was decorating I was painting love into these walls. And do you know, there’s not a straight line anywhere in the house?” Decorating and furnishing a house this size in under a year might be a project enough but Sonya, who trained at St Martin’s College of Art in
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CAREFUL CUSTODIAN: main picture, Sonya Rothwell has set up her studio in The Courts’ hall This page, heritage and history come face to face with the contemporary and the culturally diverse
London, has also been busy on her own art and will surely pick up more fans in this country before very long. Her pieces usually contain people, worked in watercolours, with the colours allowed to bleed a little for added movement. Some have the addition of irridescent paint which shimmers and catches the light. This little extra, she calls her magic touch. It comes as no surprise that she has an art dealer in Sydney and that her work has a big following in Australia. For the first time since the National Trust acquired The Courts in 1943, the great hall and drawing room have been opened to visitors. Sonya got permission to open the old house’s big front door so visitors to the gardens could view the rooms and some of her work which she set out as a studio in the hall. One can’t help feel that a previous incumbent, Dr George Hastings, who created much of the gardens in the early years of the 20th century and was himself a collector of beautiful things, would have approved of the light and colour Sonya and her paintings have brought into this classical room, with its ornate plasterwork and twin columns. The gardens are very popular, attracting around 50,000 visitors a year. From the privileged vantage of the house Sonya and her guests look out over beautiful long borders, swathes of smooth lawns and serried ranks of yew topiary, many twisted into almost recognisable shapes. “We call those the Moomins,” Sonya points, while explaining that much of the original topiary artwork was lost during the Second World War. What remain are still carefully WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
clipped by the three full-time gardeners and the rest of the 17 acres kept weed free by an army of more than 30 volunteers. Keeping the gardens looking good is one of those Herculean tasks, like painting the Forth Bridge, that once started has to be continued all over again. Once the gardens are closed at night and the visitors locked out, the tenants of The Courts are free to wander, to enjoy a glass of wine in the stone temple and listen to birdsong in the aboretum. This is when you feel that Sonya is living some idyllic Sunday supplement lifestyle. For instance, for her birthday party friends and neighbours came, spilling across the lawns attired in 1920s dress, dining in the café, the former billiard room, and posing for photographs in the drawing room. During that birthday weekend the inhouse guests were joined by the Handlebards, a delightfully named troup of cycling actors who tour the country putting on Shakespearean productions in the grounds of houses such as The Courts. The chaps earned their supper by declaiming excerpts of Oscar Wilde for the gathered company and were quickly enrolled into a game of competitive somersaulting across the lawns. They’ll be back on 4 June to put on a production of Macbeth on the lawns. Tickets are on sale now. One winter’s evening Sonya staged a dinner party in the conservatory in the gardens, with guests wrapping up against the chill and supping hot soup with the frost-kissed foliage of the yews and laurels outside beyond the glass. In a little parlour off the kitchen, perhaps formerly used as a flower room by past ladies JUNE 2014
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of the house, four chairs are arranged cosily around a low table. This is a quiet retreat for guests which also makes a handy place for a game of poker or a cheese and wine tasting evening. During our visit a neighbour arrives to surprise Sonya with a tray on which he’s perched two glasses of iced gin, a bottle of tonic and bowls of olives and nuts. She’s clearly happily settled in the village community. “Holt has to be the friendliest village in the world,” she says. It’s a great place for daughter Peony too. An attic playroom with bunting hanging from the eves, a dressing up box and a bird’s eye view over Holt from the window, is a great place for parties, watching films, eating popcorn and much laughter. Later in the season children will gather mulberries from the tree in the garden, enjoy games of hide and seek among the trees and shrubs, or pick windfalls from the orchard for apple pies. Sonya is quite happy not to have to garden but to enjoy the 17 acres and it’s only fair to point out that she’s barely idle. Her latest project is converting
a suite of attic rooms, inherited in shades of bland buttermilk, that she’s planning to paint a more flattering shade of warm grey and furnish with more shabby chic furniture and the best brand new beds. “I think it’s from my travelling days,” she says, “that I used to dream about sleeping in a four star hotel, so that’s why I haven’t stinted on buying the most comfortable and new beds for my guests. I want them to sleep as well as possible.” Long before she had Peony Sonya left her job, sold every possession she had and set off to drive round Australia in an old army vehicle. It was an adventure she found liberating and now she laughs at how here in Wiltshire her life has turned to the acquisition of more things – enough stuff to furnish a ten bedroom country house in fact. Her neighbour sagely points out that tenants at The Courts don’t tend to stay very long. Sonya shakes her head: “I’m here for a long, long time,” she insists. “I love this house.” ■
ROMANTIC VISTA: the view across the lawns towards The Courts house. The once carefully coiffed topiary sculptures were neglected during the war and have now been allowed to create interesting organic shapes which the three full-time gardeners and their army of volunteers keep neatly clipped
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t’s hard to imagine that this tranquil spot in a quiet Wiltshire village was once an industrial site, where men, women and children turned west country wool into finest smooth broadcloth. In 1834 the mill employed 95 people, including children as young as nine, to manufacture Venetian cloth, a black twill so fine that even a double width could be pulled through a wedding ring, it boasted. But as the fortunes of the woollen industry in Wiltshire declined the mill closed in 1885 and fell into rack and ruin. But the rill which runs through the gardens is a vestige of the site’s industrial past. The house was later bought by Dr George Hastings who was the man with the vision to create gardens from what had been fields. Although he and his family only lived at The Courts for three years he left a last impression on the place, laying
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out the paths and hedges we see today and introducing statues. Followers of that great pioneering plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll may see something of her style in the deep borders and that’s because Lady Cecilie who created the borders followed her mother’s example of copying Jekyll’s planting schemes. The beautiful wrought iron Venetian gates at the entrance to the gardens were brought to Holt by Major Clarence Goff and his wife Lady Cecilie from Major Goff’s family seat in Ireland. Lady C was also responsible for creating the lily pond and for salvaging flagstones when Devizes Gaol was demolished to build garden paths. The gardens, open throughout the summer every day except Wednesdays, also have an excellent café serving light lunches and fabulous cakes. Visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/courts-garden. ■
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STYLE COUNSEL
YOU WEAR IT WELL... 1.
by Natasha Musson
Don’t be afraid to look matchy-matchy this summer as we visit Jigsaw to explore its summer collection of pretty easy-to-wear pastels The Jigsaw store in Bath is one of my favourite places to shop. Manager Luciana and her team are always friendly and on hand to help and it’s a fantastic space to browse. The Watercolour Print Collection has been hand painted exclusively for Jigsaw. These beautiful pastel pieces have a Monet feel; gorgeous colours, soft and dreamy but there’s also a look of tie-dye to it which keeps it modern. Modern pastels are a great way to bring soft colours into your wardrobe, a palette most of us usually steer away from. I’ve chosen to wear matching tops and bottoms – a key look this summer. Matching pieces top to toe gives you a smart stylish look and, because you buy two separates, you’ve more outfits to play around with after the main event. This matching combination of Watercolour print top and skirt in pink, would look great at any event; the colour is delectable. The pencil-skirt is lined, making it both
figure hugging and comfortable; it’s easy to move in and very flattering. The matching top is in a soft silk with a cap-sleeve, and an open neck. I’ve tucked the top in to create a ‘one piece’ look. Leave it untucked for a more relaxed outfit. Now, we have two separate pieces to play with; team the skirt with a white shirt for work and the top with skinny jeans and light knitwear for an understated, chic, weekend style. I love these stylish cigarette-leg trousers teamed with the matching top in blue from the same Watercolour range. Made of soft cotton they have a touch of stretch, so like the skirt, they are easy to wear. Because the material is such great quality they give a beautiful, sleek silhouette. I’d wear this outfit to a wedding or christening. The trousers will look great with loafers and a jacket for the office, or a add a belt, white vest and pumps, for an easy summer time look.
2.
Natasha Musson: wardrobe consultant and stylist. Visit: www.natashamusson.co.uk email: natashamusson@yahoo.co.uk
WIN £250 WORTH OF FOLLI FOLLIE VOUCHERS Do you want a new summer wardrobe full of gorgeous on-trend accessories? Folli Follie at McArthurGlen’s Swindon Designer Outlet is offering two lucky readers the chance to win £250 worth of gift vouchers to spend in store. The newly opened Folli Follie store features trend driven collections with distinctive designs and an unrivalled ‘full fashion concept’ assortment of jewellery, watches and accessories from the truly global brand, which is available in over 24 countries. At up to 60 per cent off recommended retail prices, you can afford to indulge your love of this beautiful brand at Swindon Designer Outlet. To be in with a chance of winning just answer this question; What item would you hope to buy in the new Folli Follie Store? a) Sofa b) Magazine c) Watch Email your answer, with Folli Follie in the subject line, to: competitions@thebathmagazine.co.uk, along with your full name, address and telephone number. Deadline for entries: Monday 30 June
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DYRHAM | APPEAL
This old house . . . A leaky roof is always costly, but at Dyrham Park it’s mounting up to a £3.5m problem. The National Trust is hoping to raise funds to protect this much loved mansion for future generations, as Laura Shack discovers
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n a clear day you can just about make out the Black Mountains from Dyrham Park, near Bath, where around 200 fallow deer have made their home for five centuries. Rather less easy to spot until you’re almost on top of it is the 17th century mansion, which appears to have sunken into the middle of the estate as if set on an undercooked Victoria sponge. What a wonderful discovery this oversized home is for children who approach it from across the parkland. They tumble with ease down the muddy wooded slopes to its grand entrance. It’s less of a joy for those who have failed to wear sturdy boots, or a sense of balance for that matter. The Grade I Listed country house was built in the late 1600s by William Blathwayt, who was the principal colonial administrator of his age and Secretary at War for William III. While he lived at Dyrham Park, Blathwayt filled the house with original Dutchinspired art and pottery, and a priceless collection of furniture and objects. When the National Trust took it over in 1961, plenty of restoration work was needed. But despite efforts each year to make do and mend the sand-cast lead roof of the house, it has now become a case of the ‘battle of the buckets’ for the team that work there. Cath Pye, the National Trust’s general manager for Dyrham Park said: “It has reached the point where the house needs a whole new roof.” Any roof replacement is costly but with more than 22,000 tonnes of lead and 8,000 Welsh slate tiles needed, plus further conservation work throughout the house and orangery, the project is estimated to cost £3.5m in total. The conservation charity has been able to find £3m for the works, but it is now looking to the 160,000 visitors who enjoy Dyrham Park each year to help fund the rest. “This is a major project but it will give us a roof which will last over 100 years and safeguard the contents of a very significant house,” Cath said. “We need to take the lead sheets off and recycle them, recasting them on site and also replace many of the Welsh slates on the edges of the roof. There is a lot of damaged stone work to repair and a new heating system will enable us to provide conservation heating which will better protect the collection.” At a grand old age of 20 years, the existing oil-fired boiler in the 22 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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property’s basement is a serious fire risk and does a poor job at regulating the heating and humidity of the house, which puts its valuable and priceless collection of treasures at risk of mould and decay. As part of the project, the Trust has chosen to swap the old boiler – which was guzzling around 8,000 litres of oil every fortnight, or two per cent of the charity’s annual oil use – for a biomass boiler that will run off wood chips sourced in Gloucestershire. Cath said: “It will not only be cheaper but a lot greener to run too.” The scheme supports the charity’s wider mission, working in partnership with Chippenham-based Good Energy, to generate 50 per cent of its energy from renewable sources and halve fossil fuel use by 2020. In the future the team at Dyrham would like to build a second biomass boiler to warm up the estate’s tearoom and shop too. Looking beyond the house to its gardens, Cath explained that Dyrham’s orangery was also in need of some additional loving care. Designed by William Talman in the early English baroque style, the orangery is one of the first large greenhouses in England and dates from around 1700. It elegantly connects the house, garden and park but it too needs repairs to prevent damage caused by water from blocked gulleys and downpipes. William Blathwayt was primarily a man of government, but he acquired some appreciation of fine furnishings and collections from his uncle, Thomas Povey. He added to his collections when on official business in The Hague and Antwerp. Curator, Rupert Goulding said the planned restoration work was crucial to protect furnishings which had been in the house for 300 years. “We are fortunate that inside Dyrham much of the original collection built up by William Blathwayt has survived to show the house in the style he planned.” Blathwayt’s time in The Hague gave him an appreciation of Dutch art and pottery and the house contains a historically significant collection of Dutch Delftware, 17th century Dutch paintings, rare leather wall hangings, tapestries and a Marot style state bed. “The items were gathered to be shown at Dyrham and would lose their significance if we could no longer show them here,” Rupert said.
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DYRHAM | APPEAL
BATTLING THE ELEMENTS: main picture, the view from the roof at Dyrham and, inset its rear facade Above: some of the 400-year-old treasures, inspecting the rooftop and Cath Pye, the National Trust general manager at Dyrham
An appeal to raise £500,000 for the roof restoration project was launched, and the good news is that £300,00 has already been raised towards that target. “There is a long way to go, but we are delighted that we have reached this milestone of £300,000 already,” said Colette. “Our fund raising efforts will continue throughout the summer and we hope, through the generosity of our supporters, to be able to start work this winter.” The fundraising efforts will see Dyrham’s general manager Cath Pye running the entire 102-mile length of the Cotswold Way National Trail in just a week in June, helped along the way by other National Trust staff and volunteers. Find out more at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/getinvolved/donate/current-appeals/dyrham-appeal/. Entry to the house, garden and park for non-members, £12.50, adults; £6.50, children and £31.50 for a family. ■
WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
FACT FILE • Dyrham Park has been the setting for many films and television programmes, including Remains of the Day, Servants, Dracula and a new Dr Who Shopping list to fix a country house roof: • 22 tonnes of lead on the roof – a single sheet of sandcast lead costs £120 • 8,000 Welsh slates needed at a cost of £7.20 each • New cast iron hopper head for rainwater pipes at £950 • Conversion of each existing radiator to conservation (humidity) control, at £500 • 400 metres of bronze lightning conductor rods, £4.30 a metre • Bath stone for chimney repairs – each single piece, £75.
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FROME | FESTIVAL SPECIAL
A POSTCARD FROM FROME A monthly market which takes over the town centre, a whole community of independent traders and a culturally diverse annual arts festival which goes from strength to strength – is it any wonder that Frome’s been nominated as one of the best places to live in the UK? (and that’s before we’ve even mentioned the difference in property prices to Bath)
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he Frome Independent, as its monthly street market is known, is a film director’s dream – cheery artisans offering samples of delicious cheese or cake, stalls piled high with the quirky, the beautiful and the downright daft. You could furnish not only your larder but almost your entire house from the contents of the market. It takes place on the first Sunday of each month, so the next one is on 1 June, attracting visitors from far and wide. There are dozens and dozens of stalls to browse among and some good buys to be had, from decorative bits and pieces for the home to specialist plants, freshly baked bread and cake and even fancy dress clothes for festival or party wear. This is a market that showcases fledgling and established contemporary designers and makers and nurtures independent traders of contemporary design products and vintage fashion, collectibles and furniture and the chance to explore Frome’s independent retailers. But it is also more than a market, providing community, culture and conversation with music from Donna Somerset the resident home-spun vintage mobile disco in the Flea area and Lost and Found Productions presenting some of the most exciting emerging acoustic acts on the Market Place stage. Find regular kids activities such as the popular recent one day obstacle course and special events like the forthcoming summer attraction Frome-on-Sea on 3 August, where families will be able to enjoy a pop up beach complete with donkey rides, deck chairs and ice creams. The next markets will be held on: 6 July, 3 August, 7 September, 5 October, Inspiral Carpets 2 November and 7 December. The market is open from 10am to 3pm, the roads in the centre are closed to traffic but there is free parking and it’s a five minute walk from the town station to its centre. Visit www.thefromeindependent.org.uk If you visit Frome in July you’ll find its festival in full flow. It runs from 4 to 13 July and promises to be the biggest in his history, includes all kinds of entertainment from Shakespeare to children’s creative workshops. Veteran captain on the BBC’s Have I Got News For You, Paul Merton, is returning to Frome Festival on 8 July for an improv session with chums at the Merlin Theatre, and one of the giants of British folk, Martin Simpson is playing at the same venue on 11 July. If you like your folk with a punky, rebellious vibe, check out the Levellers who are bringing their hugely energetic act to the Cheese and Grain on 11 July. Madchester legends Inspiral Carpets, still with the original line-up, are also headlining, playing the Cheese and Grain on 12 July ahead of their T in the Park Festival appearance. 24 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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There’s a showing of the classic Btitish film Oh What a Lovely War!, with a talk afterwards at the Westway Cinema on 9 July and a production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Merlin on 6 July. Other big names descending on the town for festival appearances include former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion and comedian Jeremy Hardy. Visit: fromefestival.co.uk for a full line-up, or pick up a brochure in Frome. Barry Cunningham, celebrated as the Levellers live man who discovered Harry Potter creator, JK Rowling, and more recently, managing director of Frome-based children’s book publisher Chicken House, is one of four speakers at Publishing in the 21st Century being held in Frome on Sunday 8 June from 2pm to 4pm. The event is being organised by the Frome Writers’ Collective (FWC), a newly formed, not-for-profit initiative which aims to help and support aspiring and established writers in the local and surrounding areas. The other speakers are writer Joffre White, novelist Jill Harris and David Lassman, media consultant and co-author of The Regency Detective series. The occasion will also mark the launch of the FWC, which intends to generate community projects which will give local people, with limited access to the arts, the ability to develop their creative ideas through writing. The event will be hosted by Tim O’Connor, resident MC of the Submarine Comedy Club and a cofounder of the Frome Writers Collective. Tickets are £7.50, from the Cheese and Grain, tel: 01373 455420. Visit: www.fromewriterscollective.co.uk. If visual arts are your thing – and added proof that Frome is a hotbed of creativity – Black Swan Art Gallery in Bridge Street is hosting an exhibition of contemporary art with a twist. dRAW is an exhibition of experimental drawings from Tim Knowles, Rhys Himsworth, Jenny Purrett, Balint Bolygo and Eske Rex exploring the artistic technique using unconventional methods. From electronic drawing machines to drawings created by lighting gunpowder resting on the surface of paper, the show promises to challenge our views of the medium and showcase the breadth of drawing practice used today. It will run from 31 May until 28 June and is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm While you’re in Frome do check out the dozens of independent shops in the town centre. There’s Herbs on the Hill, which specialise in pure and natural beauty products – you may remember them from the Bath Christmas Market, and Deadlier Than the Female is worth a visit if you’re into vintage clothes, as it sells modern versions of classic pieces and is available in a more forgiving range of sizes more suited to modern women. And when your feet need a rest, try and get a table in the window at The Garden Café at the foot of Catherine Hill. This vegetarian café serves delicious fresh food and is a great place to sit and watch the world go by. ■ For more on Frome visit Page 42
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WHAT’S ON in June Dr Phil Hammond
Events are listed in chronological order To promote your event visit: www.thebathmag.co.uk
Bath Fringe Festival: Boo Hewerdine Sunday 1 June, 7.30pm Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1QR The Bath gig is part of the gifted songwriter’s My Name in Brackets tour. Tickets: £13, tel: 01225 461700.
Also at Chapel Arts this month Tribute to Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two Friday 13 June, 7.30pm Clive John, voice of the Johnny Cash Roadshow, returns to Bath with a laidback set from the gravel-voiced master of emotional angst. Tickets: £15.
Tina Turner Tea Lady
Mik Artistik
Bath Fringe Festival: Barbara and Jeffrey Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 June, 7pm Natural Theatre Studio, Widcombe Hill, Widcombe Deceit. Humour. Role Play. It’s what keeps a marriage strong. An astutely observed character portrait of a marriage in crisis, Barbara and Jeffrey is a fast, funny and frenetic one act play from writer, actress and stand-up Naomi Carter, a three-time winner of the Sitcom Trials. Tickets: £6.50/£5. Tel: 01225 463362
★Editor’s pick Mad Dog Mcrea Friday 20 June, 7.30pm
Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath This Plymouth based band are real crowd pleasers. They’ll have you on your feet and dancing – age is no barrier, as we can testify, having seen them in action several times. If you like a fusion of folk-rock, jazz and bluegrass this lot will make you forget all your worries for a few hours. Tickets: £12 in advance, £14 on the door. Tel: 01225 461700.
Bath Fringe Festival: Guy Pratt Is The Sideman Thursday 5 June, 7pm Natural Theatre Studio, Widcombe Hill, Widcombe Guy Pratt is a Grammy award winning bassist who has worked with all the greats, from Pink Floyd and Roxy Music, to Madonna, Kirsty Macoll and Elton John. He regales audiences with stories from behind the scenes. Tickets: £12 / £10 concs. Visit: wwwbathfringe.co.uk or tel: 01225 463362.
Bath Fringe Festival: Lady Margaret’s Surgery Friday 6 June, 7pm Natural Theatre Studio, Widcombe Hill, Widcombe Expect music, wit and comedy… and gorgeous frocks from Widcombe’s cultural attaché Lady Margaret. Guests include: James Lambeth, jazz crooner, John Sampson, triple-tonguing-tastic tunes, Tina Turner Tea Lady, Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip, comedy songs, stories and brown paper bags and Dr Phil Hammond, Lady M’s favourite radio doctor. Tickets £12/£10 concessions.
Bath Fringe Festival: Death, Inc. Thursday 5 and Saturday 7 June, 7pm The Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath The Grim Reaper is laid off due to budget cuts and is replaced with an automated messaging system. Bath University students present the debut of this comedy by Andrew Massey. Tickets: £8 / £5 concessions from the ICIA box office, visit: www.bath.ac.uk/icia/events/student.
Bath Fringe Festival: Ever Hopeful Friday 6 and Saturday 8 June, 7pm Tis Pity She’s a Whore at the Theatre Royal Visit our website for more events and things to do. To promote your event log on and get listed. www.thebathmag.co.uk
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The Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath University of Bath students present a debut dark comedy by Madelaine Winn. It’s a year after graduation and four flatmates are still waiting for their big break. Facing misplaced hope, mediocrity and no money, they must decide: to give up or not to give up? Tickets: £8/£5 concessions, visit: www.bath.ac.uk/icia/events/student.
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Cheek by Jowl presents: ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 June Theatre Royal, Bath Multi-award winning Cheek by Jowl arrive in Bath prior to an international tour, bringing this Jacobean tragedy to fresh life. This tale of incest, religion and corrupt morality contains scenes of nudity, sex and violence. Tel: 01225 448844.
Also at the Theatre Royal this month The summer season opens with Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf Wednesday 18 June – Saturday 5 July Adrian Noble directs acclaimed actors Tim Pigott-Smith and Clare Higgins in Edward Albee’s tale of a bickering married couple, made famous by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s 1966 Oscar winning film.
Judy: a dog in a million Thursday 5 June, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Bath Cats and Dogs Home Claverton Down, Bath Author Damien Lewis tells the incredible story of Judy, the Second World War’s only animal prisoner of war. Tickets £10, proceeds to the home. Tel: 01225 787334 or email: tomparker@bcdh.org.uk.
Also at the Bath Cats and Dogs Home this month The Kennel Break Challenge Friday 13 June The annual fundraiser sees local businessmen and women locked into dog kennels for the morning with just a phone and a laptop and being given the challenge to raise £1,000 to get out. There’s still time to join in the fun, contact Zena Jones tel: 01225 787 335 or email: zenajones@bcdh.org.uk
Bath Symphony Orchestra Friday 6 June, 8pm Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire A summer programme invoking the spirit of the sea. Featuring Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Britten’s Four Sea Interludes and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherezade. Tickets: £13/£6 under 18s. Tel: 01225 860100. Visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk.
Also at Wiltshire Music Centre this month Siyaya: a family concert Sunday 15 June, 3pm An infectiously upbeat performance of music and dance by this Zimbabwean troupe of singers, musicians and dancers. £10/£6 under 18s.
The Trials of Oscar Wilde Friday 6 – Saturday 7 June, 8pm The Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall, Bath The professional European Arts Company presents the dramatisation of the libel and criminal trials of Oscar Wilde using the original words spoken in court. Was he persecuted or the author of his own downfall? Tickets: £14/£12, tel: 01225 463362.
Also at the Rondo this month Appalachia Thursday 12 June, 8pm Offering up their own take on American roots music, the band brings banjo, guitars and mandolin plus the human voice in close harmony. They look and sound like old-time bluegrass musicians. Tickets: £12/£10.
The Gift Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28 June, 8pm The winner of the Rondo’s Quick and Dirty scriptwriting competition gets a run in Bath as new parents Nicole and Dan struggle to come to terms with their new roles. Tickets £12/£10.
Bath Ales Real Ale Festival Racenight Friday 6 June, gates open 3.50pm Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath Enjoy live horse racing, real ales and tribute band Ulimate Madness. Tickets: £17 for grandstand, tel: 01225 424609. Continued on page 28 WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
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Ilona Donich/La Rondine at Iford Music Festival
Julian House – Charity Open Gardens Saturday 7 June, 2pm – 5pm Great Chalfield Manor, Nr Melksham SN12 8NH Arts and Crafts gardens of charming 15th-century manor house. Terraces and courtyards with climbing roses and jasmine. Teas. Admission £5.
Sunday 8 June, 2pm – 5pm 1 Grosvenor Terrace, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall Long walled city garden with roses, herbaceous borders, lilies, and perineum, hydrangeas, clematis and fuchsias. Admission £2.50.
Sunday 17 June, 2pm – 5pm Five gardens of Ashley, nr Box, Wiltshire Wander around intimate cottage gardens, alluring kitchen gardens, grand Georgian gardens and pretty rose gardens. Settle on one of the many seating areas and enjoy the most spectacular of views over Box Valley. Teas. Admission to all five, £4.
Puccini’s La Rondine: Iford Festival Saturday 7 – Saturday 21 June, gardens open at 6pm for picnics The Cloisters, Iford Manor, BA15 2BA, near Bradford-on-Avon) Puccini arias (Doretta’s Dream Song) inspired by the scandalous Italian, Marchesa Casati, fashion icon, heiress and muse. Conducted by Oliver Gooch (La Boheme, the Albert Hall) featuring Ilona Domnich and Ruth Jenkins. Tickets: £61 (orchestra seats) or £110 (Mon-Fri); £114 (Sat). Box office tel: 01225 44 88 44, visit www.ifordarts.org.uk for performance dates.
Great Chalfield Manor near Holt
★ Editor’s pick
First Night Party: Iford Festival Friday 27 June, from 6pm
The gardens of Iford Manor near Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire Molotov Jukebox perform in the exquisite Casita of the Grade 1 listed Peto garden of Iford Manor. Polly and the Billets Doux at the other end of the garden in the Cloister. Tickets: £34. Box Office tel: 01225 44 88 44 or visit: www.ifordarts.org.uk
Also at Iford this month Chroma Cloister Concert Sunday 15 June, gardens open at 6pm Chroma A star trio (flute, harp and cello) from Chroma’s virtuosi. Focusing on the first decade of the 20th century and featuring music by Ravel and Debussy. A Peto Cloister chamber concert celebrating Harold Peto’s Cloister Centenary. Tickets: £24.
(In)visible Dancing Finale Saturday 14 June, 3pm Rebecca Ferguson at Wetsonbirt
Southgate shopping centre, Bath Free event staged by the ICIA at the University of Bath. Award-winning dance company, Luca Silvestrini’s Protein is joined musicians and local dancers who will sweep passers-by away from their daily cares with an entertaining and unusual street show.
Living history: house demonstrations Saturdays, 7, 14 and 21 June, 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm Portrait of a Lady exhibition runs until 14 December No 1 Royal Crescent museum, Bath From well-dressed ladies to servants, discover more about the lives of women in Georgian England. Demonstrations and talks on fashion, beauty and life as a scullery maid. Free with normal admission to the museum.
Novato Theatre Company: Her Posted Memory Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 June, 7.30pm The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath BA1 1UF Sisters Emily and Alice are hosting an annual get together with friends, but not all goes according to plan. Then there are issues of memory. Can we tell what we have remembered and what has been lost, forgotten or exaggerated? Tickets £7/£5 concessions. Tel: 01225 463362.
Also at The Mission this month Tobacco Tea Theatre Company: Bunbury is Dead Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June, 8pm A new comedy drawing on the wit and works of Oscar Wilde and following the escapades of Bunbury, Algernon’s fictitious invalid from The Importance of Being Earnest. Tickets: £10/£9 concessions.
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Paul Smith designer sale Friday 20 – Sunday 22 June Kilver Court Designer Village, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Shop the Paul Smith collection with up to 70% off rrp on menswear, womenswear and accessories. Visit: www.kilvercourt.com.
Platform 4 presents: Twelfth Night Friday 20 June, 7.30pm The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, Wiltshire Part of a weekend of entertainment, critically acclaimed young theatre company Platform 4 bring Shakespeare’s comedy to life. The Guardian said: ‘Platform 4’s strong visual approach creates theatrical rough magic.’ Tickets: £10/£9 concessions, tel: 01249 701628.
London Concertante presents: Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos by Candlelight Saturday 21 June, 7.30pm Bath Abbey The programme comprises: Mozart Divertimento in D, Bach Brandenburg Concerto Numbers 3, 4 and 5, and Vivaldi’s Summer from the Four Seasons. London Concertante is one of the finest chamber ensembles in the country, its players brought together through a shared passion for chamber music. For tickets tel: 01225 463362, or visit: boxoffice@bathfestivals.org.uk.
A Handful of Singers: Sing a Song of Summer Saturday 21 June, 7.30 pm John Wood Chapel, Prior Park College, Bath, BA2 5AH Bath’s acclaimed chamber choir performs Rutter’s Five Childhood Lyrics, Vaughan Williams’ Five English Folksongs and Tippett’s Five Negro Spirituals, three exceptional groups of songs, full of charm, nostalgia and directness. Tickets: Bath Box Office 01225 463362.
Rebecca Ferguson Sunday 22 June Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Glos Former X Factor winner Rebecca Ferguson’s debut album Heaven launched her in a blaze of critical acclaim in 2011. The album went on to become double platinum and generated hit singles Nothing’s Real But Love and Teach Me How To Be Loved. Her new album, Freedom has already achieved gold in album sales and features the singles I Hope and All That I’ve Got. Tickets £36.30 from box office tel: 03000 680400 or visit: www.forestry.gov.uk/music.
Bath Philharmonia with pianist Stephen Hough Thursday 26 June, 7.30pm The Forum, SouthGate, Bath The brilliance, colour and sheer inspiration of his piano playing have made Stephen Hough a legend. Bath Philharmonia is performing Beethoven’s mighty Emperor Concerto with this extraordinary artist. This exceptional performance is paired with the powerful Symphony No. 5 of Tchaikovsky, one of the pillars of the symphonic repertoire. Tickets from £10, tel: 01225 463362.
Also at the Forum Richard Thompson Wednesday 23 July One of the UK’s greatest living guitarists with decades of fabulous music behind him. For tickets visit: www.bathforum.co.uk.
Pianist Stephen Hough
Talk and discussion: Green Energy Materials in 3D – Batteries Included Friday 27 June, 7pm for 7.30pm Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath Professor Saiful Islam of the University of Bath will give a general talk (with 3D specs for all) on why new materials hold the key to ‘green energy’ batteries and fuel cells for cars and homes to help cut carbon emissions. Visit: http://brlsi.org/ for more information. Continued on page 30 WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
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Corsham Walking Festival Saturday 28 June, all day
Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves and excerpts from Phantom of the Opera. The evening begins with a glass of Champagne, and concert goers are invited to dress up for the occasion and bring a picnic for after the concert. Tickets: £14/£10 under 18s. Bath Box office, tel: 01225 463 362.
Tourist Information Centre, 31 High Street, Corsham This is the market town’s first walking festival, inviting people from the town and outside to join any of eight guided walks. To take part please book in advance, tel: 01249 714660 or email: enquiries@corshamforwalking.org.uk.
Bath Choral Society: Summer Reflections Saturday 28 June, 7.30pm St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, Bath A concert for the anniversary year of the First World War. George Butterworth’s must be the most affecting of the many settings of Housman’s war poems, as he himself became a casualty of the war. Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs contemplate the end of his life but, bringing the concert to a sublime conclusion, Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem provides consolation. With soprano, Robyn Allegra Parton, baritone, Johnny Herford and piano, Libby Burgess and Will Vann. There will be a talk at 6.50pm with Will Dawes, conductor, and Tom McCahill, programme editor. Tickets: £10 – £18, tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk, or www.bath-choral-society.org.uk
Planning ahead Bath Pageant of Motoring Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 July, from 10am Walcot Rugby Club ground, Lansdown The Rotary Club of Bath is hosting this annual
The Bradfordians present Jane Eyre Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 July, 7.30pm Bath Pageant of Motoring car fest in aid of the Wizzybugs charity which provides lightweight mobile wheelchairs for disabled children. Last year more than 300 vehicles took part, giving people the chance to get close to some classic and vintage cars. There was also the opportunity to take rides in some rare vehicles. Tickets are £10 for adults, £6 children aged 5 to 16 and £20 for a family ticket. Follow the event’s development on Twitter @BathMotoPageant or visit: www.bathpageantofmotoring.com.
A Night at the Opera: City of Bath Bach Choir Saturday 5 July, 6.30pm The Roper Theatre, Hayesfield School, Upper Oldfield Park, Bath A sparkling evening of opera highlights, joined by three soloists setting out on their professional careers; soprano Verity Wingate, tenor Kieran White and baritone Rob Clark. Featuring arias and choruses from Carmen, Eugene Onegin, Don Giovanni, The Pearl Fishers and Verdi, including
The Tithe Barn, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1LF This is a new, true-to-book adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic Gothic masterpiece. Enjoy a picnic in this historic setting before settling down to enjoy this wonderful story with a cast of 40 of the best of local talent. Tickets: £12 & £10 concessions. Visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk or tel: 01225 860100.
Sandi Toksvig Wednesday 30 July, 8pm The Forum, Southgate, Bath, hosted by Topping & Co How do you get rid of unwanted guests? What do you do if there’s a racket in the quiet carriage? How should you eat peas, and behave in queues? The award-winning Radio 4 broadcaster and writer brings her wit and wisdom to exploring the social pitfalls of every phase of life, from christenings to condolence letters – and has uncovered fascinating details about how our manners have changed across time, from the earliest étiquettes to the changing nature of spoons. Tickets £5, tel: 01225 428111. ■
Visit our website for more events and things to do. To promote your event log on and get listed. www.thebathmag.co.uk
Jason Thornton, conductor Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Stephen Hough Piano “A virtuoso who begins where others leave off” - Washington Post
Thu., 26 June, 2014 • The Forum, 7:30pm Tickets £28/24/20/18 (£10 unreserved) www.bathboxoffice.org.uk 01225 463362 or on Ticketline: 08448 889991 www.bathforum.co.uk 30 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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A romantic date for opera lovers By popular demand Bath charity Julian House is staging opera al fresco at Prior Park College
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balmy summer’s evening, a delicious picnic, a glass or two of champagne with your favourite companions, listening to the sublime La Bohème being performed in one of the most beautiful settings as the sun sets over Bath. Already sounding like a perfect evening? That was exactly the scene last July as London based Garden Opera Company performed Carmen against the picturesque backdrop of Prior Park College. Following the phenomenal success of last year’s performance, homeless charity Julian House will be organising another evening of opera in the park as the cast perform Puccini’s beautiful La Bohème on Thursday 10 July, again in the exclusive grounds of Prior Park College. Set to some of Puccini’s most ravishing music, the emotionally charged story of two star-crossed lovers is interlaced with humour and drama. Romance, joie de vivre and heartbreak make La Bohème one of the world’s most popular and captivating operas. This fully staged version is sung in English and produced by award-winning director Martin Lloyd Evans and designer Neil Irish. The performers are accompanied by an acclaimed ensemble of chamber musicians led by Peter Bridges. This masterpiece is well served by Garden Opera’s intimate style and flair. The Garden Opera Company’s passionate performance of La Bohème provides the perfect introduction to opera, yet the highly acclaimed performance will equally enthral all opera enthusiasts. Taking a picnic to enjoy before the performance is a lovely way to make the most of the occasion, looking out over the school and towards and over Bath, it will be hard not to be distracted by this alone until the performance starts. Julian House’s funding co-ordinator Cathy Adcock is encouraging people to book tickets early: “Last year’s opera event was a huge success. The magnificent setting, the glorious weather and the fabulous production by The Garden Opera Company meant for a special evening out. We are indebted to Prior Park College and our sponsor Mowbray Woodwards for making it possible to host another opera this year. Tickets sold quickly last year so we would advise booking early. We will try and organise splendid weather, but if that doesn’t happen, the opera will take place in the Assembly Rooms.” That alone should be enough to tempt you but as all the profits from the performance are being donated to Bath’s homeless charity Julian House, you will also be supporting a local and very worthy cause. Date and times: Thursday 10 July. The gate to the lawns will open from 5.30pm, with the opera starting at 7pm. The opera will be staged in the private grounds of Prior Park College, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH. Tickets: £35 (£20 per child under 16). Tickets tel: 01225 354656 or cathya@julianhouse.org.uk or online at www.bathboxoffice.org.uk. All tickets are standard and non-refundable. In case of wet weather the performance will be performed at the Assembly Rooms, Bath and there will be 24 hours notice.
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ARTIST | PROFILE
St Michaelʼs Mount, High Water
SHIFTING SKIES AND SEAS Bo Hilton, who is curating a new exhibition in Bath, travels to Cornwall to talk to artist Neil Pinkett about his work and the landscape which inspires him
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rtist Neil Pinkett was born and brought up in St Just in West Cornwall. It is an exposed place to live, just along the coast from Land’s End, with squalls constantly sweeping in off the Atlantic, often followed by intense light reflecting off the sea as the sun bursts through the clouds. A small land mass surrounded by sea the light is constantly changing and is often dramatic with, for example, a bright sunlit landscape and dark stormy sky. This incredible light is what has attracted generations of artists to this area for years, from the Newlyn school painters at the start of last century to the St Ives modernists like Ben Nicholson, right up to the current day thriving artistic community. Neil’s work can be seen as an extension of the Newlyn School painters such as Stanhope Forbes and Lamorna Birch, all be it influenced by 20th century abstraction and modern landscape painters such as Peter Lanyon and Frank Auerbach. Although Neil is a Cornishman, he lived in Bath for many years before returning to Cornwall a couple of years ago. Since returning to his home county Neil has lived and worked in Marazion, a small market town three miles from Penzance overlooking St Michael’s Bay. I went to visit Neil to talk about his work and found myself walking through the picturesque town up to the top of the hill, to come across Neil’s studio on the top floor of an old drill hall. Downstairs there is a rabbit warren of artist’s studios and a table-tennis area (he’s an avid player). Sitting talking to Neil about his work, I glanced out of his studio window and was once again struck by what must be one of the best views in Cornwall. The sun comes out from behind the clouds and silhouettes St Michael’s Mount, creating lines of light and shade on the sea. This, of course, is exactly the sort of subject Pinkett loves to paint and a great example of this is his piece St Michael’s Mount, High Water. Painted in his trademark limited palette (he uses just five colours) there is a strong abstract component to his painting in the simplification of the tonal masses. Indeed, one is just as aware of the physicality of the knifed on paint and the underpainting breaking through as the fairy-tale quality of the famous castle on this small rocky island. 32 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Neil is aware of avoiding cliché: “The challenge is to paint in such a way to stop it being another pretty painting of this much painted subject.” To combat this Neil works from sketches done on the spot and finds music is essential for the creative process. He will often listen to composers of rhythmically repetitive music like Philip Glass and Michael Nyman and finds this helps him remember the rhythms of the scene. Sometimes he will put on very emotional music such as Grieg and this will influence the outcome of the painting as much as the sketches and his visual memory of the scene. He has incredible visual recall. It is this sense of freedom to reinterpret back in the studio rather than slavishly copying the scene that makes his painting so successful. We finish discussing his work and his mind turns to more pressing matters. “So do you fancy a game of table tennis Bo?” Now if I can just return those heavy back side-spin serves. . . The Bath show has an emphasis on his paintings with dramatic light and his more stripped down scenes of sky, sea and coast. ■ The exhibition runs from 31 May to 21 June at Hilton Fine Art, 5 Margarets Buildings’ Bath.Visit: www.hiltonfineart.com.
Neil is one of the tutors at the famous Newlyn School of Art, where he leads two day intesive workshops on the techniques of oil painting using a palette knife. The courses are aimed at artists at all levels and include sessions ouside at the working fishing harbour of Newlyn (weather permitting) Neil’s two-day courses are £130, plus £10 for materials. Visit: www.newlynartschool.co.uk/courses
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ART EXHIBITION
CITY BRACED FOR THE SWARM Be vigilant when you visit the Holburne Museum this summer as an infestation of miniature malevolent fairies has been detected in its galleries. We preview the weird and wonderful world of artist Tessa Farmer
The first you’ll know about them is when you find a smashed pot on the gallery floor. Something has caused the treasure to crash from the ceiling and crawled from the wreckage. And, as your eyes scan the cabinets and shelves, you have the uncomfortable feeling that something is stirring out there. The Holburne is going to offer its visitors magnifying glasses so they can spot the tiny creatures lurking among the museum’s collection. Vicious sword-waving creatures smaller than ants harness dead insects for destructive delights. They climb aboard bees, hitch a ride on dragonflies and, if you look carefully, you might catch them, sated after their revelling, lying drunkenly sprawled inside a glass goblet. Artist Tessa Farmer has created a miniature
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world which will capture the imagination of viewers of all ages. The Birmingham born artist who spent a year in residency at the Natural History Museum, has created a unique other world inhabited by gothic, sinister and bewitching tiny creatures made from dead insects, twigs, leaves and roots. Unwelcome Visitors is a FREE exhibition which opens on Saturday 14 June at the Holburne at the end of Great Pulteney Street and runs until 7 September. Tickets are now on sale for an event, on Friday 11 July, in which Tessa will be in conversation with zoologist Dr Tim Cockerill and art historian Dr Petra Lange-Berndt about her fantasy world and the mythology she has created for it. Tickets for The Smallest Show on Earth are £10/£8 from tel: 01225 388569. ■
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CITY | EXHIBITION
A REMARKABLE COLLECTION Some of the biggest names in 20th century art will feature in a new summer exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. We look at the significance of this rare chance to get close to a collection rarely seen in public
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wo years ago a private collection of paintings attracted a phenomenal 21,000 visitors to Bath’s council owned Victoria Art Gallery, with people fascinated to view previously unseen works by some of the 20th century’s biggest names in art. This month the second selection of that collection is coming to Bath, displaying work by international figures including Picasso, Modigliani, John Piper, Roger Fry, Duncan Grant, Paul Nash,Vanessa Bell, and many others. But as we explore the exhibition and enjoy the chance to get close to some of these stars on our very doorstep, it will enhance the visitors’ experience to know the story behind this remarkable collection. It is the story of three avid art collectors – aristocrat Eddy Sackville-West from one of Britain’s most influential families, his lover, later friend and artist Eardley Knollys and a Bulgarian immigrant Mattei Radev. Sackville-West bequeathed his collection to Knollys when he died, who in turn left it to Radev on his death in 1991. Mattei Radev had fled the communists in his native country as a stowaway aboard a cargo ship, arriving in London in 1950 with just the clothes he stood up in. After working in a series of dead-end jobs he came to the attention, while working as a hospital porter of the early gay rights activitist Pat Trevor-Roper, who in turn introduced him to gallery owner Robert Wellington. As Radev began to move in gilded circles of society he befriended Oxford graduate and art collector Eardley Knollys. Eardley had been the lover and then friend of Eddy Sackville-West (of the famous Sackville-West family, as in Vita the writer) who was also an art collector, but who died of an asthma attack in 1965. It turned out that the Bulgarian, who set up as a picture framer, had an unerring eye for a fine painting and soon he and Eardley joined forces and bought a house together in Hampshire where guests such as Edith and Sacheverell Sitwell dined beneath the Modiglianis and Picassos hanging on
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the walls. What is extraordinary and unusual about the Radev Collection is that it wasn’t split up and sold, as is the case with most art collectors. The catalogue that accompanies the Bath show explains why: “Having in 1991 inherited the paintings following Eardley’s death, Mattei added some more, but his significant gift was to keep them all together, and so the collection is named after him. “Although he never had cared to sell anything, he learnt a painful lesson in the 1970s: encouraged by Eardley he sold a superb Modligiani, Portrait de Lagar. It seemed to fetch a goodly sum at auction in London, but then soon reappeared in New York, selling at a huge increment, and he resolved not to part with a picture again.” The collection remained strictly private for 70 years, hanging on the walls of private homes until the current owner decided to send the paintings on tour to a small group of galleries, including the Victoria Art Gallery. After Bath the collection visits Falmouth before going on to London. In 1960 Radev met the writer EM Forster, author of Room with a View and Howards End, and, despite the novelist being 46 years older than him, the pair became lovers, conducting a “secret, somewhat tortured affair.” Jon Bennington, manager of the Victoria Art Gallery, is particularly pleased that the Radev Collection is coming to the city. He said: “I was fortunate enough to meet Mattei Radev and to see the paintings hanging in his private house in London. He literally lived above the shop, running his framing business in the same tall terraced townhouse as he lived, and where many of the paintings were hung. “It was a privilege to host part of the Radev Collection in Bath in 2012 and for the current owner to be lending us this second selection of pictures is like dipping your hand into the cookie jar for the second time around.” Jon explained that it is very rare for such a private collection to stay together. Normally a set would be split up on the death of the owner and passed on to children through wills, but because the three owners in succession were all gay and bequeathed the collection on intact, we are lucky
THIS SECOND SELECTION OF PICTURES IS LIKE DIPPING YOUR HAND INTO THE COOKIE JAR FOR THE SECOND TIME AROUND
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CITY | EXHIBITION
LOVERS AND FRIENDS: above, the writer EM Forster with Mattei Radev – the pair had a clandestine affair Below, Duncan Grant in Eardley Knollys’ studio
RARE TREAT: opposite, Elm Trees by Eardley Knollys and Mattei Radev by Maggi Hambling OBE
Summer exhibitions
This page, above Portrait of Soutaine by Amedeo Modigliani, right, The Underground Man by David Harkins
enough to see them still together. Some of the highlights are featured on these pages. Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, for instance, with his very distinctive long-necked, almond-eyed portraits is included, as is a striking portrait of Mattei Radev by Maggi Hambling, contemporary British painter and sculptor. Eardley Knollys was not only a collector of art but a painter in his own right. His painting, Elm Trees is also on show in Bath. Duncan Grant (whose quirky ceramics can also be seen) once described Knollys as ‘one of the purest painters I know” and praised his bold use of colour. There is also work by Knollys’ partner Frank Coombs, a painter and co-partner in Knollys’ Storran Gallery. Sadly he was killed in the war, but we can see his portrait by Glyn Philpot in the gallery’s permanent collection. One of the later pieces in the Bath show is The Underground Man by David Harkins, painted in 2004. The Radev Collection Part 2 will be a delightful pick and mix for art lovers in Bath. ■
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The Radev Show 2 at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bridge Street, Bath, which is run by Bath and North East Somerset Council runs from Saturday 7 June – 31 August. (The gallery is closed on Sunday mornings and on Mondays.) Admission is £3.50 (£2.50 with a Discovery card), under 21s free. Lasting Impressions: from Saturday 7 June – 31 August. From Hiroshige to Hogarth and Goya to Whistler, this exhibition explores the gallery’s diverse print collection. It includes works by some of the best and most influential printmakers from the 16th to the 19th century. This exhibition is free. Art store tours: explore the parts of the gallery other people don’t reach. The tours are free, but you need to book a place in advance, tel: 01225 477232. Tours take place from noon till 12.45 on Wednesdays 18 June, 16 July, 20 August and 17 September.
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ART | EXHIBITIONS
SUMMER EXHIBITIONS Rostra Gallery George Street, Bath
Winter Hares by Rosemary Farrer
Royal United Hospital Combe Park, Bath Bath Artist Printmakers, Reed Contemporary Art & Ros Ford Until 16 July, every day An opportunity to see and buy affordable, original, art made in Bath. The prints are made by various techniques, ranging from etching, through to woodblock, lino, monotype, silkscreen, and mixed media. Reed Contemporary Art presents an exhibition of contemporary Chinese woodblock prints from two centres of Chinese printmaking, Harbin in the north east and Puerh in the south west. Ros Ford’s etchings are based on hidden industrial landscapes close to her home and studio. She makes drawings and photographs on location that she develops into a series of prints and paintings. Hope Cove by Mike Bernard
Circle Dance by Eleanor Bartleman
Summer Showcase Saturday 7 – Monday 30 June Revel in the sunshine with Michael Flanders’ new oil paintings which highlight some of Britain’s favourite holiday destinations including some of Bath’s streets and scenes. Ceramic artist Eleanor Bartleman will be showing new work, combining porcelain with her love of mythological stories to create decorative and collectable pieces. Printmaker Clare Halifax presents her new screen prints that layer colour and pattern onto familiar landmarks, while new artist Jane Davies offers quirky mosaics that incorporate various styles to create whimsical, humorous pieces. To celebrate Rostra exhibiting at the Hampstead Affordable Art Fair there will be some pieces that will be on display in London, with new work from Graham Carter, Ruth Green and Jane Walker. The Holburne Museum Great Pulteney Street, Bath Julian Opie: Collected Works Until Sunday 14 September One of this country’s most important contemporary artists, Opie has collected the art of the past including Japanese prints, 17th and 18th century paintings and sculpture and ancient sculpture from Egypt and the classical world. Works include paintings, prints, LEDs and video as well as more recent experiments in mosaic and sculpture, alongside an ancient Egyptian funerary mask, portraits by Cornelius Johnson, Arthur Devis and Romney and a Houdon portrait bust of Gluck. The exhibition includes sculpture in the gardens.
Bath Contemporary 35 Gay Street, Bath Tel: 01225 461230 www.bathcontemporary.com email: gallery@bathcontemporary.com Paint, Metal and Concrete Until 14 June Malcolm Ashman ROI RBA and Marc Bodie are brought together to explore the process of construction and deterioration. Ashman’s painterly and abstracted urban landscapes converse sympathetically, yet powerfully with Bodie’s weathered concrete and rusted metal sculptures. Summer Exhibition 21 June – 26 July Featuring a different artist each week, Bath Contemporary plays host to a summer exhibition of diverse new work by a selection of artists including: Mike Bernard, Peter Kettle, Diana Matthews and Ellen Watson. 36 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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High Atlas by Emma Rose
Emma Rose Art Works Upstairs at 78 Walcot Street, Bath 10am-5pm Mon-Sat Thoughtful literary landscapes by Emma Rose reflecting the concept of wabi-sabi, deep colour and memory. www.emmaroseartworks.com, tel: 07885 235 915.
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ART | EXHIBITIONS
David Jones Sugar and Almond
Leven by Kathryn Stevens
Lane House Arts Nelson Place East, Bath, BA1 5DA Tel: 07767 498403 www.lanehousearts.co.uk Aqua Sulis: first anniversary exhibition Until 7 June This mixed show brings together the work of artists inspired by the city’s architecture and life. Screen and mono prints by Maxine Foster sit alongside large abstracted oil paintings by Czech painter, Tibor Cervenak. Narrative illustrations by Chloé Regan reflect on a woman’s life, Sarah Targett’s screenprints show the endless possibilities in the everyday while ceramicist Rachel Fixsen goes back to her Scandinavian roots with her simple and elegant new functional pieces.
Anthony Hepworth Fine Art Dealers 16, Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 310694, email: anthony.hepwor@btconnect.com. Tuesday - Saturday 11am – 5pm, or by appointment
One Year On 14 June – end of July Since graduating in 2013, Kathryn Stevens has returned to her native St Ives. Her vibrant canvases are constructions based on impulsive and improvised processes of colour, form and application of paint, working with the language of abstraction. Sara Moorhouse will be showing her hand thrown bowls.
Until 7 June An adventure in art that began in the 1920s. Work from Sickert, Wood, Moore, Jones, Banting, Wallis, Wadsworth, Stockley, Hall, Kolle, Spender, Deakin and Gill. Stef Mitchell Littleton Wood Barns by Nick Cudworth
Cerulean Contemporary Art Wheat Paddock Barn Gallery, Freshford Tel: 01225 722277 for more details. Summer exhibition Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 June, open most days 10.30am - 6pm Sunday June 15, 11am - 6pm nd June 22, 10.30am - 4pm (closed Monday) The group represents the work of established professional painters, printmakers and sculptors. The gallery was established by artists, Alison Harrison and Jan Pitt, who in 2012 formed a partnership with Anna Shutt. CCA can now present the work of a growing number of artists. Works are selected from local artists and established gallery artists, some of whom are local. The work will be of diverse genre and mediums including pastel, oil, acrylic, mixed media, print as well as sculpture. Freshford’s Galleries shop has a café for coffee, lunch and tea. There is parking at the shop and café.
Quercus Gallery Queen Street, Bath. Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.30pm Patterns of Enquiry Until 14 June Featuring new artists to Quercus including collages by Clare Packer, ceramics by Elodie Alexandre and monoprints by Stef Mitchell alongside textiles by Holly Berry and jewellery by Rose Ellen Cobb. Galliversary Summer Show 28 June – 23 August Celebrating Quercus Gallery’s first anniversary. This mixed exhibition will be a chance to see work by present gallery artists and to discover work by some new artists. Expect an eclectic yet harmonious array of paintings, prints, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, jewellery and textiles.
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Old Pines by Jan Pitt
Nick Cudworth Gallery London St, top of Walcot Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 445221, visit: www.nickcudworth.com The Four Seasons Tuesday 3 – Saturday 28 June An exhibition of series of paintings and prints by Nick Cudworth which portray local landscapes throughout the four seasons. The show features the changing light and colours of the line of trees known as the Caterpillar on Freezing Hill. Anyone who has sat in traffic along the A46 north of Bath will be familiar with this skyline, showing the Littleton Wood barns, captured here in the autumn light.
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Beaux Arts 12 – 13 York Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464850 www.beauxartsbath.co.uk
To The Limit II by Anna Gillespie
Anna Gillespie Throughout June, 10am – 5pm Sculptor Anna Gillespie lives and works in Bath though she has carved a reputation in this country and abroad with her innovative use of found metal and organic materials, as well as for her dramatic windswept cast bronzes, such as To the Limit II, pictured in the beautiful surroundings of Parade Gardens in Bath.
Adam Gallery John Street, Bath, tel: 01225 480406 open Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 5.30pm Douglas Jeal and Mark Elliott Smith Until 15 June
Art by Mark Elliot Smith
The Gallery at Hestercombe House Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, near Taunton, Somerset TA2 8LG Tel: 01823 4139323 Leaping the Fence From 24 May Hestercombe is already a destination sought out by lovers of beautiful gardens and keen plantsmen and women. But now there’s another dimension, as thanks to funding from Arts Council England and others a year long programme of arts activity is underway, kicking off with the first art exhibition in Hestercombe House. Leaping the Fence will celebrate art created over the last 25 years and will feature works from artists such as Tracey Emin, Mark Wallinger, Mark Quinn and Mike Nelson among others. It will cover diverse art forms ranging from sound, light and film works, to sculpture and digital works on paper. This new venture has been made possible since the reuniting of Hestercombe House with the rest of the estate after 60 years of the former being under council control. Artist in residence, Jo Lathwood will work on pieces inspired by the beautiful setting of the estate.
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Henrietta Laura by Angelica Kauffman
Douglas Jeal works predominantly in coloured perspex creating intricate interlocking asemblages that either float on the wall or sit on shelf or plinth. Jeal is primarily engaged in ways we communicate ideas through the exploration of light, place, colour and form. Mark Elliott Smith is a Bath based artist whose large abstract canvases are generally worked in pure colours with stenciled often cartoonlike patterns. His paintings explore the realms of suggestive, enigmatic apparitions, seeing thoughts and ideas almost as patterns.
Artwork by David Batchelor And others
44AD ARTSPACE 7b Lower Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1QR. Tel: 07753 378325 Monday to Saturday 12 – 6pm, Sunday, 1pm – 5pm www.44ad.net. www.melissawraxall.com Laura’s Place: fundraising exhibition Friday 27 June to 6 July 44AD has received a fantastic response from artists, who have made visual responses to the painting of Henrietta Laura Pulteney (1766 – 1808) by the Swiss artist Angelica Kauffmann. As well as a celebration of the first (and last) Countess of Bath, this exhibition is hoping to raise funds for 44AD’s move later this summer to new premises in Abbey Street, Bath. Many of the artists have donated their artworks, with proceeds going towards the move. 44AD studio artists have collaborated to create a unique Laura artwork which will be auctioned on 4 July at 44AD artspace. Please contact Katie on 07753 378 325 or email studio44ad@gmail.com for further details. The Holburne Museum has given 44AD artspace permission to use the image of Henrietta Laura Pulteney by Angelica Kauffmann for the purpose of this exhibition.
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nick cudworth gallery
The Four Seasons –Littleton Woods Barns - Oil on canvas Also available as prints
THE FOUR SEASONS Exhibition from 3 – 28 June Paintings and prints by Nick Cudworth that portray the change of light and colours of the flora and fauna of local landscapes throughout the four seasons
5 London Street (top end of Walcot Street), Bath BA1 5BU tel 01225 445221 / 07968 047639 gallery@nickcudworth.com www.nickcudworth.com
NEW COLLECTION OF BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES
Upstairs @ 78 Walcot Street, BA1 5BD and Ring O Bells, 10 Widcombe Parade, BA2 4JT www.emmaroseartworks.com
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FROME | FESTIVAL SPECIAL
ANGELIC DELIGHT
F
riends have been raving about Frome for some time, about how lively and interesting the town and the people are. And when I noticed that droves of creative types, no doubt driven out of Bath and London by scary property prices, were happily de-camping to the Somerset market town, it was time to revisit the place and check out its new incarnation as the hip, cool place to be. The town’s attractions include a delightful boutique hotel. You can see why people from all over the country are beating a path to the Archangel in Frome’s town centre. If you’re lucky enough to stay overnight on the first Saturday of the month, by the time you’ve enjoyed your breakfast you’ll be able to step straight out into the midst of a fabulous mixed market which takes over several squares and streets and marches up the narrow slopes of Catherine Hill. Early on a Saturday evening at the Archangel the bar downstairs is busy with drinkers, the restaurant is tucked away upstairs in a restored old stone room with a vaulted ceiling. Up a second short flight of steps a private dining stage floats in the space – this is such an original and stylish set up. Head chef Luke Richards, who runs the Archangel with his partner Eve, who represents the front of house, used to be head chef at the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath. I can testify, he’s lost none of his edge in the kitchen since his move to Frome. We began with a massively heavy slate brought to the table, arranged with eight crispy savoury beignets on cocktail sticks, each with a painterly smear of bright and tasty accompaniments. The shepherd’s pie, deeply satisfyingly meaty, came with a dab of pea and mint puree, while the smoked haddock, leek and truffle ones came with tartar sauce. What a great opener to share as its savoury moreishness perfectly whetted The Archangel is one of the sponsors of next month’s Frome Festival and will be staging a number of events. There’ll be cream teas served on Saturday 5 July, 1pm to 5pm in aid of Positive Action on Cancer. Enjoy afternoon tea in the courtyard (weather permitting), for £6.95 a head, accompanied by music from local musicians. If the weather is poor, the event will be held inside. Head chef landlord Luke Richards is hosting a two course cookery demonstration, when he’ll share some of his expertise at close hand, price, £15.95 includes a two course lunch. Jazz brunch, Sunday 6 July, served all day between 11am and 6pm. Listen to the soulful sounds while enjoying brunch, including Henry Spencer, London based trumpeter, composer and bandleader. Originally
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the appetite for what was to follow. I like the current fashion for chefs taking one ingredient and serving it in different styles on the same plate, so loved the combination of tender pinkish slices of loin of venison (£20.50), served with peppercorn and juniper, alongside Boulanger potato, red cabbage puree and a pot of a kind of shepherd’s pie made of delicious, rich braised venision – the sort of dish that Robin Hood’s Merry Men would have dreamed of creating had they had Luke Richards’ way with ingredients. J opted for a straight down the line sirloin steak (£24) – perfectly executed – with a basket of handcut fat chips. He was more than happy with his choice. The Archangel menu caters for most tastes, from a nibbly homemade Scotch egg (£4.95) which comes with pickled beetroot, through to a classic starter of Caesar salad or a rather fabulous sounding gnocchi with creamed mushrooms, greens and truffle. One of Luke’s specialities is his talent with puddings. Worth noting and worth sampling. Who wouldn’t want to try a warm dark chocolate and marmalade tart with yogurt sorbet? Or, the apple and cinnamon crumble given a modern twist, served with vanilla and lemon panna cotta, which I sampled, and was delicious. Replete and happy we transferred to the Naval room upstairs for a round of Scrabble before retiring to our opulent bedroom for the night. Next morning we enjoyed breakfast, with a mix of locals and visitors in the dining room at the front of the hotel, where through the double glass doors onto the street we could see the Sunday market stallholders setting up. Then we set out to play tourists and spend a happy few hours in this most welcoming of towns. The Archangel, Frome, Somerset. BA11 1BH Tel: 01373 456111. ■ Georgette McCready from the Frome area he brings together some of the most renowned musicians in the west. This event is free. A silver ring making workshop for beginners, Tuesday 8 July, 10am to 5pm. Create a handmade gem-set silver ring to take home. Alex DunbarWhittaker, who has over 20 years experience, will lead the class. £135 per head to includes all silver and gems. Contact Alex on 0786 870 3481 lexingtonjewelleryschool@gmail.com. Barbecue and music, Saturday 12 July all day from noon. Relax in the courtyard listening to artists including Josh and Ethan, an acoustic cover band from Frome. Meet Coldplay influenced Archie Smith and many more bands. Visit: www.fromefestival.co.uk for details of these and other events at the Frome Festival, 4 – 13 July.
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SIX OF THE BEST for afternoon tea...
As we enter the season of Wimbledon, strawberries and cream, food writer and blogger Melissa Blease picks six venues where you can enjoy an English afternoon tea Bailbrook House
The Pump Room
Surrounded by picturesque gardens and with views over Bath, Bailbrook House – originally a rather grand 18th century private mansion – offers a peaceful, pastoral experience tucked away off London Road West. Those of us who like to think of ourselves as To The Manor Born will most definitely approve of taking tea in one of the hotel's elegant lounges. Plump for the classic Somerset Cream Tea (£8.95pp for fully-laden scone affair), the Traditional (with sandwiches, sorbet, tarts, cupcakes, delice and homemade cake) or the enticing Savoury option, which includes teatime tantalisers such as mini Caesar salad, Italian bread sticks, Parma ham, homemade harissa-spiced hummous and seafood vol au vents (both of the latter for £21.95pp). Add a glass of fizz to that for £9 and the whole affair becomes positively sparkling. Bailbrook House, Eveleigh Avenue, London Road West, Bath BA1 7JD. Tel: 01225 855100. Visit: www.bailbrookhouse.co.uk
The impeccably presented neo-classical salon in the Roman Baths complex has been at the epicentre of the Bath afternoon tea scene since the 18th century – and it’s easy to see why. The supremely elegant environment, with its sparkling chandeliers, live string quartet and unobtrusively efficient staff in pristine uniforms, provides the perfect backdrop for a selection of Afternoon Tea menus including the Traditional (£21pp), the Special Champagne (£27.50pp) and the Celebration (£35pp) packages, all of which include variations on the dainty sandwich/oven-fresh scones/cream cake theme and your choice from a posh selection of tea blends (although you can opt for coffee if you must). Other classic Brit-trad afternoon delights include Somerset Rarebit, potted ham hock and Cheddar crumpets with piccalilli. We do not advise, however, that you accept a complimentary sample of the original spa water drawn from the pump, unless you have a penchant for sipping tepid dishwater. The Pump Room, Abbey Church Yard, Bath BA1 1LZ. Tel: 01225 444477. Visit: www.romanbaths.co.uk
Indulgence Café and Patisserie One occasionally needs to take oneself off Bath’s beaten track to remind oneself that the glory of the Heritage City is as much about the charms to be found on our side streets as it is about the grandest thoroughfares. This delightful sanctuary in Bathwick Street thrums along to an unselfconsciously stylish, welcoming beat – the perfect place to chillax after a stroll around nearby Sydney Gardens or Henrietta Park? At teatime, a variety of options costing between £6.95-£23.50pp depending on how indulgent an experience you feel you deserve (and whether or not you can handle a glass of fizz at that time of day) all serve to turn a humdrum afternoon into a proper treat. Proprietor (and patisserie supremo) Katherine Small is happy to turn teatime into a party, offering bespoke menus for groups, with a suggestion of theme – Champagne, Savoury, Zesty or Chocoholic, to whet your appetite. Indulgence Café & Patisserie, 31 Bathwick Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 316265; visit: www.indulgence-cafe.co.uk.
Th e H un ts m a n One might not ordinarily consider going to the pub for afternoon tea. But The Elder Rooms (above the splendidly refurbished Huntsman pub) is neither pub-like nor ordinary. In a dining room that’s far more salon than saloon bar in both ambience and style, head chef Blaine Miles has devised a range of teatime options that cleverly combine tradition with contemporary flair. The seductively simple Cream Tea is a lovely scone/jam/clotted cream combo; the Indulgent menu takes us on a trip into the cake zone (£11.95pp) and Blaine's Classic spread represents a voyage through the whole teatime gamut, from finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream, homemade cakes, brownies to a mini vanilla creme bruleé for just £14.95pp. Tea Pigs teas or freshly ground coffee come as standard with all selections, and if you want to turn your tea into an extra-tantalising treat, upgrade by £5.45 and add a Hendrick's Gin cocktail or a glass of Prosecco to your order. See: this is definitely no ordinary pub... The Huntsman, 1 Terrace Walk, North Parade, Bath BA1 1LY Tel: 01225 482900. Visit: www.huntsmanbathpub.co.uk.
The Royal Crescent The Royal Crescent Hotel lies in the centre of Bath’s most iconic street: an imposing town house just like all the others in the row, except this one has a uniformed doorman and a lush sprawl of greenery creeping over the lower windows, allegedly with the sole purpose of making life miserable for the paparazzi when there’s a celebrity in residence. Should you fancy sampling a taste of the red carpet, A-list lifestyle, afternoon tea at the Royal Crescent can be taken in either the secluded, private garden (recommended on a warm afternoon with the scent of roses and lavender in the air) or by a roaring fire inside the recently-refurbished drawing room or library on the other 350 days of the year. The quintessentially English Cream Tea (including the kind of plump, fresh, fragrant scones that make one proud to be British) costs £14.50pp, while the Full Afternoon Tea (£26pp) can be upgraded by £11 to include a glass of fizz. The Royal Crescent Hotel, 16 Royal Crescent Bath. Tel: 01225 823333. Visit: www.royalcrescent.co.uk
THE BATH PRIORY If the Royal Crescent is the Bath version of LA's Chateau Marmont, the Bath Priory is our very own Beverly Hills Hotel: a long-standing grand dame of the glamorous getaway scene tucked away in a quiet residential enclave. Nothing disturbs the peace in this tastefully refurbished Gothic mansion surrounded by acres of beautiful and award-winning gardens, which can be enjoyed at this time of the year from a table on the terrace at teatime. Afternoon tea menus offer various combinations of sandwiches, cakes, tartlets and fresh scones served with local clotted cream and preserves, priced from £14 for the basic Cream Tea (which most definitely isn't basic at all) right the way through to £40.50pp for the Rose Champagne affair. If there's one good reason why not to indulge in a spot of afternoon delight here, I've yet to discover what that reason might be. The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, Weston Road, Bath. Tel: 01225 331922. Visit: www.thebathpriory.co.uk
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THE BOATER 9 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BQ. Tel: 01225 464211
R E V I EW
Hats off to revamped favourite I
can hardly be described as a sports fan (my daughter still despairs of me doing the crossword during her glory moments on the football pitch) but even I am thrilled by the sound of the crowd cheering at Bath’s famous Rec when Bath Rugby scores. That distinctive powerful roar of hundreds of voices raised as one can make the hairs on the back of the neck tingle. And I enjoy the bustle in the city centre on home match days as the fans in their distinctive blue, black and white mingle amicably with the visitors’ followers. Indeed, entente cordiale between rugby fans is so, well cordial, that followers of rival teams can enjoy a pint elbow-to-elbow in pre-match peace. One of the traditional places for Bath Rugby fans to go for a pint before a game has always been The Boater. If wet they gather in the ground floor bar, or when sunny out in the yard among the pub’s wooden tables overlooking the Avon and the Abbey across the river. It may be a good tradition, but just as the rugby players’ kit has been modernised over recent decades, so The Boater was in sore need of bringing up to date. London family brewery Fuller, Smith and Turner have done a good job on the makeover over the three floors of the historic building, keeping its character while making sympathetic additions. The cellar has now been transformed into a cool hangout bar, complete with giant mural by Bristol graffiti artist Felix Braun. Here there are plans to host live music and comedy plus the chance for visitors to choose from more than 30 beers on draught and by the bottle. If we get a decent summer The Boater’s revamped garden will be THE place to meet friends. It’s been softened with some planting and there’s an outdoor bar and a smart barbecue grill where on most evenings you can grab a freshly cooked burger. Mindful of the fact that not all visitors will be big, butch rugby types, the tables on the upper terrace enjoy table service, offering the chance to enjoy a light summer salad and a glass of prosecco, if that’s what they fancy. Ladies note, the loos have also been given an upgrade and you can access the pub gardens directly from Spring Gardens, which saves tackling the pub stairs in high heels. General manager Tom Tucker is bringing some new offerings to The Boater. He’s invited touring theatre company Permanently Bard to put on A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the gardens this summer – look out for dates. This should be Shakespeare close-up and full of fun and humour. On the food side too things are looking up at The Boater. In the ground floor bar, alongside some excellent ales, there’s a classic bar menu offering standards including juicy burgers and fries, macaroni cheese and braised lamb 46 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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shoulder. The latter being given a modern lift, served with a harissa rub, pickled chilli, mint yogurt and flatbread. These dishes are priced around £10. Upstairs a handsome dining room has been created and I can envisage people vying for the table in the window at the back which has a view over part of the Rec, which would be distracting to say the least during a match. But the food is a good distraction in its own right. There’s a nice simple, clear menu of four starters, three dishes that can be served as either smalls or mains and five main dishes plus a couple of daily specials. Starters range from £5.75 for a confit of rabbit terrine, served with parsley and cornichon salad and sourdough, while main courses are from £10.50 for a classic macaroni cheese with wild mushroom and poached egg. The food we enjoyed during our visit was excellent and the service attentive. It’s a small thing I know, but I liked the pretty Victoriana blue and white china our meals were served on. There’s a very good North African influenced dish of soft roasted aubergine with bulgur wheat and chopped dates, spiced up with a zhoug yogurt dressing and thinly sliced courgette salad, while the very British ham hock terrine was good and meaty, given a fresh take of a soft boiled egg served Scotch egg style but without the meat, and with a summer salad of peas, broad beans and pea shoots. We can also recommend the sea trout (£13.95), with crispy skin and soft melt-in-the-mouth flesh, served with crushed new potatoes and healthy green seasonal samphire. The oh-so fashionable hangar steak (or skirt as my granny used to call it) is given a tasty cumin and paprika rub before this tender, tasty treat is teamed up with some rustic chips and an apple slaw for a winning combination (£14.25). There’s also a handful of delicious sound puds, including a chocolate brownie, an ice cream sundae or Eton mess, but we were too replete to sample them. As you might expect from a brewery that takes care of its beers so well, Fuller’s doesn’t stint on the wine either. When the chap orders ‘a dry white wine for the lady’ she can be assured of a pleasant experience rather than the lip-puckering offerings from pub wine of old. Don’t just take my word for it, do pop in to The Boater. I think you’ll find that the venerable Victorian establishment has retained its dignity while offering something new for its customers, whether they’re sports fans or not. However the England football team perform in the World Cup, this will be a great place for the armchair pundits to mull over their performance. Georgette McCready
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A Serial Award winning Restaurant with International reputation
Recent Awards: November 2013 British Curry Awards November 2013 Asian Curry Awards
4 Argyle Steet, Bath BA2 4BA.Tel. 01225 466833 / 464758 www. Rajpoot.com Connoisseurs choice for 33 Years. Open Daily.
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FOOD | AND DRINK
Tasty bites ■ They’ve been feeding their private clients healthy, delicious food and now the Hemsley sisters are bringing The Art of Eating Well, their first cookbook, to Bath independent bookshop Topping & Co on Thursday 26 June from 8pm, where they’ll be giving a demonstration and talking about food. Jasmine and Melissa are passionate about the sort of cooking that makes you look and feel on top of the world. Their recipes have been featured in Vogue and on their food blog – with delicious dishes like Chia Chai Breakfast Pudding with roasted squash or sesame chicken salad with cucumber noodles. Tickets are £10 from the bookshop, redeemable when you buy a copy of the book. ■ Chef Tom Hunt of Paco in Stokes Croft, Bristol and winner of the Observer food award for the most ethical restaurant, will be at Topping & Co in Bath on Friday 13 June, from 8pm. He’ll be sharing tips and tricks for making delicious meals with ethically sourced ingredients, without it costing the earth as he talks about his new book The Natural Cook: Eating the Seasons Root to Fruit. Tickets are £10 from the bookshop. ■ Paddington Bear, the big furry mascot of children’s charity Action Medical Research will be making a guest appearance at the Grittleton Plant and Food Fair on Sunday 1 June, from 11am to 4pm, to raise funds for the charity. The event is being held in the beautiful grounds of Grittleton House, Chippenham SN14 6AP. It is the ideal setting for a relaxing browse through the many stalls selling plants from specialist nurseries, and food stalls to tempt the taste buds. There are also refreshments available throughout the day. Entrance is £3 per person and children free.
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READY FOR A SUMMER SIZZLE?
T
here are two tasty additions to Bath’s restaurant scene opening in the next few weeks. Grillstock, the big bad west country boy of barbecue, is set to open The Smokehouse at the Vaults, next to Bath’s main station, at the end of May, while Caribbean specialists Turtle Bay will be getting the party started by opening a Bath branch in Bridge Street, where Duck, Son & Pinker used to be, at the end of June. You may be familiar with the names as they both have existing restaurants in Bristol, and they look like bringing something new to Bath diners. With its roots firmly in US style BBQ, Grillstock has taken the south west by storm over the last five years in Bristol where its barbecue and music festivals attract over 20,000 fans annually. The festival returns to Bristol’s Harbourside on 7 to 8 June with the Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Hayseed Dixie headlining, alongside 28 teams competing to be King of the Grill 2014. Jon Finch, co-founder of Grillstock, said; “Grillstock is about enjoying proper BBQ (and beer) with your friends. It’s that simple. We take big hunks of pork and beef and smoke them fresh on-site, using our own alchemy of rubs, sauces and woods to give them our unique flavour. We’re stoked to be opening in Bath, with our biggest Smokehouse to date and can’t wait to share our Southern-style hospitality.” The Smokehouse will feature a BBQ inspired soundtrack and signature communal tables for a maximum of 75 diners. The music will be loud, the lighting low, while the walls will be adorned with
festival memorabilia. Over at Turtle Bay the former music shop has been given a full blown Caribbean makeover, promising a splash of colour for this little corner of Bath. The new 150-seater restaurant will offer a range of traditional Caribbean food, from goat curry and Rastafari Itah Run Down to the legendary tasty jerk chicken. Opening night at Turtle Bay looks like being one sizzling hot party and we’re told to expect some antics out on the streets in the run-up to the opening too.
It’s the great foodie fest fork off TheFoodies Festival, the UK’s largest celebration of food and drink will be at Bristol Harbourside on the 11, 12 and 13 July for its fourth consecutive year. Tens-of-thousands are expected to descend on the site to feast on a vast array of culinary activities, discover new produce and enjoy a day of fun and entertainment. This year welcomes an array of top chefs, including Glynn Purnell, pictured, head chef at Purnells and judge of BBC’s Great British Menu and MasterChef winner Mat Follas and finalists Larkin Cen and Andrew Kojima. The festival is also joined by Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay, Louise McCrimmon of Harvey Nichols’ 2nd Floor Restaurant and Richard Davies from the Manor House Hotel at Castle Combe, all of whom will cook their signature dishes live in the chefs’ theatre. New features for 2014 include a chocolate, bake and preserves theatre which will host top pastry chefs, chocolatiers, bakers, sugarcraft experts and jam and preserve makers. A new outdoor BBQ arena will appeal to lovers of al fresco dining. A purpose built stage will feature hourly cooking demonstrations with experts. Spectators will be invited to take part in a series of barbecue challenges. A chilli food market will excite those with a love for spicy foods with a range of chilli growers and artisan producers of sauces, sweets and jams. A chilli eating challenge
takes place at 5pm daily. The real ale and cider farm offers an area for visitors to chill out on hay bales meet beer and cider expert Melissa Cole and fellow beer lovers. There’s even a guitar behind the bar for those in the mood to get a sing-along started. A new feasting tent at the heart of the festival becomes the social hub, where visitors will enjoy eating at long banqueting tables. The vintage tea tent will hold daily tea dances, alongside a vintage kitchen market selling all kinds of kitchenalia. The drinks theatre will host demonstrations by some of the most talented sommeliers, mixologists and drink experts in the country. Experts include TV’s Charles Metcalfe, Champagne expert Neil Phillips and local wine expert Suzy Atkins. The producers’ market offers artisan produce from the local area and incorporates the Guild of Fine Food award-winning British produce. Tuck in to food from around the world including hog roasts, tapas, churros, burritos, Moroccan tagines, South American beef, Jamaican and Thai street food. Last, but not least, the entertainment stage features live music acts every day until 8pm. Tickets from: www.foodiesfestival.com or tel: 0844 995 1111. 1-day adult ticket £12 (£10 conc) 3-day adult ticket £18 (£15 conc) 1-day VIP ticket £38 (Friday VIP ticket £35).
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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic, makes her choices for Father’s Day and the World Cup
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t’s time to think about fresh, lively wines, to enjoy in the sunshine or rain, and to celebrate Father’s Day, and rather more dubiously, potential Football World Cup success. I’ve chosen a new fizz on the shelves at Great Western Wine, and a new addition from one of my favourite Australian producers Ben Glaetzer. Great Western Wine also has its New Zealand wines on offer for June, so I’ve picked a couple of my favourites – enjoy. Yealands Gruner Veltliner 2013, New Zealand (GWW £13.95, down to £12.77 for June) One of my favourite wines, from this top New Zealand winery, which has just won another award, in this case, the Drinks Business Green Award. This is the winery which uses cute little baby doll sheep to nibble the grass in its vineyards. Made from the Gruner Veltiner, which is Austria’s best known white grape, it’s an elegant, poised white, with lots of citrus and gentle nectarine fruit, and a lively, floral character. If you’re a NZ Sauvignon blanc fan, try this more subtle, stylish white – aromatic, yet deliciously dry. It’s also so versatile, enjoy as an aperitif, or with salmon, chicken Caesar salad, and spicy dishes. Also great with tasty Thai salads. Taittinger, Brut Reserve NV ( GWW £37, on offer at £33 throughout June) Taittinger is the official Champagne sponsor of the World Cup, so what better way to celebrate Father’s Day . . . and to celebrate or drown sorrows during the football? Taittinger is one of the most elegant, refined of the Grande Marque Champagnes, and one of the oldest. Still family-run, and with miles of caves, buried deep within the chalk soils of the Champagne region. This is their classic and is unusually made from a predominance of Chardonnay, one of the three permitted grape varieties used in all Champagne. It has a subtle, baked apple and soft floral aroma, with a very fine mousse, with the tiniest bubbles. It’s a fresh, more delicate style of Champagne with a delicious, brioche-scented, creamy flavor. Urlar Pinot Noir 2011, New Zealand (GWW £17.95, down to £15.80 for June) This rich, spicy style of Pinot noir is produced by a Scottish couple, Angus and Davina Thomson,who emigrated to the area of Gladstone in the far south of New Zealand’s North Island. Urlar which means Earth in Gaelic, is the inspiration behind the vineyard, which they set up in 2004, following biodynamic and organic principles. They have won many awards for this principled approach to winemaking. This is ideal for those who love the natural perfume and silkiness, but prefer their wines a little more fleshy. It would be a great partner for Asian-spiced barbecue meats, roast duck, and also rich fish dishes, if served slightly chilled. Heartland Spice Trader 2012, Langhorne Creek, Australia (GWW £11.95) Aussie winemaker Ben Glaetzer is most famous for the iconic Glaetzer wines from the Barossa valley. With this wine, Ben has proved that he not only produces some of the most prized reds in Australia, but that he can turn some cracking stuff at an affordable price as well. Bursting with bold, bright, super-ripe blackberry and damson fruit, it’s rich with intense, dark chocolate and warm spice notes, and a warming, lingering power on the finish. The Daily Mail’s Matthew Jukes, gave it a gold medal and voted it best Shiraz blend and best red wine under £20. This is the perfect barbecue wine, rich, spicy red for summer. ■
The Cross Bath is an intimate open-air bath, fed by the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters. Steeped in history, the Cross Bath has some unique features including its own poolside fountain and a stone relief of Prince Bladud who, according to legend, first discovered Bath’s Spring waters around 863 BC. The Cross Bath can be enjoyed by individuals or exclusively for a small party of friends .
FREE COMPETITION To stand a chance of winning an exclusive spa session for up to 8 people, you simply have to answer the following question: Which Prince first discovered Bath’s natural thermal waters around 863 BC? a) Prince Harry
b) Prince Bladud
c) Prince Neptune
Send your answer marked ‘The Cross Bath’ to The Bath Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or email: competitions@thebathmagazine.co.uk by noon on the closing date of Monday 30th June. · · · ·
The winner will need to book in advance. The Cross Bath is open from 10am to 8pm with last entry at 6pm. The prize is valid Sunday to Friday (subject to availability). Children under 12 are not permitted. Young people between 12 and 16 must be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio. The prize includes the use of a towel for each member of the winning party. Further details at: www.thermaebathspa.com
All of the above, plus a mixed case can be ordered through our website. Enjoy a 10% Great Western Wine discount by entering the code on Angela’s wine column. Visit : www.thebathmag.co.uk
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Deliciously Demuth Silvana Tann talks to Rachel Demuth, vegetarian chef and pioneer of meat-free cuisine whose Bath cookery school is mainly attended by non-veggies looking to extend their repertoire in the kitchen
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he perception of vegetarian food has undergone a transformation over recent times. At the forefront of this movement is Rachel Demuth, a name that’s been synonymous with vegetarian food in Bath for the past 30 years. Nestled in the heart of Georgian Bath on Terrace Walk, is Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School, overlooking Bath Abbey from its rear windows and wooded slopes to the front. On the day that I visited, the Abbey campanologists were in full swing practicing their set pieces, treating us all to the peal of the bells. The cookery school is flooded with natural light; the walls are adorned with bursts of colourful food photography, images lifted directly from the pages of the school’s many cookbooks. It’s enough to make anyone hungry. It is a landmark year for Rachel and she has several plans afoot; the school has just been rebranded; her new cookery book will be published this autumn and there are constantly evolving courses. Walking through the kitchen gives me a glimpse of the tables where a cornucopia of fresh seasonal vegetables and herbs are all laid out for a mezze evening class for 12 people. The courses on offer cover a broad range of traditional to international cuisine. A typical class, Rachel informs me, will be filled with a majority of nonvegetarians. Most people on courses want to broaden their cooking techniques and use of flavours, as eating vegetarian food has become more mainstream. Rachel first hit the Bath food scene in 1984 when she opened her trailblazing Broad Street Bakery and Café, bringing the first cappuccino machine to town and supplying artisan bread, pastries and cakes to several retail outlets in the south west. She moved to Bath from London leaving Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden where she had trained after graduation. “I had a bet with some friends to see if any of us could find a job in a day and I found the trainee baker’s position at Neal’s Yard. It was supposed to be just for the summer, but I ended up staying for four years,” she says. The cooperative model allowed Rachel to train as a baker, pastry chef and to gain experience in running the business. Establishing her own bakery and vegetarian café gave her an outlet for the skills she had acquired and enjoyed. The success of the café led Rachel to very quickly setting up one of the country’s best-known vegetarian restaurants, Demuths, with her husband. “We ran the two businesses side by side for six years. When we made the decision to open the restaurant in the evening we had to make a change. Getting up early for the bakery operation and staying up late for evening service in the restaurant wouldn’t have worked, so we sold the bakery and café.” 50 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Vegetarian cuisine is at the core of everything that Rachel cooks and champions. This was not the case when she was growing up in the Cotswolds. As a child she was brought up on quintessentially British dishes with meat and two vegetables taking centre stage, with fish on Fridays. All of the vegetables were home grown by her mother, an avid and experimental gardener – she grew not one type of potato, but six; and there were peppers, melons, asparagus and other exotic vegetables that were not prolific in English gardens in those days. “My sisters and I helped to weed, tender and harvest my mother’s garden. We were free labourers,” laughs Rachel, “I wasn’t vegetarian, but we ate a great variety of fresh vegetables.” It wasn’t until Rachel went to university during the 1970s that she became a vegetarian. Much of this was down to affordability of ingredients. “I suppose it was also quite fashionable in those days too. We ate well, cheaply and everything seemed to be wholefood on campus. It was almost the student norm.” At this time Rachel also started to develop a passion for travel. “During holidays I spent weeks travelling and learning to cook in Pune, India, and the Himalayas, where I started to get a better appreciation of spices. Good vegetarian cooking is all about flavour and the art of using herbs and spices.” Over the years Rachel continued to make time to visit other countries. As the restaurant was always quiet during January it offered the perfect opportunity for long distance travel. “Backpacking around India, East Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia has given me an amazing insight into food. In the past a lot my learning has been through meeting people and cooking with women in communities.” Several of the recipes gathered on her travels ended up in Rachel’s Green World Cookbook. After working in the restaurant kitchen for ten years, Rachel moved to front of house. Diners would frequently ask how dishes were made which led to cookery courses being run out of Rachel’s home kitchen in 2001. With the growth in demand the school moved to its current location. “Teaching was the perfect way for me to continue to submerge myself in cooking,” she says. This took a further step forward in 2013 when Rachel decided to sell her restaurant business. Now running the cookery school full time enables Rachel to focus on developing courses and community projects with her longstanding team Jan, Jo and Helen. The school has a wide appeal, drawing visitors from across the UK and overseas; it runs masterclasses with acclaimed guest chefs
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FOOD | HEROES
SEASONAL: main picture, thinly sliced different types of beetroot Inset, Rachel Demuth Above, fresh British asparagus griddled then served as an Italian asparagus salad – enjoy in the sunshine Food photography: Rob Wicks
including Yotam Ottolenghi, Tom Herbert and Rose Elliot; and alongside all of this new courses are constantly introduced, most recently a diploma course, classes in raw foods where ingredients are cooked at low temperatures, or not at all, to maintain high nutritional values and courses foraging for wild food. The school also offers overseas courses; there are already regular organised trips to the Languedoc in southern France and Puglia in the heel of Italy. Next year there are plans for a course in Japan. Rachel still makes time for travelling and discovering new ingredients and cooking techniques. Last year she travelled to Peru and came across some new foods. “They grow over 3,500 varieties of potato in Peru. To preserve crops the vegetables are freeze-dried outdoors in winter, and then dried out in the sun. The shrivelled potatoes are sold in the markets throughout the year. They are as light as a feather and can then be hydrated quickly for use. It’s a bit like proper Smash without the packets.” One of her other discoveries was a ceviche of vegetables; a technique that is typically used to cook fish using only the natural acidity of limejuice. This revelation used two native Peruvian tuber root vegetables; ocha and mashua. Thin slices are covered in a lime marinade making
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them taste, “sweet, sour and very crisp.” Rachel now grows these in her garden. Last year she also grew quinoa and amaranth, pseudo grains that are staples in South American cuisine. “Every day I learn something new about food whether I am travelling or teaching here in Bath. That is what I really enjoy”, says Rachel. “Recently a person on a course shared a recipe for meringues without egg whites, they substituted the whites with fenugreek which froths up.” It is this enthusiasm, continuous quest for knowledge and joy of imparting information that perhaps led to Rachel being awarded the National Cookery School Teacher of the Year, 2013. It is also what makes her regular blog posts and articles in publications such as Vegetarian Living so popular. Vegetarian food has undoubtedly moved a long way since the infamous nut roast and lentil burger of the 1970s, and Rachel has been leading this charge. Her food is most definitely aimed at the 21st century palate and brings together the very best of international vegetarian cuisine. Today, whether vegetarian or not, Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School offers a voyage of discovery for all cooks. ■
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Bath@Work Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work. View a gallery of our Bath@Work subjects at: www.thebathmag.co.uk
Mike Killpartrick Optician llis and Killpartrick was founded in 1979 by me and fellow Bradford University optometry student Brian Ellis. The practice was originally in George Street, and between 1979 and 1985 Brian and I commuted from our respective homes in Shepperton and Portsmouth to carry out three clinics a week. Brian slept in the practice on Monday nights (complete with sleeping bag and guitar), while I was working Monday to Friday in the contact lens industry so worked on the Saturday clinics. By 1985 the practice had grown sufficiently that I was able to buy Brian out and I moved to live close to the Royal Crescent as during my visits I had fallen in love with the city with its amazingly beautiful Roman inspired architecture, with the added bonus of stunning countryside scenery just a short five minute drive from the city centre. The practice continued to grow and enabled me to recruit more staff and a dispensing manager, and in 1991 we relocated to our current city centre location in New Bond Street. The moving benefitted from good support from Bath’s Property Services Division who seemed keen to help a small independent local business like ours and the relocation proved so successful that we are now probably one of the south west’s largest independent optical practices. In 1995 we decided to try and further expand and opened a small practice in Cheltenham. This practice has also shown good growth, enabling us to move to larger premises in 2008. I currently spend most of my time in Bath but also hold regular clinics in Cheltenham. Our independent practices have to compete against the powerful multiple chains which now account for around 70% of UK optical sales. But by concentrating on professional eye care, quality eye wear and speciality contact lens fitting we have been able to continue to grow through recommendation. We enjoy great relations with our business partners and carry a range of wellknown prescription and sunglass brands including Cartier, Chanel and Paul Smith. Outside of work, I enjoy family life and outdoor activities including trekking, golf and tennis. I play a couple of singles tennis matches most weeks, and try to get over to the Brecons even in winter when conditions can be very challenging. My daughter Jessica presented me with three granddaughters who are three, two and five months. The eldest two are at the age where they are great fun and they really keep me on my toes. I’m re-discovering the joys of the softplay centre, which is considerably more arduous than climbing Pen Y Fan in the depths of winter. I have a life-long love of motor sport, including Formula 1 and the Le Mans World Series, although regrettably as a spectator only. Music has also played a big part in my life and I even worked as a DJ in clubs and dance halls in Leeds. My son Alex is making a career as a sound and recording engineer, and he keeps me up to date with lots of new music, and the music scene in the south west and in and around Bath is fortunately really vibrant . . . another reason to live in this fantastic city!” ■
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PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic www.capturethespirit.co.uk Tel: 01225 483151. WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
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CITYPEOPLE
News in brief ■ Bath Marketing Consultancy has a new website aimed at anyone who feels their business presentations could benefit from improvement. “Making effective presentations isn’t rocket science,” says presentation coach Bob Carson, who’s offering one-to-one presentation skills training to individuals and companies. Bob has over 30 years’ experience, so can quickly identify where his clients need help, whether they’re beginners or experienced presenters. Just a few hours of one-to-one presentation training can then help them sound, look, and feel more self-assured in front of any audience. Visit: www.improvemypresentations.co.uk. ■ A new household advice and restyling company offers a fresh perspective on helping Bath homeowners brighten up their home, freeing up space or getting them ready to go on the market. The House Doctoring Agency will help redesign, restyle and re-inspire by helping homeowners identify the items they need to remove, declutter and remodel. Diaz Pocquet, director, says: “I am delighted to offer this new service to the residents of Bath.” Tel: 01225 422235 or visit: www.housedoctoringagency.co.uk. ■ Behind some of Bath’s houses and hotels lie beautiful gardens, some rarely seen. The Hidden Gardens of Bath, shows these gardens via tours and themed events. Owner Helen Hughesdon says: “Bath is deservedly 13 times winner of the Britain in Bloom competition. Yet, often unseen are the wonderful gardens which are hidden from view. I aim to share gardens that will delight and show what Bath has to offer." Visit: www.thehiddengardensofbath .co.uk or call Helen on 07793 085267.
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JUDGES CLOCK A GOOD PORTRAIT Neill Menneer from Spirit Photographic of Bath has won an award for one of his popular Bath@Work portraits which appear exclusively in The Bath Magazine each month. The image of Alistair McClemont which appeared in the April edition won a Highly Commended Award from SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) and will now go forward to the annual Photographer of the Year competition to be held at the Hilton Metropole in London in January. Neill said: “The standard of photography entered into these awards is very high so I was really pleased that my portrait of Alistair could reach this level. “Alistair, a clock repairer whose workshop is near Chelsea Road in Bath was great fun to work with and I have really enjoyed meeting such inspiring individuals for the Bath@Work project who are driven by a passion for what they do in life.” ■ Editor’s note: We had a tremendous response to Alistair’s portrait in the magazine. Several people got in touch to tell us what good service they had enjoyed from the watch and clock repairer, while others wanted to take their timepieces to him. His clock repair workshop number is 01225 447959.
Prince’s charity dinner To celebrate the start of summer, the Prince of Wales’ private home, Highgrove in Gloucestershire will be hosting a charity black tie dinner and garden tour at the estate on the evening of Friday 6 June. Starting with an early evening tour of the garden, guests will be accompanied by one of the Prince of Wales’s expert garden guides, before returning to the terrace to enjoy canapés and Champagne. Afterwards, a three-course dinner, prepared by the Highgrove chefs, will be served with organic Highgrove wines in the Orchard Restaurant on the Estate. Music will be a feature of the evening. On the Terrace a live band will play an energetic and melodic repertoire of blues, jazz, Latin and swing that is sure to entertain, and the resident pianist will provide a harmonious accompaniment to dinner. Tickets are £95 per person and all profits will be donated to The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation. For more information and to book visit www.highgroveshop.com/events. Over the last 30 years the Prince has transformed Highgrove into one of the most inspiring and innovative series of gardens in the UK. The gardens are open to visitors from April to October each year.
Brand agency’s triumph Bath-based branding agency Ignition Strategic Design beat stiff opposition to secure its position as one of three creative agencies appointed by the University of the West of England in Bristol to service its creative requirements for the next two years. Interest in the advertised tender was enormous, with 300 agencies across the country expressing interest and over 50 submitting tenders for consideration. That Ignition was eventually selected is testament to the high quality brand-led creative work it has been producing for large UK retail brands as well as smaller local businesses over the past 18 years. Account director Tim Jones said: “We’re very excited by the win and look forward to helping to establish and develop the UWE brand over the next two years.”
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SHOP WINDOW OF THE MONTH Milsom Street is fast becoming the go-to place for furnishing and decorating our homes. Springing up like stylish mushrooms, the interiors shops along the street offer everything from candles to sofas, from wine glasses to sideboards, in a variety of styles. One of our favourites for a browse is Savannah Home. Despite its very slick appearance this is not part of a chain, but a one-off shop which specialises in unusual treasures and bits and pieces. The magpie eye behind Savannah Home is interior designer and antiques dealer Candida Molyneux, who travels far and wide in her quest to bring her customers unusual and desirable decorative objects. One of the great joys is that this is not a mass market, so generally when you buy something it will either be unique or at least one of only a few made. As its current window reflects, there’s a wide range of stock including these architectural large urns – just the thing for one’s terrace . . .
Summoned by bells An appeal has gone out to Bathonians to help restore the peal of bells at Christ Church on Julian Road – silenced for decades after the peal became too difficult to ring. Campaigners have already managed to raise over £50,000 towards getting the bells ringing out proudly again across this part of Lower Lansdown. Neighbours are being reassured that measures will be installed to control and direct the sound of the bells upwards, to minimise disturbance. The appeal already has the support of local and national champions including the Bishop of Taunton, the Mayor of Bath and chairman of the National Trust, Sir Simon Jenkins. For further details of the project and ways to support the appeal visit: www.christchurchbath.org.
DESIGN PUTS PEOPLE FIRST
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KA is celebrating the completion of Bridgwater Community Hospital, pictured, which was designed by the Bath based architects’ practice. DKA worked with Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Integrated Health Projects to design and deliver Bridgwater Hospital from conception in 2011 to successful on-programme and on-budget completion in February this year. The new building, between Junction 24 and 23 of the M5, replaces the previous hospital which, after 200 years, had become costly to maintain. The new hospital has 30 inpatient beds (18 in single rooms), and offers birthing, day treatment, imaging, outpatient and therapies departments, as well as an endoscopy suite, and a minor injuries unit. Project architect at DKA, Adrian Abbs worked on the building from concept through to completion. He said: “The layout of this hospital represents the culmination of almost ten years’ experience designing community hospitals. Using both the latest guidance and our experience we produced a number of exemplar rooms which were agreed by the clinical leads at feasibility stage. Good design in healthcare is essential. A
welcoming and relaxing setting is proven to make the experience of patients and visitors alike less stressful and thus aides the healing process, as well as providing a positive working environment for the staff.” David Kent, founder of DKA adds: “DKA has designed four community hospitals in Somerset over the last ten years. It is unusual to be in the position of having what has been essentially the same brief and same client for a series of buildings, and the projects have genuinely benefitted from lessons learned from its predecessor. As healthcare standards, our client’s requirements and models of healthcare have developed, so have the designs; Bridgwater must therefore stand as one of the best researched community hospitals around. It has been very rewarding professionally to be able to develop our ideas for this specialised building type, and satisfying personally to be able to contribute to such important local community resources.” It is testament to the practice, which is based at Sydney Wharf in Bathwick, that when the hospital held an open day 1,000 people visited and the feedback on their new NHS facility was very positive. ■
Global resource for scientists wins recognition for nurturing future generation Corston based SelectScience, an independent, expert-led scientific review resource for the scientific community, has been recognised in the 2014 Cogent Life Science Skills Award scheme. The award follows the company’s continued expansion and success during 2013, in which SelectScience celebrated 15 years in business, reached 250,000 members from the global scientific community and received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. SelectScience has revolutionised the way life scientists communicate, educate and disseminate information. By combining science and technology with a creative and dynamic 56 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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approach, it has been endorsed as an essential place for scientists and the leading publisher in the life science sector. Chief executive Arif Butt, said: “We are honoured to have received this award and to be acknowledged as the top UK employer in the life science industry. Our team is part of a global business that has helped us go from strength to strength over the past 15 years. We aim to expand further and are always looking for the brightest and best individuals to grow with us.” The Cogent Life Science Skills Awards is a scheme that rewards apprentices, individuals and employers who have excelled in contributing to
the development of skills in the life science sector. SelectScience places great importance on its workforce and ensures that success is embedded into the company. The company provides support and training and understands that by helping its people to grow it helps the company grow. Polly Ward, HR manager said: “As well as hiring individuals from all over the world, SelectScience forges close connections at the local universities, including the Universities of Bristol, Bath and Swansea, helping us give back to the community by employing local graduates into our business each year. ” Find out more visit: www.selectscience.net.
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Buy-to-let property: own it privately or through a company? We have been asked this question by clients with their own companies looking to invest profits they generate in property and also by private clients looking to spread their investment portfolios and considering incorporation. Generally the tax on rent received can be reduced if it is put through a company and where you are otherwise paying income tax at the higher rates – 40% + The downside is that if you are a higher rate tax payer and need to draw that income from the company, you’ll suffer additional personal tax and the benefit is lost. The position however becomes entirely different if you can retain the profits within a company and time your drawings for future years, when you can manage your income below the higher rate tax thresholds. This may be because of reduced business activities, lower income from other sources or because you have retired and are deferring income from pension funds. It’s important to remember that you can structure a company’s ownership to allow spouses and family members to receive dividends, spreading the income and the tax burden. There is an additional benefit. If during ownership the property has increased in value, then when it is sold the Capital Gain is taxable at 20% in the company, whereas personally you could be paying up to 28% Individual circumstances need to be considered properly and the above reviewed as part of your overall tax planning and investment portfolio, together with your expectations regarding future rental and capital growth. At OCL we have been looking after SMEs (start ups to turnovers of £3 million) for more than twenty years; we would be pleased to meet you to discuss any tax, financial and accounting matters that would help you, including how we can help you save money. See our website for more – and download our FREE guides
“OCL Accountancy always provide an excellent level of support in an extremely straightforward and user friendly fashion.Advice is sensible and constructive. It is much more of a partnership than a traditional client relationship which is particularly helpful.” Call Marie Maggs or Mike Wilcox on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting 141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL
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A DVERTOR IA L FEAT U R E
The new Child Arrangements Programme By Sharon Giles, Sharp Family Law - Bath Divorce Solicitors. T: 01225 448955 www.sharpfamilylaw.com
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he Child Arrangements Programme, rather silently rolled out in April this year, introduces the most radical changes to the way that disputes over children upon separation and divorce are dealt with at court since the abandonment of Custody Orders back in 1991.
❝ THE REFORMS PUT CHILDREN RIGHT AT THE CENTRE OF THE PROCESS
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Residence Orders and Contact Orders, that replaced the Custody Orders, have flown out of the window. The expectation now from the outset of a family breakdown is that children will continue to spend time with both of their parents and extended members of the family. The reforms put children right at the centre of the process with focus on children’s needs as opposed to parents’ perceived rights. The new Child Arrangements Orders will determine with whom and when a child is to WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
live, spend time or otherwise have contact with, whether it’s the parents or any other person of significance in the child’s life. The change of terminology aims to steer parents away from ownership of Orders and focus instead on sorting out the practical arrangements for their children across two households. Whilst the court doors will always be open for cases involving domestic violence and/or risk of harm to the child (drugs, alcohol, mental health issues etc) mainstream applicants will have to show that non court options have been considered at a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting before their application will be allowed to proceed. The No Order principle still applies where agreement can be reached but where cases need court intervention proceedings will be timetabled so that the dispute can be resolved as swiftly and as safely as is possible and in the best interests if the child. It remains to be seen whether these changes will reduce the number of disputes about children at court and, for those cases that do filter through, whether the court proceedings are dealt with more expeditiously. Unfortunately, and often unintentionally, it is the children who bear the brunt of separation and divorce. They witness their parents and other family members being upset. They may experience change of homes or change of schools
and often have new adults introduced into their lives, sometimes with other children too. With so much change and adjustment going on the very last thing that children want or need is for their parents to be fighting about them. At Sharp Family Law we welcome these latest changes in legislation and steer towards non court processes. From experience we know that out of court agreements made by parents about their own children will always serve their own children’s needs best. We always encourage parents to engage in constructive child focussed discussions whether in a Mediation, Collaborative or more traditional Negotiation setting. In addition, we offer access to a range of resources, parenting plans, books and factsheets in order to facilitate sound co-parenting decisions. Please contact us for more information.
sharp F A M I LY L A W Sharp Family Law: Helping clients to reach solutions 5, Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2PH, UK email: info@sharpfamilylaw.com m: 07766 107527 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com JUNE 2014
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Advertisement feature
Designing to make a difference Rebecca Furse, designer and environmental psychologist at Bath architectural practice DKA reflects on what difference the new Bridgwater Community Hospital, its latest project, will make to patients with dementia
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quarter of UK hospital patients have dementia. The recent, and heartbreaking, BBC2 programme Nowhere to Go told the story of Evelyn, a patient with advanced dementia. She found the hospital disorientating and was becoming aggressive, at one point being restrained by security guards. Visiting hospital can be stressful for any of us, but patients with dementia can find the experience so unsettling that it impacts their recovery. A well-designed environment can help to reduce falls, length of stay, and challenging behaviour while increasing staff productivity. To offer the best outcomes to its patients, our new Bridgwater Community Hospital facilitates social engagement and independence alongside nursing. Designing a dementia-friendly hospital requires a different approach to a residential environment, where we would aim to create familiar settings and encourage personalisation, however the key principles remain the same: an easy to navigate layout; use of contrast to direct attention; careful use of colours and finishes; lots of natural light; control of unwanted noise; and access to the natural environment. Clinical demands and needs of other patients must also be considered, although in many cases interventions that are helpful to a person with dementia also help others. Visitors to the new hospital enter into a large and airy waiting room. Glazing allows views of a specially commissioned artwork that celebrates the last 200 years of Bridgwater’s history, providing a conversation point and distraction from patients’ worries. The colour scheme is restful, calming visitors whether they have dementia or are simply anxious, and the seating areas follow a simple colour coding scheme, allowing staff to direct patients to the right area. The ward, positioned to avoid motorway noise and to give bedrooms views of the Quantocks, has a straight corridor which allows safe wandering and aids staff observation. The three staff bases allow nurses to stay close to their patients and are highlighted in a contrasting colour to provide focal points for patients that need assistance. Each base also has a unique symbol helping patients to identify with the zone they are staying in. The majority of patient accommodation is in single bedrooms, providing high levels of privacy and reducing noise irritation, and two rooms allow a carer to stay overnight for additional reassurance. For those uncomfortable on their own there are four-bed wards where patients can recuperate in a more social setting. Patients are encouraged to leave their rooms and socialise with others in the dining room or cosy patient lounges, where reminiscence-inspiring artwork promotes conversation. These rooms have large glazed partitions to the corridor, making their function clear, and have coloured feature walls to make them easy to identify. All of these features contribute to creating a safe and enabling environment that will help people with dementia to retain some of their independence and reduce frustration borne of confusion and isolation. This in turn will ease pressures on staff, benefiting all patients. With 1 in 3 over 65s developing the dementia, it is not just an issue for care homes or hospitals. We consider the impact of dementia when designing any public building, helping people to live well with dementia and contributing to creating genuinely dementia-friendly communities. ■ Contact Rebecca.Furse@dka.co.uk or visit: www.dka.co.uk. CONSIDERATE DESIGN: colours at Bridgwater Hospital are chosen to be calming
Ever thought of hosting international students?
Bath Spa University is currently looking for people within the Bath area to become homestay hosts forinternational students. There are numerous benefits to hosting international students. You will get the chance to rent out an unused room; welcome new international students to the UK; experience new cultures and traditions and discover more about the wider world; as well as supplementing your income in a way that’s enjoyable and rewarding. Key homestay requirements include: • Making the student feel at home and treating them as a member of the family rather than a paying guest • Providing a kind, caring English-speaking environment • Providing a comfortable private study bedroom with internet access • Being close to transport links to the University For further information and application form please visit our website http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/university-life/ accommodation/becoming-a-homestay-host or contact Student Housing Services on 01225 875843 or email accommodation@bathspa.ac.uk.
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RICHARDSON SWIFT STRENGTHENS ITS TAX AND AUDIT TEAM Richardson Swift Chartered Accountants have appointed a new head of personal tax in order to strengthen their existing tax team
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ath based Calvin Healy, has joined the firm after gaining substantial experience in the Bath office of national firm Moore Stephens. After graduating from the University of Bath in 1999 he moved into accountancy and gained his ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) qualification in 2003. Calvin’s main area of interest was tax and he subsequently gained CTA (Chartered Tax Advisor) status before moving to a Tax Manager role during 2007 where he gained a broad range of expertise, mainly focussed on private client tax affairs. As well as overseeing the firm’s personal tax compliance function, and in addition to dealing with various technical personal tax issues, Calvin will be providing specialist tax planning advice to Richardson Swift’s growing number of private clients. His specialities include advising on inheritance tax related matters, trust and estate planning, property taxation and UK tax residence issues. One of Calvin’s current topics of interest concerns homeowners and the tax reliefs available on the sale of property. Over the past year there has been a growing number of court cases concerning principal private residence relief reflecting H M Revenue and Customs activity in this area. Calvin adds “This is no surprise considering that property ownership is a national obsession and coupled with the fact that property prices have soared over recent years - the relief is therefore of great interest to taxpayers and HM Revenue and Customs alike”. Calvin is also keeping a close eye on the proposed changes to the rules surrounding the right to elect which property is a taxpayer’s main residence. Under current rules if a taxpayer has two residences it is possible to formally elect which one should be considered the main residence. The proposed changes may lead to a withdrawal of the right to elect which could have significant tax consequences. Also joining Richardson Swift is Catherine Edwards, who will be taking on the role of audit manager. Catherine will play a key role overseeing auditing processes on behalf of Richardson Swift's many business clients. The firm has seen growing demand for its specialist auditing services among ownermanaged businesses of all sizes. Catherine was previously an audit manager with Baker Tilly, based in their Bristol office, looking after a varied client portfolio of business and charity clients. Prior to this she oversaw the audit team of Bath firm Robson Taylor until their merger with Baker Tilly in 2010, and this role sees a return to working closer to her home in Bath. Catherine joined Robson Taylor in 2002 as a part qualified trainee in the audit department, progressing through the roles within the department to manager. She qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2004. The majority of her experience is in working with owner-managed businesses, large and small, and across a variety of sectors. Recent years have seen increased audit regulation, Catherine is practiced at ensuring the compliance requirements are met efficiently whilst identifying areas where businesses can improve their internal systems to develop robust processes and controls. The ongoing convergence of UK Accounting Standards with International Accounting Standards will present new challenges for Limited companies in the coming years with the introduction of new accounting standards, FRS100 to 102. These change the regulations regarding the presentation of a number of items, such as goodwill and investment properties. Catherine will be identifying the relevant areas for each of Richardson Swift’s clients to ensure they are aware of the impact on their own financial statements and that any information required for the transition is collated on a timely basis. WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
Catherine Edwards and Calvin Healy
www.richardsonswift.co.uk 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL • 01225 325 580 JUNE 2014
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RELAX AND REWIND: Dormy House Hotel and its brand new spa have been the subject of a multi-million pound refurbishment – but all is cosy and welcoming
A fresh take on the Cotswolds Georgette McCready visits the historic hills and valleys and finds beyond the traditional tearooms and antique shops a country house hotel and spa that takes a very modern attitude to enjoying our leisure time
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ou’re not considered successful these days unless you’re seen to be busy, busy busy, on the edge of being stressed, but keen to be seen to be dealing with it. It’s almost a status symbol to be in a state of perpetual motion, dashing from one appointment to the next with barely time to breath in between. Whatever happened to the gentle art of doing nothing, of kicking back and switching off the mobile and the mind? Do we no longer recognise that sometimes our bodies and our brains need a break? How does a short break in the Cotswolds, far from the pressures of life sound? The newly refurbished Dormy House Hotel in the Cotwolds is keen that we should rediscover the lost art of relaxation. The hotel, independently owned and independently minded, has just enjoyed a £10m makeover, with its mission to ensure that its guests can enter its threshold certain that someone else will take care of all their little niggles during their stay. Take a turning off the main road at the top of the steep Fish Hill which is near the picturesque village of Broadway and you’ll come upon the sanctuary of Dormy House. I’m with Mark Twain on the subject of golf, viewing it as a good walk spoilt, but if you’re into hitting a ball with a stick into a series of holes in the ground, Broadway Golf Club greens lie yards from the hotel and guests are offered day rates to play. It seems the hotel owes its name to golf. The term ‘dormy’ means the player is so far up in his game that he can afford to relax, almost sleep, his way to a win. But this self-confessed sybarite was less interested in the golf than in trying out the new House Spa, opened only a few weeks before our visit, promising – and delightfully delivering – the delights of an indoor 16 metre long infinity pool, an outdoor hot bubble bath and series of thermal rooms. Dormy’s interior is a mix of traditional Cotswold farmhouse, all open fires, flagged floors and old wood panelling, with the contemporary luxury of big comfy sofas, coffee tables stocked with glossy picture books to curl up with and the overall vibe of ‘it’s OK to put your feet up, that’s what the furniture is for.’ The service is attentive and thoughtful – during our stay there appeared to be a man whose sole duty was to keep the home fires burning in all the lounges to keep us warm and toasty. Our room was a magnificent Splendid suite, complete with freestanding metal roll top bath in the bathroom. There was free Wifi, an iPad of useful information about the hotel and the area, a Nespresso coffee machine and, a little bottle of fresh milk. If you could tear yourself away from lounging on 62 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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the huge pile of pillows on the simply enormous bed, the spa beckoned. We didn’t even have to cross the reception area in our white fluffy bathrobes to reach the spa – it’s approached by a handy internal staircase. You could use the gym, I suppose, although you’d be crazy to miss the chance to wallow, lounge, steam, float and generally laze about. Bliss. I was also lucky enough to be treated to a House Spa signature truffle and Champagne treatment using the fabulous British range of Temple Spa products. I was impressed by this natural, paraben-free range as administered by therapist Lucy who managed to soothe the knots out of hunched shoulders and thoroughly moisturise my face and scalp. It’s always a good sign of a treatment that you emerge feeling slightly spaced out and a little giggly. I came gently back down to earth in the sunny lounge bar with its wall-tofloor glass doors reviving myself with a red berry sorbet. More hotels are beginning to realise that their guests, while enjoying a spot of fine dining, also like the opportunity to eat somewhere more informal. Dormy offers both and we opted to eat in the former hotel bar, now The Potting Shed, which offers hearty and well presented classics including steak and chips, fish pie and beef bourguignon and mashed potato. The easy going but efficient service continued after dinner as we found a quiet corner in one of the lounges to get stuck into a couple of competitive games of Scrabble (I don’t know Mark Twain’s views on that game) over a bottle of French red. The hotel, high up in the Cotswolds, is a good place to use as a base for forays out into the surrounding countryside and villages. We spent a happy hour at the Tudor House museum in Broadway, associated with the Ashmolean in Oxford, and some time in the tourist honeypot Bourton-the-Water, where you can’t move for pensioners in matching rainwear drifting from tearoom to tearoom. The model village is quite fun though, worth a wander. One of the finest gardens in the country, Hidcote lies just a few miles away, near Chipping Campden. This National Trust garden, the subject of a recent BBC documentary, was created by Lawrence Johnston over a period of more than 30 years at the turn of the century. He travelled abroad and brought back specimens of plants previously unknown to British gardeners, but which would be familiar to many modern gardeners. If you’re visiting in June the old-fashioned roses should provide a fabulous, romantic display. Another National Trust worth seeking out, especially if you have curious children, is Snowshill Manor and gardens, just south of Broadway. The
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DAYS OUT: above, the National Trust properties Hidcote and, right, Snowshill Manor offer very different experiences
manor house is home to a series of weird and wonderful items collected by the eccentric former owner Charles Wade. The house is kept in semi-darkness, as he intended, which I like to think excused my shriek of shock as I peered into a room filled with empty suits of Samurai warriors, their collective eyeless gaze extremely unnerving. Back at Dormy House, the next morning, we enjoyed our delightful breakfast (as ever the service was impeccable) overlooking the gardens in which no less than nine men laboured intensively. We learned later that the gardens in this most delightful spot up in the hills are in the process of being laid out and promise to be quite a spectacle later in the year. ■
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● Dormy House Hotel, Willersley Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire, WR12 7LF, tel: 01386 859910 is a privately owned hotel. ● There are 40 rooms and suites, all fitted with iPad inroom information, wireless internet, Nespresso coffee machine, full room service. Young visitors are presented with goodie bags. Look out for the little owl in various guises, it’s the hotel’s lucky mascot. Guests dine in the restaurant, The Garden Room, or the more informal Potting Shed with menus overseen by Michelin starred executive chef John Wood.
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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON
FUN FOR ALL It’s Father’s Day on Sunday 15 June, so have some fun with dads by getting out and about with this month’s guide to family events indoors and out Family workshop: polymer clay modelling with Charlotte Stowell Sunday 22 June, 2.30pm – 3.30pm The Holburne Museum, Sydney Gardens, Bath Discover how Charlotte makes colourful models, decorations and jewellery with polymer clay. Create some pieces to take home. £5 per adult with up to four accompanied children. Tel: 01225 388569.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Wednesday 28 May – Sunday 1 June Theatre Royal, Bath Michael Rosen’s children’s book is brought vividly to life with this stage version. A family ticket for four people is £44. For tickets tel: 01225 448844 or visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk. Dunkerton Fair and Dog Show Saturday 7 June, 2pm Dunkerton village, North East Somerset Does your pet have the waggiest tail or the friendliest nature? Why not take the family dog along to enter the dog show at this traditional village fair. Enjoy stalls, games, children’s races, duck race and an egg-throwing competition. Mice on Skates! Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, 11am and 3pm Bathwick Community Centre, St John’s Road, Bath (Sat) and 44AD Gallery, Lower Borough Walls, Bath (Sun) Tel: 01225 330585 Two intrepid rodents discover that having wheels is a) a great way to escape from cats and b) a fantastic way to see the world. As they broaden their horizons they bump into mice all over Europe exchanging skating tricks and sampling previously undiscovered cheeses as they go. A playful 50 minutes that blends puppetry, live music and physical theatre. Tickets: £5 all ages. Visit: www.flyinapie.com. Chaucer’s The Pardoner’s Tale Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 June, times vary The egg Theatre, Bath Tangere Arts presents a fresh version of Chaucer’s 700-year-old tale, using live music, songs and sound effects created from everyday objects. Suitable for children aged eight and over. Tickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions). Tel: 01225 448844 or 01225 823409. Also at the egg this month The PoetryJoe Show Saturday 21 June, 11.30am and 3pm PoetryJoe, star pf Cbeebies’ Rhyme Rocket brings his light-up, pop-up world with an interactive show that has fun with words. Suitable for children aged three to six. Tickets: £7.50 (£6.50 concessions.)
Tessitoura presents: Hansel and Gretel Friday 27 June, 7.30pm The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath This is a family-friendly opera, sung in English, based on the Brothers Grimm tale and written by the original Engelbert Humperdinck. A gentle introduction to opera for young people, complete with a small chamber orchestra. Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions), tel: 01225 463362. Wallace & Gromit at The M-SHed
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Garlic Theatre presents: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Saturday 14 June, 1pm and 3pm The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham A bewitching tale, full of mystery and enchantment, with a blend of physical theatre, humour and technical wizardry. Puppets, mime and a dash of real magic to enthrall adults and children. Suitable for children aged four and over. Tickets: £6.50 (£5.50 concessions), £20 family. Tel: 01249 701628 or visit: www.poundarts.org.uk.
Poetry Joe
Summer Nature Day at Bath City Farm
Bath Natural History Society presents: Summer Nature Day Saturday 21 June, 11am – 4pm Bath City Farm, Kelston View, Bath Come and see the wildlife at its “buzziest” time of year. Guided nature-spotting with the experts. Pond-dipping, tree-shaking and bug-hunting – can we find 100 species? Just turn up and join in. 64 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Wallace and Gromit from the Drawing Board Until 7 September M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol BS1 4RN Celebrate the stories and creative talent behind Wallace and Gromit on the 25th anniversary of their first film release. Wander through a home developed by Aardman and experience the quirky and unexpected.Tickets, adult: £5.95, child: £3.95, concessions: £4.95, family tickets: £14.95. Tel: 0117 352 6914. Tue-Sun 10am-4.30pm. Planning ahead Independence Day family picnic Friday 4 July, 5.30pm – 8.30pm The American Museum, Claverton, Bath Celebrate American Independence Day with the family. Enjoy an outdoor evening of music, food, and fun as Kabinrock play some classic rock ‘n’ roll. Entrance: £2 adults, £1 children, £5 family. BBQ, drinks, ice-cream, and snacks available. Wiltshire Young Musicians’ Summer Festival Concert Sunday 13 July, 2pm and 7.30pm Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon Enjoy a spirited and engaging concert by some of the county’s finest emerging orchestra players. Tickets: £6 (£3 concessions) tel: 01225 860100 or visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk. ■
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High Quality Childcare and Educa on in the Heart of Bath Why not come and see us. To book an appointment at any me please call the nursery on 01225 487858.
We look forward to mee ng you to discuss how we can help you and your child get the best from their nursery experience.
guinealane@thebathnurserycompany.co.uk 01225 487 858 St Mary’s Church Hall, Guinea Lane, BA1 5NB. www.thebathnurserycompany.co.uk
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SCHOOL REPORT
PITMAN TRAINING DIPLOMAS ARE DESIGNED TO GET YOU A GREAT JOB IN YOUR AREA From Admin Assistant to Office Manager From Secretary (incl. Legal & Medical) to Executive PA Or Accounting Technician
With your Pitman Training Diploma, you’ll get: ■ Flexibility to fit your training around home and work commitments
Prior Park College: Four girls from Prior Park have been recognised for their achievements at Team Bath Netball Club’s end of season presentation evening at the University of Bath. Charlotte Robinson, Year 11 student and member of the College A team, was given the award for coach’s player. Charlotte was selected to be captain of her U16A team and is aiming to play with one of the senior Team Bath teams next year. Georgia Freeman, a Year 10 student was awarded most improved player for her U16 team. Year 9 student Rosie Granger and Year 8 student Tara Kearney were both presented with the most improved player award for their hard work.
Calder House School: Pupils have done exceptionally well in this year’s English Speaking Board exams. Every single child at the Colerne based school, which specialises in helping children with learning difficulties successfully return to mainstream education, took the exam – and every single child passed, with 85% of pupils achieving either a merit plus or a distinction, the two highest grades. The ESB exam is an external examination designed to test reading and public speaking skills. Each child has to recite a poem, read aloud from a book, give a talk and answer questions. It focuses on the very things which children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia find most difficult. Headteacher Andrew Day said: “Many pupils arrive at Calder House with real reading difficulties and very low self-esteem. Within a short space of time – as these results show – we give them their confidence back and teach them the skills they need to become enthusiastic readers who are ready to return to mainstream.” Ralph Allen School: The Lee Building Sixth Form Centre at Ralph Allen School by Feilden Fowles Architects in association with Bath-based FCB Studios has won an RIBA South West Award 2014 from the Royal Institute of British Architects. Former pupil Fergus Feilden returned to the school as lead designer of the new building made from cross laminated timber (CLT) panels that remain visible internally, offering a warm, domestic glow to what are otherwise large spaces; and a rammed earth feature wall, using earth from the site, in the lower floor.
University of Bath: A 22year-old final year business student, Baran Ceylan, has been named the UK’s Future Business Leader of the Year after a rigorous and competitive process at the National TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2014. He was presented the award by veteran journalist Sir Trevor McDonald and Julia Digby from Mars at the ceremony in Canary Wharf, pictured. The award was sponsored by Mars, which has offered Baran a paid internship in Chicago. Baran was also PwC and Bright-Futures UK National Business Champion in 2011. He founded Wordme, a greetings card company (www.wordme.co.uk) which has financial backing and has secured retailers across the UK. His work experience record includes placements in the UK, Dubai and Turkey, and two six-month placements at Unilever and L’Oreal, as well as summer internships at PwC and AkBank. Professor Hope Hailey, the Dean of the School of Management at the university said: “Baran has already accomplished so much during his time on the BSc in Business Administration at Bath, one of the top business degrees in the UK. We will be watching to see how his career progresses after he graduates. ”
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BOOKS | REVIEW
Books for Summer reading From Reptiles to Recipes - Topping & Co bookshop in the Paragon picks six books for you to enjoy
1 Edward Bawden’s Kew Gardens by Edward Bawden Victoria & Albert Museum, £20 This beautifully illustrated book celebrates the long infatuation that Edward Bawden, painter, artist, and illustrator had with Kew Gardens, and draws on the illustrations, posters and linocuts he made over 60 years. Perhaps the gems in the book are a lavish reproduction of Bawden’s previously unpublished guide, written and drawn when he was 19, and his illustrations to Robert Herring’s 1930 Adam and Evelyn at Kew. For those who’ve been to Kew, the book will act as a lovely souvenir and aide-memoir. And for those who haven’t – it’ll spur you to make the trip.
2 The Stories by Jane Gardam Abacus, £20 Jane Gardam is one of our finest writers, her writing is psychologically acute, exhilarating, and always emotionally gripping. In this personal selection of her own favourite short stories, Jane Gardam’s preoccupations with the capricious vagaries of the human heart, with the sly undertones running through everything we say, to the unspoken daily moral choices we all make are all prevalent. One comes away with a feeling of having been involved in the lives of real people, not imaginary characters. 3 Cold Blood: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians by Richard Kerridge Chatto & Windus, £16.99 As a boy, Richard Kerridge loved to encounter wild creatures and catch them for his back garden zoo. In a country without many large animals, newts caught his attention as the nearest he could get to the African wildlife he watched on television. Part natural-history guide, part passionate nature writing, and part personal story, Cold Blood is an original and perceptive memoir about our relationship with nature. and a compelling memoir of a young boy’s love of nature and natural history.
4 Lost for Words by Edward St Aubyn Picador, £12.99 With his Patrick Melorose novels Edward St Aubyn confirmed his standing as one of our great literary writers, with a fine elegant style that was both capable of handling pathos, tragedy and heartbreaking humour. In Lost for Words we follow the judges of the Elysian Prize for fiction and the hopeful authors desperate for literary glory. From the chairman of the judges standing up for the reader, to the judge who will consider a book on its length rather than quality, the novel is a thinly-veiled, brilliant satire on literary life and the Man Booker Prize. In a real-life twist, St, Aubyn’s satire has just won the Wodehouse Prize for the most comic novel of 2014. 5 Morito by Sam & Sam Clark Ebury Press, £26 Tucked away in the heart of London’s Exmouth Market lies Morito, younger sibling of the hugely successful Moro. This Spanish tapas bar run by a husband and wife team, has been attracting queues and acclaim. Morito is a not only a celebration of the delicious, innovative food that has inspired such love and devotion but also a wonderful cookbook, full of small plate recipes that you can make at home, from Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt.
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Retirement choice that’s right for you
Woodland Court’s retirement living concept offers a new lifestyle alternative for older people. We provide you with the opportunity to enjoy genuine independence, together with the option to call upon professional care and support to suit changing needs. Living at Woodland Court allows you to live in your own home with a lifestyle of your choosing. For more information and to request a brochure, contact us by: Phone: 0117 906 1400 Email:woodlandenquiries@brunelcare.org.uk Post: Woodland Court, Partridge Drive (off Overndale Road), Downend, Bristol, BS16 2RF www.woodlandcourt.org.uk
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HEALTH | & BEAUTY
Run for a good cause Bath Half Marathon (BATHALF) organisers picked the main charities it will support for the 2015 race, which takes place on Sunday 1 March. The lead charity will be the Teenage Cancer Trust. Jamie’s Farm is the official fun run charity, Bath Rugby Foundation is local charity of the year and the RUH Forever Friends Appeal will return as the featured appeal. There is plenty of time, even if you’ve never done more than run for the bus, to train and take part in next year’s race and raise money for your favourite good cause. The 2014 event raised in excess of £2m for charities. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to caring for 13 to 24-year-olds diagnosed with cancer. The trust funds and builds specialist units in NHS hospitals and provides dedicated staff. This will be the first time that Bath Rugby Foundation, which aims to enhance young people’s lives through sport, has been named as one of the BATHALF’s featured charities. Jamie’s Farm transforms the lives of vulnerable children between the ages of 11-16 in urban schools by inviting them to stay on a farm near Bath, where they are involved with the daily running of the farm. Jamie Feilden of Jamie’s Farm said: “In the last year we have had pupils who have been living in a car; pupils who struggle to build trusting relationships with adults due to horrific levels of abuse and neglect; and pupils whose futures are in jeopardy due to involvement in gangs. By giving them a chance to reflect on their lives without negative influences and feel proud of achieving in real farm jobs, they are able to commit to making sustained improvements in their lives.” The BATHALF is working with more than 80 local and national charities. For more details on how to run for charity, visit www.bathhalf.co.uk/charities. For more information or to secure your place, visit www.bathhalf.co.uk or call 01225 422255.
FIT & FAB Look good and feel great as we step into summer
Pretty in pastels
These oh-so English summer clothes are designed and handmade by Bath designer Amy Laws, using hand screen printing of her own illustrations. Find the There’s Only One Amy Laws range at Bath and Frome artisan markets, or at: www.theresonlyoneamylaws.co.uk. Flamingo dress, £55, ice cream skirt £25, which can be made in sizes from 8-16. McArthurGlen’s Swindon Designer Outlet, which is expanding, is a good place to go hunting for a holiday wardrobe. Labels include French Connection, Fossil, Kurt Geiger, Lacoste, Hobbs, Austin Reed, Sunglass Hut and Ted Baker, all with year-round savings of up to 60%. The centre is at Kemble near Swindon, postcode SN2 2DY.
Clinical support Spire The Glen Hospital in Bristol has appointed Kate Hoffmann as matron and head of clinical services in a move designed to support the hospital’s expansion of services. With 28 years of experience, Kate is wellpositioned to take on this senior role at the south west’s largest private hospital, and will be responsible for providing leadership to all clinical areas. The hospital, based in Clifton on Durham Down, employs more than 450 staff and works with more than 300 consultants and is a centre of excellence for cardiology. In July Spire Healthcare plans to open a specialist care centre for cancer treatment at Aztec West in Bristol.
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COVER-UP: Ted Baker floral cardigan, £65 (usually £95)
SUNDRESS: French Connection, £48 (usually £120)
FESTIVAL FUN: Claire’s Accessories floral headband, £3 (usually £6)
MAX OUT: Ted Baker maxi, £149 (usually £229)
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Bristol Laser Vision at Bristol Eye Hospital Celebrates its First Birthday! As the service at Bristol Laser Vision moves into its second year, patients are delighted with their results following Laser Eye Surgery. Why not join them?
T
he team at Bristol Laser Vision are thrilled to have celebrated their First Birthday. Since launching in April 2013, they have continued to provide patients throughout the South West with a locally delivered refractive surgery service, offering bespoke laser eye surgery and refractive lens exchange procedures using state-of-the-art technology, within the safe and trusted surroundings of Bristol Eye Hospital. Key to their success says Consultant Lead for the service, Mr Philip Jaycock, is that “Our patients remain at the heart of everything we do. It’s extremely important to us that patients receive the best care and the best treatments for them and their eyes. We are proud to say that 100% of patients surveyed would recommend Bristol Laser Vision to others.”
Rachael – Treated in November 2013 “Right from my initial consultation, Bristol Laser Vision offered expert advice and thorough testing to ensure my treatment was tailored to my needs. I felt very reassured on the day and the procedure was professionally carried out, alongside a caring and friendly experience. After a period of recovery my sight improved unbelievably well and my vision is now perfect. I can now live without the cost of contact lenses and hassle of glasses – I am delighted.” So if you’re fed up with your glasses or contact lenses and are considering the increasingly popular solution offered by laser eye surgery, why not join the delighted patients who have chosen Bristol Laser Vision at Bristol Eye Hospital to care for their eyes? Book a consultation with Bristol Laser Vision today and take the next step towards a hassle free life and enjoy a clearer view. For further information, or to book a consultation, contact Bristol Laser Vision. T: 0117 342 1600 E: info@bristollaservision.co.uk W: www.bristollaservision.co.uk WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
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WE’VE MOVED! After 10 years at 10 Chapel Row, we have just moved to 3 Chapel Row so note our new address and phone number. To celebrate the move, all treatments now have special prices for June. Visits by appointment only. Please ring for details of the offer prices and to book to see us. Must bring this advert with you when you come to see us. If it’s your first time with us don’t worry – all consultations are free and no obligation to purchase after you’ve seen us.
Save u p to 50% this Ju ne
Call 07581414488 or email enquiries@thelifestyleclinic.co.uk or visit the website www.thelifestyleclinic.co.uk Laser Hair Removal : Facial Red Vein Removal : Leg Vein Removal : Injections for Lines and Wrinkles : Restylane Dermal Fillers : Lip Augmentation : Fat Reduction : Radiofrequency Skin Tightening : Endermologie Cellulite Reduction : Facial Rejuvenation. Scar Reduction : Stretch Mark Reduction : Microdermabrasion : Facial Rejuvenation
Lifestyle medical beauty clinic 3 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HN We are also at: The Hall, 4, New Street, Salisbury, SP1 2QJ • tel: 07581414488
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the orangery l a s e r
&
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Specialists in Ellipse IPL Hair Reduction & Skin Rejuvenation Treatments The Orangery Laser & Beauty Clinic, a name you can trust has been established for over 21 years and is situated in the centre of Bath. We offer the latest in IPL technology, the Ellipse Light SPT Plus. Clinically proven by leading doctors to be safe and effective and the best hair removal system in the world. This system also treats;
Sun Damaged Skin • Facial Thread Veins • Acne
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50% off All courses of 6 IPL Permanent Hair Reduction Treatments We invite you to come for a FREE no obligation consultation & patch test with one of our friendly therapists during which we will discuss your requirements, talk you through the treatments & answer any questions you may have.
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TOP 10 WINNER OF BEST OF BATH
All offers are available until the 30th June 2014
AWARDS 2014
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THE WALK
AFTER THE FLOODS: the Levels between Langport and Mulcheney and right, the view from Langport churchyard across to Mulcheney’s church
Water pumps and hunky punks There are still traces of what medieval life was like on the Somerset Levels, as Andrew Swift discovers during a stroll around the villages of Mulcheney, Langport and a visit to the historic Eli’s pub with no bar (but don’t worry, it has beer)
I
t seems like no time at all since Muchelney was featuring nightly in national news bulletins, with scenes of flooded fields, abandoned cars and inundated homes. Go there today, though, and the village so recently accessible only by boat is very much back in business. And it is to Muchelney – where the spirit of the Middle Ages lingers even more potently than the memory of the floods – that we head for this month’s walk. We start, though, in Langport, founded in Saxon times, and for centuries – until the railway took its trade away – one of Somerset’s principal ports. Two railway lines served the town, but both its stations closed in the 1960s, and, on the line that survives, trains now speed through on their way west. It is a thriving place, though – with many fascinating old buildings – and a large car park opposite the town hall, where the walk starts. This is a level walk on footpaths, quiet lanes and pavements. ❶ Beyond the long-stay parking at the far end (ST419266), head onto the old towpath alongside the River Parrett and turn left across a footbridge. High above you on the left is the tower of All Saints Church, with one of Langport’s grandest houses – the Gateway – to its right. As you carry on, look further east to see the tower of Huish Episcopi church. ❷ After 600 metres, turn right across a bridge. Carry on past a gate on the left with a signpost to Muchelney, but, after crossing a stone bridge, turn left to follow the River Parrett Trail. As you follow the river’s windings, the tower of Muchelney church appears ahead. ❸ After 1,000 metres, when you come to a lane, bear left to visit the site of one of Somerset’s greatest abbeys. The abbot’s lodging – converted to a farmhouse after the dissolution – is a miraculous survival. Now cared for by English Heritage, it is open daily and dogs on leads are welcome. Among Muchelney’s other treasures are the church, a 14th century priest’s house, owned by the National Trust, and John Leach’s Pottery. ❹ Head out of Muchelney along the same lane you came in on, but carry on past the turning for the River Parrett Trail. After another 200 metres, you will see abutments for a bridge that carried the Yeovil-Taunton railway across the road. Just beyond them, turn right to follow the old trackbed north. ❺ After 1,700 metres, with the way ahead blocked, turn right and then left 72 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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to continue along the Parrett Cycleway past the site of the station. Carry on to the main road and cross over to the former Railway Hotel, where an ingenious drawbridge once led to the main entrance. ❻ Turn right and, as you cross the river, look to your left to see an eco-home development on the site of a wharf. Ahead is a warehouse built for the Parrett Navigation Company, with a ghost sign on its far wall. The redbrick building beyond it was the wharf master’s house. The Baulk Yard opposite was where timber was stored to dry. Bow Street, along which you are walking, was built as a causeway on a series of arches – or bows. The front walls of the buildings on either side were built on the causeway, but their back walls often had less substantial foundations, with the result that many appear to be toppling backward. Look out for an artesian tube well from 1878 just past the vets and an old inn sign beside the longclosed Dolphin. Further along, another once grand coaching inn – the Angel – is now a church café. ❼ Opposite the entrance to the car park, head through an archway under the town hall – past a gas star and a Civil War fireback – and carry on past the pump that saved Langport. ❽ Go through a gate at the end of the garden onto the Moor, where you will see a viaduct carrying the West of England main line in the distance. Turn right along a path for 250 metres before turning right past a supermarket. At the road, cross at the zebra and turn right. ❾ After 100 metres, opposite the old Black Swan – now a wine bar – turn left up Priest Lane. After passing a seriously bowed wall, you emerge by St Gildas’ Court. Ahead is All Saints church, closed in 1994, but noted for its gargoyles (known as ‘hunky punks’), the medieval glass in its east window and the views towards Muchelney from its churchyard. ❿ A left turn leads to Langport’s best-known feature, a medieval hanging chapel. If you go through its archway and carry on for 750 metres, past Huish Episcopi church and along the main road, you will come to one of Somerset’s most celebrated traditional pubs, the Rose & Crown. Known as Eli’s after Elijah Scott, grandfather of the present owners, it has been in the same family for almost 150 years. There is no bar counter in this pub: you walk straight
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THE WALK
FURTHER INFORMATION ■ ■ ■ ■
LOCAL SIGHTS: above, the curious and ancient hanging chapel and right, a window in the abbot’s lodging Opposite, a stone hunky punk at All Saints Church
into a tap room, with beer and cider served from the barrel, and a warren of tiny rooms leading off. The generous portions of home-cooked food are worth the trip alone. Alternatively, you may decide to head back after seeing the hanging chapel, heading down The Hill and past the Langport Arms to the car park, before driving out to Eli’s. There is plenty more to see nearby as well. Six miles to the south, in the lanes west of Kingsbury Episcopi, is Burrow Hill Cider, home of Somerset Cider Brandy, while East Lambrook Manor Gardens and the National Trust properties at Barrington Court and Tintinhull are less than five miles away. ■
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■
Length of walk: 4½ miles Map: OS Explorer 129 Approximate time: 2 – 3 hours Refreshment stops: The Rose & Crown (Eli’s), Huish Episcopi, TA10 9QT. Open 11.30-3pm; 5.30-11pm; all day Sunday. Food served 12-2pm; 5.30-7.30pm (not Sun eve). Tel: 01458 250494. Nearby attractions: Muchelney Abbey is open daily 10-5pm. Visit: www.englishheritage.org.uk/daysout/ properties/muchelney-abbey. The Priest’s House, Muchelney is open Sunday and Monday, 2-5pm. Visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ priests-house-muchelney. Somerset Cider Brandy and Burrow Hill Cider at Pass Vale Farm, Burrow Hill, TA12 6BU, open Monday to Saturday, 9-5.30pm. Visit: www.ciderbrandy.co.uk.
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CITY | GARDENING
It’s all about shape and form Scent,structure and striking planting are Sue Haskins’ signature style in her Bath garden, says Jane Moore after an open day under the NGS Yellow Book project
O
ne of the great things about visiting Yellow Book gardens is that you never know what is waiting around the corner for you. The most unassuming frontage could hide a mini Great Dixter, babbling brooks and waterfalls, an arboretum or a pond verging on the size of a lake, complete with swans. You may think I’m getting carried away but I’ve seen it all in NGS gardens before now. Consequently I’m always excited at the prospect of visiting an NGS garden that’s new to me. Despite the fact that Sue’s garden in Weston is a mere trot around the corner from the Priory I haven’t visited it before, yet it feels familiar. The house bears such a striking similarity to The Priory in so many respects that Sue is probably right in thinking they were built by the same hand. There the similarities end abruptly. Where the Priory’s garden is still essentially the late Victorian layout, Sue’s is a very modern creation. By that I don’t mean modern in style, far from it. Like an international supermodel, this garden has spectacular bone structure but with classically beautiful lines. The intricate design leads you through a series of garden rooms, all evoking different colours and themes. Hedges, arches and trained trees separate different areas while underfoot paving and steps give way to gravel and lawn. Walking through this garden is most definitely a journey but within these strict confines Sue uses different plants to add colour, scent and softness. “I love gardens that have structure but where the plants have got a bit out of control,” she laughs. “Tidy but bountiful is what I’m aiming for.” When the Haskins bought the house in 2000 Sue started on the garden straight away and spent the first few years designing, levelling and terracing.
❝ THE BONUS IS WHEN IT FLOWERS. THEY’RE BEAUTIFUL AND THE SCENT IS A KNOCKOUT, FILLING THE GARDEN AND COMING THROUGH THE WINDOWS INTO THE HOUSE
❞ It was two years before she planted a thing. “I wanted to stop the house looking so shocked in its plot,” she says. “There was this big tall house with a sloping lawn and a single tree so I just started designing and it escalated. I look at it now and think blimey, how did I do all that!” Defining Sue’s style of gardening is tricky as she’s so eclectic in her taste for plants and planting styles. At Glenfield you’ll find a dainty herb garden with neatly trimmed box topiaries and standard bays rubbing shoulders with a woodland border of Epimediums, Brunnera Jack Frost and tree peonies shaded over by a magnificent beech. In a sunny spot by the summer room Sue has planted Italian cypress, lavenders, cistus and other sun worshippers, with euphorbias self seeded and dotted in the gravel. Overall her abiding passion for roses stands out. They are everywhere: festooning arches and walls; Veichenblau draped over a pergola, the fabulously scented Sharifa Asma lining the lawn and the lovely rosa mutabilis in the purple and pink garden. One entire bed of Elina or Peaudouce is dedicated for cutting so Sue can fill the house as well as the garden with roses. “I’d choose something with scent over another plant every time,” says Sue, “There is nothing better and roses have some of the best fragrances of all.” Earlier in the season Sue has hellebores, tulips and a striking show of alliums but it’s also her choice of trees which gives the garden its structure and sense of drama. A pleached lime avenue bisects the garden adding length and height to a garden that is broader than it is long. Domes of Ulmus glabra Camperdownii squat at the foot of some steps like a pair of owls shrouded 76 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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in their wings. Yew and box hedges and topiary are trimmed immaculately and even the great catalpa gets a regular prune to keep it pleasing to Sue’s exacting eye. “It’s probably my favourite tree in the garden,” she says. “I love the size of the leaves and that they’re deep purple when opening out in the spring. But the bonus is when it flowers. They’re beautiful and the scent is a knockout, filling the garden and coming through the windows into the house.” Like many of the plants in Sue’s garden the catalpa earned its place through its structure and form but since then it’s the flowers and their scent which have won her heart. And it’s this combination of firmly laid out hedges, paths and steps, softened by scent and flowers that makes Glenfield rather special.
Weston Open Gardens Open under the National Garden Scheme, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June, 1pm – 5pm. 94 Broadmoor Lane: large south west facing sloping garden with beautiful views up to Kelston Round Hill. Herbaceous borders, roses, clematis and wisteria. Terracing and raised vegetable garden, soft fruit, rockery with alpines. 9 Church Road: a third of an acre. Colour-themed shrubs, herbaceous plants, ferns and annuals. Summerhouse. Numerous sitting areas. Rear walled
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GOOD BONE STRUCTURE: opposite, the catalpa tree in flower and above, formally laid out outdoor rooms at Glenfield garden with rose garden pond and waterfall. 45a Combe Park: (Winner Bath in Bloom 2012) walled garden creatively landscaped on three levels. Raised borders of colour-themed perennials, grasses, phormiums and acers. Tree fernery, pond, secluded seating areas. Glenfield: A one acre plot laid out in a formal design with series of rooms. Herb garden, woodland walk, pastel sunken garden, kitchen garden, exuberant rose pergola. Mulberry: enclosed town garden in Victorian style, combining formality with informal planting. Period style greenhouse and summerhouse, ornamental lily pond, rose arches, scented climbers. Mature mulberry tree. Other gardens to visit in June: Lansdown open gardens, Sunday 8 June,
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2pm – 5.30pm: seven gardens open all near the Millennium Green, admission to all, £5 per adult, children free, available from St Stephen’s Centre, which will also be serving tea and cake, plus a plant and book stall on the Millennium Green There will be three small but varied town gardens in Lansdown Mews; two gardens in Charlcombe Lane overlooking the valley, one recently redesigned with an emphasis on exotic planting; a large town garden also recently redesigned and formally planted. There will also be a chance to see the gardens created by the children at St Stephen’s School on Beacon Hill. ■ Jane Moore is the award-winning gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel, Weston, Bath, follow her on Twitter @janethegardener.
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YOUR VISION, YOUR HOME T.Gannon & Son, construct a wide range of luxurious bespoke Orangeries and Extensions that maximise living space with a warm contemporary or traditional feel. In the last five years we have built over fifteen beautiful Orangeries & Extensions that ranged from open plan bespoke kitchens to contemporary relaxing living spaces. T.Gannon & Son take into consideration that every home is different and each build will be used for a different reason, this is why we work closely with our clients to design a bespoke Orangery/Extension that cater for your individual requirements. Our Design team will ensure that the look, style and finishing touches are perfect before the construction starts‌ making Your Vision, Your home. T.Gannon & Son also design and install gorgeous bespoke bathrooms and kitchens.We have created traditional bathrooms with high level cisterns, roll top slipper baths to the ultra-modern wet-rooms with deluge shower heads, floating wc’s and basins. Again we work closely with our clients to design and create the perfect bathroom/kitchen that will maximise the space giving to us. We always give our clients exactly what they want and by doing so we provide you with the perfect place for you unwind and relax. 78 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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“Every aspect of the build was perfect from start to finish; they truly are second to none and would recommend them to anyone” Mr and Mrs Johns, Barry
“We had heard amazing things about T.Gannon & Son and they exceeded all our big expectations. Tony and Nicky have a great balance when it comes to construction, Nicky’s intense attention to detail in the design gives you immediate confidence in the company, Tony is the ultimate perfectionist and this amounts to a friendly, family run construction company that is capable of supreme quality and immaculate finishes. We cannot sing there praises enough, 10/10” Mr and Mrs Newman, Cardiff
T. GANNON & SON 7 Your Vision, Your Home 6
www.gannonandson.co.uk • info@gannonandson.co.uk 07866945457 - 07773698393 WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
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C R E AT I N G G A R D E N S W H I C H S TA N D T H E T E S T O F T I M E W W W. R O S I E N O T TA G E . C O M 01225 427286 07967 316259
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ALCHEMY GARDEN DESIGN ...transforming your garden Louisebastow@googlemail.com 01179 040181 07929 253942 www.alchemygardens.co.uk
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We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £25.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £50.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 To subscribe just send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 P r i n c e s B u i l d i n g s , Ge o r g e S t r e e t , B a t h B A 1 2 E D o r Tel eph o n e 0 1 22 5 42 4 4 9 9 f o r ca rd pa y m ent
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the directory
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PROPERTY | THINKING
What does a Letting Agency actually do for their money? Christina Smith, Senior Lettings Associate at The Apartment Company details the advantages of using a professional specialist letting agency and gives insight to what you are actually paying for…
B
efore letting your apartment, it’s worth considering everything that’s involved before deciding if you let privately, use a tenant introduction or fully managed service. A professional letting agent should make the journey that is letting your property, easier, smoother and much more simple. You can then relax, secure in the knowledge that someone has your best interests at heart; that there aren’t going to be any nasty surprises; that it’s all taken care of. At The Apartment Company, we’re finding that more landlords are opting for our comprehensive Fully Managed Service, because it’s cost effective and allows them to free up time to get on with their lives . Here’s a list of what’s involved and details of our fully managed service: • Marketing - We advertise in all the places the best tenants are looking, both in print and online • Presentation - We use the highest quality brochures with floor plans and professional photography to attract the type of tenants we know you want. • 100% focused - We specialise in quality apartments and that in turn attracts excellent tenants • Negotiation - We are experts in negotiating the right rent from the right tenants • Referencing - We vet your tenant to make sure they can afford the rent – an in-depth referencing process is key • Paperwork - We prepare, complete and manage lengthy paperwork and generally ensure that you are 100% compliant of all current rules and regulations • Property Preparation - We organise professional cleans, detailed inventories and all the check ins/outs and lay the foundations for a smooth let • Safety - We arrange for gas and electrical safety certificates ensuring you are legally compliant at all times • Support - We provide the best care for your tenants and deal with any genuine issues quickly and efficiently • Contacts - We use our excellent, long-standing contacts with local, reliable and reasonably priced contractors to deal with maintenance quickly • Rent Payments - We collect and manage your rent money so that you get paid on time. • Deposits - We lodge tenant deposits with the DPS an approved deposit schemes • In house sales team - We also keep our clients up-to-date with the current sales market and values So you see, renting out a property is quite a detailed process which does have potential pitfalls that can cost you time, effort and money. Our landlords can sleep at night knowing that their investment is in the safest expert hands. If you would like the peace of mind that our landlords receive, call us on 01225 303870 and find out why we are the best letting agent for you. For details on our forthcoming landlords evening, follow us on twitter for dates and speakers twitter: @apartmentco
Selling your property? Choose an agency with a great service Every month The Bath Magazine brings you a selection of properties from Bath's most commercially active estate agents. These agents advertise with us as part of their broad selection of print and online marketing to ensure your property is presented to the highest standard and to reach the greatest audience. If you are currently thinking of selling your property, then consider using one of The Bath Magazine’s featured estate agencies to give you the best possible service.
Bath’s biggest monthly magazine Also online at www.thebathmag.co.uk
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PRESENTING | PROPERTY
C
rossways stands in beautiful mature gardens, mainly facing south and east with wonderful far reaching views across some of the loveliest countryside in the county. The house was built circa 1840 and in keeping with the period has large, family oriented rooms with period features including attractive fireplaces, built in cupboards and shuttered windows. There are four floors of extremely flexible accommodation comprising: Self contained ground floor: Living room, kitchen 1, conservatory, two bedrooms (one with en suite bathroom), lower lobby and utility room. First floor: Hall, cloakroom, study, living room, dining room, sitting room, kitchen 2. Second floor: Four bedrooms, bathroom. Top floor: Three bedrooms, living room, kitchen 3, bathroom. The house stands in approximately 1.5 acres with lawned areas, a productive vegetable garden, greenhouse and duck pond. This is a truly magical garden with superb views. The grounds also house a detached stone built garage/studio which offers the potential for ancillary accommodation subject to consents. There is parking for numerous vehicles on the gravelled driveway. or an appointment to view this wonderfully atmospheric house contact agents Pritchards.
CROSSWAYS MONKTON COMBE • Eight bedrooms • Self contained ground floor • Potential ancillary accommodation • Approaching 1.5 acres. • Fabulous views
Guide price: £1.5 million Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225 WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
JUNE 2014
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PROPERTY | THINKING
Presenting Property...
TENBY LODGE SION HILL, BATH £1.8 million Tenby Lodge is a substantial, double fronted, detached family residence commanding a wonderful position in a quiet part of one of Bath's most sought after residential addressees. Built in the 1920's, the property has undergone a thorough and tasteful refurbishment retaining many original features but now offers a high standard of flexible accommodation with all the comforts of modern living. Tenby Lodge is superbly presented and internally features: entrance hall, an open-plan kitchen, dining and family room with bi-fold doors leading onto the pretty sun terraces and a charming sitting room. There's also a drawing room, TV room/occasional 5th bedroom, a guest cloakroom, pantry and utility room. On the first floor, there’s a large master bedroom with a high specification en suite bath and shower room, a guest bedroom with en suite shower room, and a further double bedroom and large family bathroom. The loft space has been stylishly converted to provide another large double bedroom and a bathroom which would make a perfect ‘den’ for teenagers. The beautifully landscaped south facing, walled gardens offer several terraces to enjoy spectacular, far reaching views. Plenty of parking and a timber framed garage. For further details and to view; contact the Bath office of Cobb Farr estate agents. Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 333332
86 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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JUNE 2014
pritchard-partners.co.uk
Corsham
A delightful end of terrace period property, set in beautiful landscaped gardens of approx half an acre. (Main image shows rear of property). Garage, ample off road parking & outbuilding. Kitchen, dining room, drawing room, sitting room, garden room, bedroom with en suite, 3 further bedrooms, bathroom, office/bed 5, wet room, utility, boot room. Int area 2420 sq ft/225 sq m.
Offers In Excess Of ÂŁ699,950
Holt nr Bradford on Avon
An impressive detached G II Listed former school, retaining a wealth of original charm & character. Peaceful village position with accomm. almost all on 1 level. (1462 sq ft/136 sq m). 3 double bedrooms, 2/3 receptions, kitchen with AGA. Large attractive South facing garden. Garage & parking. Views. Stone built outbuilding comprising 2 rooms & storeroom.
Price: ÂŁ635,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB
Tel: 01225 466 225
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Rivers Street Mews, Central Bath
£2,000 pcm
Tucked away down a quiet street in the heart of the city centre is this exclusive gated development of 6 new properties. This superb 2 bedroom mews house is a fantastic light and spacious property ideally situated just a stones throw from the centre of Bath and all of its amenities. The houses are all arranged around a central courtyard and the property has a designated secure parking space. EPC C. Available Immediately.
• • • • •
Bath Office
Lettings 01225 458546 | Sales. 01225 459817
New property Central location 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Parking
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Marlborough Buildings A spacious and stylish garden maisonette occupying the lower two floors of this Grade II Listed former Georgian Townhouse, carefully combining modern comforts with period features and charm. Located on Marlborough Buildings, one of Bath’s most highly sought-after addresses, the apartment enjoys a desirable position just a stone’s throw from The Royal Crescent and Victoria Park and is only a short level walk from Bath city centre.
Rent: £1,690 pcm* bright & spacious living room | modern fitted kitchen | substantial entrance hall | garden room | tastefully furnished | 2 large double bedrooms (1 en-suite) | dressing room | stunning contemporary shower room | private & peaceful garden Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk
*An administration fee of £350.00 + VAT applies.
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hunter french
town and country specialists
Biddestone
£425,000
An utterly charming, semi-detached Cotswold stone cottage which is listed grade II and retains immense charm and considerable character with many period features including stripped wooden floorboards and stone mullions windows. Entrance hall, sitting room with ‘Jotul’ wood burner, cottage style kitchen, hard wood conservatory, bathroom with utility cupboard, landing area, three bedrooms and a bathroom. The garden is a classic cottage style garden with garden office with wood burner and power. There is also a driveway with parking for two cars.
Broughton Gifford
£550,000
A handsome and spacious four double bedroom detached period home in a sought after village location boasting lovely gardens that back onto fields. Accommodation includes two reception rooms, study, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom/WC, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, three further double bedrooms, landing area and bathroom. Generous on drive parking, garage and attractive gardens to rear and side.
Corsham Office: 01249 715775 www.hunterfrench.co.uk
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e: info@hunterfrench.co.uk
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Bradford-on-Avon, £460,000
Wingfield, £575,000
Handsome detached home Sought after cul de sac location Near the canal Four bedrooms, master with ensuite Two receptions & conservatory Utility and cloak room Driveway parking & double garage!
Individual village home Four bedrooms, 2 with ensuite Good lounge & impressive conservatory Large kitchen dining room Garaging and driveway parking Stable Block, pool and large level gardens
Turleigh, Guide price £395,000
Trowle, £425,000
Inspiring renovation project Popular village location Three bedrooms Two receptions Pretty views from the first floor Garden and court yard to be tamed! Situated between Winsley and Bradford-on-Avon
Semi detached country home Four bedrooms 3 receptions, study & sun room Views over fields to the rear Good gardens to three sides Detached double garage with permission to extend for study or office
☎ 01225 866747 27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk
Fidelis
Residential Sales & Lettings
01225 421000 wwww.fidelisproperties.co.uk
Bloomfield Road
ÂŁ475,000
A Particularly Charming and Quirky 5 Bedroom Extended Cottage in a Popular Residential Road Reception Hall | Kitchen/Dining/Family Room | Living Room | Reception 2 | Cloakroom | Master Bedroom with En-suite Bathroom | 4 Further Bedrooms | Family Bathroom | Balcony | Garage | EPC Rating E
Bellotts Road
ÂŁ415,000
A Classic and Timeless 4 Bedroom Victorian Family Home with a Lovely Garden Living Room | Reception 2 | Kitchen/Dining Room | Utility Room | Shower Room | 4 Bedrooms | Bathroom | Office/Playroom | Lovely Garden | Driveway Parking | EPC Rating: E
Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH
Email: info@fidelisproperties.co.uk
Fidelis
Residential Sales & Lettings
Shoscombe, Single Hill
01225 421000 wwww.fidelisproperties.co.uk
ÂŁ395,000
A Captivating 4 Bedroom Stone Built Cottage Bursting with Character and Charm with Stunning Rural Views Living/Dining Room | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Utility Room | Cloakroom | 4 Bedrooms | Bathroom | Balcony | Front Garden | Fabulous Rural Views | Approximately 7 miles from Bath | EPC Rating: E
Ivy Bank Park
ÂŁ479,950
An Immaculate 4 Bedroom Family Home with Generous Accommodation Throughout enjoying a Leafy Outlook and Far Reaching Views towards Lansdown Living Room | Dining Room | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Utility Room | Cloakroom | Master Bedroom with En-suite Shower Room and Balcony | 3 Further Bedrooms | Family Bathroom | Double Garage | EPC Rating C
Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH
Email: info@fidelisproperties.co.uk
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MIDFORD HILL, HINTON CHARTERHOUSE
ÂŁ799,950
This delightful, detached residence is believed to have origins as an old gatehouse to the Hinton Priory. Heavily extended and enlarged, the property now makes a comfortable family home, with accommodation over two storeys, and comes complete with its own business, an established boarding cattery and is offered for sale as a whole. Hallway, sitting room, kitchen/diner, formal dining room/5th bedroom, 4 other bedrooms, downstairs shower room and upstairs bathroom. Extensive grounds and gardens. Double garage and plenty of off-street parking. Approximate gross internal floor area: 1,950 square feet / 181 square metres.
1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 4QW
01225 422 224
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BLOOMFIELD AVENUE
ÂŁ692,500
This large Victorian semi is beautifully appointed and comes with plenty of space, ideal for a growing family. Excellent location, close to the Bear Flat Parade and with easy access into Bath’s City Centre. Halllway, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, 6 bedrooms and beautiful bathroom. Walled gardens. Approximate gross internal floor area: 2,145 square feet / 199 square metres.
www.mark-naylor.com
email: homes@mark-naylor.com
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Bath A substantial nineteenth century family home with six bedrooms and large rooms with high ceilings, full of character and traditional period features, and yet still warm, comfortable, cosy and welcoming. Sitting in the splendour of the lounge with views of the park beyond is a wonderful experience.The space is flexible with reception rooms, which while large individually, can open up with one flowing into the other, creating a very big and grand area for special occasions. Here the current owners have lived for seventeen years, enjoying their home with its convenient location close to the excellent range of shops and pub at Bear Flat, and just over one mile to the centre of the city with all its culture and heritage. If they don't want to walk, there are buses every nine minutes going into the centre.
A city home with off road parking and a garage is rare, but the house here benefits from both at the rear of the property, separated by a wall from the pretty garden where there are three different areas for sitting, relaxing.
“One of the favourite aspects of the house for the current owners is sitting in the lounge and looking out over the park, watching the changing seasons from spring, when the blossom on the trees begin to emerge, to the autumn when the leaves start to turn from green to shades of red.”
BLOOMFIELD ROAD VICTORIAN HOME • 6 BEDROOMS • 3 RECEPTION ROOMS • KITCHEN/ BREAKFAST ROOM • PERIOD FEATURES THROUGHOUT • GARAGE AND PARKING • LOVELY VIEWS OVER THE PARK • EPC RATING= F
Contact: 01225 320032
£875,000
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Lansdown Four bedroomed detached property with a double garage and one of only nine houses in a quiet cul-de-sac behind the famous Lansdown Crescent, yet just under a mile from the city centre of Bath. “It was the fact that it is in such a peaceful location that really attracted us to this house.” The house itself is lovely,” says Siobhan. “It’s very comfortable to live in and it has a really nice flow. Just over two years ago we extended the kitchen, which has really balanced the house because the living room on the other side is a large space, and it's now where we tend to spend most of our time.We have a big dining table, a sofa and TV, and it’s all very open so whoever is cooking can be with the rest of the family. It also has big windows that look out over the side garden, and
patio doors that open onto the back garden, which is wonderful during the summer.The kitchen is adjacent to the playroom, and between the two rooms there's a serving hatch so we can keep an eye on the children. It's a very practical house for family life.”
“The location of the house has been perfect for the children,” continues Siobhan. “There are so many open green spaces around us and we are also in the catchment area for one of the best primary schools in Bath Saint Stephen’s.”
DIXON GARDENS DETACHED FAMILY HOME • 4 BEDROOMS (MASTER EN-SUITE) • 2 RECEPTION ROOMS • STUDY • KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM • DOUBLE GARAGE • GARDENS AND PARKING • EPC RATING = D
Contact: 01225 320032
£859,950
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
NEW INSTRUCTION
Nettleton, Wiltshire Guide Price ÂŁ1,400,000 A detached farmhouse and separate two bedroom cottage situated in the attractive village of Nettleton which provides excellent access to the M4. The accommodation is beautifully presented with four bedrooms and four reception rooms and has delightful gardens and grounds of 10 acres including stabling, a barn and mĂŠnage. EPC:E
NEW INSTRUCTION
Little Sodbury, Near Bath
POA
This fine period house offers flexible accommodation with up to six bedrooms and many outbuildings. Set within converted former agricultural buildings and all in grounds extending to 1.6 acres. The gardens border the site of a former Anglo Saxon fort, occupied by Edward IV before the Battle of Tewkesbury.
Bath Office
Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546
NEW INSTRUCTION
Bannerdown, Bath Guide Price £925,000 A handsome detached four bedroom home dating back to the mid 1930’s constructed in the Arts and Crafts style. The house stands well in the most delightful landscaped gardens at the end of a cul de sac in the Bannerdown area of Bath. EPC:E.
NEW INSTRUCTION
Grosvenor Place, Bath
Guide Price £850,000
A wonderful opportunity to own the major portion of a Grade I Listed townhouse just one mile walk to the bustling centre of Bath. Behind the handsome façade are four principal floors offering versatile accommodation with fine retained features. The house also features a south facing garden and private parking.
The Circus
Offers in Excess of ÂŁ600,000
Grade I listed | Georgian apartment | Ground floor | One bedroom | Period features | Modern bathroom | Prestigious address | Highly recommended The Apartment Company are delighted to bring to market this stunning ground floor Georgian apartment located in the prestigious Circus. The property is beautifully presented and boasts many original features. The stunning drawing room opens onto a balcony which looks out across the rear gardens of The Circus with the Assembly Rooms beyond. This large one bedroomed property with en suite, drawing room, kitchen and cloakroom will create considerable interest and therefore an early viewing is highly recommended.
Great Pulteney Street
Offers in Excess of £465,000
Grade I listed | Georgian Apartment | Second floor | Two bedrooms with en-suites | Central location | Stunning views | Period features The Apartment Company are delighted to market this fabulous two bedroom apartment on the famous Great Pulteney Street, located in the heart of the City Centre, with everything Bath has to offer just moments away. With stunning views across Henrietta park and a wealth of period features, including ceiling roses, cornicing, and working shutters, this apartment is expected to generate considerable interest and early viewing is highly recommended!
Marlborough Buildings
Offers in Excess of £395,000
Grade II listed | Georgian apartment | Stunning views | Sought after location | Two bedrooms | Beautifully presented | Modern kitchen and bathroom An immaculately presented two bedroomed apartment in a highly sought after location adjacent to the Royal Crescent. The spacious accommodation comprises: large sitting room, modern kitchen, master bedroom, second bedroom and a luxury bathroom with a walk in shower. This stunning apartment is a short walk from the City Centre where you will find Bath’s finest restaurants, historic attractions and shops. Viewing is highly recommended as this fabulous apartment is expected to generate considerable interest!
Rivers Street
Offers in Excess of ÂŁ350,000
Grade II listed | Georgian apartment | Two double bedrooms | Study | Prime location | Private courtyard | Beautifully presented | Private entrance This super courtyard apartment is spacious, well presented and would be a perfect home or City pad. Located just a short walk away from the Theatre Royal, Thermae Spa, restaurants, shopping and historical attractions this is one apartment not to miss. The accommodation comprises : open plan living and kitchen area, two double bedrooms, study area and a bathroom. Early viewing is recommended.
Wessex House
Offers in Excess of ÂŁ265,000
Grade II listed | Georgian apartment | Top floor | Lift access | Pedestrian street | Access to Bath Spa station | Beautifully presented | River views A unique opportunity to purchase a stylish top floor, one bedroom Georgian apartment with the rare advantage of lift access. The property is ideally located in the heart of the City and within easy access to Bath Spa railway & bus stations. The apartment is beautifully presented and comprises: Sitting room with river views, spacious kitchen/breakfast room, double bedroom with en-suite bathroom and separate cloakroom. This apartment would be an ideal City home or investment and we believe will attract considerable interest so early viewing is highly recommended.
Rivers Street
£1,200 pcm
Unfurnished | Two bedrooms | Courtyards | City Centre | Agency fees £350+vat | Available END May 2014. | No pets | Council Tax Band C Two bedroom maisonette located in one of Bath’s prime residential addresses close to all City Centre amenities. The beautifully presented accommodation comprises: a sitting room with ornate period features, well equipped fitted kitchen with breakfast area, two good sized double bedrooms and a modern bathroom. Outside there is a secluded paved and gravelled courtyard and two further small courtyard areas accessed via the master bedroom and the lower ground hallway. A truly stunning property and an early viewing is recommended by the Letting Agent.
Edgar Buildings
£890 pcm
Unfurnished | One bedroom | City Views | Central location | Agency fees £350+vat | Available now | No pets | Period features | Council Tax Band C A stunning Georgian spacious completely refurbished apartment enviably situated in the City Centre. The one bedroom apartment offers period features and well proportioned accommodation including a delightful sitting room with feature fireplace, kitchen-breakfast room, large double bedroom with feature fireplace and a luxury bathroom.The apartment benefits from a new boiler, new domestic appliances, new window blinds and oak engineered flooring. New insulation has been installed into the attic space. An early viewing of this centrally located apartment is recommended.
Lansdown A quite exceptional and stylish detached house that has been subject to a most exacting refurbishment situated in this highly desirable and secluded part of Lansdown | hall | cloakroom | drawing/dining room | kitchen/breakfast room | snug | utility room | master bedroom with dressing room | bathroom | 3 further bedrooms | 2 shower rooms | gym | double garage | shed | gardens | Guide Price: £1,750,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
West Yatton An enchanting Grade II listed 17th century farmhouse with earlier origins, substantial outbuildings and approximately 6.3 acres of garden, orchards, woodland and pastureland | entrance hall | drawing room | dining room | study | kitchen | utility | pantry | library | 2-storey annexe | master bedroom with en suite dressing room and shower room | guest bedroom with en suite bathroom | 2 further bedrooms | family bathroom | 3 second floor rooms with potential (subject to consent) | 2-storey garage with mezzanine | 3 bay car port | studio | stores | delightful gardens and grounds | Guide Price: £1,400,000 Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
Dunsford Place A highly impressive Grade II listed Regency town house, built circa 1820-1825 and probably attributed to John Pinch. Fine retained architectural details throughout. Marvellous views over the City | entrance hall | drawing room | 2 sitting rooms | study | dining room | kitchen | utility and cloakroom | master bedroom | 3 further bedrooms (1 en suite) | family bathroom | shower room | 2 unconverted vaults | delightful gardens | garden store | single garage | Guide Price: £1,300,000 Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
Royal Crescent A wonderfully restored Grade I listed Georgian property in Bath’s World renowned Royal Crescent | reception hall | dining room | morning room | drawing room | withdrawing room | kitchen/breakfast room | utility room | master bedroom suite | 2 guest bedroom suites | 2 further bedrooms | 1 further bathroom | formal landscaped garden | terrace | joint agents: Savills | Offers in excess of £3,000,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
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