The Bath Magazine November 2016

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ISSUE 170 | NOVEMBER 2016 thebathmag.co.uk

£3.95 where sold

BATH FILM FESTIVAL COMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU THE CITY’S BIGGEST MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE AND LIVING IN BATH

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Contents November 2016 REGULARS 5 THINGS

BATH AFTER DARK

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Your essential events in the city this month

MY BATH

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Geoff White, who’s about to play Oliver Warbucks in Annie at the Theatre Royal in Bath Light Operatic Group’s latest show ..........................................................

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From cocktail bars to evening classes, from am dram productions to volunteering with teenagers, we’ve ideas to inspire you to venture forth

WHAT’S ON

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Dates for your diary

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EXHIBITIONS

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See what’s showing at the city’s galleries

Artist Edwina Bridgeman tells her life in songs

THE WALK

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CULTURE

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FACE THE MUSIC

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FILM

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Andrew Swift visits a fascinating graveyard for boats

Highlights of the Bath Film Festival

BATH@WORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

SING HIGH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Neill Menneer turns his lens on antique dealer Scottie Ivor

A celebration of Bath’s harmonious choral scene

GUEST COLUMN

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FAMILY TIME

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Dr John Troyer of the University of Bath on why it’s healthy for undergraduates to be talking and writing about death

Things to do with your children in November

FEATURES

A GOOD READ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

JEWELS IN THE CROWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

THE BATH SCENE

A profile of Bath’s finest goldsmiths

News of a major art auction to raise money to restore the floor of Bath Abbey and prepare the historic monument for future generations. Plus, a new art project that challenges us to Find Another Bath

Six of the best books that were made into films

ARTIST PROFILE

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We chat to Peter Brown ahead of his show at the Victoria Art Gallery

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Contents November 2016 FOOD & DRINK FOOD HEROES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Meet Gerard Coles, antiques dealer turned champion cider maker

NEWS

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The latest from the city’s dining scene

EATING OUT

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Why has a recently restored pub garnered so much local and national acclaim? We discovered the delicious truth behind the accolades

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FIVE STAR SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 In praise of great food and beautiful surroundings on a weekend escape to the Cotswolds

FINE WINE

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Angela Mount picks her favourites for autumn drinking, teaming wine with hearty casseroles, seafood and spicy curries

HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH & BEAUTY NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 The finest scented candles and how to choose them

REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

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Rescue remedy: Clarins anti-ageing facial at FrontlineStyle salon

LEISURE SHOPPING

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A round-up of the Christmas markets and fairs

MOTORING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 We preview the new Aston Martin DB11

HOME INTERIORS

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Interior designer Clair Strong picks some timeless classics

GARDENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Award-winning garden columnist Jane Moore offers advice for what to grow in a sheltered courtyard garden

PROPERTY

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ON THE COVER

When the kids have grown up . . . city centre homes for newly independent parents to enjoy a new lease of life

Artwork supplied by Bath Film Festival 2016, which opens on Thursday 3 November and runs until Sunday 13 November

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

Even more great content online: thebathmag.co.uk

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EDITOR’S PICKS ONE SMALL CITY: we were very excited to see Bath artist Peter Brown, aka Pete the Street, has chosen this painting for the catalogue cover to promote his new big exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery, which opens on Saturday 3 December. This composition, poetically titled Absolutely Chucking it down, George Street, from under the Awning, 2016, was painted during monsoon style rains earlier this year – and staff from The Bath Magazine scurried past Pete’s easel in the rain as he painted. Maybe you can glimpse a couple of us in the background? There’s an interview with the artist on Page 66

from the

EDITOR

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hat use is sitting alone in your room, as the song says. There’s a big temptation, as the nights draw in colder and darker, to hibernate and stay at home. But that would be a shame when there’s so much going on out there.

And so our November issue sets out with the intention of inspiring you to get out of the house and experience Bath after dark. There’s so much going on to enjoy, from this month’s Bath Film Festival (see Page 42 for some of the highlights) to comedy, theatre, live gigs, talks and celebrations of the spoken word. There’s the Mozartfest which brings internationally renowned musicians to our doorstep, or perhaps you’d rather do the performing and join one of Bath’s many choirs. We celebrate the city’s choral scene from Page 54.

Bath is a veritable honeypot of talent. Artists, writers and craftspeople choose to make it their home and it’s nice to be able to celebrate their achievements. One such is artist Edwina Bridgeman and we talk to her about her career as she picks her favourite pieces of music (Page 68). We’ve also gathered together in one room some of the city’s finest goldsmiths and jewellery makers, you can read their fascinating stories about how they got into the business, from Page 32.

I’m very aware that Christmas looms large and that the world famous Bath Christmas Market will open this month, so we really ought to get our skates on and start gathering presents for our loved ones. There’s a peek at what we might find in the little wooden chalets of the market, plus a round-up of some of the other Christmas markets and fairs in the area where you’ll find unique, handmade and beautiful gifts and have the chance to meet the makers too (Page 24).

This month’s slice of Bath’s history explores the disappearing world of gentlemen’s clubs. At one time the city had many of these men-only clubs, where behind closed doors they gambled, drank and played billiards and skittles. But the relaxation in the licensing laws and equality between the sexes have made these gentlemen’s clubs all but extinct. Vestiges of their past can be glimpsed beyond the polished brass door plates of the Harington Club and the Bath and County Club.

Catherine Pitt discovered that women are now welcome at both clubs, find out more on Page 82.

Our food hero, Gerard Coles of Honey’s Midford Cider was busy harvesting his apples when Melissa Blease went to visit him, see Page 74 for the story of how his career changed direction after he bought an old wooden cider press.

Well, I can’t sit around. I’m going to get my coat and venture out to explore what Bath has to offer on wintery evenings. Come hear the music play . . .

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

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TREASURED TOYS: these delightful handmade bears will be part of the annual Christmas decorations that fill the rooms of the American Museum each year. This get-you-in-the-mood show at Claverton Manor runs from Thursday 24 November until Sunday 18 December

ONE TO WATCH: designer Sophie Woodrow launched her children’s sleepwear and bedding range this summer. Sleepy Does’ charming pyjamas for boys and girls up to six has already won national press coverage. The new collection features hand-drawn prints for 100 per cent soft cotton PJs, designed in Bath and made in the UK. Pictured, Dancing Floral PJs, £28 – also available in Pulteney Stripe or Tiny Moons. Visit: sleepydoe.com to see more adorable products.

is easy to decide on what is wrong to wear to ❝aItparty, such as deep-sea diving equipment or a

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pair of large pillows, but deciding what is right is much trickier LEMONY SNICKET IN THE SLIPPERY SLOPE

Pen name of American writer Daniel Handler

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ZEITGEIST Respect

At the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, it is traditional that we pay tribute to the dead and injured from all wars. In Bath there will be two main opportunities in the city centre, beginning with two minutes silence outside Bath Abbey at 11am on Friday 11 November. On Sunday 13 November at 11am the Mayor of Bath will join others for the laying of wreaths at the city’s main war memorial in Royal Victoria Park. This will be followed at 2.30pm by the Royal British Legion parade and march past the Guildhall in the High Street. There will then be a service of remembrance at 3pm in Bath Abbey, to which all are welcome. Some city centre roads will be closed for the duration of the parade.

Listen Bath’s biggest venue, The Forum is to live up to its name on Thursday 17 November when hundreds of 16 to 18 year olds will fill the venue to share and spread new ideas.

TEDxYouth is a day-long event with more than 16 speakers of different ages and backgrounds, all having in common a unique message they want to spread – echoing the ethos of the international TED talks in which ideas are shared worldwide online. Over 900 young people from local schools and colleges have already signed up to the Bath event, which is completely run by volunteers. There are a few adult tickets available at £20 a head, but if you can’t get to the Forum in Southgate, Bath that day the speakers will be streaming their talks live at: tedxyouthbath.com.

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things to do in

November

Shop More than 170 little wooden sheds, or chalets as they are officially known, open for business on Thursday 24 November as the famous Bath Christmas Market begins its 2016 season. Organisers have hand-picked this year’s bunch of talented makers so we shoppers get a mix of the familiar (wooden ties anyone?) and a chance to browse items from some new stallholders. City centre

workers can pop down in their lunch break to pick up a few Christmas stocking fillers, while others might bring visiting family and friends for a full day’s city jaunt, with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, and a leisurely wander.

Whatever your views of the market it does bring thousands of people with their wallets into the city. See more on Bath’s preChristmas markets, Page 24.

Watch One of the highlights of November’s Bath Film Festival will be a screening of The Duchess starring Keira Knightley, with the added frisson of the screening taking place in the ballroom at the Assembly Rooms where the Duchess made one of the key speeches in the film. Ahead of the screening cult film duo Fan Girl Quest will share the secrets of the art of screenframing, allowing everyone to superimpose a screen grab on the actual scene. That screening takes place on Thursday 10 November. For more highlights of the 2016 film festival turn to Page 42.

Learn

Ignatius Sancho by Gainsborough

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We’re invited to explore the sometimes hidden histories of Bath at the city’s Record Office, which is housed in a basement under the Guildhall in the High Street. The publicly owned Records Office is hosting an Explore Your Archive event on Friday 25 November, as a reminder that we can all trace events and people through the city’s historic records. On that day, a short film, Hidden Presence Bath, will be shown at intervals between 11am and 2pm. The film was made by local young people and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the project Our Heritage, Your Story: Explore

the Past with Bath Record Office and its explores the lives of black people in Georgian and Victorian Bath.

One of those featured is the story of Ignatius Sancho, a composer, actor and writer, whose portrait was painted in Bath by Thomas Gainsborough, and who was the first black person of African origin to vote in a British election. Archivists will be on hand on 25 November to chat about the making of the film, which was created

by Firstborn Creatives of Bristol. Read more about the project on the Hidden Presence Bath website at: hiddenpresencebath.

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Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

See more online www.thebathmag.co.uk

Contact us: Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Editor Tel: Email:

Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Web Editor Email:

Jessica Hope jess@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Jake Horwood jake@thebathmagazine.co.uk

The Bath Magazine and The Bristol Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd. We are an independent of all other local publications

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

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmag.co.uk Š MC Publishing Ltd 2016 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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THE CITY THE BUZZ

My BATH

We ask Geoff White, member of Bath Light Operatic Group, who’s playing Daddy Warbucks in Annie, about what he’s doing this month

Create Award-winning Bath florist Jo Wood of Passion is leading a festive wreath making workshop at the five star Gainsborough Hotel in Bath on Tuesday 13 December, from 10am to 1pm. All materials will be provided and Johanne will guide you through the steps to creating a perfect winter wreath to take home. The workshop will be followed by lunch, total £85 per person.

Places are limited. To book tel: 01225 355329.

Write

Aspiring young writers are being encouraged to get their imaginations working and enter a competition launched by Bath & North East Somerset Council. The Young Crime Writers’ Competition is open to anyone aged 17 or under on 10 February, 2017. The story must have a crime theme.

Entries must be typewritten and no more than 1,000 words. The closing date is Friday February 10. Winners will be presented at an award ceremony on Wednesday 5 April. The first prize-winner will receive a trophy. First, second and third prize-winners will receive book tokens and books from Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights. Full details, visit: bathnes.gov.uk/youngwriterscomp.

Sign up Keen club cyclists and regular sportive riders are being urged to enter teams for next year’s Bath Cycle Relay, organised

by Bath Rotary Club, at the Odd Down track. Bath Cycle Relay is a new Sunday morning charity concept organised by Rotary which will take place on 23 April. Teams of four share the riding to see how many laps of the 1.4 km circuit they can complete in one hour. Funds raised will be split between Qhubeka’s buffalo bikes for Africa and The Hive which supports those with learning difficulties. Mark Cavendish has been riding for Qhubeka this year with Team Dimension Data. Entries are limited to 50 teams in each race for men and the ladies/mixed gender race, sign up at: bathcyclerelay.org.uk.

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What are you reading?

My Annie script – we open at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday 1 November, playing for seven shows.

What are you listening to?

Not surprisingly I’m listening to the soundtrack of Annie and a CBeebies compilation to keep my three-year-old son, George, entertained.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

Velo Lounge in Moorland Road for their breakfasts and relaxed atmosphere.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

Unfortunately there’s not much time for any visits at the moment with all the rehearsals. However, a trip around the Roman Baths is always a favourite and one that I overlook and take too much for granted living in Bath.

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

Appearing at the Theatre Royal has mixed emotions of fear and, hopefully, giving pleasure and entertainment to those who’ve come to watch the show. When the show’s over it’ll be time to start dusting off the Christmas carols.

What local outdoor activity or event will you be doing or visiting?

When the show has finished, hopefully going to

Book of the month WLTM Literary Characters by June Wentland, published in paperback by Southwick Press, £6.99 Writer June Wentland, who works for Bath and North East Somerset Council’s library services, has written a clever literary quiz book which would make an ideal stocking filler for anyone who loves books. There are 75 short descriptions of different literary characters and what sort of person they would like to meet, just

watch Bath City FC play and getting a bit fitter to start playing myself for Grace Bath FC Film or play? What will you be going to see this month?

A trip to Bristol (I’ll make sure I take my passport) to watch Billy Elliot at the Hippodrome.

I'm looking forward to performing with BLOG at the Theatre Royal. This year marks our 60th year anniversary of performing at the Theatre Royal, and Annie will be showing from 1 to 5 November.

Tickets are available from the Box Office tel: 01225 448844 or visit: theatreroyal.org.uk.

Sharing the role of Annie are Nelly Butt and Clemmie Gallen

as in the modern dating world. But can you work out who is who from the description? Here’s a sample: ‘Uneducated man with no dress sense and prone to consuming jealousy WLTM his soul mate in the form of attractive, wayward lady to share near incestuous relationship, rambles across the freezing moors and a love that reaches beyond the grave.’ *Answer below.

Some clues are easy, some more cryptic – answers are at the end.

GMc

* Answer: Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights

What brought you to Bath?

I was born and bred in the city more years ago than I can remember.

We’re following @thejeremyvine, the BBC radio and television presenter with 578, 000 followers. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is unafraid to say what he thinks on topics from big news stories to who should get evicted from @bbcStrictly and has regular updates and banter with @eggheadsTV

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GUEST | COLUMNIST

OUR PERSONAL EMBRACE WITH DEATH JOHN TROYER, DIRECTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BATH’S CENTRE FOR DEATH AND SOCIETY

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LIFE LESSONS: students at the University of Bath are given the chance to think and write about death

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Some groups simply gather in cafés to drink tea, eat cakes and talk about death, while others create full-blown events complete with speakers and death-themed fairs

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y entire life has been spent around death, dying, and dead bodies.

And when I say entire, I mean from before I was born to this very second. I grew up in the American funeral industry, where my father, Ron Troyer was a funeral director for three decades. Indeed, some of my earliest childhood memories are of bodies in caskets coupled with my parents explaining what ‘dead’ meant.

Through a series of intellectual twists during my postgraduate education, my research focused on the relationship between the dead body and technology. In 2008 I accepted a post in the University of Bath’s Centre for Death and Society (CDAS), the world’s first and only interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to exploring the intersections between death, dying, and the dead body.

CDAS was founded in 2005 and in June 2015 celebrated ten years of world-class research, public engagement, and educational work as a death and dying studies hub.

What intrigues me most about the Centre for Death and Society’s public engagement work is that right now death, dying, and dead bodies have never appeared more popular.

It’s difficult to keep track of all the different Death Cafés, Death Salons, and Death Meet-ups regularly happening across the US, UK, Europe, and Australia. Some groups simply gather in cafés to drink tea, eat cakes, and talk about death, while others create full-blown weekend long events complete with speakers and deaththemed fairs.

What’s important to keep in mind, however, is that death’s current popular interest and fashionability isn’t actually new.

On the one hand it’s easy to say that humans have discussed death since the dawn of civilisation, but what death meant in those earlier times isn’t as clearly defined as we technologically sophisticated modern humans might like to think. Definitions of death change and will continue to change in the future. The shift from cardiac to brain death criteria remains a key moment in the broader history of human mortality and demonstrates that supposedly stable concepts can quickly change.

Images of human mortality and death itself have also changed over time as many westerners now fear representations of cancer or dementia more than the actual Grim Reaper. The medical profession has played a big part in these changes as dying became something that doctors could diagnostically explain, even if life support technology made the moment of death far murkier.

I’ve been thinking about the interest in death for many reasons, but especially when it comes to my undergraduate students. The University of Bath offers a final year class that I teach on the sociology of death and Bath is one of the few universities in the UK to do so.

The course has run for many years and is extremely popular with the students, eg, there is always a waiting list for a seat. Students are required to write short, weekly essays about the material we cover in class and engage with death in any way they see fit. In the beginning, many of the students think that the weekly writing will be a real pain and just another silly tick-box exercise that enables them to graduate.

Then everything starts to change.

To a student, the more they think about the sociology of death the more they want to write about what death and dying means in our modern age. Indeed, many of the students tell me that they experience sadness at the end of the semester knowing that the final weekly essay is the last one that they will write. One big takeaway for the students that is often noted in the weekly writings is how everyday death is – they just never saw it staring them in the face.

I also always have students in the class who either went through the death of a loved one (usually a parent) before entering university, or watched someone they care about die during the course of their studies. At least one or two grandparents die during the 11-week semester –

verified, in case you are curious, by an obituary.

For these students, writing about the experiences of watching someone die becomes both an academic assignment and deeply cathartic.

All of this is to say that, when given the chance by the University of Bath to take a class called the sociology of death taught by the director of the world’s only Centre for Death and Society, the students love it. It is the kind of educational opportunity offered by Bath that helps students see the bigger picture of life, the universe, and everything (to quote Douglas Adams).

But, and I think that this is fundamentally important, the students learn to respect death and the power it has to turn everything upside down. For them, death and dying aren’t just fashionable or cool – they’re forces of nature that they should discuss with parents and next-of-kin before it is no longer possible. I know this because many parents come up to me at graduation and thank me for giving their daughter/son the intellectual and emotional tools to discuss what should happen before a family member ends up on life support.

In this way death’s current cultural fashionability can play an important role in transforming how individuals think about death and dying long before they suddenly need to.

My main advice for the current popular death movements is to quickly establish and make permanent the institutional changes that many groups called for a generation ago and continue to discuss today: greater individual autonomy in end-of-life care decision making, increased discussion about funerals, and an everyday personal embrace of death.

In the event all of these changes don’t happen, it’s only a matter of time until a new generation discovers death and picks up where the previous groups left off. I, for one, look forward to seeing what’s happening with death in another 40 years – when I am elderly and preparing to die.

If you are interested in learning more about the Centre for Death and Society’s research and public events then please visit: bath.ac.uk/cdas or send your e-mail address to cdas@bath.ac.uk for our free monthly newsletter. n

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CITY | OF | ART

AUCTION FOR THE ABBEY MAKE YOUR BID: Richard Burel’s painting Bath Abbey, left, is just one of more than 30 lots on offer which include the chance to have a portrait painted by Richard Twose, right

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ome of Bath’s best loved artists have donated their work for an art auction to help raise funds to underpin the city’s best loved landmark, Bath Abbey.

The ancient church in the heart of the city has launched its Footprint appeal, stemming from a need to save its historic floor from collapse, but also wanting to make the building and its vaults useful for future generations of worshippers, visitors and musicians.

The auction of original works will take place at the abbey on Wednesday 23 November from 6.30pm, with the chance to view the pieces in the church between Monday 21 and Wednesday 23 November.

Tickets for the auction are free and available from Sharon Stevenson, tel: 01225 422462 or email: sstevenson@bathabbey.org.

Over 30 lots will be on offer, including works

by Eileen Cooper, Lydia Corbett, Nick Cudworth, Luke Frost, Diana Matthews, Peter Brown and a chance to have a bespoke portrait painted by award-winning portrait painter and artist, Richard Twose. Estimates for the lots range from £80 to £11,000.

Organiser David Simon, who owns his eponymous city centre gallery, says: “Bath Abbey is a very special place, representing the heart of a historic city and the original site of the first British coronation. My wife Lucy and I were lucky enough to be married there three years ago. Although it is a large church, it has a more intimate feeling than many city cathedrals.

It is such an atmospheric venue not only for Sunday services, but for Christmas carol services, concerts and recitals.

“The current Footprint project will enable the abbey to accommodate people during concerts and events much more comfortably

and this expansion will improve the way that the abbey integrates with the wider community.

“Some years ago I went to Washington DC’s cathedral and saw how they had used the space in their crypt for public events and education and when we heard about the Footprint project we knew that it was a valuable cause that we wanted to support. This is the first auction that I have ever organised and it has been a very interesting and exciting journey. It has been wonderful to have the enthusiasm and generosity of the invited artists and I am really delighted with the exciting catalogue of artworks that we have put together.”

Art lovers will also be able to purchase local scenes including a view of the abbey itself by Nick Cudworth and Summer Morning over Widcombe from Beechen Cliff by Peter Brown.

Award-winning portrait painter and artist, Richard Twose, who recently completed a residency at the Royal College of Art, has offered to paint a specially commissioned private portrait for the highest bidder.

The auction catalogue is available online at: bathabbey.org/footprintauction.

The £19.3m Footprint project aims to carry out essential repairs to the abbey’s collapsing floor, install a new eco-friendly heating system using Bath’s unique hot springs as a source of energy and enlarge capacity by creating 200sq metres of new facilities to fulfil the abbey as a place of congregation, equal access and hospitality. A programme is also planned to record and interpret the abbey’s 1,200 years of history for millions of visitors. Visit: bathabbey.org/footprint.

PROJECT THROWS NEW LIGHT ON A DARKER CITY Behind the facade of an elegant spa city, with its genteel Georgian reputation and clean, golden stone, lie the tarnished, the torn and the soot smudged remains of a much darker character. It is this city, teeming with thousands of untold stories, that a creative project seeks to celebrate.

The imminent launch of a new book, Find Another Bath, invites us to view the city in a new light. To think, as we watch new buildings spring up over old foundations, of invisible paths worn by centuries of people walking.

Find Another Bath (it is no coincidence that its initials are the same as Fringe Arts Bath, as any profits will be ploughed back into the annual arts festival) is a vision conceived by artist Anna Kot and photographer Carlos Ordonez. They invited performers, painters, poets and photographers to contribute to this artistic anthology through images and words.

Anna says: “It began as a celebration of secret Bath but it has grown and taken on a life of its own. So, although it contains history – in the exploration of the Jewish and Quaker graveyards for example – it is categorically not a history book. We asked for interpretations and impressions. It celebrates aspects of Bath that are neglected forgotten, or even wilfully ignored.”

These overlooked aspects include the notoriously overcrowded Avon Street slums which ran down to the River Avon, its narrow streets and houses over-populated by the 22 TheBATHMagazine

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THE ARTISTS’ VIEWS: Sham Castle by Beryl Desmond, Marc Parrett dressed as a crane, in tribute to Bath’s industrial past. poorest families in the 19th century, the textile mills along the river banks belching out smoke and the quarry stone miners of Combe Down.

There’s mention of what lies beneath bumpy ground near St Martin’s Hospital – the unmarked graves of the paupers from the Union Workhouse – of the building of the trompe l’oeil landmark, Sham Castle.

Some of the stories we may be familiar with, such as Annie’s Arboretum in Batheaston, created by suffragettes who came to stay at Eagle House as a refuge during their struggle to win votes for women. Each woman guest was invited to plant a tree and a metal plaque was put alongside each sapling to record the act.

Sadly the trees have long gone and most of the plaques too. And, thanks to building work on a new casino in Sawclose we are able to learn more about the clay pipe factory which stood on this spot. Those taking part in the project have deliberately set out to share a vision of a living, working city.

Find Another Bath exhibition is at 44AD gallery off York Street, from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 November, open daily 10.30am – 5.30pm. The works in the book will be on show including video, music and stills from performance as well as paint, print and 3D etc.

The book will be available for sale. Queries to email: anna@annakot.co.uk.

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CITY | MARKETS

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP

Looking for something unique and or locally made for your Christmas present list? Bath’s various markets provide a rich hunting ground

T

he Big Daddy of all is the annual BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET, which runs from Thursday 24 November to Sunday 11 December. The city centre streets will be filled with wooden chalets selling all kinds of goodies, from natural locally made skin care products and ethically produced clothing to hand-blown glass baubles and candles for your festive table.

If you’re a local the advice is to try and visit the market at quieter times, ie mid-week, first thing in the morning or early evening after the coach parties have departed. If you take your Discovery Card with you there’s a discount deal to be had Monday to Friday – ask each stall holder what they’re particular deal is as they are all different. But let’s not forget the other opportunities this month for buying unique and beautiful things . . .

WIDCOMBE CRAFT FAIR St Matthew’s Church Widcombe and Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Friday 18 November, 5.30 – 8.30pm and Saturday 19 November, 10.30am – 5pm Talented makers and artists will be laying out their beautiful and original pieces, including ceramics, textiles and glass, for this annual event in Widcombe. There’ll be hand printed designs by Sally Harker; jewellery by Plodge; ceramics by Kate Marshall; glasswork by Tracey Quinn; mosaicwork by Lorelei Hunt and textile bowls by Eloise Scotland. This is a great opportunity to do some Christmas shopping, with a warm welcome, live music and refreshments.

WALCOT WINTERFEST All the businesses along Walcot Street Friday 18 – Sunday 20 November The traders’ association has been proactive in driving yet more interest and footfall to Bath’s interesting artisan area.

The fire and light themed weekend begins with Foodie Friday in which the cafes, bars and restaurants will be laying on deals and special events. This will be followed by Small Shops Saturday, with plenty of activities laid on for children and live music in the street. Expect appearances by the Natural Theatre Company and live music in The Bell to round off the day. Artisan Sunday will see workshops and studios of the makers along Walcot Street throwing open their doors between 11am and 4pm to give demonstrations and welcome visitors.

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CHRISTMAS PRESENT: from top left, clockwise; chocolate from Lick the Spoon, snowglobe from Grace and Mabel, both at the Bath Christmas Market; glassware by Tracey Quinn at Widcombe Craft Fair, heart shrine by Jo Luckstead at the American Museum craft fair; blankets by Rudge and Furrow and award-winning Bath Soft Cheese at the Bath Christmas Market Inset, right, handmade individual textile bowls by Eloise Scotland at Widcombe Craft Fair

pies and other west country produce at the Bath Farmers’ Market. Every first and third Sunday (6 and 27 November) enjoy browsing among retro household items, jewellery and clothing at the Bath Vintage and Antiques Market, while on Sunday 13 November it’s the Bath Artisan Market. Head on down to Green Park covered market, enjoy freshly cooked pizza or coffee and the chance to shop at leisure.

LOLA SWIFT: POP-UP CHRISTMAS SHOPPING The Tramshed, Beehive Yard, Walcot Friday 18 November, 5.30 – 9pm Design duo Ginger and Tweed have invited fellow makers to set up a market of local artisans and designers selling gifts. There’ll be the chance to eat, drink, shop and chat.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR The Coach House and Stables at the American Museum, Claverton Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November, 11am – 4.30pm Admission to the museum gardens and on site parking are free, allowing visitors easy access to this annual craft fair.

Meet the artists and craftspeople as you browse some two dozen stalls offering a range of individual and beautiful items, from ceramics and prints to jewellery and silk.

GREEN PARK MARKETS Green Park Station, Bath Every Saturday morning, until mid afternoon, pick up local fruit, vegetables, flowers, cheese, bread, meat,

28 Milsom Street Throughout November and December Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5.30pm, late night Thursday, nearer to Christmas, Sunday 11am – 4pm This is the third year for designer Lola Swift to open a pop-up shop in Bath.

There’ll be a mix of fashion and lifestyle accessories, also featuring Lola Swift, Lola’s own label of designed in Bath and made in Scotland, lambswool knitwear in vibrant colours. Lola is also working alongside brands including the exclusive-to-Bath, American designer, John Derian and Italian eco brand, Miho Unexpected, along with Ellie Swinhoe jewellery and Susan Sutton wire art.

BEYOND BATH There’s a Christmas artisans’ craft fair at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells from 10am to 4pm from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 November. The Made in Bradford on Avon Christmas fair is at St Margaret’s Hall, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 12 November. Every Saturday the Corsham Creative Market takes place at the Corsham Community Campus, from 11am to 3pm. n

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Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises. All types of jewellery are modelled. Efficient repair service. Established 1970

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SHOPPING | CITY

The Shopping LIST

SHOPPIN CITY G O

ur pick of a new and lo variety of vely ‘must haves’ fro m our Little Shop Best s of Bath 2016

"The Sennheiser 'Momentum' wireless headphones.

Refined style and sound. £379. Paul Green Hifi Brassmill Lane, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Bath BA1 3JN. Tel: 01225 316197

Elaiva Dressing gown. From £125, a beautiful new line of robes available at Green Street House, 14 Green St, Bath BA1 2JZ .

Tel: 01225 426000

For the average magazinophile a regular visit to Magalleria is a must. For example, enjoy a sophisticated tête-à-tête with the gorgeous Luncheon to explore the artistic, cultural and literary highlights of the autumn (£10). Magalleria, 22a Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LN. Tel: 01225 471586

Lapin & Me Snowglobe, a pair of oh so cute woodland dolls, in a snowstorm. Spotty Herberts, 5 Queen St, Bath BA1 1HE. Tel: 01225 331834

Oliver Goldsmith sunglasses - Audrey, in black £211. Kathryn Anthony, 16 Pierrepont St, Bath BA1 1LA. Tel: 01225 464433 Eden Tray £29. Avenida Home, 27 Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BN. Tel: 01225 571718 Available November - See the new range of Aubade Boxers for men at The Dressing Room Bath, 7 Quiet St, Bath, BA1 2JU. Tel: 01225 330563 For women: Dents suede glove with three leather straps and buckles, soft knit lining and available in a range of colours, £39.

For men: Dents soft leather glove with palm vent and three handsewn points. Fully lined in cashmere, in black, brown and English tan, £76. Available at dents.co.uk or find them at Jollys of Bath.

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Beautiful and therapeutic, the 3 wick Neom 'Perfect Peace' candle £45 ( large) is packed with 25 essential oils and the scent perfectly captures a frosty, christmassy forest of winter time. Grasse, 3 Argyle Street Bath, BA2 4BA. Tel: 01225 444260

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GOLDEN | CITY

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GOLDEN | CITY

Jessica Hope meets some of Bath’s finest independent goldsmiths and jewellery designers to discuss how they got into the trade

R

eceiving a piece of jewellery rarely disappoints, especially when it’s a bespoke item from one of Bath’s independent goldsmiths. From diamond rings to vintage earrings, antiques to gold bracelets, the city’s experts have got plenty of unique pieces that make the perfect gifts for loved ones.

With Christmas around the corner, jewellers are preparing themselves for their busiest time of the year. You can expect plenty of locals and visitors from across the country to visit Bath’s goldsmiths in search of that special gift over the next couple of months. This is a reflection of the fact that more and more people are turning away from the high street brands in search of something unique or specially designed.

We gathered together some of the city’s most prominent goldsmiths and asked them about how they got into the industry and what pieces we might like to add to our Christmas list this year.

With thanks to The Gainsborough Hotel, Beau Street, Bath, for allowing us to use its Canvas Room for our photoshoot. Visit: thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk.

BATH’S GUILD OF GOLDEN JEWELLERS: From left to right Katie Vander Woerd, Robert Vander Woerd, Tina Engell, Nicholas Wylde, Michael Parsons, Nigel Dando and Jody Cory

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GOLDEN | CITY

MALLORY JEWELLERS 1 – 5 Bridge Street, Bath, BA2 4AP Tel: 01225 788800 Visit: mallory-jewellers.com Having been established in Bridge Street for over a century, Mallory Jewellers has long been a well recognised business among locals and visitors alike. Edward Palmer Mallory founded the jewellery business in 1898 and has continued to be a family business ever since – the company now has a fifth generation working within it.

Robert Vander Woerd, the current managing director, has been in the jewellery trade for over 45 years, having worked in the industry from an early age and trained in other family run jewellers in both Liverpool and London before returning to Bath to join the company. His daughter, Katie, who is E P Mallory’s great-geat-granddaughter, joined the family business three years ago. Katie heads the marketing, having previously worked in the legal profession, and is determined to ensure that the company looks to the future.

Mallory houses an extensive jewellery workshop with three highly skilled goldsmiths who use the latest design CAD technology. The company also has three watchmakers who undertake in house repairs to some of the best watches in the world.

Being such a long established company in the city, Robert highlights the importance of the business continuing its high quality customer service which has been maintained over the generations. “We endeavour to treat every customer in the same courteous way, whether they are bringing in a repair or embarking on a purchase of thousands of pounds. The rarity of having a jewellery business which not only makes, designs and repairs, together with being able to offer the finest watch and jewellery brands in the world under one roof.”

Since it was established in the late 19th century, employees at Mallory have always believed in the importance of listening to their

customers and will go above and beyond to meet their requirements. Robert says: “A hundred years ago many of our clients came to Bath to take the spa waters and often stayed many weeks purchasing items that befitted their lifestyle. As time evolved the company has ensured it has responded to the aspirations of the visitors to Bath.”

So are there any particular stand-out pieces we should be looking out for in store over the coming months? “The stone of the moment is the rare Paraiba Tourmaline which showcases a wonderful colour spectrum of vibrant turquoise blue.” Mallory sources its Paraibas from South America and Africa to create its beautiful and unique collection pieces.

In order to develop the business further and ensure its continuity of the high quality service for future generations, Mallory believes it is Paraiba tourmaline important to encourage young people to engage in the goldsmith industry and help them and diamond pendant, £16,750 to learn the skills to repairs and create beautiful items by offering apprenticeships and training. Robert says: “We currently have a school leaver who has been with us for 18 months as a trainee watchmaker and a designer goldsmith who is furthering his skills by working with our senior goldsmiths.” n

JODY CORY 9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY Tel: 01225 460072 Visit: jodycory.co.uk Born and raised in Bath, Jody Cory is a local woman with an eye for unique and bespoke jewellery, and established her business in Bath in 2001. Having spent her childhood rummaging through her mum’s jewellery box, Jody was interested in the jewellery making process from the age of 14 – as she says: “It’s fair to say that goldsmithing has been a life-long passion.” She was immediately enthralled by goldsmithing after beginning evening classes at Bath College when she was 15. “I continued training with much enthusiasm and invested my time at the bench learning how to craft jewellery.”

Jody moved to Manchester at just 17 to start her training as a professional goldsmith, learning all about the process of making jewellery and gemmology.

The jewellery sold at Jody’s shop in Abbey Church Yard is handmade and expertly crafted on site by herself and her in-house team of designers and goldsmiths. The team works with precious and semiprecious gemstones, and takes inspiration from the flowing shapes we see in nature.

Jody offers a bespoke service to each of her customers, allowing them to have a say in the whole process from designing, making and finalising each piece of jewellery. “Each item is personal and the journey is unique to each individual, this is why customers come back to us and choose us as their family jeweller.”

A new creation by the team to look out for in store is the oval pink sapphire and diamond cluster ring, set in white gold – it is a truly remarkable piece of craftsmanship. Jody’s rose cut and

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briolette diamond collections are also very popular, and you won’t see anything similar anywhere else in the city.

Over the years, Jody has received commissions from a number of actors and film stars, and even made a handcrafted 18ct gold earpiece for a very well-known musician. The company believes in discretion and customer confidentiality.

Despite the stories of famous people coming through the door, one story that stands out for Jody is when a father commissioned an eternal flame pendant for his daughter who was sadly suffering with a terminal illness. The pendant represented that his daughter would always be with their family, and the memories they had made would always burn bright.

Believing greatly in the importance of passing on her skills and expertise, Jody offers training opportunities and apprenticeships for those wanting to learn more about the world of jewellery. The training begins with simple repairs in order to build up each person’s skills and confidence, and then over time they can begin making stock for the shop. The shop’s current apprentice, Milly, has been working at the shop for two years and is now working on the bench full time and even has her own range being sold in the shop.

Jody offers a range of services, including commissions, remodelling, repairs and valuations. She can also professionally advise those looking to purchase a diamond piece. n

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GOLDEN | CITY

NICHOLAS WYLDE 12 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 462826 Visit: nicholaswylde.com Nicholas Wylde will be celebrating 30 years in business in 2017, after starting in Bath in 1987 as a young man. Now the award-winning designer jeweller has branches in both Bath and Bristol and is one of the few jewellers in the world with their own registered and patented diamond cut – the exquisite Wylde Flower Diamond®.

After leaving school at 16, Nicholas worked in his father’s stationery shop in Birmingham, which was coincidentally placed in the jewellery quarter of the city. It was here where he got to meet the local jewellers, who advised and influenced him to train as a jeweller. Nicholas went on to train as a jewellery designer and goldsmith at the prestigious Birmingham School of Jewellery.

Nicholas then moved to Bath and worked in a jewellers, where he developed his skills further, before opening his own shop in Bath, aged 24, while his sister Corrinda managed the shop. They soon became so busy with orders that they had to move premises to Northumberland Place, where they have been based ever since. In 2010 Nicholas expanded the brand and opened another store and workshop in Clifton, Bristol, selling exclusive pieces.

Describing his business as a traditional family jewellers with a modern twist, Nicholas has always aimed to design and create jewellery that is not easily available on the market. This is why customers have continued to come back to his store year after year.

Nicholas has seen many changes in the industry over the years, with fashions coming and going. But some things never change, as he comments: “Diamonds have always been a girl’s best friend, especially our Wylde Flower Diamond®. It has more cut facets than any other brilliant cut diamond for a special sparkle you won’t find anywhere else in the world. It combines the beauty of both diamonds and flowers and how romantic is that?”

Nicholas’ true passion is colour and high quality gemstones, cut in such a way to allow him to design

unique and highly distinctive items of jewellery – keeping to his style of mixing classic lines with striking designs. This style is known worldwide as ‘the Wylde Effect’.

This is well represented in Nicholas’ brand new collection for 2016 – Carousel – which uses vibrantly coloured sapphires in circular designs to wonderful effect. Colourful sapphires will also be on display in both of Nicholas’ stores from 8 – 11 November when he hosts special free events, with gems on display and talks about their history and folklore. Places are free but very limited. Contact: david.currie@nicholaswylde to book.

In 2016, Nicholas teamed-up with iconic fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes to design together a stunning one-off pendant, crafted in silver, 9ct rose gold, pink sapphires and diamonds, with a value of £2,000. The collectors’ item – engraved with Zandra’s signature – was first shown at Bath in Fashion 2016 and was raffled off, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to support three charities: People Against Poverty, RUH Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now. Nicholas, who is always looking for fresh challenges and innovations, says: “This was an amazing opportunity to work with an incredible, vibrant designer in fashion and it proved to be one of the highlights of our Grand Finale Designer Fashion show for Bath in Fashion.”

In 2016 Nicholas’ website received a complete redesign and overhaul and was relaunched towards the end of the year in its present, cutting-edge form across all devices, offering his same quality service 24/7. Visit: nicholaswylde.com. n

NIGEL DANDO 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AY Tel: 01225 464012 Web: nigeldando.co.uk With a father for a Bath-based goldsmith and being brought up surrounded by second hand silver jewellery, vintage pieces and gorgeous antiques, it’s not surprising that Nigel Dando went into the jewellery business from a young age.

Upon becoming an apprentice at 16, Nigel was struck by the quality and style of jewellery dating from the early 20th century up to the 1950s. The classic shapes, cuts and quality of pieces from these decades caught Nigel’s eye, and he quickly made this his key area of interest and expertise that he has continued to this present day.

After gaining the National Goldsmiths Diploma, Nigel went on to study gemmology at the Sir John Cass College of Art in Whitechapel in his 20s. As he recalls, this gave him a significant insight into the trade of gemstones, understanding how they are created and used in handmade jewellery.

While his father was incredibly happy that his son had decided to go into the goldsmiths business, Nigel’s goldsmith training was rather different to in his father’s day, where official qualifications weren’t as in demand. Instead his father’s contemporaries relied heavily on their own knowledge and personal research into individual pieces. This is a stark contrast to the present day, as Nigel stresses, where if you want to get to the top of the goldsmiths’ ladder, then you need a whole host of qualifications under your belt.

After working in the family business for a number of years, Nigel

established his shop on Pulteney Bridge in 2002.

Nigel sells an eclectic mix of new, pre-owned and vintage jewellery, many dating from 1920 – 1960, along with ranges of contemporary silver jewellery. Many of which are high quality, one-off pieces that you won’t find anywhere else – he doesn’t stock any brands you would usually find on the high street. The shop’s stock changes almost weekly, with new and unusual items appearing all the time. Nigel says: “I never know what is going to come through the door.” I get the sense that it is this not-knowing what rare pieces that might come into his shop that keeps Nigel on his toes. Sometimes he can have 10 – 20 customers a day asking for their pieces to be valued and purchased over the counter, demonstrating just how quickly his stock can change.

While he does buy and sell items from his shop, Nigel visits up to 10 antique fairs a year, both to scout out any rare products or to sell some of his items to the market.

Nigel also buys and sells gold and silver items in any form or condition, and sells precious metals at competitive prices. Additionally, he is happy to offer free advice on selling items, insurance and valuations. n

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GOLDEN | CITY

TINA ENGELL 29 Belvedere, Bath BA1 5HR Tel: 01225 443334 Visit: tinaengell.com While others received formal training in their teens to become a goldsmiths, Tina Engell happened to accidentally fall into the trade and has never looked back. Originally from Denmark, after leaving school Tina enjoyed working on the restaurant scene in Copenhagen for many years.

One day, Tina’s friend called on her in desperation to help her staff the goldsmiths where she was working as an apprentice as her master had just been sentenced to jail for three months and left Tina’s friend to run the business all on her own. This was where Tina first caught glimpse of the jewellery world. “Seeing that work bench with the beautiful hand tools, I thought that is is, that is what I want to do,” she says.

Determined to make her way in the goldsmith trade, Tina persistently knocked on the doors of numerous jewellers, hoping that one of them would take her on as an apprentice. Finally, at the age of 23, she was offered a four year apprenticeship. “I loved it, I loved the dirty hands and the complexity working the metal.”

But it wasn’t easy to get the hang of, that’s for sure. “Sadly I wasn’t naturally good at it. I was clumsy, but still driven, and I believe you can make it if you want it badly enough.”

After establishing a gallery/workshop in Copenhagen in the late

1980s, Tina was accepted onto a design course at the Royal College of Art in London in 1990. She fondly looks back at her studies there, describing it as “the most exciting two years.”

Tina planned to to head back to Denmark after her studies, but that all changed when Harvey Nichols placed an order with her at her degree show. With such a big name under her belt, Tina set up a workshop in London before moving to Bath in 1999.

In 2008 she moved to Belvedere, where she has continued to design jewellery and take commissions from customers for a wide range of pieces. Tina works with precious metals and brightly coloured precious cut stones, and likes to describe her style as “simple, bold and wearable”.

No two items are the same in Tina’s shop, and she makes all of the pieces by hand herself – she offers a truly personal service from start to finish.

Recently, Tina has just finished a commission for a pair of gold earrings for the Duchess of Gloucester, who visited her shop twice during the process. And two years ago she created a bracelet for architect Zaha Hadid. Follow Tina on Instagram: @tinaengell. n

GOLD AND PLATINUM STUDIO 19 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 462300 Visit: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk Michael Parsons’s interest in jewellery first began after a brief spell working part-time in a jewellery business while he was at school. “I realised then that I wanted to be able to make beautiful and imaginative pieces of jewellery. I have always been fascinated with gemstones and design. I also have a keen interest in entomology, which I think has a connection to the fine detail in jewellery,” he says.

Michael studied jewellery design and production at art college for four years before setting up his own contemporary jewellery business.

Then, after working in Sydney, Australia as a goldsmith for a few years, Michael moved to Bath where he began his career at the previously named Gold and Silver Studio.

After working as the company’s goldsmith for five years, Michael took the big step and bought the business in 1996. After relocating to Northumberland Place in 2005, he renamed the company Gold and Platinum Studio.

Gold and Platinum Studio offers a bespoke service for customers looking for a unique and beautifully crafted piece of jewellery. The team at the studio creates a whole host of unusual and personal items, anything from a simple wedding ring to a multiple gem set matching necklace and earrings.

The studio offers a variety of services, including repairs, restoration, re-modelling old or unwanted pieces, bespoke commissions, valuations and estimations, and all work is carried out on site using traditional techniques.

While it can be quite easy to pick up any piece of jewellery on the high streets across the country, Bath stands out for its collection of bespoke and independent jewellers – no jewellery shop is the same and all offer unique services you won’t find in many high street stores.

Michael says: “People come to Bath because it is one of the few cities which has a good selection of independent businesses offering individual services – clients often complain of high street jewellers

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having similar products which have been manufactured overseas. From my point of view, clients like the fact that they can speak to the person who is going to be carrying out the work rather than vague instructions sent to an anonymous workshop elsewhere.”

One piece of jewellery Michael was commissioned to make over the years is a lot closer to home than you might think. His father asked him to make the cello brooch, pictured, for his mother, who was a keen cellist, on their golden wedding anniversary. Over several months, Michael spent many late nights completing the work on this truly unique piece made out of 18ct yellow gold, rose gold and platinum. “It was a labour of love and when my mother passed away six years ago it came back into my possession. Needless to say, it’s not for sale but does help display the level of workmanship we strive to achieve.”

More recently the Great British Olympic gymnastics team commissioned a few pieces of jewellery to commemorate their time at the Rio 2016 games, which the team at the studio were thrilled to make. The jewellery was described on the studio’s Facebook page as: “Pieces that will last a lifetime and hold a constant reminder of everything they have achieved!”

One element that makes working in this industry is the involvement in the personal moments of customers’ lives. Michael recalls how one couple recently visited the store from London where the customer had planned for a surprise piece of jewellery to be presented to his partner as she browsed the store. “Her amazement and delight when the ring was presented to her, its box beautifully wrapped with silky blue satin ribbon and bows, will not only stay with them forever but with each of us at the studio. We wish them every happiness.” n

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GOLDEN | CITY

A sparkling

9ct White gold and diamond necklace, £1,075, Jody Cory

STATEMENT Cup rings, 18ct yellow gold with peridot and lemon qtz, £1,050 each, Tina Engell

Diamond drop earrings, £4,380, Mallory

18ct White gold 1.38ct pink sapphire and diamond cluster, £2,600, Jody Cory

Platinum diamond halo cluster ring, £13,950, Mallory

18ct yellow gold mount with platinum claws, set with oval 2.07ct Colombian emerald and two 1.46ct round cut diamonds, £18,750, Gold and Platinum Studio

18ct white gold, multi-colour sapphire stud earrings, 0.71ct, £2,000, Nicholas Wylde

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The Colourful World of Sapphire Sapphires of every size and colour on show in our free in-store events coming this November at Nicholas Wylde Bath Showroom – 10th & 11th November Bristol Showroom – 8th & 9th November Following the success and popularity of last years’ Opal Events, we’re delighted to announce that booking is now open for our new in-store events celebrating the timeless beauty of one of the most precious gems of all – sapphire.

These special free events, designed to

Nicholas Wylde is the South West’s leading jewellery designer, creating

be educational as well as entertaining,

beautiful bespoke jewellery in his unique and visionary manner.

will see an abundance of stunning

One of the few jewellers in the world to have a registered, patented

every

diamond (The Wylde Flower Diamond ®, containing more cut facets than

imaginable colour, including star

any other brilliant cut diamond), Nicholas continues to explore new

sapphires and their glorious natural

frontiers in designer-led jewellery – all crafted with skill and love.

sapphires

on

display

of

designs.

You’ll be able to hear talks on their history, folklore and about some of the

For more information and to reserve your place contact: David Currie: david.currie@nicholaswylde.com or call the Bath or Bristol branches

most famous sapphires in history.

You’ll never see so many gorgeous sapphires collected together in one place. It’s also a great opportunity for you to select and buy your own precious gem for that perfect jewellery item – just in time for Christmas!

These events are designed to be small, intimate gatherings to ensure everyone is well looked after.

The dates are 8th and 9th November in the Bristol store and 10th and 11th November in the Bath store. There will be two events organised each day – an afternoon one that runs from 3pm to 5pm and an early evening one from 7pm to 9pm.

As well as a wonderful display of sumptuous sapphires, you can bring along your own gem to get care and cleaning tips, as you enjoy afternoon tea, cake and nibbles in the day and canapés and a glass of bubbly in the evening!

All November sapphire events are completely free and if you wish to reserve a place please contact us and specify which store (Bath or Bristol)

THE CAROUSEL COLLECTION Brand new for Christmas 2016 Our events will also be an opportunity to see Nicholas’ new collection ‘Carousel’, which he has designed especially to incorporate the vast range of coloured sapphires. The collection consists of Pendant, Ring and Earrings which can be designed in any colour combination you choose

and time of day (afternoon or early evening) that would suit.

BATH SHOWROOM

12 NORTHUMBERLAND PLACE BATH | BA1 5AR | TEL: 01225 462826

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BRISTOL SHOWROOM

6 THE MALL CLIFTON BRISTOL | BS8 4DR | TEL: 0117 974 3582

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GRASSE

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

Icarus Jewellery

Beautifully handcrafted jewellery Icarus Silver 27 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LW 01225 489088

Icarus Gallery 1 Queen Street, Bath, BA1 1HE 01225 319777

www.icarusjewellery.com

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CITY | READING

BOOKS THAT INSPIRED FILMS As Bath Film Festival kicks off this month, we bring you some of our favourite novels that became hit films

CONTROVERSIAL

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, paperback, Bloomsbury, rrp £8.99 Khaled Hosseini’s first novel, published in 2003, tells the story of two young boys, Amir and Hassan, set in 1975 Afghanistan. The two boys take part in a kite-flying tournament, but are unaware of the events that are to happen to them later that afternoon which will define their lives. The Kite Runner was number one on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years.

The 2007 film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes.

CONSEQUENCES

Atonement by Ian McEwan, paperback, Vintage Publishing, rrp £8.99 During the hot summer of 1935, teenage Briony Tallis watches her sister Cecilia take off her clothes and plunge into the fountain of the country house in front of Robbie Turner, the housekeeper’s son. Briony misconstrues the sexual tension between Cecilia and Robbie, and later accuses Robbie of a crime that will change these young people’s lives forever. The 2007 film was directed Joe Wright and starred James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch and Vanessa Redgrave.

The film received numerous nominations, including seven at the Golden Globes and 14 at the BAFTAs, and won an Oscar for Best Original Score. The film was highly praised for its moving five minute-long tracking shot of the evacuation of Dunkirk which showed the horrors and pointlessness of the war.

THRILLER

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, paperback, Orion Publishing, rrp £8.99 On the morning of her fifth wedding anniversary, Amy disappears.

Her husband, Nick, is quickly assumed a suspect by the police.

Amy’s diary describes Nick as aggressive and controlling, but could he really murder his wife? Or was Amy really as perfect as everyone believed? Gone Girl spent over 130 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, with 37 weeks at number one, and has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. Gillian Flynn wrote the screenplay for the 2014 film based on the book, which starred Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. The film received numerous award nominations, especially in categories for direction and best actress for Pike’s portrayal of Amy.

THE STYLE ICON

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote, paperback, Penguin Books, rrp £7.99 The outspoken Holly Golightly is a young 1940s socialite in New York who receives an income from wealthy men who take her out on the town and give her expensive gifts. The novella was adapted for the 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn, which set the plot in the 1960s. Breakfast at Tiffany's is recognised by most as Hepburn’s most memorable film, for which she received an Academy nomination for Best Actress.

HEROISM

Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally, paperback, Hodder & Stoughton, rrp £9.99 Inspired by Poldek Pfefferberg’s experiences of the Holocaust, Keneally’s novel is based on the life of Oskar Schindler and follows how he went from being a Nazi Party member and entrepreneur to risking his life to save Polish Jews from almost certain death in a Nazi concentration camp. Schindler's Ark won the Booker Prize in 1982. Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film Schindler’s List was based on Keneally’s novel and received seven Academy Awards, among other international awards. The film is often regarded as one of the best ever made.

THE CLASSIC

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, hardback, Penguin Books, rrp £14.99 Austen’s 1811 novel follows the story of the Dashwood sisters – Elinor and Marianne – who, after the death of their father, are left with a small inheritance and are forced to move home with their widowed mother and young sister to a small cottage in the country. After being accepted into local society, Marianne falls for the dashing but unruly John Willoughby, while Elinor tries to hides her feelings for

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Edward Ferrars. This particular copy is part of Penguin’s clothbound classics range, designed by Coralie BickfordSmith. The 1995 film of Sense and Sensibility was a hit at the box office and received eleven nominations – and won three awards at the 1995 British Academy Film Awards.

Emma Thompson, who wrote the screenplay and starred in the film, was awarded with Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards, and also gained a nomination for Best Actress for her part as Elinor Dashwood. The film also starred Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant.

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Rare

and

Beautiful

18ct yellow gold Opal and Diamond pendant.

Priced at £1720.00

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FILM | FESTIVAL

ON THE BIG SCREEN Jessica Hope picks a selection of the superb productions on show at this month’s Bath Film Festival, which runs from Thursday 3 – Sunday 13 November

T

he programme for this year’s Bath Film Festival is jam-packed with tantalising previews of films that won’t be out in cinemas for months, enlightening documentaries, and classic films that will make you feel all nostalgic. Plus there are also beautifully illustrated tales, foreign films that you won’t want to miss, and tales of adversity, politics and social issues, both past and present. Here’s a round up of just some of the brilliant films on offer this month. . .

THE ODYSSEY / L’ODYSSÉE Thursday 3 November, 7.30pm, Odeon Director: Jérôme SalleFrance. Starring: Lambert Wilson, Audrey Tautou, Pierre Niney. 2016, cert PG (tbc), sub-titles The Odyssey explores the life of 20th century television naturalist Jacques Cousteau (Lambert Wilson) and his relationships with his wife Simone (Audrey Tautou) and his son. The film follows Cousteau’s work not only as an oceanologist, but also a salesman who was always on the look out for the next

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investor. Expect complex family politics and beautiful underwater footage.

Neeson) who has lots of stories to tell him about life’s lessons.

A MONSTER CALLS Friday 4 November, 6.30pm, Odeon Director: J A Bayona. Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Lewis MacDougall. 2016, 108m, cert tbc Adapted from the award-winning book of the same name, A Monster Calls follows the struggle of a 13-year-old boy after he discovers his mother (Felicity Jones) is dying. One night the boy looks out of his bedroom window to find a large tree monster (voiced by Liam

INGRID BERGMAN IN HER OWN WORDS / JAG ÄR INGRID Friday 4 November, 8.40pm, Mission Theatre Director: Stig Björkman. Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Roberto Rossellini, Pia Lindström. 2015, 114m, cert PG, sub-titles Considered one of the most iconic film stars of all time, Ingrid Bergman became a Hollywood sweetheart at 27 when she starred in Casablanca. Using Bergman’s own self-shot footage and conversations with her friends and family, this documentary gives a new insight into this cinematic star.

RAILWAYS ON FILM Saturday 5 November, 7pm, Mission Theatre Director: various. 1898 – 1970, 73m, cert U Ever since 1895 when the Lumière brothers produced a 50-second static documentary of a train arriving at a

A SNEAK PREVIEW: main picture, Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo star in A United Kingdom Inset, Ingrid Bergman behind the camera Opposite page, from top left clockwise, a shot from Cameraperson, Michelle Williams in Certain Women, the beautiful illustrations in The Red Turtle, Florence Pugh in Lady Macbeth, the original Freaky Friday, and a shot from The Birth of a Nation

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FILM | FESTIVAL

station, many cinema audience members have been captivated by the railways. This collection of films from archives demonstrates the changes in the political and social landscape of the UK across the 20th century. Please note: contains flashing lights.

FREAKY FRIDAY Sunday 6 November, 12pm, Little Theatre Director: Gary Nelson. Starring: Jodie Foster, Barbara Harris, John Astin. 1976, 95m, cert U To celebrate its 40th birthday, the festival will be showing the original version of Freaky Friday. The hilarious magical body swap between a mother and daughter stars a 14 yearold Jodie Foster. There’s also a prize for the best dressed parent and child – wearing each other’s clothes, naturally.

LADY MACBETH Sunday 6 November, 8.30pm, Odeon Director: William Oldroyd. Starring Florence Pugh, Christopher Fairbank, Cosmo Jarvis.

2016, 89m, cert 15 (tbc) Oldroyd’s new film was one of the surprise hits of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Based on Nikolai Leskov’s 1865 novel Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District but with the change of location to 19th century Somerset, this film has little connection with Shakespeare’s character except for the fact that the protagonist is rather ruthless. Florence Pugh’s character is married off at 19 to a middle-aged suitor who shows no interest in her, so she releases her frustration on one servant and her lust onto another.

THE RED TURTLE / LA TORTUE ROUGE Monday 7 November, 6pm, Odeon Director: Michael Dudok de Wit. 2016, 80m, cert PG (tbc) Winner of the Special Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this simple and dialoguefree film tells the tale of a man who is spewed up by the raging seas onto the shores of a deserted island. This is a story of the battle for survival, and reflects on the part humans play in the natural world.

ONLY THE DEAD Monday 7 November, 7pm, Rondo Theatre Director: Bill Guttentag, Michael Ware.

Starring Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Michael Ware. 2015, 77m, cert 18 (tbc) After arriving in Iraq on the eve of the 2003 invasion, Australian war correspondent Michael Ware not only witnessed military action up close – he also became the unwilling conduit to the rest of the world for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

This challenging documentary takes a different view of the war that has impacted so many lives across the world.

CERTAIN WOMEN Tuesday 7 November, 6pm, Odeon Director: Kelly Reichardt. Starring Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams, Laura Dern.

2016, 107m, cert tbc Certain Women follows the lives of three women in the Pacific North West and their struggles with everyday life. Reichardt uses an eloquent and direct style to portray the characters’ stories and reactions to life’s irritations. This film received great reviews at both Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival.

ALONE IN BERLIN Tuesday 8 November, 8.40pm, Odeon Director: Vincent Perez. Starring Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson. 2016, 103m, cert 12A (tbc) Devastated after their son is killed in France in 1940, Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson play a German couple who turn against Hitler’s dictatorship and begin to leave postcards in public places, encouraging German citizens to revolt against the Führer.

THE PASS Wednesday 9 November, 6pm, Odeon Director: Ben A Williams. Starring Russell Tovey and Arinzé Kene. 2016, 88m, cert 15 This film is set in three hotel rooms over ten years, following the life of premier league footballer Jason, played by Russell Tovey, who

tries to hide his sexuality from the football world. Followed by a Q&A with director Ben A Williams.

CAMERAPERSON Thursday 10 November, 7pm, Chapel Arts Centre Director: Kirsten Johnson. 2016, 102m.

Kirsten Johnson is known for her work as a cinematographer on CitizenFour and Fahrenheit 9/11. This documentary reveals some remarkable footage from her work over the years, including what she witnessed in war zones, such as Bosnia and Iraq, and footage of her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s. Followed by a Skype Q&A with Kirsten.

THE BIRTH OF A NATION Saturday 12 November, 8.50pm, Odeon Director: Nate Parker. Starring Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aunjanue Ellis. 2016, 120m, cert 15 This film focuses on the slave revolt led by Nat Turner in 1831, when he and a small number of slaves attacked several white households, killing the inhabitants. Parker’s film highlights how this revolt played a part in the build up to the American Civil War three decades later.

A UNITED KINGDOM Sunday 13 November, 8.40pm, Odeon Director: Amma Asante. Starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Tom Felton.

2016, 111m, cert 12A Concluding this year’s festival is a film that will be on many critics’ radars. After falling in love with an Englishwoman while studying in Britain, Seretse Khama, Prince of Botswana (previously known as Bechuanaland), knew that marrying the woman he loved would cause an political scandal. Set in the late 1940s, Botswana’s neighbour, South Africa, challenges their relationship, stating that according to new apartheid laws they could not allow a mixedrace marriage.

Visit: bathfilmfestival.org.uk or call: 01225 463458 to find out more and to book tickets. n

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

Joli Vyann contemporary dance at The Edge, the University of Bath

THE REAL MACGUFFINS AND FOL ESPOIR Tuesday 1 November, 7.15pm n Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe, Bath Bath Comedy welcomes The Real MacGuffins & Fol Espoir, Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain. It’s 1942 and a horde of Yankee servicemen have arrived in England, where the locals speak a strange dialect, boil all their food, and talk endlessly about the weather. As seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, this is a joyful romp through British eccentricity.

Tickets: £12 / £10 concs, visit: bathcomedy.com or tel: 0800 411 8881.

EDITOR’S PICK ROTARY CLUB OF BATH FIREWORKS Saturday 5 November, gates open 5.30pm fireworks, 7.30pm n The Recreation Ground, off Great Pulteney Street, Bath This is an annual treat for Bathonians as families wrap up against the cold and head out onto the streets for a collective ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ as the sky is filled with colour. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Bath give up their time to put on a display that can be seen all across the city. Tickets: £5 for adults and £3 for children (£1 more each if bought on the night).

And if you’re too mean to pay to go in, please throw some coins into the charity collecting buckets. Thanks to public generosity and sponsorship from Bath Building Society (which also issues tickets from its branches) charities are helped continue their good work year after year.

Ray Gelato and Claire Martin at the Wiltshire Music Centre

Sharon Shannon at Chapel Arts Centre

The Real MacGuffins at Widcombe Social Club

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ANNIE n Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath Wednesday 28 September – Sunday 8 October, times vary Bath Light Operatic Group goes from strength to strength with its big shows, taking on the city’s prestigious theatre and continuing to delight audiences. Enjoy all the songs from little orphan Annie and the assembled cast. Tickets from £15, tel: 01225 448844 or visit: theatreroyal.org.uk.

Also at the Theatre Royal this month THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Monday 14 – Saturday 19 November, times vary Paul Cattermole from S Club 7 stars as Eddie / Dr Scot while Liam Tamne dons the fishnets to play Frank-n-Furter, with the Rocky Horror Show’s catchy soundtrack of songs, including the Time Warp. Warning: there will be naughty bits.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK Monday 21 – Saturday 26 November, times vary Some eight million people have jumped out of their theatre seats during Susan Hill’s classic gothic masterpiece. We can assure you that the stage version is much much scarier than the film.

JEREMY PAXMAN Wednesday 2 November, 8pm n Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath The Grand Inquisitor of Newsnight and University Challenge turns his steely gaze to his own career and life with the publication of his memoirs Life In Questions. Tickets: £20, redeemable against the book. Tel: 01225 428111 or call in to Topping & Co bookshop, The Paragon.

Also organised by Topping & Co this month NICOLA TALLIS ON LADY JANE GREY Wednesday 2 November, 8pm n Topping & Co, the Paragon, Bath Historian Nicola Tallis graduated with a first in history from Bath Spa University. She’ll be talking about the myths and facts surrounding the English Queen for nine days, executed at just 17. Lady Jane Grey is the subject of her book Crown of Blood, the Deadly Inheritance of Lady Jane Grey. Tickets: £6 in advance, redeemable against the book.

MATTHEW PARRIS Tuesday 22 November, 8pm n Topping & Co, The Paragon, Bath Who doesn’t love delivering a witty put down, a barbed comment that withers the victim and gives the deliverer a secret warm nasty glow?

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Cardboard Fox at the Wiltshire Music Centre Journalist Matthew Parris has written Scorn, a collection of insults ranging from Roman graffiti to the waspish Dorothy Parker and the articulately cutting Winston Churchill. Tickets: £10.99, redeemable against the book.

AMY WADGE Friday 4 November, 8pm n Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Grammy award-winner Amy is one of the country’s most successful female singer songwriters, and was described by Bob Harris as “an irresistible, riveting performer.” Her Thinking Out Loud co-write with Ed Sheeran became the biggest selling UK album of 2014, and the track won two Grammys at the Academy Awards, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. Amy has worked with Sheeran since he was 17.

Her most recent EP, No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk – includes her own version of Thinking Out Loud. She’ll be supported by Bath based singer-songwriter Daviid (sic). Tickets: £12 (£14 on the door), visit: chapelarts.org, Tel 01225 461700.

Also at Chapel Arts Centre this month SARAH SHANNON AND BAND Tuesday 15 November, 8pm n Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Sharon Shannon a button accordion player from County Clare, has recorded and toured with Bono, Sinead O’Connor, Steve Earle, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss and Shane MacGowan. Her album Galway Girl went four times platinum in Ireland with the title track winning her the Meteor award two years running for the most downloaded song. Sharon will be joined by Jim Murray, acoustic guitar, Sean Regan fiddle, vocals and percussion and Alan Connor piano, electric guitar, percussion and vocals. Tickets: £18 (£20 on the door.)

SON YAMBU Saturday 26 November, 8pm Bringing the excitement of the streets of Cuba to November in Bath is the UK’s own Buena Vista style band. Son Yambu play authentic Cuban son – the essential Afro-Cuban music that originated in Cuba at the turn of the last century guaranteed to bring a fiesta mood to Chapel Arts. Son Yambu features a new generation of Cuban musicians who are all passionate about maintaining the traditions of the genre, continuing the Buena Vista legacy that put Cuban music back on the map in 1997. Tickets: £13.50 (£15 on the door).

CARDBOARD FOX/JOE TROOP AND DIEGO SANCHEZ Friday 4 November, 7.30pm n Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon Sisters Charlotte and Laura Carrivick front the blue grass band Cardboard Fox, joined on stage for this concert by Argentine banjo/fiddle and double bass duo Joe Troop and Diego Sanchez for what promises to be an exciting mix of sounds. Tickets: £15 / £7 under 18s. Visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk or tel: 01225 860100.

Also at Wiltshire Music Centre this month CLAIRE MARTIN AND RAY GELATO Friday 11 November, 7.30pm To celebrate the release of their latest album A Swinging Affair, jazz singer Claire Martin and saxophonist and singer Ray Gelato are on tour with pianist Dave Newton, exploring some classics from the great American songbook. Tickets: £22 / £11 under 18s.

JOANNA MACGREGOR Friday 25 November, 7.30pm The one-time artistic director of the Bath International Music Festival, Joanna MacGregor is also one of the world’s leading innovative musicians. The pianist’s programme for the Wiltshire Music Centre Continued page 46 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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comprises pieces from Schubert, Liszt and Wagner. The concert will be preceeded by an afternoon workshop for aspiring young musicians. Concert tickets: £22 / £11 under 18s.

Pianist Joanna MacGregor visits the Wiltshire Music Centre

WHOLE LOTTA LED Friday 4 November, 7pm n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath Whole Lotta Led is the longest running professional Led Zeppelin tribute band, whose high energy sets never fail to get their audiences playing air guitar and shaking their heads. Tickets; £15.

This is a standing gig. Visit: komedia.co.uk/bath or tel: 0845 293 8480.

Also at Komedia this month THE ZOMBIES Wednesday 9 November, 7pm The Zombies topped the US charts in 1964 with She’s Not There. But they’re very much still here and this Bath show follows a successful tour of the United States last year. Tickets: £22.50.

TURIN BRAKES Thursday 24 November, 7pm Turin Brakes is one of the finest indie bands of the last decade, continuing to produce powerful new music. Tickets: £20, this is a standing gig.

CLARE TEAL AND THE SWING MACHINE JAZZ ORCHESTRA Saturday 5 November, 7pm n Cedars Hall, Wells Cathedral School, Wells, Somerset The new-purpose built 350-seater concert hall with pitch perfect acoustics, launches its first season with a varied programme. Bath’s own international jazz star Clare Teal joins the south west jazz orchestra for a night of musical fireworks. Tickets: from £22 to include a glass of Somerset fizz. Box office, tel: 01749 834483.

Also at Cedars Hall this month PERCUSSIONIST COLIN CURRIE Friday 18 November, 7.30pm Fresh from impressing audiences at the Royal Festival Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York this year, Colin Currie, one of the world’s leading percussionist, brings his virtuoso performance to Somerset.

Tickets: from £12 (under 18s free).

IMOGEN COOPER Monday 21 November, 7. 30pm A recital from one of the greatest pianists of our time. Imogen Cooper’s programme comprises: Janacek, from An Overgrown Path Book 1; Schumann Davidsbunderlertanze; Debussy La Puerta del Vino and Soirées dans Grenade, plus Albeniz Pieces from Iberia. Tickets from £15.

A HANDFUL OF SINGERS: THE SOMME REMEMBERED Sunday 6 November, 3.30pm n St John the Evangelist Church, South Parade, Bath Marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme with readings and music by four English composers of the period: Parry’s choral masterpiece, Songs of Farewell, written in the aftermath of the Somme; Nunc Dimitis by Holst – a moving setting of Simeon’s farewell to the world; Howells’ Requiem, from the 1930s; and Vaughan Williams’ Lord, Thou hast been our Refuge. Tickets £10, £5 u25s, from Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 or visit: ahandfulofsingers.

DANCE: STATELESS – JOLI VYANN Saturday 5 November, 7.30pm n The Edge, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath Collaborating with French dance circus choreographer, Florence Caillon, Stateless explores ideas of immigration, journeys, humanity and tolerance, taking audiences on a physical and emotional journey into the lives and fate of people crossing borders. Joli Vyann fuses the energy of hand-to-hand acrobatics and Cyr wheel with graceful contemporary dance to create a captivating style of physical performance. Tickets: £10, £8 concessions, £6 University of Bath students. Box Office: 01225 386777, visit: edgearts.org.

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Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution Forthcoming events: 1831 Bath & Bristol Riots 1st November, 2pm Icelandic Ambassador 15th November, Bath Box Office

“1816: The Year with No Summer” Free exhibition: starts 22nd November 2016

The Colour Blue Symposium 19th November, Bath Box Office

Recital: Beethoven & Schumann – L. Daniels (Tenor) 25th November

The P latinum Process 16th November Bath box office

The Sebastião Selgado Exhibitio n 11th – 19th November

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

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WHAT’S | ON COLLECTIONS OF NAPOLEON AND JOSEPHINE Monday, 7 November 7.15pm n BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath At their private retreat, the Chateau de Malmaison, Napoleon and Josephine amassed art treasures. This Bath Evening Decorative and Fine Arts Society lecture by Carole Petipher delves behind the scenes. Prebooked visitors £8 students free, tel: 01225 810454. Visit: bedfas.co.uk.

A feast for ears and eyes: The Tempest at the Michael Tippett Centre at Bath Spa University

TROUBLE IN MIND Thursday 10 November – Saturday 17 December, times vary n Ustinov Studio, Sawclose, Bath Actress Tanya Moodie, who starred with Lenny Henry in Fences and has just played Gertrude in Hamlet with the Royal Shakespeare Company, plays an actress in 1950s America. Her character is in an anti-lynching play, in which she’s directed by a white director in this award-winning comedy drama from the 1950s by Alice Childress. Tickets: £19.50 / £14.50 discounts, preview performances £12. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk.

Comedian Simon Evans at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon

Amy Wadge at Chapel Arts Centre

BATH MINERVA CHOIR Wednesday 9 November, 7.30pm n Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa University, Newton St Loe This new adaptation of The Tempest for voices, period instruments and magic lantern brings together British music from the Baroque period alongside works by contemporary composers. The music has been drawn together by artistic director Charlie Barber including music by Matthew Locke, Henry Purcell, and Bath’s own Thomas Linley, as well as new interpretations by Michael Nyman from the film Prospero’s Books.

Tickets £10, concessions £8, visit: bathspalive.com, or tel: 01225 463362.

Also at the Michael Tippett Centre this month OPERA NIGHT Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 November, 7.30pm Students from Bath Spa University’s music and theatre production departments present an operatic double-bill of Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gershwin’s Blue Monday. Suor Angelica a moving tale of sorrow and redemption is full of glorious melodies and will take you on an emotional journey through the most heart-rending of human experiences. George Gershwin’s debut mini-opera Blue Monday, takes place in a Harlem speakeasy. Tickets £12, concessions £10.

EDITOR’S PICK BATH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Wednesday 16 November, 6pm n Bottom of Stall Street, next to Southgate shopping centre, Bath Who better than Father Christmas himself to herald the start of the Christmas party by switching on the city’s festive lights? This is a traditional treat as families take their children to watch the annual ritual.

Pianist Angela Hewitt is playing in Bath as part of the MozartFest

Actor Samuel West is the reader at a family concert for Bath MozartFest

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BATH MOZARTFEST Friday 11 – Saturday 19 November n Venues across Bath including the Assembly Rooms, Bath Abbey and the Guildhall The festival, dominated by the music of Mozart, is now in its 26th year, attracting musicians and audiences from the UK and abroad. Highlights include visits from the Norwegian Vertavo String Quartet, the Hallé orchestra, German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich, Russian pianist Peter Limonov and the American Emerson String Quartet. International pianist Angela Hewitt will be playing a programme of Mozart, Beethoven and Scarlatti, while actor Samuel West will be the voice reading from Babar the Elephant and Peter and the Wolf for a family concert at the Guildhall.

Highlights include a series of weekday concerts which can be comfortably fitted into a lunch break, at 1pm in the Guildhall. Return to work with peace of mind restored and soul refreshed. To book tickets call the Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 or via: bathmozartfest.org.uk.

SIMON EVANS: IN THE MONEY Thursday 17 November, 7.15pm n St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon Bath Comedy presents the host of BBC Radio 4’s Goes to Market and star of Live at the Apollo, in a show which takes a ranty look at the world economy. Tickets: £14 / £12 concs, visit: bathcomedy.com or tel: 0800 411 8881. The Three Gables restaurant, which is just a stone’s throw from St Margaret’s Hall and the station, is running a special pre and post

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comedy show supper for this evening, two courses £18, three courses for £22, open from 5.30pm, bookings open now. Tel: 01225 781666.

WHY MINDFULNESS IS POPULAR IN THE WEST Friday 18 November, 7.30pm n BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath Christmas Lights switch on 16 November Bath Mindfulness meditation has become popular. And yet, it has been around for 2,500 years, when the Buddha taught such practices. Why it has taken off now and what, if any, benefits it will bring us will be explored when Geshe Tashi Tsering, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, gives a talk. Geshe Tashi has been the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre London for more than 20 years and his command of English and his understanding and appreciation of how we think has made him an exemplary teacher.

ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 November, 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm) n The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath Bath Gilbert and Sullivan Society presents four Concert Performances of Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. The operetta is packed full of catchy tunes including the famous Infernal Gallop or Can-Can. Tickets: £11 / £9 concessions, tel: 01225 400295 or Bath Festivals Box Office tel: 01225 463362 OUT OF FOCUS Wednesday 30 November – Saturday 3 December 7.30pm n Tovey Hall Theatre, United Reformed Church, Grove Street, Bath The Argyle Players present Out of Focus by Peter Gordon, a comedy drama in which a group of people assemble at a church hall, each thinking they are there for a separate activity – Brownies, table tennis, a talk on steam trains and so on. In short, confusion reigns. This unlikely group decided to put on a pantomime but this too becomes impossibly confusing and eventually descends into hilarious chaos.

Tickets: £10 (to include programme and refreshments) from bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362.

A HISTORY OF FASHION IN 100 OBJECTS Daily until January 2019 n The Fashion Museum, the Assembly Rooms, Bath This is a fascinating display of 100 star items from the museum’s collection. One of the earliest garments is an intricately embroidered waistcoat worn by an aristocratic woman from the time of Shakespeare. The exhibition also includes an appliqué embroidered jacket by Paris couturier Lucien Lelong, worn by Vivien Leigh in 1948.

Tickets: £8.75, £7.75 concessions, £6.75 children. Free with Discovery Card or Art Pass.

PLANNING FOR PEACE: REDESIGNING BATH DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR Until 27 November n The Museum of Bath Architecture, the Paragon, Bath A fascinating exhibition that shows paintings completed in 1916 of ambitious plans for the centre of Bath, in which large public spaces would have been created. Free with entry to the museum. Entry £5.50, concessions £4.50, children £2.50. Visit: museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk.

BATHAMPTON CHRISTMAS FAIR Saturday 26 November, 10am – 2pm n The Village Hall, Holcombe Lane, Bathampton A family day with Santa’s Grotto, children’s games, hot drinks and bacon rolls, plus stalls selling crafts, cakes, sweets, jewellery, discounted cards and pre-owned decorations.

BATH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY EXHIBITION Monday 29 November – Saturday 3 December, 9.30am – 5pm daily n Bath central library, the Podium, Northgate Street, Bath Bath Photographic Society’s annual exhibition consists of more than Continued Page 52

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WHAT’S | ON

Bath Spa Band Christmas concert

100 images, along with DPI images in a slide show presentation. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to vote for their favourite image.

LECTURE: THE ROLES OF NUTRITION AND EXERCISE IN METABOLIC HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS Wednesday 30 November, 6.15pm n The Chancellor’s Building, the University of Bath campus, Claverton, Bath A free lecture in which Dr Javier Gonzalez and Dr James Betts, both of the University of Bath and Dr Stephen Burns of Nangyang Technological University in Singapore will be discussing some of their latest research on the roles of nutrition and exercise in metabolic health and fat loss. To contact the organiser email: J.T.Gonzalez@Bath.ac.uk.

PLANNING AHEAD . . .

BONBON CABARET: BONBON AND CHUMS Thursday 1 December, 7.30pm n Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe, Bath After a three year sabbatical the fabled Bonbon Cabaret is back, featuring a scintillating array of talent in a variety show format.

Monsieur Le Bonbon will introduce a splendiferous line-up of quality acts including character comedy and music plus, of course, the ineffable Widcombe Players; and no Bonbon Cabaret would be complete without the unmissable pickled egg raffle. Tickets: £14 / £12 concs, visit: bathcomedy.com or tel: 0800 411 8881.

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

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: BATH SPA BAND WITH MENDIP MALE VOICE CHOIR Friday 9 December, 7.30pm n St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath A festive family concert featuring the Bath Spa Band and the Mendip Male Voice Choir. Includes a chance to sing some favourite carols.

Refreshments available. Visit: bathspaband.co.uk and: mendipmen.co.uk. Tickets £10 / £7 concessions, tel: 01761 479101, email: secretary@bathspaband.co.uk or tel: 01761 414070, email: tickets@mendipmen.co.uk.

BATH MINERVA CHOIR Saturday 10 December, 7.30pm n St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, Bath Join Bath Minerva Choir for its Christmas Celebration concert featuring tenor James Oxley and The Bristol Ensemble. The programme will include Britten’s St Nicolas Cantata, followed by a selection of carols. Tickets: £15 (seats unreserved), under 16s £5, from Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362, visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk. n 52 TheBATHMagazine

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Bath Minerva Choir

CITY OF SONG

With Christmas fast approaching, The Bath Magazine brings you an ensemble of some of Bath’s choirs and their forthcoming performances

BATH CANTATA GROUP

BATH MINERVA CHOIR

Bath Cantata Group is a great choir in more ways than one. Firstly, the members sing really well, which is rather important as it is the oldest chamber choir in Bath so has a reputation to maintain.

Secondly, the choir puts on fantastic concerts featuring some of the best choral music around. For example, this month Bath Cantata will be performing Rossini’s exhilarating Petite Messe Solennelle accompanied by two pianos and a harmonium. To hear this fabulous work – neither petite nor solennelle – come to St Stephen’s Church on Lansdown on Saturday 26 November at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15.

Recent performances have featured Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast (jointly with Bradford on Avon Choral Society and Paragon Singers) and Haydn’s Nelson Mass.

Thirdly, the choir has an exciting musical director in Neil Moore who is leading Bath Cantata to ever more ambitious heights. And last but not least, should you want to join the choir because the members are super-friendly, visit: bathcantatagroup.co.uk or contact helenchalmers@tiscali.co.uk. n

Bath Minerva Choir was formed in 1994 from ex-members of the former Bath Georgian Festival Chorus. It has always been a nonauditioning choir and accepts new members of all ages. Membership is now around 140.

Between 1997 and the present day there have been two conductors, Jason Thornton, who is now musical director of Bath Philharmonia, and Gavin Carr who was appointed in January 2008. Under both these conductors membership and performance has improved and enabled the choir to sing a wide ranging repertoire, including a modern requiem Paul Carr’s Seven Last words from the Cross, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and recently Baroque Masterpieces Pergolesi Stabat mater and Scarlatti’s St Cecilia Mass.

Bath Minerva Choir sings two concerts each year, one in the spring and one in the autumn. In addition, since 2012 there have been a series of weekend summer masterclasses/workshops. These have included Britten’s War Requiem, Tippett’s A Child of our Time and in 2016 Bach’s B Minor Mass.

In 2015, the 21st year as a choir, Bath Minerva joined Bournemouth Symphony Chorus in two very successful performances of Mahler’s 8th Symphony in Poole Lighthouse and Exeter Cathedral.

This was followed by the choir’s 21st birthday gala in Bath Abbey in November last year when they sang Mozart’s glorious Requiem and Scenes from The Magic Flute. Plans for 2017 include Verdi’s Requiem in Bath Abbey in April and a summer workshop in June on Monteverdi’s Vespers.

Bath Minerva’s next concert will be A Christmas Celebration including Britten’s St. Nicolas Cantata followed by a selection of carols. This will take place on Saturday 10 December at 7.30pm at St. Swithin’s Church, The Paragon. Tickets £15 / under 16s £5 from Bath Box Office. Call: 01225 463362.

To find out more about the choir visit: bathminervachoir.co.uk.

Twitter: @Minerva_Choir. Contact Joanna Wiesner on 01225 444190 or email: jmwmusic@icloud.com. n

Image courtesy of Alastair Chalmers

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CHORAL | CITY

BATH COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR

BATH BACH CHOIR In 2017 it will be 70 years since Bath Bach Choir gave its first performance – Bach’s Mass in B minor with the London Symphony Orchestra in Bath Abbey, conducted by founder Cuthbert Bates. The choir had spent a full year preparing for its debut concert.

There have only been three musical directors in 70 years, and these days the choir moves a little faster, staging four different concert programmes a year.

Under the award-winning maestro Nigel Perrin, repertoire has broadened from the great classic works of Bach, Handel and Mozart, to include contemporary pieces by composers such as MacMillan, Whitacre, Rutter, Daley, Tavener and Jonathan Willcocks, BBC’s vice-president. The choir has developed an exciting performance style combining passion, precision and fun.

Next month, BBC will also perform its 70th season of Carols by Candlelight: three beautiful evenings of Christmas music held at the Pump Room, marking the true start of Christmas in Bath.

Forthcoming concerts and events: Carols by Candlelight 14 – 16 December, 7.30pm, Pump Room, Bath Tickets £18 and £22 from Bath Box Office Annual workshop: Dvorak Mass in D 28 January 2017 St Michael's Without, Bath Tickets £25; score hire £2, all welcome.

Contact: workshops@bathbachchoir.org.uk Dvorak Mass in D 25 March 2017, 7.30pm, Bath Abbey Allegri Miserere; MacMillan Cantos Sagrados. Tickets available from Bath Box Office from January

Bath Community Gospel Choir is an all-access choir with a mission to bring gospel music to everyone in Bath and beyond. Launched ten years ago by local professional vocalist and choir director Jo Sercombe, this lively, friendly choir, has around 80 members aged 16 – 80, raising the roof at weekly rehearsals and gigging in and around Bath throughout the year.

From the popular Oh Happy Day to Jerusalem – uplifting gospel classics, thumping anthems, pop and RnB gospel have all made it into the choir's repertoire.

Highlights for BCGC have been performing with Bazil Meade of the London Community Gospel Choir, recording tracks for a CD of Bath choirs with Grenville Jones at The Roper Theatre and having the honour of performing with Young Carers South West and Bath Philharmonia at Bath Abbey at Party in the City for two consecutive years.

This season you can see the choir at the Rotary Club of Bath Christmas Carol Service at Bath Abbey on Tuesday 6 December, leading the congregation in traditional carols as well as performing gospel arrangements of Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah and Joy to the World.

Also on Sunday 18 December, 7.30pm at Wiltshire Music Centre, joining with The GBH Big Band for A Merry Jazzy Big Band Christmas which promises to be a hugely enjoyable evening.

BCGC meets Tuesday evenings in term time, from 7.45 – 9.30pm in the ballroom at The Forum, Bath. Led by the enthusiastic Jo Sercombe, the atmosphere is fun and friendly and the sound is incredible. There are no auditions to join and new members are always welcome. Term fees are £48 (or £40 concessions). Come along for a free taster session at the start of the spring term to give it a go. For more information, visit: bathcommunitygospelchoir.com or find them on Facebook. n

To find out how to join Bath Bach Choir, please email: membership@bathbachchoir.org.uk.

Visit: bathbachchoir.org.uk.

Bath Box Office – visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk, tel: 01225 463362. n

BATH CHORAL SOCIETY Bath Choral Society, founded in 1887, is now a mixed choir of about 100 voices engaging professional orchestras and soloists to perform a wide range of repertoire. The choir’s next performances will be of Handel’s Messiah on 2 and 3 December and Bach’s St John Passion on 12 April 2017, both in Bath Abbey, followed Heavenly Harmonies on 16 July at Prior Park.

Will Dawes, musical director from September 2011, has been succeeded by David Gostick. The choir is looking forward to maintaining its record of recent successes and meeting new challenges in David's very experienced and capable hands.

The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7.20 – 9.30pm at Manvers Street Baptist Church and is always interested in recruiting new singers with a simple audition. There is a bursary scheme for singers under 25.

For more information contact: registrar@bath-choralsociety.org.uk. To keep in touch with the choir’s latest news, follow it on Facebook: BathChoralSociety, or visit: bath-choral-society.org.uk. n

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CHORAL | CITY

BATH SPA UNIVERSITY CHOIR 2016 has seen the Bath Spa University Choir go from strength to strength, setting a new benchmark for quality choral singing in the city. After performing Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man at the Carnegie Hall with a number of other elite vocal ensembles from around the world earlier this year, the choir teamed up with Bath Philharmonia and the South West Festival Chorus to perform Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast at The Forum and was also invited to sing at the Mayor Making ceremony in June.

The choir’s next three appearances will all be at Bath Abbey: the first, a performance of Faure’s masterful setting of the Requiem mass with music by Gorecki, Patrick Hawes and Eriks Esenvalds, followed by the installation of the new chancellor of the university (Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons) and concluding with its annual carol service in early December.

Forthcoming events: Faure Requiem – 3 November, Bath Abbey, £5 / £10 BSU Carol service – 7 December, Bath Abbey, free admission Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle – 31 March 2017, Wiltshire Music Centre, £8 / £10. n

THE SILVER RING CHOIR OF BATH SRC is a mixed-voice Choir of 40 singers. It celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2016, making it one of the longest-established choirs in Bath. During these years the choir has travelled extensively, collaborating and performing with choirs in Canada, USA, New Zealand and many European countries.

Most recently, The Silver Ring Choir exchanged with the Schola Camille Jacquemin in the Belgian Ardennes, where they performed to a capacity audience in Forrieres and also sang in the beautiful Abbaye de Montdesous.

This autumn the choir is looking forward to hosting St Stythians MVC from Cornwall. It is especially proud that for the past 55 years the choir has enjoyed numerous exchanges with the Herbertscher Chor from Hochst-im-Odenwald and is delighted to be renewing their musical and social links with its German friends in 2017.

The choir’s conductor is Phil Draisey, a charismatic and inspirational young musician who has proved to be a great asset since his appointment in 2015. For further details email: siverringsec@aol.com.

Forthcoming events: Friday 25 November – St John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury, for Save the Children Monday 5 December – Bridgemead Care Home Friday 9 December – Holt Trinity, Bradford-on-Avon Friday 16 December – Carol Service in St Michael’s Without, Broad Street Sunday 18 December – Carol Concert in Hestercombe House. n

LUCIS The 2015 – 16 season has been a whirlwind for Lucis and its musical director, Francis Faux, with concerts in Bath, Chippenham and the Wiltshire Music Centre, and many other events. The highlights include performing Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man in Carnegie Hall, New York, and a concert of the music of Christopher Tin in Cadogan Hall, London.

Lucis hosted Grammy award-winning Christopher Tin for a workshop and rehearsal of his music, culminating in a massed choirs’ performance accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The evening showcased many of Christopher’s works, including the premiere of Sogno Di Volare, the theme to the long-awaited video game Civilisation VI. The outlook for 2017 is a busy one, including another Lucis open evening, a workshop with Will Todd and a return to the Wiltshire Music Centre, where the choir will be performing Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Love Songs with the Arcosanti String Quartet and Will Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis with the jazz trio, Adam’s Apple.

The season will conclude with a mini-Glyndebourne event at Prior Park Chapel, featuring a concert version of Dido and Aeneas accompanied by the Lochrian Ensemble, followed by a tour to Estonia in the autumn.

Forthcoming special events: A Ceremony of Carols, Britten – 3 December, Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath, £15 Lucis Open Evening – 7 February 2017, St Luke’s Church, Wellsway Will Todd Workshop – 29 April 2017, St Luke’s Church, Wellsway, £20 Jazz Missa Brevis, Will Todd – 13 May 2017, Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon, £17 Dido and Aeneas, Purcell – 15 July 2017, Prior Park, Bath, ticket prices tbc Choral Tour to Estonia – September/October 2017. n

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CHORAL | CITY

A HANDFUL OF SINGERS In 15 years, A Handful of Singers has developed from small beginnings into a chamber choir of 24 singers, and has established a reputation in and around Bath for purity of tone, musical understanding and variety of repertoire.

Under its award-winning musical director Christopher Finch, the choir rehearses in Bath on Tuesday evenings in term-time, preparing for a programme of four concerts each year. The variety of repertoire is an attraction for members and in recent years has stretched from Purcell and Schütz to 21st-century American and European music, via well-known, major works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, Fauré and Rachmaninov, and double choir Masses by Vaughan Williams and Frank Martin. The choir has also given several performances under the baton of Ben Hoffnung, including a concert in Marlborough College Chapel in the presence of the Duchess of Cornwall.

The 2016/17 season begins in November with an afternoon concert entitled The Somme Remembered and, later in November, the choir’s first open workshop. The choir gives one concert a year with orchestral accompaniment in February, and in April the choir will be joining in with the Bristol Bach Choir’s 50th birthday celebrations for the south west première of James Macmillan’s beautifully written St Luke Passion in Bristol Cathedral. The season ends with the choir’s summer concert in the Chapel at Prior Park College.

In addition to concerts, Handful is pleased to respond to invitations to sing for other occasions. These have included weddings, carol singing (both for charity and to mark the opening of a new housing development) and the annual Bath Roadpeace memorial service. The choir’s first CD, Sing… Be… Live… See… (4-part Music 4PM/12174), featuring the works of contemporary American and

NOCTIS

European composers, was released in 2013.

The choir has a very friendly atmosphere, socialising when time permits. It undertook a very successful first tour in 2015, giving two performances in Ireland, and plans to tour to Italy in 2017. Visit: ahandfulofsingers.org.

Forthcoming concerts: The Somme Remembered – Sunday 6 November, 3.30pm, St John’s Church, South Parade, Bath Workshop (Bach Magnificat/Handel Dettingen Te Deum) – Saturday 26 November, 10am – 3.30pm, Widcombe Baptist Church, Bath (Registration: cdegrey@btinternet.com, tel: 07710 403483.

Music provided) Charpentier Te Deum; Handel Dettingen Te Deum – Saturday 4 February, 7.30pm, St John's Church South Parade James Macmillan St Luke Passion (with Bristol Bach Choir, Bristol Ensemble) – Saturday 1 April, 7.30pm Bristol Cathedral Rheinberger Cantus missae and other works – Saturday 24 June, 7.30pm, Prior Park College Chapel Tickets for all concerts from Bath Box Office. Call: 01225 463362 or visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk. n

Musical director Francis Faux

Founded by Francis Faux in 2011, Bath’s award-winning chamber choir has quickly established a niche in the city’s thriving music scene and developed a reputation for their versatility and excellence.

One of Noctis’ first public appearances occurred at a Longleat pageant, where the octet, adorned in full Tudor regalia, was asked to escort King Henry VIII around the grounds while singing Dowland’s ditty, Fine Knacks for Ladies, at the tops of their voices.

Although the choir hasn’t had a royal endorsement since then, Noctis has been busy: recording a debut album, singing at the Bath Great Feast in Bath Abbey and providing backing vocals for Cathal Smyth’s (bass guitarist for 80s group, Madness) debut album, A Comfortable Man. The group also performed to capacity audiences at the Wiltshire Music Centre and St Mary’s Redcliffe Church, Bristol and has supported a number of charities through its concerts, especially the Royal British Legion, Penny Brohn Cancer Care and the Genesis Trust.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2016 Christmas concert at The American Museum in Claverton where it will be performing music by Ives, Lauridsen, James Bassi, Nordqvist and Janet Wheeler, as well as a sumptuous arrangement of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

For more information about Noctis, visit the website: noctischoir.com or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Forthcoming events: Carols at Bath Christmas Market – 26 November, Abbey Archway, free admission What Sweeter Music – 10 December, The American Museum, £10. n

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CHORAL | CITY

BATH ABBEY CHOIR The glorious heritage of church music in this country is one of its greatest traditions. Bath Abbey Choir continues a centuries-old choral tradition, which plays a vital part in the musical life of the abbey and the city. The abbey has no choir school, which enables it to draw its 26 boys, aged eight upwards, and 24 girls, aged 11 upwards, from a variety of local schools. The 16 choirmen come from many different walks of life and live in Bath and the surrounding area. Choral scholarships are offered to students at the University of Bath and at Bath Spa University.

The girls’ choir was established in 1997, and alternates with the much longer established boys’ choir to join the men singing services on Sundays and important days in the church calendar.

The Abbey Choir undertakes trips abroad, enjoying good relationships with churches in Bath’s twin cities: Braunschweig (Germany) and Alkmaar (The Netherlands) where it took part in the re-opening celebrations following the restoration of the famous Grote Sint Laurens Kerk and its historic organ, and Aix-en-Provence (France). The choir’s most recent tour was to Paris in 2016 where they performed at HIGH Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral as well as other concerts.

Some years the choir undertakes a residential week towards the end of the summer holiday, to sing daily cathedral services. The Abbey Choir has released six CDs, Music for an Abbey's Year, Years 1 – 4, Bath Abbey Girls’ Choir sings Christmas Carols – including Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols (Priory Records) and The Matchless Maidens of Bath Abbey (Regent Records) – a term coined by Catherine Bott when reviewing the earlier Christmas disc on BBC Radio 3.

The choir broadcasts both on radio and TV, and makes regular appearances both on Morning Worship (BBC Radio 4) and Choral Evensong (BBC Radio 3). The abbey’s music department is currently run by acting director of music, Shean Bowers. n

BATH CAMERATA Bath Camerata is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Over the course of its illustrious history this award-winning chamber choir has made a number of acclaimed recordings, commissioned new works from leading composers, and won several international prizes.

Highlights include concerts with The Three Tenors, The Tallis Scholars, I Fagiolini, Joanna MacGregor, Paco Peña, Brian Eno and Mike Westbrook; concerts at Wigmore Hall, Leipzig’s Thomaskirche and Orlando Cathedral in Florida; winning BBC Adult Choir of the Year (2002), and regular performances for the Bath International Music Festival and Bath Mozartfest.

Led for 29 years by Nigel Perrin, last year Bath Camerata appointed brilliant young talent Benjamin Goodson to be its new conductor – and only the second ever.

Benjamin combines his job as musical director of Bath Camerata with being the assistant conductor to the Grammy-winning Rundfunkchor Berlin and the chorus master at Dorset Opera Festival. Benjamin coaches Camerata’s core group of 20 singers, which is occasionally expanded for larger projects.

Under Benjamin's spirited leadership an exciting new era has begun and the choir is working on a packed programme of concerts both in its hometown and further afield. On

17 December Bath Camerata is delighted once again to be staging its Christmas concert in the sublime setting of Christ Church on Julian Road here in the centre of Bath.

In 2017 the choir makes its debut at St George’s Bristol appearing on 11 February as part of the Bristol Ensemble’s Minimalists series. Here they will celebrate the 80th birthday of the American composer Philip Glass. On 14 April the choir returns to Wells Cathedral for its annual Good Friday concert.

In May Bath Camerata will make another late-night appearance at the Bath International Music Festival and give its debut at the English Music Festival. Tickets for concerts can be purchased at: bathcamerata.co.uk/events.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Bath Camerata is launching an appeal to raise £10,000 to commission and record a new work from world-famous composer Will Todd. Known for its warm sound, the choir is perfectly suited to performing in Will’s beautiful contemporary style. Bath Camerata receives no public funding and relies on the generosity of its loyal supporters to continue to make music for its audiences, to commission and record. More information about how you can play a part can be found at: bathcamerata.co.uk/appeal. n

OTHER CHOIRS TO LOOK OUT FOR

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VOX8

CAPPELLA NOVA

Vox8 is a vocal octet, established in 2013

by Neil Moore and Rupert Bevan. It brought together eight professionals living in and around Bath and aims to perform a few times each year at some of the best venues in the locality. It’s been commented that the sound it produces is akin to The Sixteen. It is available to hire for events via the website: vox8.uk. n

Cappella Nova is a Bath-based chamber choir with a wide repertoire. The choir celebrates its 15th anniversary with Lets Do It!, a concert of its favourite music, at 7.30pm on Friday 25 November in St Matthew’s Church, Widcombe. The concert is in aid of Read Around Bath and St Matthew’s Church Regeneration. Visit: cappellanova.org.uk for details. n

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

ART TO LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE Bath’s galleries and studios offer a dazzling display to brighten the darkest days of winter BATH CONTEMPORARY 35 Gay Street, Bath Email: gallery@bathcontemporary.com Visit: bathcontemporary.com Twitter: @BathContemp Tel: 01225 461230 Open: Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm,

Silver and gold bangle by Jane Adam

GALLERY NINE 9b Margarets Buildings, Bath Tel: 01225 319197 Visit: gallerynine.co.uk Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5.30pm CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION Monday 7 November – Saturday 31 December The Christmas exhibition features the highly decorative works of the ceramicists Katrin Moye and Derek Wilson. Katrin Moye is a mostly self-taught ceramic artist specialising in making tableware using the traditional technique of slip painting on earthenware. Print maker Merlyn Chesterman, who specialises particularly in woodcuts, returns to the gallery supported by new work by Gail Brodholt.

GEORGE TUTE: THEN AND NOW Friday 4 – Saturday 26 November A solo exhibition of paintings

by Bristol-based artist George Tute, alongside figurative ceramic sculpture and his commercially successful woodblock prints. Tute’s surreal landscapes have a dreamlike aura and are dense with mythology, personal symbolism and subtle literary references. A strong sense of storytelling runs throughout his work, with surreal twists, playful bursts of colour and compelling interpretations of imaginary worlds.

Conversation of the Seasons by George Tute

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

BATH ARTIST PRINT MAKERS Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute, Queen Square, Bath Open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm Free admission Visit: brlsi.org.uk / bathartistprintmakers.co.uk BATH ARTIST PRINT MAKERS EXHIBITION Saturday 29 October – Wednesday 9 November Showing the vibrant and diverse work produced by members of Bath Artist Printmakers with examples of etchings, aquatints, mezzotints, linocuts, monoprints and collagraphs. There will also be displays of the tools, materials and methods used in some of the processes. This exhibition demonstrates the variety of techniques and how every stage of a print’s development requires both imagination and dexterity.

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YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR Throughout November An exhibition of paintings and prints centred around the artist’s collection of shoes and hats.

Particular favourites being brogues which feature in this painting and his trilby hats to be found in the painting Head in the Clouds.

Many of the pieces have been found in specialist shops in Bath over many years.

Carnival of Soles by Nick Cudworth

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nick cudworth gallery

Head in the Clouds – Oil painting on Linen and Prints

YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR 1 – 30 November

A selection of paintings and prints centred around the artist’s collection of shoes and hats.

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

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney Street, Bath Tel: 01225 388569 Open: Daily, 10am – 5pm (11am Sundays)

The Unravelling Brain by Claudia Stocker

ART AT THE HEART OF THE RUH Main corridor gallery, Royal United Hospital, Bath Open: Monday to Sunday, 8am – 8pm daily SCI-ART SYNERGY Until 12 January This exhibition celebrates what can be created when artists and scientists get together. Examples from this exhibition include visual interpretations of quantum dynamics, nano-technology, genetics, the cosmos and the diseases of old age.

SILVER: LIGHT AND SHADE Until 22 January This exhibition brings together historic and contemporary silver masterpieces to investigate the texture, form and colour of silver. Including an extraordinary selection of objects on loan from UK museums and private collections displayed alongside highlights from the Holburne. It explores how silversmiths transform silver by creating a range of surface textures and patterns, highlighting the continuity between techniques used for centuries and those of today’s makers. This is a chance to enjoy some outstanding silver of historic and artistic importance and to view these pieces alongside the work of skilled contemporary makers including Hiroshi Suzuki, Malcolm Appleby, Rod Kelly and Adi Toch. Admission to the exhibition: £10 (£8.50 without donation) £9 (£7.50 without donation), two tickets for £10 on Tuesdays Under 16s free.

essential. £7/£11 to include exhibition entry.

Reserve your place for the handling session when you book, tel: 01225 388569.

TALK: THE COLOURS OF SILVER Wednesday 9 November, 3pm Duncan Campbell has built up a specialist silver business, and since 2009 has appeared as a silver expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

He has produced catalogues and research for a wide range of private clients, institutions and museums. The talk will be followed by a rare opportunity to discover more about silver through handling objects. Advance booking is

LECTURE Thursday 24 November, 7pm Timothy Schroder is a historian and lecturer who has spent most of his career in the museum sector in the States and the UK and has published extensively in the field of antique silver and goldsmiths’ work. He is a trustee of the Wallace Collection and was recently Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company. £10/£14 to include exhibition entry.

The Cassel Beaker, on loan to the Holburne from the Victoria and Albert Museum, was made c1496 and is the earliest surviving silver beaker from British history. It was probably made for a christening

DAVID SIMON CONTEMPORARY 3 – 4 Bartlett Street, Bath Tel: 01225 460189 Visit: davidsimoncontemporary.com Open: Mon – Sat, 10am – 6pm and Wednesday afternoons

Christmas birds by Yvonne Elston

MUDSLINGERS CERAMICS GROUP Walcot Chapel, Walcot Street, Bath CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION Friday 25 – Sunday 27 November, 10am – 6pm Buy beautiful ceramic gifts direct from nine ceramicists, hand-made in local studios.

Bath’s Mudslingers group present a wide range of work at affordable prices, with a chance to meet the makers. Unique Christmas decorations, one-off bowls, mugs, teapots, vases, jugs, quirky animals, jewellery and unusual garden ceramics made in a range of raku, porcelain and clay. The ceramicists are at hand to talk about their work and discuss their processes. Artists are: Peter Calvert, Yvonne Elston, Jane Gibson, Alan Hemming, Kate Marshall, Sarah Martin, Esther Norman, Andrew Rhodes and Liz Stallabrass.

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LYDIA CORBETT: LA DANSE DE LA VIE Friday 4 – Tuesday 29 November Artist Lydia Corbett is showing her joyful work at the gallery to coincide with her biography, written by her daughter, which tells the story of how as a young Frenchwoman she became Pablo Picasso’s model. Lydia, born Sylvette David, became known as The Girl with the Ponytail. She can be seen in work by Picasso at a major exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

Delphinium, Camaret Courtyard by Sylvette David Inset picture of Picasso and his model the young Lydia, from Paris Match/Getty Images from I Was Sylvette by Isabel Coulton, which is published by Endeavour Books Ltd, in hardback, £25

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

EMMA ROSE Upstairs at 78 Walcot Street, Bath Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm Tel: 07885235915 / 01225 424 424 Visit: emmaroseartworks.com

Land at Last by Emma Rose

LAND AT LAST During November Paintings, limited edition giclée prints and canvas prints by Emma Rose reflecting her interest in the natural world, land and sea. Fresh from a successful London show she returns to Bath with paintings in acrylic and Indian inks that pulsate with life, movement and atmosphere.

ADAM GALLERY John Street, Bath Open: Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 5.30pm Email: info@adamgallery.com, Tel: 01225 480406

Wild Hearts by Yvonne Coomber

CELIA COOK Friday 5 – Thursday 24 November Celia Cook is an abstract artist who trained at the Royal College of Art, London and now lives and works in Larkhall. Adam Gallery has been representing her for the last ten or so years having several one-person shows and showing her work at national and international art fairs.

This show will feature a series of dynamic woodblock monoprints which the artist made at the Ink on Paper Press in Wiltshire.

THE MUSEUM OF EAST ASIAN ART 12 Bennett Street, Bath Visit: meaa.org.uk Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sunday, noon – 5pm RED: CULTURE, HISTORY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP Until February 2017 This exhibition explores the significance of the colour red in Chinese heritage, from the materials used to produce red to the symbolism of the colour, and the rapid advancement of red wares during the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644). A total of 588 objects are on display, including 261 objects which have not been displayed in the past four years.

BLUESTONE GALLERY 8 Old Swan Yard, Devizes, Wiltshire Tel: 01380 729589 Opening times: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, Saturdays, 9.30am – 5.30pm YVONNE COOMBER Until Saturday 19 November An exhibition of large framed prints by Yvonne Coomber. Yvonne spent much of her childhood on a farm in Ireland, before travelling the world. She returned to England to live with travellers, then studied philosophy before training in fine art. Yvonne usually paints outside, beginning with a wash to infuse colour into the background. Then she works with oil paint, inks, glitter and gold leaf, painstakingly working with brush, sponge, palette knife and fingers. The weather influences the outcome, but her finished paintings radiate joy.

Precious jewellery

by Holly Belsher Variant 14 by Celia Cook

4 Abbey Green, Bath Open: Daily, 11am – 5pm, or by appointment.

Email: carole@carolewaller.co.uk Tel: 07803 033 629

IMAGIANATION GALLERY Terrace Walk, Bath Tel: 01225 312996 Visit: imagianation.com Open 10.30am – 5.30pm WINTER WARMERS Throughout November Discover art by south west artists. Colourful joyful work from internationally renowned artists John Horsewell and Yvonne Coomber.

Huge print canvases of wildlife drawings by Jon Tremaine, landscapes by Shane Feeney and Lucy Dunnett. The charming illustration of Ben Rothery and Kate Davies, snapshots of life by Mo Lancaster. Pop in to enjoy a mince pie and emerge with a unique piece of art.

ONE TWO FIVE GALLERY

Landscapes by John Horsewell

FALL Until Sunday 20 November This new exhibition includes works by sculptor Patricia Volk, precious jewellery by Holly Belsher and new work by Carole Waller and Gary Wood. In the run up to Christmas the gallery has a wonderful collection of colourful printed aluminium and silver jewellery by Annie Beardsley – earrings are £25 and make great Christmas presents. Carole’s beautiful, collectable painted silk scarves and Gary’s stoneware shot cups or candleholders are also special gifts.

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

THE EDGE University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath Open Tuesday to Thursday, 11am – 8pm, Friday and Saturday, 11am – 5pm, closed Sunday and Monday Free admission, tel: 01225 38677 Visit: edgearts.org.uk JERWOOD DRAWING PRIZE Friday 4 November – Saturday 17 December Showing the work of UK-based drawing practitioners, from student to established, and as a project helps define a wider understanding of the role and value of drawing in creative practice. This year 61 works by 55 artists have been selected from 2,537 submissions from across the UK by artist Glenn Brown; curator and director, Kupferstich-Kabinett at Staatliche Kunstammlungen Dresden, Stephanie Buck; and director, Modern Art Oxford, Paul Hobson.

Performer at the Mount Hagen Sing Sing Festival, Papua New Guinea, 2008

PHOTOBATH AT BATH ROYAL LITERARY & SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION Queen Square, Bath Free admission Open daily, 10am – 4pm, closed Sundays SEBASTIO SALGADO Friday 11 – Saturday 19 November Sebastio Salgado is considered one of the most important documentary photographers alive. He’s just completed Genesis, an eight year long project to highlight the fragility of the planet. PhotoBath is excited to have secured this exhibition of eight pieces of his work.

LANE HOUSE ARTS 5 Nelson Place East, Bath Wed – Fri, 10am – 5.30pm, Sat 10.30am – 6pm Tel: 07767 498403 Visit: lanehousearts.co.uk WINTER SHOW Friday 4 – Wednesday 30 November Susanna Lisle considers two systems to be at play in her work, the organic world with its textures, forms and colour; and geometrical pattern and space. Her current paintings draw upon the experience and visual richness of a familiar loved place with an aim to locate and reconstruct it in a subtle but more permanent reality – one held in the mind.

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BLACK SWAN ARTS 2 Bridge Street, Frome Opening times: 10am – 4pm, Monday – Saturday and Sunday 4 December Admission free Visit: blackswan.org.uk Tel: 01373 473980 30 YEARS 30 ARTISTS Saturday 26 November – 24 December This is to be the finale to Black Swan’s 30th anniversary year. The exhibition features past and present studio holders, talented makers from an eclectic mix of disciplines including ceramics, jewellery, painting, pottery and printmaking. It celebrates Black Swan’s growth from a former inn to a major beacon for the arts. As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations the gallery invited submissions from artists who have shown here over the years. These include ceramicist Kate Cooke and Bath artist Edwina Bridgeman. At the same time as this show there is an exhibition of photographs depicting the history of Black Swan Arts which will be showing in the Round Tower Gallery.

Our Special Little Lamb

by Faith Chevannes

Maples by Susanna Lisle

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Drawing by Kelly Chorpening

Landscape by Jenny Ford, BLACK SWAN ARTS OPEN Until Saturday 19 November This is the 14th year for this open competition, which attracts hundreds of entries annually. Last year a recordbreaking 660 entries were received and this year’s open has topped that figure. The judges, including artist Gavin Turk, spent six hours deliberating over the final choices, whittling the entries down to 100 pieces. The successful entries, which will be displayed until Saturday 19 November, are all for sale with prices starting at £40. The shortlisted artists have the chance of winning some impressive prizes, including the Hauser and Wirth Somerset first prize of £750, Frome town council’s People’s Choice award of £250, which is voted for by visitors to the exhibition. There’s also the Mount art prize, the Postscript prize, the Vametic prize and the chance to win a solo show at Black Swan.

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November 29th - December 4th paintings at

44AD Gallery, 4 Abbey St. Bath, BA1 1NN 10.30am - 7.00pm

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AN ARTIST IN HIS ELEMENT Georgette McCready talked to artist Peter Brown ahead of his major exhibition, A Bath Painter’s Travels, which opens at the Victoria Art Gallery in early December

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s a successful artist, showing in some of London’s smartest galleries and about to open his second major exhibition at Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery, does Peter Brown, master en plein air artist and member of a number of august painterly societies, mind people hailing him familiarly as ‘Pete the Street’?

“Not at all, it’s lovely,” says Pete as we sit down to discuss his forthcoming exhibition of more than 100 paintings, A Bath Painter’s Travels, which opens at the publicly owned gallery on Saturday 3 December. “It’s great when you’ve got your easel up and you’re working away and someone pops their head over a garden wall and says to his family ‘there’s some bloke out there painting our backyard and our road’ – people like the fact that they see you appreciate where they live.”

Who first called this Reading-born adopted son of Bath by this nickname? “I’d got my mate Charlie to take some paintings down to the Victoria Art Gallery for the annual Bath Society of Artists’ summer exhibition. There was a dear elderly lady on the door signing people in and she looked at him and the paintings and said ‘you must be Pete the Street’ – so Charlie came back and told me. It kind of stuck.”

Pete’s family, of wife Lisa and five children, live in Bath and he spends many days outside literally on the streets of the city. He’s a familiar sight in his baseball cap, with his paintspattered easel, working in sun, rain and even snow. People feel free to come up and chat to 66 TheBATHMagazine

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him, which he says he enjoys. One the most common requests is for Pete to include them in the painting, others think that he’s a busking artist and offer him coins. “I always say thanks, but you’re all right,” he says. He also turns down cups of tea, largely he laughs, because once he’s set his canvas up he can’t just tuck it under his arm to go in search of a toilet.

Over the years Pete’s work has become increasingly collectable, but he remains down-

to-earth, funny and self-deprecating.

He has told the tale many times of his experience studying art in Manchester, where he tried being a modernist artist, painstakingly turning out coloured squares in an effort to conform. It wasn’t until years later – after training as a teacher and a spell working with aerials – that he found the authentic clearsighted vision of street life that his legions of admirers love so much.

This summer was Pete’s first experience of Glastonbury Festival – “I can’t believe it’s not been part of my life before, it was an amazing experience.” He doesn’t want to be seen as political but was moved to paint a Brexit piece on the morning when the festival woke up to find the rest of the country hadn’t voted the way they thought it would. Over the mud and the puddles the spirit of Glastonbury brought the sun out. He adds: “It was a great atmosphere. Lovely people, I’d go again.”

There can be few corners of Bath that Pete hasn’t painted. Does he ever get tired of, say, looking at George Street?

“Not at all. I absolutely love what I do and I like it when you get that moment when you see somewhere in a new way and there’s that ‘wow!’ moment.”

You may have seen Pete en plein air, but he can also be glimpsed driving his van around the city. “My van’s full of parking tickets,” he jokes. He’s always glimpsing a fresh view from its windows.

Pete also admits to scaring a few people in his

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ARTIST | PROFILE

ENGLISH IMPRESSIONISM: opposite page, main picture, Over Pulteney Bridge, the day Grayson Perry came to town and inset, the artist at work in Fleet Street This page, top left to right, Saumur across the Loire, detail from Milky sun, morning in Fleet Street and Brexit morning, the puddle angler, Green Field, Glastonbury Below, Professor Brown near Laura Place and Sun after rain, Lansdown Crescent

time. In order to check that his work has a pleasing balance of content he likes to look at it in a mirror. A handy parked car windscreen stands in as a reflective surface, but this has sometimes resulted in an awkward eyeball to eyeball moment as he realises that there is someone inside the car peering anxiously back at him.

A man may not be tired of Bath or of life, but the artist’s wanderlust has seen him travel the British isles, Spain, France and India. “It’s all about the light,” he enthuses. One of his latest passions is for nocturnes, which can involve driving the van to London, painting the bright lights around him, grabbing a few hours sleep in the van and then getting up early to work a bit more before coming home. Last year he published a beautiful coffee table book, London: Paintings by Peter Brown, (published by Sansom and Company, with a foreword by David Messum of Messum gallery, which regularly shows Pete’s work) which takes a loving look at some of the capital’s best loved views, as you might expect, captured in sunshine, mist and rain.

While Pete was in India – “that was pretty full on, I always had at least four people jostling at my elbows” – he was capturing a colourful street scene when he suddenly noticed his view ‘going a bit

wobbly’. Someone had lit a fire inside an upstairs room and heat and smoke were filling the air. Naturally he included it in his painting.

What advice does he give artists who aspire to be able to make a living from their work?

“I always say it’s important to love what you do. I also tell them you need good luck and visbility. My best marketing tool is that people see me working on their doorstep. I’m in their faces.”

And while some of Pete’s work can be seen hanging in Bath’s most prestigious homes, he seems to belong very much to us, the people. We can have a Peter Brown hanging on our own walls if we buy his annual calendar for a tenner and frame those views of the streets of Bath. “Sure, I don’t have any problem with people doing that.”

What are his plans and ambitions now? “Well having five kids, life is pretty full on, which I enjoy. I’d like to get myself a dog, one who’ll sit next to me in the van or lie at my feet while I’m working.”

He’s also got a trip to Vietnam planned and in the back of his mind are ambitions to take his easel to New York and Cuba.

Finally, narrowing his eyes as though he’s about to impart a secret he says he

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quite fancies having a go at painting on the streets of Bristol. I’m not sure how the inter-city rivalry will cope with that – possibly by Bathonians starting to refer to him as “Pete the Bath Street”? n Peter Brown: A Bath Painter’s Travels at Victoria Art Gallery runs from Saturday 3 December – 19 February 2017. A book to accompany the exhibition of the same name, running to 112 pages is published by Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, and features more than 100 new oil paintings and drawings, alongside diary commentaries by the artist.

Works of art featured include Bath locations such as Milsom Street, Lansdown Road, Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge, captured at different times of day and months of the year, alongside views of less well known but equally beautiful corners. Bath’s streetscapes can be compared with other locations the artist has visited, including Arles, Dublin, Granada, London and Seville The gallery, which is owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council is open daily, 10.30am to 5pm. Entrance to the main gallery is free, but entrance to the exhibition is £4, although free to under 21s and holders of the Bath Discovery card. Pete will be giving a talk and doing a book signing on Saturday 3 December from 11.30am. Admission is free with an exhibition ticket.

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FACE | THE MUSIC

WE’RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

Georgette McCready talks to artist Edwina Bridgeman about her career, which began painting sets for big West End shows such as Cats, and has led to creating quirky figures which communicate with viewers of all ages

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f you’ve ever sat in the Royal United Hospital’s entrance atrium over a cup of tea while worrying about someone you love who’s unwell, the chances are you’ll have looked up and noticed the huge hanging ship sculpture above you, some of its passengers leaning over the side, seagulls wheeling overhead and, beneath the ship, a shoal of silvery fish bobbing along.

This piece of three-dimensional art raises a smile with onlookers for its quirky characteristics. It can also lift the heart and communicate hope as these little figures sail away on their precarious journey across an unpredictable sea.

It is a great part of artist Edwina Bridgeman’s art that she manages to communicate sympathy, empathy and a sense of kindness through her characters.

These human and animal forms come in all shapes and sizes, mostly made from found objects. Has she, I asked her, ever made a malevolent character, or an angry one?

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that’s not beautiful.”

Certainly her legions of fans would not see that as a criticism. Her last big show in Bath, Ship of Fools at the Victoria Art Gallery two years ago, was an unmitigated success. Edwina is currently continuing with the community art projects that she so enjoys and working in her studio at her Shoscombe home producing pieces for a show in Munich and as part of the Black Swan gallery’s 30th anniversary celebrations in Frome. She has just completed alterations for the set of Snow Mouse, the family Christmas show at the egg theatre in Bath, where she is associate artist.

We talked about her love of play, of giving people of all ages somewhere that they can feel safe and be themselves.

Edwina says: “The joy of working on family shows is that this kind of inventive playful theatre gives adults permission to go back to a place where they were children too.”

As well as projects at the Royal United Hospital Edwina’s other community projects include working with Bath based charity Mentoring Plus and running workshops for the School Without Walls

project. She’s also working on a joint project between the egg theatre in Bath and Charlton Farm, the children’s hospice for the south west. In a series of workshops at the hospice Edwina plans to work with young patients and their families at building miniature theatre sets, creating imaginary worlds within worlds. It will give the families the chance to get absorbed in making something together during what can be unbearably stressful times.

The art world discovered Edwina when she started making her distinctive

HUMAN APPROACH: main picture, Edwina Bridgeman, photo by Allen Daniels Inset, some of the 100 characters created for Ship of Fools at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath two years ago

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HIGH ENERGY: Edwina’s musical favourites range from Judi Dench singing Cabaret in the 1960s stage musical to Outkast’s infectious Hey Ya!

figures. These won her collectors and a following, but she said, she stopped making them for four years.

“I was keen to develop the work that I was making and embarked on an MFA at Bath Spa University. It was an amazing learning experience.”

And one of the key things it did was to make Edwina reassess those eccentric figures, made from scraps of this and that. “I realised that my figures project the same qualities that I believe to be so important when working in the community. They have empathy. The figures represent all of us and the things that connect us. I believe in the power of creativity to transform and endeavour to create situations where people have the opportunity to play.”

Edwina is a great believer in kindness, as she observes: “We are all in the same boat.”

One of the causes she is most passionate about is the mental health of young women, much in the news recently for the increasing number of them requiring help for anxiety.

Edwina says: “I want to know what goes wrong for those girls, who at primary school are bright and full of life with the world at their feet, but by the time they are part way through secondary school they’re not talking about what’s worrying them. The next thing we know is that these are vulnerable young women in serious need of help. Why don’t we pick up the signals and what can we do to rectify this sad state of affairs?”

In her typical hands-on way Edwina works regularly with Years 5 and 6 at Shoscombe primary school, running art workshops.

Edwina’s childhood was largely a happy one. She is the eldest of four children, daughter of a theatre designer and a trained actress who gave up her career to raise her own family. The young Edwina spent her formative years in Hampstead where her mother encouraged play and creativity. We took a walk through Edwina’s life song by song:

EDWINA’S TOP TEN TRACKS: Judi Dench – Cabaret This is from the original stage show which opened in London in 1968. I went to see it and loved it, but my dad was

such a fan that he went to see it nine times. I can remember him working away at his drawing board with this song playing on his record player while he worked.

The Clash – Spanish Bombs I’ve been listening to The Clash for a long time and this is one of those high energy songs that they do so well. This has stood the test of time and I never grow tired of listening to it.

Squeeze – Up the Junction John Hiatt – Georgia Rae

I never had any intention of training as an actor or going on stage myself, so I went to the Rose Bruford College in Sidcup to study technical theatre. This song, with lyrics by the brilliant Chris Gifford remind me of that teenage time. I can’t say it was all happy as I was away from home for the first time, aged 18 and my youngest brother Ollie was very ill at that time. I worried about him, we were very close. The lyrics of this song, like so many of Squeeze’s songs, convey so much in very simple words. I owned this record on purple vinyl.

My husband made me a great compilation tape and this was one of the songs on it. I love it and it reminds me of us teasing my daughter by singing: “Candy Mae” to her instead of Georgia Rae and her groaning but singing along at the same time. They were very happy times. Candy now has two children of her own, my grandchildren Teddy and Mabel.

The O’Jays – Love Train My friend Sam treated Candy and I to a trip to New York with her and her daughters, at least ten years ago. We had a fantastic time and it seemed as if everywhere we went we heard the O’Jays singing this.

George McCrae – It’s Been So Long I was fortunate after Rose Bruford to get a job with Terry Murphy in the East End, working as a scene painter for West End shows. There were two of us making these huge paintings, me and a guy called Skid. We’d do scenery for shows for the English National Opera and for Drury Lane Theatre. I can remember the excitement when the designer brought in the design for Cats, which we painted at the studio in Cable Street. I loved that we were working in the old East End – that was long before it was gentrified. We used to look up to the big painting outside that depicted the Battle of Cable Street, 1936, when the people of the East End rose up against Moseley and his black shirts. They said: “They shall not pass.” Well, Skid and I often used to work through the night and this track reminds me of that time. It has a tremendous energy.

Outkast – Hey ya!

It was my dad’s last New Year’s Eve, although we didn’t know it at the time.

We had a massive family party and put loads of photos together with Outkast as the soundtrack. Another track with high energy and particularly poignant as it was my father’s last New Year with us.

Mark Ronson with Amy Whitehouse– Valerie I love Mark Ronson, I think he’s incredibly creative as well as very cool.

He has this great talent to collaborate with people, to bring out their best potential.

Lil Wayne with Eminem – Drop the World

The Pogues – Pair of Brown Eyes

My son Harry used to play this the whole time. It’s a very powerful song, but I am sure you couldn’t print the lyrics in the magazine. Harry’s working for a computer company in Bristol, while Candy’s near Chippenham, it’s nice for me that they’re not far away. n

This reminds me of the days when daughter Candy and I came to live in Bath and I was working at the Bristol Old Vic. We used to go up to London quite a lot and one weekend a friend and I went to this big open air concert of Irish music, the Fleadh in Finsbury Park.

The Pogues played and I was blown away by them. They’ll always remind me of my late brother Ollie as he loved them and we used to listen to their music in the car together.

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Visit: edwinabridgeman.com.

Snow Mouse, a play for pre-school children, is at the egg theatreThursday 15 December to Sunday 22 January.

Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk/theegg.

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FOOD | NEWS

TITBITS ■ Julian House will be hosting an auction at The Guildhall on Thursday 3 November, with drinks and canapés provided by The Mint Room. Kit Harding from Carter Jonas will be auctioning off over 50 lots to the public, including holiday homes in the UK and abroad, tickets to sporting events and a variety of experiences. All the proceeds from the auction will go towards the charity’s various projects. The Auction of Promises begins at 6pm. Visit: julianhouse.org.uk or call: 01225 354650.

■ The George in Bradford on Avon is hosting a Christmas feast with a twist in December with a Spanish supper night. Visitors can enjoy a three course meal, including deep fried calamari, rabbit stew with Oloroso sherry and churros with hot chocolate orange sauce, among other dishes, for £35 per person. Includes a complimentary glass of Vilarnau Cava with dessert. The George, 67 Woolley Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1AQ. To book, call: 01225 865650, visit: thegeorgebradfordonavon.co.uk.

■ Multi award-winning Bath chai producers Henny and Joe’s have won the award for Champion non-alcoholic hot drink at this year’s Taste of the West awards, making this the third year that the company has won this award. Henny and Joe’s use 100% natural ingredients to make their chai infusion, which is a blend of aromatic whole spices, and is naturally caffeine free. Visit: hennyandjoes.co.uk.

■ Bristol’s Clifton Sausage will be expanding when it opens a new branch in Bath in late October. It will take over the premises currently occupied by The Cowshed restaurant in Bladud Buildings. Simon Quarrie who runs the Clifton Sausage with his wife Joy said: “We will be able to offer the people of Bath and visitors to this World Heritage site our unique service of classic British food with its emphasis on sausages.” The Clifton Sausage in Portland Street, Clifton Village, Bristol, has been operating since 2002.

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FOOD&DRINK ONE OF BRITAIN’S BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS The Queensberry Hotel in Bath has been included in the Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice 2017 awards for boutique hotels for the third year running.

Joint proprietor, Laurence Beere, said: “Everyone’s hard work here is obviously not done with awards in mind. But it is incredibly gratifying when a prestigious and independent organisation like The Good Hotel Guide acknowledges its value, especially for three consecutive years.

“One doesn’t ‘roll out the red carpet’ for their visits because they’re anonymous, so any award they make is clear evidence of the kind of service and quality any guest will receive at any time.”

The Queensberry Hotel prides itself on combining old-fashioned attitudes to service and detail with sophisticated, modern comfort.

The hotel – run by Laurence with his wife, Helen – is stylish and slightly eccentric, being the result of four lovely old townhouses coming together to create this truly one-off hotel.

The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain and Ireland.

The Queensberry Hotel, 4 – 7 Russel Street, Bath, BA1 2QF. Visit: thequeensberry.co.uk or call: 01225 447928.

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

It’s that time of year again – the Bath Christmas market is opening on 24 November and runs until 11 December. Over 170 chalets will line the streets around Bath Abbey, with more than 87% of stallholders being businesses from Bath and the local area.

Grab a glass of mulled wine and enjoy the festive smells of freshly baked mince pies and caramelised nuts in the air, while exploring the great variety of handmade and unusual gifts and items on sale.

There will be a whole host of wonderful food and drink suppliers to look out for throughout the market, including The Bath Gin Company, Bath Soft Cheese, Upton Cheyney Chilli Farm, Choc on Choc, Honey’s Midford Cider and Taste of Bath.

The market is open Monday – Wednesday from 10am – 7pm, Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 8.30pm, and Sunday from 10am – 6pm. Visit: bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.

Keeping with the festivities, Bath’s Christmas outdoor ice rink and glow in the dark mini golf will running again this year at Royal Victoria Park. There will be a fully licensed bar and café open, serving freshly made pizzas, cakes and mulled wine. Enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Open from 18 November – 3 January. Visit: bathonice.com.

READING OVER TEA AND CAKE

Topping and Company booksellers has a variety of talks with food writers and authors over the coming months. Enjoy coffee and pastries with the Heseltines at The Gainsborough Hotel on Friday 11 November, 11.30am, where former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine and his wife Anne will be discussing their new book Thenford: The Creation of an English Garden. Tickets: £12.

Fuchsia Dunlop will be hosting a talk and tastings at the bookshop on Thursday 17 November, 8pm. Fuchsia will talk about how

she compiled the recipes in her new Chinese book Land of Fish and Rice. Tickets: £12.

Enjoy coffee and a slice of cake with former director of the V&A and historian Sir Roy Strong later this month. On Saturday 26 November, 11.30am, Sir Roy will be discussing his new volume of diaries – Scenes and Apparitions – covering the years of his life from 1988 – 2003. Tickets: £7 early bird ticket. Visit: toppingbooks.co.uk to book tickets for all these events or call: 01225 428111. Topping and Co bookshop, The Paragon, Bath, BA1 5LS.

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A Cut Above...

Fine Indian Dining

Enjoy Christmas with a touch of Indian Magic

2 courses : £30 or 3 courses: £35 Book early to avoid disappointment

Longmead Gospel Hall Lower Bristol Road Bath BA2 3EB Tel: 01225 446656 info@themintroom.co.uk

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A TASTE OF RURAL PARADISE Melissa Blease talks to food hero Gerard Coles of Honey’s Midford Cider

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side from sounding like characters from the muchloved, 1970s ITV children’s series Worzel Gummidge or locations for the BBC’s Last of the Summer Wine, what have Brown Snout, Stembridge Cluster and Slack m’girdle got in common?

You may be surprised to learn that, if you’re a real cider drinker, you’ll be very familiar with all three. For they’re all traditional west country cider apples, and they’re all – alongside orchardmates including Yarlington Mill, Dunkerton Late Sweet and Crimson King – currently in the process of being harvested and turned into cider at Honey and Daughter – aka the makers of Honey’s Midford Cider – at its headquarters just outside Bath.

In the 1960s, Upper Midford Farm was a busy dairy farm, home to Dick and Babs Honey, their seven sons and one daughter. The Honey’s Cider story only began just over a dozen years ago, when two key events took place. Firstly, former antique dealer Gerard Coles, better known as Krow, married Jules Honey, Dick and Babs’ granddaughter by their son Bob in 2000.

Then in 2002 Bob Honey spotted an 18th century cider press up for sale in a farming magazine. Gerard recalls how the cider business began: “We brought the press back to Bath in a convoy of vans and set about squashing apples with the assistance of most of the 72 TheBATHMagazine

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inhabitants of Midford – looking back, you could say the whole affair was like a cross between the Harrison Ford movie Witness and The Good Life.

“It was definitely tough at first, but over the years the venture improved to the point where Bob and Jules could start selling our cider commercially.”

When the business first started, Gerard had little interest in cider – apart from, of course, the obvious. But his big antiques van increasingly became more useful as a cider delivery vehicle, and his involvement in the business grew. Bob now concentrates on rearing his heard of traditional Hereford cattle and Jules enjoys a completely different career altogether, while Gerard is now coowner and director of the Honey’s Cider operation, known locally as the ultimate go-to local cider man.

Years on since Gerard gave a whole new meaning to the term ‘antiques roadshow’, Honey's has gained a reputation for being one of the west country’s most thriving independent cider businesses. What is the secret of the company's long-standing success?

“I guess what makes us successful is primarily the quality of our cider, coupled with our attention to detail,” he says. “Even when we were only making a couple of thousand litres a year, we were focussed on getting everything right, whether it was the particular blend of apples we use, the style of our labelling or offering our trade customers

excellent service. That and the fact that we really are so proud of our really good cider.

“I’m also proud to produce something that is so intrinsically linked to Bath; we supply many of the best restaurants and bars in this wonderful city, and it's all made less than three miles away from the city centre. We send cider further afield now too, and I have to admit that I get a bit of a buzz when someone contacts us to say they couldn’t believe they were drinking our cider in Newcastle or even Hong Kong. But really, Honey’s is all about Bath.”

Gerard admits, though, that there are downsides and drawbacks to running such a business; as he says, “there’s a lot more to the cider business than squashing apples and turning the juice into a tipple. There’s all sorts of legislation we have to satisfy too and duty to be paid. But it’s all part of the job, and it’s a job I love.”

He loves it so much, it seems, that his working day isn’t over when the working day is over. At the time of going to press, Gerard is crossing the i’s and dotting the t’s on a new venture in collaboration with his good friend Chris Lewis, owner and director of fellow Bath brewery the Electric Bear Co, based on lively Moorland Road in a former fancy dress hire shop.

Fire and Brew will specialise in serving wood fired pizzas accompanied by a huge range of craft beers, ciders

MADE IN MIDFORD: main picture, Gerard Coles at home on the farm Opposite page, harvest time at Upper Midford Farm means getting the apples in from the orchards, far right, and turning them into Honey’s Midford Cider Photographs courtesy of Mike McNally

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and contemporary cocktails. “It’s an entirely new direction for Chris and I, showcasing both our own products and supporting the work of similar independent, artisan brewing operations in the local area. We really want it to be a social hub for the fantastic local neighbourhood and community, and we really want to have our doors open in time for the big Moorland Road’s Christmas lights switch-on party on Saturday 26 November.”

Party on? You heard it here first.

But surely there must be some down-time built in to such a hectic schedule?

Unsurprisingly, Gerard's support of local producers and traders guides his off duty tastes too. “There are a lot of great foodie businesses in and around Bath, and Jules and I pretty

much dine solely on locally-sourced food.

Graham Padfield at Bath Soft Cheese in particular has set the standard for quality local produce.

“As for eating out, I’m old enough to remember when pretty much the only thing to eat in Bath on a night out was a carpet burger from My Van (that flashback should sort out the old Bathonians from the newcomers), so on that basis, everywhere else is an improvement.

But for me, eating out is as much about the experience and the company as it is about the food, and I like unusual venues.

“My favourite meal last year was eating homemade burgers made from our own beef, with the family on a beach in Pembrokeshire, cooked on a driftwood fire. Closer to home, I

love the new Castle Farm Café just up the road from us in Midford; it’s little more than a barn really, offering fantastic, fresh vegetarian dishes.”

So if we were to sit down to eat a seasonal, locally-sourced feast with Gerard, what would he suggest we drink with that?

“The cold weather gives us the perfect excuse to drink mulled cider made with our own special mulling syrup, or hot Stoney Bonk (our magical blend of cider and ginger beer) – lovely!

And after that? Another glass, of course!” And who could argue with that? In Bath, Gerard’s cider house rules. n Honey and Daughter/Honey’s Midford Cider Email: cheers@honeyanddaughter.co.uk; web: honeyanddaughter.co.uk.

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FRESH FROM THE MARKET NEXT DOOR Melissa Blease talks to food hero Stephen Derry, head chef at Green Park Brasserie, about making the most of what’s literally on his doorstep

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year ago, we featured Green Park Brasserie owner Andrew Peters as a Food Hero and very well deserved this mantle was, too. For Andrew’s brasserie – a muchloved cornerstone of the thriving Green Park Station market scene, recently supplemented by the Bath Pizza Co, has been flying the flag for locally sourced, affordable, quality menus since 1992.

Now the time is right to revisit the Braz, as it’s affectionately known, to go behind the scenes to turn the spotlight on Andrew’s head chef Stephen Derry.

It was an utter delight to meet the man behind menus that always cleverly serve as an all-things-to-all-people experience. From smoochy suppers adeux to full-on party feasts, buffets and celebrations – the Christmas parties with floor-filled dancing, will continue right through to New Year’s Eve. Whether he’s wowing wedding guests or winning over music lovers as they dine at one of the Jazz and the Braz regular live music nights, Stephen is the Man Who Can. After leaving Beechen Cliff School in Bath Stephen undertook a three-year modern apprenticeship with Milburns Catering which was at the time feeding visitors to the Pump Rooms at the Roman Baths.

Stephen was then offered a job at the Bath Spa Hotel where he spent a further three and a half years absorbing skills, knowledge and experience under the hotel’s award-winning head chef Andy Harmer. A year-long stint as sous chef at the Vaults Restaurant at the Theatre Royal working with head chef Dan Hayward swiftly followed, before both Dan and Stephen relocated to the Green Park Brasserie kitchens, where Stephen eventually took the role of head chef.

He said: “I’ve been working for Andrew Peters at the Green Park Brasserie for 11 years now, and together we’ve built a great working relationship that extends to our local suppliers, including those at the Bath Farmers’ Market, right outside our door.

“My overall vision for the Braz is to consistently produce high quality, seasonal menus made with locally sourced ingredients, including as much produce from the Bath Farmers’ Market as we can use. I aim to create menus that appeal to a wide-ranging client base, from our many regular local diners to the tourists and day trippers who love to spend time in Bath. My team and I 74 TheBATHMagazine

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pride ourselves on our use of fresh ingredients and local produce, which I feel brings a true personal touch to the dishes on our menus.”

But maintaining such an ethos doesn’t happen without many challenges; cost effectiveness must always play a key role in any restaurant and today – perhaps more than ever before – diverse tastes must be catered to, from the meat and two veg brigade to the increasing numbers of vegetarian and vegan diners.

Stephen, however, isn’t daunted by challenges. “Juggling the many elements that keep a restaurant successful keeps our menus varied and interesting, and keep the team enthusiastic about what we do,” he says. “My kitchen always works as a team, so everybody gets to make their own contribution if they’ve got a great idea. But still, one of the

most popular dishes on our menu is the homemade organic burger, of which we’re all very proud. We make our burgers ourselves with locally sourced organic beef, which really makes a massive difference to the flavour.

“Newton Farm sirloin steaks are a popular choice too – our customers are

UNDAUNTED: main picture, head chef Stephen Derry at the much loved Green Park Brasserie, and opposite, some of Stephen’s dishes

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reassured that the beef is locally reared, butchered and aged about three miles up the road from our kitchen, resulting in a very tender, flavoursome steak.”

Seasonal delights also include venison sausages with mustard mash.

Stephen’s favourite dish on his current menu, however, is slightly more complicated. “The slow-confit Tunley Farm pig cheek with braised baby vegetables, Bramley apple and vanilla ketchup with a blackberry jus epitomises the taste of a British autumn,” he says. “It’s quite an exciting dish and definitely a little bit different in terms of the flavour combinations.”

Would Stephen say the pigs’ cheek dish is a fashionable one? “Not necessarily – as with all the best dishes, it’s made with familiar ingredients that have all been on the local radar

for a very long time. But on the other hand, yes, it’s a modern British dish. Food fashion and trends can be positive, as they encourage chefs to constantly consider new ingredients, new innovations and cooking methods, which helps to keep my job very interesting. If my learning processes keep moving forward, my menus won’t ever stagnate. Innovation is vital to the industry as a whole.”

If you fancy trying Stephen’s current favourite dish, find it at the Braz or you can, if you’re feeling adventurous, visit The Bath Magazine website (thebathmag.co.uk) for the recipe and create it yourself at home.

So: burgers, steak, pork cheeks – does fish get much of a look-in on a Stephen Derry menu?

“Very much so. I personally love cooking with fish, and seafood in general – it’s all very

versatile, and marries well with other flavours.

Consider smoked haddock with a cheesy rarebit; mussels with cider, mushrooms and bacon; king prawns with chorizo; scallops with black pudding – these are just a few classic examples of fabulous fish flavour combinations.

“We have a very good fish supplier in Rob Clifford-Wing, head of Wing of St Mawes, who deliver great, sustainable, seasonal fresh fish on a daily basis.”

While Stephen enjoys his moment in the spotlight, go and raise a glass with him – menus from our latest admirable advocate for locally sourced loveliness offer something very special to celebrate indeed.

The Green Park Brasserie, Green Park Station, Bath.Tel: 01225 338565; web: greenparkbrasserie.com. n

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

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

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RESTAURANT | REVIEW

THE BUNCH OF GRAPES 14 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1JY. Tel: 01225 938088, web: thebunchofgrapes.com, twitter: @thegrapesboa

R E V I EW

MERCI, BEAUTIFUL BERTHA

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t’s always sad when a historic pub closes, even sadder when said pub stays empty, its peeling paintwork catching the eye every time you pass the site.

But cheers went up just under a year ago when The Bunch of Grapes in Bradford on Avon re-opened following a total overhaul.

Even better, the new owners turned out not to be a chain intent on shipping in one-size-fits-all fittings, but instead a trio of Francophiles who understand and love good food and good wine, both sides of La Manche.

Anna and Andrew Barwick and their partner/head chef Steve Carss have all spent many years in France, some of them at the Barwicks’ prestigious Chateau Rigaud in Bordeaux. So, they brought a flavour of French chic to the Grapes, tastefully furnishing the bar downstairs (a lovely bit of marble which it turns out doubles perfectly as an oyster bar) and the dining room on the first floor. And, luckily for its customers, they offer an excellent approach to service.

You want to come in for fresh croissants and coffee on a Sunday morning to read the papers?

No problem. Or pop in for a pint of Butcombe while out walking the dog early evening? You’re more than welcome, and here’s a bowl of water for your pooch. Or you want a mid-week supper but don’t want a huge meal? How about a tempting array of small plates with such delights as a melt-in-the-mouth hot cheese beignet or a vibrant, zesty seasonal salad with shavings of hot radish, sweet leaves and hazelnuts? And, although cocktail hour technically doesn’t begin until 6pm, in an emergency a dry Martini could be expertly mixed and delivered.

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The accolades have already been pouring in for the Grapes. Its Sunday lunch offering just picked up the Observer Food magazine’s best roast in the west and the Michelin Guide 2017 picked it for inclusion, quite an honour. It has a Local Gem listing in the Good Food Guide 2017 and has just been voted pub of the year and best food outlet in the Bradford on Avon business awards.

We’ve enjoyed drinks with friends at the Grapes, but the other day felt we should try the food and see what all the fuss has been about.

I generally operate on the basis of ordering something I wouldn’t make at home, so a shared platter (£14.50 for two) containing no less than seven tasters was an obvious choice. It looked appetising when it came. There was a croque monsieur I’d happily eat at any time of day, sweet potato and red pepper fritters with smoked garlic aioli and what John called a French pork pie – a divinely savoury textured pork terrine studded with green pistachios.

Another stand-out was the Charentaise sausage slices served with the gentlest, tastiest pickle onion and smoky tomato parfait.

On Tuesdays the moules frites are on special offer – normally £14, but on Tuesdays they’re £10. Head chef Steve was inspired to emulate the fabulous moules served at Chez Hortense on Cap Ferret, which incorporate chorizo along with the garlic and parsley. A simply enormous pot of juicy, plump moules with crisp, tasty slim frites made for a happy, hearty supper.

It’s hard to tell you how good my main dish of sea bream was. The last fish I had as memorably delicious was on a beach in Pembrokeshire when friends served fresh mackerel wrapped in foil parcels and cooked

over a driftwood bonfire. It turns out the secret to the crispy, smoky crust on this perfectly cooked sea bream, is the pub’s oven. The oven is called Bertha and each day it’s stoked up with oak and birch, which helps impart fabulous flavour to all manner of dishes, particularly steak and seafood. It turns out you don’t need to be on a beach to capture that elusive taste.

Rather cleverly too the fish was accompanied not by a dish of veg (I’m so bored of the carrot, cauli, broccoli combo) but by a big bowl of mixed leaf, lightly dressed salad containing thinly sliced apple. I had forgotten how well the right fruit and fish can go together.

We have a saying in our family, that wine is red and comes from Bordeaux. Luckily we were in the right place to enjoy wine bought direct from the region by people who know the growers. We enjoyed a bottle of Chateau La Verriere, a classic velvety smooth Bordeaux.

This is a very thoughtful establishment.

When it comes to pudding, for those who dither between the tarte tatin, the cherry sorbet, crème brûlée, or the orange and chocolate delice, there’s the option of the Café Gourmand, which is a little bit of everything with a shot of espresso. Replete as we were a dish of vanilla and coffee ice cream – impressively handmade on the premises – ordered for sharing, with two spoons, finished this francophile feast in fine style. The bill for all this came to £69.

We plan to sample the award-winning Sunday roast – the meat cooked in beautiful Bertha – in which controversially perhaps, roast potatoes have been replaced with dauphinoise or boulangère potatoes, but fear not, the British Yorkshire pud with gravy is very much a part of that delightful sounding lunch. n

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic picks her favourite wines to cheer up a chilly night

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here’s no avoiding Christmas, with the festive lights already firmly ensconced above the streets of our city – but for me, November is all about settling slowly into winter, taking stock and planning for December. So I’m not going to be recommending Christmas wines, I’m writing about wines, which I’ve tasted recently, and enjoyed.

Sales of sparkling wine continue to soar, driven by the continuing momentum of the prosecco phenomenon. Good prosecco is an affordable way to enjoy a cheeky glass of fizz or two, but with supermarket wars rife, there is also some pretty nasty stuff out there. Ring the changes, and stay ahead of the pack, by moving over to a lively little sparkler I rediscovered recently.

Pignoletto brut, Cantina Cleto Chiarli NV (Great Western Wine £12.95) is a bright, cheery little fizz, not dissimilar in style, but with an added element of citrussy freshness.

Whilst prosecco is from the north west of the country, this is from the east, near the gastronomic cities of Modena and Bologna. Pignoletto is the grape; it’s bright and lively, full of crisp green apple, lemon peel and white peach charm.

My own white wine preferences change with the seasons, and in autumn I look for a little more warmth in the whites I choose – still crisp, still bone dry, but with a little more flesh on their bones. A perennial favourite is Ascheri Gavi di Gavi 2015 (GWW £14.95 but down to £12.95 from 10 November), which is a true thoroughbred of a northern Italian wine, oozing class and razor-sharp freshness. Floral and citrussy, it’s packed with tangy grapefruit and peach, with the ripe scent of waxy lemon peel, and acacia honey. Perfect with pan-fried salmon, cod baked with lemon and herbs, linguine alla vongole or chicken stuffed with pesto. Snap this one up early for Christmas entertaining.

Moving on to a couple of reds – it’s game season, and nothing works better than pinot noir. A recent addition to the prolific Great Western Wine portfolio, is the award-winning Peregrine Wines, a family-owned winery from the countryside of New Zealand’s southernmost wine region, Central Otago. Here, in the cool climate, Pinot Noir is king.

Peregrine’s Mohua Pinot Noir 2014 (GWW £16.95), named after one of the country’s native birds, is a beautifully crafted, soft, yet uncompromising red. The aromas beguile the senses, with their heady scents of violets, plums and black cherries; the wine is rich, yet silky smooth, with bold, opulent flavours of dark berry fruit, wild herbs and a hint of milk chocolate, and black pepper. Seductive and elegant, this is definitely a winner with roast pheasant, wood pigeon, duck breasts and also mildly spiced Indian lamb dishes.

If you like your reds bigger and bolder try, The Love Grass Shiraz d’Arenberg 2013 (GWW £13.95). Produced by the charismatic Chester Osborn, famous for his loud shirts, the wine is as colourful as the maker. All his wines have a story – this is a rich, fruity Shiraz, given added spice and freshness by a tiny dollop of Viognier and named after the long grasses that grow in the vineyards, and attach themselves to the vineyard workers’ ankles. Bursting with cardamom-spiced blackberry with hints of licorice and dark chocolate, it’s a velvety delight on chilly nights – good with slow cooked lamb shanks, stews and curries.

I can’t resist suggesting a few early Christmas ideas. Lovers of classic claret would swoon at the thought of a magnum of Chateau Lamothe-Cissac 2009 (GWW £36 down to £28 from 10 November), a great opportunity to snap up a classic.

Or for old school music lovers, embrace the vinyl revival, by giving them a subscription to the newly launched stylusvinyl.com to receive a classic 12” vinyl with a bottle of wine, cleverly matched by the GWW team to the style of the artist. n

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BATH AFTER DARK Ideas to inspire you to get out of the house in the evenings this winter

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n dark winter’s evenings it’s easy to hibernate. But there’s so much going on, so why not leave the fireside and the television and venture forth? We’ve found plenty of activities for adults. You don’t need to be a student to make the most of Bath’s night-time pleasures. And don’t forget, Bath is one of only around 65 towns and cities nationwide to hold Purple Flag status, awarded for urban centres which manage their evening economy and look after the wellbeing of visitors and residents.

LIVE CULTURE We’re spoiled in Bath with the presence of the Theatre Royal, which regularly previews big shows – and some big stars too – before they go to the West End. But the city also has many more theatres, both professional and amateur.

The Ustinov Studio puts on some cutting edge contemporary pieces, while The Mission and Rondo theatres have a rolling programme of amateur and touring professional companies. If you enjoy live drama most weeks of the year there’s usually a production taking place in church rooms, village halls and school theatres.

Bath also has a thriving music scene, if you know where to look. As you have seen in our What’s On (Pages 44 – 49)

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there are legions of choirs, singing all kinds of music. An evening spent listening to uplifting choral music will send your spirits soaring.

Or perhaps you’d prefer a little jazz?

St James’ Wine Vaults has regular sessions and Burdall’s Yard, near the traffic lights in London Road, also has jazz as part of its eclectic programme of live entertainment. Chapel Arts in Lower Borough Walls has some great gigs, presenting all types of popular music and both the city’s universities host concerts and contemporary dance performances.

It’s also worth taking a look at The Bell’s programme of visiting musicians as audiences of all ages enjoy raising the roof and throwing a few shapes at the Walcot community owned pub and in its Love Lounge behind the pub.

The latest meeting place and venue for live music is the Igloo bar beneath the Abbey Hotel. At Igloo Live an intimate crowd of around 75 mingle on a Thursday night for a series of free gigs, which includes tribute act J’Adele on Thursday 3 November.

Komedia in Westgate Street regularly puts on live music, ranging from cutting edge new acts to what some call heritage acts, that is bands that started out in the 90s, 80s or 70s. It’s also home to Saturday night Krater Comedy Club which is followed by Motorcity, a

chance to dance the night away. This is one of the best places in Bath for mature people, as the dancefloor is filled with all ages enjoying some classic Motown, funk, soul and rock and roll.

If you prefer to take your culture sitting down you won’t want to miss out on this month’s Bath Film Festival, ( see Page 42) or to check out the authors visiting Bath for independent bookshop Topping & Co’s ongoing literary programme. The team at Toppings are brilliant at persuading some of the world’s finest writers to visit our city and also bring politicians, chefs, poets and even astronauts who have written books, so we can hear them speak live.

The elegant Holburne Museum stages regular Up Late evenings, the next being on Friday 25 November from 5pm to 9pm. Relax with friends and a drink in the Garden Café, share some light bites and enjoy some live music, with the chance to explore the museum after hours and see the current exhibitions Silver: Light and Shade and Linda Brothwell: The Missing. There’ll be a silver-themed demonstration by silversmith Adi Toch who will be inviting people to try accessible and fun metal colouring and patination techniques, using items found in our food cupboards. The museum shop will also be open for Christmas shopping.

SAFE STREETS: Bath’s Thermae spa baths lit up last winter to celebrate the city’s fifth year holding the Purple Flag status for a healthy evening economy and care for the wellbeing of residents and visitors

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NIGHT | LIFE

DIVERSE VOICES: bar manager at Sub 13 Adam Collier makes a Bon Hiver and right, Shane Turner, bartender at Combe Grove

THE COCKTAIL SET There are some seriously cool places to enjoy a cocktail in Bath these dark winter nights – we’re talking grown-up drinks, with not a pink umbrella or plastic flamingo in sight. Our favourite haunts include the Canary Gin Bar, the Art bar at the Abbey Hotel, the Old Q bar at the Queensberry Hotel, The Dark Horse in Kingsmead Square, Circo at The Porter and, new to the scene, the cool bar at Combe Grove.

Another favourite haunt, Sub 13 in George Street, which thoughtfully provides heaters and blankets in its night garden, is running cocktail masterclasses throughout December. The sessions – which you’ll want to do indoors – last around an hour and can be held at 1pm or 3pm at a cost of £30 per head.

We recently sampled the wares of Shane Turner, the new bartender – he doesn’t like to be called a mixologist – just out of town at Combe Grove. Shane comes with 18 years’ experience in the industry, including stints heading up the bar service at Gold Brick House and Seven Shed in

Glass, which runs right through the evening to 2am. It’s a party and we’re all invited.

Bristol, as well as the uber glamorous 131 in Cheltenham. He likes to use homemade bitters, liqueurs, cordials, vermouth and gin to make his cocktails extra special.

Shane believes in the importance of a close relationship between drinks and food and has pushed this beyond the popular matches of wine or beer to create cocktails to compliment chef, Leigh Evans’ tasting menu experience.

Shane’s signature serve is the Dark Manhattan: “The Dark Manhattan is a twist on the classic and very beautiful Manhattan. We replace the usual sweet vermouth with Amaro (an Italian herbal digestif) and add a little cognac to the mix to round it off, with some orange bitters for a depth.”

Circo under The Porter in George Street is currently one of Bath’s coolest hangouts for the cognoscenti.

Wednesdays are Cuban nights, from 8pm for a night of Cuban music performed by The Tom Berge Trio.

Circo is also offering two for £10 cocktails between 5pm and 9pm. On Friday 4 November, as a follow-up to the successful Down The Rabbit Hole night, it’s time for Through The Looking

VOLUNTEERING Sometimes giving can be more rewarding than taking. Volunteering your time and skills is a great way of making a difference in the world. The Volunteer Centre, Bath and North East Somerset (to be found at Bath main library, if you want to go in person) offers a service that matches willing people with organisations in and around Bath who need their help. At the time of writing there were 158 different volunteer opportunities on the website: vol-centre.org.uk.

Some of these were in the evenings, such as helping out from time to time behind the bar at Greenhill House Leonard Cheshire home for the disabled in Timsbury, so that residents can enjoy social activities.

Other volunteer roles give free access to concerts, talks and other live events.

The Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon relies on its dozens of stalwart stewards to hand out tickets, show the audience to their seats and look after the

CITY’S BARTENDERS STIR UP THE COCKTAIL SET n Sub 13 in George Street has a winter cocktail created by bar manager Adam Collier called the Bon Hiver which is French for good winter. It’s a festive combination of vodka with Benedictine, spices, apple, cherry and cranberry, all finished with a dusting of flambéed cinnamon.

20ml Absolut vodka 10ml Benedictine 20ml spiced apple and cherry syrup 20ml cranberry juice 10ml lemon juice dusting of cinnamon n At Circo bar, under The Porter, also on George Street, bartender Arron Mander has created the The Sloe Southside, pictured left.

25ml Sipsmith Sloe Gin 25ml Chambord 20ml Lime juice 10ml Sugar syrup Mint Shake all ingredients. Serve straight up in a martini glass with a mint leaf garnish. n The Combe Grove bartender Shane Turner offers customers a taste of his Dark Manhatten, a classic Manhatten with a new twist.

Take two parts whisky, one part Italian Amaro, a dash of cognac and a dash of orange bitters. Pour over ice, stir and strain into a glass when chilled. Serve with a twist of orange peel.

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NIGHT | LIFE

performers backstage. In return these stewards enjoy free shows, seeing bands and musicians that they might not otherwise experience. Similarly, Bath’s many festivals rely on an army of volunteers to look after audiences. There is also a sense of camaraderie among the team who have worked to make an event a success, and for them there is a share in the audience’s applause.

Or you could make a difference to someone’s life in a very positive way.

Adult volunteers with Bath charity Mentoring Plus meet their teenage mentees weekly outside school hours.

This gives the young people time to relax, chat and explore their interests, taking them anywhere from a leisurely card game in a café or watching a music performance, to more adrenaline-fuelled activities such as bowling, skating or even surfing. Watching local rugby and football matches is popular and the charity can sometimes provide discount tickets, while others use Mentoring Plus’ premises to cook food or do homework together.

Mentor Tom is in his 30s. He said of the mentoring experience: “I thought my trampolining days were behind me, but my mentee was teaching me new tricks.”

Retired teacher Sharon enjoyed the challenge of researching local poetry performance events for her mentee, which they both enjoy. “I was always saying I should get out to things like this, but never did until I had the incentive of mentoring.”

Mentoring Plus needs at least 60 volunteers every year, providing training and support for the year-long programme, which builds skills and confidence. Mentors need to be responsible adults who can commit to meeting up for a couple of hours a week. The charity always needs more working-age male mentors for teenage boys. To find out about becoming a mentor, call Mentoring Plus on 01225 429694 or visit: mentoringplus.net.

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PERFORMING If you crave the limelight, the centre of the stage, or merely the chance to raise your voice in joyful harmony with others, Bath offers plenty of opportunity for cultural involvement.

The best way to decide which choir or theatre group you might wish to join, would be to go and see them in performance. Is there is a genre that you could feel comfortable with and contribute to? To find out about upcoming acting auditions and musical vacancies visit: theatrebath.co.uk.

When we looked at the website the Corsham Windband was in need of a volunteer conductor for its rehearsals and concerts, while the church drama group of St Philip and St James in Odd Down was appealing for a Jesus who can sing for a forthcoming production of Godspell. If your skills lie more in setting up lighting or scene painting, it’s worth asking around to see if there’s a friendly theatre group who would welcome you with open arms.

EXPANDING THE MIND There are few better ways to keep the old grey cells ticking over than playing bridge. Bath Bridge Club is a thriving community of players at all levels, meeting at Oldfield Old Boys Rugby Club in Combe Down. There are evening sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7pm, to which visitors are always welcome.

There will also be workshops for improvers and intermediate players throughout the winter.

The University of Bath and Bath College also offer part-time courses, some of them in the evenings. You could, for instance, learn Arabic or Mandarin Chinese at evening classes at the university.

Bath WI, which meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Bathwick, invites newcomers to sample its meetings before

deciding whether to join. The branch’s motto is live, learn, laugh – and members do all three with a mixed programme of speakers. On 2 November diamond expert Andrew Manders of Mallory jewellers is the guest speaker.

A pub quiz is a more interactive way of keeping your mind sharp than sitting at home shouting at University Challenge. Look around the city as several establishments run regular quiz nights.

If the written and spoken word excites you try joining a group such as A Word in Your Ear, a story telling group which hosts open themed readings. The next one, with the theme of war, is from 7.15pm on Friday 11 November at Burdall’s Yard, London Road. All are welcome. And the same welcome extends from the Bath Poetry Café group, which is joining forces with Walcot State Choir to hold a Requiem for the World, photographs and readings from the First World War on Thursday 10 November at 7.30pm at BRLSI in Queen Square. The event is free but a contribution to Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is encouraged.

EXERCISE AND SPORT There are many running groups and clubs in the Bath area. Evening routes on dark nights are carefully chosen and running with a group of others is not only sociable but safer than running alone on winter nights.

Or perhaps you’d like to try something new? Bath T’ai Chi club runs regular evening classes for beginners and Bath Sword Club, the south west’s most successful fencing club runs a series of courses for beginners, the next one is in January. Yoga Bodhi in Bartlett Street runs regular evening classes, with the option of signing up for a full course or paying to drop in to one class.

Whatever your age or inclination we hope this throws a light on things to do in Bath on dark evenings. n

OUT AND ABOUT: left, live jazz at the St James’s Wine Vaults off St James’ Square, or try a drop-in yoga class

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TIME GENTLEMEN, PLEASE Historian Catherine Pitt explores the hidden world of the private members’ clubs in Bath

❝

Club (noun): an assembly of good fellows

❝

FROM A DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE BY DR SAMUEL JOHNSON, 1775

A

sense of belonging is an inherent desire of human nature, whether that means being included in a meeting at work, a party with friends, or in a conversation on Twitter.

In the early 18th century, being a selected member of a private group was seen as unattainable by most, desired by many and obtained by an exclusive few. Most private groups or clubs were affiliated to public schools, social status, or the military. The only place that was different was the coffee house – although male-only, it did not discriminate by wealth, occupation, or status. However, as coffee drinking began to wane in popularity, the coffee house owners had to think of a way to keep themselves in business.

Out of the coffee houses of 18th century England sprang exclusive members-only gentlemen’s clubs. By charging their customers membership fees, as well as selecting members on strict rules of eligibility, these new clubs 82 TheBATHMagazine

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created their own exclusivity and made themselves desirable places to be.

Like many provincial cities, Bath followed the trends of the capital, and by the late 18th century the coffee houses of Morgan’s in the Orange Grove, and Parade Coffee House on North Parade were beginning to be replaced by these new exclusive establishments.

Soon there were clubs for sport, music, politics, and religious views, as well as social clubs for more leisurely pursuits.

By 1935 there were 22 clubs in the city, seven of which were considered gentlemen only social clubs.

Today in Bath there remain just two of these once gentlemen-only social establishments – the Bath and County Club on Queen’s Parade; and the Harington Club in Harington Place. As in the past, to become a member one has to be recommended by either one or two other members; a meeting is arranged to assess your suitability, and then you pay an annual membership fee to use the club facilities. If you do not know any members then you can simply contact the secretary to arrange a meeting.

Today the clubs are less about exclusivity and more about inclusivity. Both clubs accept women as full members; plus you don’t have to be of military background, have a specific job, or be of a certain social status to join, as were once conditions in the past.

Bath’s first recorded private members club was The York Club, founded in 1790. Initially, in 1769, it began as a coffee room in what

became The Royal York Hotel (today a Travelodge), but growing in a few years to become an exclusive gentlemen’s club. In 1841 it was joined by The New Club at Edgar Buildings.

In 1858 seven gentlemen of The York Club decided that Bath deserved a club “nearer to the standard of a London club” and proposed the formation of such a place in Queen Square. On 14 April 1858 a new club was born – The Bath and County Club, and almost with immediate effect The York Club was amalgamated within it. It was a few more years until The New Club joined its folds.

The Bath and County Club took up the premises of No 21 Queen Square, expanding over the 19th century into No 22 Queen Square. Members were waited on by staff in official livery – an Oxford grey coat and trousers, scarlet waistcoat and club buttons.

However, after years of poor management the club was left in dire straits financially and so in the 1980s the decision was taken to sell up and move around the corner into Queen’s Parade where the club remains today.

Over in Harington Place, at what had once been the site of 14th century stables used by Sir John Harington of Kelston during the Battle of Lansdown in 1643, a private members’ club was founded in 1874, but named initially as The People’s Club and Institute Ltd. Around 1890 it was voted by members to change the name to reflect the history of the

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Opposite left: the County Club in Queen Square, decorated for the marriage of Prince George, Duke of York and Princess Mary of Teck in July 1893 (later to become George V and Queen Mary) Archive picture courtesy of: Bathintime.co.uk, a comprehensive picture library from which people can order old photographs from Bath’s history BATH INSTITUTIONS: right, the entrance to the Harington Club in Harington Place and the spacious snooker room which is fitted with two full size tables.

CITY CENTRE SANCTUARY: Below, the Quiet Room and bar at the Bath and County Club in Queen’s Parade

building and in honour of former resident Dr Henry Harington, Mayor of Bath (1793).

As a social club these places provided leisurely pursuits for members – such as skittles, billiards or bridge; plus facilities for relaxing quietly, reading, and writing. The Harington still has a spacious snooker hall, its members cues neatly lined up in their cases ready for the next game.T here is also a reading room where shelves neatly lined with yellow Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, reflect the members’ interests.

In those far-off days gambling in the clubs was not uncommon especially since it was illegal outside of membersonly establishments in the 19th century.

In contrast to the strict licensing laws of public houses and restaurants in the 19th and early 20th centuries, an added appeal was the fact that refreshments were available at any hour of the day too.

Smoking rooms were also a common feature up until the smoking ban of 2007. Some of the clubs also provided accommodation, as was the requisite of most London clubs; however neither club today provides this facility, although members, and affiliates, enjoy preferential rates at nearby hotels.

Although these establishments were deemed gentlemen’s clubs it appears that behaviour of members were not always so gentlemanly.

During the 19th century The Bath and County Club committee had to deal with complaints of bad language in the backgammon room, accusations of short-measures at the bar, an almost weekly repair of the billiard table baize, and fine of the member responsible; plus accusations in 1859 by a local paper of being a “pugilistic club” after a fracas between members in the billiard room was leaked.

One anonymous Major-General seems

to appear almost monthly in the minutes for the whole of the 1880s, persistently complaining. Another club member resigned in 1889 after becoming irritated at no-one wanting to play billiards with him. In his anger he called them “white-livered curs” and other obscenities then threw whisky in their faces.

Over at the Harington Club similar tales can be told; as well as scandals that reached the papers such as the bigamy of one ex-manager of the club in 1929, and the sad tale of the suicide of a member who shot himself in the skittle alley in 1935.

Women were for the duration of the 19th century, and most of the 20th century, omitted from membership of these clubs; though not occasional admittance when invited to special organised events within.

Despite the mysteries shrouding these clubs, the women of Bath were not ones to miss out. There are records of a Bath and County Ladies Club (formed in 1896) at 35 Milsom Street. It was, to begin with, just like the Bath gentlemen’s clubs, a home away from home: “for the convenience of ladies living in the country who would like some place to rest, wait or see their friends.”

By 1944 this club had moved to Queen Square and had become the Bath Business and Professional Women’s Club with inspiring speakers addressing members, such as Phyllis Deakin, one of the first accredited women war correspondents.

Neither the First nor Second World War seems to have affected the private members clubs much, except in membership numbers. In 1914 the Bath and County Club discussed extending membership admittance to some of the officers billeted with their battalions in the city, while both the Harington Club

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

and Bath and County Club advertised heavily in both world wars for staff as more and more of their employees were called up to fight, suggesting a struggle to remain consistent in their offerings.

In 2016 membership numbers of both The Bath and County, and The Harington, have seen a decline since the heady days of 300 plus in the 19th century, yet both clubs still have more than 150 members respectively.

Some people may argue there is no place for these establishments in our modern world, yet their quiet and hidden presence belies the activities that occur behind their closed doors and their importance to this city.

Today you no longer have to be a member to hire out their facilities – whether for a wedding, a party, a conference or simply a meeting.

Although the clubs still provide a respite from the busy city outside, they also embrace the modern world with free wi-fi, and you’ll even find them on social media.

Both The Bath and County and Harington Club host events and provide catering for many of the other associations and clubs of the city – including the twinning associations and Bath Boules. Networking events and media meet-ups, as well as university lectures, local business interviews and training events have taken place within both clubs’ walls.

The Harington Club boasts of an award winning snooker and skittles league with some of the finest facilities in Bath at members’ disposal; while the Bath and County Club hosts celebratory dinners, talks, and musical evenings.

By embracing the modern world these clubs welcome new members and club users with open arms.

So, step inside these Bath great institutions and find out what they can offer you. n

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BATH @ WORK Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work. View a gallery of Bath@Work subjects at: thebathmag.co.uk

Eric ‘Scottie’ Ivor Musician and antique dealer

I

’m known by my middle name. It was only my mum who called me Eric and Scottie suits me better – it’s a good jazz name. I was very musical from an early age, at the age of eight I was the No 1 vocal in the Trowbridge choir.

My dad played the mandolin for fun but generally he was a rather mysterious man. My mum raised eight kids but I have lost touch with most of my relatives. In fact I’m now a bit vague as to how many are still alive. I learnt some banjo from my dad but a fellow called George Kemp taught me the guitar, which was a rather exotic instrument in those days. I can pick up any tune almost immediately, a consequence, I believe, of my early exposure to music of all sorts.

I’ve travelled all over the country with my music and even had my own orchestra in the 1960s (The Eric Scott Orchestra).

Despite seeing myself as primarily a musician I’ve always made more money from antiques.

I had a shop during the 60s in Oldfield Park. The premises in Maybrick Road was curiously both a hairdressers and an antique shop. It’s an odd combination I know but I had originally trained as a hairdresser in Bristol. I’d be cutting someone’s hair and then a customer would come in asking about a grandfather clock so I had to leave the hair until I closed the sale. I explained that the haircut was only bringing in five shillings (25p) so they had to wait while I sold the clock.

I was primarily a session musician and have played with some of the greatest jazz artists. Men like Tubby Hayes, Bobby Mickleburgh (Temperance Seven band leader) Ronnie Scott and Bill La Sage. I became best known for my favourite instrument the double bass but I could also play the four string tenor guitar and banjo (thanks Dad!). I’ve played a lot in Bath, including at The Hat and Feather, The Bell and the Pump Room.

When Bradshaw ran The Bell we had some great times and would often end up dancing in the street. There are some great buskers in Bath. If I could join up with a few of them I reckon we’d have a hit on our hands.

After I sold the Oldfield Park place I bought an elegant Georgian building in Walcot Street. It had been a grocer’s shop (where Neill took this photograph of me) and still had the gas lights. It may be familiar to many, standing as it does, with my name over the door, at the end of Walcot Street. I have run my antiques business from these premises since the 70s, but the property is now on the market. My specialities have been Chinese porcelain and bronzes. I still do a bit of trading as I always kept the best pieces for myself.

Although I’m now in my 80s I’m still playing music. I joined a band in St Swithin’s church in Walcot and love to use my Godgiven talent. We play on Sundays and I have to keep myself in check because I have a temptation to jazz up the score somewhat. Old habits die hard.

Actually I’ve always been an independent soul (and a bit of a show off) which is probably why I never married. I’ve had many offers and still they come but I’m not ready just yet. n

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic.

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

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CITY | PEOPLE

CITYNEWS News in brief

nCongratulations to all the women who took part in the annual Moonlight Walk Dorothy House Hospice Care and helped create an official Guinness World record for the largest gathering of people wearing boas – some of them are pictured here. Some 675 women took part in the record-breaking stunt as part of the walk round the city to raise funds for Dorothy House’s care services for patients and their families. Staff from the Southgate branch of Barclays, assisted with the counting of the boas. n As a city with more than its share of fine railings and beautiful balconies Bath has been chosen as a festival site by The National Heritage Ironwork Group for its inaugural conference next summer. This public four-day event will promote the preservation of historic ironwork and aims to inspire a new generation to develop traditional ironworking skills. To hold the festival in June in Parade Gardens, support is sought. BathIRON, is hosting an evening fundraiser at the Abbey Hotel in Bath on Wednesday 9 November. Sponsors, and other interested parties can contact Bath IRON, tel: 07503 764712 or email: info@nhig.org.uk. n The Genesis Trust Walcot Street Appeal has been given a major boost with a £100,000 donation from The Garfield Weston Foundation.

The appeal needs to raise over £1m to develop offices, a training centre and a shop selling upcycled furniture on Walcot Street. The project received planning permission six months ago.

Appeal Director, Dr Alan Kerbey, said: “ We are now over half way to achieving our target figure of £1.1m and it is our hope that this major donation will help to inspire other individuals to invest in this vitally important project which will help to make such a difference to the lives of the most marginalised and vulnerable adults in our city. ” The Genesis Centre will create jobs and training to help prepare clients for employment, further study or volunteering opportunities. n Bath has been awarded a silver gilt award for its South West in Bloom entry in the Business Improvement District (BID) category for 2016.

Judges praised the re-invigorated Parade Gardens, with its children’s paintings and new Orange Grove plantings – both of which are managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Parks team.

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PROJECT TO AWAKEN THE ARCHES High land values and limited space have led to a chronic shortage of space for artists and makers in Bath, writes Steve Bradley. Most of the artist studio groups in the city live on borrowed time in rented premises they know will soon be redeveloped. One such group – 44AD – has already been served notice to vacate its city centre studios in January. With no alternative space available, the closure of each set of artists’ studios results in creative talent leaving our city. And the same happens every year to the hundreds of graduates from Bath Spa University's courses in Arts and Design. Bath is losing part of what makes it such a special and appealing place to live.

Art in the Arch is an innovative project designed to help tackle this through the creation of a new not-for-profit arts quarter in the centre of Bath. The project focuses on St James’s Viaduct – the Grade II Listed, Bruneldesigned row of railway arches which run from Oak Street (off Lower Bristol Rd) to the River Avon at the foot of Wells Road. The viaduct’s castellated centrepiece has become encrusted with soot. Other arches have become tatty, derelict and overwhelmed by vegetation. Litter is rife, rough sleeping and antisocial behaviour not uncommon, and one of the arches was a murder scene in 2014.

Visitors to the guest-houses on Wells Road and Bear Flat must surely be unimpressed as they walk into town through this shambolic landscape. In a city where space is at a premium, the viaduct represents both a wasted resource and a genuine opportunity.

The long-term vision of Art in the Arch is to convert St James’s Viaduct into three zones – a Make area, containing studios for artists and artisans; a Show section, containing large welllit sculptures in the arches and a Meet area with gallery space and a café in the arches by the river.

BOLD PLAN: an artist’s impression of the meeting place café We are also lobbying for the viaduct to be cleaned, its architecturally interesting parts illuminated, and the land surrounding it improved.

As a first step we have identified eight arches to convert into studio spaces as a pilot.

Once that’s completed, we hope the people of Bath will be keen to see and help the project expand even further. We are also working with local arts project Illuminate Bath on a light installation there next autumn. This is part of our objective of awakening the arches, to encourage people to think about their potential and to see them as spaces for art.

We all risk waking up one day to find we live in a city whose artists and makers have been forced out by a lack of space. This is a genuine danger. By being creative with a challenging structure in the centre of our city, Art in the Arch will hopefully provide a new hub for Bath’s artistic community for many years to come.

If you would like to find out more about the project or to help in any way (particularly in web design and fundraising), contact Steve Bradley, email: steve@stevebradley.info. n

POWER STATION WILL RUN ON WASTE Work has begun on building an £8m renewable power station at Queen Charlton Quarry near Kenysham. Resourceful Earth hopes that by next spring the completed plant will convert waste food into enough electricity to power 80% of Keynsham’s homes, which, once approval has been gained, residents and businesses will be able to buy at a discount.

The technology, known as anaerobic digestion or AD, uses decompositor bacteria to create odourless methane gas from organic waste, such as food. Methane, ie mains gas, is then fuel for large generators. The digestion occurs in a sealed system to capture all the gas while protecting the environment. At the end of the process, the pasteurised nutrient-rich digestate becomes a natural fertiliser for farms.

Nicholas Stubbs, director of Resourceful Earth, says: “We are absolutely delighted to be

making this huge leap towards a sustainable future. AD is incredibly good at reducing global warming – so much so that, in this one project, we will offset the entire carbon footprint of Keynsham. We must all play our part if we are to avoid a global disaster.”

Resourceful Earth has worked closely with B&NES Council, the Environment Agency and local residents to ensure that the development meets stringent planning and environmental standards. Working on the project is Water and Waste Services (WWS), a Bath-based process contractor, which will be managing the construction and commissioning of the plant, which will eventually create 20 jobs.

Companies and organisations who would like their food waste to be responsibly converted into renewable energy should contact the company at: resourcefulearth.co.uk.

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Capital allowances are not available on the property itself.The relief comes from qualifying assets within the property. There are several conditions that must be met, one being that the values must be agreed between purchaser and seller; therefore it is important to bring up the subject of capital allowances at an early stage of a commercial property purchase.

A formal election must be made for the capital allowances to be available. This election specifies the assets and their values. It is important to make this election otherwise the purchaser loses to the right to make the deduction against taxable profits.

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Mowbray Woodwards launches new ‘Care Planning & Support’ service

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We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £40.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £70.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 To subscribe to receiving the magazine go to our website; www.thebathmag.co.uk and scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click to an instant link Alternatively send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment

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eading Bath-based law firm Mowbray Woodwards has launched a brand new service for people looking after vulnerable friends or relatives that require care or do not have the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Mowbray Woodwards’ ‘Care Planning & Support’ service aims to help people in Bath and the surrounding areas navigate the care system and access the specialist legal advice they need to achieve the best possible outcomes for their loved ones.

The launch of the new, bespoke service comes hot on the heels of the appointment of specialist solicitor Heledd Wyn, a well-respected expert in all aspects of care planning, mental capacity issues and estate planning.

Heledd is passionate about helping individuals, carers, attorneys and Court of Protection appointed deputies to access straightforward, honest, professional advice that really makes a difference in vulnerable people’s lives and provides peace of mind to their families and friends.

The launch of ‘Care Planning & Support’ will see Mowbray Woodwards offer a full consultancy service to help and advise clients on a wide range of issues surrounding care and capacity, tailored to their specific needs.

Heledd said: “Caring for a parent, child or close relative who lacks the capacity to make key decisions is a huge responsibility. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed as you try to navigate your way through a care system that at times can be extremely complex and challenging.

“Our aim with the launch of our new service is to demystify the whole process by carefully listening to your situation and your concerns and providing specialist advice that helps you look after your loved one better.

We want to offer our clients complete peace of mind that they are doing everything they can to safeguard the welfare of their vulnerable relatives or close friends. We also want to highlight how important it is to plan for your own future, as it can save a lot of stress and uncertainty later on in life.

“As a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) I’m really looking forward to applying my expertise and helping clients in Bath and the surrounding area to negotiate the care system and make the best use of the options available now and in the future.”

David Whitworth, private client team head and partner at Mowbray Woodwards added: “We are all living longer and demand is growing for expert legal advice as the population ages. We have many years of experience supporting older and vulnerable people and their families and carers with our traditional private client services including Wills, Trusts and Probate. Our new ‘Care Planning and Support’ service brings together a compassionate and skilled team to complement our existing offering making it easier for our clients to access all the specialist support they need under one roof.”

Mowbray Woodwards’ new service can help clients with issues such as: • Care funding options and care home contracts • NHS Continuing Health Care Funding • Local Authority financial assessments • Court of Protection applications and disputes • Lasting Powers of Attorney • Support for attorneys and deputyships • Statutory Wills • Advance Decisions (‘Living Wills’) • Gratuitous Care Allowance • Post Injury & Clinical Negligence issues • Disability & financial protection To find out more about how Mowbray Woodwards can help with any aspect of care planning and support or to book an expert consultation, call: 01225 485700 or email: hello@mowbraywoodwards.co.uk

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CITY | SHOPPING

THE STLYE LIST

TIME LADIES PLEASE We asked Mallory Jewellers of Bath to pick out 6 of the hottest ladies watches

PATEK PHILIPPE – CALATRAVA Reflecting the genuine artistry of master jewellers 142 diamonds are set throughout the bezel of this new ladies Calatrava.

The 18ct 34mm rose gold case houses an ultra thin automatic movement manufactured to Patek’s exacting standards and encourages the wearer to appreciate the almost unrivalled elegance of this beautiful timepiece.

Price: £28,810

Offering a perfect example of Tudor retro-chic the ladies Glamour collection showcases beautiful diamond quality, mixtures of precious metal and steel and models ranging in size to suit all tastes. Price: £3950

CHOPARD – HAPPY SPORT Happy Diamonds is Chopard’s most iconic collection of watches. Made for the free spirited woman who appreciates style and something unique. The floating diamond design personifies this ethos and is present throughout the range, some of which can be appreciated in the newly installed in-store Chopard boutique at the Mallory showroom. Price: £6970

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Longines have been involved with show jumping since 1912. To celebrate this long-standing collaboration the Equestrian range takes influence from this arena and delivers a showcase watch collection of elegant and feminine designs for the modern age.

Price: £2350

CARTIER – TANK AMERICAINE

TUDOR – GLAMOUR

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The elongated curve of one of Cartier’s most iconic and well designed watches is featured here in 18ct rose gold.

Complimenting many women since its release as the playful and less traditional option to the 1930’s original Tank Louis Cartier the Tank Americaine is a perfect choice to suit a lady who appreciates classic, with a twist. Price: £8150

OMEGA – DEVILLE PRESTIGE ORBIS Since 2011 sales of this Omega collection have supported the ongoing fight against curable blindness in conjunction with the Orbis Flying eye hospital. A donation from each sale goes to this worthy cause. This year the ladies DeVille model comes with a blue layered teddy bear dial design representing this support. Price: £1860

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THE ASTON MARTIN DB11

Aston Martin’s iconic DB series is now properly into double digits – and the success of the DB11 is key to the next chapter of the company’s history. Dara Foley not only takes a tour of this most beautiful car but learns the golden rules of design

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ou may forgive yourself if you are inexplicably drawn to this feature… It's probably is the beautiful image of the new Aston Martin DB11 - but could it be something in the layout of these pages that also arrests you in your tracks? No, there’s nothing strange going on here… you could simply be observing an age-old principle of aesthetic perfection that is known as the “Golden Ratio” or “Golden Section”.

For over 2,000 years, artists, philosophers and mathematicians have marvelled at the divine science of proportion; known quite simply as the ‘golden ratio’ or ‘golden section’.

It’s a not-so-simple formula – one that in maths is closely allied to the Fibonacci sequence – but in the human eye it alludes to wondrous artistic compositions in nature, art, architecture, and design. In other words: everything created using the golden ratio (roughly 1:1.6) is so indescribably appealing to us that we can’t help but love it.

From the majesty of the Parthenon to the mystery of the Mona Lisa by da Vinci, from the curlicues of a Stradivarius to the ‘rectilinear’ perfection of Le Corbusier buildings; maybe a pair of coveted heels by Louboutin, or even the original iPod – we are under the spell of all things that possess these magical proportions.

So, to answer the opening question, and working with the production team at The Bath

Magazine, the layout of these pages closely work to the principles of the golden ratio. And with that in mind, please enjoy – this is where Aston Martin comes in.

For over 12 years, the DB9 has been Aston Martin’s best-selling car; winning design awards and widely acclaimed for its sleek lines and calculated application of the golden ratio. It is beautiful, prestigious, and romantically observes the racy pedigree that all started with the David Brown lineage of grand tourers known affectionately as the DB series. Perhaps the most famous and iconic (before the DB9) was the classic DB5 which, with its own golden cues, is fondly remembered for its 1964 cinematic premiere as James Bond’s car in Goldfinger.

These days, however, customer demands and new technology challenge every car maker to constantly improve; even the most beautiful sports cars must perform new tricks. Aston Martin are masters of reinvention – like many motor manufacturers, they have had a colourful and chequered history – and in a recent interview with CEO Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin was likened to a “103-year-old startup,” which is a fair declaration of the tenacity needed to succeed. Aston Martin may well have an embarrassment of past glories, but it’s the current balance sheet that is most relevant as they move into what Dr Palmer describes as their ‘second century plan’. His remit to steer

Aston Martin to future success seems simple – do what you do best, but do it better and on a bigger scale.

I was recently invited to the grand opening of the Dick Lovett Aston Martin Bristol showroom – a very glitzy evening where, in a bullish and positive speech, Dr Palmer outlined a purposeful five-year plan to expand the range, with new cars such as the DBX and Lagonda to broaden the appeal, but also to upgrade the current DB, Vanquish and Vantage models.

There’s an honest passion to Palmer’s words, and when he declares that he will “personally inspect and approve the first 1,000 DB11s off the production line because it is the most important car in Aston Martin’s history,” you know he is genuinely leading the charge, on the front line of the company’s new era.

Key to everything is the success of the new flagship model; the DB11. This is chief designer Marek Reichman’s complete reinvention of the DB9. Reichman designed the DB10 as a concept car – which, by way of an introduction to the DB11, was seen in the most recent Bond movie; Spectre.

The DB11 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will soon be seen on the streets of the UK. The company claims that not a single piece of the DB9 has been carried over, however the DB11 is, unmistakably, every inch an Aston Martin, and while the Reichman design is a beautiful blend of classical styling, it

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also offers a completely modern, alluring appeal.

Most noticeably, the trademark AM front grille is bigger and wider than the DB9 with a striking new LED headlamp array. The styling of the clamshell bonnet is more forceful, with the pronounced bonnet strakes feeding the windscreen. The positive rake, coupled with the swage and shoulder lines, which gently ride over the rear haunches, accentuate a powerful, more rugged look than the DB9. Reichman has used the lines to include some clever aerodynamics too; rather than mar the profile with a spoiler or raised rear wing, vents hidden in the side strake extract the turbulent, high pressure air from the wheel arches to improve airflow down the vehicle. And with a new innovation AM call ‘AeroBlade’, intake vents by the rear window gather in the forced air and feed it through hidden ducts in the bodywork to flow over the rear of the car. This ‘virtual spoiler’ generates exceptional stability to keep the car nicely pushed down with very little drag.

While this piece is primarily about design and style, at the heart of every Aston is performance, handling and power; under the bonnet sits a new 5.2 litre turbocharged V12 engine, which is capable of 600BHP, and 6500 rpm. The DB11 will do 200mph, and achieve 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Although all new, Aston’s huge following of purists will love the fact that the V12 engine’s ‘grumble’ is still as meaty and resonant as ever – just begging to be heard while driving through a long tunnel...

Aston Martin have made the car lighter, but stronger and safer too, using an aluminium bonded platform. This means the driver can confidently use every bit of the engine’s power through the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox that drives the rear wheels. There’s a new adaptive suspension set up and three driving modes – Gt, Sport, and Sport +.

Inside, the DB11 is completely refreshed and, as expected, the painstaking craftsmanship that goes into every Aston is all present and correct, as is the display of all the latest technology. One of the major introductions is the new instrument cluster featuring a full colour 12-inch LCD which sits behind the driver's wheel, similar to the ‘virtual cockpit’ of the new Audis – this displays all the information in easy-to-follow graphics. A centrally located eight-inch panel sits in the centre of the dash and has all the usual infotainment, navigation and connectivity services.

Despite packing the car with all this tech, Aston have still managed to keep everything understated and classy, and uncluttered. The switchgear is simply presented and of the finest manufacture, and virtually every surface is luxuriously swathed in the highest quality leather.

Aston Martin have previously offered various levels of a personalisation, through the Aston Martin ‘Q’ service, but in meeting the demands of the modern car buyer, the DB11 is available as one of the most customisable production models the company has ever provided. For both inside and 94 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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out, there's a huge scale of choices, trims and striking colour schemes available. A Volante convertible model is not available just yet, but anticipated within the next 12 months.

There are many other new features too. The DB11 includes keyless entry/keyless start, parking control (including parallel and bay park assistance) and a 360-degree bird’s-eye camera. In the rear there’s a little more space and leg room for the two passengers than the DB9, but it’s fair to say this is still a two (plus two) car, with complete comfort awarded to the two up-front. Luggage space is also 20% more generous than the predecessor’s.

While most press reviews concentrate on power, performance, handling and all the wonderful engineering that has gone into the DB11 – and they have been very positive too – you, probably like myself, should simply take some time to admire the artistic brilliance of Reichman’s design.

Should you visit the Aston Martin showroom, you may wish to take a tape measure to acknowledge the tailored dimensions of the DB11.

The styling is breathtaking. And as you appreciate all those 1:1.6 golden ratio lines that sweep over the profile and spiral inward, it’s the art of the designer that draws one thing to your attention – that the focus, at the centre of it all, is the driver. I can’t help but love it. ■ Aston Martin Bristol, Vantage Point, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS10 7TU. Tel: 0117 9 007 007 astonmartinbristol.co.uk

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FAMILY | EVENTS

FAMILY DIARY IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN THIS MONTH YEARLINGS WORKSHOPS n The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street Mondays and Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12pm In this popular weekly workshop Chrissie Weltike will help parents and pre-school children play and learn together through stories, songs, and creative activities inspired by the museum’s collection. All places must be booked and paid for in advance. Block bookings only. Visit holburne.org to find out more.

Also at The Holburne Museum this month SATURDAY ART CLUB – MOUTH-WATERING MORSELS Saturday 5 November, 10.30am – 12.30pm This workshop will allow aspiring young artists to expand their skills and learn new creative techniques by taking inspiration from the museum’s collection and exhibitions. Artists can explore paintings around the museum featuring food and create delectable feasts of their own using acrylic paint. There is also the option to work towards the nationally recognised ‘Discover’ Arts Award. Booking essential. Book online or call: 01225 388568. £10 per child.

Suitable for five – 13 years.

Discover the characters of the past with Horrible Histories

SATURDAY ART MASTERCLASS – SILVER CLAY FOR TEENAGERS Saturday 26 November, 11am – 4pm An opportunity for young artists to learn how to create their own unique piece of silver jewellery. Artist Jackie Sisson will lead the workshop and teach the small group of participants the specialist techniques needed to produce a silver pendant or earrings. Suitable for 11 – 18 year olds. Booking essential. £30 per person.

ALL AROUND THE WORLD WITH MINI BSO – FAMILY CONCERT n Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1DZ Saturday 5 November, 3pm Set sail on a musical world tour, perfect for all the family. Musicians from the world-class Bournemouth Symphony Orchestea will take the audience members across the globe, playing, singing and dancing their way through a variety of exciting places. This is a great introduction to classical music for children. Tickets: adults £8, under 18s £4. Suitable for all ages. To book, visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk or call: 01225 860100.

BATH ROTARY CLUB FIREWORKS DISPLAY n The Recreation Ground, Bath, BA2 7AY Saturday 5 November Wrap up warm and head to The Rec for this year’s fireworks display to mark Bonfire Night.

Gates open at 5.30pm, the display begins at 7pm. Book tickets by visiting: bathboxoffice.org.uk or call: 01225 463362.

Tickets: adults £5 (£6 on the gate), children £3 (£4 on the gate).

Also at Wiltshire Music Centre this month BISH BASH BOSH – FAMILY CONCERT WITH O DUO Sunday 27 November, 3pm Virtuoso percussionists Olly Cox and Owen Gunnell will light up the stage with an interactive concert for all the family. Learn about different composers and instruments, and discover different drums and rhythms from across the world. Suitable for children five and over. Tickets: adults £8, under 18s £4.

SATURDAY SKETCHING n Fashion Museum, Assembly Rooms Saturday 5 November, 10.30am – 12.30pm Get the chance to sketch the beautiful objects on display in the museum’s A History of Fashion in 100 Objects exhibition, with suggestions of key spots of interest from the museum’s curators. Use the #SaturdaySketching hashtag and tag @Fashion_Museum and @minervaartshop on Twitter, and the museum will post visitors’ sketches on its online image gallery. Free with normal museum entry.

FANTASTIC FOSSILS n Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NS Throughout November Wiltshire Museum’s new family exhibition Fantastic Fossils is ready and waiting to be explored. Could you be a paleontologist? The whole family can discover the museum’s fossil collection and learn about dinosaurs found in Wiltshire. Admission: adults £5.50, concessions £4.50. Children under 16 go free. Call: 01380 727369 or visit: wiltshiremuseum.org.uk.

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HORRIBLE HISTORIES BARMY BRITAIN n Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 November, times vary What would happen if you caught the black death? Would you be able to survive at Henry VIII’s court? Or like to dance with Queen Victoria? Based on Terry Deary’s best-selling books, the Horrible Histories Live team will bring the historical figures and events of the past to life. Using 3D Bogglevision, these remarkable characters will even be able to hover at your fingertips. Barmy Britain has become the longest running children’s show in West End history. Suitable for children five and over. Ticket prices vary. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk or call: 01225 448844.

AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN n The egg, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET Friday 11 – Sunday 13 November, times vary Based on Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling children’s book, this production tells the story of how Lizzie, her mother and an elephant from the zoo fled Allied fire-bombing in Dresden in 1945. During their escape, they meet a trio of refugees with their own remarkable stories to tell. While the story focuses on Lizzie, it is in fact Marlene the elephant who is the real heroine. Adapted for stage by Simon Reade and performed by Alison Reid. Suitable for children nine and over. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets: adults £8.50, children £7.50.

Also at The egg this month ALFIE WHITE: SPACE EXPLORER Friday 18 – Saturday 19 November, times vary Alfie White is crazy about space – and his dad is training to be the first man on the moon. At least that’s what Alfie tells his schoolmates. In fact, his dad has disappeared without trace – as if swallowed up by a black hole. . . Together with his friend Meg, Alfie sets out on a daring mission to find his dad. This is a cosmic tale of adventure and discovery. Tickets: adults £8.50, children £7.50. Suitable for children five and over. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk or call: 01225 823409.

RUINS Friday 25 – Saturday 26 November, times vary Bright were the buildings, with many bathhouses, high noble gables and a great noise of armies, until mighty fate made an end to all that. Tourists flock to a city built on ruins, built on myth, but in two thousand years, what ruins will remain, and who will come here? Inspired by recent events from the bomb on Lansdown to the destruction of Palmyra, members of TRB TheatreSchool create a powerful and at times playful vision of life in an uncertain future.

Tickets: adults £8.50, children £7.50. Suitable for children 12 and over.

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FAMILY | EVENTS

THE RED THREAD n The Museum of East Asian Art, Bennett Street, Bath, BA1 2QJ Thursday 17 November, 6pm

led by artist educator Dorcas Casey. Children can learn a variety of new artistic techniques, from sticking, collage-making and drawing, as well as exploring other ways of creating art, such as printmaking and using textiles. This is also a fantastic opportunity to pick up some top tips for making art at home. £5 per child, £3 per adult. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable for five – 11 year olds. Takes place in the Fine Art Studio. Pre-booking is advised as there are limited spaces.

Be inspired by the Fashion Museum’s current exhibition

As a homage to the museum’s temporary exhibition Red, storyteller Martin Maudsley will reveal two enchanting love stories from China and Japan – The Red Threads and Willow Wife. Adults £6, friends and students £3. Suitable for children 12 and over. Call: 01225 464640 to book. Visit: meaa.org.uk.

ROYAL NAVY FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM n On the B3151 Throughout November With four exhibition halls, over 90 aircraft and over two million records and 30,000 artefacts, the museum is Europe's largest naval aviation museum. It also houses the first British Concorde which you can go on board, view the cockpit and visit the award winning Aircraft Carrier Experience. Tickets: adults £16, children £12. Book online to get discounted tickets. Visit: fleetairarm.com. Tel: 01935 840565. Winter opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4.30pm.

TALES FOR TOTS n The Edge, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY Saturday 26 November, 11 – 11.45am An interactive workshop designed to introduce young children to some of the most popular

stories around. It’s a great way to let children’s imaginations run wild, spark a love of reading and encourage their creativity. Suitable for three – six year olds. £6 per parent and child, £4 per additional child. Takes place in the Ensemble Room. Call: 01225 386777 or visit: edgearts.org.

Also at The Edge this month CREATE: ART Saturday 26 November, 10.30am – 12.30pm A fun and exciting hands-on creative workshop

FUN AT THE FARM n Bath City Farm, Kelston View, Bath, BA2 1NW Monday – Saturday, every week in November, open 9am – 5pm Visit Bath City Farm, take in the spectacular views of the rolling countryside and meet all the animals on the farm. You can also enjoy a bite to eat and a warm cup of cocoa at the Trough Café. Free entry. Visit: bathcityfarm.org.uk or call: 01225 481269.

A GEORGIAN CHRISTMAS n No.1 Royal Crescent Monday 28 November – Sunday 11 December See the wonderful Christmas floral displays at No. 1 Royal Crescent and learn about how the Georgians celebrated Christmas. Follow the festive trail throughout the house and explore the different seasonal themes in each room.

Visit: no1royalcrescent.org.uk or call: 01225 428126. n

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PARTIS COLLEGE

ALMSHOUSES BATH

The almshouses known as Partis College were founded in 1825 by Ann Partis, a local philanthropist, in order to provide affordable accommodation for single women over 50 years of age in fnancial need. She built her almshouses in Newbridge on the outskirts of Bath. Today, the charity consists of 31 Grade 1 Listed Georgian houses comprising 3 terraces set around a grass lawn. In the central terrace there is a classical portico behind which is the chapel. The charity is governed by a Board of volunteer trustees together with an Administration Officer, who is a full time employee.

APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE There is a vacancy for a new trustee with relevant specialist skills and management experience in the building industry, either in a consultant or contracting role.

The Board meets four times a year but trustees are appointed to a subcommittee and come into College as necessary to direct and oversee management of the charity and welfare of residents. Those interested in applying would need to be aware of the concerns of older people and be able to contribute to strategic planning.

To request an application form please contact the office on 01225 421532 (between 9.00am - 5.00 pm) or email admin@partiscollege.org.uk.

Closing date 8th November 2016 www.partiscollege.com

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• Co-educational day school for pupils aged 5-13 with

dyslexia and other specific learning/language difficulties.

• Located in Wiltshire between Bath and Chippenham.

CReSTeD approved.

• Fully qualified specialist teachers with maximum class size of eight - reducing to one-to-one as required.

Call 01225 743 566 or visit www.CalderHouseSchool.co.uk

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SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Thursday 1st December 2016

For more information, please contact the Sixth Form Office on 01249 766036 or email sixthform@sheldonschool.co.uk

THE

6.30-9.00pm

ROUTE to your

future success

The Sixth Form A Sixth Form of 400 students offering an unpretentiously academic curriculum and a choice of 26 A Levels and EPQ Excellent academic results – over a quarter of students gaining AAB grades or better in the core academic A Levels A well-developed Oxbridge programme with a high proportion of students gaining places at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities An unrivalled range of super-curricular, extra-curricular and leadership opportunities along with an impressive careers and higher education programme A strong tradition of sporting excellence, including the Bath Rugby AASE partnership programme

Applications for places at Beechen Cliff’s Sixth Form close on Friday 16th December 2016

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WEEKEND | BREAK

PEACE AND QUIET: finding tranquility in the Cotswolds.

Clockwise from top, Buckland Manor sits in ten acres of gardens, which in turn look out over the countryside; the picturesque ruins of what was once Richard III’s banqueting hall at Sudeley Castle; Oscar the hotel dog at Buckland Manor; make yourself at home in one of the hotel’s intimate lounges and inside and outside Gloucester Services, a motorway pitstop with a delightful rural air and farm shop

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A COTSWOLD WAY OF LIFE

In search of elusive peace and quiet Georgette McCready visited three independently owned destinations in Gloucestershire – an ancient castle steeped in history, a four AA starred country house hotel and a motorway services

A

nyone who’s walked part or all of the Cotswold Way, which rises in Chipping Camden and ends 102 miles later outside the doors of Bath Abbey, will tell you that it’s easy to step away from the madding crowd and find yourself in splendid isolation. We were inspired by the new film In Pursuit of Silence, which looks at the impact constant noise has on our emotional and intellectual well-being, to head for those very hills and vales to find a little bit of that elusive peace.

GLOUCESTER SERVICES It might seem strange to recommend a motorway service station as the first port of call on your search for peace of mind, but the Gloucester Services on the M5 really are an oasis from life literally in the fast lane. The award-winning service station is owned by a family and is one of only two independently run service stations on the motorway network.

Visitors park and approach a building that’s built into the landscape, with a green roof.

Inside signs and and instructions are kept to a minimum colours and textures are natural and calming. Tables filled with cakes and flapjacks and topped with jugs of flowers invite you to help yourself, while on either side are canteen style counters serving everything from gluten free frittatas and fresh salads to toasted sandwiches and roast lunch on Sundays.

You can eat inside looking out at the countryside – literally not a car in sight at the back of the building – or go out and sit beside the reed-fringed pond admiring the waterfall that trickles quietly down over boulders. You’d swear if you didn’t know better that you were actually on a moorland walk.

As you leave you’ll want to go mad in the farm shop, which stocks Bertinet and Hobbs House bread alongside local cheese (the Single Gloucester is good) or some meat from the friendly butcher’s counter. Virtually all the food is sourced locally. We left refreshed and impressed.

SUDELEY CASTLE Just the other side of Regency spa town Cheltenham (also worth a visit) is Winchcombe, our next destination. We stopped off on the way to stretch our legs at the top of Cleeve Hill, from where you can see for miles. Down in Winchcombe the buildings are more of a warm, mellow orange than our pale Bath stone. In late autumn sunshine they take on the honey-yellow of the inside of a Crunchie bar.

Tucked away down a narrow lane and hidden from view until you approach it on foot via

meandering paths is Sudeley Castle. This is another family owned, independent institution, currently inhabited by three branches of the Dent-Brocklehurst family, successors of the illustrious Dents gloves dynasty.

If you like to wallow in a bit of English history, Sudeley gives you the chance to revisit the stories of Richard III, did he kill the Princes in the Tower? Charles I, seeking refuge here as he did at so many places while on the run, and Lady Jane Grey queen for just nine days and beheaded at the age of 17.

And although I knew a little about Henry VIII’s sixth wife, Katherine Parr, this visit to her former home threw more light on her story.

Married and widowed twice before she married Henry, Katherine was kind, caring for her step children and bringing them together. She was devout and educated, one of only two queens (Victoria being the other) to write a book. She was also in love with a chap who appears to modern eyes to have few redeeming features.

She married Thomas Seymour, the love of her life, after Henry’s death and excitedly decorated a nursery for her unborn child when she fell pregnant at the age of 36. Poor Katherine died within days of baby Mary’s birth and her husband showed little respect, preferring to go off to London to flirt with the teenage Princess Elizabeth rather than attend her funeral. But we can pay our respects at her tomb in the castle’s chapel – the only queen of England to lie interred at a private residence. And we can be a little pleased that Thomas got his comeuppance when he was later executed for treason.

Sudeley’s carefully restored and tended gardens are a romantic’s delight. Wander through the Queen’s Garden, admire the Knot Garden, visit the White Garden and enjoy the ruins of what was once Richard III’s medieval banqueting hall.

There are no room numbers, each of the 15 rooms has a name. Ours was Delaney, named after the 18th century floral artist Mary Delaney who lived in the house as a child. Much later in her life she lived in Bath, where she built her reputation for creating exquisite flower pictures from paper. I am sure that Mrs Delaney would approve of the beautifully decorated ground floor room which peeks out through stone mullioned windows into the gardens. If the weather is fine do explore the gardens and discover the rill, the vegetable plot and the door in the garden that leads through to an ancient church. We were delighted to meet Oscar the hotel dog and a pretty cat called Nigel who has sensibly adopted the hotel.

It is no wonder that discerning Americans beat a quiet path to Buckland. The place is utterly charming and unspoilt and the staff, under Simon’s attentive care, offer five star service. You only have to ask for something and it’s brought to you. After drinks – and a tempting couple of little appetisers – by the fire, the dining room is a tranquil space where you can tuck into delicious, seasonal British food from the kitchens of head chef William Guthrie.

Scallops, breast of partridge with pear poached in red wine, perfectly prepared cod with a caviar dressing and a finale of 70 per cent chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream left us feeling like pampered royalty.

A great night’s sleep in the biggest, most comfortable bed was bliss too. Not a creature was stirring through the quiet, restful night. We had been told we could have breakfast when we liked, so there was no alarm to jangle its way into our subconscious. We enjoyed a freshly cooked full English breakfast at a window table, the low sun across the lawns promising another peaceful day in this idyllic corner of the Cotswolds. n

BUCKLAND MANOR There’s more history to be had in the old Cotswold stone manor house at Buckland, which has been described as one of the top 20 hideaways in the world (Andrew Harper 2014).

One discreet sign beckons you to the long drive which you sweep into with all the romance and dash of a Daphne du Maurier hero and heroine.

We were fortunate that, as if by his intuitive powers of what a guest needs, Buckland Manor Hotel’s manager Simon Franks, came out into the afternoon sunshine to welcome us in.

Staying at Buckland, which is owned by Christina and Andrew Brownword, who also own The Priory in Bath, is like staying with friends. Gracious, elegant and thoughtful friends.

FACT FILE Overnight stays at Buckland Manor start from £195 per room, based on two sharing on a bed and breakfast basis. Dinner is from £50 for two courses a la carte, or three for £67.50, the seven course tasting menu is £80.

Lunches: two courses £24.50 or three £30, Monday to Saturday, or enjoy Sunday lunch at £32.50 for three courses, or £36.50 for four. Visit: bucklandmanor.co.uk or tel: 01386 852626.

Sudeley Castle at Winchcombe is open from March until the end of October. Admission to castle and grounds is £14.50 per adult.

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HEALTH | BEAUTY

of

SENSE WELLBEING CREATE A HOME SPA WITH A LUXURIOUS SOAK IN A HOT BATH. WE PICK A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE SCENTED CANDLES TO COMPLETE THE TREAT

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s Christmas gifts go, a really luxurious scented candle, is a fairly safe bet. Smell has an incredibly powerful effect on the emotions, able to calm the nerves or uplift the spirits. You might opt for classic French brand Diptyque, which is sold in Space NK, or Jo Malone, which has a stand-alone shop in Bath, as does True Grace, whose wide range of fragranced candles are all made in Wiltshire.

There are an increasing number of candles made using natural waxes (that is free from petroleum) and essential oils for scent (rather than chemically enhanced fragrances).

Unfortunately there is no law requiring candlemakers to state the ingredients, so if you’re looking for a natural candle ask the makers about the ingredients and avoid luridly coloured and highly scented products.

Helen Mullroy Reid of Combe Down based salon Bare Beauty sells her own range of natural candles. They are eco-friendly, made in the UK, hand poured and made with a blend of natural plant wax infused with essential oils for subtle scents. The candles have cotton wicks, burn clean which means no black marks left on the glass after lighting and they are also non carbon burning.

Because they’re made from plant wax with essential oils they can, when in melt mode, be applied to the body as a nourishing balm. Bare Beauty offers a soothing candle wax massage treatment.

CLASSICS: left Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay, large candle £42, above a large Diptyque candle, £42 Natural Spa Factory, which is based just outside Bath, also prides itself in using skinkind essential oils and natural soybean oil, coconut oil and beeswax in its massage tin candles. The Rose Massage tin candle is designed to evoke positive thoughts, both by scent and by massage, once extinguished and having reached room temperature.

We’re looking forward to meeting Lara Morgan and Fay Pottinger, founders of Scentered, when the pair bring their aromatherapy themed products to the Bath Christmas Market. The duo founded the brand in 2011 and use no synthetics in their candles.

Each candle is defined by mood, such as Be Happy, Stress Less and Love. Scentered also donates ten per cent of its net profits to Women for Women International, a charity which rebuilds communities torn apart by war. n

MADE IN WILTSHIRE: True Grace stocks dozens of fragranced candles in its shop in Milsom Place. The latest three seasonal fragrances are Gardenia, Tuberose and Vetiver Left, a floral blend of gardenia, jasmine and amber in this True Grace Classic Candle, £28

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THERAPY CANDLES: Scentered, who will have a stall at the Bath Christmas Market, make their candles using essential oils which are themed for different moods Escape, £30, contains oud, frankincense and sandalwood to put you at your ease

ESSENTIAL OILS: above, Bare Beauty’s range of candles and Natural Spa Factory Rose Massage Candle tin £8, below, can both be lit and burned for ten minutes. Once extinguished and warm to the touch the natural, scented oil can be gently massaged on to the skin

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HEALTH | & | BEAUTY

R E V I EW

FRESH-FACED THERAPY

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nsomnia strikes most of us at some point in our lives, writes Georgette McCready. The over-active worry brain kicking us into unwanted wakefulness and then refusing to allow us a quiet return to sleep.

A spate of interrupted nights – typical low level stress about work, family and money – had left my face looking saggy and tired. I was reminded of the poet WH Auden describing his face as resembling a wedding cake left out in the rain. Could this wedding cake be re-iced and saved to see another mirror, I wondered?

The tried and tested French brand Clarins has come up with a new range called Tri-Active Facial Treatments, which is now available in Bath salon FrontlineStyle in Monmouth Street. Lauren, the therapist who looked after me, is very experienced in working with Clarins products and is enthusiastic about their benefits.

Some therapists are just very good at putting people at their ease, almost making one feel they are taking your troubles away as they hang up your coat and encourage you to take things easy. Take off your watch and shoes, put your phone away and snuggle down in a fluffy robe on a comfy, heated bed. In the gently lit room, bathed in warmth, I could have dozed off then and there. Lauren told me before we began the session that Clarins have reported that the effects of the treatment have made women feel – and look – as though they’ve enjoyed eight hours sleep.

Each facial is tailored to the individual’s own skin and needs, making it appropriate for all ages. In a 90 minute thorough session Lauren concentrated not just on my face but on the eye area, neck, décolleté and hands. It certainly felt like a holistic treatment as she made me feel looked after from top to toe.

There are five steps to the treatment, each one of them pleasurable and always with the natural scents that Clarins incorporates into its products.

Aromatherapy and gentle massage is used to make sure you’re really in the zone, so to speak. Next the skin is given a thorough cleanse – but without any sweeping or wiping motions. Instead, Lauren uses a special technique to softly press the cleanser into the skin.

Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream buffed away dead skin cells and this is followed by a specially devised Clarins anti-ageing facial massage. With closed eyes you can imagine jowls becoming more taut, crow’s feet smoothed and cheeks plumped. I certainly felt those classic areas of tension, the jaw, shoulders and hands had been relaxed during the session and these benefits lasted until the next day.

The last stage is the application of a soothing age replenishing mask.

Lauren seemed to have used a lot of products, certainly more than the average person would keep in their bathroom. As I emerged, blissfully relaxed and fresher faced than on my arrival, I asked her which essentials I should be using to keep up the good work she had started.

She advised a weekly use of the exfoliating cream and daily application of eye contour gel – ideal for computer-tired eyes – also restorative cream and serum from Clarins’ Age Replenish range. Lastly, she said her all-time favourite is the best selling Blue Orchid face treatment oil. She also advised me to drink more water and eat more blueberries and kiwi fruit. Dear reader, I have been applying that oil daily and hope that next time you see me out and about I will look less like dear old WH Auden and more brighteyed and soft of cheek. n Tri-Active Facial Treatment, £68 for a 90 minute session at FrontlineStyle, Monmouth Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 478478 or visit: frontlinestyle.co.uk to book.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Pelvic problems? Don’t suffer in silence!

Although pelvic floor problems are relatively common, they are rarely spoken about and can be very distressing. But there is no need to suffer in silence. Miss Elisabeth Adams, Consultant Urogynaecologist at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield discusses some of the more common problems, and what treatments are available to get you back to doing the things you love.

T

he pelvic floor is an important sling of muscles which lie a bit like a hammock at the bottom of the pelvic bones, holding up the bowel, bladder, uterus in women, and prostate in men. The muscles can be damaged during childbirth but also by chronic constipation, heavy lifting jobs, gardening and by prolonged coughing (such as in COPD or smokers lung). Yoga and Pilates can be very helpful in the early stages, as they involve a lot of strengthening pelvic floor exercises.

When the pelvic floor gets damaged gravity takes hold of the organs and there can be prolapse of the vagina or womb and also of the bladder and bowel at times. This can be associated with bladder or bowel incontinence.

Many women suffer in silence with these conditions, and may believe that they are ‘normal’ after childbirth but in many cases, pelvic floor physiotherapy as first line treatment, medications and sometimes surgery, may be successful. For prolapse there is also the option of pessaries which are mechanical soft supports for the vagina.

Other issues after childbirth include sexual problems due to vaginal stretchiness, sometimes embarrassing issues such as an urgency to get to the toilet and occasionally

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air being passed from the vagina because of laxity. Women may feel their bottoms aren't quite the same as they were before the delivery, and may feel dissatisfied with sex.

This is even more common when there has been a serious tear such as a third or fourth degree tear, or forceps delivery for example.

These issues are surprisingly common, with some significant studies showing over 30% women suffer some form of pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth.

Miss Elisabeth Adams is an experienced Consultant Gynaecologist who is a specialist in pelvic floor disorders, known as a Urogynaecologist. She has been working in this area for 15 years as a Consultant in Liverpool and recently moved to Bristol where she holds regular clinics at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield.

Miss Adams is nationally regarded in her work, having been involved in a number of national studies and projects in Urogynaecology, and also set up one of the first accredited units in the country. She works very closely with physiotherapy, urology, colorectal and pain teams within the NHS and privately. Many of the issues patients have span several areas of expertise.

Miss Adams is able to advise on pelvic floor issues including childbirth trauma,

constipation, prolapse, incontinence, psychosexual and relationship issues and chronic vaginal and bladder pain problems.

If you are suffering from any pelvic floor related issues and would like to get some professional advice in a supportive setting, Miss Adams is holding a free information evening at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield on Tuesday 22nd November at 6.15pm. She will also be joined by a Physiotherapist who specialises in Women’s Health who can talk you through our enhanced recovery programme – Recovery Plus.

Light refreshments will be provided and parking is available on site. Spaces are limited so please call 0117 4058 659 to book your place or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol/events for more information.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN

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THE SHIPS’ GRAVEYARD Andrew Swift visits the site of dozens of wrecks at Purton in Gloucestershire, which locals are fighting to preserve

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relatively short walk for what can be a wet month, which traverses terrain that is both flat and relatively mud free. Boring, however, it isn’t, for in the space of two miles you get to see the largest collection of maritime wrecks above water in Britain, walk along the towpath of a ship canal with Regency-style bridge-keeper’s cottages, and visit the monumental remains of one of Britain’s longest railway bridges.

On top of that, you can enjoy a succession of vistas across the shifting sands of the Severn estuary – alive with migrating birds at this time of year – while for lunch there is a choice of nearby hostelries – one of them voted national pub of the year in 2014.

Some readers will by now have worked out that I am talking about the Ship’s Graveyard alongside the Gloucestershire and Sharpness Canal at Purton. This extraordinary site has been the subject of media attention over recent years because the barges and sea-going vessels beached here between 1909 and 1965 are under threat. An organisation – the Friends of Purton – has been formed to conserve what survives, but, faced with the ravages of time, tide – and the destructive hand of man – they can only do so much. The sooner you go, the more there will be left to see.

And don’t worry if you are not an expert in maritime archaeology. Not only do you need no prior knowledge to be inspired by what are commonly referred to as the Purton Hulks, children and dogs are welcome on the site, and will have a

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whale of a time. That said, you need to ensure they do not go anywhere the river – or, if you visit at low tide, the mud. The upper stretches of the Severn are among the most treacherous waterways in the world, with their shifting currents, serpentine curves, mudbanks and fastflowing tides. It was to by-pass them that a ship canal was built from Sharpness to Gloucester in 1827. That canal, whose towpath the walk follows, is still busy today.

In the early 20th century, however, its future was cast in doubt as continued erosion from the river threatened to undermine it. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and in 1909 the canal’s chief engineer came up with an extraordinary idea. Redundant barges, trows and schooners were towed upstream and cast adrift to run into the river bank when the tide was running at its height. As the beached boats gradually filled with silt, more boats were piled in on top of them, raising the ground level and stabilising the bank.

The canal was saved, and eventually 81 vessels ended up here – a fascinating collection of rusting and crumbling hulks dating back to the mid-19th century.

They include the last surviving Kennet barge, built at Honeystreet on the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1905, the schooner Katherine Ellen, impounded in 1921 for running guns to the IRA, and concrete barges built in the Second World War when wood and steel were in short supply.

As for that bridge I mentioned earlier – on the night of 25 October 1960 two barges, loaded with oil and petrol,

heading up the Severn in thick fog, missed the entrance to the canal and collided with a three-quarter-mile long railway bridge which spanned the river.

In the ensuing conflagration, five men died and part of the bridge collapsed.

The bridge, built in 1879, was a useful diversionary route when the Severn Tunnel was closed, and, as rebuilding costs were estimated at £312,000, against £250,000 to dismantle it, plans were drawn up to reinstate it. Before work started, however, another vessel collided with the bridge, causing further damage, and it was decided to dismantle it. All that remains, apart from the footings of the piers – still visible, along with the wrecks of the barges, at low tide – are an abutment and a tower which supported a swing bridge over the canal.

DIRECTIONS To get to Purton, head north on the M5, leaving at junction 14 and continuing north on the A38 for five miles, before turning left along a road signposted to Breadstone, Halmore and Purton. After two miles, take a right turn signposted to

DISAPPEARING LANDMARKS: main image, one of the old wooden hulks beside the water Inset, the Severn Bridge a century ago – the piers can still be glimpsed at low tide Opposite page, the remains of the old swingbridge tower and abutment beside the canal

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THE | WALK

PILGRIMAGE: Bob Dylan fans could take a detour to the site of the old Aust ferry by the Severn where, in 1966, American photographer Barry Feinstein took this picture of a 25-yearold Dylan, during his tour of the UK. You can glimpse the new bridge behind him.

Purton. Carry on for another mile and a half into the village where you will find a free car park beside a swing bridge on the right.

After parking, cross the swing bridge and turn left along the canal towpath. Carry on along the towpath past another swing bridge. After passing a row of cottages, cross a spillway bridge and take a path on the right to skirt a gated-off section of the towpath. Just after rejoining the towpath, you will see shallow steps on the right.

These lead to the area where most of the hulks can be found, but, as they will be visited on the return leg, carry on along the towpath.

After another 1,000 metres, the approach to the remains of the bridge is heralded by a copse of mature trees – now in their late autumn glory –

on the far bank of the canal. A tall abutment soon comes into view, followed by the circular tower that supported a swing bridge.

After passing the remains of the bridge – where one of the hulks can be seen beached against the tower – the entrance to Sharpness Dock can be seen across the canal. After passing the marina, you come to the old dock house and the original entrance to the canal.

From here, turn to head back along the towpath. After passing the remains of the bridge, carry on for 500m before bearing left down steps by an information board to visit the area where most of the hulks are to be found. After another 500m, the path leads back to the towpath from where it is a short step back to the car park. n

FACT FILE ■ Length of walk: four miles ■ Approximate time: 1½ – 2 hours ■ Refreshments: The Tudor Arms at Slimbridge, GL2 7BP which serves food all day and the Salutation at Ham, GL13 9QH a mile west of Berkeley, was voted CAMRA Pub of the Year 2014. It serves food noon to 2pm, Tuesday to Sunday ■ Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL14

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CITY | INTERIORS

Interior

NOTES

COSY THROWS The softest faux fur throws available in a large range of furs and sizes, from £225 for standard double (teamed here with Katie Victoria lambswool hand knit cushions from £65) Visit the brilliant Verve Living, 15 Walcot Buildings. London Road. Bath. BA1 6AD851577. verveliving.uk

SWEDISH WOOD BURNER

TUBBY JACKS FOR THE BIG GRILL OUT

WINTER WISH LIST

The Contura 556 is a beautifully built contemporary styled wood burner from Sweden, available in many different colour and finish options including the addition of soapstone.

Suitable for smoke control areas. £1795 KIndle Stoves, Glenavon Farm, 331 Bath Road Saltford, BS31 3TJ. Tel: 01225 874422

When you are feeling the chill, there’s nothing better than finding a little warmth.

This month we are loving some of the hottest products in town.

No need for separate Pizza oven and BBQ you can do it all can on a Tubby Jacks ceramic outdoor cooker - in fact you can also do slow and low smoking, baking, grilling and searing. Made from the highest quality materials this is a premium product and is built to last. Model shown is the ‘Large’, £999. For details on the Tubby Jacks range visit Boniti, Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, ( nr J18 M4) SN14 8JA. Tel: 01225 892200

THE HEARTH IS THE HEART OF THE HOME This Bath stone fireplace with trumeau provides a commanding focal point for any room and a spectacular addition to the home. Shown here with a Stuv 21 woodburning stove, providing all the warmth you will need this autumn. Visit the Rudloe Showroom for all your fireplace solutions; traditional and contemporary designs, grand fireplaces and simple stove installations. Rudloe Stone, Leafield Stoneyard, Potley Lane, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 9RS. Tel: 01225 816400. rudloe-stone.com EVERHOT ON THE RANGE

PINCKNEY GREEN If you are looking for something special or made to measure, then Pinckney Green may well be the best place to look. They worked with a local client who wanted to replicate this design from a magazine article. They achieved the perfect result. From £2624 including vat, fire surround only. Pinckney Green, The Barn, Box Road, Bath BA1 7LR. Tel: 01179 372 555. pinckneygreen.co.uk

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The Everhot traditional electric cooking range consists of eleven different products, in six different sizes so there really is an Everhot cooker to fit all styles and sizes of kitchen.

Available in many great colours too.. Model shown in Aubergine.All products are hand-crafted using traditional methods in Dursley, England. Exclusive to Boniti, visit their showroom at Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, ( nr J18 M4) SN14 8JA. Tel: 01225 892200

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Doze sofa collection, Graham and Green

TIMELESS INTERIORS

Bath interior designer Clair Strong reveals how to keep up to date with interior trends without looking out of date

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CITY | INTERIORS Designers guild caretti pebble rug at Sweetpea and Willow

Scandi sideboard Groß von CADA design

Farrow and Ball wevet paint

F

ashion is fleeting. One minute hotpink sofas are in, and the next they’re out. Trends are fun to follow, but it can be an expensive and timeconsuming endeavour. Invest too heavily in fast fashion and your home might look tired and outdated within just a few years.

So how do you create a look that lasts? And can you build such a look whilst still indulging in the odd passing trend? Bath interior designer Clair Strong thinks so, and she’s here to show us how.

MIX THE OLD WITH THE NEW Antiques never go out of fashion. But an entire home filled with heavy, ornately detailed furniture might be a little overwhelming.

Instead, pick a few key pieces in your own style, whether kitschy vintage, rustic industrial or rare oriental antiques, to incorporate into your space.

You will quite literally create a timeless look if you mix pieces from a range of eras. It’s impossible to date a space that travels through time and it’s a trick we interior designers love.

CHOOSE NEUTRAL HUES Neutral colours like off-white and grey simply don’t age. They are elegant classics that provide a foundation on which to build the rest of your look. Opt for walls and flooring in soft neutrals to save the hassle of redoing every few years.

Colour-lovers need not be disappointed because a neutral foundation allows you the

space to layer in as many bright hues as you like. Accessories are the perfect way to do this, but accent walls (which are much quicker to repaint than whole rooms) work well too.

INVEST IN ICONIC DESIGN Good design is a very powerful thing; it has the ability to inspire, motivate and influence, and it often only gets better with age.

There aren’t many pieces of furniture that truly earn the title of iconic. The Eames lounge chair, the Florence Knoll sofa and the Noguchi coffee table are some of the best known. These modernist pieces are often characterised by their clean lines, pleasing functionality and a stark, minimalist look.

If you can invest in one of the great modernist classics, do. It will outlast anything else you can buy, in both looks and quality. You don’t have to scour vintage markets or antique fairs either, many pieces are still being produced today, such is their enduring appeal.

CREATE A SPACE YOU LOVE The most important thing in all of this is that you create a space you love; a space in which you can feel truly serene, throw the best parties or produce your greatest work. It can be tempting to buy something because it is in fashion, or because all your friends have it. But it is you who has to live with that deer head trophy and mustard yellow side table.

So my biggest piece of advice is this: only part with your cash if it’s something you really love. If you love it, your home will never go out of style. n Clair Strong Interior Design is a small, friendly, creative business based in Bath and London, providing services for residential and commercial clients. Visit: clairstrong.co.uk or contact: clair@clairstrong.co.uk.

Carl Hansen chair

by Hans Wegner, available at Shannon

EMBRACE TRENDS SPARINGLY I love seeing how interior design evolves, and trends – although often temporary – are a part of that evolution. Some trends can be really alluring too like cactus print cushions and quirkily shaped lamps.

If a trend really speaks to you, you should absolutely embrace it. Opt for a few small accent pieces so as not to overwhelm the space and make it easy to remove them if you change your mind.

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CALL FOR DETAILS 01225 424499 EMAIL: SALES @ THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK WE CAN ALSO HELP WITH GREAT DESIGN AND PRINT SOLUTIONS

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HOMES | GARDENING

COURTING PERFECTION A courtyard garden can be a perfect little sheltered oasis says Jane Moore

S

mall gardens always present something of a challenge and you don’t get any smaller than a courtyard. With any small space it’s a question of deciding on a theme and sticking with it to create a harmonious whole, if only that was as easy to do as it is to write.

But really that theme can be a broad brush of an idea rather than a rigid plan that you must stick to. After all, it’s your garden and you should do whatever you want with it. All I’m hoping to do is to inspire those with a diminutive plot that may be a bit shady, a bit dank and a bit downright sad at the moment into creating something that is a joy and a pleasure. In my view courtyards have got rather a lot going for them and, with a bit of thought and planning not to mention a good dollop of design sensibility, a courtyard can most definitely become a rather special little garden.

GO BIG Just because the space is small doesn’t mean you should think dinky. Be bold and dramatic when it comes to planting and you could create a lovely jungly hollow reminiscent of tropical forests.

Add a dripping water feature and a fake parrot/monkey/tiger or two and you could really have some fun, although I expect most of you will keep it classy, being Bathonians. My suggested planting would major on ferns and bold leaves such as fatsias and hostas. Add

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splashes of seasonal colour in the form of bedding plants but keep it cool and elegant with white violas or go for broke and add sizzling oranges and reds to contrast with the greens. If you can afford to, push the boat out and invest in a tree fern or two – you won’t regret it.

GO CLASSIC The classic shapes and strong lines of clipped evergreens can lend themselves rather well to a small space, especially if you have some steps to play with. It’s amazing how good a contrast of evergreen shapes and colours can look without any flowering plants at all.

Bright green box, dark green yew and even neatly trimmed privet especially the small leaved Chinese privet, ligustrum delvayanum all make fantastic topiary shapes, which can be bought already beautifully shaped and trained and then kept trimmed to perfection yourself easily enough. There’s something very pleasing about a collection of green shapes – it’s both restful to look at but also adds interest to an otherwise blank space. And a set of box balls marching up the steps alternating with little pots of violas or ferns is a joy to behold.

GO VERTICAL One thing that a courtyard garden invariably has is tall walls, often on all sides, so you need to make the most of that space. There are two good reasons to clothe those walls with plants – one is

the obvious in that plants can make a feature out of not very attractive walls.

The second is the fact that the wall space may well be far bigger than the floor space in a courtyard garden and so can become a vehicle for lots of different plants. There are a whole host of clematis that prefer shadier situations as well as the lovely chocolate vine, Akebia, with its dark flowers and interesting foliage. Clematis Nelly Moser springs to mind as she’s a cheery soul who positively thrives in the gloom of a north facing wall and does her best to cheer it up with pink and white candy striped flowers. I’ve even seen some wonderful Painted Lady runner beans growing up a courtyard wall here in Bath. The red and white flowers and lush leaves looked great and, although it was probably too shady for a huge crop, there were probably plenty enough beans for the occupants of the flat.

SMALL SPACES: main pictures, inspiration from courtard gardens along Great Pulteney Street, and right, image courtesy of Ruth Carter Gardens.

Inset, hostas are good for instant, bold greenery Opposite, inject pops of colour with brightly coloured cyclamen, camelias and clematis, Nelly Moser

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HOMES | GARDENING

GO EXOTIC

GO POTTY

Remember how sheltered this space is. Yes it may well be shady, damp and cool but it won’t suffer the same highs and lows in temperature that afflict the more exposed, ground level gardens. Here the temperatures remain fairly constant, which makes this a little microclimate for all sorts of exotics. As well as tree ferns, you could probably grow such things as strelitzia or bird of paradise plant, not to mention all sorts of lovely camellias, bamboos, palms, Japanese maples and so on. It’s worth trying a few things out but when it comes to the more tender specimens you may well need to wrap them up a little for winter protection.

Of course the obvious thing to do with a courtyard garden is to put all sorts of plants in pots and really most of what I’ve already discussed assumes that the majority of plants will be in pots. But don’t forget that the containers themselves will play an important part in the overall look of the garden. You can keep it simple and low key by letting the pots fade into the background, old terracottas becoming weathered and mossy as they age. But you can make bold statements such as modern rusted metal or shiny zinc containers for your dramatic topiary shapes or glazed dragon pots for your camellias and bamboos.

On the other hand you could opt for being completely eclectic and having a jumble of all sorts of containers – such as chimney pots, galvanised metal troughs or wooden planters – filled with all sorts of plants. Don’t forget that one of the best things about courtyard gardening is that you can always move things around, rearrange, re-pot and ring the changes if you get bored. n Jane Moore is the award-winning gardening columnist and head gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel and presenter on BBC’s Gardeners’ World. Follow her on Twitter @janethegardener.

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PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

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his month’s property is a gorgeous honey-coloured stone, Grade II listed property set in a beautiful countryside location. Its location close to Marshfield means that all the everyday amenities are on hand and it is an easy drive into Bath as well as being ideal for connections to the motorways.

The five bedroom home is in immaculate decorative condition both internally and externally and the design cleverly combines traditional farmhouse style and the requirements of modern family living. From the glass and oak entrance hall you enter the spacious double aspect galleried drawing room, leading though to the dining room which features a glass panel wood burner. The spacious yet cosy kitchen/breakfast room features wooden units, granite tops, integrated appliances and electric AGA and leads through to a fantastic sun room. Also on the ground floor is a utility room and WC as well as a guest bedroom suite comprising bedroom, shower room and living room. Upstairs, off the gallery is a sitting room and separate study area. A staircase from the kitchen leads up to the en suite master bedroom, second bedroom and family bathroom. The second floor houses a large en suite bedroom and plenty of under eaves storage. In addition to the main family home, The Annexe comprises a sitting/dining room, kitchen, bedroom and wet room and is ideal for extended family, staff or to provide rental income. In all, the property sits in approximately 2.5 acres and outside there is a double garage, large carport, 3 stables, formal gardens and paddock. This superb slice of country life is offered for sale by agents Pritchards.

Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

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CADWELL HILL BARN WEST LITTLETON SOUTH GLOS • Beautiful countryside location • Galleried barn conversion • Five bedrooms • Separate annexe • Stabling and paddock • Superbly maintained

OIEO: £1,850,000

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pritchards-bath.co.uk

Neston A stunning conversion of an 18th Century barn situated in a private secluded position in this sought after Wiltshire village. Well presented throughout and complimented by delightful gardens to the side and rear.

• 6 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms & conservatory • Spacious master bedroom suite with dressing room & bathroom • Good sized private garden • Ample driveway parking and a stone built garage • Excellent location on the edge of Corsham and near to Chippenham & Bath • Internal area excluding garage: 4365 sq ft/405 sq m

Guide Price: £1,300,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

Follow us on

Sydney Buildings An impressive Grade II Listed detached Georgian house with five double bedrooms and four handsome reception rooms arranged over four floors, all exuding period elegance and charm. The property is situated on a highly sought-after street, flanked by the Kennet & Avon canal and National Trust pastureland; Bath city centre is a short walk away, providing a wide range of amenities and transport links.

Rent: ÂŁ4,500 pcm* four spacious reception rooms | period fireplaces | tall shuttered sash windows | panoramic city centre views | contemporary kitchen | granite work surfaces | utility room | four double bedrooms | self-contained one bedroom apartment | four stylish bath / shower rooms | enclosed garden | off-street parking | superb sought-after location 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 ÂŁ420.00 inc. VAT applies.

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Sandridge Park, Melksham

ÂŁ2650.00pcm

Nestled in an idyllic quiet location this beautiful five bedroom family home offers flexible living along with a walled garden, woodland & paddock totalling 3.1 acres. Additional benefits of this property include garage and driveway parking for numerous cars, along with two stables and tack room. This popular location is particularly well known for its wide selection of schooling and educational facilities, including two universities as well as cultural activities, restaurants, shops & tourist attractions. There is a high speed rail link to London Paddington from Chippenham Railway Station. EPC E

Bath Office

Lettings 01225 458546 | Sales. 01225 459817

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THINKING PROPERTY Peter Greatorex, managing director of The apartment Company

Triple gold for The Apartment Company in the allAgents awards 2016

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e have been celebrating this week as the allAgents.co.uk awards for 2016 were announced. We are incredibly proud to have won three gold awards and silver, and what makes these awards so special is that they are based on your experience with an agent. At The Apartment Company, we always believe it is your opinion that matters which is why we continually invest to ensure that whether you’re selling, buying, letting or renting a home with us you will always receive exceptional service at every step of the process. allAgents is an independent directory and review site allowing clients to write reviews about - Estate and Letting Agents in the UK. Their awards rate agents based purely on the reviews they receive over a twelve-month period, these awards are different, as journalists, peers or trade bodies do not choose them.

GOLD – Best Estate Agent in Bath “I sold my apartment with The Apartment Company and was able to achieve a price that was £60k greater than any of the other estate agents quoted as their upper valuation. The team is amazing and went beyond the call of duty. Their marketing strategy is excellent and, as a Marketing Consultant, I know a thing or two about marketing.

Choose them to market your property - you won't be sorry.” Hazel Longuet (Vendor)

GOLD – Best Letting Agent in Bath

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

“From first meeting through to managing the letting of my apartment while I worked abroad, I found The Apartment Company to be professional, efficient and communicative. If I rent out a property again in the area I'd go back to The Apartment Company.” Paul (Landlord)

GOLD – Best Estate Agent in Somerset “I was really impressed with the professionalism and efficiency of the agency and everyone there I worked with. From the initial viewings, right through completion they were well informed, polite, efficient and always working to get the best for both vendor and buyer.

I would definitely recommend The Apartment Company and will be using them for my property dealings in Bath in the future.” Jamie Ford (Buyer)

SILVER – Best Letting Agent in Somerset

01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk

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“I have been a landlord for over twenty years. The Apartment Company are without a doubt the best letting agency I have used. I have been kept fully informed at all times and the process has been very straight forward.” Paul Brett (Landlord) Our approach is simple: a serviced centred on people and memorable experiences. We may be skilled at truly understanding the quirks of the apartment market but where we excel is the connection we make with our clients. We know no sale or let is the same so they are never treated as such, working with our clients we advise, support and resolve any issues quickly, allowing them to, dare we say, enjoy the process.

If you’re looking to buy, sell, let or rent an apartment in Bath choose the agent who has the golden touch, we invite you to experience The Apartment Company. Tel: 01225 471144

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THE | PROPERTY GURU

The Right Questions Matthew Blower of Fine & Country Bath gives his top tips for asking all the right questions

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When viewing a property, you won’t get all the answers unless you ask the right questions. Matthew Blower from Fine & Country Bath gives some tips on what to ask at a property viewing. It’s easy to be swept up in the moment when viewing a potential new residence. All too often we are distracted by the look and feel of a property, imagining what life would look like in this home, and we forget to ask the important questions. Autumn is a prime buying and selling season, so here are some questions to have in your arsenal when viewing property. Naturally, many of the questions you ask will depend on your individual needs, but there are some points that apply across the board and can help you determine if this is the home for you.

Exactly what is included in the sale?

Is the garden shed or greenhouse included? How about the fixtures and fittings? Is there any land with the property? Make sure you know exactly what you are getting.

Is the property listed? If so, what grade is it? And is it in a conservation area?

If you buy a listed property there are restrictions on what you can do to the property. If it is in a conservation area, you may be required to ask for permission before you cut down any trees or change the exterior of the building.

How much is the Council Tax? And how much are utility bills in the area?

While these may seem like small considerations, they are reoccurring expenses that will impact on your monthly budget.

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Have the current vendors done any recent renovations or redecorating?

If they have, check what warranties are still in place as this may indicate savings in the long run.

Are there mains services? How old is the boiler and has it been regularly checked by a registered professional?

Again, these can be long-term money-savers or unanticipated expenses.

Are there mains services? How old is the boiler and has it been regularly checked by a registered professional?

Who are the current neighbours?

This may seem unimportant, but if there have been disputes in the past these could spill over into your ownership term.

What school catchment areas is the property within?

Whether or not you have school age children, it is wise to check the school catchments, as homes within good catchment areas tend to hold their value.

Why is the owner selling?

If you have an idea about the owner’s circumstances, you’ll know whether they are after a quick sale, which can give you bargaining power.

How long have the vendors been at the property?

If the house keeps changing hands quickly there may be a reason. Try to find out why to avoid any surprises and budget for any improvements that may be required.

Has any planning permission been passed or requested?

If you like the property, but are considering changes, it is important to know the history of planning permission applications on the property.

Finally, if it is an apartment, what are the charges and regulations?

You should be armed with the details, including ongoing costs, restrictions on parking, pets and common property maintenance.

While there are some things you won’t know until you move in, by seeking answers to these questions you can ensure you are forewarned of any major issues and costs that are likely to arise, helping you determine whether the asking price is right for your budget and whether the property will ultimately be the dream home you are looking for.

For advice on selling or buying property, please contact Fine & Country Bath on 01225 320032 or visit www.fineandcountry.com

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BATH | PROPERTY

COME JOIN THE CABARET The children have left home, the family home’s too big for two – no wonder so many people are looking for property near Bath city centre, so they can enjoy the bright lights and the city’s buzzing cultural scene

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ife in the old country rectory may have been fun when the kids were little, with the house always busy and full of people. But once the children have left home and the novelty of cutting the lawn on the ride-on mower has worn off, the lure of the bright lights of the city grows greater. If we lived in town, goes the reasoning, we could meet friends for dinner and walk home, go to the theatre or cinema without having to hunt for a parking space, or take a leisurely stroll in to the Bath Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning.

No wonder there is a steady trickle of people downsizing from their family homes once their children have left home and coming to Bath in search of a two or three bedroom place within easy reach of all the cultural pleasures the city centre has to offer.

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Even if they have more offspring and grandchildren than the new home can accommodate, there’s always AirBnB to fall back on for those rare occasions when the whole tribe gathers in one place.

We’ve found a couple of Bath properties that would be suitable for the empty nest brigade.

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE A fine old school house tucked away near the River Avon just off Walcot Street was converted into apartments some years ago. On the market now is a first floor apartment with a lovely quiet aspect and which looks out over the River Avon and Walcot churchyard at the back.

Although the Old School House is so near the city centre – Waitrose is a level five or six minute stroll away – it does feel secluded. This is helped by being

tucked away behind electronic security gates and this apartment comes with its own parking space too.

The big windows fill the apartment with natural light and the rooms, with their high ceilings, are big enough to take some of those treasured family pieces of furniture. The apartment has its own private entrance hall which leads into the main rooms.

There’s a main sitting room, with a corner fireplace, two double bedrooms and a newly fitted kitchen and bathroom. The second bedroom can double as a second reception room, only turning into a bedroom when guests arrive. A staircase leads up to a third bedroom – perfect for a grandchild to claim as their own.

French windows lead from the kitchen out on to a decked terrace, big enough for a table and chairs and a few pots of flowers. The building also has

A PLACE IN TOWN: above left, the Old School House in Walcot where a two/three bedroom apartment is for sale, and right, Lyncombe Hall, in which a two bedroom apartment is on the market Below, the light interior of the upper floor maisonette in Lyncombe Hall SECLUDED SPOT: Opposite page: above the sunny sitting room at the Old School House apartment looks out over trees, and inside the Walcot apartment

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BATH | PROPERTY

Time for a change

use of sunny, well tended communal gardens, which provide somewhere else to sit on sunny days. And, really, how much are you going to miss that ongoing battle with dandelions and bindweed?

This elegant city centre home is for sale through Andrews, tel: 01225 466182, for a guide price of £550,000.

LYNCOMBE HALL A two bedroom apartment in a historic building less than a mile from the city centre could be just the home for someone looking for a place to suit their new-found freedom. Lyncombe Hall is an imposing looking building, with its history going back to the 17th century when it was a farmhouse. Since then it’s had 18th and 19th century additions and been converted into flats.

It is an upper floor maisonette that’s currently on the market. The apartment has its own hallway, which opens into a big sitting room, which has a feature fireplace and fabulous views over Lyncombe Vale and the trees in the valley. The kitchen is light and bright, a long galley shape that’s well fitted and includes a breakfast table that can be folded away when not in use.

On the very top floor of the building are the two double bedrooms, a

Bath couple Paddy and Elizabeth Doyle were living in their family home in Widcombe, their children having grown up and moved out. It was time, they felt, for a fresh start and a house move to somewhere that better suited their lifestyle.

The Doyles had lived in their home for 23 years, so moving was a big decision, but ongoing maintenance of the property and a garden that needed constant attention were factors that made them look at more modern properties. They were also living at the top of one of Bath’s steep hills and liked the idea of moving down to within easier walking distance of all the attractions the world heritage city has to offer.

The couple have bought a new, fourbedroom, four-storey townhouse at Bath Riverside, Crest Nicholson’s development on the banks of the River Avon. Their new home forms part of the Elizabeth Parade riverside phase, where the couple are now making the most of the ease at which they can walk into Bath and fact that they’re not having to spend an inordinate amount of time tending a garden.

Paddy said: “We’ve been well aware of Bath Riverside ever since work started. We also know some friends who have also moved here so were naturally interested to take a look once we decided that it was time for a move.

The fact that the development provides a level walk into the city was an important factor in our decision to buy here as we enjoy making the most of Bath’s many attractions. Plus, for once, the chance to move into something new was an exciting prospect.”

“We were pleasantly surprised by the size of the property and had no problems getting all our belongings in.

We’d recommend others who are considering moving to look at Bath Riverside.”

Crest Nicholson offers a Smooth Move scheme for buyers too. For further information tel: 01225 463517 or visit: crestnicholson.com/bathriverside.

The marketing suite on Victoria Bridge Road is open daily from 10am to 5pm. n

bathroom and a separate shower room.

The apartment has been well cared for and tastefully decorated.

Outside, the residents of Lyncombe Hall can enjoy all the pleasures of sunny communal gardens to sit out in, without the maintenance. The owners of the apartment also benefit from a single garage on site.

Lyncombe Vale Road is one of Bath’s favoured addresses. It’s on the right side of town for an easy walk to the mainline station and, on the way there’s the community of Widcombe to enjoy, with its shops, cafés and popular gastro pubs. There’s also the newly built Widcombe Social Club, the latest city venue for all kinds of events including live music and comedy nights.

And that’s not forgetting that Bath’s restaurants, the leisure centre, the city’s fabulous Thermae spa, green parks and its great independently owned shops are all just a healthy walk away. And if you head the other way, out of town, on foot there are some lovely country walks to be had nearby. You’d barely need to get the car out of the garage.

The two bedroom apartment at Lyncombe Hall is on the market for £515,000 through estate agents Savills.

Tel: 01225 474550 to make an appointment to view. n THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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Bear Flat Hensley Road, Bath, BA2 ÂŁ595,000

Camden Belgrave Terrace, Bath, BA1 ÂŁ799,999

An extended 1930's 4 bed semi detached family home, four bedrooms, two reception rooms, two shower rooms, 80ft x 37ft south facing rear garden, garage & driveway parking. Energy Efficiency Rating: E

Belgrave Terrace is a handsome period family home, offering spacious and flexible accommodation over four storeys. It has exceptional views, over 2000 sq ft, a garage and just 0.6 miles walk from Bath city centre.

Currently it has three bedrooms, an impressive drawing room, and an additional 27ft kitchen/dining and family space at garden level. Energy Efficiency Rating: N/A

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Bath Central Ashley Road Bathford, BA1 ÂŁ425,000

A beautifully presented grade II listed 3/4 bedroom home in Bathford Village. The property is well presented throughout by the current owners. Many period features include inglenook fireplaces, mullion windows, exposed beams and stonework. Spread over three floors with a 19'9 x 10'3 sitting room, dining room, 17' x 11'3 master & two bathrooms. Externally the home has a beautiful landscaped front garden, with Portuguese Laurel and period stone walling border, flower beds, lawn and circular patio. Energy Efficiency Rating: N/A

SOLD STC

Newbridge Haviland Grove, Bath, BA1 Guide Price ÂŁ450,000

Fantastic extended family home Located in a cul de sac bordering the countryside. Accommodation includes sitting room, kitchen/ breakfast room, dining room, utility room, four bedrooms one with ensuite, family bathroom, lovely rear garden, garage and off street parking. The property was substantially upgraded in 2012. Energy Efficiency Rating: E

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NS

IO W NE UCT TR S IN

Bathwick, Bath

£765,000 - £845,000

‘Millennium House’ has been beautifully renovated to create four immaculate apartments which combine period features with state of the art fixtures and fittings in the desirable area of Bathwick. Each apartment has light, spacious accommodation as well as private parking. Plus two apartments have their own gardens, all are offered with no onward chain.

• Two Double Bedrooms • No Onward Chain • Private Parking Space • Lovely City Views • Renovated To The Highest Standard Throughout • Level walk to city

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The splendour of Victorian Properties Duncan Nash, of Bath estate agents Nash & Co asks a big question

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s agents we often rave about our history and the wealth of fine Georgian listed properties that Bath boasts. Period elegance at its best!

But what about the Victorian properties which form a key and integral part of the make-up of our property stock in the city and throughout the country.

The ITV drama “Victoria” has thrown many of us back to the Victorian era again and in particular the beauty of the homes the Victorians built.

Victorian architects were certainly put through their paces to keep up with a growing population at the time. Census data reveals that between 1831 and 1901, the population of England and Wales increased by over 18 million, or looking at it another way an increase of in excess of 130 per cent. Homes were needed at this point in time in history in abundance.

It is therefore a credit to the architects and builders that not only were they built in abundance, but that Victorian homes were built to last. This was part helped by the improvements in building technology at the time, (clay pipes for drainage as an example). With the progress made, many homes were built close to key transport links and infrastructures which are still in use today. You will therefore normally find housing of the era in key areas close to shops and stations in particular. I for one live in a Victorian house, close to excellent shopping and local amenities, as well as the Victoria Park, refuse tip, RUH, cemetery and a main road in an out of Bath, what a joy!

Victorian residences were not only solidly built, but by design have many stunning features, with sash bay windows, stained glass windows, high ceilings with intricate cornicing, ornate fireplaces with patterned tiles, whilst on the outside the striking brickwork, with date stones above the door and even ornaments marking the work of Victorian architects on the outside give the houses much character and charm. Many homes were built in classic red brick, however in Bath, apart from a few examples dotted around the city i.e. in Ferry Lane, they were mostly finished in ashlar (Bath stone), which have their own elegance as well.

As well as the build quality and finish, the generous proportions of Victorian homes, are particularly popular with families. There is an ease by which they can be extended and modernised, creating large open spaces which the modern day family craves for. Gardens are also often bigger than with their Georgian counterparts, facilitating extension projects opportunities as well.

SELLING YOUR PROPERTY? Choose an estate agency that will promote your best interests 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 promotional coverage.

Our estate agents advertise with us as part of a bigger selection of print and online marketing which means your property is presented to the highest standard and will reach the greatest audience.

There have been figures banded around that buyers are prepared to pay in the region of 10 to 15 per cent more for a Victorian house than a modern one, this may well be true and is in my experience, the key however to achieving this is to keep as much of the original character and charm as you can.

Will you be looking to sell before Christmas? This is the time to start marketing should you want to move before the end of 2016. If so, please call NASH & CO on 01225 444800 for a free no obligation market appraisal from your City centre based local independent estate agent.

We would be delighted to meet you!

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Audley Grove

● 3 Bedroom home full of character ● Semi-detached property ● Front and back gardens ● Fitted contemporary kitchen ● Quiet no-through road

Broadmoor Lane

● 3 Bedroom terraced modern house ● No onward chain ● Rear south-east facing garden ● Pleasant rural views ● Off-street parking

£387,500

O.I.E.O £332,500

Fairfield Terrace

£529,950

Duncan Gardens

£495,000

● 3 Bedroom family home ● 2 Receptions ● Victorian terrace ● Lovely open plan kitchen ● Views towards Solsbury Hill

● 3 Double bedrooms ● Detached house ● Views over Cotswolds ● No onward chain ● Garage and private drive

enquiries@nashandcobath.co.uk www.nashandcobath.co.uk Tel: 01225 444 800

NASH & CO

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Castle Combe

Guide Price £700,000

This superb and well maintained Grade II Listed home is set in the heart of the famous Castle Combe village. Having been much improved to offer a delightful home arranged over three floors with many enhanced period features the stone cottage also benefits from a private enclosed garden and garage. EPC:Listed

Heywood

Guide Price £900,000

Kilmersdon

Guide Price £795,000

This attractive stone built village home stands in an elevated position with beautiful gardens. With five bedrooms and plenty of space inside and out it is a superb family home. Kilmersdon is a popular village with a primary school and country pub. Also nearby is the fashionable Babington House. EPC:E

Beckington

Guide Price £900,000

A charming detached five bedroom period home offering versatile accommodation including four reception rooms and outbuildings including a potential home office.

The house stands in over 2 acres of delightful gardens and from the master bedroom has the most wonderful view of the Westbury White Horse. EPC:F

This is a unique and interesting four bedroom Grade II Listed home full of period features. This village home dates back to the 17th Century with further stylish additions added over the generations including a separate one bedroom cottage all situated around a pretty courtyard. EPC:Listed

Semington

Dyrham

Guide Price £1,200,000

A stunning and prominent Grade II Listed detached home comprising five bedrooms, three bathrooms plus three smart reception rooms. There is a neat enclosed garden and plenty of parking. The village benefits from good access to Westbury which offers a main line service to London Paddington and Waterloo. EPC:Listed

Guide Price £1,500,000

This is a wonderful village home situated in attractive gardens on the edge of the popular village of Dyrham. The original part of the double storey stone farmhouse has evolved to become an L-shape incorporating two further barns at each end, providing a versatile and spacious interior. EPC:D

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546

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Great Pulteney Street

Guide Price £445,000

Great Pulteney Street

Price on Application

An imposing ground floor apartment in the grandeur of Great Pulteney Street and offering the benefit of a private single garage to the rear. With potential to adapt its current layout, there is a tenant in occupation for those looking for a portfolio investment. Also offered with vacant possession. EPC: Listed

This fine two bedroom second floor apartment is located in the much desired and central location. Offering light and well proportioned accommodation it would make an ideal City Centre home or investment opportunity. No onward chain.

EPC:Listed

Great Pulteney Street

Sydney Place

Guide Price £600,000

This well presented and maintained garden apartment is located in the much favoured and historic Great Pulteney Street, providing level access to the attractions of Bath. With two bedrooms and modern fittings, there is a walled rear garden and private vault in addition to nearby parking. EPC:Listed

Pulteney Mews

Guide Price £695,000

With potential to create two or three bedrooms this fine Mews house has been thoughtfully refurbished with a quality finish. The clean lines of the interior are enhanced by a glass tread staircase and glazed vestibule adding to the style and appeal. In a prime Bath location there is no onward chain. EPC:D

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Guide Price £695,000

Located in a well regarded position adjacent to the Holburne Museum, this first floor apartment retains many of the original features having been the former Ballroom to Queen Charlotte in the early 1800’s. The Grade I Listed property now requires considerate and sympathetic refurbishment. EPC:Listed

Great Pulteney Street

Guide Price £1,400,000

This fine garden maisonette is located in one of the most prestigious Bath streets, on a level walk of all the cities historic attractions. With three bedrooms, two luxury bathrooms, two reception rooms and a kitchen breakfast room, there is a walled garden along with a private garage and parking. EPC:Listed

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HUNTERS HALL, Bitton This delightful Georgian property, built in 1828, and with 4000 square foot, has five bedrooms with two en suite, a games room, conservatory, lovely gardens and is located in the vibrant village of Bitton.

EPC Rating: Exempt

ÂŁ995,000

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MEAD LANE, Saltford

ÂŁ850,000

Four bedroom detached property located on Mead Lane in Saltford, offering beautiful views of the river and countryside beyond. The property comprises the following: four bedrooms, two reception rooms, two bathrooms, garage, driveway and gardens.

EPC Rating: C

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Royal Crescent

£1,800 pcm

Georgian • Courtyard apartment • Spacious double bedroom • Luxury bathroom & shower room • Furnished • Agency fees £420 inc VAT • Available end of Oct

A beautifully refurbished one bedroom lower ground floor apartment, furnished to a high standard, located in the highly sought after Royal Crescent.

Park Street

£1,500 pcm

Lower ground floor Two double bedrooms High spec refurbishment • Vaults • Rear garden • Furnished • Agency fees £420 inc VAT • Available now •

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A spacious garden apartment that has been refurbished to a very high standard throughout including an Architect designed extension.

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Riverside

£1,500 pcm

New build Second floor apartment Two bedrooms Bathroom & en-suite • Allocated secure parking • Unfurnished • Agency fees £420 inc VAT • Available now •

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A brand new luxury apartment offering two bedroom apartment with a lovely walk to the City Centre.

The Academy

£1,300 pcm

Modern development • Ground floor apartment • Two double bedrooms • Allocated parking space • Part furnished • Agency fees £420 inc VAT • Available now

A well presented apartment affording far reaching views over the City and the rare advantage of an allocated parking space.

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Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Lambridge House Grade II Listed

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Ground floor

Offers in Excess of £700,000 •

Three double bedrooms

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Private terrace & gardens

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Parking for two cars

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Approx 1.553 Sq Ft

This charming Garden Apartment is one of six in an impressive Georgian country house, located at the end of a hedge lined drive. The property is situated on the ground floor opening onto a private south facing terrace and gardens beyond. The Garden Apartment has its own front door, leading to the large and well-appointed rooms. The sitting room has an abundance of character with window seats and boasting a stone fireplace with a log burner. The large modern kitchen offers a ‘chalet style’ built in dining area, a plus when entertaining. There are also three generous double bedrooms, a large family bathroom and a utility room.

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Northanger Court Modern development • Communal gardens

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Offers in Excess of £550,000 First floor apartment • Two bedrooms • Riverside views Allocated parking • Lift • Approx 681 Sq Ft

This exceptionally bright first floor apartment overlooking the river situated in a modern building in the heart of the City with allocated secure parking.

Camden Crescent

Offers in Excess of £395,000

Grade I Listed • Georgian apartment • First floor • One bedroom living • Stylish kitchen • Modern bathroom • Approx 729 Sq Ft

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Open plan

An elegant first floor apartment refurbished to the highest of standards with panoramic views over the rooftops of Bath.

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