The Bath Magazine Sept 14

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ISSUE 144 • SEPTEMBER 2014

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BATH

£3.00 where sold

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A LU X U RY W EE K EN D B R EA K FO R 2 IN CO R N WA LL

EDUCATION SPECIAL: THE GOOD SCHOOL REPORT TASTY TREATS: LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GREAT BATH FEAST NEWS BEATS: IMOGEN SELLERS FACES HER MUSIC MEET THE FONZ: HENRY WINKLER DISCUSSES DYSLEXIA HAVIN’ A LAUGH: WITH ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS AUTUMNAL WALK: FROM BATH TO FRESHFORD

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T H E C I T Y ’ S F I N E S T M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L I F E A N D L I V I N G I N B AT H

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THE | CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2014

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@ thebathmagazine

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THE ‘MUST-DO’ LIST

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From heritage open days to the international beard championships: five things to do in Bath this month

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THE CITYIST

Exploring a fascinating episode in Bath’s history set in a house in Newbridge

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FACE THE MUSIC

46

TV presenter Imogen Sellers

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MRS STOKES A face-off between traders and skater boys

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DESTINATION SHOPPING There’s so much going on under one roof at The Shed in the Bybrook Valley

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From Margaret Atwood to Clare Balding: the writers heading to Bath

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WHAT’S ON Theatre, talks, events: highlights from Bath’s diverse cultural calendar

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AFTER THE FONZ Henry Winkler: champion for dyslexics

COMPETITION EATING OUT

FOOD HEROES

FUN WITH BOOKS Entertainment for the school holidays

Naomi Price reveals a little known resort

110 HEART OF THE HOME Profile: The Bath Kitchen Company

114 GARDENING Tips on attracting bees

117 PROPERTY GALORE Homes for sale and to rent

Even more online at www.thebathmag.co.uk

GREAT BATH FEAST A preview of October’s citywide food-fest

28 THEATRE TALK Actor Gavin Spokes on the pain and the laughter in One Man, Two Guvnors

MAN ON A MISSION New head with a radical approach

100 SKI SMART

Silvana Tann talks to Noya about her specialist cookery school in Bear Flat

26 A GOOD READ

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BATH AT WAR

Six of the best places in Bath to dine in Georgian splendour

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SCHOOL REPORT Our guide to education in the south west

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Win a luxury weekend for two

24 A GOOD CAUSE If you can run 5k you can run a half marathon – let us inspire you

THE HISTORY MAKERS

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A new street installation about the people who’ve left their mark on Bath

Tales of the local men who went to the Front in the First World War

AUTUMN FASHION A pick of the trends for the new season

ART & EXHIBITIONS Artist John Eaves prepares for a new show plus all the latest from city galleries

Bath Kids’ Lit Fest founder Gill McLay shares her favourite places

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EMPORER IN EXILE

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BATH AT WORK Neill Menneer’s portrait of the month

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BATH PEOPLE News from the movers and shakers

Cover: Towards the Centre by John Eaves

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Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine Contact us: Editor Tel: Email:

Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Samantha Coleman sam@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebathmag.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Commercial Production Lorna Harrington Email: lorna@thebathmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos stevem@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

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2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmagazine.co.uk Š MC Publishing Ltd 2014 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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o you remember your first day at school? Wearing that unfamiliar, too-big uniform and the stiff new shoes, with a feeling of half-fear, half-excitement as you were taken to meet your new teacher, in your new classroom, surrounded by a bunch of children you didn’t know? For the lucky ones, that first day of school is just the beginning of a happy time that lasts for years, of making friends you’d keep for life, of teachers who opened the door to subjects that made you want to find out more, of learning skills that make us the adults we become – to enjoy being creative, inventive, methodical, or out on the sports field, fitter and faster and how to work as part of a team.

As parents we have a solemn duty to try and make our children’s school days as rewarding and as pleasurable as possible. Choosing the right school can be part of this parenting duty and we hope that our education guide this month will help you do just that. Whatever age your child, from pre-school to sixth form, we hope this will enable you to go on your way to make an informed choice.

There’s a lot more in our first issue of autumn. One lucky reader will win a luxury weekend for two in Cornwall – so look out for that competition on Page 50, and hope for an Indian summer.

As a journalist it always gives me great pleasure to bring to readers’ attention something they might not have known about.

How are these for starters? Did you know that Haile Selassie, Emporer of Ethiopia, was exiled to Bath during the Second World War and that his home in Newbridge is now a site of international pilgrimage for Rastafarians? Or that there’s a talented home cook in Bear Flat who can teach you how to make authentic Vietnamese dishes? Or how about the story of the former Bath Rugby captain who went off to fight in the First World War – one of more than 1,800 men from the city killed during that dreadful conflict?

If you’re in need of some light relief as the days get shorter, I’d recommend you get some tickets to see One Man, Two Guvnors which is about to enjoy a run at the Theatre Royal, Bath. I spoke to actor Gavin Spokes ahead of the National Theatre production’s arrival in the city, see Page 28. We’ve also got a bigger than usual What’s On section in the mag (from Page 30), so you can plan your leisure time over the next few weeks.

As a city of festivals it’s fitting that we draw your attention to the Jane Austen Festival, which happens in September and makes for some great photo opportunities of people in Regency costume wandering our Georgian streets, and the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which has events for kids of all ages and their parents too.

We’re also offering a preview of October’s Great Bath Feast, which has dozens of events lined up, from hot dog and chilli eating contests right through to gourmet dinners prepared by some of the city’s top chefs. For enthusiastic readers of books, like me, there’s exciting news from Topping & Co bookshop as its autumn festival brings some top authors to Bath.

Andrew Swift shows us a walk from Bath to Freshford, without merely following the Kennet and Avon Canal, which is a walk I am looking forward to doing, and award-winning gardener Jane Moore has advice on how to attract hard-working bees to our gardens.

There’s a lot more besides, but don’t just take my word for it, dive in and enjoy a jolly fine autumnal read.

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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ZEITGEIST Enjoy Blue Clothing in The Loft, Bartlett Street, Bath, which sells stylish clothes for progressive and adventurous women, is holding a charity fashion show this month.

The evening, on Thursday 18 September, will include wine and canapes provided by Cafe Lucca, and is being held to raise money for two debilitating conditions, Chrohn’s and colitis. There’ll be music, seating and the fantastic space at The Loft will be put to use as a theatre to show off Blue Clothing’s various collections of designer labels for autumn/winter 2014. These are clothes that you won’t find in the run-of-the-mill high street shops _ as anyone who saw the show Blue put on with Carole Waller in the summer will agree.Tickets are £10 and can be bought in store at The Loft.

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things to do in

September

Visit Museums in and around Bath will be throwing their doors open for free on Saturday 13 September for the annual national Heritage Open Day. The National Trust’s Dyrham Park is also taking part, with free entry to the house, gardens and park for the whole day.

Other venues taking part locally include: Southcot Burial Ground for the Bath Preservation Trust, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Central United Reformed Church, Cleveland Pools, Fairfield House, Ralph Allen Cornerstone, St Swithin’s Church, The Magdalen Chapel, The Museum of Bath at Work, Nexus Methodist Church, No.4 The Circus, Roman Baths, St. John’s Store, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Widcome Association’s chapels trail and Kier Recycling Depot.

You might want to visit the new gallery at the Museum of Bath At Work in Julian Road which contains a slice of Bath history that’s been made by the people, for the people. Knowing Your Place: Bath and Local Distinctiveness has been created because the museum felt there was a need to provide a way in which residents could have their say about the city. Thanks to Heritage Lottery funding, the work began, with staff dividing the city into 12 distinct districts. Locals

LOOK UP: Arts and Crafts angel over entrance to St Michael’s Church Hall in Walcot Street. were interviewed and invited to submit locally distinctive features. There are 312 items on display, which will encourage us to look at our city in a new light.

Items of interest include a photograph of a Westland Whirlwind twin engine aircraft from RAF Charmy Down which crashed near Manor Farm in Englishcombe in 1941. The pilot John Sample, was killed when his parachute didn’t open in time.

Support Watch Cycle mania will once again hit the country with the 2014 Tour of Britain round Britain race, which begins in Liverpool, goes via Bristol and Brighton and ends up in London after eight days of action packed racing. Bath is to host a leg of the race for the first time in the modern race’s 11-year history, on Friday 12 September. The race will set off from Royal Avenue in Royal Victoria Park, complete a lap of the city and then head out to Hemel Hempstead. Visit: www.tourofbritain.co.uk for more details.

A band of tireless campaigners is celebrating gaining £4.1m in funding to restore Britain’s oldest open air swimming baths, the Cleveland Pools in Bathwick. Among the first projects in the restoration of the baths will be a pontoon to allow visitors to arrive by boat from the adjacent River Avon. The ultimate aim is to see this romantic spot once again enjoyed by people who enjoy outdoor swimming. Next year there are plenty of celebrations planned to mark the Cleveland Pools’ 200th anniversary and the volunteers who run the project are keen to get as many Bathonians supporting it as possible. Like the pools on Facebook or go along and see for

Compete The finest whiskers in the land and the most eccentric facial hair on Earth will be on show at Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, on Saturday 13 September for the British Beard and Moustache Championships. The last national competition, held in Brighton, attracted over 100 entrants, all sporting weird, wonderful or perfectly sculpted, beards and moustaches.

Spectators can go along and enjoy the fun for £12 – with proceeds going to the Dorothy House Hospice fund and the charity Depression Alliance.

Women and children, and those who can’t grow a beard, can enter the contest for the best false beard. There are 13 categories to enter, suitable to every style of facial hair from goatee beards and handlebar moustaches to the business-like crop. Visit: www.tbbmc.co.uk

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yourself why people are attracted to this spot, when the baths open for Heritage Open Days on Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September from 2pm to 5pm daily.

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THE CITY The buzz

My BATH We ask Gill McLay original founder of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival what she’ll be doing in September

Enjoy

Kingsmead Square in Bath city centre is going to make the most of its magnificent tree by holding a summer fete under its spreading branches.

Some of the traders from around the square, including Grace and Ted, have got together to organise the fete on Sunday 14 September with family-friendly activities. There’ll be The Battle of Bath egg and spoon race, cupcake decorating, face painting, children’s games and live music. The cafés round the square will be serving food and drinks and helping to create a fiesta atmosphere. The fun starts at 11am and runs through to 7pm, with money raised going to the Forever Friends Appeal for the Royal United Hospital’s cancer centre appeal.

Shop The shops in and around Milsom Place are opening after hours on Thursday 18 September for a fashion event with fizz, discounts and fashion experts on hand, all designed to ease us painlessly into our autumn/winter wardrobes. Dress to Impress participants include Seven Boot Lane, Chanii B shoe shop, Phase Eight, Hobbs and LK Bennett. Between 5pm and 8pm there’ll be discounts and special offers on purchases. Cote Brasserie is offering a complimentary glass of Kir Royale with every main course, while The Porter in George Street is offering diners a free glass of fizz and the fun will continue into the night as the cellar bar is hosting one of its free live jazz nights with two-for-one cocktails. The evening has been arranged by Milsom Place and Bath BID (Bath Improvement District).

What brought you to Bath?

I moved from London to join the children’s picture book publisher Barefoot Books that used to be based on Walcot Street. At the time I thought I’d give it six months to a year. Little did I know how much I would come to feel part of the city and its community.

What are you reading?

Magisterium – The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. I’m due to chair their event at the Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival (on Saturday 4 October, 6pm at the Guildhall), so I’m doing my research before I meet them both. They decided to write it because they didn’t like the ending of Harry Potter. I think that alone makes it interesting and offers a very inspiring approach for young writers. Why not write your own stories. . .

What is on your MP3 player?

Paloma Faith. She’s great and I’m really looking forward to seeing her at The Forum later this year. I also love the fact I can dance with my five-year-old to her music.

Which café or restaurants take your fancy?

Casanis. My husband John and I have only been here a few of times but it is always fantastic food and an incredibly relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for a night out. For lunchtime we love Jamie’s Italian.

It’s great for young families.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

I’m a huge fan of the Rostra Gallery. I have bought sculpture and art from them and I

The Fair Fight by Anna Freeman Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, hardback £12 Any book that’s won a prize for its ability to grip the reader from the start is worth pulling off the shelf for a read – and this debut novel by Bath Spa University creative writing lecturer Anna Freeman is certainly that. The winner of the 2013 Tibor Jones Pageturner Prize grabs your attention with the same determination as its women boxers throwing punches at each other in the backrooms and bars of Bristol at the turn of the 19th century. In an era when Jane Austen was sipping tea this is the brutal reality of life for many women. The two central

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love the fact they offer a full spectrum of affordable art.

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

It has to be books. I love books and always have done. I read for pleasure and work with authors for a living so I spend a lot of time reading. Even after years of working in the publishing industry I still feel very honoured and privileged to part of that world. Believe it or not but my husband John and I started the Bath Children’s Literature Festival as a hobby. We’re very lucky; when your hobby is what you do every day, you are very fortunate indeed.

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

At the end of September I will be enjoying the Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival. John and I are returning as artistic directors in 2015, so this year will be enjoying it as punters with the occasional appearance on stage. I love the atmosphere and spending time with kids who are so excited about their favourite author or illustrator. It reminds you why you do it!

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

Both. I love a night at The Little. We are also really lucky with theatre in Bath and I go to The Theatre Royal and The Mission too.

As well as returning to the children’s literature festival, I have just set up a literary agency in Bath. It felt like the next step for me. I love working with authors and helping them to forge a successful career in publishing. My website is: www.bathliteraryagency.com

characters; Ruth the pugilist born and raised by a loveless mother in a brothel and Charlotte, horribly scarred by the smallpox which killed her parents, wealthy but at the mercy of the men who control her money are brought vividly to life and we can hear their voices and sympathise with their plight.

Bathonians will enjoy the journey from inner city Bristol to the fields of Lansdown and the countryside around Corston.

If you enjoyed The Crimson Petal and the White or the historic novels of Sarah Waters, you’ll enjoy this. Perhaps because the author is also a poet, the use of language is particularly vivid and engaging, drawing us into a world of ‘culls’ ‘mollies’ and ‘fibs’ (punches) being thrown.

GMc

We’re following @TheBathBird who says she’s a very sweary atheist with three kids, two dogs and a husband, but, as her 8,700 followers will testify, she’s big-hearted, warm, original and very very funny. A kind of 140-character virtual stand-up. . .

SEPTEMBER 2014

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FACE | THE MUSIC

THE PRESENTER’S PLAYLIST BBC Points West presenter Imogen Sellers talks to Jane Duffus about her musical guilty pleasures, which range from Rizzle Kicks to songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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orn and raised in Frome, TV presenter Imogen Sellers is every inch the local girl. Although she’s now a favourite face on BBC1’s Points West news bulletins, Bath-based Imogen has worked her way up via local newspapers and local radio, ensuring she’s truly learned all the tricks of the trade on the way.

She says: “After going to university in Swansea, I freelanced for newspapers for a while in London.” She then moved back to the south west where she took a job as a reporter on The Bath Chronicle. “I worked there for four years, and because it was still a daily paper then, it taught me everything very quickly.”

However, broadcasting beckoned and Imogen moved on to Bath FM before a stint at ITV West, and then joined BBC Bristol in 2001 as a broadcast journalist for Points West. “I learned the ropes from the bottom up, doing every shift going,” she says. “Then I got the chance to present and that’s what I’m still doing… and I love it.”

Another thing Imogen loves is music, and while she laughs at some of her top ten choices, we don’t think there’s anything wrong with an unashamed love for good old pop. Aged just 13, Imogen saw 1980s heartthrob Paul Young at the Bath and West Showground, and says she still adores him now: “I completely fell in love with him after that, it was just amazing. I really shouldn’t be telling you this, it’s not very cool.”

But what was cool, she says, was buying her husband, Martin, tickets to see his musical hero Elton John in Paris for “a significant birthday.” What was less cool was getting the dates wrong.

“Two days before we were due to go, I was just checking the flight and concert tickets and realised we were flying home the day of the concert. So we ended up giving our Elton John tickets to the receptionist in the hotel where we stayed. She was thrilled but Martin wasn’t. We did end up seeing Elton John in concert in Bristol a few years ago, though, when he played at Gloucestershire Cricket Club in 2008. He was brilliant.”

Anyone who knows Imogen off screen will know that her hair is curly. But, as she says, it suits the TV cameras better if it’s straight: “Naturally, I have very curly hair which can look a bit mad. So, when I’m presenting in the studio I have it straightened – but when I’m reporting live it’s often curly. People must think I have an identical twin. The problem is, my straight hair becomes curly again if I get it wet.”

❝ SO WE ENDED UP GIVING OUR ELTON JOHN TICKETS TO THE RECEPTIONIST IN THE HOTEL

❞ Imogen’s top 10: ❶ Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling I had a big birthday party last year and this is always the song that gets everyone dancing. I love it because it makes me feel so happy. ❷ The Commodores – Easy I’ve always loved the Commodores’ version of this. If I had to listen to only one song ever, it would be this. I can’t do without a bit of Lionel Richie. One of my favourite ever gigs was seeing Lionel at Wembley with Martin. It was so lovely as it was the first night that we went out without the kids. It was perfect cheese. ❸ Rizzle Kicks – Mama Do The Hump This song by the hip hop duo from Brighton, which was produced by Norman Cook, always reminds me of my children. My husband bought them the Rizzle Kicks album, Stereo Typical and when we went on holiday to Cornwall we 14 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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listened to it all the way down there in the car. The kids know all the words and dance moves to it now. ❹ Queen – We Are The Champions This is another one that reminds me of my children. When my little boy left his infant school, the children put on an assembly for the parents and they performed this song. All the mums were blubbing. So I feel very emotional listening to this song. ❺ Billy Joel – Don’t Go Changing This Billy Joel song was our first dance at our wedding, which was in Freshford, in 2003. Our friend John Baker is a musician and he sang this and played the piano for us, and it was just brill. ❻ Claude Debussy – Clair de Lune I just think it’s the most magical piece of music ever. We had Claire de Lune playing in the church for our wedding, so it brings back very happy memories for me. It’s a fab piece of music. Everything stops when you hear it. ❼ Elton John – Something About The Way You Look Tonight This is my absolute favourite song of his. It’s not one of his biggest hits but I just love it. I’ve had lots of experiences with Elton over the past few years as you know, what with missing his Paris concert. But he played this in Bristol when we saw him in 2008 and it was magical.

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FACE | THE MUSIC

FAMILY FAVOURITES: Lionel Richie and The Commodores, Easy, Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling and Nina Simone, Feeling Good ❽ Uncle Kracker – Follow Me I heard this on the radio driving back from work one evening and I just had to look them up when I got home. Sometimes you hear a song by a band and you think you’re going to love them, but that ends up being the only song of theirs you like. But I love almost all of Uncle Kracker’s stuff. ❾ Adrian Hall and Heather Ripley – Truly Scrumptious Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of our favourite films as a family, and I used to sing the song Truly Scrumptious from it to my little boy to get him to sleep. We

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also used to play it loads on car journeys because the children absolutely love the film. I completely loved it, too, when I was growing up. ❿ Nina Simone – Feeling Good I went to the most amazing funeral, which sounds a really sombre and awful thing to say. But it was the funeral of a very close family member and they played this at the funeral and it was the most uplifting moment, so that song is always very special. I’ll always love this piece of music. n

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BED

When it comes to choosing a bed, many people can be left confused by the types of mattress available and the benefits they provide. Richard hayes of TR hayes furniture store in Bath looks at the different types available to help ensure we all get a good night’s sleep.

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hoosing a new bed or a new mattress is one of the most important decisions you can make. After all, you will spend around a third of your life in bed, and the level of comfort provided by your mattress can affect the other two thirds when you’re awake. But without a good enough understanding of mattress types, many people are making ill informed decisions.

Comfort and support is of course the main concern for most people. If the mattress does not provide sufficient comfort and support you can suffer restless nights and even aches and pains as a result. There is also the issue of the different sleeping habits of people sharing the bed. Somebody who sleeps soundly should not have their sleep ruined by a partner that tosses and turns all night. So a mattress that compensates for this will clearly be a benefit.

Open Coil mattresses featuring linked springs are perhaps the most traditional type. As the springs are linked, the movement of one person may be felt by

Perfect support

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the other. As a result, Open Coil mattresses are generally used for spare room and children’s beds.

Pocketed Sprung mattresses are a traditional mattress that feature individual springs that mould to your body, meaning a partner’s movements will not be felt. The number of springs and quantity/quality of filling have a bearing and natural filling such as lambswool and hair tend to mould better with the springs, retain their shape and provide more comfort. Mattresses with a handstitched border will be stronger, last longer, and are available in a choice of tensions (soft, medium or firm) depending on body weight and individual preference.

Developed by NASA, Memory Foam mattresses are very supportive and are made of a visco elastic that varies in thickness and degree of elasticity. The thickness affects quality and a higher grade visco elastic gives more support.

Memory Foam mattresses do not need to be turned and are hypo allergenic.

Memory Foam on pocketed springs is a hybrid mattress that combines the support of memory foam with the traditional comfort and feel of pocketed springs. These mattresses feature over 1000 springs and are topped with memory foam. Thickness and quality of foam and number of springs affect quality.

Latex on pocketed springs is another hybrid combining latex with pocketed springs, the main benefit is the coolness provided by the latex as well as the firmness and resilience that it provides.

Mammoth mattresses are a new product made from medical foam and are scientifically proven to enhance sleep. The company partners with the Chiropractic Patients Association, so they are great for all ailments as well giving you the best possible good night’s sleep.

For more information about Mammoth or other mattresses please see the TR Hayes website www.trhayes.co.uk or visit the TR Hayes showrooms at 15 – 18 London Street, Walcot, Bath. Local delivery is free and there is a customer car park at the side of the store.

Too hard

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Mrs Stokes

Stand-off in the market place

©www.robbiddulph.com

takes a sideways look at life in Bath

A STYLISH AUTUMN FOR LESS ££s

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hey loomed large on the horizon, their forms emerging from the concrete eyeline like the Zulus at Rorke’s Drift, while we stood firm, defending our territory in the face of overwhelming numbers. Their weapons? Eliptical shaped boards on wheels. Ours? A fiddle and accordian…

I recently ran a weeklong series of folk music sessions and a mini artisan market at Green Park Station in conjunction with the Bath Folk Festival. Not only did I have to contend with attracting visitors to a space that’s only usually associated during the week with a giant sock stall lining the walkthrough to Sainsbury’s, but I also became participant in ‘Skategate’, the ongoing battle for flatland under the glass roof. Because as soon as baseball capped boys have any time on their hands, they grab a skateboard and “go out riding” – an activity we should applaud for staving off childhood obesity when they use the Royal Victoria Park skatepark, but one that’s much more contentious when they select Green Park Station as their HQ. My first encounter with the Sk8ter Bois of Bath was on my first day at around 12.30pm. Cliff, a big beardy Scottish man in a Tam’O’Shanter and Doc Martens was strumming some good time folk tunes on his acoustic guitar and attracting a mellow crowd to our tables and chairs in the market.

Suddenly, a great rumble started to reverberate in the distance, rolling ever closer, until it sounded like a thunderclap overhead. It turned out to be a group of hoodies practising their tricks near the Sainbury’s trolleys.

The sound of sturdy, neon plastic skateboard wheels on the Sainsbury’s car park floor, combined with the clatter as they hit the kerb and amplified by the acoustics of the heritage roof, was deafening enough to drown out poor old Cliff, singing his heart out about flowers of Scotland and long lost loves with bonnie hair.

Crowd and traders looked at me with that slightly scared, slightly confrontational “what are you going to do about it?” look.

Cliff just kept singing, bless him.

I was a bit anxious how the lads would react but as I was in charge so I took myself over to ‘the youth’. It went something like this: Me (strained voice): “Please could you stop skating here as you’re drowning out the music and everyone’s trying to listen.” Them (well-spoken voices): “No, we know our rights”.

It carried on like that for a bit, with me asking them why they don’t use Royal Victoria Park. “Because it’s dangerous to ride when it’s wet and this is England when it rains ALL the time,” lamented one articulate little boy. “We need a roof,” said another, sounding more Made in Chelsea than mean streets of LA. Eventually they acknowledged how irritating it is to make so much noise when someone’s performing (that’s their middle-class schooling kicking in) and rattled off to the multi-storey.

They came back many times that week, probably because it was raining, hoping to jump on after we had packed up. The business owners at Green Park are fed up with them making a racket and putting customers off. I agree, there is something intimidating about a large group of boys hanging around.

And they are canny – the shopkeepers have started to sprinkle gravel on the market square to deter them, only for the skaters to turn up with brooms.

The boys are capable of communication too: They even left a message, which read “F*** You” picked out in little stones.

So as a city we need to do something to help both sides out. There’s talk of a revamped skatepark at Royal Victoria Park but what the boys say they really want is a sheltered space to skate.

After a week of daily interaction with the boys, they had left their skateboards at home and were sitting at our tables soaking up the folk music – probably not because they were soothed by Irish fiddle playing, but because they were smoking e-cigarettes. But if you are the owner of one of them, please encourage them to skate at Victoria Park from now on. It’ll cause a lot less aggro and a lot less money in gravel. n

@mrsstokeschina

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www.dents.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2014

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CITY | FASHION

AUTUMN WINTER 14 Becky Miklos takes a look at five key new season trends

Surface Interest Ditch the jewellery and let your clothing do the legwork by adorning your outfit with embellished and embroidered pieces. Fairytale folk was big on the catwalk this season, as was head to toe sparkle.

Clockwise from left: skirt Max Mara, House of Fraser £180; clutch bag Monsoon, £45; blouse from Peter Pillotto at Harvey Nichols, £595; shoes from Sophia Webster at Harvey Nichols, £575

TACTILE: outfit, Marks & Spencer

A Study in Scarlet This season’s catwalks displayed an abundance of colour but if there’s one hue that should be on everyone’s minds it’s our fiery favourite – red. Working an all over look is a simple way to look polished but ensure you mix up fabrics and tones to break up the outfit and highlight your best features.

Dress Just Cavalli, Harvey Nichols, £1,485; dog tooth skirt Jigsaw, £89; Daisy handbag, £129, by Peony & Moore at Sisi and May; Coco, leopard ponyskin shoes, Chanii B, Milsom Place

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Red coat, blouse and skirt HOBBS, Milsom Street

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Retro Now Sixties vibes have come swinging back onto the fashion spectrum.

Retro dressing is all about youth and having fun with your wardrobe, but fear not – the mini skirt isn’t the only way to achieve 60s cool. Make a nod to the era with a quirky collar or popping print.

Coat, Miss Selfridge at House of Fraser, £89; dress from RAOUL at Harvey Nichols, £400

Trousers, Alice Temperley at John Lewis at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, £89; coat

by Jaeger, £299

The Soft Touch There’s no excuse to catch a chill in this season’s fluffy fabrics. Soft faux furs, brushed knitwear and looped yarns are the styles to look out for. A shearling coat or lined parka is a classic purchase, alternatively, take inspiration from your childhood teddy bear and look to all over fur.

From left: sheepskin jacket, HOBBS; clutch bag from Dune, £65; tippet from Accessorize, £27; gilet from Next, £30

Drape and Swathe Fine fabrics, elegant drapery and artful layering are the tool kit for this look. The oversize theme returns almost every season due to its practicality and lux-appeal but this year, the emphasis is on topheavy silhouettes. Try a plush wool cape or scarf with tailored trousers and finish with a belt for definition.

LADYLIKE: clockwise from left scarf by Betty Jackson Black at Debenhams, £16; cape from Marks and Spencer, £110; dress by Vivienne Westwood at Garment Quarter, £257; Autograph drape jacket, Marks & Spencer, £129

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Outfit from Mango www.mango.com

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DESTINATION | SHOPPING

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DESTINATION | SHOPPING

A SHEDLOAD OF GOODIES The Bath Magazine visits The Shed near Bathford to find a whole village under one roof – with free parking and food from dawn to dusk (and a great adventure playground for children too) No wonder everyone from networkers and yummy mummies to foodies and golden oldies are beating a path to this latest must-visit destination

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omewhere just off the A4 outside Bathford there’s a little corner of New Zealand. Children play happily on a wooden climbing frame while their parents sit in the shade of a vine having lunch. Meanwhile other visitors are browsing inside the wood clad building where a host of independent and artisan traders are offering all kinds of things, from cheese to specialist paint finishes.

The atmosphere is relaxed, easy-come-easy-go. If you want to dash for an unexpected birthday gift or a thank-you posy of flowers, or you fancy a delicious Movenpick ice cream or a pizza with the kids after school, this is the place to visit. The Shed, in its latest incarnation, is owned by Helen Cobb, who was inspired to create this all-day mix of fun and shopping by the places she’d enjoyed visiting with her two children when they lived in New Zealand.

“I loved the laidback vibe of those places,” she says, “and that’s what we wanted to create.”

The first thing that will draw the Bath crowds is the free parking – simply pull in off the Box Road with the knowledge that you’re not going to have to move the car in an hour, re-fill the meter or pick up a fine. From here you stroll across the gravel, past the newly built play area and into the barn itself.

Cider drinkers will be familiar with the site, which used to be called Dick Willows, and will be pleased to see the long bar with their favourite tipple available to take home, alongside a range of real ales.

creatures or cushions and generally get a bit messy while making something to take home. There’s also a range of haberdashery and gift ideas on the shelves for creative types of all ages. No workshop costs over £10 and they usually last about an hour. Sue is planning to introduce adult workshops this autumn too.

The Shed Deli

This delightful little boutique is laid out with a tempting range of clothes, accessories and jewellery. It’s a mix of new and pre-loved clothes in sizes 8 to 24. Two new autumn collections are due in shortly, offering a range of clothes that are both easy to wear and flattering. If you have good quality items that you’d like to sell, Monday is the day to submit pieces for sale on commission basis – but be warned, you’re likely to come away with something new to wear. It’s fun to browse among clothes in an independent shop that stocks something different.

From the bar it’s a short hop to The Shed’s inhouse deli run by cheesemonger Nick, formerly of the Bath Fine Cheese Company and Paxton and Whitfield.

Browsers will be delighted to hear that Nick welcomes shoppers who want to taste before they buy and he can order in specific cheese for customers. He not only knows a lot about cheese but he’s also handy if you’re looking for a recipe idea. In addition to the cheese counter there are Lovett pies, locally made sausages and a veritable still life of colourful fresh fruit and vegetables to choose from.

Carole Waller and Gary Wood studio Carole has built up a loyal following over the years for her exquisite handpainted silk clothes, scarves and paintings, while Gary has a parallel career as a ceramicist. Until now the pair of them have shown in their home gallery, just along the road from The Shed. Carole said: “I am moving our private gallery of 15 years into the public realm at The Shed, with my painted clothes and paintings on silk to hang on the wall, collected by the V&A and other international collections, alongside my laminated paintings on cloth in glass panels.” These can stand alone as sculptural panels, or be integrated into architectural contexts such as windows, glass doors, balustrades or room dividers. Freestanding panels are available to buy and also available to commission for site specific applications. There are also one-off silk painted scarves, ties and t-shirts. Gary’s beautiful stoneware ceramic tea bowls and wall pieces can also be found in the gallery.

Dress Code

The Pigeon Hole

Nicky the florist creates beautiful, romantic arrangements, from the pretty little jam jar posies at £8.50, which are so popular as thank-you presents, right through to big bouquets for those ‘I love you this much’ gestures and her designs are in demand for weddings too. At the moment vintage inspired arrangements are particularly popular. Blooms can also arrange delivery in the local area, including Box, Corsham and Bradford-on-Avon.

Prey began life as a retail venture in Bath, stocking a unique range of design led gifts and homewares and fashion labels. The business branched out into the design and manufacture of its own range of products, which are now stocked in more than 800 stores worldwide. Owner Geraldine said: “We have created The Pigeon Hole to fit into this timber shed world, selling the quirky design-led home wares that are synonymous with what Prey has been offering.” A new selection of pre-loved and brand new Italian fashion completes the offering at The Pigeon Hole.

The Crafty Cupboard

The Paint Box

While Mum and Dad are enjoying a quiet coffee in The Shed’s airy restaurant or on the terrace, the youngsters can be kept creatively entertained by Sue at The Crafty Cupboard. Sue runs a series of workshops round her big table, where children can paint plates, make decoupage creatures, sew quirky sock

This is another place where you can pick up great presents – or indulge in a spot of self-gifting. Arbora has a range of homeware including place mats and napkins, along with decorative items of furniture from storage boxes through to painted dressers. It’s the paint effects that will inspire visitors to try their

Blooms florist

Bare Beauty Those lucky enough to have had a health or beauty treatment at luxury country house hotel Lucknam, may already familiar with experienced therapist Helen Mulloy Reid, who brings her expertise and quiet, calm aura to her very own salon within The Shed.

She’s kitted it out, complete with chaise longue in the welcoming area, and a cosy but luxurious private treatment room. Almost everything Helen uses is organic, including the exclusive Swedish brand Estelle and Thild, as used in Harrods’ Urban Retreat.

Her Tan Organic spray is also natural, doesn’t smell, and prices start at £25 for a half hour spray tan.

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Helen can treat the whole family, from baby massage through teens and their skin worries (teen treats include a specialist facial) to men wanting to look after their skin – facials are becoming increasingly popular with guys in all walks of life. Bare Beauty is good for regular body maintenance, such as pedicures and waxing, but also for special treats, such as the Super Bio-Active facial, which I can recommend, which incorporates a very thorough stress-busting back massage for computer-weary neck and shoulders. The salon is another shopping opportunity, selling a range of natural beauty products.

Contact Helen at Bare Beauty to make an appointment on tel: 07986 863797.

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DESTINATION | SHOPPING own hand at giving an existing piece a new lease of life. The shop stocks Autentico chalk paints and waxes and runs courses for from beginner level to special effects. The Paint Box also takes commissions.

Lily Balbuena This is the newest arrival at The Shed, a bespoke mending and tailor service from the fourth generation of seamstresses. Lily B can make beautiful garments to order, but has launched her business with a fabulous offer to sew on school nametapes from as little as £20. That’s sure to prove popular with parents.

Kelly Ann Designs Kelly is unusual in her profession to be a young, trained picture framer and a commended member of the Fine Art Frame Guild. She can help clients choose the right frame, whether the picture is traditional or funky and modern. She uses conservation quality mount board and recommends speciality glazing to protect pieces. The mount board and backing board are PH neutral and conservation glass will filter out any harmful ultra violet rays from the sun. Kelly’s eye for beautiful objects goes beyond the frame, as she stocks a range of gifts, including some beautiful ceramics by Claire Baker and a range of covetable cards by Miss Havisham’s Attic (as stocked in Libertys of London).

Silver Compass Until recently this family-run specialist bespoke travel company was based at Kit Williams’ Wiltshire home, but now she and her team are in The Shed, where potential clients can pop in for an informal chat about their travel plans. Silver Compass has expertise in all kinds of trips, from cruises and New Zealand to India, Burma, the States and France. Kit says they get enormous pleasure from planning itineraries for people and have recently seen a rise in helping busy parents pick family holidays.

Spotty Herberts Spotty Herberts was opened in May by two friends and mothers, Kate Austin and Emily Ingram, who both have a background in design. The playful nature of Spotty Herberts offers genderneutral labels ideal for going out to play – dungarees, playsuits, beautiful knits and sweats, blazers and sturdy denims – all made to last and be handed on from child to growing child.

Children are drawn into the shop to discover the range of simple, traditional, engaging toys - its glow-in-the dark bouncy balls are already a firm favourite. Kate and Emily also love to source handmade objects for family homes, such as cushions, blankets and prints. The new autumn/winter stock arrives this month.

Food at The Shed The Shed’s owner Helen Cobb is passionate about good, and healthy food locally sourced where possible and her talented young head chef Tom concurs with her ethos. He oversees a kitchen which can take visitors on a gastronomic journey from breakfast, through mid-morning pastries and cakes (made by Tom’s professional baker brother Olly) to lunch, which could range from a fresh Caesar salad with a poached egg to fresh crab spaghetti with chilli, tomato and herb sauce. You could linger through the afternoon over a good cup of coffee, or drop by with friends for tapas or to feed the children tea after school.

The Shed’s Sunday lunches are already established as a popular weekly family treat – but you’d be well advised to book ahead to get a table.

Due to demand from regulars you can now book for the weekend evening restaurant service.

Dine under the chandeliers in the rustic inspired restaurant. Helen contributes her own Brittens Farm lamb and pork, reared in Beach, to the menu. Tom’s style is modern British, always with an eye to the dish looking good as well as tasting delicious. A sample menu might begin with a salad of different coloured heritage tomatoes, beetroot and delicate truffle curd, followed by a piece of fresh-from-the-coast turbot in a herb crust with pickled wild mushrooms and truffle risotto and one of Olly’s devillishly naughty chocolate brownies to finish. To book a table tel: 01225 852439.

There is always something new going on at The Shed, whether it’s weekly exercise sessions for women with personal trainer Stephen Box, after school hang-out time for mums with pizza and ice cream for their kids, or themed dinner evenings. Once you’ve shopped and eaten, there’s a tempting bookcase packed with all kinds of books for people to help themselves to, for a smal donation to The Shed’s adopted charity, Hope and Homes for Children.

The Shed is taking part in the Great Bath Feast with a Global Gourmet event on 12 October featuring Michelin star chefs Sam Moody and Josh Eggleton, who will both be on hand giving live demonstrations designed to inspire the home chef.

While The Shed is almost full to capacity with traders, there is an empty unit to rent and Helen Cobb is looking out for the right independent hair stylist to take it on and run a salon. n

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BATH | HALF

Sign up and make a difference As media partner for the 2015 Vitality Bath Half marathon The Bath Magazine invites runners to sign up for the race and run to raise money for a local good cause Bath’s SouthGate shopping centre was filled with the sound of the Spencer Davis Group singing Keep on Running as the Teenage Cancer Trust launched its appeal for runners in next year’s Vitality Bath Half marathon with a flash mob gathering.

This is the first year the trust has been chosen as the lead charity partner for the BathHalf and it is hoped that £50,000 will be raised by the 100 places the charity has to offer.

All money raised by Team Teenage Cancer Trust will go towards services offered to 13 to 24-year-olds who are diagnosed with cancer across the UK. A new unit has been opened in Bristol which cares for patients and their families from across the south west.

Around 200 young people in the region are diagnosed each year.

If you’d like to make a difference to young people’s lives at a difficult time, who not consider taking up one of those 100 places?

T

To run the BathHalf 2015 for Teenage Cancer Trust, email: fundraising@teenagecancertrust.org or tel: 0207 612 0370. Registration costs £25 and a minimum sponsorship pledge of £250 is required. If you already have a place but would like to donate the charity would be grateful. Visit: www.teenagecancertrust.org/southwest.

hey say if you can run a 5k, you can run a half marathon. And if you’re running a half marathon and need incentive to run well, what better inducement than to know you’re raising money for a good cause? The Bath Rugby Foundation and the Teenage Cancer Trust are both recruiting runners after being selected as the lead charities to benefit from next year’s Vitality Bath Half marathon.

You might think that in a prosperous city like Bath there would be little need to help young people face the problems of unemployment, crime and disillusion, but in fact there are many people in the area who grow up in difficult circumstances and who need support.

HITZ is a Premiership Rugby funded programme, run in Bath by the Rugby Foundation, which aims to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing young people today and gives those with no hope new hope. HITZ officer Stephen Barber talks about working with Jordan Archer, pictured, now a youth ambassador and volunteer coach on the local youth programme: ‘I met Jordan when doing an evening rugby session in Rosewarn Park, Whiteway, where HITZ Bath does a majority of its outreach work as it is Bath’s highest area of need. Jordan was playing a game of football with his friends and brothers when I invited them to come and join in our game. At first the boys were reluctant to give rugby a go however by the end of the session they seemed to be converted and from then on Jordan and his brothers enthusiastically attended HITZ every week.

Jordan quickly became more and more involved without really knowing it, recruiting more members and helping to encourage and teach young people skills that he had picked up from previous sessions all still while taking part in each game. As time went on the numbers of old participants reduced with the number of younger people increasing.

For some reason the number of participants started to drop at Rosewarn Park and yet Jordan would still attend even if it was just to chat or to throw a ball around. By this time Jordan had turned 21 and was too old to take part but he was still keen to be part of the programme so I asked him to help out at as a volunteer coach in Twerton.

Jordan is still volunteering at the Twerton sessions and is always punctual, finishing work at 4pm and getting to the session at 4.45pm to help set up.

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His confidence and ability to coach while encouraging the younger members is truly excellent, always giving the right input at the right time.

He has a good balance of taking a lead and taking part in the sessions with the younger participants, giving tips and pointers he has picked up along the way. Being a footballer he has a good sporting knowledge and understands the game of rugby very well for someone who has never really played the game.

Being part of HITZ inspired Jordan to look into taking up rugby at a local club with his friends.

Jordan has also played a part in helping and recruiting young people he knows around the estates for the HITZ foundation learning programme. Although none of the young people he had in mind took up the course he was always keen in trying to get people on to the programme to give them better chances than he had.

Everyone in the team is impressed with how he has come along and how he could be a fantastic role model and part of Bath Rugby Foundation team.

As a reward for doing so well we have given Jordan the chance to take different CPD courses. He recently completed a Level 2 Multi Skills course where he is now qualified in holding a multi-skills session in a school with a lead coach.

Jordan has also been volunteering at other Bath Rugby Foundation projects such as our Up & Unders programme giving up his Saturday mornings before football to help with multi-skill sessions for two to seven-year-olds as well as volunteering on match day.’

Jordan is not only fitter and more engaged with his community, he has improved his social skills and employability status by demonstrating his skill for caring and organising through the relationship he has developed with Bath Rugby Foundation. Jordan is a fantastic role model for the young people on HITZ showing them how someone from the estate can achieve great things.

We are extremely proud to have him as a youth ambassador.’

HITZ is funded by national partners Barclays, Comic Relief, Land Rover and Wooden Spoon. To find out more visit: www.HITZrugby.com.

If you’d like to run out sporting the famous blue, black and white of Bath Rugby, you can sign up to run for its charity arm, The Foundation. You’ll be in good company as past team players have already agreed to run. To learn more email halena.coury@bathrugby.com. (correct). n

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BOOKS | REVIEW

A place for readers and writers to meet Topping & Company Booksellers has a great line-up of authors for its autumn book festival – here are some of its highlights

1 Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood The nine short stories making up Stone Mattress take the reader on a journey into Atwood’s brilliant yet subversive imagination. The cast of these stories is just as unpredictable as the mind that created them; a widowed fantasy writer visited by the voice of her late husband; a woman mistaken for a vampire; an elderly woman who must come to terms with the little people she keeps seeing; these are just a few of the, at times startling, and always charming characters who take the stage.

Tuesday 30 September at Christ Church

2 The Dog by Joseph O’Neill This is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to award-winning Netherland. It is an impressive novel of alienation and heartbreak set in Dubai, as well as a comic and philosophically profound exploration of humankind’s moral progress.

Told with Joseph O’Neill’s hallmark eloquence, and empathy, it’s a brilliantly original, achingly funny fable for our globalised times. This is the zeitgeist novel of today.

Saturday 27 September at Topping & Company Booksellers.

3 Pâtisserie Maison by Richard Bertinet Patisserie, the art of the maître pâtissier, is the most admired style of baking in the world and requires the highest level of skill.

In this new book Bath’s very own expert baker Richard Bertinet makes patisserie accessible to home bakers. He demonstrates how to make mouth-watering delights and his wealth of experience is showcased in his elegant and refined baking. With Richard’s expert help, you will soon be creating authentic sweet tarts, bavarois, galettes, macarons and mousses. Pâtisserie Maison opens up the world of divine sweet creations to novices as well as more experienced cooks, and unravels the mysteries behind all your pastry dilemmas.

Thursday 2 October at St Michael’s Without, Broad Street

4 There Are No Rules by John Hegarty One of the world’s greatest advertising creatives, John Hegarty, gets to the very heart of creativity in his new book There Are No Rules. Whether personal or professional, we all face the creative challenge of communicating our ideas as effectively and clearly as possible.

Hegarty demystifies this process, grouping them into themes such as Ego, Money and Technology, and offering profound insights and strategies for approaching these challenges with boldness and confidence. An inspirational book that will get your creative thoughts flowing.

Wednesday 15 October at Swithins Church, Walcot.

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5 Good Ideas: How To Be Your Child’s (and Your Own) Best Teacher by Michael Rosen Michael Rosen – brilliant and award-winning children’s novelist, poet, writer, broadcaster and former Children’s Laureate now tackles the topical subject of homeschooling. With his monthly open letters, ‘Dear Mr Gove’ Michael Rosen has thrown himself into many of the hot educational topics of the moment. Now, in Good Ideas: How to be Your Child’s (and Your Own) Best Teacher, Michael debunks the idea of a restrictive, tick-box curriculum found in classrooms today, and reconnects learning with the outside world again. Good Ideas is packed with practical tips, stories and games, and demonstrates how learning at home can be rewarding and fun for both children and parents. The best kind of education really does begin at home.

Tuesday 29 September at Christ Church.

6 Walking Home by Clare Balding In her new book, Walking Home, Clare shares her love affair with walking in the countryside and how she discovered Britain in all its mud and glory. From the delights of the North East Coastal Path, the South Downs and Milngavie and the tale of those people she met and her adventures along the way. It is the story of how she walked through apocalyptic thunderstorms, stripped off in bus stops, battled with blisters, and traipsed through snow-capped mountains with no voice. It’s also the story of the people she has met and her adventures with them along the way. A real treat and sure to inspire you on to a winter ramble.

Thursday 9th October at the Forum

7 The Corridor of Certainty by Geoffrey Boycott Geoffrey Boycott was one of our most fearsome batsmen before becoming a shrewd and outspoken broadcaster. Expect honesty, and a dash of controversy from this cricketer’s fantastic memoir, whether it’s Boycott’s thoughts on Packer’s revolution or Kevin Pietersen. A frank, entertaining and always honest read, The Corridor of Certainty sees Geoff assess today’s cricketers, relive his battle with cancer and share his lifelong love for cricket Wednesday 1 October evening talk; Thursday 2 October lunch at The Priory

The Topping & Co Bath Autumn Book Festival runs from Friday 26 September to Wednesday 17 December.

This year’s book festival has something for everyone.

From Paul Merton to Ranulph Fiennes, pictured, there are explorers, comedians, thespians, novelists, poets, food writers, sporting heroes, historians, artists, and even a spaceman – Chris Hadfield. It’s where writers and readers meet and celebrate the printed word. This season, the literary stars of England are coming to Bath. To book places, visit www.toppingbooks.co.uk, tel: 01225 428111, or pop into the bookshop on the Paragon for a complimentary cup of coffee and pick up an autumn book programme

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Clowning: a serious business Georgette McCready talks to actor gavin Spokes ahead of him starring in the West end hit comedy One Man Two guvnors when it comes to Bath this month

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f life has been treating you unkindly and you’re feeling a bit low, an evening at the theatre this month will be just the tonic you need. Take a couple of hours out to go and see the touring production of One Man Two Guvnors, which comes to the Theatre Royal in Bath for a twoweek stint from Monday 8 September. You will laugh. A lot.

We were lucky enough to catch the National Theatre show during its week at the Bristol Hippodrome. It was great to hear a big theatre of people erupt with laughter time and time again, from the first few minutes right through to the last curtain call. The cast set a cracking pace and delivered visual and verbal gag after gag, relentlessly, carrying us along until we were helpless from giggling.

The show, directed by Nicholas Hytner, has already won numerous awards after making its mark in the West End with James Corden in the lead role as Francis Henshall, the hapless hero who finds himself trying work for two bosses. That role was later taken over by Gavin Spokes, who is joined by a superb ensemble cast for this national tour of 37 cities over 11 months – a gruelling schedule for any production, but in this one Gavin is required to do acrobatics, pratfalls, jumps, running, carrying and eating an enormous amount of food on stage, usually at high speed before he’s caught.

Some of that might explain why when I phone to talk to him on a sunny mid-morning he’s tucked up in bed resting during the Newcastle run of the show. “Given the battering my body’s taking, I’ll lie here and give it a rest,” he says. As you might expect, he says the Newcastle audiences, like those in Liverpool and Glasgow were vocal and loudly appreciative.

“Audiences in the south tend to be a bit more reserved, a bit quieter,” he says, “But the Bristol audience was really up for it. We had a good time in Bristol.” No pressure then for Bath . . .

One Man Two Guvnors has its cultural and historic roots in the Italian tradition of Commedia dell’ Arte, an ancient style of theatre which has something in common with pantomime. The story dates back to the 1740s, but it was given a new lease of life when it was re-written for modern audiences by writer Richard Bean.

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audience. Unlike much other theatre, here the actors take no notice of that fourth wall and make asides, throwing knowing glances and direct comments straight out to the crowd.

It is the audience participation, says Gavin, which has helped make One Man such a popular show. “I think people love the spontaneity, it gives it a carefree mood that they enjoy.” But how does he enjoy some of the off-field interruptions and heckles from the audience?

“Well, it’s happened quite a few times so I have some comments ready or that I’ve used before to throw back at them.”

One of the great traditions of the British theatre is the tacit agreement with the audience that they will not publicly release any spoilers about what goes on in the play. And some of the events that unfold had the women in the queue for the Ladies in Bristol when we saw it, chatting with complete strangers about what they’d just seen. Gavin agrees it makes for a fresh buzz around the theatre when the audience is left wondering about what they’ve just witnessed.

The cast includes some familiar faces from their EastEnders days. There’s Shaun Williamson, who played Barry, Emma Barton, who was Honey Mitchell and Jasmyn Banks, who played Alice Branning. But all are so immersed in their characters and the physicality of their performances that you quickly forget all about Albert Square.

Gavin comes in for a lot of hard knocks during the show, as his character tries to keep out of trouble, but it’s a close run contest as to who is the most bruised, him or actor Michael Dylan, who plays the doddery old waiter Alfie.

I had thought myself inured to slapstick clowning after enduring the likes of Norman Wisdom, but this was physical theatre at its best – doors are slammed in faces, people are thrown or climbed over, all with precision timing. The thwacks to our funny bones are all direct, unerring hits.

As Francis, Gavin is required to stuff a lot of things into his mouth. He appears to eat letters – envelope and all – along with multiple dishes of food.

How does he do it without gagging, I ask him? “Well I only eat about half of it,” he admits, “I do eat half that paper, but I manage to get the rest out of my mouth without you noticing.”

As the cast is together for such a long run they have developed friendships.

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THEATRE | INTERVIEW

LET’S GET PHYSICAL: main picture, Gavin Spokes with Emma Barton, and top right, with Alicia Davies Above, some of the rest of the cast, including Shaun Williamson, right PICTURE: Johan Persson

But my vision of them all travelling from venue to venue on one big bus, with The Craze (the onstage skiffle band which provides the music) playing as they travel, is quickly dispelled by Gavin.

“Some of us travel together and we often go for a meal together.

But come Sundays we tend to want to do our own thing.

“When I’m in a new town or city, like Bath, I like to get out and explore. A treat for me would be to discover somewhere nice to eat. I can eat pretty much what I like – although my wife will tell you I shouldn’t, but I try and go easy on the carbs before a show, or they sap my energy levels.”

As he prepares to throw off the duvet and begin getting ready for his evening show, I ask him how does he keep those extraordinary levels of energy going?

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“We have a group vocal warm up every day before the show and I do a physical warm up too, before going on to give my poor old body another battering.”

What’s in store for this talented all-rounder once this run finishes? Have the EastEnders crew suggested he join the TV soap?

He laughs. “I haven’t been asked. But I’ve been a lucky fellow so far and I usually pick up a bit of something to keep me going and keep me off the dole.”

You can enjoy Gavin in action in One Man Two Guvnors from 8 – 20 September at the Theatre Royal, Bath. For ticket details visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk or tel: 01225 448844. The production is being sponsored by Bath jewellery shop, Mallory of Bridge Street, Bath. n

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WHAT’S ON in September The Jane Austen Festival

Events are listed in chronological order To promote your event visit: www.thebathmag.co.uk

Woolley Festival Friday 5 – Sunday 7 September Merkins Farm, near Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 2RW Three days of all kinds of music across four stages. Acts include Martin Simpson, Three Daft Monkeys, Jo Brown, RSVP, Chas’n’Dave, Courtney Pine and Dreadzone. Tickets: £25 Friday (adult), £35 Saturday (adult), £70 for the whole weekend. For more details: www.woolleyfestival.com

★Editor’s pick Anglo Saxons at Dyrham

The Jane Austen Festival Friday 12 – Saturday 21 September Various venues across Bath This is the 14th year of the festival based around the 18th century novelist, who lived in Bath for a while. Events over the ten day festival include an attempt to break the World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed in Regency Costumes from 11am on Saturday 13 September. There’ll be daily readings in the main Bath library, dance workshops, talks, a Regency masked ball and minibus tours of Austen-related sites. For more information visit: wwwjaneaustenfestival.bath.co.uk

Wulfheodenas Living History Camp Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, 10.30am - 4.30pm

Also at Dyrham this month Explore Mr Blathwayt’s Lost Garden Friday 5, Saturday 13, Monday 15, Tuesday 23 September, 3-4pm

Cherie Lunghi

Martin Jarvis

Dyrham Park estate, National Trust property, north of Bath on the A46 Saxon re-enactment group Wulfheodenas, will be portraying Anglo Saxon life in their living history camp at Old Lodge. Normal admission applies.

Join a member of the garden team for a tour behind the scenes of Mr Blathwayt’s lost terraces. Discover a vast steep area of the garden not normally open to visitors that has been lost over the years. Learn about the history of the terraces and the conservation work as you walk around the site.

Bat walks at Dyrham Park Wednesdays 10, 17 and 24 September, 7-9.30pm A free guided bat walk at Dyrham Park, around the garden and park in search of bats. Bat detectors provided but bring a torch and wear suitable clothing and footwear. Booking essential, tel: 0117 9371333.

Gypsy Fire at Chapel Arts

Meet the artist: Jessica Palmer Sunday 7 September 2.30-3.30pm The Holburne Museum, Bath Find out more about paper artist Jessica Palmer’s approach to making paper art and try your hand at a quick silhouette. Adults £5. Accompanied children free. To book tel: 01225 388569.

Also at the Holburne this month Edouart Scissor-Hands: Paper Cutting and Silhouetting Workshop Saturday 13 September 10am-5pm Paper artist Jessica Palmer will introduce the art of paper cutting and silhouetting – inspired by the Holburne’s exhibition of the work of the 19th century French born artist Augustin Edouart who made his name creating thousands of silhouette portraits. Ticket £40/£35 concs. Tel: 01225 388569.

The Furrow Collective Sunday 7 September, 7.30pm Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1QR The Collective consists of voices, guitar, harp, viola, concertina, banjo and saw. The award-winning folk musicians delve into the obscure world of balladry at its darkest and quirkiest. Tickets: £10, visit: www.chapelarts.org.

Visit our website for more great events and things to do.

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Also at Chapel Arts this month Keiran Goss: Live and Solo Friday 12 September, 7.30pm

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One of Ireland’s leading songwriters and performers, with a double platinu selling album, Kieran has been twice voted Irish songwriter of the year and has won much praise for the way he engages live audiences.Tickets: £15.

Gypsy Fire Friday 26 September, 7.30pm Billed as a feast for the senses, combining music and drama, Gypsy Fire’s new acoustic spectacular takes its audience on an exploration of music through time. Last year’s show was a sell-out. Tickets: from £14.

One Man Two Guvnors Monday 8 – Saturday 20 September Theatre Royal, Bath The rip-roaring West End show comes to Bath. See our interview with star Gavin Spokes. Tickets: 01225 448844.

Also at the Theatre Royal this month The Importance of Being Earnest Monday 22 – Saturday 27 September A perennial favourite with Bath audiences, who practically know Oscar Wilde’s classic text by heart. This production stars popular cast members Nigel Havers, Sian Phillips, Cherie Lunghi and Martin Jarvis, among others.

Jesus Christ Superstar Tuesday 30 September – Saturday 4 October

The Judas Kiss Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 September, 7.30pm

Oscar Wilde

Bath Light Operatic Group, which each year produces a big show at the theatre, takes on Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic rock opera.

Songs include Everything’s Alright, Hosanna and I Don’t Know How to Love Him.

The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath Next Stage Theatre Company presentsDavid Hare’s play which recounts events in the final years of Oscar Wilde’s life when the consequences of the playwright’s succumbing to “terrible temptations” lead him on a path to destruction. Tickets: £12 (£10 concs) tel: 01225 428600, email nextstagebath@aol.com or tel: 01225 463362.

Also at the Mission this month Events as part of the Jane Austen Festival, including Austen: a musical Friday 19 September, 4pm A new musical which explores Jane’s own, little known, real life romances and her struggle to become a published author in a male dominated industry. Written by Rob Winlow and award winning writer/dramaturg, Bernie C Byrnes, Austen features a professional cast. On tour and showing in York, Edinburgh and London. Tickets: £16

Will Self Wednesday 10 September, 7.30pm Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath hosted by Topping & Co bookshop As columnist for the New Statesman and The Observer, and with appearances on Have I Got News for You and Radio 4, Will Self has gained a cult following for his acerbic wit and cynical views on life. His shrewd observations reign supreme in his new novel Shark, centred around the real-life story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the shark attacks that plagued the stricken survivors. Tickets: £6 in advance (redeemable against book price) from Topping & Co, tel: 01225 428111.

Also at Topping & Co this month David Goode: Nature in Towns and Cities Friday 19 September, 7.30pm The Quaker Friends Meeting House, York Street, Bath Bath urban ecology expert, Professor David Goode will give an illustrated talk with reference to our city and to urban wildlife of all kinds around the country. Anecdotes and stories about the wildlife of towns and cities around the country tell how local people have won battles to protect their local patch and illustrate how an ecological approach can create habitats from tiny oases to urban woodland and wetlands. Tickets: £5 (redeemable against the book price).

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The Noise Next Door at Komedia

Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd Wednesday 10 – Saturday 13 September, 7.30pm The Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath The Rondo’s winter season kicks off with Merriman Productions’ version of this Gothic musical masterpiece. Sweeney Todd is a heart-poundingly entertaining musical thriller about a man driven mad by injustice. It is a razor sharp tale of vengeance and true love – featuring some of the finest music ever written for the theatre. Tickets: £10/£8 concessions.

Visit: www.rondotheatre.co.uk.

Play Strindberg Thursday 11 September – Saturday 11 October

Bath Midnight Walk

Sir John Speke

The Ustinov Studio, Saw Close, Bath This is UK premiere, one of three black comedies showing at the Ustinov between September and Christmas. Leading character actor Greg Hicks stars in a new translation of Friedrich Durrenmatt’s darkly funny drama written in 1968, which features a warring couple who wish each other dead. Tickets from £10. Tel: 01225 448844.

★

Editor’s pick

Bath Midnight Walk Saturday 13 September Starting and finishing at SouthGate shopping centre, Bath Last year’s annual women only sponsored walk to raise money for the Dorothy House Hospice Fund saw around 950 walkers taking part – this year the charity is hoping for a record-breaking 1,000 participants. The after-dark walk covers an 8k route around the streets of Bath and groups of friends or family get together to take part, quite often as a tribute to a loved one. There’s still time to register if you’re quick. Tel: 01225 721480 or log on to www.bathmidnightwalk.co.uk.

Curious Narrative: artist in residence Saturday 13 – Friday 19 September, daily The National Trust, Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Wiltshire SN15 2LG How will Jill Carter respond to the people and places of Lacock? Find Jill making contemplative journeys with book/bag/bundles around the grounds, enjoying quiet time in hidden spaces, drawing, writing, sewing, gathering plants, unearthing objects, and placing offerings. Visitors are invited to engage and respond in the making of this unique storytelling book of possibilities. Normal admission charges apply. National Trust members and under 5s go free. Tel: 01249 730459.

Also at Lacock Abbey this month The Botanist’s Eye: a guided walk Thursday 25 and Saturday 27 September, 11.30am-12.30pm Look at plants with a different eye, that of a botanist, on this interesting guided walk led by Sue Carter, head gardener of Lacock Abbey. Photographic pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot owned the abbey in the 1800s and his interest in botany helped to shape the garden. Booking not needed. National Trust members and under 5s go free.

Bath’s Green Homes weekend September 27 – 28

The Noise Next Door’s Comedy Lock-in Friday 12 September, 8pm

Axis of Awesome

Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath Join the Noise Next Door and their guests for a 21st century mash-up of stand-up, panel shows and after hours banter. Tickets: from £12. Visit: www.komedia.co.uk/bath or tel: 0845 293 8480.

Also at Komedia this month Barb Jungr Thursday 18 September, 8pm British singer Barb comes to Bath after a successful tour in the States. She’s made her name interpreting the songs of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan.

Tickets from £15.

Axis of Awesome: Viva la Vida Loca Las Vegas Friday 19 September, 8pm The band has toured all over the world and had over 60 million hits on YouTube with its own brand of comedy and music. Hear the musicians live who made hits out of songs such as The Four Chords Song, Rage of Thrones and Birdplane. Tickets from £12/£10 concessions.

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Sam Sweeney playing the 1915 fiddle at the Wiltshire Music Centre The exhibition will concentrate on the local response and reaction to the pressures of war during the four years of the conflict. The displays will feature never before published images from private collections and will feature contributions from Dr Andrew Swift the leading expert on the First World War in this area. Admission to the exhibition will be free with admission to the museum. The museum is holding three lectures on aspects of the World War and Bath.

Bath and the Nile Explorers Monday 15 September Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath BRLSI is holding events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of an encounter between Captain Richard Francis Burton and Captain John Hanning Speke at the British Association meeting in Bath, September 1864. Tickets, tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk A commemorative booklet, Bath and the Nile Explorers, will be launched on between 1pm and 4.30pm at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (The Min), Bath.

Bath Peace Weekend Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 September Various venues across Bath To mark UN Peace Day on Sunday 21 September this weekend includes talks, music, art projects and yoga. To find out how to get involved visit: bath2014peaceblog.wordpress.com.

Portrait of a Lady? Ruin and Reputation in the Georgian Era Wednesday 17 September, 4.30pm – 5.30pm No1 Royal Crescent Museum, Bath A lady’s reputation was a fragile thing in the 18th century. However, contrary to popular belief, a woman could scale the heights or acquire personal freedom if she was prepared to shed hers. A talk by author and historian Hallie Rubenhold, the curator of this fascinating exhibition explores the precarious lives of Georgian women who dared.

Tickets: £8 01225 463362.

Discovery Day Friday 19 September, 10am – 4pm The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath Experts from Bonhams auctioneers will value your objects (two per person). For £5 visitors will be also able to view the exhibition of Somerset fossils and enjoy a tour of this fascinating building. Money will be used to conserve the portraits of the Duncan brothers, 19th century residents of Bath who were involved in the development of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. In the evening there will be an auction of around 20 paintings and objets d’art. See the list of items, visit: www.brlsi.org.

Also at BRLSI this month Lecture on the Duncan brothers Saturday 20 September, 11am Jon Whiteley, a former curator of the Ashmolean, will give a lecture on the Duncan brothers, particularly featuring the controversy during and after their time as keepers of the Ashmolean. Entrance: £5.

Have We Lost the Art of Conversation? Brian Snellgrove Wednesday 24 September, 7pm We live in the age of texting and e-mails. Are we losing the will and the ability to converse face-to-face? What effect is this having? An interesting and original presentation which includes the launch of an art lover-based cultural network in Bath. £4 in advance, £5 at the door. Enquiries welcome on 01761 415473 or visit www.art-of-conversation.net Continued on page 34 WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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Hotel, near Colerne Hywel prepare a five course menu. Tickets: £150 per person, includes Champagne and canape reception, five courses with wines matched to each course. Tel: 01225 742777.

Rachel Podger: Brecon Baroque Saturday 20 September, 7.30pm Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire Rachel Podger is considered the finest period violinist and she’ll be directing her own ensemble to play Vivaldi’s Concertos from L’Estro Armonico Op3 and excerpts from Bach’s Art of Fugue. Tickets: £35, with a drinks reception from 6.15pm. Tel: 01225 860100 or visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk.

Also at the Wiltshire Music Centre this month Jason Rebello: Empirical Quartet Saturday 27 September, 7.30pm Jazz pianist Jason Rebello is artist in residence for the centre and he’ll be joined by a young band of musicians who enjoy pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz. The concert includes standards and original pieces. Tickets: £16/£8 under 16s.

Sam Sweeney’s Fiddle: Made in the Great War Sunday 28 September, 7.30pm You may have heard Sam Sweeney, fiddle player with Bellowhead, talking to Mark Ratcliffe on the folk show on Radio2 about how he’d bought an old violin, partly finished, which was made by a music hall performer Richard Spencer Howard, who was called up to fight in the First World War and killed. Sam has had the fiddle completed and this concert will combine storytelling and music, with the chance to experience a profoundly moving performance using that 1915 fiddle. Find out more at : www.madeinthegreatwar.com. Tickets: £16/£8 under 16s.

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Sale of Nepalese goods Friday 26 and Saturday 27 September, 11am –4pm

Sale of Nepalese goods for charity

Memory Trail 2014 Sunday 21 September

Bath Chiropody Clinic / Health & Beauty Centre (next to Hall and Woodhouse), Old King Street, Bath Enjoy a glass of Prosecco and view items including: cashmere scarves and ponchos, silk scarves and pyjamas, handmade wrapping paper and a range of gifts and beautiful goods made in Nepal and sold to raise money for the Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children, run from Colerne by Lisa Whitehouse.

Starting at Iford Manor, Wiltshire, 10am to noon This is a sponsored walk suitable for the whole family, which takes in the countryside around Iford. There is a choice of walks, either a three mile route or a six mile walk. Money raised will help the work of RICE, which is based at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, and is dedicated to the research and treatment of people with dementia, as well as supporting their carers and families. Entry fees are £5 for adults, £2.50 for children. Register on the day or contact tel: 01225 476435.

Bath Green Homes Open Homes weekend Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September

Chef’s Table with Michelin Star Executive Chef Hywel Jones Wednesday 24 September, 6.30pm

The Circuit of Bath Walk Sunday 28 September

Lucknam Park Cookery School, Lucknam Park

Visit green and low energy homes of all ages and types in and around the city of Bath. Home openers will be on hand to give the true story of how they made their homes warmer, greener and cheaper to run. Bath Green Homes is a community project organised by Transition Bath, Bath Preservation Trust and Bath & North East Somerset Council. For more information, visit: www.bathgreenhomes.co.uk, tel: 01225 477 528 or email: admin@bathgreenhomes.co.uk.

Bath based homeless charity Julian House is inviting people to join this annual series of walks

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around the beautiful countryside in and around Bath. Choose to walk the entire route – 20 miles in all – or just a section, from as little as two miles. Historian Kirsten Elliott has written a booklet, which is available to buy, highlighting points of interest along the way. There will be checkpoints along the way, so nobody should get lost. To register contact Cathy tel: 01225 354656 or visit: www.julianhouse.org.uk/ support-us/events/circuit-of-bath-walk.

architectural styles and forms that have shaped people’a ability to bathe in Bath. Tickets £10, tel: 01225 333895 or email jhunter@bptrust.org.uk All profits go to the Cleveland Pools Trust.

Planning ahead The Cool Web: A Robert Graves Oratio and celebration of the life of Edith Cavell Thursday 30 October, 7.30pm

Bath Chilli Festival Saturday 27 September, 11am – 6pm The University of Bath campus, Claverton, Bath Things are hotting up as visitors get the chance to shop and taste in the chilli market, learn how to grow your own chillis, how to cook them and how to make homemade curries on a budget.

There’ll also be a Great Bath Curry Competition cook-off between local pubs and restaurants, plus live music. Tickets: £5, students £3. Visit: www.bathchillifestival.com.

The 625 Company present Look Out Friday 26 – Saturday 27 September, 7.30pm Tovey Hall, Central United Reformed Church, Grove Street, Bath An evening of comic sketches and songs as a group of grown up girls and boys celebrate the TV stars and pop music icons they adored as children. Picture strip fun is brought to life on stage as a dizzying array of golden memories pour forth from the pages of a beloved magazine and annual collection. Tickets £6 from www.bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362

A Blue Peter spoof: from Look Out

The Colourful World of Kaffe Fassett Until 2 November.

The American Museum, Claverton, Bath This uplifting, inspiring, vividly hued exhibition demonstrates how American designer Kaffe Fassett lives by his maxim to “find colour in a grey world.” It’s been designed by theatrical designer Johan Engels with over 100 works of textile art – a kaleidoscope of knitwear, needlepoint, beading, and quilts.

The Architecture of Bathing in Bath Tuesday 30 September, 6.30pm No1 Royal Crescent Museum, Bath Bath is famous for its pools of healing hot waters but what about the buildings that house them?

Join Dr Amy Frost as she explores the

Bath Abbey A moving new work by local composer and librettist Jools Scott and Sue Curtis, using the poems Robert Graves wrote as a young soldier after the First World War. There will also be a reading in celebration of the life of Edith Cavell, the First World War nurse who cared for the wounded soldiers on both sides of the conflict and was executed for her action. For tickets visit: www.robertgravesoratio.co.uk.

Graham Norton Friday 31 October The Forum, SouthGate, Bath The comedian, talk show host, Radio2 DJ, writer and agony uncle will be making a one-off visit to Bath. Tickets: £34.75. Tel: 01225 443114.

Mozart concert Saturday 8 November, 7.30pm Bath Abbey, Bath A concert, with the Bath Philharmonia and Bath Camerata, in tribute to the late Brian Roper supporter of the arts in Bath. Tickets are on sale now. Tel: 01225 463362.

Visit our website for more events and things to do. To promote your event log on and get listed. www.thebathmag.co.uk

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CITY | LANDMARKS

A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE Hannah Newton visits Fairfield house in newbridge, where his imperial Majesty the emporer haile Selassie lived before the Second World War, to find out about the 60th anniversary celebrations for the Lion of Judah’s receiving the freedom of the city of Bath

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ath is world famous for its Roman Baths and its Georgian crescents but for one religious community, a seemingly unremarkable villa on the western slopes of the city has become a place of pilgrimage. So much so that Rastafarians see Fairfield House in Newbridge as a place of historic, cultural and religious significance. For it was here that the exiled Emporer Haile Selassie came with his family and entourage to seek a place of safety.

The arrival of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I in 1936, caused quite a stir in Bath. Most people at that time would have only seen or imagined a black African king as part of a story in a picture book. Here was an emporer with a royal lineage going as far back as King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. His attire, an imposing, black, sweeping cape, alongside servants bearing parasols among his retinue was met with both astonishment and awe.

Electric trams still ran in the streets and that same year the BBC began to broadcast through television, for the people of Bath though, the spectacle of Emperor Haile Selassie I and his entourage, which included the Empress, seven children, two grandchildren, a priest and a hermit among others, immediately became the talk of the town.

The Emperor, also known as: His Imperial Majesty, King of Kings and Lion of Judah, chose England as his place of exile after the Italian fascist Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, then known as Abyssinia, in a bid to colonise the country. In London the Foreign Office decided it would be too dangerous to host Haile Selassie in the capital and suggested their visitor enjoy a stay in the south west.

The people of Bath welcomed the Emperor, who stayed initially at the Bath Spa Hotel. They came to respect and befriend him bringing him coal, milk and other sundries. Those who met him declared that though he was of small stature, he was about 5ft 2ins tall, he had a presence that instilled great respect in all he encountered.

One story tells of the day the prince, Haile Selassie’s son, presented a Bathonian who’d stopped to help after the royal car broke down, by presenting him with a valuable gold ring.

The Emperor and his retinue began to settle and enjoy life in Bath’s society, visiting the new Post Office, the Little Theatre cinema – to enjoy private viewings of Pathé News, – the Guildhall, Fortt’s Bath Oliver biscuit factory among other places, and Haile Selassie began to consider laying down roots for his family.

Fairfield House, in Newbridge, was bought by the royal family for £3,500, with a further £1,500 spent updating the large Victorian villa, which stands in 2.2 acres and at the time included, a cottage, garage and garden.

The royal children were sent to schools in the surrounding area including Kingswood, Malvern and Taunton. There was speculation as to why he spread his family far and wide, but it is thought this was to ensure that they were protected from the danger of Italian assassination.

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after he fled his country, Haile Selassie I and his family were able to return to home. He threw an exclusive Champagne reception at Fairfield House to say thank you to the many who had supported and befriended him.

However, Haile Selassie’s links with Bath were not yet over. He returned again in 1954 to receive the honour of the Freedom of the City by the Mayor of Bath. Finally in 1958 Haile Selassie generously bequeathed Fairfield House for the elders of the city.

The Emporer continued to rule in Ethiopia, making reforms over the years.

But during the 1970s a terrible drought caused famine and there was increasing unemployment. Mutinies broke out in the army and the Emporer was eventually deposed and placed under house arrest in his palace. He died in 1975, aged 83, officially of natural causes – but some believe he was strangled. It wasn’t until 200 that his body was interred in ceremony at Addis Ababa’s Trinity Cathedral.

Rastafarians see His Imperial Highness as a living god and therefore divine. They travel from all over the world to visit and pay their respects to Haile Selassie’s former home. As the most well-known Rastafarian Bob Marley sang: “There’s a natural mystic flowing through the air, if you listen carefully now you will hear…”

You will hear every first Saturday of the month the drumbeat of the Rastafarians echoing from Fairfield House where the Ethiopian flag bearing the Lion of Judah continually flies in the garden.

After the Second World War Fairfield House became variously, a care home for babies, an old people’s home, and since 1994 a community centre housing BEMSCA (Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association), the Weston Women’s Guild and as an exhibition space for up-coming local artists. In recent years Bath and North East Somerset Council has helped to create the Fairfield House Charitable Trust to maintain the Grade II Listed building and it is currently in the process of transferring the property to the Trust through a Community Asset Transfer.

In July Rastafarians gathered at Fairfield House to celebrate Haile Selassie’s birthday. The Mayor of Bath, Cherry Beath was invited. She said: “I’ve felt so warmly welcomed by the community, such a joyous, exciting and colourful celebration. We have had many famous people in Bath but His Imperial Majesty is at the top of the tree, leaving Fairfield House to Bath was very appropriate and we encourage the Trust to take it over, which is quite a commitment.”

Bristol Rastafarian and Chaplain, Ras Bandale Selassie, Bath local, Ras Habakkuk and Empress Dee of London’s United Spirits added: “Everyone in the Rastafari community came together to celebrate peace and oneness to celebrate His Majesty’s philosophies.

“This is one of the most important places we have in England and we are very happy to have the support of the Mayor and people of Bath.”

This year is the 60th anniversary since Haile Selassie was made a Freeman of the City and the Friends of Fairfield House are planning many events including a schools education project, which will be exhibited in the Guildhall over the anniversary weekend, 17 – 18 October.

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COLOSSUS: main picture, the Emporer Haile Selassie Above, inspecting cadets in Bath, and right, celebrations with the Mayor of Bath Cherry Beath, Fairfield House Archive: www.bathintime.co.uk

The Trust is collating an oral history project by students from UWE and Bath Spa University, and a series of fund-raising events are planned to raise money to support this unique and extraordinary piece of Bath, Ethiopian and Rastafarian history.

The Friends of Fairfield House are actively trying to make the house a community hub, and are seeking tenants for office space upstairs and users for the day care downstairs.

Find out more about Fairfield House at www.houseofhismajesty.com or contact chairman Steve Nightingale, email: steve@houseofhismajesty.com. n

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PRIMAL SCREAM OF COLOUR Bath based artist John eaves is holding a one-man show at the city’s Victoria art gallery, giving viewers the chance to enjoy pieces from his long and distinguished career

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aturated colour, shimmering landscapes and freeform shapes will that our relationship to colour is primal: an delight and absorb viewers to a new exhibition by Bath based artist original and constant sympathy. There is no John Eaves, which opens this month. John Eaves: Small Beginnings concerted effort to represent; but the desire opens at the Bath & North East Somerset Council owned public to express formal arrangements is striking.

He takes inspiration from Emil Nolde’s Victoria Art Gallery on Saturday 6 September and runs until 23 November. mythically-inflected North German landscapes The exhibition demonstrates Eaves’ continuing concerns with landscape with their elemental paradoxes of colour, sources, from geological strata and trees to glowing sunsets. These and Paul Cezanne for the relationship between ‘beginnings’ formed the basis for larger studio improvisations. forms.

Eaves is well known as an artist and musician and the rhythms and colours John Eaves has exhibited throughout Great of his paintings reflect his love of jazz, which is always playing in his studio.

Britain and Germany. His paintings are in He has a long and distinguished career and is an established and respected member of the Royal West of England national and private collections, notably the Academy.

Arts Council, Bristol City Art Gallery and Jon Benington, manager at the gallery said: the city of Braunschweig, Germany. In 1966 “These vibrant compositions in paint, crayon he was awarded the first Churchill and collage will dazzle the viewer in this Fellowship as a painter and received a show by one of our most distinguished local Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship in 1986. artists.”

In 1985 Eaves produced a painting called John Eaves was born in 1929 and trained Blue Spreading which Ikea turned into a bestselling poster in 1991 and more than 45,000 at the Bath Academy of Art. He went on to work as course director for part-time courses copies were sold. In this free exhibition, all in the visual arts at Bath College of Higher exhibits are for sale. n Education between 1958 and 1985.

The theme linking all works in the show is Victoria Art Gallery, near Pulteney Bridge, is that of vivid, boldly applied colour. As Eaves open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, has said: “The images I make now run Sunday 1.30 pm to 5pm. The gallery is closed parallel to nature rather than rely on direct on Mondays. John will be staging another observations or reminiscences. Echoes and exhibition in Bath of prints and paintings, sonorities of landscape will inevitably persist, from 8 to 20 November at the Anthony but above all, if the paintings succeed, I hope Hepworth Gallery, Margarets Buildings, Top, St Ives 2, 1987, above, John Eaves with one of they breathe optimism.”

Bath, called John Eaves Selected Works: his works, and above, Summer View, Bath 1983 Jon Bennington says his work reminds us 1970 – 2014.

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

ART FOR AUTUMN Beaux Arts 12 – 13 York Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464850 www.beauxartsbath.co.uk Helen Simmonds Throughout September, 10am – 5pm.

An exhibition of exquisite oil paintings by Wiltshire artist Helen Simmonds. Like the best artworks, these compelling and evocative still lifes have the power to inspire calm. They are quite simply beautiful.

Nick Cudworth Gallery London St, top of Walcot Street, Bath.

Tel: 01225 445221, visit: www.nickcudworth.com

Holburne Museum Great Pulteney Street, Bath

Inns and Outs Tuesday 2 – Tuesday 30 September An exhibition of paintings and prints by Nick Cudworth of Bath buildings that tell a story. Windows on Larkhall show two identical views of The Larkhall Inn in 1905 and the thriving present day. The painting of Ye Old Farmhouse pub on Lansdown marks the end of its long history as a popular jazz music venue.

On show in the Roper Gallery is this exhibition loaned from the Royal Collection. The absurdities of fashion, the perils of love, political machinations and royal intrigue were the subject matter of Thomas Rowlandson, a leading caricaturist of Georgian England. Supported by Bath Gin, entrance to the exhibition is £7.95/concessions £6.50 (includes audio guide).

High Spirits: the Comic Art of Thomas Rowlandson 27 September – 8 February

Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath Open in the main corridor of the hospital 8am – 8pm RUH and staff exhibition & Fresh Art at Hillview Until 16 October Following success from the first staff and volunteer exhibition held in 2012, this year Art at the Heart is once again giving staff and volunteers a chance to share their creativity and to help transform corridors in the RUH, providing an expressive, colourful and welcoming environment. A total of 56 staff members from 34 departments entered, from doctors to biomedical scientists, volunteer gardeners and cleaners.

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t

ShiftingSands by Dr Richard Mansfield

Tulips by Helen Simmonds

Helen depicts classic still life subjects in oils; from fruit or flowers a scoured from antique or bric a brac found in local markets, ceramics shops to objects that carry more lasting memories for the artist. She is T drawn to an object by its shape, colour, the way the light plays on its surface; an unspecified quality which catches or delights her interests.

She prefers natural light as it brings more life to her experience of painting; delighting in the variations to a still life set up the shifting light creates. Also on display at the gallery are innovative ceramics by Ashraf Hanna and bronze fish sculptures by Pieter Vanden Daele.

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nick cudworth gallery

Windows on Larkhall – Oil on Canvas

INNS AND OUT Exhibition from 2 – 30 Sept An exhibition of paintings and prints by Nick Cudworth that tell a story.

Windows on Larkhall shows two identical views of The Larkhall Inn through a window in 1905 and a window in the present day.

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 Wa–keCumoneCuyyt –navt Wick Court, Court Lane, Wick, BS30 5RB

Haynui eFai t e0 on 5e. r ogr ot npeBmaySai gpxe Br n1 Tt y:e4c225e3cc3cce Bt r –1eh1uwe 6e, 2 eht bnt s l t o A celebration of carefree days, this show focuses on the beach, not in a sentimental way, but rather as a fascinating place.

Bo Hilton is looking into the light and produces jewel like paintings, trying to balance the primary colour of the light infused windbreaks, with neutral beach tones. Gareth Edwards’ work examines the way in which different painterly marks make up the sandy coves, constantly shifting between abstraction and figuration. Nick Bodimeade makes paintings where the negative shape of the beach is as important as the carpet of figures painted on it, often in bright magentas or oranges. Pamela Burns’ beaches are figureless and almost abstract, they focus on the marks and textures on the beach and in the sea.

The paintings are mixed with sand, and are painted in subdued colours.

Hus t gouwi er mnms i eft pnavr yer i Ser on t A1al anaui hr nmoSr de24eht bnt s l t o EA1al anaui eomi pemi naye26eht bnt s l t ox c4r s e, 5bs e This is Wick Court’s autumn festival celebrating the homegrown food, music and art of the creative community at Wick Court, a 17th century manor house. The event features music from Pip and the Polar Bears, Samantha Lindo, Jacob Spencer and guests from the Wick Court Collective. The art exhibition is in the art studio, rehearsal space and performance venue which is the creative hub of the community. The collection includes artwork from Meadow Flower by Carolyn Carter resident artists Bud & Blossom and Carolyn Carter plus other local artists.

The event is in collaboration with Cactus a pioneering sustainable food charity based in Bristol. There’ll be a feast of locally produced sausages and an opportunity to sign up for homegrown Wick Court pork sausages.

For tickets visit: http://buytickets.at./wickcourtstudios

Wr y–uneC1r bt yxeBr n1 Obt i eSr aydec4834r s e, 5834bs Fumoer nen1t eC1r bt ye Tmt pSr dec6e, hmi Sr de2ceht bnt s l t o

Small Tortoiseshell by Debbie Linham

Gr yyt ode 0 D 0 l l t dehnot t nxeBr n1xeB0 cecNNe Obt i ai ge1umop:eccr s e, 7bs e(t A–t bn Wt Si t pSr dpxei uui e, 7bs er i Sehmi Sr de cbs e, bs ) Pa–nmot eTot t :er i et A1al anaui el depumn1ewt pn ayympnor nuop Tmt pSr de34eht bnt s l t oe, hmi Sr de5eO–nul t o

Top: Sea Wall by Nick Bodimeade and, above, Sennen by Bo Hilton

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This exhibition showcases original artwork of 14 local artists including picture book illustrators, a stamp designer and a prop and model maker.

There is something for all tastes - fantasy, nature, whimsy, humour, magic, eccentricity - in media including pen and ink, watercolour, collage and digital. A variety of work is offered for sale, from original artwork to signed prints, books and cards.

Participating artists are: Jane Veveris Callan, Ivana Svabic Cannon, Kate Davies, Richard Deverell, Mary Hall, Tony Hitchcock, Penny Ives, Scott Joyce, Lisa Kelly, Jan Nesbitt, Anna Popescu, Nick Shewring and Nadine Wickenden.

The four are a group of friends who are artists, living in or near Bath. Their artistic interests are diverse but complementary – you may have caught their show as part of the Cloth Arts Week earlier this summer. The four are; Debbie Linham, Maxine Foster, Helen James and Sara King. . r i uoeFr os xeCyr vt onui fuoehus t opt ne0 onpeWt t k 24eht bnt s l t oe, 5eO–nul t o Keith Varney Ceramics, Speckled Wood and Elisabeth Barry Ceramics will be welcoming visitors into the studios at Manor Farm as part of this Somerset county wide arts festival.

Pick up a Ceramics by Keith Varney free guide from Langport Town Hall (TA10 9PR) or visit: www.somersetartsweek.org.uk. There are 205 venues taking part, ranging from Hestercombe to Millfield School.

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ART | EXHIBITIONS David Simon Contemporary 3-4 Bartlett Street, Bath Tel: 01225 460189 Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm

Potlatch vessels by Jane Cairn

A New Light Until 27 September Work by five painters, Catharine Davison, Bridget Moore, Jemimah Patterson, David Ralph Simpson and David Taylor are featured alongside ceramics by Jane Wheeler and bronze sculpture by Richard Ajar by Jemimah Patterson Southall. Prices from £150 £6,000. Catharine Davison, winner of 2014’s Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize paints en plain air and exhibits regularly at the Royal Scottish Academy, the Edinburgh Academy, Paisley Art Institute and Visual Arts Scotland. Her latest series features cityscapes from high vantage points. Bridget Moore’s latest work concentrates on interiors with rich colours and lights of theatres and more domestic scenes. Jemimah Patterson’s work is influenced by the fact that she is one of a conjoined set of identical twins. David Ralph Simpson’s loose landscape paintings in oils capture the essence of the place, leaving room for the viewer's imagination to explore. David Taylor’s style is often described as ‘Turneresque’ and concentrates on simply land, sea and sky, in his eyes the essence of landscape painting. Jane Wheeler, who trained at Bath Academy of Art, works in stoneware. Richard Southall is exhibiting a selection of sculptures of female torsos in bronze and cold-cast bronze. Visit: www.davidsimoncontemporary.com Antlers Gallery 9a Margarets Buildings, Bath www.antlersgallery.com Pop up gallery in collaboration with Geoffrey Breeze 11 September – 19 October

Mediterranean Bay by Emma Rose Emma Rose Art Works Upstairs @78 Walcot Street, Bath

Affordable Art Fair Brunel’s Old Station, Bristol Temple Meads Friday 19 – 21 Sunday September Opening hours: Friday, 11am – 8pm, Saturday, 11am – 6pm, Sunday, 11am – 5pm Happy hour Friday 6pm – 7pm More than gallerieswill be exhibiting over the weekend to provide a feast of affordable art, from sculpture to painting, original prints to exquisite drawings – it’s all under one roof, and prices range from £40 to £4,000.

There’s also a free wrapping service for buyers, so you know you can get your purchases home safely.

Admission £4 in advance and £5 on the door, while Happy Hour includes a glass of wine.

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Accidental Poetry Friday 5 – Saturday 27 September This show brings together a group of artists whose work is inspired by, or composed of, found elements. Sharing an interest in what can be described as the ‘accidental poetry’ of everyday things, these artists find fascination in the often-overlooked happenstance patterns, textures and forms they discover in the natural or urban landscape. Including ceramic vessels and sculptures by Jane Cairns, metal wall pieces, inspired by Bath, by Rebecca Gouldson, parquet wall pieces by Lauri Hopkins and mixed media works by William Reardon.

Bath Contemporary 35 Gay Street, Bath Tel: 01225 461230 www.bathcontemporary.com email: gallery@bathcontemporary.com Embrace: Iryna Yermolova and Melissa Kiernan 6 September – 4 October In her second solo exhibition with the gallery, Iryna Yermolova presents a very personal body of work, the result of her journey over the past year as an artist, mother and woman. Also the gallery introduces the work of artist Melissa Kiernan. Her beautiful and seemingly fragile, porcelain sculptures draw from a rich tapestry of Biblical and mythical allegory and explores the vulnerability of human existence.

Adam and Eve by Melissa Kiernan

The Bristol based gallery is branching out into Bath for a four-month residency, featuring three solo exhibitions. The first is by Abigail Reed, who works from her studio in Bristol’s Jamaica Street Studios.

She specialises in large monochrome oils of animals.

Art Exhibition Warm sea scenes and cool landscapes. Literature and life are distilled into rich and varied paintings. A delightful on-going exhibition in a permanent gallery space. Visitors are welcome to pop in for a peek and a chat at this first floor gallery above the Bath Sofa and Curtain Company. Customers choosing new furnishings for their homes can also consider art that will complement their new sofas or curtains. Emma Rose is a well established artist who works out of her studio in Wellow, but also accepts commissions for one-off pieces.

Quercus Gallery Queen Street, Bath.

Tel: 01225 428211 www.quercusgallery.co.uk Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.30pm

Jealous by Tinsel Edwards

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HISTORY | MAKERS

© The British Library Board , Royal 15 E lV Vol.1 f257v.

A NEW PANEL GAME a new exhibition on the streets of Bath invites us to explore the lives of the great, the good and the not-so-good

B

ath’s history is coming out of the museums and on to the streets with a major new exhibition featuring the people who have helped shape the city over the centuries. What’s more, this isn’t merely a celebration of the great and the good, but the dark, the dangerous and the downright dodgy characters who’ve left their mark or their reputation behind them.

The History Makers of Bath, which opens on 4 September and runs for seven weeks, depicts 28 characters on big panels which will be set up beside the abbey in Abbey Church Yard.

Appealing to tourists and to locals, the brightly illustrated panels will feature images and words. The idea is that they will give just enough information to tease the viewer into wanting to pursue the subject further, by exploring another part of the city or visiting a venue associated with each character.

Some of the history makers will be familiar to us. These include Richard Beau Nash, William and Caroline Herschel, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, William Beckford and Jane Austen. Being a Bathonian is not necessary, they must simply have links with Bath. So writer Mary Shelley is included, as she finished her classic Gothic novel Frankenstein while staying in Bath. And

King Edgar, the first king of all England, who was crowned in the city in 973, is also one of the history makers.

There are some less well known names in the line-up too. We may not know the work of organ builder William Sweetland or the achievements of pioneering car designer Stanley Horstmann or engineer George Stothert. And they’re not all heroes. Bobby Crocker achieved local notoriety as the last criminal in Bath to be put in the stocks on public display. The stocks were set up in Orange Grove, where Crocker was placed in 1840 as punishment for being found ‘selling a rather scurrilous paper called the Bath Figaro on a Sunday.’

Historian Kirsten Elliott has discovered that Crocker didn’t suffer too badly. Instead of being pelted with fruit, people tossed him coins and oranges laced with brandy. You can still see those stocks in the Guildhall – just one of the venues that exhibition organisers hope will inspire people to start their own ‘treasure trails’ around Bath, inspired by what they’ve seen. The exhibition aims to encourage local people and tourists to look at the city in a new light.

As with all lists of people who’ve made their mark on history, there is

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BOBBY CROCKER ACHIEVED NOTORIETY AS THE LAST CRIMINAL TO BE PUT IN THE STOCKS

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HISTORY | MAKERS

HISTORY MAKERS: main picture, the 12th century Bishop Reginald Fitzjocelyn, who founded St John’s Hospital Above, links with Stanley Horstmann, William FrieseGreene and King Edgar

bound to be much debate about who was left out, as much as who was included. It would be interesting to see in a few years’ time whether Mary Berry, children’s author Jacqueline Wilson, architect George Gilbert Scott, First World War soldier Harry Patch, film director Ken Loach or Band Aid joint founder musician Midge Ure would be among the names associated with Bath.

The exhibition is being held to raise funds for the Forever Friends Appeal to build a new cancer centre at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Sue Tucker, development officer from The Forever Friends Appeal, said “This amazing exhibition I am sure will be a credit to Bath and we are so delighted to be the beneficiary charity with

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

proceeds supporting the Cancer Care Campaign. The diversity of people who have helped to fashion this city, in so many different aspects, is really highlighted in this exhibition and the fact that it is freely available to everyone – from the young to the not so young, is wonderful!”

The exhibition has been sponsored by local businesses and organisations with the lead sponsor being St John’s Hospital. This is particularly appropriate since St John’s has been providing support to those in need in the city since 1174.

The History Makers of Bath runs from 4 September until 23 October. n

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BATH | AT WAR

DOOMED YOUTH Alfred Cleall (centre) as captain of Bath Rugby in 1908-9 (Photo: Bath Rugby)

‘My painful duty to tell you’ Andrew Swift, author of All Roads Lead to France, which looks at the impact of the First World War on Bath, tells some of the stories about the men who went to fight in the 1914 –18 conflict

W

hen war was declared on 4 August 1914 few people guessed how their lives would be transformed or how many men would die. All the talk was of a short skirmish, probably over by Christmas. The Germans too anticipated a short campaign, and gambled everything on taking the shortest route to Paris through neutral Belgium. They nearly succeeded, reaching the eastern outskirts of Paris in early September before being pushed back by the French army and the British Expeditionary Force.

Among the soldiers pursuing the retreating Germans was Trooper William Piles of 17 Princes Buildings, Widcombe, serving with the Dragoon Guards.

“I have been in the fighting line,” he wrote in a letter to his wife, “and I shall be pleased to be up there again, because you get a good run of sport, and, being a cavalry man, I get plenty of dashing about seeing life. It is just your luck if you get hit, but still you don’t think of such a thing. It is all the world like being in Sydney Gardens watching the fireworks, only there is a little more noise.”

By mid September, however, the war had become one not of movement but of attrition, as both sides dug themselves in.

Soon a line of fortified trenches stretched across Europe. Trench warfare, with its lethal combination of machine guns and barbed wire, gave the defenders an overwhelming advantage, and any attempt to break through the enemy lines involved loss of life on a hitherto unimaginable scale.

Among the Bathonians killed during the autumn of 1914 was Sergeant Alfred Cleall, a reservist with the North Somerset Yeomanry. He was also, as landlord of the Full Moon (now Sam Weller’s) and a former captain of Bath Rugby, one of the best-known men in the city. On 15 November, his unit was moved to the front line in Flanders. Two days later, it came under attack from the Prussian Guards. Sergeant Charles Gibbs, another Bathonian, describes what happened to Alfred: ‘Alf, my best mate, was shot through the neck . . . When we saw the Germans coming up on our right, I had four bullets through my cap and the fifth grazed my head and Alf said, ‘Mind, Charlie, let us have a go at them on the right,’ and no sooner had he turned round than he went down like a log. A German on our front had shot him through the neck. He bled freely

and I bandaged him up as best I could . . . I dragged him out on one side because he was getting trodden on and the shells were knocking down our trenches . . . When night came I went to find Alf and he was just in the same place as I left him. He asked for a drink of water. I tried to lift him up like I used to on the football field but I soon found I was not so strong as I used to be and you couldn’t stand for mud.

‘I had made up my mind to get a stretcher for him, but that was the last I saw of him. I remember no more till I felt an officer giving me a drink of tea and then when I came round I saw that I had been buried.’

Sergeant Gibbs ended up at a war hospital back in Britain, but Alfred Cleall’s body was never recovered. His is one of over 54,000 names recorded on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

In the first five weeks of the war, almost 2,000 Bathonians enlisted. One of them was Clement Symons, son of the headmaster of King Edward’s School, who went to France with the 10th Gloucesters in the summer of 1915. On 3 September 1915 – his 22nd birthday – he wrote to his mother assuring that he felt ‘perfectly happy in the trenches, and only object to them at night because of the noise disturbing my sleep’.

This all changed a few days later, as he confided in a letter to his brother: ‘Bombs dropped from aeroplanes do great damage. One was dropped 30 yards from our headquarters. Two fellows nearby saw the plane coming and one said to the other, ‘Wouldn’t it be a blighter if they dropped a bomb here!’

Drop it did, and he had his left leg blown off. I saw it hanging across his chest – it looked like a leg of beef – awful! All he said was, ‘Dear me! Dear me!’, about a hundred times, and said the Lord’s Prayer over and over. He died in the night. It was the first thing I had seen of the kind, and it upset me badly and it then dawned on me what war was.’

A week later, his unit was ordered to attack the enemy lines. ‘We are now on the march for either death or victory’ he wrote to a friend. ‘All are in good spirits. We are taking things easy for an hour in a wood, near [Bethune] . . . . We feel so happy, everything points to great success ... Look out for good news in four or five days from now.’

But the news, when it came, was in a letter from his commanding officer to his parents: ‘It is my painful duty to have to write to tell you what great

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I TRIED TO LIFT HIM UP LIKE I USED TO ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD BUT I SOON FOUND I WAS NOT SO STRONG AS I USED TO BE

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BATH | AT WAR

MILITARY MIGHT: above, the serried ranks of soldiers line Laura Place for a Royal visit in 1917 Right, The Full Moon, now Sam Wellers in Upper Borough Walls, where Alfred Cleall was landlord

loss the battalion has sustained in the death of your son, Lieutenant C A Symons . . . As you will know from the papers, the Army carried out an assault on the 25th ult, and to the 10th was assigned a line in front in the van of the battle. Gloriously they performed, and the ultimate success that was obtained was in no little measure due to the heroic and magnificent way in which the officers led their men. This was particularly the case with your son. I saw and so I know; when with HQ party I came across the awful, shell-strewn ground, I found your son at the head of his platoon. He had managed to get through the wire entanglements, only to pay the great price on the other side. He was shot through the head, so death must have been instantaneous. Behind him were the men of his platoon, hung on the wire, nobly following his splendid example.’

Similar letters, generally preceded by standard issue telegrams, were received by hundreds of thousands of families. By the time the Armistice came in November 1918, one in ten British men under 45 had been killed. In the 15-24 age group, the death toll was almost one in three. In the Bath area alone, over 1,800 men lost their lives, but however much death – sudden, violent and undignified – became woven into the fabric of everyday life, each letter represented an unfathomable tragedy for its recipients. n All Roads Lead to France by Andrew Swift looks at the impact of the First World War on Bath, and includes details of 1,808 men from the Bath area who died: www.akemanpress.com/ books/all-roads-lead-to-france. These details have been used as the basis for listings added to the Bath Ancestors database on the Bath Record Office website (www.batharchives.co.uk).

LIGHTING

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AL ECI

IST

8 BATH STREET, FROME. TEL: 01 373473555 WWW.FIATLUX.CO.UK

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COMPETITION

WIN

a luxury weekend in Cornwall worth over £1,500!

• TWO NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION FOR TWO PEOPLE IN AN UPGRADED ROOM • • RETURN TRAIN TRAVEL ON THE FIRST GREAT WESTERN NETWORK • • ONE HOUR SPA TREATMENT EACH • • SIX COURSE TASTER MENU FOR TWO PEOPLE ON ONE EVENING IN THE FLYING FISH RESTAURANT • • FULL USE OF THE SPA FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STAY • FULL CORNISH BREAKFAST ON BOTH MORNINGS • Total value over £1,500 St Michael’s Hotel & Spa is a contemporary four star beachside hotel in Cornwall. Located in the harbour town of Falmouth the hotel enjoys a stunning position on the south coast with sweeping views across Falmouth Bay. Take a stroll through the four acres of beautiful hotel gardens which meander down to the golden sands of Gyllyngvase Beach, perfect for swimming, paddling and spotting dolphins playing in the bay. Spend some time in the spa with a reinvigorating swim or a relaxing treatment or enjoy the best of local Cornish produce in the Flying Fish Restaurant.

For more information please visit www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk or call 01326 312707.

To be in with your chance to win enter now at:

www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk/bathmag T’s and C’s: Competition closes 30/09/14 and the winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be notified by email or post. No cash alternative available. All parts of prize worth up to £1,500 must be taken by 31/03/15. Holiday can be taken at any time excluding 23rd December to 2nd January 2015, subject to availability. Prize is for two adults. Dinner for two adults on one night at The Flying Fish restaurant is included to the value of £40 per head, per night. By entering the competition you have the legal capacity to do so and agree to these terms and conditions. There is no entry fee and no purchase required. All extras will need to be paid for. If, due to circumstances beyond their control, St Michael’s Hotel & Spa are unable to provide the stated prize, they reserve the right to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value. The Bath & Bristol Magazine and St Michael’s Hotel & Spa employees and family are not eligible to enter. By entering our competition you are agreeing to join the mailing list for St Michael’s Hotel & Spa. The prize winner must agree to the use of their name for promotional purposes.

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THE DINER’S

SIX OF THE BEST Georgian venues

DIGEST

Food writer and blogger Melissa Blease delicately flutters her fan and bestows the favour of her attention on some of the finest 18th century dining and tea rooms in all of Bath’s fair city Assembly Rooms Tea Room

Sally Lunn’s

In 1769, uber-architect John Wood the Younger stumbled across the Alfred Street/Bennett Street axis and deemed it to be a suitable location for the Assembly Rooms: a multi-purpose pleasuredome for the groovy Georgian elite clique. By the late 1770s, single ladies hoped to find themselves a suitable husband at the Assembly Rooms. Today, ladies and gentlemen of all ages, regardless of their relationship status, assemble in the very same iconic venue to visit the Fashion Museum, attend or plan a wedding or event... or take tea in either the chandelier-lit tea room or the adjacent glorious garden, bathing in views of the Wood-built architecture that surrounds all-comers. Experience a similarly sumptuous, properly authentic Georgian vibe at either the Pump Room (in the Roman Baths complex) or by taking a tour of No 1 Royal Crescent, featuring a recently revamped, Georgian kitchen.

The Assembly Rooms, Bennett St, Bath. Tel: 01225 477173; web: www.bathvenues.co.uk

First established in the city’s record books way back in 1482, 4 North Parade Passage already had a big history of its own before the Georgians took over and made Bath all about them, not least of all largely due to young Huguenot refugee Solange Lyon who came to Bath in 1680 to escape persecution in France. Solange (‘Sally’ to her British chums) found work in the street known in those days as Lilliput Alley and started baking to earn a crust, eventually creating the bountiful buns so beloved by proud Bathonians and thousands upon thousands of tourists today. The Georgians loved the good lady’s buns too, scoffing them by the sack load (often accompanied by hot chocolate gin) at the endless rounds of hedonistic Breakfast Parties so popular during the Georgian era. Whether or not you choose to munch your buns with tea, lemonade, gravy (savoury options are also available) or a dodgy Georgian-style hot cocktail is up to you; just bear in mind that you’re munching on a real taste of local history at the only place in Bath where Sally’s authentic recipe is still adhered to.

Sally Lunn’s, 4 North Parade Passage, Bath. Tel: 01225 461634; web: www.sallylunns.co.uk.

The Regency Tea Rooms at the Jane Austen Centre You don’t have to be a paying visitor to the Jane Austen Centre to afford yourself a tea time treat at the Regency Tea Rooms on the top floor of the Gay Street tourist attraction, but in many ways, it would help if you were. What better way to get yourself in the mood for a taste of Crawford’s Crumpets, a nibble at Mr Bennet’s Rich Tasty Toasties or the full-on Regency blowout of Lady Catherine’s Proper Cream Tea than a tour around a shrine dedicated to the 18th century queen of the tea table herself? If you’re taking part in this month’s Jane Austen Festival dance workshops or joining the costumed parade which is going for a Guinness Book of Records accolade you’ll have earned your Sparkling Tea with Mr Darcy and you will be richly rewarded by an authentic experience in the elegant environs of a meticulously recreated Georgian tea room overlooking Queen Square, one of the most glorious examples of architect John Wood the Younger’s grand designs. The Regency Tea Rooms, 40 Gay Street, Bath BA1 1NT Tel: 01225 443000; web: www.janeausten.co.uk/regency-tea-room.

The Elder Rooms at the Huntsman The general ambience at this recently-refurbished city centre pub (part of the Fuller’s familyowned chain) offers broad appeal to contemporary tastes. But hey, this is Bath – so naturally, there’s a lot of history behind that scrubbed-up facade. The pub was built in the mid-1700s by John Wood the Elder (father of the son responsible for designing and building the Assembly Rooms, the Royal Crescent and Queen Square ) and the frontage itself is said to be the oldest shop-front in the city. Huntsman head honchos are particularly proud of the upper-level dining room the Elder Room: a grand but cosy, Regency-styled room bedecked with velvet drapes, plush furnishings and all manner of graceful Georgian fixtures and fittings. When it comes to food, you won't, however, find lark tongues, veal in hodge-podge or baked calf's head on the menu, as original visitors to the site may have done. What you will find is upper-crust modern British scrumptiousness of the kind that'll make you glad that food tastes have changed since Georgian days even if décor apparently hasn't.

The Huntsman, 1 Terrace Walk, North Parade, Bath. Tel: 01225 482900; web: www.huntsmanbathpub.co.uk.

The Royal Crescent Hotel You may remember that we took you to the Royal Crescent Hotel for afternoon tea back in June.

But we’ve chosen to make a return trip for the purposes of the theme of this month’s feature because you may not have visited their glamorous Georgian private dining rooms. The hotel is rightfully proud of its library (top to toe Georgian throughout, complete with original fireplace); the Beau Nash Conservatory (in a pavilion in the corner of the gardens) and the Sheridan Room, to the front of the main house and featuring access to a private courtyard which was doubtless once scurried across by all manner of fops, dandies, coxcombs, fribbles and popinjays. These rooms are generally only available for private hire but should you wish to take a sneaky peek, we’re confident that those lovely morning suited gentlemen who make any visit here so special would oblige with a speedy private tour.

The Royal Crescent Hotel, 16 Royal Crescent Bath. Tel: 01225 823333; web: www.royalcrescent.co.uk.

EASTERN EYE If you ask a Bathonian to point you in the direction of a good curry house, it's likely you’ll find yourself in Quiet Street before you can say poppadom. But if you replaced the words “curry house” with the phrase “Georgian dining room”... well, you'd expect to be directed towards anywhere else in this feature rather than a spicy hotspot. Unless, that is, you asked a local-in-theknow. The Eastern Eye boasts more celebrity endorsements than L'Oreal mascara and a plethora of awards from food guides including Les Routiers, Fodor and the British Curry Awards. But here’s the bit that makes the EE So Very Bath: the restaurant occupies the first floor of a former Georgian townhouse in what was probably once the ballroom, with an impressive domed ceiling, moulded panels and intricate cornices. Today, the walls are painted with Indian murals and the scent of spices has long since replaced the waft of Georgian smelling salts. But the staff treat allcomers like ladies and gentlemen and you won't end up with an attack of the vapors at bill time.

The Eastern Eye, 8a Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2JS. Tel: 01225 422323; web: www.easterneye.com.

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FOOD BITES Frome Cheese Show: Although no longer held in Frome, the annual cheese and agricultural show is good, old-fashioned country day out. This year’s show takes place on Saturday 13 September from 8.30am at the West Woodlands showground. Along with the huge marquees full of prize winning cheeses and local produce there are crafts, displays of dog obedience, fly fishing and this year jousting and a team of racing terrier dogs. There are cookery demonstrations by visiting celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli and a visit from Titan the Robot. Children will enjoy the fun fair and the chance to get close to some small creatures in the animal nursery. It’s also a great opportunity to teach them where our food comes from. Tickets: £11 adults, in advance, children, £3 in advance. Tel: 01749 813 899.

Love Food Festival: There will be plenty of mouth-watering local produce to try and buy at the autumn foodie festival held in the grounds of the National Trust’s Dyrham Park just north of Bath on Sunday 28 September from 10am to 4pm. Learn how to grow and cook your own food using various methods, and have a go at activities including hands-on experience, tasting, art, movement and storytelling. Free entry to festival, which is based in the top car park.

A Serial Award winning Restaurant with International reputation BEST IN BRITAIN AWARDS (BIBA) 2014 November 2013 British Curry Awards November 2013 Asian Curry Awards

Man vs Pie: A free, one-day pie fest is being staged in the beer garden of the Inn at Freshford on Saturday 13 September when revellers will be able to tuck into homemade savoury and sweet pies, enjoy guest ales and listen to live music. Highlight of the day will be the second Man vs Pie eating contest in which defender Robin Wells from Frome will be defending his title against the mysterious moustached contender Peter Pietrovsky, who claims that pie eating goes back centuries in his Siberian family. There’s still time to enter the competition, but be warned, last year’s winner ate seven pies in just ten minutes. The first prize is a Box Steam Brewery gift set, a £50 bar tab at the Inn at Freshford and the Pie Fest trophy. Amateur bakers are also invited to enter the Pie Idol bake-off. To find out more watch #eatpiesfeelgood on Twitter.

Vote for your favourite: We’re all being invited to nominate our favourite restaurants, cafes and shops for the annual Bath Good Food Awards, with the deadline for submissions on Sunday 21 September. Last year more than 14,000 votes were recorded, across 27 categories, from best restaurant, to best breakfast, making this a unique contest where diners influence the final decision. The five businesses in each category which poll the most votes, will then be assessed by a panel of judges including baker Richard Bertinet, Masterchef winner Wan Ping Coombs, Daily Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay, Michelin star chef Josh Eggleton and Lucknam Park chef Hrishikesh Desai.The final results will be announced at a ceremony at the Assembly Rooms on Sunday 16 November. To vote visit: www.bathgoodfood.co.uk/vote.

Gin of a different persuasion: Bath has added its own brand of gin to the list of products associated with the city. Bath Gin is made for the Canary Gin Bar in Queen Street, where this month it will be celebrated with a festival of 30 days of gin. Each week a different gin will be celebrated, with tastings by experts and custom made cocktails at £7.50 a time. Bookings are now being taken for special tasting sessions on Saturday afternoons throughout September. To find out more email: info@thebathgincompany.co.uk.

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4 Argyle Steet, Bath BA2 4BA. Tel. 01225 466833 / 464758 www. Rajpoot.com Connoisseurs choice for 34 Years.

Open Daily.

FRESH FISH DAILY . . . AND COOKED JUST FOR YOU BOXED . . . FOR YOU TO ENJOY AT HOME Hot fish lunches or seafood suppers, proper fish & chips, from beer-battered Cod to Bouillabaise. Or in the summer months enjoy our giant Paella to take home.

Don’t want to wait? Phone ahead and order Sundays are available for private dining, birthday lunches, or a relaxed get-together with friends. Outside Catering available Watch out for details of forthcoming wine dinners, and dine & demo days

OPENING TIMES Tuesday to Saturday 12 to 2.30- 4.30 – 7pm Fridays open until 8pm Major credit cards accepted

SEASONS FISH KITCHEN Farrington’s Farm Shop, Farrington Gurney, Bristol BS39 6UB

01761 452809 | www.seasonskitchen.co.uk email info@seasonskitchen.co.uk

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FOOD | HEROES

Sharing a taste of Vietnam Silvana Tann talks to Noya, who runs Bath’s most talked about supper club and is passing on her passion and knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine through her cookery school in Bear Flat

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great number of the food trends that hit the streets of Bath tend to ripple out of London like gentle seismic waves. Right now amongst the food cognoscenti one of the rising trends being enthusiastically talked about is Vietnamese cuisine. If you walk around any of London’s suburbs, there is a high probability that you will stumble across a branch of Pho (pronounced fuh), a burgeoning chain of restaurants serving the traditional broth noodle dish it takes its name from, with a menu packed full of Vietnamese street food. But there is no need to rush out and book your train ticket to the metropolis to find one of these restaurants, as here in Bath we are fortunate to have Nguyet Pawlyn known as Noya, our very own Vietnamese chef serving authentic dishes in Bear Flat.

For the past year Noya has been running regular supper clubs serving five courses of Vietnamese food, hosted at the Bear Pad Café. Diners bring their own drinks, and are simply treated to a feast. The supper evenings have become so popular that anyone who wants to sign up invariably has to book several weeks in advance to get a table. If you can’t wait that long there is the option of signing up for a cookery course at Noya’s Kitchen; literally courses in Vietnamese cuisine run in Noya’s home.

The courses are designed to teach groups of up to a maximum of eight.

They are structured to accommodate dietary requirements and include a range of traditional and street food dishes. As I discovered by enrolling on one of these courses, Noya is a very energetic and natural teacher. No sooner had I tied up my apron strings, than I was offered an authentic cup of Vietnamese coffee. The vanilla infused nutty coffee had been slowly percolating for 20 minutes. It can be served hot with condensed milk or alternatively chilled on a bed of ice, which I should imagine is a real tonic in Vietnam’s hotter climate.

Our menu for the day included a sumptuous chicken noodle pho, infused with lemon grass, ginger and spices including fennel and star anise. Hints of former French colonialism and the influences of Chinese food can be traced in the ingredients used. Noya talked knowledgeably about each dish, “Pho is considered to be one of the National dishes of Vietnam,” she says, “and it is one of the dishes most travellers to the region recognise and want to learn to make. The fennel in this dish has come from French cuisine.” Each Vietnamese family has their own spin on the recipe; Noya uses the recipe that her mother taught her.

As we progress through a menu of spring rolls, where we glue the thin pastry edges with a piece of banana; crispy Vietnamese pancakes and prawns made in a sizzling skillet; a beautifully balanced chicken dish with ginger, chilli and green pepper corns served with sticky rice, Noya talks about the importance of the balance of flavours.

“Vietnamese food is light and all about the infusion of flavour. Take a simple dipping fish sauce, the main flavour components of sweetness, saltiness, sourness, acidity and heat all have to complement each other.” As testament to this statement, I learn that an additional squeeze of lime to this sauce can indeed make the sugar linger for much longer on the palate. Noya is also passionate about the use of good ingredients: “Most of my meat is supplied by Newton Farm Shop. Other ingredients such as Asian basil, rice paddy herb, banana leaves plus other authentic ingredients, I source from Banthon, the Thai food store in Weston.”

Making all of the dishes is deliciously enlightening. There are constant tasting lessons along the way and seasoning is frequently adjusted. Equally Noya shares information about the various sauces that are available to buy.

We sample two fish sauces. Both have very different price points and both are suitable to use in different ways; the cheaper can be added to a marinade, the more expensive in a dipping sauce.

The food journey, plus information and recipes that Noya imparts on a

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cookery course are enough to make you want to replicate all of the dishes at home and include them in your regular food repertoire. Noya is very adept at making the cookery course an enjoyable experience. At the end of all the cooking, the food is eaten around her kitchen table and whatever remains is shared and taken home.

As we tuck in to our feast I ask Noya what inspired her to set up her supper club and cookery courses. “I was encouraged by my family and friends as I have always made Vietnamese food for them. I had my own textile design business in London for many years before I moved to Bath with my family.

With a young family my focus changed. I wondered if a supper club could work and just decided to give it a go. There has been so much interest that it seemed a natural progression to set up cookery classes too.”

Noya’s own story fuels her passion for Vietnamese cooking. When the civil war ended in 1975, Vietnam had become a difficult place to live in safely.

Families lived in constant fear of reprisals and coupled with this constant terror, living standards dropped as food had become incredibly scarce. Noya’s family made the difficult decision to flee her hometown of Quy Nhon to the South of Vietnam in 1979.

After making a hazardous boat journey to Hong Kong her family lived in a block of flats assigned to refugees close to the harbour where Noya remembers a seemingly constant flotilla of boats from troubled areas with people onboard seeking refuge.

One of her earliest food memories is from when she was six years old and cooking rice for her family in preparation for the evening meal while her parents were out working in factories. As the eldest daughter of five children she took on a range of responsibilities including daily visits to the food markets to buy ingredients. “I couldn’t speak Cantonese or Mandarin, so I pointed at things I needed to buy. Every day we made our traditional home Vietnamese dishes and ate together as a family. Food was and still is an important part of our heritage.”

Some months later the whole family left Hong Kong to arrive in England.

Family gatherings with traditional dishes continued to be one way of keeping the family’s culture alive. “My mother and father both cooked well. My

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FOOD | HEROES

SHARING: main picture, Noya and, above, scenes from one of her courses, some of the dishes made with her students and some of the class sitting down to enjoy the fruits of their labour

father used to cook an amazing crab dish with chillis, spring onion and ginger. Every year I used to ask him to cook it for my birthday.”

Last year Noya travelled back to Vietnam for the first time with her husband Daniel and her two children, “We travelled from the north to the south by train. We met all of my family out there. It was an incredible journey. I discovered that one of my uncles owns a bakery producing baguettes and that food is very important to my whole family. Much of it is still prepared in the traditional way. It will undoubtedly be the start of many visits.”

In Vietnam Noya was able to explore cooking techniques and came across new dishes. Many of the newfound recipes will be

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tested at home. They will then appear on the Bear Pad Café supper club menu. “I really enjoy cooking for and with people”, says Noya. “I find that I am always thinking about recipes and food for the supper clubs, courses and specific events that I have been asked to cater for.”

The food that Noya makes accessible to us all in Bath may be on-trend, but actually her food is about her heritage. Each dish that is prepared in her kitchen is overflowing with poignant stories and evokes personal memories, which she is happy to share with you. Noya’s enthusiasm and knowledge without a doubt rubs off on all of her audiences. n Visit: www.noyaskitchen.co.uk

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FOOD | AND DRINK

Tasty bites n The exciting scents and flavours of a Malaysian street market will be cooked up by Masterchef winner Wan Ping Coombes, working in collaboration with chef Chris Staines of the Allium Brasserie at the Abbey Hotel, for a four course meal combining Chris’s cooking style with Ping’s Malaysian influences. Dinner on 15 October is already sold out, but at the time of writing there were still places for lunch that day. n There are lots of high profile chefs taking part in this year’s feast. Michelin star chef Sam Moody, from the Bath Priory is running a culinary masterclass at the Bertinet Kitchen on October 11, teaching people how to take their cooking to another level, while other chefs, including David Campbell from the Royal Crescent, Chris Cleghorn, pictured, from the Olive Tree and Rob Clayton from Clayton’s Kitchen, will be giving free demonstrations in the specially erected pavilion outside the Roman Baths on weekends through October. Check the programme for details of times and dates. n Visiting from out of town is Michelin starred chef Nathan Outlaw who will be hosting a supper club at the Bertinet kitchen on October 2, while the delightful Ruby Tandoh, finalist in the Great British Bake Off, will be at Topping & Co on October 8. n This is something which every Bathonian ought to put on their bucket list – experiencing a gloriously selfindulgent three hour wallow in the Bath Thermae Spa, followed by supper in the restaurant at the spa. Dishes have been prepared especially for the Great Bath Feast.

Enjoy throughout October, Sunday to Friday, £45 per head. n The Green Street Sunday Party on Sundays afternoons through October in the city centre street, where local traders will be running a market, selling food and laying on live entertainment.

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Preparing for the big feast

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Honey’s Midford Cider

oodies from all over the country will be descending on Bath next month for the third annual Great Bath Feast, its largest food fest yet, with more than 150 enticing culinary events taking place throughout October. The Feast will celebrate the wide variety of Bath’s resturant scene and its local food producers who are putting Bath on the culinary map. We’ve selected some of the highlights to whet your appetite.

Honey’s Midford Cider is run by a father and daughter team who produce a delicious medium dry cider made from traditional Somerset apples.Visitors will be able to sample the cider at a celebration of the British apple which takes place at Green Park Station on Sunday 19 October. There’ll be the chance to learn about cider making as well as apple wood carving and apple bobbing.

The Fine Cheese Co.

Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen Topping & Co bookshop is hosting a vegetarian tasting event on Thursday 30 October, with Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen, giving people the chance to enjoy some superb seasonal dishes, which just happen to be meat free. This evening will see the launch of Acorn’s second cookbook.

Pizza making An evening at Yammo! in Walcot Street, on 15 October promises to be a mix of fun and learning as host Dani teaches the methods for making authentic Italian pizza. Tuck into nibbles before enjoying the pizza you’ve made yourself.

Perfect patisserie The Walcot Street cheesemonger has been supplying cheese for more than 20 years and currently stocks more than 100 kinds of hand-made cheeses. AnnMarie Dyas and her team are committed to preserving the art of traditional cheese making and part of that is to host its annual gathering of artisan cheese makers for a cheese festival in Bath, which this year takes place on Saturday 25 October. This will see the largest number of cheese producers, from as far and wide as Cornwall and Northumberland, ever assembled in the UK. Entry to the cheese festival in Milsom Place is free and visitors can sample different cheeses and talk to the people who made them.

Bath’s own expert baker Richard Bertinet will be demonstrating how to make delicious bakes from his new book Patisserie Maison at St Michael’s Church, Broad Street on 2 October, hosted by Topping & Co, with the chance to sample some of M. Bertinet’s tasty treats.

Upton Cheyney Chilli Farm

Bath Ales

The Somerset farm grows a range of chillis from the mildest to the hottest. It also makes its own range of chilli based products such as sauces and jams using only own home grown chillies. The farm is open from March to November, where people are able to sample the chillies and are shown the techniques of chilli cultivation. The chilli growers will be putting their produce through the ultimate taste test which sees the Bath Rugby team pitting their tastebuds against the Bath Netball team in the hottest chilli eating challenge on Tuesday 7 October.

This is a rare opportunity to test the theory about p***-ups in breweries, as Bath Ales invites visitors to tour its independent brewery, giving people the chance to see how their favourite local beers are created. Also on October 16 Bath Ales is hosting a beer and ale brewery talk with Shane O’Beirne at Graze restaurant.

The swinging Sixies The Circus restaurant is keen to remind us on another exciting culinary era, as fresh ingredients, new dishes and wine were introduced to a jaded post-war Britain. Its fabulous five course feast on 7 October will include music from the era and an invitation for guests to wear something groovy.

You, me, everybody This is a fantastic chance for all of us to get handson and involved in the Great Bath Feast. Bath Abbey is hosting the Great Bath Bake Sale on Saturday October 18 between 1pm and 4pm. It’s like a village bring and buy but on a much grander scale. There’ll be biscuits and cakes on show and on sale, with proceeds being shared between the Abbey’s Footprint appeal, Food Cycle and Fare Share. To part call Katie, tel: 01225 303314.

The great Bath feast quiz

PICTURE: from Bertinet’s Patisserie

Enjoy a three course dinner of pub food at the King William on Saturday 4 October and take part in a series of culinary conundrums. Extra courses will create questions with foodie prizes for the winning teams.

By Sara Robards

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic chooses wine to welcome in the golden days of autumn

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espite the often glorious weather and bountiful harvest of September, I don’t enjoy saying farewell to summer days and long evenings; yet to many it’s a favourite time of year, as the leaves turn to burnished gold, the mists roll in, and the smell of bonfires replace those of the barbecue. Whatever your views on autumn, enjoy it with good wine; the team at Great Western Wine has put together a lovely and unusual selection of wines celebrating the well known wines of Spain, but also the lesser known wines of Austria, Germany and Hungary. Here are my top choices:

Machherndl Gruner Veltliner 2012 ( GWW £11.95, September price £10.52) Gruner Veltliner is not only one of the most fashionable trends on the white wine scene, it’s also one of the most versatile. It’s a white grape variety, now grown in many countries, but originally from the slopes of southern Austria. It’s aromatic, fruity and spicy, but with an edgy zestiness, and a delightfully dry finish. It smells of elderflowers, honeysuckle, ripe pears and quinces – it tastes of a glorious medley of orchard fruits, with a twist of lemon zest, a hint of mint and a dollop of acacia honey, with just a sprinkling of cinnamon spice. Lots of flavours to cope with, yet it tops it all off, with a bristlingly crisp, mouthwatering tang on the finish. Try it with seared scallops, ginger spiced salmon, and mild Thai curries.

Patricius Tokaji Furmint 2012 ( GWW – £11.95, September price £10.52) This is something completely different, but relatively little-known.

Hungary is renouned for its sublime, intensely sweet Tokay dessert wines – but it is also home to some absolutely glorious, aromatic, yet dry white wines, which are just starting to make their mark in the UK. Furmint is the grape, and the wine world is now discovering the delights of this dry style. The Patricius wafts out aromas of cinnamon and brown sugar-baked apples, and a hint of jasmine; it’s ripe, full-bodied and fleshy, revealing flavours of ripe pears, quinces, and a hint of fennel. This is an absolute star with mildly spiced fish and chicken dishes, and all manner of smoked fish. It’s also a great conversation piece at any gathering.

El Brindis, Monsant 2010 Massard ( GWW £9.75) Deep, dark and brooding, and made by one of Europe’s most charistmatic winemakers, Franck Massard, this is an intensely flavoured red from the north eastern region of Catalonia, up in the wild, rugged hills of Montsant. Made from a blend of Samso (otherwise known as the gutsy Carignan), and sweetly fruity Garnacha, it’s packed with intense forest fruit, black cherry and warm spice flavours, with a dusting of wild thyme and rosemary, a hint of liquorice, and toast, topped off with a kick of zesty acidity to give it real character and interest. Bold, yet savoury, it will combine well with roast lamb, autumnal stews, ideal with game.

Marques de Riscal, Vina Collada, Rioja 2011 (GWW £8.95 ) Traditional Rioja, with a modern edge – bright, exuberant, yet satisfying , this red is produced from one of the oldest producers in Rioja, but it’s bright and edgy, while staying true to type. If you love Rioja, but don’t want to be overpowered by oak, try this alternative. Open the bottle, and the beguiling scents of strawberries, vanilla, and just a hint of toasty oak waft out; try it and it’s full of silkily smooth, yet bright red fruit flavours – freshly crushed blueberries, and ripe, raspberries. This is a soft, textured, sassy red, full of character and charm. Try it with roast lamb, chorizo and chicken stews, and spiced-up pork belly.

All of the above, plus a mixed case can be ordered through our website. Enjoy a 10% Great Western Wine discount by entering the code on Angela’s wine column. Visit: www.thebathmag.co.uk

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Bath@Work Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work.

View a gallery of our Bath@Work subjects at: www.thebathmag.co.uk

Richard Turner Venture capitalist

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ost of the other people in Neill’s series of portraits have been makers of things – well I make companies. In the course of my career I have directly established five companies, from ice cream (best forgotten) to a drug to treat cancer. While running a venture capital business, I’ve been instrumental in the development of over 50 businesses.

I am in thrall to entrepreneurs, but when I was growing up entrepreneurs were seen as being a bit dodgy, akin to barrow boys.

Silicon Valley was in its infancy and no one had heard of Richard Branson or Bill Gates. That Marks and Spencer were once entrepreneurs had long been forgotten. I duly joined a large consulting firm. It took me over 20 years to summon up the courage to strike out on my own.

As a boy I read stories of the great Victorian adventurers – Richard Burton, Ewart Grogan, Dr Livingstone and longed to be one – but the world has become so small and explored . In many ways entrepreurs are the adventurers of the modern day. To me an entrepreneur requires a similar ridiculous level of optimism.

Most companies fail and most successful entrepreneurs have a string of failures to their name.

Entrepreneurs are mavericks who see the world differently and have the courage to act to change it. Rarely is money a motivation.

Most would earn more by taking a day job but they plough on regardless – they’re classic examples of a triumph of hope over experience.

My own entrepreneurial adventure was prompted by our move to Bath from London. This move created the cash and the opportunity. However, more importantly, I found myself in an environment where everyone seemed to be an entrepreneur of one sort or other. It gave me the courage to believe that I could do it as well. I currently have two businesses in development: Catalyst Business Finance which provides loans to small to medium size companies – stepping in where the banks fear to tread; and Transcriptogen, a drug discovery company based in Kings College London, focused on developing new treatments for cancer. I hope they will be successful, but know that it is the journey not arrival that is the fun bit.

While I still think of myself as an entrepreneur I am now in a fortunate position where I can put something back into Bath. My great passion is helping young people who have had a troubled start in life. We live in such an unequal society that I think it is vital to try and rebalance the scales. I started working with young people as a mentor with Mentoring Plus about six years ago and have been a trustee and chairman for the last three years.

I am also trying to help bring the Craneworks project to fruition on South Quays. Craneworks is seeking to take control of the former Stothert & Pitt crane factory buildings fronting the Lower Bristol Road to create a world-class centre of creativity and invention. This project could make a massive difference to young people in Bath by creating an environment in which entrepreneurialism could flourish.

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic www.capturethespirit.co.uk Tel: 01225 483151.

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CITY | PEOPLE

News in brief ■ British film director Ken Loach is the guest storyteller at Campfire Bath on Tuesday 30 September, from 7.30pm at The Porter, George Street. Campfire Bath brings locals the opportunity to share a pint and listen to stories from different guest speakers.

The event will raise funds for Bath City FC Sports Community Foundation, which brings the benefits of sports to children in Bath. Ken Loach, who is chairman of the foundation, has had a long career directing films from Cathy Come Home and Kes to The Wind that Shakes the Barley and Jimmy’s Hall.

Ken will be sharing stories on theme of collaboration. Kat Byles of Campfire Bath, said: “Rarely do you get the opportunity to pop down the local pub with a British film director to listen to creative insights and inspiration on a theme as important as collaboration.” Tickets, £12.50, or £15 on the door, visit: campfirebath.eventbrite.co.uk.

■ Buddhist teacher Lama Jampa Thaye is coming to Bath to give a public talk, Arriving at Inner Freedom in October. The talk will give an overview of the Buddhist path and provide insight into how to apply the Buddha’s teachings to modern life.

British-born Lama Jampa Thaye is the spiritual director of the network of Buddhist centres and groups called Dechen. In 1977 he founded the Sakya Buddhist Centre in Bristol, which runs meditation classes and talks in Bath on Tuesday evenings at the Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road. The talk will be at the Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, on Thursday 2 October at 8pm. Tickets: £10 (concessions £8), tel: 01225 463362.

■ Personal coach and inspirational speaker Jo Emerson is launching a new series of free lunchtime sessions in Bath. The Food for Thought series delivers personal development skills in bite-sized chunks at the Guild CoWorking Hub, next to the Guildhall in Bath, on the last Thursday of each month from 12.30pm for an hour, beginning on Thursday 25 September.

Feel free to bring your packed lunch, drinks are available to buy at the Hub.

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Traditional printing adds art to artisan There are two fabulous additions to Walcot’s much vaunted artisan community, in the shape of a pair of industrial letterpress printing presses from the early 1960s, installed by bespoke stationery business Meticulous Ink at The Printworks, its second, new premises in the street.

Stationery designers and makers, Charlie Cummings and Athena Cauley-Yu have been making greetings cards, wedding invitations and other items of tactile beauty in paper and card for some time at the Bath end of Walcot Street. But the pair were hoping to expand the business by offering customers an additional service.

As a result Meticulous Ink is moving into a new shop, The Printworks, at the other end of Walcot Street where fascinated passers-by can watch the Heidelberg Platens in action, printing letterpress and foiled paper items. Charlie says he has been delighted by the number of people who have expressed an interest in the presses, some of them recalling their own days working with traditional printing methods.

The couple already supplies own-brand greetings cards to Liberty of London, Fortnum and Mason and were invited by

MAKING AN IMPRESSION: Charlie and Athena of Meticulous Ink global brand Anthropologie to produce the invitations for its Bath store opening recently. Athena, who has enviable calligraphy skills, is to start workshops for others to learn the art of writing beautifully.

For more information call in to Meticulous Ink’s shop at The Printworks at 134 Walcot Street, or visit: www.meticulousink.com.

Nearly half a million for community groups St John’s Hospital in Bath, which is celebrating its 840th anniversary, is marking the occasion offering an extra £250,000 in grants – on top of the £450,000 it gives away each year – for local good causes.

New or ongoing community projects in Bath are eligible to apply now. Trustees have earmarked £135,000 to be given for core funding to three charities, who will each receive

£15,000 a year for three years. Criteria for applying for core funding and for the remaining £115,000 will be found on St John’s website: www.stjohnsbath.org.uk.

Chief executive Jonathan O’Shea said: “What nicer way could there be to celebrate such a milestone anniversary than helping to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our local community?”

Supportive team player for new season BMT Group Ltd (BMT), one of Bath’s biggest employers, the international maritime design, engineering, risk management and programme management consultancy, is to support Bath Rugby as an official business partner for the 2014/15 season.

BMT has four Bath-based companies, BMT Defence Services, BMT Hi-Q Sigma, BMT Isis and BMT Reliability Consultants and employs more than 500 people. Its partnership with Bath Rugby is the latest in BMT’s recent commitments to the area which include support of Dorothy House and other local, national and international charities, the community covenant supporting the integration of armed forces people back into community civilian life and the agreement with Bath & North East Somerset Council to redevelop the Bath Quays South site.

BMT has also developed strong links with local universities and schools through its support of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programmes; partnership with the University of Bath’s School of Management; prize givings and work experience.

BMT’s regional director for UK and Europe, Gary Smith said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Bath Rugby and wish the team every success in Europe and on the domestic front for the coming season.

SUCCESS STORY: Fijian player Semesa Rokoduguni plays for Bath and is a serving soldier in the army

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CITY | PEOPLE

News in brief ■ Bath Artists’ Studios is holding an open weekend for visitors to come and see the artists at work and enjoy their pieces. The studios, in Comfortable Place off the Lower Bristol Road near the Royal Victoria Park allotments, will be open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September.

There will be a silent auction throughout the weekend to raise funds for the studios and drop-in workshops for children to enjoy.

■ Minerva Bath on the Box Road at Bathford has agreed an exclusive franchise arrangement with Korean car manufacturer Ssangyong. The road car dealership has previously only dealt in the sales of pre-owned vehicles.

James Current, managing director, said: “The Ssangyong brand is performing well in the UK and while it is not yet a well known brand here it is the oldest Korean car manufacturer.

The cars are excellent quality, of a high specification and within an affordable price range so we anticipate them to be really popular particularly as we move towards the new registration period. To be able to have an exclusive franchise for Bath is really exciting for us.” Minerva Bath has also added a new MOT centre to its site to provide a one-stop-shop, hassle free service to clients. Visit: www.minervabath.co.uk or tel: 01225 850033.

■ Congratulations to the students at King Edward’s School in Bath who have achieved great results in their A Levels, with 86% of all entries graded A* – B. 60% of grades were A* or A, with the very highest award accounting for 24% of the exams taken. Nearly one third of pupils achieved only A* or A grades, with the highest individual return being 5 A*s.

Three quarters of the year group gained the ‘ABB’ benchmark or better.

As in recent years, the largest subject by entry was maths, accounting for 17% of all exams taken, with an A*-B success rate of 93%. Year 12 pupils at KES followed up their record-breaking performance at GCSE last year with the school’s best ever AS results.

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Film festival’s F-rating stands for . . .

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ath Film Festival 2014, which is coming to a screen near you in November, is to use a pioneering F-rating to signal films addressing Hollywood’s gender imbalance and has introduced a £1,500 prize competition for young screen composers to its programme of new and classic features, foreign language films, international documentaries, family, art and sci-fi strands and talks by industry experts.

The festival, which runs from Wednesday 13 to Sunday 23 November, will see screenings of more than 40 films plus related events at various Bath city centre venues.

Full details will be available from Friday 10 October when priority booking opens for those who have signed up via ww.bathfilmfestival.org.uk for the free e-bulletins. The brochure, which is out on Friday 17 October, using the festival’s new F-rated classification alongside the U, PG, 12A and 18 ones, to indicate a film that breaks in some way with Hollywood’s male-heavy bias. Festival producer Holly Tarquini said: “We’re hoping to get more people thinking and talking about why film-making is so dominated by men, both on and off camera. It won’t change what we programme; we always programme the most interesting and engaging new and old films. But we felt it would add a fun edge to the choices audiences make and their after-show discussions to highlight films which pass some simple tests – such as, does the female lead do more

Designer is show highlight Internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid has picked work by a Bath jeweller as one of her personal favourites for the Goldsmiths’ Fair in London, which runs from 22 September to 5 October.

Zaha is curating a showcase of 21 personal highlights from this year’s Goldsmiths’ Fair, which features latest collections by 170 leading UK-based designer makers and has singled out Bath-based designer Tina Engell’s work among her show highlights.

David Mills, head of communications at The Goldsmiths’ Company said: “Drawing on her cutting-edge design aesthetic, our first guest curator, Zaha Hadid, has chosen pieces which highlight the extraordinary diversity, skill and creativity of jewellers and silversmiths working in Britain today.”

The fair takes place at Goldsmiths Hall, London. Tina will be exhibiting during the second week. For tickets and programme details visit: www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk.

than just support the male star; is the theme of special interest to women; is the film directed or scripted by a woman?”

FilmScore offers a £1,500 prize for the most promising teenaged film score-composing talent.

The online competition launches on Wednesday 3 September and will be open to 13 to 19-year-olds who want to try composing for the screen. Young Bath-based animator Jack Dubben has made an animated film to explain the competition, visit: http://vimeo.com/100890602.

Fresh talent will include the premiere of the short film Put Down, by Rick Limentani, winner of the 2014 IMDb Script to Screen Award, and of the runner up, Pushing Buttons by Amanda Richardson. Sign up for free e-bulletins visit: www.bathfilmfestival.org.uk

Fashion with a sparkle Designer jewellery brand, Fabulous, is hosting a Girls’ Night Out fashion show, showcasing the latest designs from its autumn/ winter collections, on Tuesday 16 September, from 6.30pm at the Art Bar, Abbey Hotel, Bath.

Fabulous is teaming up with fashion retailer Coast, which has a branch in Bath, to host this event, which will feature jewellery and Coast’s latest collection of clothing. The event, which is aimed at women over 18, has a Fashion Week theme, being in the same week as London Fashion Week, and takes inspiration from the fashion capitals of the world. Fabulous brands include Ted Baker, Ice watches, Lily and Lottie and Tales from the Earth.

Jo Stroud, managing director at Fabulous said, “Girls’ Night Out is a great excuse for women to get together and have a fun night out celebrating some of their favourite things – jewellery, fashion and fizz. The event has been a great success in previous years, with past collaborations from LK Bennett and Space NK, and now Coast, whom we are extremely excited to be working with.”

Tickets are priced at £5, to include fizz and cupcakes, and are available at Fabulous in SouthGate, Bath or tel: 01225 330333.

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The Revenue have upped their game….

Have you?

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M Revenue and Customs are in the news more often than at any time in living memory at the moment, whether it is clamping down on tax evasion and tax avoidance or seeking extra powers or being questioned by the select committee of MPs at the House of Commons. It is clear that they are under significant pressure from government to increase the amount of tax that they collect.

This is resulting in an increasingly aggressive attitude being taken by HMRC which many taxpayers will feel the effect of in the future.

We set out below some of the recent developments which make it even more important than ever to be on top of the paperwork and to be aware of HMRC’s approach.

INVESTIGATION HMRC have the power to enquire into the tax affairs of any individual or business. The majority of these enquiries are not just targeted at people purposefully evading tax, HMRC can open an enquiry if they merely suspect you have undeclared income or have claimed too much tax relief.

We have experienced HMRC getting information from the land registry and directly from banks and then writing to the taxpayer. It is very important to check that everything has been disclosed. A small omission can open the door to a fuller enquiry.

TAX PLANNING

Reports in the media and from government often confuse legitimate tax planning with tax evasion. Tax evasion is the deliberate evasion of tax through illegal methods, e.g. not declaring and hiding income. Tax planning however is completely legal and covers a very wide range of areas from simple every day activities such as making payments to a charity or to a pension scheme to the more aggressive use of tax avoidance schemes. The whole spectrum is perfectly legal but different tax payers will have different attitudes to risk and what they are comfortable with. Many of the most common tax planning options available are actually supported by HMRC guidance, forms and procedures but the average taxpayer would not know this from current press reports. Before undertaking any kind of tax planning you need to know what HMRC’s attitude is so that you can evaluate the risk of attack.

TAX CODING ERRORS AND DELAYS Although HMRC issues updated tax codes each year to people in the PAYE system, please be aware that these are not always correct and we often find codes incorrect being based upon incomplete or out of date information from the prior year. An example of this includes non-taxable business expenses from a submitted P11D showing as taxable in your tax code. Please be aware HMRC are no longer notifying appointed tax advisors of individuals when a tax code changes, therefore it is vital you do not ignore updated coding notices.

Of increasing concern in this area is HMRC’s current proposal to delay sending employee tax code notices for 30 days after informing the employer.

Employers will be legally required to use the tax code and no-one will know what the amendment is for. This could cause hardship for employees.

Many low paid part time workers who have more than one job and therefore split their tax allowances are potentially exposed to sudden tax charges and the threat of real hardship as a result.

HMRC ACCESSING YOUR BANK ACCOUNT Of concern is the proposal for HMRC to be able to access individual’s bank accounts and withdraw money to cover outstanding tax liabilities without needing the authority of the person concerned or approval from the courts.

Part of this proposal also includes HMRC having access to 12 month’s bank statements.

While in principal we can see that there is merit in the idea the lack of independent review and the number of errors made by HMRC gives us great concern about these proposals. It is more important than ever to deal with any HMRC letters promptly and if you have moved house, ensure HMRC are aware of your current address.

SUMMARY The message is that the Revenue have new powers and are not afraid to use them. You must not ignore any correspondence with the Revenue and take advice before undertaking any tax planning activity. For further information contact Calvin Healy or Jon Miles on 01225 325580.

UNDECLARED INCOME Although having undeclared income could be considered tax evasion, we have found most cases to be due to honest mistakes and steps can be taken here to rectify these mistakes early ensuring any penalties are minimised.

Often it is only a matter of time before HMRC enquire into a person’s tax affairs where there is undeclared income.

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www.richardsonswift.co.uk 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL • 01225 325 580 SEPTEMBER 2014

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A tax break for the goodwill in your business!

There are considerable tax benefits to be gained from transferring your sole trade or partnership business into a limited company and we’ve covered the subject in previous months.

One that hasn’t been mentioned before is getting your company to pay you for the value you’ve built up in your business over the years – the excess over the simple asset values that a buyer might pay you for acquiring your business - and this is known as Goodwill.

The value of this goodwill is subject to Capital Gains Tax but at a special rate of 10% and everyone has an annual exemption from capital gains in each tax year – currently £11,000.

So if the goodwill is valued at £50,000 then the company can pay you this amount and you will have a tax liability of only £3,900 – a very good rate!

The goodwill value has to be realistic but if your business has been making profits you might be surprised at what can be achieved.

In the above example, the £50,000 doesn’t have to be taken at once (very often the funds aren’t available) but can be credited to your director’s loan account for you to draw on, tax free, as and when the cash becomes available.

At OCL we have been looking after SMEs (start ups to turnovers of £3 million) for more than twenty years; we would be pleased to meet you to discuss any tax, financial and accounting matters that would help you, including how we can help you save money.

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

See our website for more – and download our FREE guides

Call Marie Maggs or Mike Wilcox on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting 141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL

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When we design your building, the most important member of our team is you

ARCHITECTS Architect Frank Lloyd Wright famously said: “Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.�

At DKA, we never forget that the way you use a building is just as important as how it looks. We work with our clients every step of the way to ensure that we deliver buildings that look good and work brilliantly. dka.co.uk |

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Bath’s Premier Removals Company Thomas Firbank Removals and Storage is a family run business that offers a personal and business service of the highest quality. For seventeen years we have ensured that all of our clients enjoy a stress free move and a great deal of our business is generated by referrals from satisfied customers.

We tailor your packing and removal to suit your needs, and give you a prompt quotation without any hidden costs.

Tel: 01225 31 44 33 www.firbankremovals.co.uk

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BAR Number T050

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EDUCATING BATH Enjoy our good school report for education in and around Bath

C

hoosing a new school for your child is no mean feat, whether they’re about to start primary school for the first time or make the jump up to secondary education. As a parent the best way to ensure you find the right school for your child is to do a bit of your own homework. Now is a good time to start looking ahead to next autumn and researching the options available in the Bath area.

Schools are becoming increasingly aware of the need to offer an all-round education and a broad range of extra-curricular activities to engage pupils outside the classroom. Most parents will be looking for a school that balances a strong academic reputation with this extracurricular provision and the result is schools with an ever-growing list of clubs and activities to offer.

If your child isn’t particularly academically minded a school which is strong in its extra-curricular offering that can provide the perfect opportunity for your child to really engage at school, shine in their own field and become part of the community.

While some schools may be highly selective there are plenty that cater for a more average ability, or even specialise in helping children in need of individual attention. Other considerations should include the size of a school – while some children may thrive in a more competitive environment, others will benefit from being able to progress at their own pace without pressure from peers.

Pastoral care is an important factor, especially if you are looking at full-time or part-time boarding. Will the school nurture and emotionally support your child, while also teaching them the skills to become a confident, independent individual?

Equally as important is the social aspect. Children will be hoping for a school where they can make plenty of friends and develop a wide and welcoming social circle.

Open days for parents and prospective pupils provide the best opportunity to really get a feel for a school – the staff, facilities, current pupils and the general atmosphere. These visits will enable you to see which school is the best fit for your child’s skills, personality and educational needs.

The Bath area is home to a number of schools which offer a unique combination of facilities and opportunities. In our education guide you can discover a little more about what each school offers and find out what they think makes them stand out above the rest. n

Image: from the back to school range at Marks & Spencer

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EDUCATION | NEWS

Experience to cherish for life Wells Cathedral choristers are to perform at the BBC Proms this month, for the first time in the choir’s history.

The concert at Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 6 September will see 28 choristers sing Bach’s St Matthew Passion with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. The 12 boys and 16 girls all attend Wells Cathedral School, one of only four specialist music schools in England.

Matthew Owens, organist and Master of the Choristers, said: “This is a great example of the incredible opportunity that can come one’s way as a chorister: singing one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, accompanied by arguably the finest orchestra in the world and under the baton of one of the very top conductors.

“I am so pleased for them. It’s an experience that will remain with them for life.”

The choristers will return from their summer break a day early in order to rehearse and have their cassocks fitting.

The concert is sold out although Promenade tickets are available. It will be broadcast live to the world on BBC Radio 3 at 7pm on Saturday 6 September.

ALL-ROUND EDUCATION AFTER 16

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When everyone’s asking each other what they got up to in the summer holidays, not many of us are able to boast that they were performing in the Edinburgh Festival. Six students from the upper sixth A Level drama group at Warminster School, under the name The Lord Weymouth’s Players, took their comical, fast paced drama The Canterbury Crawl, inspired by Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to the international festival in Scotland.

They used puppetry, multi-role playing and physical theatre to make these classic stories accessible for a modern audience. The company performed the play over six nights at the festival. The six to look out for are; Matthew Stone, Blake Scammell, Oliver Pitts, Jack Osborne, Tom Jaggs and Ben Ecclestone.

An exceptional year As the new term at Sexey’s co-educational State boarding and day school in Bruton begins, pupils have much to look forward to, from rehearsals for the musical Little Shop of Horrors to a history field trip to the battlefields of the First World War. And while the school is looking forward the school community is also celebrating an exceptional year for GCSE results, with over 75% of students achieving A* – C grades including English and maths. The A Level results too were among the best the school has seen, with 62% at A*- B. Anyone interested in sending their child to school is welcome to the lower school open evening on Tuesday 23 September, 6pm – 8pm or the sixth form open evening on Tuesday 7 October, 6pm – 8pm.

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ork has begun on a £1.5m, ten room teaching block at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College in Brislington, which is due to be ready in January.

The building will also include a second café and new social space for the college’s 1,750 students.

St Brendan’s is also to have two more science laboratories.

The new buildings will allow the college to recruit more students and also continue to expand the number of courses that it offers, as the only sixth form college in the area. It has been massively oversubscribed for the last two years.

The college currently offers more than 70 A-level, BTEC and OCR Diploma courses which can be taken in virtually any combination. This year it will be adding a Level 3 BTEC in applied law, a Level 2 BTEC in sport, the new core maths qualification and English for academic purposes to its list. It will also be launching a girls’ football academy. A performing arts and media career academy will join its business and sport and leisure career academies.

St Brendan’s is holding open events in October on Saturday 11 (10.30am-2pm), Wednesday 22 (5pm8pm) and Thursday 23 (5pm-8pm) for those interested in studying there in 2015. All are welcome to attend and to bring along their friends and family for a look and to talk to staff and students about courses and college life. Visit: www.stbrendanssixthform.com.

Help for the one in ten with reading issues A Bath based centre offers help to those suffering from dyslexia, revealing that as many as one in ten in the population have the condition.

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that affects memory and processing speed which impacts on literacy development, mathematics, organisation and sequencing skills to varying degrees. It can occur at any level of intellectual development; it’s neurological in origin and is seen to run in families.

Dyslexia Action, the UK’s leading charity, provides services and support for children and adults. It operates a learning centre in Queen Square, Bath which provides practical help and an opportunity to meet others in the same situation, and with the right support people can be taught coping strategies to deal with the difficulties associated with dyslexia.

If you are concerned that you or your child may have dyslexia you can call tel: 0300 303 8355 or visit the Bath Learning Centre. To find out about more symptoms and how to get help, visit the Dyslexia Action website: www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk.

Pride for school which eschews league tables One independent Bath school defiantly opts out of the very public process of releasing its exam results to the media for league tables on principle.

Monkton Combe School’s policy was adopted a few years ago. It decided that this was an issue of principle – arguing that a focus on league table performance stops its staff from focussing exclusively in their decision-making on the welfare of individual pupils. Schools exist for the benefit of pupils, and not pupils for schools.

Nonetheless the school delights in celebrating the achievements of individuals at the school. A Level results day brought news of excellent performances. Three pupils were the first Monkton pupils to take Pre-U exams.

One scored a D1 grade and two pupils achieved D2 grades. A level results saw 21.8 % at A*, or better, and nearly four out of five grades were A*-B. Four candidates are off to Oxford University, and others will disperse to universities including Warwick, Bristol, Manchester, Exeter, Cardiff, and Imperial College, London.

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A head with a clear vision Young people in the Bath area are being offered the chance to join a brand new State school that aims to equip them to join the world of work. Georgette McCready visits Bath Studio School and talks to its new headteacher, Colin Cattanach

R

ather than pick some Latin motto for his new school, Bath headteacher Colin Cattanach has chosen “Be professional” as the goal he wants his students to strive for. Colin, a teacher with more than 20 years experience in the classroom and as a headteacher, is a man on a mission, as he prepares to open the doors to the first students at the new Bath Studio School, a State-funded secondary school based in Odd Down.

Colin is bringing a new approach to the Bath education scene. His main aim for his pupils is that they prepare not only for real education, but also for the workplace and for what real life throws at them. They will be able to study the core subjects at GCSE and A Level, but also BTECs, and the school will have specialist studies in journalism and broadcasting, photography, graphic design and IT and business studies.

The great draw for young people is that they will be encouraged to study what is relevant for the lives they face after school. All will be given the tools to help them manage money, learn about avoiding debt, applying for a mortgage and how to apply for jobs and present themselves confidently at interview or presentations. They will be taught how to manage their time, to study alone when needed and about team work. Each year there’ll be a team building three day residential trip to encourage them to study different workplaces and career options.

Prospective students – and there is no exam or test to sit to sign up to the Bath Studio School – can join at the start of Year 10 or Year 12. They and their families are invited to come and meet Colin so he can discuss their options and help inform them whether the school would be the right place for them and their child. Colin is particularly proud that he’s secured additional funding from the Department of Education to kit out a fully functional stateof-the-art television studio with cameras, editing suite and even a green room for guests. This studio will provide students with the chance to run their own television station, via YouTube, transmitting to Bath and providing news and views to a watching world.

Parents will like the fact that class sizes are small, at around 15 per session.

Students are asked to dress as if for the office environment, in suits. Trainers and face furniture will not be allowed, and for security, as in many modern offices, everyone will have official ID cards and lanyards to enable them to open doors in the school. The school day will begin at 8.30am, but there is a breakfast club from 8am, with a small kitchen for teenagers to prepare their own food. The working day ends at 4.45pm, with a lunch break in the 74 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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middle. There are plenty of nice little touches that make the Bath Studio School feel welcoming. Teaching rooms tend to be light, big and laid out more like an open plan office with workstations and there are sofas for breakout sessions. There’s not a whiteboard in sight and the headteacher’s door will be open, again more like the CEO of a business than a school. On a small but significant note, the lavatories have been laid out to give each person complete privacy, as it’s been established in some schools pupils do not use the toilets on school premises for fear of bullying.

Employers in Bath have welcomed the new school as it promises to deliver young people who are educated and work ready. Students will go on weekly placements, one day at a time, where employers will take them under their wing and give them workplace projects that will increase their employability.

At the heart of the new school is Colin’s drive. He campaigned successfully to get the site, at an underused old special school next to Sainsbury’s, and the £2.2m needed from the Government to pay for its refurbishment. He also has sponsors, in Wellsway Multi-Academy Trust.

I asked him why he had set out on this massive project. He smiles: “You could say it’s my mid-life crisis. But, seriously, I feel we’re letting our children down. Exam results for 16-year-olds in Bath & North East Somerset have been flatlining at 60 per cent (that’s the number of pupils achieving five GCSE passes at Grades C to A*, including English and maths) for five years. My conclusion from those figures is that 40 per cent of kids are not getting a good deal.

“My second reason is that I am a firm believer in vocational education. All too often it’s seen as secondary to academic learning. It’s frustrating for it not to be taken seriously.”

So Colin is modelling his studio school on similar establishments in the States, Germany and Scandanavia. He has visited centres of excellence in this field in America to bring back some of their best practices to Bath.

Another reason motivating Colin to push for the new school is that he feels some teaching is stuck in the past, with the teacher out front in the Victorian model, with much reliance on paper based learning. Instead, he says, we should be using our young people’s sophisticated approach to new technology. They are more at ease with IT in all its guises, he argues, so it makes sense to use multi-media as a way of communicating and learning.

“I want to encourage our students to be brave. I feel we are being brave in bringing this to Bath. There is a danger that schools are becoming exam factories. Of course it takes discipline to pass exams, but we want to teach

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CITY | SCHOOLS

A CLEAN SLATE: main picture, Colin Cattanach, head of the Bath Studio School Above, the school has first class IT facilities and a TV studio – Colin has a clear vision of what he wants for his students PICTURES: Lloyd Ellington

our students much more, to encourage them to learn time management, organisation, team work. They need to learn how to work on their own and how to respond to life’s knocks, to pick themselves up and, if necessary, change direction. At a time when people no longer have one job for their working lives, they have to be flexible, to learn to transfer skills and adapt.”

The Studio School will expect students’ parents or carers to support them in their studies and in return the school will produce six reports each year. Each student will be assigned a personal coach so there is always someone for them to seek out as a sounding board.

Because this is a mixed ability school there will be provision for the high fliers and for those who have been let down earlier in their lives. A specialist speech and language centre will work

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intensively with children who have communication problems.

The Bath Studio School is also offering extra curricular activities, on top of PE, music lessons and learning to cook.

Everyone will be encouraged to take a Duke of Edinburgh qualification. Over time, as the school grows, it will be able to offer more options, but with a maximum capacity of 300 students it will never become so large that people feel part of an anonymous institution.

If you would like to know more about the Bath Studio School tel: 01225 831933, or email: info@thebathstudioschool.org.uk and arrange to meet Colin Cattanach.

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EDUCATION | PROFILE

FIGHTING TO CLOSE THE GAP Charlotte Obolensky, a reviewer of schools for the Good Schools Guide, talks to Bristol ex-head teacher Marius Frank.

The zealous campaigner and Bath resident works tirelessly to promote the educational interests of the least fortunate children and has set up a consultancy SCiP5 to do just that. This interview will also appear in the Good Schools Guide newsletter

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he Good Schools Guide reckon we are pretty adept at defining what makes a good school – which goes so much further than the confines of league tables – but it would be fair to say that all the schools we include in the guide would be top of somebody’s charts. But what about the schools at the bottom of the pile, the ones that children have to attend, come what may?

Educational reformer and self-confessed political irritant Marius Frank’s work for the last 25 years has been to address the children in those schools.

He has been taking issue with some of our most dearly held truths in education since he completed, but did not collect, his PhD in 1982.

Having excelled as a neuroscientist and in danger of becoming an acknowledged expert on deaf mice, he was sufficiently dismayed by the selfserving, self-congratulatory nature of medical research at the time, as he perceived it, that he left without submitting his PhD thesis.

But neuroscience’s loss was teaching’s gain, and a ten week training placement at one of Nottingham’s roughest comprehensives determined his career. Memorably, a lippy GCSE student, when he asked her why she messed about in biology, shot back with: “How is knowing what the inside of a plant looks like going to get me an effing job? He is still pondering that one.

He says: “It’s the weakest and most deprived learners in the system that need the best,” and 11 years as head of a challenging comprehensive in a socially deprived area of south Bristol saw him do exactly that. Despite seven Ofsted/HMI inspections in 11 years, in a turbulent and hard-pressed local authority that saw school after school put into special measures and forced into Academy status, Bedminster Down (powered onwards by a staff that Marius described as something really special) just kept improving.

By the time he left Bedminster Down School in 2011, GCSE pass rates including maths and English had trebled. More importantly, Marius had begun to realise the significant and disastrous gap between education and employment – disastrous for students and indeed for employers: many school leavers did not have the skills, aptitudes or attitudes to make a successful transition to work.

The overwhelmingly academic curriculum was a source of discouragement and disengagement for many, and little, if any, recognition was given to the wider skills and competencies critical to drive forward Great Britain plc, from shop floor to boardroom.

“So I joined ASDAN Education as chief executive to see if I could make a difference that way,” he says. ASDAN, in its own words, is ‘a pioneering curriculum development organisation and awarding body, offering programmes and qualifications that explicitly grow skills for learning, skills for employment and skills for life’ – or, more succinctly, concentrates on celebrating achievement in its widest sense, particularly where poverty is a barrier to opportunity. Sadly, with the arrival of Michael Gove and his overweening belief in academic rigour as being the only game in town, the likes of ASDAN suffered significantly.

CAMPAIGNER: Marius Frank was headteacher at Bedminster Down in Bristol for ten years before leaving teaching to work on education reform

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Marius has since set up his own educational consultancy, SCiP5, which is committed to ‘closing the gap between the classroom and the workplace and that due to social and economic deprivation’.

MARIUS HAD BEGUN TO REALISE THE SIGNIFICANT AND DISASTROUS GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT – DISASTROUS FOR STUDENTS AND INDEED FOR EMPLOYERS

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More immediately, he is much involved with Achievement for All 3As, a not-for-profit organisation which aims to redress the imbalance of educational advantage that special educational needs, socially deprived and vulnerable children are prey to by accelerating progress in their literacy, numeracy, self-esteem, emotional resilience, wellbeing and readiness to learn.

Marius makes it his business to flag up the passion, zeal and excellence in the classroom of school leaders and teachers who have spent their whole careers closing the gap, not because it is a government or social priority, but because it was the reason they went into teaching in the first place, so often unnoticed if the school’s headline performance figures just happen to be the

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wrong side of a norm-weighted continuum.

“It should be a societal aim that every school is good. But how can this possibly be if the statistical tools – a normal distribution curve - to rank schools are flawed in the first place? A politician famously once said that he wanted all schools to be above average. I rest my case!”

While acknowledging that the government is beginning to get it right with pupil premium funding, targeted at ‘closing the gap’, he remains adamantly opposed to measures like EBacc which have stripped schools of qualifications that aren’t necessarily “purely academic”, but serve certain

young people extraordinarily well.

So, what of redefining good? What about schools which knock down barriers to learning for all who face them, through an unlucky start in life or some educational disadvantage, that take the fight to hard-pressed and overwhelmed communities on a day by day, year by year basis? Whose students emerge, as a minimum, functionally literate and numerate, tolerant and compassionate? Where all kinds of talents, skills and achievements are recognised? Where everyone is helped to find an achievable aspiration?

Suggestions on a back of a postcard addressed to Ofsted, please. n

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Hayesfield Girls’ School

Monkton Prep & Pre-Prep

Calder House

Upper Oldfield Park, Brougham Hayes, Bath, BA2 3QU. Tel: 01225 426151 www.hayesfield.com Autumn term: 1 September -19 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term:13 April -17 July 15 Age of pupils: 11 - 16 years girls, 16 - 18 years co-educational Number of pupils: 1,107 Day fees: N/A Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The school offers a range of stimulating learning opportunities which support the development of good habits of learning – independence of thought, intellectual curiosity, creativity and resilience. A strong emphasis is also placed on developing students’ critical capacity to evaluate their own progress and the skills to support future learning. Crosscurricular and wider learning subjects include Innovate, STEM-based learning for Year 7, Inspire philosophy learning for year 8 and masterclasses for years 7-9. More than 40 A Level subjects are offered in the sixth form, in conjunction with Bath Education Trust partner schools.

Extra curricular activities: A superb range of extra-curricular activities are on offer with all students expected to participate in two or more “Period 6” opportunities per week with a wide range of clubs and societies for all year groups.

These cover a huge range of areas from the Polyglots and the Drama Society to the Christian Union and Debating. Choose from a wide range of sports from netball and hockey to trampolining, rowing or fencing.

Pastoral care: There is a strong belief in traditional values at Hayesfield; high standards are set in work, conduct and appearance.

Emphasis is placed on developing the skills and values that will enable students to become thinking, informed and confident adults.

Name of principal: Ms Emma Yates Outstanding characteristics: Hayesfield is recognised as outstanding in its leadership and management and the behaviour and safety of its students. New facilities include buildings for PE and performing arts, science, design and technology and a new sixth form centre.

Ofsted, 2013 stated: “Teachers have high expectations of what students can achieve and high levels of mutual respect have been established. This has resulted in a positive learning atmosphere across the school.”

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Combe Down, Bath, BA2 7ET Tel: 01225 837912 www.monktoncombeschool.com Email: admin@monktonprep.org.uk Autumn term: 1 September - 10 December 14 Spring term: 4 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 20 April - 4 July 15 Age of pupils: 2 - 13 years Number of pupils: 344 Fees: per term Pre-Prep (age 2 - 7) £2,954 - £3,040 Prep (Day age 7 - 11) £3,565 - £3,672 Prep (Boarding age 7 - 11) £6,885 - £7,140 Prep (Day age 11 - 13) £5,198 Prep (Boarding age 11 - 13) £7,420 Fees are inclusive of costs that apply to all pupils, including all meals, text books and transport to School fixtures.

Religious denomination: Christian The curriculum: The Pre-Prep follows the national guidelines for teaching under fives, and then the national curriculum. It is planned to suit the needs of each individual using a crosscurricular approach to learning, to encourage the development of key skills.

In the Prep School the syllabus in each subject is aimed at the requirements of national curriculum up to the end of Year 6, and also the Common Entrance and scholarship examinations at 13+. This latter examination follows the outlines of the national curriculum but deals with material in greater depth and extends the range of topics covered.

Extra curricular activities: The activity programme is one of the most exciting parts of life at Monkton Prep. The choice is extremely varied and includes cub-scout group, gymnastics, swimming, drama, choir, football and animation to name just a few.

Pastoral care: The happiness and well-being of each child is central to what the school does.

Through its inclusive approach each pupil is encouraged to try new things, develop their skills and talents and aim high in every area of school life, so they are well prepared for the next stage of their journey.

Name of principal: Mr Andrew Marshall-Taylor MA PGCE Outstanding characteristics: Monkton Prep has an excellent rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate in all categories. Monkton stands for traditional and lasting Christian family values in a vibrant and nurturing community.

The school encourages the development of every child spiritually, emotionally and academically to enable them to go out into the world and play a part in transforming society.

Thickwood Lane, Colerne, Wiltshire, SN14 8BN. Tel: 01225 742329 www.CalderHouseSchool.co.uk Head@CalderHouseSchool.co.uk Autumn term: 8 September - 19 December 14 Spring term: 8 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 20 April - 24 July 15 Age of pupils: 5 - 12 years Number of pupils: 48 Day fees: £5,235 per term (£15,705 per year) includes all remedial support required to meet each pupil’s individual needs.

Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: Pupils follow the national curriculum in full. Morning lessons focus on reading, writing, spelling and maths while afternoons are spent studying history, geography, science, religious studies, PSHE, information technology, spoken Italian and Latin and in small age-appropriate classes.

Pupils are also taught a wide range of sports and activities including swimming, PE, football, touch-rugby, netball and cricket.

A specialist approach: Calder House is a small co-educational day school for children who, for various reasons, are out of step with their potential. It offers a friendly, non-competitive environment in which children with dyslexia and other specific learning/language difficulties are encouraged to enjoy school while developing the skills they need to successfully return to mainstream education. Average class size is just eight with a staff to pupil ratio of one to four.

Name of head teacher: Mr Andrew Day Outstanding characteristics: A typical pupil: - arrives with an unmeasurable reading age or one that is more than two years behind their chronological age - spends just over two years at Calder House - leaves with a reading age appropriate for their chronological age or (in the case of one in three pupils) an adult reading age - returns successfully to mainstream education.

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Prior Park College

The Paragon School Lyncombe House, Lyncombe Vale, BA2 4LT. Tel: 01225 310837 www.thepriorfoundation.com

Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH Tel: 01225 835353 Website: www.thepriorfoundation.com Email: admissions@thepriorfoundation.com Autumn term: 3 September - 11 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 26 March 15 Summer term: 20 April - 4 July 15 Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 580+ Day fees: Boarding: Full fee, per term £9,210 per annum £27,630 International boarding: Full fee, per term £9,545, per annum £28,635 Weekly: Full fee, per term £7,595 per annum, £22,785 Day 13+: Full fee, per term £4,975, per annum, £14,925 Day 11+: Full fee, per term, £4,510, per annum, £13,530 Religious denomination: Catholic, but all faiths welcome The curriculum: The College is thriving and received an “Outstanding” from Ofsted in its most recent inspection, and an “Outstanding” in all areas in its November 2011 ISI Inspection.

The school offers 24 AS and A2 subjects, while students study 10 or 11 GCSE subjects. The school prides itself on the quality of its learning environment, supported by state-of-the-art IT systems, and very strong teacher/student partnerships based on mutual respect and commitment to learning.

Autumn term: 3 September - 12 December 14 Half term: 23 October - 2 November 14 Spring term: 6 January - 27 March 15 Half term: 14 February - 22 February 15 Summer term: 21 April - 7 July 15 Half term: 23 May - 31 May 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 11 years Number of pupils: 275 Day fees: per term, juniors: Years 3,4,5 and 6, including lunches: £2,930; infants: Years 1 & 2, including lunches: £2,790; Reception, including lunches: £2,630; Squirrels nursery: full time, including lunches: £2,510 per term

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Religious denomination: Christian

Extra curricular activities: One of Monkton’s strengths is the breadth of activities available to pupils at weekends – in fact, many of our day pupils will spend all weekend at school just so they can join in the Monkton social life. Every Saturday afternoon there is a full programme of sporting activities which follow on after morning lessons. There are some brilliant social events hosted by the houses throughout the year – a bonfire party, a summer fete, a barbecue, to name but a few, and these, together with the music, drama and sporting competitions, keep the students extremely busy at weekends. They can also enjoy the school productions, DVD nights, Pearce Centre parties, junior discos and informal concerts – there is almost too much to choose from!

Extra curricular activities: A fantastic choice of extra-curricular activities from pottery and chess to conservation and ballet. Staff run around 70 lunchtime and after school clubs.

The majority of clubs focus on enjoyment and exploring new interests. Some of the clubs are by invitation only to provide children with opportunities for their skill levels. There is also a rich mix of school trips and activity days, including a week in France for children in Year 6, visits to local history sites, a residential adventure centre, and many themed days that make full use of the grounds.

Outstanding characteristics: The Paragon feels so special: its friendly family atmosphere and belief that happy children learn best is at the heart of what they do (with the results to prove it).

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Fees per term Day: £5,198 -£6,312 Boarder: £7,420 - £9,972 Fees are inclusive of costs that apply to all pupils, including all meals, text books and transport to school fixtures.

The curriculum: broad, balanced curriculum, with cross-curricular links and some topic based work. Emphasis on core subjects and attaining high academic standards, with engaging humanities curriculum and crosscurricular ICT. Sport, art, music and outdoor learning are strong.

Pastoral Care: The Pastoral Care programme is classed as outstanding, with housemasters and housemistresses supported by a dedicated group of tutors who each address the needs of a small group of students. A vibrant and supportive culture exists within each of the houses.

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Autumn term: 31 August - 10 December 14 Spring term: 4 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 19 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 13 - 19 years Number of pupils: 410

The curriculum: GCSE and A Levels

Pastoral care: Every child at The Paragon should feel secure and affirmed, valued for who they are regardless of their ability.

Children feel comfortable about approaching a teacher to talk about something that’s bothering them. Strong relationships with parents help identify problems at an early stage. Each class has a prefect, chosen from the eldest year group, to support and advise them. A school council, with democratically elected representatives from Year 2 up, meets monthly with the headmaster.

Outstanding characteristics: A happy, purposeful, high achieving community in which talents can blossom without censure from peers.

Monkton Combe, Bath, BA2 7HG Tel: 01225 721102 www.monktoncombeschool.com Email: reception@monkton.org.uk

Religious denomination: Christian

Extra curricular activities: The school has outstanding facilities with over 20 music, drama and dance productions held in the magnificent Chapel, John Wood Chapel, Julian Slade Theatre and Mackintosh Studio each year. A broad and balanced sporting curriculum helps to promote sporting excellence and sporting opportunities for all. The building work for a new, state-of-the-art sports centre has begun and is forecast to be completed in Spring 2015.

More than 60 weekday activities, along with a popular Saturday Active programme, brings the day and boarding communities together with a number of exciting programmes on offer.

Name of principal: Mr James Murphy-O’Connor, MA Oxon

Monkton Senior

Name of principal: Mr Andrew Harvey

Pastoral Care: The school prides itself on its lively Christian ethos, excellent exam results and strong pastoral care. Monkton is setting standards for life; giving young people the qualities of character they need to become trusted employees, inspiring leaders, valued friends and loving parents.

Name of principal: Mr Richard Backhouse MA (Cantab) Outstanding characteristics: Monkton stands for traditional and lasting Christian family values in a vibrant and nurturing community. The school encourages the development of every child spiritually, emotionally and academically to enable them to go out into the world and play a part in transforming society.

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All Hallows Cranmore Hall, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4SF. Tel: 01749 881600 www.allhallowsschool.co.uk info@allhallowsschool.co.uk

Downside Stratton on the Fosse, Bath BA3 4RJ Tel: 01761 235103 Email: registrar@downside.co.uk www.downside.co.uk @downsideschool Autumn term: Wednesday 3rd September Spring term: Tuesday 6th January Summer term: Monday 13th April Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 350

Autumn term: 3 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 7 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 20 April - 4 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 13 years Number of pupils: 300 approx Day fees: Day pre-prep; £2,460, Years 3 to 8; £4,630 Boarding £6,850; Day plus boarding (25nights per term) £5,140 Religious denomination: Catholic foundation welcoming all faiths

Day fees: Day pupils from £4,718 Boarding from £7,513 Religious denomination: Roman Catholic The curriculum: A focus on academic excellence in recent years with a pupil teacher ratio of 7:1 has reaped rewards and public exam results have been excellent. 8 pupils were offered places at Oxford and Cambridge in 2014.

The curriculum: Creativity is the heartbeat of All Hallows, and the school is known for leading the way on a number of initiatives within the prep school sector.

All Hallows was an early adopter of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) which is taught with great success in the Junior Department.

Thematic learning and innovative curriculum ideas pervade the school.

Music, art and performing arts are a great strength of the school, and a new Creative Centre is opening in September 2014, further enhancing opportunities. The on-site Forest School and LTA Tennis Academy are also great strengths.

Extra curricular activities: Extra curricular opportunities abound at All Hallows – Sport, music, arts, drama, performing arts, outdoor pursuits. The Saturday Enrichment Programme is unique – encouraging the children to move out of their comfort zones and try a range of experiences such as the Exmoor Youth Challenge, Sports Leaders Awards, music production with professional musicians, digital photography, animation and much more.

Pastoral care: This unique school provides a secure and happy environment where children will develop the inner confidence necessary to flourish in a rapidly changing world. Whilst protected and nurtured, the children are also challenged and stretched in order to build their ability to thrive as adults in the future.

Name of principal: Ms A M Lee, MA, BA, LTCL, PGCE Outstanding characteristics: All Hallows offers an exceptionally warm and caring environment coupled with excellent facilities.

Non-selective on entry the school is particularly proud that around 40% of pupils each year receive scholarships to leading independent schools.

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Dauntsey’s West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 4HE. Tel: 01380 814500 Email: admissions@dauntseys.org Autumn term: 5 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 20 March 15 Summer term: 15 April - 4 July 15 Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 790 Day fees: Day pupils: £5,600 per term UK boarders: £9,380 per term Religious denomination: Inter-denominational The curriculum: The curriculum throughout the school is broad and balanced, offering all pupils the opportunity to study an extensive range of subjects. Lessons are delivered by specialist teachers in a challenging and stimulating environment that is conducive to a positive and enjoyable learning experience for the pupils.

Dauntsey’s is keen to promote independent learning, enabling pupils to fulfil their potential and develop a range of key skills needed in later life. The timetable offers a great deal of flexibility with a well-structured weekly lesson arrangement and the extensive options system provides well for the different interests and aptitudes of all pupils.

Extra curricular activities: All pupils discover a breadth and depth of education that takes them beyond academic achievement. Drama, music, art and sport all flourish and the rural surroundings provide an ideal setting for many outdoor activities which include sailing on the school’s very own Tall Ship, the famous 56’ gaff cutter, the Jolie Brise.

Extra curricular activities: Situated in a magnificent rural campus 12 miles south of Bath, Downside is unusual in that its wide range of facilities are all on one site: swimming pool, sports hall, acres of playing fields, a large purpose built theatre and a music school. As Downside is a full boarding school weekend and evening activities are an essential part of life and pupils can choose from an extensive programme of activities.

Pastoral care: The most recent ISI inspection also noted that “pupils excellent personal development draws clearly on the school’s Benedictine ethos”. Eighty per cent of pupils are full boarding and day pupils are encouraged to stay for supper and prep and are fully integrated into the house system.

Name of principal: Dr James Whitehead Outstanding characteristics: Downside is proud of its reputation as the country’s leading catholic co-educational boarding school. 2014 marks a milestone in its 400 year history as the first lay head master takes up the challenge to lead this great school.

Pastoral care: At Dauntsey’s each pupil joins a boarding or day house and is supported by his or her housemaster or housemistress and a team of tutors. Their aim is to ensure each pupil fulfils their potential and makes the most of the varied opportunities on offer at Dauntsey’s.

Name of principal: Mr Mark Lascelles MA Outstanding characteristics: The equal balance of boarding and day pupils, the wide range of facilities, and the excellent pastoral support ensure that everyone feels part of the community.

Visitors comment on the happy and friendly atmosphere; the energy, purpose and determination to do well.

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St Mark's CofE School

Saint Gregory's Bath

Warminster School

St Mark’s Church of England School Bay Tree Road, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6ND Tel: 01225 312661 www.st-marks.org.uk

Church Street, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8PJ Tel: 01985 210100 Email: admissions@warminsterschool.org.uk www.warminsterschool.org.uk

Autumn term: 1 September - 19 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer Term: 13 April - 20 July 15 Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 213

Autumn term: 3 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 14 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 -18 years Number of pupils: 550

Day fees: N/A

Saint Gregory’s, Bath Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA Tel: 01225 832873 www.st-gregorys.org.uk

Religious denomination: Church of England The curriculum: The curriculum at St Mark’s is an interesting blend of those subjects which fulfil the national curriculum and those areas of experience which they consider essential for students to truly flourish. The school promotes high levels of achievement within a culture of support and challenge so that every student can achieve excellence at a level that is appropriate to their skills and talents.

Extra curricular activities: Students are encouraged to take part in a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities to promote wellbeing and help them to develop excellent social skills, confidence and respect for one another.

Opportunities include residential visits, overseas trips, after-school clubs and community projects, including Duke of Edinburgh and Learning to Lead.

Pastoral care: “St Mark’s School is a distinctive, caring Christian community with a strong and inclusive family ethos.” SIAS Report. The personal development and well-being of students is paramount and Christian values are central to their educational purpose. St Mark’s is a small school that allows young people to flourish and develop, in an environment that is caring and supportive.

Name of principal: Mr Barnaby Ash BSc, NPQH Outstanding characteristics: St Mark’s is an, ‘Outstanding Church of England School’ (SIAS) and rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, June 2013 St Mark's School seeks to provide excellence in education as a mixed comprehensive school respecting the unique contribution that every individual can make to the community, and placing this within a framework that embraces the highest possible academic aspirations whilst accepting individual differences in ability, aptitude and level of skill.

Autumn term: 1 September - 19 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 13 April - 20 July 15 Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 870 Day fees: N/A Religious denomination: Catholic The curriculum: Saint Gregory’s has a traditional curriculum with students studying a broad and engaging range of subjects within a caring Christian pastoral setting. Its specialisms in performing arts and science create a particularly creative and engaging focus for many students as they are allowed to learn how to express themselves through the study of music, drama and dance, whilst the study of science encourages a young person’s natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Extra curricular activities: A varied and dynamic timetable of events, classes, and residential trips is available for students to enjoy throughout the year. There is also a wide range of international links with schools in China, Europe and India with opportunities for students to visit these countries and grow in understanding and respect for their cultures. With over 30 clubs or activities each term, Saint Gregory's aims to provide a broad and balanced range of opportunities so that each and every student has an opportunity to shine.

Pastoral care: Saint Gregory’s has a high level of pastoral care with an inclusive atmosphere. Not all of the children are Catholic and they welcome applications from families who share their sense of values and want their children educated in a high-achieving Christian environment.

Name of headteacher: Mr Raymond Friel MA (Hons), NPQH National Leader of Education.

Outstanding characteristics: Saint Gregory’s, in the words of its most recent Ofsted report in July 2013, is ‘an Outstanding school.’ Every aspect of their provision was judged as Outstanding, which means that Saint Gregory’s joins a very small number of schools nationally to be graded as Outstanding in the tough new Ofsted framework. The school’s most recent inspection by Clifton Diocese also rated it as an Outstanding Catholic school.

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Day fees: Prep £2,320 - £3,710 (boarding £6,560) Senior £4,650 (boarding £8,875) Religious denomination: Church of England The curriculum: Warminster is an academic school and every child is expected to pursue academic excellence, enjoy a love of learning and achieve the best exam results they are capable of. Full range of subjects available at GCSE, A Level and IB. Extra-curricular activities: The co-curricular programme at Warminster continues to be a vibrant and vital component of school life.

Emphasis on sporting and performing arts clubs and opportunities including, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, Ten Tors and LAMDA. The quality of both music and drama is extremely high. In August 2014 the Upper Sixth drama pupils performed for an entire week on the Royal Mile, as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

Pastoral care: A recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (2013) reported that ‘the school provides outstanding care for its pupils’. Pastoral care was graded as Excellent – the highest grading available. The report adds that, ‘pupils feel safe and well cared for as individuals. Tutors play a key role in pastoral care; they see their groups twice a day and are the first point of contact with parents’.

These inspection findings are testament to the strong support systems at Warminster.

Name of principal: Mr Mark Mortimer MBA BA Outstanding characteristics: Warminster have been developing confident, well rounded children for over 300 years.

The academic life of Warminster is flourishing and the school’s examination results last year were very pleasing. Dedicated and enthusiastic staff, led by a dynamic, engaging and very ‘hands-on’ headmaster, Mark Mortimer.

Supported by an experienced and welcoming Prep School Headmaster, David Edwards; working in tandem they seek to ensure the success and happiness of pupils from Prep to Sixth Form. Warminster aims to offer pupils the very best all-round education. Such an education combines several key components: excellent pastoral care, first-class teaching and facilities, and a wide range of co-curricular activities and opportunities.

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St Brendan’s

Oldfield School

Wellsway School

St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, Broomhill Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5RQ. Tel: 0117 977 7766 info@stbrn.ac.uk www.stbrn.ac.uk Autumn term: 1 September - 18 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 13 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 16 - 18 years Number of pupils: 1,750 Day fees: No fees for those aged 16 – 18 and resident in the UK. Religious denomination: St Brendan’s is a Catholic college which welcomes students from any religious or non-religious background. It is a diverse community with staff and students from a wide variety of backgrounds and traditions.

The curriculum: St Brendan’s offers over 70 different courses at Level 2 (BTEC) and Level 3 (A-level and BTEC) plus GCSEs. Its courses can be taken in virtually any combination and are all taught on one site.

Extra curricular activities: There is a huge enrichment programme available to students ranging from activities to enhance the courses you take (College drama production, CineClub, etc.); or ones that you feel passionately about (Fair Trade,CAFOD, etc.); or that offer a challenge or chance to keep fit (Duke of Edinburgh, gym, rugby, etc.).

Pastoral care: St Brendan’s has always been highly praised for the pastoral care that it provides for all of its students – everyone has a Pastoral Support Tutor who is responsible for monitoring and supporting their academic progress and personal welfare. In addition the college has a dedicated team who provide additional learning support which is tailored to individual needs. All of this combined with the college's distinctive catholic ethos, where every individual is regarded as a unique creation of God, in an environment of respect, care and tolerance of each other, means that all of the ingredients are here for students to fulfill their potential and realise their aspirations. If students are ambitious to achieve highly in a more adult atmosphere, the college would be delighted to welcome them and guide them to success.

Name of principal: Michael Jaffrain Outstanding characteristics: St Brendan’s Sixth Form College is the only dedicated sixth form provider in the area and its self- contained campus and state-of-the-art buildings provide a unique community feel.

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Kelston Road, Bath, BA1 9AB Tel: 01225 423 582 www.oldfieldschool.com enquiries@oldfieldschool.com Autumn term: 2 September - 19 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 13 April - 20 July 15 Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years boys and girls Number of pupils: 800 Day fees: N/A Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: Oldfield provides a broad and balanced curriculum which celebrates the achievements of each and every individual. At KS4 GCSE courses are offered including business studies, dance, physics, chemistry and biology. In the sixth form students take AS and A-Levels including philosophy and ethics, dance, applied science, photography, psychology and computing. Residential experiences are built into the curriculum so that students may choose to go on outdoor activities in Bude on language-based visits to Spain, on World Challenge Expeditions to Morocco, Costa Rica or Cambodia or ski trips.

Extra curricular activities: Students have access to an extensive extra-curricular provision including public speaking, creative writing, drama, music, rowing, judo, dance, fencing and Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Pastoral care: Ofsted 2012 said: “Students' behaviour in and outside of lessons is impeccable. Students are polite, courteous, helpful and constructive."

Name of principal: Mr Matthew Woodville Outstanding characteristics: Oldfield has been designated a High Performing Specialist School with three separate specialisms: science, arts and sport. Oldfield was the highest performing comprehensive school in BANES in 2013 which is testament to the outstanding teaching that the students receive.

Chandag Road, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1PH Tel: 01179 864 751 Email: enquiries@wellswayschool.com Autumn term: 2 September - 19 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 13 April - 17 July 15 Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 1335 Day Fees: N/A Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The curriculum is designed to be broad-based and balanced, to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, social, mental and physical development of students, and to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

Extra curricular activities: Students have access to an extensive extra-curricular provision including volleyball, football, cricket, tennis, running, rounders, hockey, choir, Green Team, windband, debating, dance, rugby, netball, art, creative writing & jazz.

Name of principal: Mrs Andrea Arlidge Outstanding characteristics: As a specialist Sports and Science Academy, the school has adopted the seven Olympic values to frame and guide its culture and behaviour. ‘Respect’ is an over-arching theme throughout school life while ‘Friendship’, ‘Determination’, ‘Equality’, ‘Courage’, ‘Excellence’, and ‘Inspiration’ are each the specific focus of one of the six terms.

A 'vertical tutoring system' is used, delivered through four houses. Vertical tutoring means that students are organised into tutor groups composed of students drawn from Years 7 to 11. This approach encourages students to build relationships across year groups, enabling them to understand what lies ahead and, for the older students, providing opportunities to model the values and behaviours that are expected at Wellsway. Above all, vertical tutoring fosters a sense of community and shared endeavour. This approach has worked very successfully since its introduction in 2011 and is now established as an important part of daily life within the school.

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Millfield School name: Millfield Millfield, Street, Somerset BA16 0YD Tel: 01458 444296 Email: admissions@millfieldschool.com Millfield Prep, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8LD Tel: 01458 832446 Email: admissions@millfieldprep.com Autumn term: 1 September - 5 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 20 April - 26 June 15 Age of pupils: 2 - 18 years Number of pupils: Prep 345, Senior 1225

Grittleton House

King Edward’s School

Grittleton House School, Grittleton, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6AP. www.gritteltonhouseschool.org Autumn term: 3 September - 19 December 14 Spring term: 7 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 13 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 2 - 16 years Number of pupils: 223 Day fees:£2465 - £3665 per term Religious denomination: Non-denominational

Fees per term: Prep boarding: £8,300; flexi boarding, £42.75 per night: day, £4,625 £5,660. Senior boarding: £11,150, day: £7,500

King Edward’s Senior and Junior School, North Road, Bath, BA2 6HU; Pre-Prep and Nursery School, Weston Lane, Bath, BA1 4AQ Senior School tel: 01225 464 313; Junior School tel: 01225 463 218; Pre-Prep tel: 01225 421 681 www.kesbath.com

Religious denomination: Inter-denominational The curriculum: Founded in 1935, Millfield’s vision has always been to discover and develop the talents and abilities of each child. With world-class facilities, small class sizes and a breadth of subjects on offer, the school aims to give every child the maximum opportunity to find their individual strengths and aim for excellence. Millfield has an enrichment programme for those children who are academically able, and for pupils who have learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, there is an excellent Learning Support department, which aims to bring out the very best in the pupils who use it.

Extra-curricular activities: The rigorous academic offer is supported by a strong extracurricular programme in the arts, drama, music and sport. Pupils take part in individual sports and team games and the school competes in regional and national fixtures. Millfield is justifiably proud of its reputation as the best sporting school in the UK and was the most represented UK school in the London 2012 Olympics.

Pastoral care: Pupils can board from age seven upwards. Boys and girls live separately in well-appointed houses. The boarding houses foster a genuine family feel with the care and support of houseparents. Every weekend boarders have the opportunity to get involved in a wide choice of activities, from jet skiing to a trip to the wildlife park, and there are plenty of other boarders for them to spend the weekend with, as Millfield is a full boarding school.

Headmaster: Mr Craig Considine Prep headmistress: Mrs Shirley Shayler Outstanding characteristics: With an average class size of 12-14, a wide range of subjects, outstanding facilities and the strength of its extra-curricular programme, the school prides itself on the richness and diversity of the Millfield experience.

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Extra curricular activities: Grittleton House offers a broad range of extra-curricular activities, including; tennis, judo, music, science club, walking club and various sports.

Pastoral care: In the infant and junior school, each class has a form teacher who is responsible for the overall learning and care of each child within their class. Parents are encouraged to visit the classrooms in the infant school when dropping children off to admire their work and keep in contact with the form teacher. As the children move through the Junior School they become more independent. Each pupil also has a home message book which is used to communicate between school and home.

Teachers can, of course, be contacted at any time should the need arise. In the senior school form teachers are responsible for the pastoral care of students and the supervision of each individual’s progress. Time is allocated each day for form business, advice and guidance.

Name of principal: Mr N Dawes Outstanding characteristics: Grittleton House School is an independent, family-run coeducational day school. It is set in 30 acres of Wiltshire countryside and has a staff of highly qualified and dedicated teachers. The school believes in traditional family values, courtesy, consideration and responsibility for oneself. The aim is to help each child achieve their full potential in every field, and the school motto To Strive is to Accomplish is, it hopes, a daily fact of life. As a non-selective school additional subjects and activities are offered to the gifted and talented so that they may be stretched, they also ensure that extra support is given where needed so that all pupils have the tools to achieve their potential and in turn gain the highest results.

Grittleton House offers high quality education for the whole family. By the time the children leave Grittleton House, the school hopes that not only will they have achieved excellent academic results, but that they will have a feeling of selfworth and the confidence and values to equip them for a happy and successful future.

Autumn term: 3 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 15 April - 8 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 8 years co-educational across 6th Form, Senior, Junior, Pre-Prep and Nursery School Number of pupils: senior school 750, junior school 200, pre-prep and nursery 105 Day fees: nursery £2,430, pre-prep £2,950, junior £3,265, senior £4,135, sixth form £4,200 Religious denomination: Non-denominational.

Spiritual development is nurtured by a well developed sense of community, supportive relationships and the vital contribution of tutors and the school chaplain.

The curriculum: Every individual is encouraged to strive for excellence and to acquire a longlife passion for knowledge, discovery, adventure, creativity and culture. There is breadth in the curriculum as well as academic rigour. A range of subjects are taught at GCSE, AS and A-Level.

Extra curricular activities: Pupils’ educational experience is enhanced by an extensive programme of activities including expedition society, Duke of Edinburgh award, Combined Cadet Force, drama, music, sports, Model United Nations, debating society, Robotics, astronomy, philosophy society, Steel Pans, animation, student investor club, first aid, creative writing society and recreational clubs such as modelling, jewellery and book club.

Pastoral care: The Independent Schools Inspectorate found the quality of pastoral care, support and guidance to be outstanding. The school offers a strong, caring and supportive pastoral framework, working closely with parents to ensure that all members of the school community feel respected and valued.

Name of principal: Mr Martin Boden Outstanding characteristics: In the top 10 State and Independent Schools in the Southwest Source: The Sunday Times. Intellectual and creative curiosity woven into the fabric of the school. Dynamic, vibrant and ambitious on behalf of its pupils

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Heywood Prep

Shapwick School

Kingswood School Lansdown, Bath, BA1 5RG. Tel: 01225 734210 www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk Open morning: Sat 11th Oct 2014 Prep school open morning: Thurs 9th Oct 2014 6th form open evening: Wed 8th Oct 2014

The Priory, Priory Street, Corsham, Wilts, SN13 0AP Email: admissions@heywoodprep.com Website: www.heywoodprep.com Autumn term: 3 September-17 December Spring term: 7 January-27 March Summer term: 15 April-10 July Age of pupils: 2-11 years Number of pupils: 180 Day fees: £2,250-£2,580 Curriculum: Heywood Prep boasts a broad, creative and forward-looking curriculum, extending far beyond the National Curriculum.

As well as the core subjects, technology is key, and children learn coding from Year 1.

Extra curricular activities: A wide and eclectic choice of lunchtime and after-school clubs is on offer from stop motion animation and robotics, to fencing and dance. Most children learn at least one musical instrument, and Speech and Drama lessons are also offered.

Pastoral care: This year’s Inspection Report found that ‘Heywood Prep is a welcoming, friendly and open community. As a result of feeling safe and well looked after, pupils thrive and challenge themselves to reach their full potential.’

Name of head: Guy Barrett Outstanding characteristics: Heywood Prep is a happy, high-achieving school, rated ‘Excellent’ in its Inspection Report this year. The strong family ethos and extremely high standards of teaching combine to encourage children to test themselves within a safe environment, and achieve amazing things academically, on the sports field and on stage. Feeding into all the region’s leading senior schools, with the huge majority of children achieving their first choice, Heywood is a truly independent prep school, which will help you identify the best senior school for your child when the time is right.

Prep School: Mark Road, Burtle, Somerset, TA7 8NJ Tel: 01278 722012 Fax: 01278 723 312 Email: prep@shapwickschool.com Senior school: Shapwick Manor, Shapwick, Nr. Bridgwater, Somerset TA7 9NJ Tel: 01458 210 384 Fax: 01458 210 111 Email: office@shapwickschool.com Autumn term: 7th September 12th December 2014 Spring term: 11th January - 27th March 2015 Summer term: 19th April - 10th July Age of pupils: 8 to 19 years Number of pupils: 144 The curriculum: Shapwick offers teaching strategies based on a multi-sensory approach using auditory, visual and kinaesthetic methods of curriculum delivery. As a CReSTeD category SP school, support is offered across the entire curriculum within all classroom situations. On site Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy run alongside the above throughout the day, both in and out of the classroom, from KS2 to 6th Form.

Extra curricular Activities: Sports and activities include: rugby 7’s, football, cricket, netball, swimming, climbing, caving, sailing, table tennis, badminton, athletics, cross country, archery, gardening, riding, outdoor learning, Duke Of Edinburgh, art, drama, photography, film club, choir and music.

Boarding/pastoral Care: Shapwick’s boarding environment promotes a structured and purposeful framework for the social and emotional development of young people. Living away from home may be new, but children experience a unique and caring “family” environment, living closely with their peers and their house parents.

Name of headteacher: Mr Martin Lee BA (Hons); PGCE Outstanding characteristics: As one of the first and largest specialist schools for children with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia, Shapwick School is very proud of its staffs’ experience in understanding the individual needs of all pupils and how to help them grow into confident, skilled and happy adults ready to meet the challenges of the next stage of their lives.

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Autmn term: 2nd September 2014 Spring term: 5th January 2015 Summer term: 20th April 2015 Age of pupils: 11-18 years Number of pupils: 712 Day fees: annual senior school fees are; day £13,395 annual boarding £28,872 Religious denomination: Methodist Foundation The curriculum: Kingswood School provides a broad and balanced curriculum to foster every individual’s educational development – spiritual, moral, social, academic, cultural and physical.

Kingswood has a tradition of dedicated teachers who give generously of themselves. This results in high academic standards and excellent performances in public examinations.

Extra curricular activities: Kingswood offers pupils around 100 recreational activities, clubs and societies. Creative, sporting and musical activities are positively encouraged, providing a high level of fun and fulfilment for all ages.

Pupils are also able to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and join the local CCF. Pastoral care: pastoral care has been judged as exceptional at inspection and the relationships between staff and pupils in the school are highly regarded by parents. Each senior school pupil has a personal tutor who mentors them. The tutor keeps in close contact with parents or guardians and is responsible for assisting each tutee with their own independent learning plan, so that, through discussion, personal targets can be set regularly and support provided to achieve pupils’ aims. The boarding and day pupils combine throughout the house system which ensures a strong sense of community.

Name of principal: Mr Simon Morris Outstanding characteristics: Kingswood welcomes students from many parts of the world to enrich the learning experience of all pupils. Particular strengths in music and drama enhance the academic reputation. A school that embraces all round excellence and prepares children for their adult lives.

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You are warmly invited to attend our Open Evening for Year 6 students looking to join this vibrant and dynamic school from 6pm on Thursday 2nd October 2015. During the evening there will be tours of the school, a presentation given by the Headteacher, Andrea Arlidge, and the opportunity to talk with teachers.

For parents/carers who are unable to attend our Open Evening, there will be Open Day tours, by appointment, during weeks commencing 6th and 13th October.

Please contact us to arrange your visit.

Wellsway School | Chandag Road | Keynsham Bristol | BS31 1PH E-mail: enquiries@wellswayschool.com | Tel: 0117 9864751

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e are dedicated to supporting and encouraging our students, and giving them the tools to explore what life and the world have to offer. The five years-plus that our students spend with us will be the foundation on which they build their futures and we strive to deliver an education that is world class in every respect. Our exam results put us amongst the topperforming schools in the region, however, we remain ambitious. We intend to build on our achievements. We want to raise our standards still higher; to integrate new technologies into our everyday activities, to innovate in our teaching and to improve the experience for our students wherever we can.

As well as having high expectations of our staff and students, we also look for commitment from parents, families and carers. We hope that you will support our values and the school’s pursuit of excellence. We want you to join us in a dynamic partnership that puts young people and their success at the centre of everything we do.

But, as well as being rigorous and demanding, inspiring and challenging, I firmly believe that school should also be fun – a place where the activities, teaching and facilities foster enthusiasm, enjoyment and strong relationships. Happiness and success at school are closely related and our results are evidence of a culture that is strong on challenge but also strong on support.

I’m very proud of Wellsway. I know our staff and students share that pride and I’m sure, when you come to visit us, you’ll be able to see why. I look forward to meeting you.

Andrea Arlidge, Headteacher

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Beechen Cliff School Alexandra Park, Bath, BA2 4RE Tel: 01225 480466 www.beechencliff.org.uk Autumn term: 1 September - 19 December Spring term: 5 January 2015 - 27 March 2015 Summer term: 13 April 2015 - 10 July 2015

The Bath Studio School

Badminton School

Frome Road, Bath, BA2 5RF Tel: 01225 831933 info@thebathstudioschool.org.uk www.thebathstudioschool.org.uk Autumn term: 8 September 2014 Age of pupils: 14 –19 boys and girls

Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 300 Number of pupils: 1,180 Day Fees: N/A Day fees: None (for pupils outside the UK £4,500- £5,500 pa).

Religious denomination: None The curriculum: A wide-ranging academic curriculum which includes GCSEs in classical civilisation, Latin and psychology. At A Level the school offers more than 40 courses of study.

Extra curricular activities: A huge range of extra-curricular activities on offer include cricket, rugby, hockey, football, tennis and shooting. Debating, public speaking, F1 and robotics are supplemented by the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and the Combined Cadet Force.

Pastoral care: Personal care and guidance is exceptional at the school, with each boy and sixth form student being looked after within the house to which he or she is allocated on entry.

Name of headmaster: Mr Andrew Davies Outstanding characteristics: A school which provides great food, incredible extra-curricular provision and a highly successful academic curriculum. “Beechen Cliff School provides an outstanding education for its boys and sixth form students, which reflects its values of high aspirations and success for all. A significant strength of the school is the way in which it identifies differing ability groups, thus enabling the most-able boys to gain the highest grades possible and yet successfully supporting those who find learning more challenging to achieve examination results of which they can be proud.”

Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The Bath Studio School has state-of-the-art facilities where students will choose one of the following specialist areas alongside core subjects: creative media, journalism and broadcasting; business & administration; IT, computing and graphic design. Students will spend a significant amount of time in real work placements each week gaining on-the-job experience. From the age of 16, these placements could include paid work.

Extra curricular activities: Students will wear business dress rather than a traditional uniform and will also keep hours similar to the real world of work. All students will have access to physical education, PHSE, team building, careers education, personal finance education and employability skills, either on site or through our partner schools.

Pastoral care: Students will be part of a small, supportive and personalised learning environment with a maximum of 300 students.

Each student will be assigned a personal coach who will help and support them in their learning, their work placements and their development of a range of skills for life and the workplace. Personal coaches will also work closely with parents to reinforce the vital partnership between school and home.

Name of principal: Mr Colin Cattanach Outstanding characteristics: The Bath Studio School is powered by four leading schools in Bath and North East Somerset – Writhlington, Norton Hill, Wellsway and St Gregory’s Catholic College. As a member of the Wellsway multi-academy family of schools, the Bath Studio School will work with students and parents to ensure that every student achieves his or her full potential and gains the skills and knowledge needed for the next stage of their lives – whether this is going to university, entering the world of work or starting their own business. One of the key pillars of the Bath Studio School is the development of employability skills. Our employer partners will achieve this through writing project briefs, teaching courses, offering work placements, coaching and mentoring.

Visit: www.thebathstudioschool.org.uk more details.

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Address: Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3BA Tel: 0117 9055271 Website : www.badmintonschool.co.uk Email: admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk Autumn term: 3 September - 11 December 14 Spring term: 6 January – 26 March 15 Summer term: 22 April – 1 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years Number of pupils: 450 Day fees: £2,760 - £5,810 per term Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: Badminton consistently achieves impressive academic results which enables the girls to access a wealth of world class universities, music conservatoires and art colleges; but it’s our passion for a holistic approach to learning that makes us really stand out from the crowd. The curriculum and timetable are constructed to achieve a balance between academic achievement, personal development, life skills and other enterprising activity. Our broad curriculum provides a rich and varied experience for the girls and the small classes ensure that all the girls receive individual help and attention from their teachers.

Extra curricular activities: Our enrichment programme is extremely important in the overall development of the girls in our care, as it provides opportunities to pursue wider interests and to contribute to the community. There are many activities on offer and they range from clubs with an academic bias such as Greek and science research to those that allow the girls to pursue creative interests, such as art, drama and cooking. Music is also an important part of school life, with nearly 80% of girls learning an instrument during their time at Badminton.

Pastoral care: The Badminton community gives girls a chance to develop an understanding of the viewpoints of others and to think about contributing to the world around them. Girls leave Badminton ready to face the changing and challenging wider world and, when they do, they take with them a strong network of lifelong friends developed through a wealth of shared experiences.

Name of principal: Mrs Rebecca Tear Outstanding characteristics: Girls at Badminton truly enjoy their education and often excel beyond their natural ability. The individual attention they receive means that they gain in self-confidence, preparing them for life beyond school.

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1st October – 6 pm - 8pm 3rd October – 9 am - 11.30 am 11th November – 9 am - 11.30 am

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Designing your dream school The team at DKA draw on 21 years’ experience to outline their approach to designing schools

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ur understanding of education has changed dramatically from when children regurgitated repetitive memory recall exercises.

Thankfully, society has also reconsidered what makes a good learning environment. The design of schools is governed by comprehensive legislation, and this is where the skill of an experienced architect can make a difference in navigating through the red tape, to deliver an appropriately engaging design. Today’s new schools must be dynamic and interactive places for both students and staff. With over 21 years’ experience of designing exemplar school facilities, DKA has refined a system for creating engaging learning environments.

1. Put the major stakeholders at the centre of the design process Too many environments are designed without consideration for the end-user and the ultimate purpose of the building. How can a learning facility be designed without the students and teachers being involved from the early design stages? Asking students what kind of environment they want to learn in might initially throw up requests for rocket launch pads and spiderman climbing frames, but peel back the layers of imaginative requests and there is usually a nugget of a really powerful insight that we can take forward through the design process.

2. Have a vision for the master-plan of the site Designing a school can be as complex or as simple as you wish. A key question that must be asked is “what do you want this building to achieve?”

Identifying how the school sees itself in the future can be the key driver. The design journey may well be a single, but significant step, or a number of smaller steps in keeping with an ever changing vision. Either way a high level master-plan for the site is essential to ensure direction is not lost. Educational budgets are often under pressure and it is essential we make the most of every penny spent to ensure the ethos of the school is enriched. Taking a holistic view of the school’s purpose both now and in the future will enable you and your design team to create a facility that works harmoniously and can evolve over time as teaching requirements and methods change. Considering both inside and outside spaces and the transitions between the two helps to create a unified environment that has a positive impact on the students’ learning throughout their school day. Interior design is also a critical part of this and need not be a costly addition. Simple decisions like choosing a bright colour palette is believed to help promote mental alertness and activity. A welldesigned environment that plays to all the senses can impact everything from student creativity and productivity through to motivation and well-being.

3. Consider the day-to-day running of the school The practicality and cost of operating new spaces within schools can also be considered as your design evolves. We work closely with schools to ensure the latest design thinking and technology is built in to create schools that are easy and cost effective to run. Quite often simple design issues such as maximising natural ventilation and optimising the position of glazing can provide significant environmental and running cost benefits, whilst also having a positive impact on student and teacher well-being, motivation and energy levels.

We firmly believe that understanding these three essential steps provides the foundations for creating dynamic, interactive and evolving educational environments, appropriate to teaching requirements both now and in the future.

DKA is proud to be sponsoring The Telegraph Children’s Bath Literature Festival when we will be asking local school children to send us the designs of their dream school. Visit our website www.dka.co.uk for more details. ■

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A CHAMPION FOR DYSLEXICS Tamsin Treverton-Jones spoke to American actor, director and writer Henry Winkler about how his career led him from the playing the King of Cool, the Fonz, to becoming a champion for children with dyslexia – ahead of his visit to Bath this autumn

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sk anyone, male or female, over the age of about 30 if they know who Henry Winkler is and they will either say, “Fonzie!

My favourite TV character of all time” or they’ll adopt a cool pose, give a double thumbs up and say “Ayyy”, in what is almost always a poor imitation of Winkler’s most famous creation from the hugely popular American TV series Happy Days.

Happy days they most certainly were: the top rated series ran for ten years (1974 - 1984), Winkler won two Golden Globes for his portrayal of the cool mechanic in the leather jacket, Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, (The Fonz) and when the series finished, he went on to work as a film producer and director as well as continuing to act in film and TV. But now, at 68 years old, it is Winkler’s late flowering career as a children’s author that gives him the most pride and pleasure.

“My life is blessed,” he says. “The warmth I receive worldwide because I was lucky enough to play Fonzie is like a gift given to me everyday. And now in 2014, there are young people in seven countries who know me as an author.”

And what’s really exciting for all his fans, whatever their age, is that Henry is on his way to Bath for The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival, appearing at the Guildhall on Sunday 28 September to talk about his Hank Zipzer books.

Winkler never imagined in his wildest dreams that he could ever be an author. The child of German immigrants who fled to America at the start of World War II, he struggled horribly with words and numbers at school, was told he would never achieve anything and was even given the nickname ‘dummerkind’ (dumb kid) by his own unsympathetic parents. Acting offered him a lifeline but until the age of 30, when his own son was tested for

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dyslexia and he was able to identify his own difficulties with words, learning scripts was a real challenge.

The Hank Zipzer books, 18 of them at last count and another one on the way, are based on Winkler’s childhood experiences as an undiagnosed dyslexic and when the stories first appeared in 2003 they struck an immediate chord with hundreds of children worldwide. In ten-year-old Hank Zipzer, ‘the world’s greatest underachiever’, Winkler has created a positive, cheerful and upbeat role model whose dyslexia provides a springboard for all kinds of scrapes and adventures.

Winkler evidently enjoys appearing at schools and festivals all over the country: ‘Events like these make me so happy’, he tells me, ‘the audience and I laugh a lot. I show pictures and I tell the children, over and over again, that no matter how difficult school is, no matter what your degree of difficulty in learning is, it has nothing to do with how brilliant you are.’

Increased awareness of dyslexia has meant quicker diagnoses, better teaching and more resources and Winkler has become the poster boy for the My Way campaign, run by First News, the children’s weekly newspaper. The campaign is aimed at improving attitudes towards children who find learning difficult and helping them build self-esteem.

“Our job as adults is to make sure that a child’s self image is constantly kept afloat,” he says. “No child needs to be reminded they’re not keeping up, they’re not understanding the work that everyone around them seems to.

It has been my experience that no child wants to fail.”

Winkler has spent the last six years visiting schools and talking to halls packed with children about how it’s ok to learn differently. And it’s not just

HE STRUGGLED HORRIBLY WITH WORDS AND NUMBERS AT SCHOOL, WAS TOLD HE WOULD NEVER ACHIEVE ANYTHING

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INSPIRATION: main picture, Henry Winkler with Nicky Cox, editor of children’s newspaper First News Right, Winkler as the Fonz in Happy Days and as author of the Hank Zipster books for children

the children who respond to him in a positive way: “There have been so many emails from parents and teachers telling my writing partner, Lin Oliver and I how Hank Zipzer became the first book their child or pupil read and how they then went on to read five more. So many teachers have said to me, ‘I will look at the kids in my class differently now.’ I even know of parents who apologised to their children for not understanding how hard learning really was. And just as a side note, dyslexia IS hereditary.”

The experience of writing these books has clearly been an unexpected joy for Henry Winkler, made even more pleasurable by the friendly and productive relationship he has developed with his writing partner Lin Oliver.

What’s more, when CBBC commissioned the first series of Hank Zipzer in 2013, Winkler got to play the character of Mr Rock, the music teacher, who also happens to be the person who recognises Hank’s difficulties and gives them a name.

I suggest to Henry that the delightful Mr Rock seems to embody the qualities all children want to find in adults, but rarely do; that Mr Rock seems to come from the same bag as other inspirational teachers from film and fiction: Miss Honey in Matilda, John Keating, the unorthodox English teacher played by Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, or even Miss Brodie in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. But Mr Rock, it emerges, is not just wishful thinking: “Mr Rock was my actual teacher in year 11, my junior year of high school. I am so pleased and proud to get to play him in the CBBC series,” he says.

So, at this year’s festival, be prepared to find Winkler fans, young and old packing the Guildhall for his Sunday morning event.

“This will be my second visit to the wonderful city of Bath” he says, “and personally, I can’t wait. I remember a visit to the ancient baths, a delicious Italian meal, wonderfully friendly people and beautiful views.”

Well, we can’t wait either, Fonzie. Welcome back. n The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2014 runs

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from Friday 26 September – Sunday 5 October. Henry Winkler is at the Guildhall from 10am on Sunday 28 September.

Tickets are £6. For full programme details visit: www.bathfestivals.org.uk /childrens-literature.

For tickets tel: 01225 463362.

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Our Nursery Guide By sending your child to a nursery you can give your little ones a good start in life, teaching them to socialise with other children, explore the world around them and learn through play

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MONKTON NURSERY SCHOOL

ALICE PARK NURSERY

Alice Park Nursery is set in one of Bath’s most beautiful parks, an ideal surrounding for your little ones to explore and play in.

Taking only 20 children, Alice Park Nursery caters to your childs needs, giving them plenty of time to develop and grow as a person.

Each room provides a stimulating environment where children learn as they play, often without realising it.

Address: Alice Park Nursery, Gloucester Road, Bath, BA1 7BL Tel: 01225 424971 Email: childcare@aliceparknursery.co.uk Monkton Nursery School is situated in Combe Down, Bath set in beautiful surroundings with specialist teachers to lead gym, music and storytelling sessions from the very start. The nursery prides itself on an exceptional level of care, nurturing and guiding every child to prepare them for their next stage in life.

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Address: 98 Wellsway, Bath, BA2 4SD Tel: 01225 448 191 Email: info@hopscotch-bath.co.uk

Address: Guinea Lane, Bath, BA1 5NB Tel: 01225 487 858 Email: guinealane@thebathnurserycompany.co.uk www.thebathnurserycompany.co.uk

COMBE DOWN NURSERY

This beautiful purpose built nursery is in the heart of Combe Down village and offers childcare and education for 62 children aged three months to five years. Parents and carers are able to arrange for children to stay for a short session to try it out and experience first-hand what this lovely nursery has to offer.

Address: Combe Road, Bath, BA2 5HZ, Tel: 01225 840 575 Email: combedown@thebathnurserycompany.co.uk www.thebathnurserycompany.co.uk

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At Hopscotch Nursery in Wellsway there’s a large, spacious and free flow room with a wide range of toys and fun activities, most of which the children are able to access themselves, giving them freedom of choice.

For outdoor play there’s an enclosed, safe and fun garden with various areas ranging from an exciting climbing wall to a sheltered quiet corner, where children can flick through their favourite books or take part in an adult-led activity.

Parents and carers are welcome to book a visit to meet the staff and have a look round.

The nursery is opposite Hedgemead Park close to Bath city centre in a beautiful Grade II listed chapel. Its staff provide high quality care and education for children aged from three months to five years, 51 weeks of the year. Open from 7.30 am until 6.30 pm Monday to Friday

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HOPSCOTCH

Guinea Lane Nursery

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Tel: 01225 833158 Email: info@monktonpreprep.org.uk www.monktonnursery.com

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· Ofsted ‘outstanding’ · Open Monday to Friday 8.15am to 5pm · For children ages two and over · Open Morning Saturday 11 October

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

Where books come to life

What’s fun, educational, entertaining and coming to Bath? The annual Telegraph Children’s Literature Festival runs from Friday 26 September to Sunday 5 October and we’ve picked just a few of the highlights. Visit: www.bathfestivals.org.uk Meet Miffy Sunday 28 September, 10am The Guildhall Meet everyone’s favourite little white bunny for story time and activities. Suitable for children aged three to five. Tickets: £5.

Peepo!

Saturday 27 September, 1.30pm Bath Central Library Professional storyteller Justine de Mierre will be bringing this delightful classic to life in a session which includes songs and games. Suitable for children aged two plus. Tickets: £4.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Saturday 4 October, 10am The Guildhall Bring your own bear or dress up as one as storyteller Middleton Mann gets everyone involved in Michael Rosen’s rhythmic adventure.

Suitable for aged five plus. Tickets: £6.

Happy Birthday Kipper Saturday 27 September, 11.45am The Guildhall For 25 years Kipper the dog has been helping young people to learn to read. This is his birthday party, with games, activities and fun.

Suitable for children aged three six. Tickets: £5.

Mayhem with Dennis the Menace Saturday 27 September, 10am The Guildhall Steven Butler the author of The Diary of Dennis the Menace gives us a sneaky peek into the world of the naughtiest boy in the Beano. Expect fun and possibly a prank or two. Suitable for ages seven and over. Tickets: £5.

Bejamin Zephaniah Saturday 27 September, 6pm The Guildhall Terror Kid is Zephaniah’s first novel for seven years. It tells of one boy’s idealism and passion and his struggles with those who intent on committing acts of terror. Suitable for those aged 12 and over. Tickets: £6.

Vintage Fashion Sunday 28 September, 5pm Mission Theatre Join Celia Joicey and Dennis Nothdruft from the London Fashion and Textile Museum for a stepby-step guide to drawing vintage inspired fashion from key decades, such as the 1960s and 70s.

Suitable for aged 11 and over.

Tickets: £6.

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Lego and Star Wars with Duncan Titmarsh Sunday 28 September, 3.45pm The Guildhall Who doesn’t love Lego? This bricktastic event will allow you to get hands-on, build a Star Wars inspired model which you get to take home.

Suitable for children aged six and over. Tickets: £10.

Fancy Dress Photo Shoot Friday 3 October, 10am – 1pm Bath Central Library Dress up as your favourite book character and join the free photo shoot with Spirit Photographic, who will then upload your photo to their Facebook page. The best character will win a family portrait sesson. There’ll be another session on Saturday 4 October between 10am and 4pm.

Meet Horrid Henry Saturday 27 September, 4pm The Guildhall Hear tales of some of Henry’s horrible adventures, test your knowledge with a quiz and meet Henry himsef.

Suitable for children aged five and over. Tickets: £6.

Garth Nix and Joe Abercrombie Sunday 28 September, 6pm The Guildhall This is one for young adult readers and fans of fantasy fiction. Garth Nix comes on an exclusive visit from Australia to talk about the prequel to Old Kingdom, Clariel, alongside Joe Abercrombie, author of Half a King. Tickets: £6.

10 Years of Muddy Puddles with Peppa Pig Saturday 4 October, 10am The Guildhall Giggle and snort your way through this show which contains lots of audience participation, storytelling and the chance to meet Peppa herself. Suitable for ages three to five. Tickets: £4.

Animal War Heroes Saturday 4 October, 11am Mission Theatre David Long tells true stories of animals who were war-time mascots, messengers and even spies.

He’ll be joined by Damian Kelleher, author of Dog in No Man’s Land. Suitable for children aged eight and over. Tickets: £6.

Minecraft Sunday 5 October, 1.30pm The Guildhall Join Fyre UK, writers of The Minecraft Construction Handbook for tips and tricks on how to be a creative genius in Minecraft. Suitable age six plus. Tickets: £6

Simon Mayo introduces Itchcraft Saturday 4 October, 11.45am The Guildhall Simon Mayo, he of Radio2’s Drive Time, introduces the third book of his series about Itch. See some of the experiments that Itch conducts in the books and hear Simon read his favourite extracts. Suitable for aged nine and over. Tickets: £6.

Goth Girl with Chris Riddell Saturday 4 October, 3.45pm The Guildhall Hear what inspires Chris, get tips on drawing your own pictures and find out more about his new book, Goth Girl and the Fete Worse than Death. Suitable for aged seven and over. Tickets: £6.

David Almond: A Song for Ella Grey Saturday 4 October, 5.45pm Mission Theatre Ella Grey is an ordinary teenager . . . but then she meets the strange and handsome Orpheus and falls in love, getting them entangled in mythic forces. The author, and festival’s guest artistic director will be in conversation about his new novel. Suitable for aged 12 and over. Tickets: £6.

Buried Treasure Sunday 4 October, 11.30am Roman Baths, Stall Street entrance Join Janine Amos, author of Walking on Gold for a workshop inspired by Bath’s hoard of Roman coins. There’ll be coins to handle plus step-bystep advice for writing your own adventure.

Bring your own pen and paper. Suitable for eight to 12-year-olds. Tickets: £10.

Michael Morpurgo: Private Peaceful, The Concert Sunday 5 October, 4pm Komedia Michael Morpurgo joins a cappella trio Coope, Boyes and Simpson for a concert based on his book about Tommo Peaceful’s path from a Devon village to the trenches of the First World War. Suitable for children aged eight and over and their families Tickets: £15.

For tickets tel: 01225 463362 SEPTEMBER 2014

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Action on and off piste Naomi Price visits the action-packed little French Alpine ski resort of La Clusaz, to find refreshingly no Kensington-on-Snow

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f you’ve ever pressed your nose to the window of the aeroplane minutes from descent in anticipation of the winter wonderland to come, you may have noticed seven evenly-spaced diagonal combes at the top of a vast ice cream cone of a mountain. But most of us are so mesmerised by the prospect of a three-hour transfer to one of the more obvious ski venues in the Alps that we never notice them.

Not many people know about La Clusaz. A pretty little ski resort high up in the French Alps, just on Geneva’s doorstep, it’s 67 km from the airport and an hour away from landing. Small but perfectly formed, the village is intimate, with a nursery slope directly ahead. Beyond, there’s a plateau where beginners can progress onto green runs through green glades onto the aptlynamed Beauregard, facing the sunny south. There are cruisy pistes for intermediates, several respectable blacks and a fun park full of natural halfpipes and jumps for advanced skiers.

A total of 220 km of pisted runs extend over three other areas to include the Grand Bornand, Manigod and St. Jean de Sixt, besides a wealth of stupendous backcountry in the far reaches of the Aravis range (including the icecream cone) that is rarely skied, let alone tracked out.

The resort is high (2,600 metres), and the secluded powder remains long into the spring after it has disappeared from other prime destinations.

Rare amongst resorts, there’s a life beyond the downhill. La Clusaz is no one-trick pony: hitch up on skis behind the tow-rope of a little pocket-rocket of a Fjord horse for an hour or two of ski joering – a fast canter will take you over dips and ditches of the Alpine lowland. There’s 130 km of cross-country circuit that includes charming Les Confins, a quiet, unspoilt village, where the cows still live on the ground floor of ancient wood-roofed farms – greet them as you whirr past on your long langlaufen skis the width of a narrow spiritlevel.

Afterwards, you can visit the fruit of their labour: Reblochon cheese is a vital part of the life of the region. It comes from the milk of three different breeds of cow: the Tarine (with the delicate features of a Jersey cow), the Montbellarde (who looks like an Ayrshire) and the panda-eyed Abondance.

Any other combination has been outlawed: they’ve tried it with milk from other cows and it just doesn’t work…

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on an accompanied para-gliding flight. For non-skiers there are snow-shoeing excursions to ancient chapels and churches, dog-sledding, ceramic-painting classes and ice-skating at the new rink in the middle of the village.

Or just work your way through the menu of the Auberge des Aravis, metres from the village slopes. An antidote to the conveyer-belt Alpine caff with generic carbohydrate fodder at over-a-barrel prices, it offers gourmet variations of Tarentaise and Savoyarde dishes, mountain cheeses, and a local nettly-flowery white wine that combines sauvignon blanc and muscat.

Five-star Au Coeur du Village, one of the Relais et Chateaux group of hotels, is the place to stay in La Clusaz. Its style is the emphatically clean modern line (a huge glass bough-burning box for the lobby fireplace) with the intimacy of the warm wooden chalet for every bedroom and suite. Service is present if you want it: ski room staff will hover to wait on you hand and foot, appearing mildly shocked when you show signs of wanting to put your ski boots on by yourself, but otherwise the atmosphere is classily informal.

Chef Thomas Eudier’s cuisine, overlaying local produce with exotic influences, is downright obscure, but it works: turbot in a seaweed jus on squash mash (from an obsolete Victorian variety) with vanilla-scented Vietnamese black beans.

La Clusaz has remained relatively unknown mainly because it is a real village, personal and family-minded, unlike the purpose-built ski resorts that have become a sort of Kensington-on-Snow.

Locals speak other languages perfectly well but have the good manners to not answer back in English if you address them in French. Charming hideaways remain hideaways – like Chez Albert, an ancient four-table farmhouse restaurant at the bottom of the next valley, patronised by reclusive celebrities (book a few months in advance). Until some journalist goes and writes about them, of course . . .

Au Coeur du Village is a five star hotel at the heart of the resort and featuring an indoor swimming pool, the Cristal Spa and treatment room for body wraps, crystal massages and facials, sauna and a fine dining restaurant Le 5 Restaurant. Four nights start at £1,111 including return flights, resort transfers and accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.

Prices at the centrally-located three star Alpen Roc for four nights halfboard start at £700 and include flights and transfers.

For more information visit www.skiweekends.com call Ski Weekends on

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SKI | BREAKS

BEST KEPT SECRET: La Clusaz has plenty to do, from skijoering (main picture), climbing and fine dining

02380 206971. Ski hire can also be booked through Ski Weekends with 4 days starting at £46 for skis and boots.

For further information on La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt, visit: www.lakeannecyskiresorts.com, or for further information on La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt. Request ski instruction from Emmanuel Schiltz, head of Le Grand Bornand ESF (Ecole de Ski Francais) at Le Grand Bornand.

The beautifully-kept riding school at Lanchy has several sorts of

horses and ponies and offers instruction for all levels and hacking in the breathtaking countryside. Contact +33 (0) 6 15 65 11 11 or email info@aravis-passion.com.

Still in the Haute-Savoie region, the neighbouring ski areas of St Gervais, Megeve and Les Contamines are all within an hour’s drive from La Clusaz and offer extensive skiing.

Nightlife is a little subdued but there are several bars and clubs in La Clusaz. L’Ecluse has a glass floor over the river and is open till five o’clock in the morning. n

STUDY LANGUAGES IN BATH Evening classes starting in September and October • ENGLISH (ESOL) • POLISH • GERMAN • FRENCH • SPANISH • ITALIAN • CHINESE

• • • •

St Gregory’s Catholic College, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA For information contact 07894 913322 or email: info@languagesinbath.co.uk

THEBATHMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBATH PERFECTLYCOVERED BATHSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 01225 424499 WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

FIT & FAB Hannah Sturgeon raids the little black books of Bath’s best groomed women to find out where they go for essential beauty maintenance

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veryone has a secret spot, that little, inconspicuous door you slip through every few months or so; to have the moustache stripped, the wrinkles renovated, the talons tamed and the barnet refurbished so you can continue to show your well groomed self to the world, whether it be on the school run, or in the coffee shops and boutiques of Bath. We have whispered with the insiders of Bath’s beauty scene and found the best salons in town, which we’re going to share with you right here, alongside some hot tips to get you back in shape from top to toe after a long summer of sun scorching the skin, swigging chilled rosé and ravaging your hair in harsh sunlight, chlorinated pools and salty seas. Your body’s largest organ, your poor, tired skin is in dire need of some proper TLC.

Lift the body and the spirits Take yourself out of the city and up to Colerne, where Sam Teifel, spa therapy manager at Lucknam Park country house hotel, will provide you with a much needed Total Body Renewal, from the Spa’s Ila Collection.

This therapy can heal and renew using the ionising properties of Himalayan salt crystals to nourish both bodily and emotional wellbeing.

Packed with stimulating argan oil, juniper and rose, battling cellulite, stress and exhaustion, strengthening the bio-energy fields and will, apparently leave your mind, body and spirits uplifted. Sam says to continue to care for your skin by drinking lots of water and use hydrating cream all over the body.

Back to your roots The latest and edgiest new hairdresser to choose Bath, is Material run by Paul Harewood in Walcot Street. After your summer tresses have been tangled Paul advises Living Proof, a restorative shampoo and mask treatment, (Material is the only Salon in the UK to stock Living Proof from the US) followed by a soothing head, neck and shoulder massage. Paul recommends that for colour you add some darker tones to you hair in preparation for autumn, snip off those fragile, over-light ends and have a good haircut ready to get back to work. Material is currently a finalist in the Independent Salon – Business Newcomer category of the British Business Hairdressing Awards 2014.

Tame those brows Have you found Bath’s hottest ticket yet? The Brow Place on Abbeygate Street is the place to get your peepers looking perfect – for £10 a pop you can stroll in off the street and have those eyebrows tamed by the best in the brow business – make sure you shape your brows and keep up with the likes of Cara Delevingne and Natalie Portman.

Treat your skin Betsi Hughes at stylish urban spa, Green Street House says a re-surfacing

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facial is the key to repairing your skin after the summer. Betsi says this treatment will leave your face feeling incredibly smooth and radiant, she added that using the Elemis Advanced Brightening Even Tone Serum twice daily afterwards would be perfect to restore sun-damaged pigmentation.

Finally, Betsi says we should all exfoliate regularly: “Body brush” she says: “literally buff your skin towards your heart, de-tox after all that indulgence and start taking vitamins, eating leafy veggies to prepare your body for winter.”

All made up Re-vamp your look and your make-up bag, for the most contemporary ticket in town make an appointment with Kat at LittleLAB. Bath local, Kat Spreadbury, is a professional make-up artist, who has worked with celebrities and on top fashion campaigns. She has her finger on the pulse of the hottest make-up skills around. At LittleLAB, 76 Walcot Street, you will learn quick and slick techniques from the mistress of make-up, use the latest ultra-modern technology and craft designed for your individual skin tone and keep your look natural and simple. Kat offers one-to-one sessions, mother and daughter and/or group workshops at www.littlelab.co.uk.

Hands and feet Make sure those hands and feet are kept in tip top youthful shape by heading to The Orangery Laser and Beauty Clinic at 2 Kingsmead Street and enjoy a Jan Marini Hand Peel. This hand treatment is designed to treat sun damaged and ageing hands and provides immediate results. The Orangery maintain an after-care service with the continued application of Age Intervention Hand Cream. Meanwhile, your tootsies are probably in need of a ‘foot facial’, which includes, among other things, a holistic pedicure, exfoliation and a foot and leg massage.

Beauty on the inside Finally, ensure you revitalise your body from the inside out and order a personalised detox juicing programme from master juicers Mark and Ayshea Hawthorn at Beyond The Kale in Green Park Station. This month the pair are launching a new juice cleanse delivery service, with added superfoods and supplements tailored to individual goals. All the cleanses are fresh and contain organic ingredients. Caring for your post summer skin, they recommend topping up your diet with whole grains like buckwheat to fight skin damage, almonds which include the antioxidant Vitamin E and fight free radicals, for younger looking skin try Brazil nuts.

Both swear by spinach and kale, which are packed with nutritients for detoxification and vitamins A, K and C. We should all eat plenty of citrus fruits which, contain vitamin C and help to produce skin collagen to stop the post summer skin sag. n

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ARTHRITIS CHAMPIONS

Do you have arthritis?…

“Come and have a chat”

Chat to our trained local Arthritis Champion volunteers from September to December 2014 Get information about arthritis, coping day to day and support Greenway Community Mondays 1.30–4.30 pm 13 Oct, 10 Nov, 8 Dec Practice Central Library Fridays 10am–12.30pm 17 Oct, 14 Nov, 5 Dec Henbury Library Tuesdays 2pm–4.30pm 14 Oct, 11 Nov, 9 Dec For more information or to book an appointment contact Greg Whale 01934 316346 • GregW@arthritiscare.org.uk www.arthritiscare.org.uk Arthritis Care Floor 4, Linen Court, 10 East Road, London N1 6AD Charity Nos: 206563 and SC038693

We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £25.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £50.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 To subscribe just send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment

Subscription Form Mr/Mrs/Ms ................Forename ..............................................

Surname ..............................................................................

Address ............................................................................ ..........................................Postcode ............................

Daytime telephone No ..............................................................

Dubbed the ‘LONDON LIP QUEEN’ by the media in recognition for her expertise in injectables, Dr Rakus is considered to be at the forefront of new technology within the industry and has received awards for excellence from Pelleve, Exilis, Solta (for Thermage, Fraxel and LipoSonix) and Ulthera.

She has also been named by Tatler as one of the top 10 doctors in the UK for non-surgical treatments and her views are regularly sought by the press and medical establishment. Renowned as ‘The London Lip Queen’ she is also an expert in many aspects of non-surgical facial rejuvenation and body contouring. From her Knightsbridge clinic, Dr Rakus tackles common problems like poor skin tone, sun damage, open pores, lines and loose skin on the face and body.

At the forefront of cutting edge technology, Dr Rakus and her team offers highly effective treatments to her A-List clients the latest of which include HydraFresh which combines Fraxel Laser with HydraFacial – the must have red-carpet treatment and a favourite of the stars. Another favourite of top celebrities is Ulthera - a unique targeted ultrasound treatment which will help to smooth, lift and tighten skin on the face, neck and body with exceptional results.

Also new to the clinic in 2014 are CoolSclupt, Vanquish and Aqualyx. CoolSculpt is the latest body contouring treatment that literally ‘freezes’ your fat away without surgery or the need for anaesthesia, whilst Vanquish uses radio-frequency to help melt your fat cells. Aqualyx is also a highly successful injectable treatment that will dissolve your fatty deposits.

Finally, Dr Rakus has introduced a top selling stem cell serum and booster cream created by the world-renowned dermatologist, Dr Phillip Levy. Supercharged ArganCellActive complex is scientifically proven to boost the vitality of dermal stem cells and can repair skin ageing.

For more information about Dr Rita Rakus and her treatments please visit: www.drritarakus.com 0207 460 7324 drrita@drritarakus.com Dr Rakus Clinic, 34 Hans Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1RW

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Dr Sherina Balaratnam is one of Dr Rakus’s associates who visits the Orangery Laser and Beauty Clinic.

Also highly experienced in all forms of non-surgical treatments she offers dermal fillers, facial volumisation, muscle inhibitors, hyperhidrosis and dermaroller treatments plus skin care advice. She is also available for all the other major treatments that are available in London. To arrange an appointment for your free consultation please telephone The Orangery.

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Specialists in Ellipse IPL Hair Reduction & Skin Rejuvenation Treatments The Orangery Laser & Beauty Clinic, a name you can trust has been established for over 21 years and is situated in the centre of Bath.

We offer the latest in IPL technology, the Ellipse Light SPT Plus.

Clinically proven by leading doctors to be safe and effective and the best hair removal system in the world.

This system also treats; Sun Damaged Skin • Facial Thread Veins • Acne

Special offer A course of 3 IPL Skin Rejuvenation Treatments for removal or reduction of age spots, visible blood vessels, redness and uneven pigmentation whilst improving skin texture.

£399 Teeth Whitening

Radiance Revival

for Men & Women

ACNE • FINE LINES AND WRINKLES HYPERPIGMENTATION • ROSACEA

The latest technology in teeth whitening used in America DENTIST APPROVED BB COOL TECHNOLOGY

Simple, safe, non-invasive and unbelievably effective Jan Marini Glycolic Peels are fabulous for improving the condition of your skin. See for yourself the amazing results these products and treatments can offer.

Zero Sensitivity, Zero pain, Zero peroxide

£99 normally £199 £189 per couple

A COMPLEMENTARY PEEL WORTH £70 WITH EVERY SKIN CARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PURCHASED.

No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath • Tel: 01225 466851 www.theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk

All offers are available until the 30th September 2014

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New beginnings...

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here's something about this time of year—when the school holidays come to an end and the leaves begin to turn—that gets me thinking about new beginnings. If you're the same, you might be interested to hear about what leading UK coach, Bath resident and Bath Mag columnist Jo Emerson has coming up.

Over the next few months Jo will be hosting a variety of events and workshops to help you gain confidence, develop as a person and set goals for the future.

Beginning on 5th September and subsequently on the last Thursday of every month, join Jo at Food for Thought—a new, free series of lunchtime taster sessions designed to offer bite-sized introductions to personal development, delving into a different aspect each month and covering issues you may be facing in life, at work and in your relationships.

If low self-esteem has been holding you back, check out Jo’s popular 5-Steps to Lasting Confidence workshop which takes place on on Thursday, 2nd October. This one-day practical workshop will help you identify the limiting beliefs that are clouding your vision and illuminate a path to help you take action towards a brighter future.

Wednesday, 12th November sees the launch of the highly anticipated Jo Emerson School of Personal Development—an immersive course consisting of five weekly sessions that will enable you to better understand yourself and the people in your life.

Personal development is all about learning how to live with greater authenticity and less worry in all areas of life.

“The best, of millions, of development courses I’ve been on in all my big corporate jobs! I love your approach, Jo!”—Gill Kirk, Lyric Communications All events take place at The Guild Co-working Hub in central Bath. To find out more and book your place visit jo-emerson.com

LOW BACK PAIN Research Participants Wanted Do you suffer from chronic low back pain as a result of an accident?

Do you find it difficult for others to understand your experience of back pain?

If so, would you be interested in participating in a research study looking at people’s experience of back pain following an accident and how their experiences are understood and communicated.

I am looking to interview people who have had back pain for at least 6 months.

The interview will last no-longer than one hour and take place in Bath.

For further information please phone 01225 471532 Email: M2094057@tees.ac.uk

Please note prospective participants must not be currently involved in litigation or considering future litigation proceedings.

Remove unsightly red veins quickly and affordably With our laser you can remove facial thread veins quickly (usually in one treatment) for just £95 guaranteed.

For leg veins we recommend our Sclerotherapy treatment which clears unsightly red veins for just £195.

Treatments carried out by our medical practitioners.

Why wait to clear unsightly veins - Call today to book your appointment.

Call 01225 464005 or email enquiries@thelifestyleclinic.co.uk or visit the website www.thelifestyleclinic.co.uk Laser Hair Removal : Facial Red Vein Removal : Leg Vein Removal : Injections for Lines and Wrinkles : Restylane Dermal Fillers : Lip Augmentation : Fat Reduction : Radiofrequency Skin Tightening : Endermologie Cellulite Reduction : Facial Rejuvenation. Scar Reduction : Stretch Mark Reduction : Microdermabrasion : Facial Rejuvenation

Lifestyle medical beauty clinic 3 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HN We are also at: The Hall, 4, New Street, Salisbury, SP1 2QJ • tel: 07581414488

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Endless Summer....

B A T H

SPRAY TAN - £25 MINI MANICURE & PEDICURE - £38 BRAZILIAN WAXING - £25 green street house, 14 green street, bath BA1 2JZ Tel: 01225 426000 Email: info@greenstreethouse.com www.greenstreethouse.com WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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SAVOUR THE SLOW ROUTE Leave the car at home suggests Andrew Swift and head out on foot to follow old drungways (alleys), woodland paths and historic packhorse trails from Bath out to the Wiltshire village of Freshford – you can always take the train home afterwards

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he Inn at Freshford, with its idyllic riverside setting, is one of the most popular country pubs near Bath. Most people drive there, but this month’s walk offers the alternative of getting there on foot, using drungways, packhorse trails and woodland tracks, before returning by train.

Start by heading to Widcombe and turning up Prior Park Road beside the White Hart. After 550m, turn right through the gates of the Abbey Cemetery (ST758637). Follow the path uphill as it curves to a Norman-style chapel, to the right of which you will see a path leading into woodland. Head along it, go through a kissing gate (KG) at the end and turn left up a lane. This was an old packhorse track, and, as you climb, it reverts to its original character. After passing under an archway built by Ralph Allen, the track levels out, with houses on the left and the former MOD Foxhill site – now being redeveloped – on the right.

Carry on and, when you emerge at the top of Ralph Allen Drive, turn left across it and carry on along the pavement, before crossing to a funeral directors in the former Masons Arms. A little further along North Road, turn right into Tyning Road and left along Gladstone Road. After 200 metres, when the road ends, continue along a drungway (the local name for an alley). At the end, look to the right where Glenburnie, built in the 1840s, boasts some of the finest ironwork in Bath.

Carry straight on along a drive, with allotments on the left. When the drive curves right into a school, continue along a drungway. Cross a lane, carry on and go through a KG to the left of a house called Monkswold (ST769621).

Another KG leads onto a road, where you turn right and right again down a drungway to Monkton Combe. At the bottom, continue along the road for 50 metres before following it round to the left. Just past the Wheelwright’s Arms turn right down Mill Lane. After passing the village lock-up, look out for the site of the old railway station, marked by two cast iron gate posts flanking a garage on the left. It was here that The Titfield Thunderbolt was filmed in 1952.

As you carry on down a footpath, you will see Monkton Combe Mill on your left. Carry on across a footbridge and, after crossing another footbridge, turn left across a stile (ST774617). When you come to a lane, turn left past Water House, built for wealthy clothiers in the 17th century, and now a hotel.

When a lane trails in from the right, look across to the hedgerow on the right where you will see a stile (ST776618). Cross it and follow a track up through a meadow, before crossing another stile and heading uphill through 108 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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woods. Carry on as the track levels out and winds through the woods before crossing a clearing. After re-entering the woods, ignore a path forking left to carry on past a coppice maintained by the Heartwood Project.

After passing large gates you come to the busy A36. Cross with care and head down the lane opposite. After 60m follow a footpath sign through a gate on the right into a park. At the far end go through another gate and turn left down a footpath. Carry straight on down and turn right along a road at the bottom. After 400m, turn right up a footpath with steps (ST784605) and carry on across a lane. When you come to another lane, cross to the right of Limpley Stoke church, go through a squeeze stile and carry on through a KG. Don’t take the track leading straight on, but bear left to follow one diagonally downhill. Follow it as it leads through a play area and past Freshford village shop and café (ST784600). At the lane, cross and turn left along a footpath veering away from the lane, which leads to the war memorial (ST786599).

To cut the walk short, turn left and after 250m go through a KG on the right, head down a path and through a KG. For the full walk, turn right along the lane, and after 200m you will see a house called the Hermitage, dating from the 14th century, looming above you on the right. Further along, look to your left to see the Westbury White Horse in the distance.

At the end turn right uphill. After 30m, turn left down a narrow drungway beside Walnut Cottage. Carry on through two KGs, and, after going through another KG at the far end, turn left downhill, where a KG leads into Friary Woods. Continue downhill alongside a fence for 125m before turning right along a broad path (ST784593).

Carry on past a track trailing in on the right and, after going through a KG, turn left downhill beside a fence before turning left through a gate along a bridleway. To your right you will see a weir on the River Frome, with an Archimedes’ screw used for generating electricity beside it.

At the end is Dunkirk Mill, built in 1795 and now renamed Middle House (ST785594). A right turn takes you past a pill box, part of the ‘green line’ of defences built in 1940 to protect Bristol in the event of a German invasion.

A few metres further on, fork right to follow the river, on the other side of which you will see Freshford Mill, a former woollen mill most recently used for making rubber components for the car industry. Since closing in 1993, it has been the subject of a controversial redevelopment project which has currently ground to a halt.

When you come to a bridge, look across it to see, beyond more recent buildings, the shell of a 16th century building, complete with mullion windows,

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THE | WALK

FURTHER INFORMATION ■

NATURAL BEAUTY: main picture, Freshford Bridge Above, the Little Avon meandering through meadows Top right, the view from above Monkton Combe

at the heart of the mill.

Instead of crossing the bridge, carry straight on through a KG into a meadow (ST785596). After passing another pillbox, carry on through two KGs (the first of which is so overgrown that most people go through a gap in the fence beside it – although watch out for barbed wire).

Follow the path as it climbs the side of the valley. At the top, go through a KG on the right and head downhill. At the bottom, with Freshford bridge to your right, go through a KG and turn left to the inn. (ST791600).

From here, continue up the lane, taking the second right along Station Road to the station, from where trains run roughly every hour back to Bath.

Level of challenge: Steep hills, stiles and steps, but otherwise straightforward. n

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

■

■ ■

Length of walk: 6 miles Map: OS Explorer 142 ad 155 or AA Walkers map 25 Approximate time: 2½ to 3 hours Refreshment stops: Freshford Village Shop is open till 6pm weekdays and 12.30pm at weekends. The café is open till 4.30pm weekdays and 12.30pm at weekends. The Inn at Freshford is open 10.30-3 & 5.30-11 Monday & Tuesday; 10.30-11 Wednesday to Saturday; 10.30-8 Sunday. Food served 12-2.30 & 6-9 Monday-Friday; 12-4 & 5-9 Saturday; 12-4 Sunday. Booking recommended, especially at weekends. Dogs and children welcome (www.theinnatfreshford.co.uk; 01225 722250).

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CITY | INTERIORS

FAMILY BUSINESS: James Horsfall of the Bath Kitchen Company PICTURE: Lloyd Ellington

THE HEART OF THE HOME For three decades the Bath Kitchen Company has been helping people create the kitchens of their dreams. We talk to James Horsfall, whose father David founded the business, about modern trends, changes in lifestyle and classic design

W

hile it’s fair to say that no two households are the same, no two kitchens designed by the Bath Kitchen Company are identical. Some families want cosy spaces where the children can tuck in at a table and do their homework while their parents cook their supper, while others want a state-of- the-art room with clutter free surfaces gleaming under spotlights.

Others want their Georgian townhouse basement converted to a big kitchen cum dining room, while those living in country cottages crave a room that keeps its character while packing in as much storage as humanly possible.

Father and son team David and James Horsfall have designed more kitchens than most of us have had hot dinners.

Over three decades of trading David – joined in the past 11 years by James – has worked with clients to realise their dream kitchen. As James says: “I think it helps that we both really love what we do and we get pleasure from helping people get the finished result they want.”

The Bath Kitchen Company, based in a design studio in the Bloomfield area of the city, specialises in bespoke kitchens – nothing is off the peg. James explains how the process works: “We will go and meet the client and listen very carefully to what they like, to how they live. This is key to getting the right design for their lifestyle. People are so busy these days that a kitchen needs to be somewhere they can enjoy, be together and spend time in.”

James will cast an expert eye over the space, taking in existing natural light and features which need to be retained. Sometimes he might suggest knocking through a wall to create an open plan room, which is increasingly popular. “I think the days of one person slaving away over dinner alone in the kitchen while everyone else sits in the dining room waiting to be served, are over,” he says. And as a keen home chef himself he understands the practical demands required from a working kitchen.

Just because we live in a house and use a room every day doesn’t mean we can always envisage what could be done, but James and David are experienced at seeing a room’s potential. They might, for instance, suggest 110 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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tucking a fridge into an alcove, or find a corner for the dog’s basket where he can feel part of the family without getting under everyone’s feet.

The rise and rise of TV cookery shows such as MasterChef and The Great British Bake Off has influenced the way we like to cook and eat. Home cooks are more confident about the theatrical aspect of being watched while they work and serving to an appreciative audience. Dining spaces are set up in the same room, making the transition from hob to table easier and informal.

Increasingly too clients are asking for storage for everything from the toaster to the food processor in a bid to keep surfaces clear. A neat solution is the tambour unit, which keeps all the paraphenalia to hand but out of sight.

The Bath Kitchen Company prides itself on the good relationships it fosters with clients and word of mouth is a powerful tool. It also values the relationship it has with its professional fitters; some have been working with the Horsfalls for more than 15 years.

The company’s beautifully illustrated website contains testimonials written by happy clients – their own words really speak for themselves.

‘The design and layout is just what we wanted and is working really well.

The sink in the island now makes washing up a social affair too! We are also really pleased with the paint finish in the units – it is very practical, easy to wipe clean and, so far, even tolerating the puppy’s claws and paws!’

Or this one: ‘You clearly understood the brief for a timeless kitchen, with emphasis on restraint from the outset and has delivered, with the help of a keen, inventive and responsive kitchen fitter, a beautiful and functional kitchen in a tightly constrained space. It is difficult to overstate just how tight the tolerances were in our house, and how relieved we were that we had chosen the right people for such a challenging job.

Your commitment to client satisfaction was put to the test when we changed the knob specification to a handle at the last minute, news which you took without apparently flinching. Even when the under-counter lighting specification was changed at the very end of the installation period, this was taken on willingly and with a determination to get everything just right for us.’ n

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CITY | INTERIORS

THE HEART OF THE HOME: top, a dynamic city kitchen in Bath with pops of vibrant colour Centre, left to right, the fridge has been tucked away in the wall to retain the clean lines of the room – the dog’s happy with that, clever storage is key in this crisp contemporary kitchen, right Bottom, a traditional oak farmhouse kitchen in the Somerset countryside

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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SIMPLIFY E YOUR HOUSE, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE!

ver felt that your house is taking control of you rather than the other way around? You don’t know where to start because everywhere you look you see furniture, bric-a-brac or antiques? With the consumerism of modern life combined with the desire to keep what we have from the past, so many houses now have too much everywhere you look, and when time comes to change or move, it becomes impossible.

Where do you start?

Now a new business has been launched in Bath to help you by German Diaz Pocquet and Clare Willcox. The House Doctoring Agency provides exclusive, personal decluttering advice and solutions to anyone who needs to move, wants to free up some space in the house, is overwhelmed by clutter and possessions, or wants to downsize and realise some value.

The business is already helping solve all of these problems in a kind, objective, professional way, working side by side with clients in their homes with discretion and confidence to help decide what items you don’t need in your home. The firm can help identify items for disposal, which charities to donate to, how to remove things safely, advise on redecoration and suggest ways of improving a house for sale.

German says “I am really excited about launching the House Doctoring Agency in Bath. Since coming here, I am amazed by the extent of beautiful old buildings but also by their legacy inside. Since childhood, I have loved to help others, and now I can simplify someone’s life through decluttering and restyling”.

Bath local Clare, who has spent her working life caring for others and in business administration, knows that through decluttering, hard though it can be to say goodbye to sometimes precious things, each person can make their life easier.

Both German and Clare are looking forward to helping Bath residents make a difference to their lives and their houses!

Please contact German and Clare on 01225 422235 or at www.housedoctoringagency.co.uk

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Furniture, door, wood and metal stripping.

Restoration techniques, unique non-toxic, non caustic System 2000. Suitable for both hard and soft wood. Non harmful.

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INTRODUCING KELLER KITCHENS TO BATH Come and visit our recently refurbished Bear Flat showroom for inspirational new examples of our original design and affordable bespoke joinery for home or office.

See the beautiful display of Keller kitchens, Dutch manufacturing at its best.

Styles include classic, contemporary, rustic and retro.

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free parking and delicious coffee served all day

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Create a buzz in the garden It’s time to talk about the butterflies and the bees, says award-winning gardener Jane Moore as she offers some tips on planning and planting to attract these hard working visitors to your garden

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ardening and wildlife go hand in hand. Out in the garden, quietly communing with nature as you weed and water, is the ideal time to spot birds and insects doing what comes naturally without them being aware that you’re watching. On quiet mornings at The Priory I’ve spotted a heron fishing in the pond, seen a sparrowhawk whisk a pigeon from in front of my nose and I’ve lost count of the number of beautiful butterflies and moths I’ve seen flitting about the garden.

They say that butterflies and bees are the equivalent of the canary in the coal mine, indicative of the health and ecological well-being of the world around us. It’s certainly true that their fortunes rise and fall with the current state of the climate and prevalent farming practices. Bees particularly have been affected by the spread of the Varroa mite and butterflies have suffered through mono-cropping on farms.

I think these little creatures are also the barometer of the immediate countryside around us, signifying the biodiversity of the surrounding area and announcing the dawning of a good spring and summer with gusto. It might seem there is little we can do to help but planting bee and butterfly friendly plants really does make a difference to the populations in your garden.

Just imagine if all the gardens in your local area planted a few British native plants or Buddleias? That’s when you get the ‘green corridor’ effect occurring, with lots of gardens creating a safe haven for insects which in turn leads to more birds and mammals, then larger predators and so on. Before you know it, you and your neighbours have created a full on ecosystem. But it starts with the butterflies and the bees.

Go wild There’s nothing like a wild area to bring in the insects. I have my meadow here at the Priory, but even leaving the grass and wildflowers long at the base of a hedge helps. Or you could leave a patch to go wild behind the shed or compost heap where it won’t offend. If you can encourage or even introduce wild flowers then all to the better but laying off the herbicide on a corner of your lawn and allowing the grasses to flower will feed a myriad of different butterfly caterpillars. Most of those lovely ones that are not so common these 114 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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days such as Speckled Wood, the Marbled White and the Ringlet rely on grasses as food plants. The classic advice is to leave a patch of nettles somewhere to provide food for the caterpillars of the Red Admiral and Peacock butterflies. It’s not easy to find a spot if you’re a neat and tidy gardener which is why I’ve devoted an entire area to our meadow and made it a feature in its own right.

Go native If in doubt go for British native plants wherever you can as these will always appeal to our natural wildlife. It doesn’t mean that you have to compromise your creativity as there are some real beauties among our native plants. Just think of silver birches, which are a food plant for the Large Tortoiseshell, and hollies are home to the Holly Blue. Butterflies aren’t particular and you can go for cultivated forms of our natives such as the lovely forms of the wild cranesbill Geranium pratense. I love the pale blue ‘Mrs Kendall Clarke’ and wouldn’t be without it in my borders whether the butterflies liked it or not.

Extend the season So much of gardening is in harmony with nature. We want a long season of flowering plants every bit as much as the bees and butterflies do, it’s just for them it is a matter of life and death. Plant a season long series of nectar rich and native plants. Start early with hellebores, wallflowers and winter shrubby honeysuckles to feed those awakening bumble bees and keep going into autumn with asters, globe thistles and cosmos for the late butterflies such as Red Admiral.

Stay single We gardeners do like our frilly double and anemone flowered varieties but the bees and the butterflies don’t at all. Single flowers are so much easier for them to feed from and they have more nectar to offer too. There are plenty to choose from – the whole of the daisy family as well as all those lovely single roses and dahlias – so your garden should still be a riot of colour. In addition both bees and butterflies adore all the umbellifer family – think umbrella – those big, flat heads of Sedum, Achillea and fennel make the perfect landing platform and the insects can stuff themselves silly without having to move. Besides these, there are all the commonplace herbs and fruit bushes and trees of the kitchen

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CITY | GARDENING garden which happily feed the bees and butterflies to make sure they’re pollinated. So, you see, it’s not so much a case of planting solely for bees and butterflies, more a matter of synchronicity.

My top five bee and butterfly plants

l Buddleia: Common as muck, you might think but there are some cracking cultivars around including rich Royal Red, the dark purple Black Knight and some lovely dwarf varieties. l Lavender: You cannot beat lavender for attracting bees and butterflies into your garden, especially the classic English lavender Hidcote. Dwarf varieties like Munstead are pretty good too. l Aster: An early autumn magnet for bees and butterflies and a star of the late garden. They’re readily available in a host of pastel colours and in a range of heights. Really, what’s not to like? l Alliums: Not only are these great ornamental plants for the early summer garden but any flower of the onion family is irresistible to bees, including chives l Centaurea: All the knapweed and cornflower family are brilliant for wildlife and adaptable to all sorts of gardens. Try introducing knapweed into a wild meadow area or stick to the ornamental cornflowers for your beds and borders.

Learn more BORDER CONTROL: main picture, planting schemes to attract bees and butterflies Inset, asters provide late summer/early autumn colour Right, bees love lavender

Visit the Bristol Botanic Garden Bee and Pollination Festival on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, 10am to 5pm, to learn from bee keepers and buy bee and butterfly friendly plants. The festival takes place at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Bristol BS9 1JG. Admission is £3.50 for adults, childen under 16 free. There’ll be food tasting, cider, a live hive, and representatives from bee conservation groups who will be sharing tips on attracting and on keeping bees.

Take a look at www.butterfly-conservation.org for more on butterflies and their food plants or www.rhs.org.uk for list of butterfly and bee friendly plants for the garden. n Jane Moore is the head gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel.

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THE BATH DIRECTORY - SEPTEMBER 2014.qxp_Layout 31 27/08/2014 14:23 Page 1

the directory

to advertise in this section call 01225 424 499

Electricians

Health, Beauty & Wellbeing ALISON HEATHER SUTTON Life Coaching, Hypnosis and NLP Would you like help to feel relaxed, happier and in control?

Visit my website to find out how people like you have made lasting changes in their life or call me for a chat and take the first step towards peace of mind

www.alisonheathersutton.co.uk

07713 626673 Beautiful Bath City centre location Daytime and Evening Appointments

Entertainment

Gardening

Viv Kenchington Solution Focused Hypnotherapist & Reflexologist

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HPD, DHP, MNCH (Reg), AfSFH, DipReflex, MIFR Entertains Children Entertains Adults 45 mins or the whole party! Superb Close-up magic!

Sing-alongs with a guitar!

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Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Phobias, Anger, Weight or Performance issues?

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ONEMAGAZINEONECITYONEMONTH Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

House & Home

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ROBERT TURRELL: VIOLIN & VIOLA TEACHER Teacher at Guildhall School of Music & Drama London, Oxford University and private students of all ages & standards. A very enthusiastic and encouraging teacher with 34 years’ experience achieving outstanding results.

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Pritchard PIF SEPT 2014.qxp_PIF Full Page 28/08/2014 18:06 Page 85

PRESENTING | PROPERTY

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lose to lovely Lyncombe Hill, this Grade II listed Regency town house has been extensively renovated in recent years and offers extremely flexible family accommodation in a highly popular and sought after location. The accommodation briefly comprises: Lower ground floor; Dining room, kitchen breakfast room, converted vault, cloakroom. Upper ground floor: 2 bedrooms and a shower room. First floor: Drawing room and withdrawing room. Second floor: 2 bedrooms, bathroom and cloakroom. There is also a useful cellar area. The house is set back behind railings to the front and at the rear there is an easily maintained garden with a patio and gravelled area. There is a separate single garage. This very attractive property is extremely convenient for the train station and is a short walk into town. With no onward chain an appointment to view is recommended. Agents are Pritchards.

SOUTHCOT PLACE WIDCOMBE, BATH • Convenient and sought after location • Extensively renovated • Four bedrooms • Low maintenance garden • Garage • City views to the rear

Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

Price: £950,000 WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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pritchards-bath.co.uk

SALE AGREED Upper Oldfield Park (under 1 mile City Centre) An impressive detached Victorian House enjoying spacious room proportions. Sought after residential area.

Internal area house 5029 sq. ft. (467sq.m.)

• 8 bedrms (4 first flr letting rms all en suite) & bathroom • Hall & reception, kitchen/dining rm, superb Amdega conservatory • Study & utility • Extensive cellarage • Large attractive gardens • Detached stone built double garage (poss further accomm subj. to nec consents. Ample parking •

Guide Price: £1.35 million

London Road West An elegant & exceptional Georgian Villa located just East of centre, comprehensively refurbished & improved throughout providing stylish accommodation.

• 6 bedrooms, 3/4 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms, cloakroom • Attractive gardens and paddock • 6 garages • Walking distance to city centre • Floor area approx. 3,177 sq.ft. (295 sq.m.)

Price: £895,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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pritchards-bath.co.uk

Newbridge Hill A well presented semi detached Victorian house refurbished to a particularly high standard with a spacious SELF CONTAINED APARTMENT. • 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, shower room, sitting room • Fabulous kitchen/breakfast room, study & dining room • Pleasant views • South facing gardens • Driveway parking for 2/3 cars • Internal area 2849 sq. ft. (265 sq. m.)

Price: £815,000

The Grove, Weston Park A most attractive 3/4 bed Georgian G II Listed house set in a pretty tucked-away terrace. Cottage style front garden & superb landscaped garden to rear.

• 3/4 bedrooms • bathroom, shower room, cloakroom • Fabulous reception rooms • Pretty cottage style garden • 2 miles from Bath • Floor area approx. 1730 sq. ft. (160.8 sq.m.)

Price: £735,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

Zest September FP.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2014 11:01 Page 1

The Coachworks, London Road A choice of 4 beautiful studio apartments, situated in a newly refurbished former Coachworks on the London Road, a short level walk from Bath city centre. The apartments have been finished to a very high standard, each having triple glazing, custom fitted shutters, fully fitted kitchens with stone surfaces and stainless steel appliances, contemporary shower rooms and access to an attractive communal garden.

Rent: £625 - £650 pcm* refurbished former coachworks | landscaped communal gardens | brand new studio apartments | triple glazing | custom shutters | fully fitted kitchens | stone work surfaces | stainless steel appliances | contemporary shower rooms | views Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

*An administration fee of £350.00 + VAT applies.

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Summer Lane, Combe Down, Bath

£3750 pcm

Manor Cottage, Freshford

£995 pcm

Kingham is a secluded five bedroom detached Country home circa 1800 formally a barn which formed part of the Monkton Combe estate.

EPC D

A charming 1720 built cottage in the picturesque village of Freshford, 5.6 miles drive from Bath.

EPC E

Chaucer Road, Bear Flat, Bath

Stanton Prior, Nr Bath

£1100 pcm

Hidden away in Chaucer Road, the perfect city retreat for busy professionals.

EPC E

Bath Office

Lettings 01225 458546 | Sales. 01225 459817

£3350 pcm

Extraordinary barn conversion featuring wonderful vaulted living space and the finest fixtures and finish.

EPC E

The Apartment Co - sept.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 09:54 Page 1

PROPERTY | THINKING

What does a Letting Agency actually do for their money?

Christina Smith, Senior Lettings Associate at The Apartment Company details the advantages of using a professional specialist letting agency and gives insight to what you are actually paying for…

B

efore letting your apartment, it’s worth considering everything that’s involved before deciding if you let privately, use a tenant introduction or fully managed service.

A professional letting agent should make the journey that is letting your property, easier, smoother and much more simple.

You can then relax, secure in the knowledge that someone has your best interests at heart; that there aren’t going to be any nasty surprises; that it’s all taken care of.

At The Apartment Company, we’re finding that more landlords are opting for our comprehensive Fully Managed Service, because it’s cost effective and allows them to free up time to get on with their lives . Here’s a list of what’s involved and details of our fully managed service: • Marketing - We advertise in all the places the best tenants are looking, both in print and online • Presentation - We use the highest quality brochures with floor plans and professional photography to attract the type of tenants we know you want.

• 100% focused - We specialise in quality apartments and that in turn attracts excellent tenants • Negotiation - We are experts in negotiating the right rent from the right tenants • Referencing - We vet your tenant to make sure they can afford the rent – an in-depth referencing process is key • Paperwork - We prepare, complete and manage lengthy paperwork and generally ensure that you are 100% compliant of all current rules and regulations • Property Preparation - We organise professional cleans, detailed inventories and all the check ins/outs and lay the foundations for a smooth let • Safety - We arrange for gas and electrical safety certificates ensuring you are legally compliant at all times • Support - We provide the best care for your tenants and deal with any genuine issues quickly and efficiently • Contacts - We use our excellent, long-standing contacts with local, reliable and reasonably priced contractors to deal with maintenance quickly • Rent Payments - We collect and manage your rent money so that you get paid on time.

• Deposits - We lodge tenant deposits with the DPS an approved deposit schemes • In house sales team - We also keep our clients up-to-date with the current sales market and values So you see, renting out a property is quite a detailed process which does have potential pitfalls that can cost you time, effort and money. Our landlords can sleep at night knowing that their investment is in the safest expert hands.

If you would like the peace of mind that our landlords receive, call us on 01225 303870 and find out why we are the best letting agent for you. For details on our forthcoming landlords evening, follow us on twitter for dates and speakers twitter: @apartmentco

Selling your property?

Choose an agency with a great service

Every month The Bath Magazine brings you a selection of properties from Bath's most commercially active estate agents.

These agents advertise with us as part of their broad selection of print and online marketing to ensure your property is presented to the highest standard and to reach the greatest audience.

If you are currently thinking of selling your property, then consider using one of The Bath Magazine’s featured estate agencies to give you the best possible service.

Bath’s biggest monthly magazine Also online at www.thebathmag.co.uk

124 TheBATHMAgAzine

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SePTeMBeR 2014

Wentworth.qxp_Layout 1 27/08/2014 16:49 Page 1

Jeremy Jenkins FP September.qxp_Layout 4 29/08/2014 10:03 Page 1

We’ve had fabulous summer of sales in Bradford-on-Avon and the surrounding villages.

Here’s a small selection of properties we’ve sold recently. We could always do with similar houses to sell to our waiting list of buyers from all over the world.

LD

LD

SO

SO

LD

SO

Kingsdown, £775,000

Bradford-on-Avon, £625,000

Conkwell, £595,000

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

LD

LD

SO

SO

LD

SO

Bradford-on-Avon, £375,000

Broughton Gifford, £265,000

Bradford-on-Avon, £565,000

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

LD

LD

SO

SO

LD

SO

Holt, £260,000

Limpley Stoke, £595,000

Bradford on Avon, £550,000.

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

SIMILAR REQUIRED!

For a confidential chat about your move give me a ring or pop in, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

☎ 01225 866747 27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk

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Fidelis

Residential Sales & Lettings

Bloomfield Road

01225 421000 www.fidelisinbath.co.uk

ÂŁ475,000

Particularly Charming and Quirky 5 Bedroom Extended Cottage in a Popular Residential Road Reception Hall | Kitchen/Dining/Family Room | Living Room | Reception 2 | Cloakroom | 5 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms (1 en-suite) | Family Bathroom | Garage | EPC Rating: E

High Street

ÂŁ335,000

This Pretty and Secluded Cottage Oozes Character and Charm Pretty and Secluded Cottage | Sought After Location | No Onward Chain | Character Features | Living Room | Kitchen/Dining Room | Cloakroom | 3 Bedrooms | Bathroom | Front Garden | EPC Rating: E

Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

Email: info@fidelisinbath.co.uk

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Andrews dps.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 14:23 Page 1

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Andrews - Bath- DPS.qxp_Layout 3 25/08/2014 10:58 Page 1

Andrews - Bath- DPS.qxp_Layout 3 25/08/2014 10:58 Page 2

Mark Naylor - September.qxp_Layout 7 25/08/2014 11:08 Page 1

PRIORY CLOSE – GUIDE £750,000

WESTFIELD CLOSE - £575,000

• ALL SOLD THIS SUMMER •

k Mar r o l y a N

01225 422 224 1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath

Mark Naylor - September.qxp_Layout 7 25/08/2014 11:09 Page 2

BLOOMFIELD AVENUE - £692,500

HAYESFIELD PARK - £499,950

• SIMILAR PROPERTIES REQUIRED •

01225 422 224 www.mark-naylor.com

k Mar r o l y a N

Fine & Country SEPT.qxp_Layout 12 26/08/2014 16:29 Page 1

Shaw “I used to pass this traditional stone built cottage on my daily commute to my workplace and always admired it tremendously and, one day, noticed, it was on the market,” says Nicky. “We both came to view and, despite it requiring quite a lot of renovation and presenting an obvious challenge for us, it had such a special warm and welcoming ambience. We knew immediately it would be our perfect family home and came to live here thirty years ago.”

The improvements and refurbishments to the cottage now provide a charming, comfortable, family home with spacious, well designed rooms throughout, full of luxury and comfort whilst, at the same time, retaining many of its unique characteristics. “One of our favourite areas is the sitting room, “On cold winter evenings it becomes the perfect room in

which to nestle in front of the wood burner.

Like many other homes, our kitchen is the hub of the house. We ensured that its design was functional and user friendly for the whole family and so it has proved to be over the years. Another favourite room is the master bedroom which has a spacious balcony overlooking the garden and beyond, The secluded, peaceful and tranquil garden wraps around the side and rear of the cottage The garden is mainly laid to lawn and melts perfectly into the pastures beyond.

“This has been such a happy and convenient family home for us all and we will take away just cherished memories of our time here.”

RAINBOW COTTAGE DETACHED PERIOD HOME *FOUR BEDROOMS (MASTER EN-SUITE) *THREE RECEPTION ROOMS *KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM *TRIPLE GARAGE AND DOUBLE CAR PORT *GARDENS *EPC RATING: E

Contact: 01225 320032

£725,000

Fine & Country SEPT.qxp_Layout 12 26/08/2014 16:30 Page 2

Bath The present owners of this fine period property were initially drawn to their country-style home in the city by its perfect position to enjoy the best of a rural lifestyle along with Bath’s railway station, shops, city centre and all amenities of a modern lifestyle just a short walk from the property. The surrounding landscape is dominated by the beautiful Georgian buildings of Bath across which the property enjoys incredible views from every aspect.

The owners have undertaken extensive improvements to their home including the alteration of the layout as part of its modernisation. A dressing room and an en-suite bathroom have been added to the master bedroom and the layout of the house has been reconfigured so that it is extremely spacious with plenty of room

for working, relaxing and entertaining.

Outside, a long driveway with parking for 10 cars and accessed via electronic gates creates a grand entrance. The property is further secured by a boundary fence spanning the entire periphery of the grounds. One of the more unusual features of this home is the outdoor lighting which illuminates the property at night combining with the surrounding landscape to dramatic effect.

“The garden has been redesigned and maintains a private and secluded feel. There are plenty of seated areas and also a summer house.”

UPPER OLDFIELD PARK • SEVEN BEDROOMS (ALL WITH EN-SUITE) • DRESSING ROOM TO MASTER BEDROOM • FOUR RECEPTION ROOMS • CONSERVATORY, GYM AND CELLAR • GATED PARKING • EPC RATING: E

Contact: 01225 320032

£1,500,000

Grosvenor Place

Guide Price £850,000

Vineyards

Guide Price £750,000

A wonderful opportunity to own the major portion of a Grade I Listed townhouse just one mile walk to the bustling centre of Bath.

Behind the handsome facade are four principal floors offering versatile accommodation with fine retained features. The house also features a south facing garden and private parking.

This Georgian Grade II Listed five storey townhouse provides many retained features including the old copper boiler in the kitchen. Offering highly versatile accommodation of 5 receptions rooms, 4/5 bedrooms, bath and shower rooms along with a walled garden in the city centre.

Cranwells Park

Lambridge Place Guide Price £650,000

Guide Price £695,000

This beautifully presented and improved contemporary family home is located in the ever popular Cranwells Park offering convenient access to the city and its excellent schools. Offering 2 reception rooms, modern kitchen/dining room, 4 bedrooms, ensuite and family bathrooms and landscaped gardens. EPC:C

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546

This elegant Grade II Listed townhouse is located in the popular Larkhall area, providing local amenities and a school along with ease of access to the A46 and M4. Offering 4 bedrooms and 2 reception rooms over four floors with courtyard garden and the exceptional benefit of a nearby garage.

NEW INSTRUCTION

Lansdown

Guide Price £695,000

Park Gardens Guide Price £595,000

A stunning upper ground floor apartment benefitting from far reaching views from a super balcony. Having been thoughtfully refurbished to an exceptional standard, the property is offered with no onward chain and is located in the sought after location of Lansdown. EPC: D

This spacious apartment is situated on the first floor of a significant Grade II Listed Victorian villa just a stroll from the Botanical Gardens of the Royal Victoria Park. This is a superb home with a stylish interior, communal gardens and parking, in this highly desirable location close to the City.

Grosvenor Place

Frankley Buildings

Guide Price £500,000

This fantastic Grade I Listed duplex apartment located on Grosvenor Place is arranged over three floors. The apartment offers two bedrooms, a stunning drawing room situated at ground floor level as well as private garden and a garage.

Guide Price £495,000

This elegant and well presented three bedroom townhouse is situated within an attractive terrace within the popular area of Camden enjoying westerly views over the City. The property also benefits from a pretty front garden featuring an area for outdoor dining, a pond and a small rear garden.

Green Park

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ500,000

Grade II listed | Georgian | Garden maisonette | Spacious drawing room | Two double bedrooms | Original period features | Central location This well-presented and impressive maisonette forms part of a Georgian house and from the drawing room there is delightful and uninterrupted view of Green Park. This spacious maisonette has the added advantage of a well-designed mature garden. The apartment comprises: a grand drawing room, fully fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms both with en-suite and one with doors leading out onto the beautiful garden, a further bedroom which can be used as a dining room or a third bedroom. With its spacious living and period features this apartment is one not to miss!

Royal Crescent Grade I listed | Georgian | Top floor apartment

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ350,000

| Two double bedrooms | Period features | World renowned location | Beautiful views | Recommended

A fabulous opportunity to purchase a stylish two bedroom, top floor apartment, in one of the most famous addresses in the world, The Royal Crescent.

The stunning communal entrance hall with its grand doors and original features lead to the apartment via a sweeping staircase. The apartment itself, where you are presented with a large sitting room with a delightful window seat that affords views over The Crescent. Furthermore, the apartment offers a fitted kitchen with space for dining, two double bedrooms and a spacious bathroom with a roll top bath. Early viewing is highly recommended!

Rivers Street

Offers in Excess of £250,000 Kensington Place

Prices from £195,000

Grade II listed | Georgian apartment | Top floor | One bedroom | Bright and Grade II listed | Georgian | Five apartments | One bedroom | Period features spacious accommodation | City Centre | Views | Stunning views | Spacious accommodation | Highly recommended A delightful one bedroom apartment offering some of the most stunning views Five one bedroom apartments in a beautiful Georgian house located to the over Bath and Catharine Place. The property comprises of: large entrance hall, East of the City, boasting stunning original features including: cornicing, bay sitting room, fitted kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom. windows and feature fireplaces.

Caxton Court

Offers in Excess of £285,000 Waterfront House

Riverside location | Ground floor | Two bedrooms | Secure | Spacious sitting room | Prime location | Parking Zone 1 | Highly recommended

Offers in Excess of £275,000

Grade II listed | Third floor | Central location | Lift access | Superb river views | Private allocated parking | Two double bedrooms | Highly recommended

Stylishly decorated this immaculate two bedroom apartment boasts mature A fantastic two bedroom apartment overlooking the River Avon and a short walk to Bath’s finest restaurants, historic attractions and shops with the rare communal gardens and spacious accommodation. advantage of lift access.

Spencers Belle Vue

£750 pcm Brunswick

£775 pcm Catharine Place

Period property | One double bedroom | Council Tax Band C | Residents

Georgian | High ceilings | No pets | Council Tax Band B | Unfurnished |

Parking | Part furnished | Agency fees £350+vat | Available immediately

Agency fees £350+vat | Available 1st October 2014

£795 pcm

One Bedroom | No Pets | Sought after location | Central close to shops | Unfurnished | Agency Fee £350+vat | Available immediately

Ground floor 1 double bedroom apartment in sought after location Ground floor spacious Georgian apartment, Recommended.

Ground and First Floor One bedroom unfurnished Maisonette in

with views.

much favoured location.

Walcot Parade

£825 pcm Gay Street

Close to City Centre | Two bedrooms | Council Tax Band C | Unfurnished with

£895 pcm Daniel Street

Courtyard garden | City centre location | Newly redecorated | New bathroom

white goods | Permit parking | Agency Fees £350+vat | Available Mid Oct 2014

| Furnished | Agency Fees £350+vat | Available End August 2014

Fees £350+vat | Available immediately

Period two bedroomed apartment close to all amenities.

Luxury Georgian furnished one bedroomed Courtyard Apartment.

Luxury Grade II listed spacious Studio Apartment.

Marlborough Buildings

£950 pcm The Royal Crescent

£925 pcm

Studio | No Pets | Council Tax Band B | Furnished | Agency

£1250 pcm Brock Street

£1275 pcm

Two Bedrooms | Highly desirable location | Views | Council Tax Band D

One bedroom | Views | No pets | Superb central location | Part

Central location | First floor apartment | Two bedrooms | Arranged over two

| Unfurnished | Agency Fee £350+vat | Available 23rd Aug 2014

furnished | Agency fees £350+vat | Available immediately

floors | Furnished | Agency fees £350+vat | Available 1st October 2014

Fabulous Georgian two bedroomed first floor Apartment on the A spectacular spacious one bedroom apartment.

Spectacular two bedroom apartment in much sought after central

fringe of Royal Crescent.

location close to all amenities.

Lacock A delightful stone built family house in this much sought-after village

| entrance hall | sitting room | dining room | kitchen/breakfast room | family room 5 bedrooms (2 en suite) | family bathroom | delightful garden | garage | parking | Guide Price: ÂŁ650,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

| study | utility room | cloakroom |

Castle Combe An enchanting Grade II listed stone cottage with separate dovecote barn, extremely generous garden with river frontage and parking for up to 6 vehicles

| very rare opportunity | end terrace property | entrance porch | long hallway | sitting room | dining room | kitchen | 2 first floor bedrooms | bathroom | separate two-storey dovecote barn with bathroom and electric heating | large garden with river frontage | long gated driveway with parking for up to 6 vehicles | detached garage | summer house | oil-fired central heating | potential to improve internally and possibly extend (subject to necessary planning consents) | Guide Price: £795,000 Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

Combe Down A beautifully renovated contemporary house, quietly situated in Combe Down, close to all amenities

| entrance hall | sitting room | kitchen/dining/family room | study | utility room | cloakroom | master bedroom with en suite dressing and shower room | 4 further bedrooms | family bathroom | shower room | 2 studio apartments, each self-contained or part of the house | garden | deck | off-street parking for several cars | further hardstanding | Guide Price: ÂŁ1,250,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

Hinton Charterhouse A splendid country house set in 15.5 acres of gardens, paddocks and woodland with tennis court and swimming pool

| entrance hall | 3 reception rooms | kitchen/breakfast room | secondary kitchen | conservatory | 2 cloakrooms | master bedroom with en suite bathroom | 4 further first floor bedrooms (3 en suite) | family bathroom | laundry room | second floor: 4 bedrooms, kitchen/living room, 2 bathrooms | 15.5 acres of gardens, paddocks and woodland | tennis court | swimming pool | pool house | stables | Guide Price: ÂŁ1,650,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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