bath Life – issue 351

Dining/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 351 27 OCTOBER – 10 NOVEMBER 2017 / £3

@BathLifeMag

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE CITY

ISSUE 351 27 OCTOBER – 10 NOVEMBER 2017 / IN BLACK AND WHITE

MAN ABOUT TOWN

FASHION, MALE GROOMING AND MORE

THE GATEWAY TO BATH LONDON ROAD LOVE

THE ART OF PERCEPTION

SEURAT TO RILEY AT THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM THE ROAST WITH THE MOST

SERVING UP SUNDAY WITH STYLE

PARTY PEOPLE

OUR 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SNAPS

N

W O

O

N E P

NEW SHOWROOM You will be inspired by more than 50 displays from leading brands as well as designer ranges.

Let us help you design your perfect bathroom and share our 18 years of experience!

Call for a site survey or visit our showroom Bath BA1 3JF Tel 01225 462727 totalbathrooms.co.uk

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 351 / 27 OCTOBER – 10 NOVEMBER

51

UNDER THE ILLUSION Discover abstract artworks at The Holburne Museum

In perspective As you delve into this issue, you’ll notice there’s a slight change of tone, and a more masculine vibe. This is a nod to the upcoming International Men’s Day. When I first heard of the movement, my brain instantly compared it to that disgruntled group of people who set up Straight Pride to redress the balance of Gay Pride, or those who want a White History Month. I tutted, I rolled my eyes.

But I’ve come to learn that International Men’s Day isn’t about blokes patting themselves on the backs for all their achievements, it was set up to tackle the mental and physical health concerns faced by men and young boys.

So, on page 86, we ask three local charities how boys and men living in Bath can access help if they’re struggling. It’s all about breaking the silence and changing perspectives.

Speaking of new perspectives, you’ll spot one of the artwork’s from The Holburne Museum’s new exhibition, The Art of Perception, on our front cover (and on the left of this page). The showcase explores one of the most exciting threads running through art history: how artists have exploited the ways in which the human eye and mind perceive what we see (page 51).

Elsewhere, we bring you a bumper section of society pictures, which includes six pages of snaps from the Bath Life 15-year anniversary party (page 16); we catch up with the independent business community on London Road, where there’s a lot more than meets the eye (page 42); and test out a handful of Sunday roasts in local hotspots (page 76).

Enjoy!

Lisa Evans, Editor Follow us on Twitter: @BathLifeMag Follow us on Instagram:@bathlifemag

FEATURES / ISSUE 351 / 27 OCTOBER – 10 NOVEMBER 2017

Unusual artefacts and intriguing knick-knacks can be found at The Small Shop

42

CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER

You can’t put London Road in a box and package it up neatly – it’s far too eclectic and diverse for that

130 Bath Lives

We talk childhood development and martial arts with Norland College’s Janet Rose

REGULARS / ISSUE 351 / 27 OCTOBER – 10 NOVEMBER M E ET T H E T EAM

THE ARTS

Editor Lisa Evans lisa.evans@mediaclash.co.uk

51 Arts intro The eyes have it: the art of perception is explored in The Holburne’s new exhibition

Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors David Flatman, Nic Bottomley, Ollie Wright, Julie Dann, Rachel Ifans and Nick Woodhouse Group advertising manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Justine Walker justine.walker@mediaclash.co.uk Sales executive Sophie Speakman sophie.speakman@mediaclash.co.uk

52 What’s on Theatre, music, comedy, art, exhibitions and more

60 Exhibition An exciting showcase at Britain’s photography birthplace

Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Matt Gynn matt.gynn@mediaclash.co.uk

65 Bookshelf Nic Bottomley’s trio this issue will help you rediscover your get-up-and-go

67 Film In honour of Movember, we explore movie moustaches (AKA ‘furry boomerangs’)

FOOD 70 Restaurant Bath’s all the better for the hint of glamour that Framptons Cafe Bar and Kitchen offers

76 Sunday roasts Fluffy potatoes to dip in a gravyfilled Yorkshire pud. What a time to be alive!

84 Food & drink news Wood-fired pizzas make it to Keynsham; and will Lucknam get lucky at the chef’s awards?

SHOPPING 88 Editor’s choice This Man Can – time for some ‘hetail’ therapy

Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Commercial director Steve Hawkins steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk

76 96 Kilver Court Exclusive treats for Bath Life readers this Christmas

BUSINESS 103 Business insider News, views and interviews from the region’s professionals

LIFEST YLE

90 Men’s fashion

112 Gardening

AW17 is classics with a twist, dark tones and tactile fabrics

The year-round treat that is Westonbirt Arboretum

Bath Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

Seventh-day deliciousness at The Gainsborough

PROPERT Y 118 Property showcase A haven for horses and humans: paddock, arena, stables and more

DEPARTMENTS 11 16 35

About MediaClash We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury.

We also publish foodie mag Crumbs. (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag) and wedding title Vow (@VowMag).

Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help.

Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

Spotlight Society A man’s world On the cover Michael Kidner, Multiple, 1965 © The Estate of Michael Kidner, courtesy of Flowers Gallery. See the feature on page 51.

BATH: ITS LIFE AND TIMES

(L-R) Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith from Tears for Fears

MUSIC

BATH BOYS CONTINUE TO SHINE There was a time back there in the 1980s when you could easily have spotted Tears for Fears’ Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith in Bath if you batted aside the fug of smoke in one of our city centre pubs. The duo of schoolboys formed the band here in 1981 and rose quickly to super stardom before a spectacular fallout a decade later, albeit with an enviable collection of super hits under their belts, including the totally unexpected – and utterly unforgettable – Mad World.

This November, after a sellout summer arena tour and a gig at the Royal Albert Hall in October, they are releasing their first greatest hits album, Rule The World, featuring big titles like Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Shout, Head Over Heels, Woman In Chains and more, and two brand-new songs called I Love You But I’m Lost, and Stay. The combined force of new songs, live dates and radio performances all make for much more than a common-or-garden Best Of release, and hint at big plans for 2018 and beyond.

Due for release 10 November, Rule The World is available for pre-order at lnk.to/RuleTheWorld

SPOTLIGHT

Go all-out and make your own headdress

CARNIVAL

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Jeff Kinney makes Bath his only UK book event

KIDS

A DIARY DATE FOR WIMPY FANS Thought this year’s Bath Children’s Literature Festival had been read from cover to cover and put back on the shelf until next autumn? Well, think again, because another huge name in kids’ books is about to grace Bath Pavilion’s stage as part of the festival’s year-round programme of events. Jeff Kinney has achieved international success for his Wimpy Kid diaries and he’ll be in Bath on 3 December for his only UK appearance in a worldwide tour of 20 cities to promote the 12th book in the series.

The book – which is called Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway – sees the Heffley family going on a particularly

memorable Christmas holiday. To say that the plan to escape reality on a tropical island brings its own stresses and strains (think tummy trouble, venomous wildlife and more) would be an understatement.

Event organisers promise a fun-filled event where fans will get to find out more about the book, Jeff’s life as an author, and take part in some fun and games Wimpy Kid-style. You can buy a presigned copy of the book online to avoid the unsightly rush to the front and the inevitable queue at the end.

For more: Tickets cost £8.50; bathfestivals.org.uk or 01225 463362

Date for the diary: 21 July 2018. Bath Carnival returns for the sixth year, bedecked in headdresses, smeared with face paint, moving on roller skates, baring all in bikinis, and getting the crowds going with drums that echo around Bath’s seven hills.

It’s a far cry from the bonnets of the Jane Austen parade in September, the lycra-clad hoardes at the Bath Half, the literature and music festivals and the twinkly magic of the Christmas Market. The carnival is 100 per cent summer (whether it’s raining or not!) and 100 per cent party.

The day starts with a exciting two-hour carnival procession around the centre; moves to a festival in the park combining live music, food and drink, walkabout acts and a community village; and ends with a throbbing afterparty (venue TBC) with live samba and DJs. In the week running up to the big day, there are carnival workshops at Green Park Station where you can learn about costume design, help build large carnival structures and create your costume for the procession. You can also brush up your Samba and Maractu drumming, and dance traditional South American choreographies.

For more: www.bathcarnival.co.uk

Adventures in party-going

Tom Gould and Patsy Gould

SCENE

SPONSORED BY:

AC ROS S B AT H , O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

FABULOUS AT 15 The Holburne Museum was the setting for Bath Life’s 15th birthday party on 11 October.

Some 150 guests attended the event held in the museum’s Garden Café, with the room decorated with the five covers specially created to mark 15 years of the city’s lifestyle magazine.

Guests enjoyed canapés served by The French Kitchen, and drinks from Great Western Wine.

The museum’s director, Dr Chris Stephens, complimented Bath Life on its success, while MediaClash director Greg Ingham thanked guests for their support.

Greg Ingham Lauryn Tunnell and Marie Vinolo-Young

Photos by Chris Daw

Amanda Jones and Tim O’Sullivan

Andrew James, Lauren Prince and Sam Laite 16 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Marcus Arundell, Lydia Jennings, Sam Davies and Oliver Hill

Charles Cronin, Lucy Ternell and Huw Jones

SPONSORED BY:

Kit Glaisyer and Nina Jesih

Pete Helme and Helen Collingborn

Charlotte Gray, Claire Watson and Jonathan Stapleton Charlotte Jordan and Katherine Spreadbury Carole Waller and Gary Wood

Jason Knowles, Rosanna Hood and Robert Forbes

w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 17

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

Continued from page 17 Emma Hardie and Emily Harding

Jeremy Smith, Emma Webber, Emma Rose and John Rose

Silmiya Hendricks, Beth Tremelling and Carole Devonshire

Marcus Whittington, Adam Lloyd-Smith and Patsy Gould

Alastair Steel, Ben Jones, Lucy Honey and David Newton

Andrew James and Alexandra Grozea Lindsay Holdoway, Kate Burles, Gory Squires and Ben Carey

Lisa Goodson, Alexandra May, Douglas Gracie and Jasmine Wolf

w 18 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

Continued from page 18 Chris Stephens Katie Jenkins, Chris Park, Claire Park and Daniel McCabe

Claire Waters, Kate Howard and Annie Paget Bonnie Rose, Amanda Brown and Angela MacAusland

Tessa Brand and Brigitte Jones Chris Voisey, Alexa Voisey and John Rose

Andy Thompson, Fiona Daymond and Nick Woodhouse

w 20 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

Continued from page 20 Sophie Moore, Annabelle Hoyle, Alison Cadman, Chris Smart, Alan Smith and Will Morrish

Tim O’Sullivan, Emma Summers and Andrew Summers

Estienne Sheppard and Sarah Maya

Adam Collier, Bella Newman, Marcus Whittington and Hana Whittington Peter Rollins and Les Redwood

22 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

w

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

Continued from page 22 Debbie Raven and Sara Loxton

Greg Ingham, Jessica Lloyd-Smith and Adam Lloyd-Smith

Tim Moss and Alastair Steel

Hana Whittington, Kalvin Simmons, Helen Helme and Declan Gray

Steph Dodd and Annie Miekus

Jasmine Wolf, Lisa Goodman and Vanessa Locke

24 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SOCIETY

CRUMBS OF COMFORT

SPONSORED BY:

Playing to the crowd

The Bristol Old Vic was the venue for the first ever Crumbs Awards, bringing together foodies and producers from Bath and Bristol.

The awards celebrate the area’s fantastic food scene, and recognises the people and businesses behind it.

For more: www.crumbsmag.com Photos by Ferla Paola Photography www.ferlapaolo.com

Crumbs editor, Jessica Carter

Kate Holland-Smith, Josie Clifford and Harry Calvert

Noya Pawlyn and Anne-Marie Osmond

Beyond compère: ‘mind-reader who doesn’t read minds’ Chris Cox blew our tiny little foodie minds

Rob Dacey and friends

26 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Heather Munro and Nik Read

w

REOPENED AFTER REFURBISHMENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR FABULOUS SELECTION OF LIMITED HIGH END DESIGNER COSTUME JEWELLERY FOR EVERY OCCASION. PERSONAL SERVICE TO FIND EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

POP IN AND SEE FOR YOURSELF 23 BROCK STREET BATH BA1 2LW WWW.ALEXANDRAMAY.COM 01225 465 094

SOCIETY

Continued from page 26 Tom Herbert and Dawn Hawkins

SPONSORED BY:

Bethanie Whereatt, Ben Gatt and friend

Team Poco

Nina Perry and Peter Milton

Polly, Pam and Olivia from Pam Lloyd PR

Russel Allen and Frankie Wallington

Kathryn Curtis and Stephen Gilchrist

28 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Laura Dodds and Marti Burgess

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

BOOTYLICIOUS

Clare Simms

Cheeky boudoir photographer Divine Divas celebrated its 10th birthday with a party for 100 clients.

Drinks and nibbles were served

by Butlers in the Buff, with Divine Divas offering themed photoshoots including geek-chic and Hollywood.

Photos by Paolo Ferla www.ferlapaolo.com Harriet Gallon Caroline Boyce

Kelley Townley

Dr Beatriz Molina, Medikas, Marla Loughborough, Jo Reed and Harriet Gallon Emilie Giotti Neill Menneer

Zoey Ryland

30 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SOCIETY

CLOTHES SHOW

SPONSORED BY:

Claire Rendall, Molly Cropper and Marie Fairchild

Oska’s autumn/winter collection was greeted with applause at an event last month.

Models took to the catwalk to showcase the Bath shop’s new collection, with clothes in rich colours and warm fabrics – perfect for the changing season.

Photos by Bonnie Rose www.bonnie-rose.co.uk

Pippa Western and Mary Perkins

Michelle Farmes and Celia Fazan

Striking a pose

Gary Moss, Louise Moss and Will Moss Winter warmer

32 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Brian Jennis and Derek Robinson

Carpets

Rugs

Vinyls

Image shows Brockway carpets

Commercial

BATH'S BEST BUTCHER

L

Bath Good Food Awards Best Butchers 2013-17 Crumbs Best Food Retailer 2017

arkhall butchers combines passionate, traditional butchery with a modern take on the profession. We strive to create an atmosphere that is welcoming to customers, especially those unused to the more involved experience of local independent retailers.

Supplying to Bath and the surrounding areas, we have a reputation for providing produce of the highest quality to restaurants and the community alike.

We stock a wide range of not only meat and poultry, but also fish, game and condiments. Our friendly staff will help to provide you with invaluable knowledge and ideas to bring to the table,

or feed the family with one of our midweek deals – you will find something for every household.

At Larkhall Butchers the provenance of food is as important to us as it’s quality. Using close ties with local farms, we are able to ensure that the meat is being sourced both humanely and ethically as well as being of the best quality.

Christmas orders now being taken ‘Few could visit Larkhall Butchers and leave empty handed’ – Bath Life Magazine

01225 313 987 | info@larkhallbutchers.co.uk | larkhallbutchers.co.uk

A MAN’S WORLD

DAVID FLATMAN

FEMME FUTURE Flats on wanting his daughters to grow up in a world where outdated chauvinist attitudes are universally rejected

A

h, the blokey issue of Bath Life. My favourite issue. What a fascinating time it is to be a bloke, what with the behaviour of uber-powerful Hollywood producers and American presidents bringing to the fore the debate of what a man really ought to be. The days of men dominating the top jobs in most sectors and earning more money should be gone, as it just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. The days of men using their physical advantages to take what they want from women should be gone, yet it appears they go on. The days of women being dismissed by men as creative, as intellectual, as decision-making equals should be gone, but they too go on in part. And, actually, it’s rather depressing.

If you’ve read my column before, you’ll know I don’t much go in for shoehorned signals of political correctness, and you’ll also know that I’m very blokey. By this I mean that I spend far too much time thinking about cars and food and practical jokes and fast, fun objects. You might also have noticed that Mrs F gets the odd poke in this column. Well, I do like food and toys, and I stand by every poke!

In reality, I live in a happy home where my wife’s superior judgement sees her making most of the familial decisions on a daily basis. She isn’t dominant, she’s just less selfish and lazy than me, and she is the more intelligent, so it makes sense for me to defer to her practical expertise. When it comes to us earning a living, I come first.

She works largely around my schedule, not because she feels obliged to do so, but because, for now, my line of work is more lucrative.

At work, Mrs F exists alongside many extremely successful, wealthy men, and they are, by her accounts, entirely lovely and

appropriate. So she is lucky. She also demands respect because she is strong, and invariably knows exactly what to do next.

But will my daughters be strong? Will they demand respect and effectively give smaller men no wiggle room? I hope, hope, hope that the world changes significantly in the next decade in this regard.

As awful as the Harvey Weinstein episode has been so far, and as plain awful as Donald Trump is, I hope this marks a moment where certain outdated attitudes become as universally rejected as they are patently absurd.

Blokes can still be blokey. We do not even need to aim at sainthood, for where’s the fun in that? I will still leave mess around the house too often, I will be grumpy a bit too often, I will spend entire evenings watching car videos on YouTube instead of actually talking, and I will still find women physically attractive. What I won’t do, though, is be the sort of bloke who makes women feel uncomfortable, or who makes them work harder at work than I would the men.

My best friend, chief life-organiser and manager is a woman, and she is unquestionably the dominant partner. Not through some misguided version of virtue signalling, but because she is brighter than me and knows what to do better than I do. I regard her as priceless, never once having considered what she’s achieving in a primarily male environment.

Men, the time to step up is now; we have work to do. Never has it been so important to be a good bloke.

MY BEST FRIEND, CHIEF LIFE-ORGANISER AND MANAGER IS A WOMAN

David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Twitter @davidflatman

advertising feat u re s h o p p i n g

christmas is coming…

A visit to Bristol Shopping Quarter should be on your list this Christmas

B

ristol Shopping Quarter, including Broadmead, The Arcade, Cabot Circus, and The Galleries, is home to the biggest and best selection of shops in the South West including designer brands, high street fashion and over 100 fabulous independent stores.

This year Bristol’s Christmas Light Switch On will take place on Friday 10 November.

The festivities will begin in The Galleries before a procession passes through Broadmead to Cabot Circus, where the evening will culminate with spectacular entertainment and the big switch on itself. To find out more: www.cabotcircus.com.

The event coincides with the opening of Bristol’s Christmas Market. Visitors can expect a magical festive atmosphere as they explore over 40 wooden chalet-style stalls full of unique gift ideas, such as original homemade crafts and food and drink from around the world. Returning this year is the Jägerbarn bar and beer garden.

It will be open every day right up to Christmas Eve. Additionally, the popular Local Christmas Market, offering handmade gifts with a Bristol twist plus Fairtrade products, will run from Friday 1 December until 23 December.

From mid-November through to 23 December, The Galleries has a host of free Christmas activities planned for young shoppers and their families. You’ll be able to take part in Reindeer Rocks events, Mrs Claus’s Cookie School, and a series of exciting Secret Agent Elf Toy Testing Days, plus a fantastic competition via their social media channels. And let’s not forget Santa, he’ll be there at weekends from 2 December and every day from 16 December to Christmas Eve. For further information go to www.galleriesbristol.co.uk.

The Arcade also has a busy calendar of events in the lead-up to Christmas, starting with the Bzzaar Makers Market from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 December. This pop-up gift shop

“visitors can expect a magical festive atmosphere”

Visitors enjoy the magical atmosphere

will be stocked with handmade items from local creatives including illustrations, jewellery, ceramics and more.

Small Business Saturday on 2 December will be marked with a special raffle; every purchase from one of The Arcade’s many independent traders will be rewarded with an entry for the chance to win some fantastic prizes. On Saturday, 16 December, Bristol Show Choir will be entertaining shoppers and, from 18-23 December, there will be a host of Christmas activities including free craft making workshops, a stable and a chance to meet Santa! You can find out more at www.thearcadebristol.com.

Getting to Bristol Shopping Quarter couldn’t be easier. Affordable parking is located at The Galleries and Cabot Circus, and Bristol city centre is easily accessible by car, bus, and park and ride. Bristol Shopmobility, on the ground floor of Cabot Circus car park, offers scooters and wheelchairs for hire, making shopping

Photo: Paul Grundy, Hammerson

in Bristol Shopping Quarter accessible for all (users of this service may take advantage of up to five hours free parking in the Cabot Circus car park when they hire equipment).

Many stores will be offering late night shopping over the Christmas period but please check with your favourites before you visit.

For further information visit www.bristolshoppingquarter.co.uk or find @bristolshopping on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 39

London’s calling As the gateway to Bath, it’s both busy and urban, but there’s far more to London Road than first meets the eye

By L i sa E va ns

An elderly doctor

arrived with a whole human skeleton he had as a

student

when studying in the 1920s

42 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTO BY BONNIE ROSE

STREET LIFE

M

ention London Road, and the first thing that probably springs to mind is the traffic; bad if you’re stuck nose-to-tail at rush hour, but great if you’re an independent retailer with an eye-catching window display, ready to help alleviate the boredom for a captive audience…

PEOPLE POWER

People are what make a place great, and you’ll find plenty of colourful personalities running the curious, eclectic and vibrant mixture of businesses on this road.

There are those who live double lives – take Richard Carter, the owner of hobsons|choice, for example, who plays in a band called the What 4s! and can be found jamming at many a wedding gig during the weekends. And Tobias CambrookWoods, the owner of In & Out, is a property consultant by profession who started his café as an investment. His degree in sports nutrition ties in rather well, too, as his customers ask for health advice when picking up wholesome drinks and meals.

Then there are those who have been in the same businesses since they were youngsters.

Both the managing director of The Piano Shop Bath, Jon Kelly, and Kelly Ann Perry at The Bath Framer – which specialises in picture framing and sells beautiful prints, cards and stationery – have been in their respective industries since they were 15. Kelly Ann – who’s also a qualified interior designer – became a Guild Commended Framer at the age of 18, and has recently employed her

Expect to discover eclectic, bizarre and intriguing finds on independent-shop haven, London Road

teenage son at her shop, meaning it’s now a family business.

There are also a few who ditched their former careers to take on their exciting entrepreneurial adventures, such as David Moore at Old Bank Antiques, who once worked as a chef and restaurant manager, and Alex Schlesinger at the same shop, who was once a museum curator. And before becoming the co-owner of Bath’s Ripples seven years ago with his wife, Kim, Michel Marcer was manager of Mahogany hairdressing salon in the city; so while he’s talented when it comes to designing dream bathrooms, he’s still a whizz with a pair of scissors.

WINDOW SHOPPING

As a main artery into the city, London Road is responsible for the first impressions a visitor will have of Bath. One of the main things they’ll notice is the haphazard yet convenient collection of shops stretched out along the more built-up side. There are a number of antiques stores, including the labyrinthine Old Bank Antiques, which accommodates eight dealers in nine showrooms spread through two buildings, featuring everything from vintage furniture to lighting, oriental carpets, ceramics and glassware – a true hoarder’s paradise. There’s also The Small Shop, in which curiosities from fossils and minerals to taxidermy and the owners’ artworks can be discovered.

“We have many surprising articles brought into our shop,” says Anna Woodhead, who runs the shop with her partner, Nick Lysaght. “An elderly doctor arrived with a whole human skeleton he had as a student when studying in the 1920s. We also specialise in unusual furniture – such as a huge cork tree with shelves in it.” w

Husband and wife Giovanni and Mary Baiano run the luxury Grove Lodge B&B

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 43

STREET LIFE

YOU’LL FIND EVERYTHING FROM A NUTRITIONIST

AND A HYPNOTHERAPIST, TO A PHOTOGRAPHER AND A POTTERY SCHOOL HERE

Jon Kelly at The Piano Shop Bath has sold instruments to many a popstar

“This element of the building provided the central heating in the winter months and made for uncomfortable work during the summer.

“In those days, [the business was established in 1973] the choice of products was more limited,” he adds. “Since then, much has changed. The current business is an importer, exporter, distributor, retail supplier and installer. Our customers are no longer just local, but worldwide, and our goods are being represented in places like Tokyo and New York.”

London Road’s vibe reminds Amanda Harvey at The Cheeky Bean of Brooklyn, New York

PHOTO BY BONNIE ROSE

LONDON ROAD LOVE

44 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTO BY BONNIE ROSE

For those looking to banish the past rather than nurture it, however, there are stacks of shops here to bring your home in line with 21st-century living too. There’s Ripples for bathrooms (the showroom on London Road was the first ever for Ripples, in 1988), where customers have the opportunity to talk directly with the designers.

“We specialise in hand-drawn design, which means that every bathroom starts with a pencil and design sheet,” says co-owner Kim Marcer.

“Next year, Ripples turns 30, which means that we’ll be throwing plenty of parties to celebrate.”

And, the gleaming, zen-like hobsons|choice – which is, as a business, celebrating its 40th year right now – focuses on luxury, high-end kitchens.

After an extensive renovation, their showroom boasts three floors of the latest contemporary kitchen design, and there are very convenient customer parking spots too.

On the opposite side of the road, you’ll find Tile & Flooring Bath where there are myriad hard and soft surface materials to suit your interiors taste (and budget). “Interestingly, the shop, which is located at 1 Mile End – exactly one mile from the Guildhall in the city centre – was the original local supplier of handmade bespoke glaze tiles, and had a kiln room firing the glaze within the premises,” says director Matthew Weaver.

Rather than it just being another road to take you from point A to point B, London Road offers a gateway into our city, and that gateway, as Charis Stevenson – operations supervisor at holiday rentals business Bath Boutique Stays – describes it, is a “cultural melting pot of fascinating architecture, artisanal trade and exciting places to eat and drink”.

If Amanda Harvey at The Cheeky Bean were to describe London Road to someone who’d never set foot on it before, she would compare it to Brooklyn, New York.

“It’s a busy road and it’s full of interesting things,” says Amanda, whose takeaway café – which she runs with her partner, Steven Piper – offers locally roasted coffee from Dusty Ape, and handmade sandwiches and cakes. “The shops are almost all independent and full of extraordinary finds that you wouldn’t spot on any other road in the city.

“It reminds me of Brooklyn a little bit because, if you give it a chance, you can find some really cool stuff. One thing I love about the London Road is that you can be in a beautiful meadow or swimming in the canal in minutes.”

Jon at The Piano Shop Bath – which specialises in traditional and modern instruments – describes w the road as one of the most important in the

COME AND MEET Frederick Augustus the cat..............at

OLD BANK ANTIQUES CENTRE 16-17 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD

Tel. 01225 338813

The largest antiques retailer in Bath

& voted in the top 50 antiques shops in Britain, by the Independent on Sunday Now with an Oriental Rug Showroom

“Could this be Britain’s best B&B?” – The Sunday Times, October 2017

No, he’s not stuffed...

Maybe even find time to look at some antiques... we’ve got everything from 17th century furniture to 1970s retro and kitchenalia, spread through lots of showrooms.

We’re on the A4, London Road, near Morrisons.

About 15 minutes walk from the bottom of Walcot Street.

We’re open 10-6 Monday to Saturday. 11-5 on Sunday.

We have our own parking at the rear, accessed via Bedford Street.

alexatmontague@aol.com / www.oldbankantiquescentre.com

STREET LIFE

IT’S THE

MAIN ROAD LINKING BATH WITH

AROUND 50,000

PASSING

city due to the fact it’s “the main road linking Bath with around 50,000 passing people a day”.

And Charlotte Wright, design consultant at hobsons|choice, says although the traffic can be problematic, the silver lining is that it allows people to browse the shop windows from their cars, which often entices them to come and visit when time allows.

Even though the thoroughfare is slightly outside the centre, Jacqui Edmiston, a founding partner of interiors store Verve, says it’s becoming an increasingly appealing shopping destination.

“It connects the centre of Bath to the surrounding area and is home to unique businesses, many of which have been here for decades, which simply don’t exist in the centre,” she says. “The road is book-ended at either end by big interiors stores (TR Hayes and hobsons|choice) and there are now several really great smaller homeware shops in between – good news for customers who are looking for varied choice.”

While Jacqui describes the patch as having an ‘urban’ feel, Jack Owen, creative director of Ice House Design – a branding and graphic design agency which works with large global players as well as some perfectly formed entities just down the road – thinks there’s a gentle European aspect to the area which feels full of promise and optimism. And Anna at The Small Shop believes it has a rambling bohemian vibe.

“There’s such a diversity in shops,” she says.

“You’ll find everything from a nutritionist and a hypnotherapist to a photographer and a pottery school on the road.”

And it’s not just shops to look forward to here, as Giovanni Baiano – who owns Grove Lodge with his wife, Mary – explains. “It also boasts beautiful green spaces, such as Alice Park and Bath Rugby

PHOTO BY BONNIE ROSE

PEOPLE A DAY

Charlotte Wright at the gleaming, Zen-like hobsons|choice

Lambridge Training Ground,” says Italian-born Giovanni, who ran a guesthouse in the city with Mary for nine years before moving to London Road two years ago. They bought Grove Lodge B&B and transformed it into luxury suites – each bedroom having its own private sitting room. “It also offers access to the lovely village of Larkhall with its shops, pubs, The Rondo Theatre, and New Oriel Hall.”

For Tobias at In & Out, the most important aspect of the road is its tight-knit community, one that looks after and supports its people. “In an era where this is being lost elsewhere, it is something that is steadily growing here on London Road,” he says. “To strengthen the community spirit even further, we are about to stay open later; we want our café to be a destination for people to meet after work, to offload their day, and to be an alternative to the pub, where a tête-à-tête over a PACK’D superfood smoothie is the order of the day.”

Patrick McGuire, the owner of Bailbrook Lodge – an independently owned, 4-star guesthouse which has been operating since the early 1980s – adds, “We love being just a little outside the city centre; our guests love our location. It’s an extremely busy road with a lot of potential, it’s surrounded by beautiful greenery, and has an excellent bus route into the city centre.

“There are also great links for walks along the canal,” says Patrick, who also owns the Royal Hotel Bath. “And there are good access routes to Bathford and Batheaston.”

BACK IN THE DAY

“The London Road was an area of the city caught in the Bath Blitz between 25 – 27 April 1942, when there were three separate attacks on Bath,” says Matthew at Tile & Flooring. “Nicknamed the Baedeker raids, they were ordered as part of w

INDIES ON INDIES The favourite shops of London Road’s business owners…

“On London Road, there is music courtesy of The Piano Shop, entertainment at Burdall’s Yard [Bath Spa University’s venue for the performing arts], Ashman Jones Vets for your animal needs, The Pilates Quarter for your wellbeing, Clifton Photographic Company for those special moments, drinks at The Curfew, and we can’t forget the convenience store.”

Tobias Cambrook-Woods at In & Out “Gardenalia is a rummager’s dream.”

Kelly Ann Perry at The Bath Framer

“I love the Dorothy House furniture shop.”

Amanda Harvey at The Cheeky Bean “The team at Ice House Design helped us hugely when we rebranded some six years ago.”

Jon Kelly at The Piano Shop Bath “We’re fans of The King William nearby; we always recommend it to our guests.”

Patrick McGuire at Bailbrook Lodge “We adore The Small Shop which sells fantastically quirky finds – from animal skulls to fossils and ceramics.”

Jacqui Edmiston at Verve “One of my favourite is Simon Wright, for pottery lessons.”

Anna Woodhouse at The Small Shop

“We love The Bath Framer – it’s clear to see that the team has worked hard to expand it.

I also like that it’s an indie business with an individual concept.”

Kim Marcer at Ripples “I’m always at Old Bank Antiques when I’m stuck for a family present. You never know what objet d’art you’ll come across.

Michael & Jo Saffell’s is great, too. It’s more of an experience than a shop. There’s a constant sense of the unexpected and the bizarre, but also a huge dollop of nostalgia.”

Jack Owen at Ice House Design “We wouldn’t go anywhere else to get a coffee than The Cheeky Bean; plus, our neighbours at Wokin do the most delicious Chinese takeaway.”

Charis Stevenson at Bath Boutique Stays

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 47

STREET LIFE a strike on the cultural heritage of the country, and were also designed to dent morale. Much of the area above the road – including Snow Hill, as well as the site currently occupied by Kwik Fit, and over the road to Kensington Place – was hit by a series of bombs. Thankfully, the collection of buildings in which Tile & Flooring is located were preserved.”

Charis at Bath Boutique Stays says that a building two doors away from theirs (on Bedford Street) was destroyed during the Blitz, and the company’s office – as well as their newest property, Mr. Darcy’s Abode, in the same building – still wears some shrapnel scars on its façade.

“This wasn’t the first time the buildings around here have suffered,” she says. “During the 1790s, work on these properties came to halt due to the building slump in Bath, and floods during the 19th century caused destruction to many of them.”

CH-CH-CH CHANGES

“We’re told that London Road has altered significantly, both demographically and physically over the past decades,” says Jacqui at Verve, where you’ll find one-off furniture pieces, contemporary artworks and regular events. “What was Myrtle Place opposite us, is now home to modern flats and Domino’s Pizza. The area was also apparently home to a thriving Caribbean community which has now disappeared. A few years ago, the road was rejuvenated by the council, which increased the area’s footfall, and the free street parking (a rarity in Bath) makes it a stand-out shopping haven.”

Jon at The Piano Shop says the road has developed greatly over the last five years, with the addition of more vibrant indie shops.

“Just like the road, our business has also evolved and adapted,” explains Jon, who has supplied pianos to, and purchased pianos from, many a popstar. “We have incorporated a workshop to the rear and we are one of the most dynamic piano businesses in relation to design in the UK. We are currently finishing a grand piano project and will be installing the instrument onto a superyacht next month.”

Another business that has moved with the times is Ice House Design, as creative director Jack explains. “Branding has changed in the last 20 years,” says the half Dutch father of four. “The most striking thing is clients are prepared to be braver these days. They understand the necessity of standing out; this requires courage and conviction. Talking of unique looks, London Road businesses tend to be independent, and, as such, the area has a whacky flavour. There’s a sense of the unexpected on the road, which seems to make the place warmer.”

Charlotte at hobsons|choice has seen the road develop considerably, “There have been extensive roadworks – increasing cycle-ways and creating artistically patterned pavements – and there has been an introduction of many more trees and decorative street elements. It’s now a far more pleasurable street to visit than ever before.”

48 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Expect to find curios from skulls to taxidermy at The Small Shop

LONDON ROAD OF OLD Take a look at what London Road’s current shops used to be back in the day...

Grove Lodge: It was built in 1788 as the residence of William Evill (the family coat of arms is still in the hall), and, in the 1960s, it was turned into a B&B with eight bedrooms and only one shared bathroom, before being renovated into the luxury suites you’ll find there today The Cheeky Bean: A barbershop, and a tiny Italian restaurant Tile & Flooring Bath: Local general stores and post office (a ghost sign in stained glass above the shop’s windows can still be seen as evidence of this) Bailbrook Lodge: It was originally built in 1811 as two separate Georgian houses and was owned by Denham Skeet, Doctor of Laws Verve: An ironmongers, and an antiques business The Small Shop: A sweet shop, wool store and an antiques business The Piano Shop: An architectural practice Bath Boutique Stays: An antiques shop The Bath Framer: A solicitor’s office and a greengrocer Ripples: The Co-op and a furniture retailer In & Out: An antiques store

Tobias at In & Out agrees that, although having only launched his café this time last year, he has personally noticed London Road changing over the course of the last decade, “Life has been put back into the area; there’s an evolving community; and while some shops in the city centre are dwindling away, London Road’s are not. We all of course want more visitors and business, and we’re ready for it.”

FOR THE BETTER

The general consensus from the people who work in the area is that a reduction of vehicles, more human traffic, the addition of more greenery, better signposting from the city centre, and yet more indies joining the scene, would make London Road the ultimate spot.

“London Road could be better if it had more visitors and more people knew about the lovely parts, such as the little nooks and crannies and the meadow behind,” says Amanda at The Cheeky Bean. “I think the worst part of the road is the constant traffic; it’s stressful to look at and I think that puts people off.

“I would like to see a health food shop, a greengrocer, a bank, a pooch parlour, and some more charity shops here,” she adds. “It would be nice if people could use it as a traditional high street for all the bits and bobs they might need – like Gloucester Road in Bristol, it’s my hope that the London Road will one day be just like that.”

Jon at The Piano Shop would like to see more food spots; staff at Bath Boutique Stays long for a bakery; Jacqui at Verve would be happy with more lifestyle shops and a deli; and Tobias at In & Out would love a few more creative hangouts.

“I’d personally love to see more colour, similar to what you see on Walcot Street – which is known as the artisan quarter. Although the council has been investing in the road’s regeneration, so much more can be done to add to what is a very vibrant area says Tobias. “I’d love to see more book, art and music businesses join us. I would welcome any business that adds to the community and increases its vibe as a place to take a stroll.”

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Music/theatre/film/more

BRIDGET RILEY BLAZE IV, 1963, © CROWN COPYRIGHT: UK GOVERNMENT ART COLLECTION. © BRIDGET RILEY 2017

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE The new, critically acclaimed exhibition at The Holburne Museum is one of the first of its kind in the UK. Seurat to Riley: The Art of Perception explores how artists have exploited the ways in which the human eye and mind perceive what we see. Many artists from the Impressionists onwards were inspired by scientific colour theories, such as the pointillist work of Georges Seurat, where colours other than those painted on the canvas are generated in the eye of the viewer. During the 20th century, this interest in perception extended to creating a sense of movement, and a variety of artists from the Vorticists to Josef Albers looked at using form, and often colour, to convey the sensation of movement. This interest intensified in the 1950s and 1960s in what came to be known as Op Art and Kinetic Art, exemplified by the work of artists such as Bridget Riley (whose work features on this page), Jeffrey Steele and Peter Sedgley.

The exhibition will trace the history of Op Art from its beginnings in Pointillism and Vorticism, through the 1960s, with a focus on Riley’s iconic monochrome works and the similarly deceptive work in black and white of artists such as Michael Kidner (whose work you’ll see on our front cover).

A wide range of talks and events will accompany the exhibition.

Seurat to Riley: The Art of Perception runs until 21 January 2018, at The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath; www.holburne.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 51

28 October – 24 November

Becoming Cary Grant at FilmBath; Abigail Bowen’s Love Lies Bleeding; Simon Amstell comes to Komedia

Exhibitions U N TI L 2 9 O C T O B ER

JOYCE PETSCHEK: BREAKING THE PATTERN Bargello needlework is a beautiful flame-stitch pattern, and Joyce Petschek has created a captivating body of work that is colourful, inspiring and innovative.

American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org

U N TI L 3 1 OCTO BER

THE TRANSFORMED LAND The Transformed Land collects work from various artists who are interested in place. Some return to the same place, others are visitors and some are creators of imagined places.

Circle Bath Hospital; www.artatruh.org

UNTIL 25 NO VEMBER U N TI L 9 N OV E MBER

U N TI L 2 9 O C T O B ER

1920S JAZZ AGE: FASHION & PHOTOGRAPHS With over 150 garments, this stunning selection of sportswear, printed day dresses, fringed flapper dresses, beaded evening wear, velvet capes, and silk pyjamas, reveals the glamour, excess, frivolity and modernity of the decade. American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org

from Toni Cogdell and landscapes by local artist Antonella ScarpaIsles. Toni’s portraits locate an area between figuration and abstraction, while Antonella’s layered paintings are a direct response to the moods and memories of places.

Gallery & Barrow; www.galleryandbarrow.com

THE CASTING OUT Thought-provoking outdoor sculpture from local artist Martin Elphick designed to spark debate in Bath. Bath Abbey; www.bathabbey.org U N TI L 2 0 N OV EMBER

PSYCHE, DREAMS AND SPACES An exhibition of oil paintings

52 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BATH AND THE SMITHSONS The Past, Present and Future exhibition is part of a series of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Royal Crescent.

It explores Bath’s unique architecture through the work of post-war architects Peter and Alison Smithson.

Museum of Bath Architecture; www.museumofbatharchitecture. org.uk

UNTIL 30 NO V EM B ER

SOLO SHOW FROM ABIGAIL BOWEN See Abigail’s works on a large scale, creating emotionally informed abstract paintings. Although some areas of the canvas may resemble water, clouds or sky, the artist tries to remove all references to reality in the hope that the viewer can respond to the paintings as unique objects in their own right.

Lane House Arts; www.lanehousearts.co.uk UNTIL 10 DECEM B ER

JUBILATE A celebration of music and science in 18th-century Bath, with a fascinating collection exploring the 250th anniversary of William Herschel’s appointment as director of music in the city.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy; www.herschelmuseum.org.uk

W H AT ’ S O N

ARTS

UNTI L 2 4 D E C E MBE R

THE MOST POPULAR ART EXHIBITION EVER! An exciting exhibition from Grayson Perry tackling how contemporary art can address a diverse society. Arnolfini; www.arnolfini.co.uk UNTI L 7 J ANUARY

HOWARD HODGKIN: INDIA ON PAPER Until his recent death, Howard Hodgkin, one of the foremost artists of our time, nurtured relations with the Victoria Art Gallery through exhibitions and acquisitions. This unique exhibition celebrates these connections whilst exploring his love affair with India.

Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk UNTI L 7 J ANUARY

WILLIAM ROSE: THE DEVIL MADE THE COOK The Bath-based artist’s vision, expressed in this series of

Plays/Shows

extraordinary paintings inspired by the cook, delves into the world of the subconscious and mysterious. The ingredients are ironic and mystical, the impact disturbing and humorous.

Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

UNTIL 2 8 O CT O B ER

31 O C TO BER – 6 NO VEMBER

LEFT BEHIND James Crash Adams’ exhibition looks at the original selfie, those strips of pictures taken – and sometimes discarded – in photo booths. The artist has collected a range of pictures for this interesting exhibition, which reflects moments in time.

I.C.E Gallery; www.icespace.co.uk 6 NO VEMBER – 12 NO VEMBER

Top: Ron Adam’s work at 44AD; Howard Hodgkin’s Palm and Window

AN EXHIBITION BY RON ADAMS AND NICHOLAS WILLSMER Exhibition of over 40 paintings and prints from two local artists.

Ron is interested in colour, movement and stillness, with his subjects including skyscapes; landscapes, still-life and geometrical, abstract shapes with heightened shadows.

Nicholas’s works are in monochrome and colour, and reflect his fascination with sport and the human body.

44AD; www.44ad.net

GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM In September 1939 a boy, William Beech, is evacuated from London to the home of recluse Tom Oakley in the tranquil village of Little Weirwold. Despite his intention not to get too fond of William, they become firm friends – but trouble lies ahead.

Various times; £12.50/£10.50; The Mission Theatre; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk UNTIL 1 1 NO V EM B ER

CHRISTMAS EVE Niamh Cusack stars in this gripping drama pitting two powerful antagonists head-tohead. A philosophy professor is on her way to celebrate Christmas with her family, when she is dragged out of her taxi and taken for police interrogation.

They believe they have found incriminating evidence against her – or is this a case of state paranoia? Various times; £15 – £22.50; the Ustinov; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 2 NO VEM B ER

FOREVER AMY A celebration of Amy Winehouse’s music – featuring the original w

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 53

ARTS

W H AT ’ S O N

band. The show celebrates the unforgettable music and live performances of most of Amy’s catalogue with the musicians who knew her best – and the ones that helped create her timeless sound. Featuring the incredible Alba Plano as Amy, who sounds uncannily like the Back to Black singer.

7.30pm; £22.50; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 2 NOVEMBER

KING KONG COMPANY Irish electronica from an intriguing act who wear gorilla masks, plus have space hoppers and a visual DJ on stage.

9pm; £4; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 2 N O V E M B E R – 4 N OV E MBE R

GHOST DANCES AND OTHER WORKS Possibly the most popular work in the Rambert’s history, Ghost Dances tells stories of love and compassion. Created as a response to political oppression in South America, imagery from the Day of the Dead festival and bewitching traditional music is used. The Rambert will also perform The Days Ran Away Like Wild Horses and New Work.

Various times; £14.50 – £31; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

long-term consequences.

8pm; £12; The Rondo; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

3 – 4 NOVEMBER

5 N OV E MBE R

TWELFTH NIGHT A vibrant and intimate production from Sun & Moon Theatre. It’s Christmas 1917 and, as war wages on, those at home in Illyria try to forget and seek distraction. But when refugee twins, Viola and Sebastian, are shipwrecked and separated, they shake up this grief-stricken community, resulting in mistaken identity, folly and love.

Various times; £10 – £12; Mission Theatre; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk 4 NOVEMBER

DOPE The award-winning stand-up and star of BBC Radio Four’s Mae Martin’s Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, comes to Bath with her debut UK tour. Mae’s new show examines a lifetime of obsessions, fandom and addiction, and shines a light on our brains and pursuing short-term pleasure – despite

Life’s a drag for Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales in The Vaudevillians

AUSTENTATIOUS – THE IMPROVISED JANE AUSTEN NOVEL Join a talented cast as they create a riotously funny new literary masterpiece in the style of Jane Austen – after all, we are in Bath.

8pm; £12 – £25; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 8 N OV E MBE R

SIMON AMSTELL: WHAT IS THIS? The critically acclaimed comedian comes to Bath with his deeply personal, funny exploration of beauty, intimacy, freedom, sex and love.

8pm; £23; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 9 N OV E MBE R

MIK ARTISTIK’S EGO TRIP AND THE BELLE FLEURS The boys draw wild and enthusiastic crowds with their single, Plastic Fox, recommended

by BBC 6 Music presenter Gideon

54 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Coe. Followed by the harmonious and talented Belle Fleurs.

8pm; £12 – £16; Widcombe Social Club; www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk 12 NO VEMBER

ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE Enjoy an intimate evening with comedy actor John Challis, best known as Boycie in BBC One’s Only Fools and Horses. He’ll be revealing secrets from the set, with stories and anecdotes from his long career.

8pm; £16 – £27; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 17 NO VEMBER

JINKX MONSOON & MAJOR SCALES IN THE VAUDEVILLIANS RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon comes to Bath with this vintage cabaret. Think 1920s stars who’ve been frozen, but have now thawed out to find pop stars have stolen their music.

What a drag! That’s the cue for them taking to the stage to reclaim their songs.

8pm; £17.50/£15.50; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

Family fun UNTIL 29 O CT O B ER

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN E. Nesbitt’s classic is brought to life in this exciting new stage production featuring period costume and digital projections. When their father mysteriously disappears with two strangers one evening, the lives of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis are turned upside down.

A classic, heart-warming tale.

Various times; £19.50 – £28; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk UNTIL 29 O CT O B ER

THE TIGER WHO CAME FOR TEA The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mother are sitting down for tea – but who could it possibly be? Stunning stage adaptation of Judith Kerr’s classic book.

Various times; £14.50; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk w

BEAUFORT Christmas Fair

Newnton Dairy Farm, Long Newnton SN16 9SR

Tuesday 21 November 2017 9.30am - 8.00pm

Admittance £5.00

Tickets available on the day / Children under 16 are FREE

Supported Charities

www.beaufortchristmasfair.co.uk

ARTS

W H AT ’ S O N

U N TI L 1 7 D E C E M BE R

SOUNDING THE WOOD Let your imagination run wild at this musical playground surrounded by nature in Bath.

Find four instruments set within the woodland, try them out and explore how sound is created.

Prior Park Landscape Garden; www.nationaltrust.org.uk 28 O C T O B E R

ANYDAY Comic, absurd and surreal, Anyday uses breathtaking trampoline acrobatics and physical theatre to tell the charming story of Max and the world he shares with a bird on his trampoline.

7.30pm; £7 – £13.50; Wiltshire Music Centre; www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk

12.30-1pm; Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

10 – 1 2 NO V E M B E R

2 N OV E MBE R

APPLE JOHN The story of a man called John and an apple tree, bursting with live music, playfulness and puppetry. This show is about growing up and finding your roots, and will captivate little ones without a word being spoken.

Various times; £6.50 – £8.50; the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

IN CONVERSATION WITH JOA STUDHOLME An inspirational talk on how to colour your home, hosted by the international colour consultant to Farrow & Ball.

12pm: £50 to include lunch; The Priory Hotel; www.thebathpriory.co.uk 2 – 1 2 N OV E MB ER

14 N O V E M B E R

BRING YOUR OWN BABY: COMEDY The funniest comedy stars will entertain parents who have their little ones, aged up to 12 months, in tow. Soft flooring, toys, buggy parking and baby changing available, as well as jokes galore.

11.15am; £8; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

Other U N TI L 3 1 O C T O B ER

FEAR Prepare to be scared with three award-winning attractions tellingly named Phobia, Purgatory and Anarchy, along with street theatre, a fire show, fairground rides, music, food and bars.

Various times; £8 – £70; Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park; www.avonvalley.co.uk

FILMBATH FESTIVAL FilmBath, formerly the Bath Film Festival, opens with a packed schedule. Includes a varied range of films and documentaries, and, for the first time at a film festival, features an equal split of films directed by men and women.

Various times, prices and venues; www.filmbath.org.uk 3 N OV E MBE R

LIGHT UP LANSDOWN FIREWORKS AND BONFIRE NIGHT A Fawkes’ feast of fun family entertainment, good food, drink and a spectacular fireworks display. Warm things up with funfair rides, face painting, circus tricks and more. 5pm, with fireworks at 7.30pm; £3 – 17.50; Bath Racecourse; www.bath-racecourse.co.uk 4 N OV E MBE R

U N TI L 2 1 D E C E M BE R

LUNCHTIME EXHIBITION TOURS Learn more about exhibits on show with these interesting Thursday lunchtime tours.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT THE REC The Rotary-run fireworks display is now in its 42nd year with the display set to light up Bath. Money raised will go to

56 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Top: Irish electronica from the King Kong Company; below: Alba Plana in Forever Amy

local charities and good causes.

7pm; £3 – 6; The Rec; www.bathbuildingsociety.co.uk 4 NO VEMBER

PHILIP PULLMAN Join one of the world’s finest storytellers – humorous, formidably knowledgeable and sharply intelligent as part of Topping’s Autumn Literary Festival, with this event taking place at Komedia.

11am; £8; Komedia; www.toppingbooks.co.uk

9 NO VEM B ER

THE GREAT HOUSE CHRISTMAS PARTY Mulled wine, festive music and mince pies await at this very special party. Discover the magical Christmas Room, filled to bursting with twinkling treasures and delightful decorations.

See more on page 96.

5.30pm; Kilver Court; www.kilvercourt.com 9 NO VEM B ER

7 NO VEMBER

LEGACY AND LOSS: THE GREAT STORM OF 1987 Author Tamsin Treverton Jones discusses her memoir Windblown, marking the 30th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1987. She weaves her memories with those from fisherman, farmers and lighthouse keepers, among others.

7.45pm; £7; Topping & Company; www.toppingbooks.co.uk

IN CONVERSATION WITH MONTY SAUL Monty Saul chats creativity with Chloe Lonsdale, creative director of M.i.h (Made In Heaven) clothing brand. Chloe is the goddaughter of the original owner of M.i.h and will discuss trends and the brand’s development.

10am; Kilver Court; www.kilvercourt.com

High quality • Bespoke • Built to order Features include: Belfast sinks, cast iron exterior lights, Farrow and Ball painted panelling, fold away table and chairs, built in storage space, plug in cooking hobs and TV points, LPG gas boiler, fully functioning bathroom with walk-in shower.

Avon Farm, Avon Lane, Saltford, Bristol, BS31 3ET T: 07983 439782 / 07967 442267 E: info@greendown-shepherd-huts.co.uk

www.greendown-shepherd-huts.co.uk

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If you would like to join our continuing success story please email your CV to steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk or give us a call anytime on 01225 475800 for a chat about the company, our magazines and available positions.

www.mediaclash.co.uk

a d v e r tisin g feat u r e a r t

FAMILIAR FACES Bath artist joanne cope brings her cattle back to the High Street in November

F

or more than a decade, Joanne Cope has been paying a painterly tribute to the humble cow. Both she and the subjects of her large-scale portraits – contemplative cows and handsome bulls – have become familiar faces in and around gallery spaces in Bath.

The city is in for another treat this November as a new selection of work by this Bath artist is unveiled on Milsom Street. It will feature 18 recent artworks by Cope in a variety of sizes, including ten brand-new, large-scale oil paintings of cattle. Among them are beautiful images of Charolais, Limousin and Hereford breeds, along with lively mixed media studies of stags and hares.

Cope strives for “simplicity and beauty” within her work, always mindful of striking a visually engaging balance between hard and soft edges, bright and muted colours, and the use of light for dramatic effect. She is fascinated by the way light reflects off the muscles of a bull's head or the flash of light in a cow's eyes, and enjoys the challenge of bringing those details to life with paint.

She scouts out her subjects in their natural habitat as often as she can, watching their behaviour, sketching and taking photographs.

“There’s no substitute for an encounter in the

field,” she explains, and cites her opportunities to observe cattle in their natural environment as her best resource material.

Back in the studio, Joanne uses the sketches and photographs to create small detailed colour compositions, from which she chooses the best to scale up and paint onto canvas. From there she begins layering up paint, working from dark to light – sometimes checking the image in mirrors to get an entirely new viewpoint of the work in progress. Once Joanne feels a piece is complete, she then applies several layers of tinted medium to unify colour before the painting is finally varnished.

paintings will be well received as Joanne's exhibitions nearly always sell out. This show could be your chance to secure an original Joanne Cope piece, and have your very own resident bovine beauty.

“...small studies are scaled up for the final painting” Alongside the oil paintings in this new body of work, there is also a selection of energetic oil pastel drawings on canvas, which allow us to see Cope successfully exploring another medium to capture the appearance of these magnificent creatures.

If past shows are anything to go by, these

Cattle Paintings by Joanne Cope 2 – 21 November 28 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DN Tel: 07958 703 438 / 01225 322 962 www.joannecope.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 59

ARTS

EXHIBITION

IN THE BACK OF THE MIND OF EACH ARTIST WAS THE GROUNDBREAKING WORK OF THE INVENTOR

William Henry Fox Talbot at Lacock Abbey in 1866.

Photo taken by John Moffat

STAY FOCUSED Sneak a peek at the exciting photographic exhibition being held at Britain’s birthplace of photography

By E V E LY N GR E E N

60 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

T

© NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES/NICK CARTER

HIMSELF

hroughout October, Thresholds, a virtual reality exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Mat Collishaw has been taking audiences back to the dawn of photography at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. The National Trust has also launched the Photography in its Birthplace exhibition, which is taking place a couple of hundred yards away from the abbey in the Fox Talbot Museum.

It celebrates the diverse medium of photography and is being presented at Britain’s home of all things photographic.

Archives have been delved into to present a collection of works by artists-in-residence from the past decade at Lacock, as Roger Watson, curator of the Fox Talbot Museum, explains.

“Our new exhibition features the work of Annemarie Hope-Cross, Claudio Santambrogio, Laura Hartford, Mike Robinson and Ginger Owen,” he says. “Over the last 10 years, we have hosted a number of visiting artists who have stayed for between a few days and a few weeks to

Above and left: ©Claudio Santambrogio’s Firefoot; and The Latticed Window, from his series Henry’s Butterflies

draw inspiration from Lacock and create work in the spirit of William Henry Fox Talbot [who invented the photographic negative at Lacock Abbey]. The artists in this exhibition donated a body of work from their time here to our museum and we would like to show the work inspired by walking in the footsteps of one of photography’s greatest inventors.”

The work varies in process from Talbot’s own Photogenic Drawing and Calotype process to the Daguerreotype, the invention of his so-called rival in Paris Louis Daguerre. One artist responded to the abbey by making a rubbing of the door that Talbot used in his well-known image The Open Door, and used the rubbing then as a negative to produce a life-size image in cyanotype, a process invented in 1842 by Talbot’s friend Sir John Herschel.

“The variety of approach to making images here varied widely and the choice of process and equipment had an impact on how these images were formed,” says Roger. “But in the back of the mind of each artist was the ground-breaking work of the inventor himself and the inspiration he drew from his home.

Thresholds continues until 29 October at Lacock Abbey, and you can see Photography in its Birthplace until 28 January, 2018, at the Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire. For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 61

A R T ad v ertising feat u re

kit glaisyer Vision of landscape We talk to landscape painter Kit Glaisyer and curator Nina Jesih

K

it Glaisyer, a landscape painter and leading light of the contemporary art scene, has almost completed a yearlong residency at the Garden Gallery, 48 Great Pulteney Street, where he also hosts Salon-style events – with a lively mix of art, live music and engaging talks.

Helping to run the Salons is Slovenian Curator and Gallery Director Nina Jesih, a freelance Curator and recent graduate of the Bath Spa Curatorial Practice MA course. The Salon events bring together some of Bath’s most interesting artists, thinkers and musicians in a relaxed and informal setting, and will continue as Pop-up events taking place in different venues across Bath in 2018.

“immersive and atmospheric paintings…”

Kit is perhaps best known for his ‘Cinematic Landscape’ series of panoramic oil paintings of the West Country, each of which takes six to eight months to complete. Working in a contemporary form of the Romantic tradition, he creates immersive and atmospheric paintings that evoke a heightened experience of nature – an evocative dreamscape - illuminated through light and shadow.

Originally from Dorset, Kit studied Fine Art at Bournemouth and Farnham Art Colleges, then moved to London, showing his abstract paintings at the Suzanne Ruggles Gallery on the Kings Road. He then returned to Dorset in 1998, rapidly becoming a leader in the new Landscape tradition. He now works mainly to commission and was a finalist in the “Dorset Magazine 62 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Landscape Painter of the Year” at the Lighthouse Gallery, Poole, in 2017, as well as being Highly Commended in the Marshwood Arts Awards in 2015. He exhibited at the Octagon Gallery, Bath, in 2013 and also in the Holburne Portrait Prize at the Holburne Museum in 2012. He is also Director of Bridport & West Dorset Open Studios, a popular event that celebrates Bridport as the foremost art scene in the West Country.

Kit’s residency in Bath concludes in November with an exhibition "A Year in Bath" at the Garden Gallery, 48 Great Pulteney Street, open Weekends, every Saturday and Sunday, until Sunday 12 Nov, from 11am-5pm.

Garden Gallery, 48 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DP 07983 465678 www.kitglaisyer.com

Holiday Revision Courses: 11th December – 22nd December 12th – 16th February 2018

January to June A Level Re-sit Courses

For more information please contact Henry Pike on: 01225 334577 | revision@bathacademy.co.uk www.bathacademy.co.uk 27 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HX @BathAcademy

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BOOKS

IT’S AN AWEINSPIRING ACCOUNT OF A LONG LIFE SPENT IN PURSUIT OF PEAKS

BUNDLES OF ENERGY A trio of reads to appeal to the sporty, adventurous or wild side of you

By N IC BO T T OM L E Y

T

oday I present you with a trio of books concerned with adventure and sporting endeavour. Two that might inspire you to don your walking boots or climbing ropes and head to the hills. But first, for the less energetic, one which celebrates enjoying the action from the sidelines.

As cricket fans’ attention switches from the English summer season to the impending Ashes battle, one new book stands out from an impressive new crowd of ex-player memoirs and histories. The elaborately titled Feeling is the Thing that Happens in the 1000th of a Second by Christian Ryan (Quercus, £20) is peppered throughout with matt-finish photographs of moments of cricketing drama and cricketground atmosphere. The text surrounding them considers how such photos can capture drama and create legends and also sheds light on the background to one particular group of photos that inspired the book. Those images were all taken in the baking-hot English summer of 1975 by photographer Patrick Eagar and show action

and stars from both an Ashes series and the first ever World Cup. This is a genuinely unique sports book. In part, Ryan has set out to write a homage to this great photographer and his landmark series of shots, but the book also operates as a look at the power of photography generally, and the allure of the beautiful game of cricket.

In his first book, Walking the Woods and the Water (Hodder, £9.99) Nick Hunt had a very definite path to follow. He set out to walk from Holland to Constantinople following the route famously taken by Patrick Leigh Fermor in perhaps the greatest travel-writing book ever written, A Time of Gifts (John Murray, £9.99). What could have been a derivative homage in a lesser writer’s hands, was in fact an excellent travelogue in its own right. Hunt shed light on how Europe has changed in the 80 years between Fermor’s journey and his own, and pleasingly, if surprisingly, showed how Europe had also stayed the same in certain respects – most notably, the continued existence of hospitality for the unannounced wanderer.

ARTS

Perhaps encouraged by this European bonhomie, it hasn’t taken long for Hunt to hit the road again, but this time his routes are far less precise. He admits early on that, when mulling over what epic trip he should embark upon, he took stock of the travel sections of his local bookshop to see if there was any path yet untravelled. Eventually, he was struck by the idea of just going where the wind blows – quite literally.

Where the Wild Winds Are (Nicholas Brealey, £16.99) describes four journeys along the routes of winds so renowned that they have their own name. The book begins with a three-day hike (tiny by Hunt’s own absurd standards) in the Northern Pennines through which the Helm, Britain’s only named wind, blows. The second trip takes him further afield with a stunning walk sideswiped by the fierce Bora wind beginning in Trieste to the Southern Croatian city of Split, a route clinging to Balkan coastlines and traversing the moorlike desolation of the island of Pag. The book’s second half features journeys through Alpine Switzerland and finally Southern France, in the blow-steps of the famous Mistral. Hunt is such an informative and enthusiastic guide whichever wind he is dodging, and the sum of the four journeys is an irresistible book that combines travel adventure with many dashes of cultural history, meteorology and storytelling.

Finally, a word about an eagerly-awaited memoir from one of Britain’s most celebrated climbers, Sir Chris Bonington.

Ascent (Simon & Schuster, £20) covers his entire career, from his many Himalayan expeditions, including to Everest, of course, to his reclaiming the summit of The Old Man of Hoy at the, for him, indefatigable age of 80. As you’d expect of such a wideranging memoir, though, it’s not just tales of action and daring-do, the book is also often reflective in tone – as Bonington considers colleagues and loved-ones no longer with him – and muses on what has driven him to climb, the toll the mountains have taken, and what they have given him in return.

It’s an awe-inspiring account of a long life spent in pursuit of peaks that might just have you up from the sofa and headed to the Brecon Beacons to begin your own clambering career.

Nic Bottomley is the general manager of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, 14/15 John Street, Bath; 01225 331155; www.mrbsemporium.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 65

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FILM

ARTS

Clockwise, from left: Albert Finney in Murder on the Orient Express (1974); a shot from the 2017 adaptation of the same film; Arnie looking buff in Predator; Colin and Nicole star in The Killing of a Sacred Deer

IT LOOKS LIKE TWO FURRY BOOMERANGS HAVE TAKEN RESIDENCE UNDERNEATH HIS HOOTER

FACE FURNITURE

In honour of Movember – an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues – OLLIE WRIGHT talks famous film taches

F

or a few years now, I’ve been approaching literary agents with my book Follicly Furnished Top Lips in Motion Pictures: A Critical Evaluation. I’ve heard nothing yet, which I find rather strange, given the obvious gap in the market for such an important tome. Maybe they’re all a bit busy at the moment. I’m sure that’s probably it. But as our first film for discussion involves a superb moustache, I’ll start by sharing some of my research with you.

In my opinion the most important tache to tickle the silver screen is worn by Max von Sydow who played Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon. It belongs to the genus Two-Part Drooper with Extra Wax. It screams authority and power. It says ‘Mess with me, and I’ll blow up your planet’.

Second place is taken by Sean Connery in the bonkers space epic Zardoz. This particular mouth brow resembles a briefcase handle that’s spent a few months in a bucket of Rogaine. It complements the pony tail that Sean also sports in the film, one long enough to reach the strange cosmic codpiece that he spends the entire flick in. (By the way, if you fancy checking the film out, I’d recommend you partake in three too many Malibus before you press play. It’ll make 10 per cent more sense in these conditions).

In at number three is the nose neighbour worn by Kenneth Branagh in Murder on

the Orient Express, which is with us at the Little this November. Not only is Branagh the director of this new big-screen version of Agatha Christie’s classic, but he’s also nabbed himself the role of Hercule Poirot.

The uninspiring moustaches of Albert Finney and Peter Ustinov – the two most prominent previous cinema Poirots – don’t even make the appendices of my book, but Branagh’s bogey botherer is an instant winner. It’s strong, it’s grey and it looks like two furry boomerangs have taken permanent residence underneath Ken’s hooter. Seeing as there’s not much space on the gourmet choo-choo on which the film takes place, I’m certain that the other guests on board found their personal space invaded by this extraordinary face furniture. But, with one person freshly murdered, they’ve got bigger things to worry about.

There are stars galore among the suspects.

Judi Dench is a princess with a secret or seven, Michelle Pfeiffer is a jittery fallen stage star and Derek Jacobi is a grudge-filled butler. Then there’s Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Leslie Odom Jr, Daisy Ridley and Olivia Colman among the travellers that Branagh must direct his little grey cells and his mahoosive grey tache at. Branagh’s film has a much punkier feel to it than the previous film adaptation (Albert Finney played the Belgian legend in 1974) and, although it retains its period setting, there’s an action-movie style urgency in the direction that makes the new

film feel surprisingly contemporary. Branagh has said that if the film is a hit, he’ll tache his lip up once again to investigate further nastiness from Christie’s huge library of seemingly unsolvable crimes. Murder on the Orient Express is a cracker, so I certainly hope we get more of Branagh’s Poirot.

To something completely different now, something that, sadly, for me at least, contains no moustaches of note. But The Killing of a Sacred Deer is just as much a brain-teaser as Murder on the Orient Express, albeit in a much more abstract way. It’s the new film from writer and director Yorgos Lanthimos, the upsettingly talented chap behind 2015’s The Lobster. In that film, Colin Farrell played a sad, shuffling little man, who has 45 days to find a partner or he’ll be transformed into an animal.

That description may sound irritatingly arty, but the film was a glorious black comedy that found pockets of real emotion and insight into the fickleness of relationships. Farrell and Lanthimos have teamed up again in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, although this is a much darker work than their previous collaboration.

Farrell plays a sullen surgeon who strikes up a complicated friendship with a mysterious teenage boy. Nicole Kidman, at her icy best as Farrell’s wife, is also drawn into this rather odd friendship in a story that riffs on medical integrity, obsessive compulsive disorder, the supernatural and marital loyalty.

Just enough space to mention a superb one-off show for November. As part of our Culture Shock season, we have the 1987 Arnie classic, Predator, in which our muscle-stuffed hero smears himself in mud and hides against a tree as a terrifying creature with intent to maim comes after him. Unfortunately for me, this brings back memories of a terrible trip to Centre Parcs when my auntie’s new poodle took an instant dislike to me, but I think I’ll risk it and catch this wonderfully schlocky masterpiece on the big screen once again. If it swings the deal for you, there’s also some superb action-tache activity in this one too.

The Little Theatre, 1 – 2 St Michael’s Place 01225 466822; www.picturehouses.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 67

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E F I N A N C E

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A FINANCIAL ADVISER? Getting it wrong could cost you a lot of time and money

H

ow often have you heard the phrase ‘past performance is not an indicator of future results’ when discussing investments?

When it comes to our money, we are often led to believe that the performance of our investments is largely out of our control. Whilst to an extent this is true, as no one can predict how one investment will perform compared to another, who we choose to manage our money undeniably has an impact on whether we reach our financial goals or not.

On average, people with an adviser save for longer and contribute more, leading to an average investment value which is over £40,000 higher than the average for those who haven’t sought advice.*

“EIGHT ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS…” So, picking the right person to handle your financial affairs is vital. But with over 14,550 financial advice firms in the UK, finding the adviser best suited to your needs can be a minefield.

To help you choose, Savings Champion has produced the Insider’s Guide to Wealth Management, highlighting some key factors to consider when deciding to review or appoint a Financial Adviser. Additionally, it includes eight essential questions you must ask to ensure you select the right adviser for you, your family and your financial future. *Value of advice report – Unbiased.co.uk/Standard Life

Download your free Insider’s Guide to Wealth Management: https://goo.gl/zVsWfu

ARE YOU GETTING TRULY INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL ADVICE? Download our FREE guide which includes eight essential questions you should be asking either your existing or your prospective financial adviser, to make sure that you get the best value, such as: • Is your wealth manager’s income contingent on you investing into risk based assets when you could achieve your goals without risk?

• Do you know the ‘hidden’ costs or what you’re paying your wealth manager in total?

• Should someone who has £2m of wealth pay twice as much as someone with £1m?

Is the job twice as hard or does it take twice as long? Most probably not.

• 12 per cent of wealth managers only offer restricted advice. Is your adviser restricted or free to put every option on the table?

Download your FREE Insider’s Guide to Wealth Management at https://goo.gl/zVsWfu or call us on 0800 321 3582

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70 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

Framptons Cafe Bar and Kitchen One of the latest additions to Bath’s foodie scene boasts a cool interior, a bar you could easily spend an entire evening at, and a menu featuring indulgent gastropub classics

By L I SA E VA NS

T

YOU’RE

onight I’m feeling pretty cool. Firstly, I’m being hosted for dinner by a former British Army paratrooper in one of Bath’s most fascinating landmark buildings, and then I’m going to watch Pearl Jam in concert (albeit at the Kingsmead Complex’s Odeon cinema, but let’s ignore that considerably less cool part). For the purpose of this review, though, I’m obviously only going to concentrate on the meal. It’s at Framptons on the corner of the majestic Grade-II listed, 102ft tall Empire building in Grand Parade, and I’ve been looking forward to testing it out since it opened in the summer.

On this dusky evening, you definitely can’t miss the restaurant, with its fairy lights sprinkled across the frontage. It’s certainly a stopand-stare moment when you glimpse the twinkling, magnificent building on your right, and have the view of Pulteney Bridge and Weir on your left.

What a perfect spot (especially on 4 November when firework-watchers can grab a window seat to catch sight of the display at The Rec – a snippet of advice from us to you).

Walk into the newly refurbished space, which replaces the La Tasca tapas bar, and you’re greeted by an atmospheric, moody scene with an Art Deco edge and little splashes of glamour. There’s a gentleman’s club vibe, with its dim lighting, embossed black walls, exposed brickwork and chunky bookcases; and the team behind Framptons – Ed McAdam, Sam Westlake and Tom Walker – has worked hard to breathe new life into the tasteful, high-ceilinged surroundings. They’ve respectfully paid homage to the building’s history (the Empire Hotel opened in 1901), making features out of its original fireplaces, floorboards and ornate cornicing.

GREETED

BY AN ATMOSPHERIC,

MOODY SCENE WITH AN ART DECO

EDGE

Ed – who served as an officer in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment with Sam and Tom before setting up Framptons – plays host to myself and my dining partner.

Once at the table, he talks us through the pleasing menu and how important it is that they offer vegan and glutenfree choices as well as ‘local’ (the word appears on the menu five times) ingredients wherever possible.

Expertly prepared by head chef Nora Joó-Kovács and her team, the tempting dishes include crispy baby squid with chilli and garlic; venison with rosemary fondant potatoes and a sloe gin reduction; and a flame-grilled steak and bacon cheeseburger.

My culinary journey begins with three soft and strong blue vinny tarts served with candied walnuts – providing sweetness and crunch – and a sharp apple salad which electrifies the taste buds. My comrade goes for jammy roasted figs with Dorset cured pork loin and thick, smoky goats’ cheese slices.

Although the shredded, smoked confit duck burger looks to be a contender for main, my companion moves on to a salaciously juicy 28-day aged sirloin steak served with hand-cut chips, roasted-on-the-vine cherry tomatoes which burst out of their blistered skins, and some rather powerful garlic butter. And I opt for the wild mushroom risotto, which is firm yet creamy and is served with garlic and thyme crostini.

Sadly, even though we stepped foot in the restaurant just an hour and 45 minutes ago, we don’t have time for dessert because Eddie Vedder’s waiting for us, but we’ve promised ourselves we’ll revisit Framptons for puddings next week.

We’ve already chosen what we’ll have: boozy affogato, and ale and chocolate lava cake with ice cream. We’ll also squeeze in a few cocktails at the particularly inviting, funky bar on our return (they offer 13 types of gin, so it’s a no-brainer).

It seems Framptons is already making a very popular name for itself in the city, and it’s surely breathing new life into the all-too-often overlooked Grand Parade area in grand style.

DINING DETAILS Framptons Cafe Bar & Kitchen, The Empire, Grand Parade, Bath, BA2 4DF; 01225 313680; www.framptonsbar.co.uk Prices Starters £6 – £7; mains £13.50 – £22.50; desserts £4 – £6.50 Drinks As well as a vast range of wines to choose from, there’s an extensive collection of cocktails and gins Service/atmosphere Attentive, casual and atmospheric

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 71

F O O D a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

Christmas Parties at Timbrell’s Yard Planning your Christmas party? timbrell's yard is a Grade II listed building sitting alongside the river Avon in the centre of Bradford on Avon

T

hose of you who were at the TY Gathering in the summer know that Timbrell’s Yard does a great party.

The surroundings are stylish, the atmosphere excellent and the food is fabulous.

Timbrell’s executive chef, Tom Blake, was formerly head chef at River Cottage. He’s a renowned and dedicated champion of South West suppliers and his outstanding food emphasises the homemade and locally sourced. Main courses on Tom’s stand-out Christmas menu this year include spiced feather blade of beef; Cornish hake; spinach ricotta & mushroom arancini; and, of course, free-range turkey.

Tom and the team do a mighty fine job in the kitchen. This summer The Telegraph said, “Timbrell’s Yard is in the loveliest of spots; it has beautiful views across the river to the

churchyard. Helpful staff deliver food that makes you smile. All is simple, fresh and local.”

Their peers at The Times commented, “Tom Blake serves delicious imaginative morsels in the high-ceilinged restaurant…a lavish affair.”

If you don’t know Timbrell’s Yard, it’s a real gem, a Grade II listed riverside inn, at the heart of Bradford on Avon. It has 17 stylish bedrooms, a contemporary bar, fabulous restaurant and picturesque views across the water. And it’s close to the station: train journeys from the centre of Bath take less than 10 minutes.

The relaxed vibe, stunning interiors and first-class food all make for the perfect venue for a Christmas Party with family, friends or colleagues. The two-course Christmas menu is £26 per person and three-courses £32 per person. Large parties are welcome and they cater for groups of up to 60 people.

49 St.Margaret’s Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1DE T: 01225 869492 www.timbrellsyard.com info@timbrellsyard.com

The Dan Moon at The Gainsborough Restaurant has the perfect atmosphere in which to settle into for the afternoon

We once roasted all the different cuts of a cow for an incredible feast at a wedding

Sunday

best Hungry people looking for a seventh-day feast in and around Bath, take your pick from a plethora of dishes to suits all pockets

By Sa m a n t h a Wa l k e r a nd J u l i e Da n n

76 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

T

he Sunday roast is so ingrained in our psyche that the French call us ‘rosbifs’. So, if you’re a carnivorous beefeater or you’re pining for a meat-free feast, Bath has an expansive range on offer.

The traditional Sunday dinner is hard to beat.

Who can resist fluffy roast potatoes, sky-high, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside Yorkshire puddings, perfectly cooked vegetables, and meat (or a tasty veggie option) served in thick, plentiful slices? And how could we forget lashings of gravy, made from all the juices?

Xxxxxxxxx The atmospheric one

At the Dan Moon at the Gainsborough Restaurant, right in the heart of the city, head chef Dan Moon offers guests a complimentary glass of prosecco while they peruse the choice of main courses which are all £30 each.

The latest choices are roast sirloin of Aberdeen Angus beef with Yorkshire pudding; grilled fillet of plaice and brown shrimp beurre noisette; roast breast of corn-fed chicken with sage and onion stuffing, bread sauce and beetroot; or, for the vegetarians, cranberry and sage nut roast with pommery mustard cream.

His recipe for the uniquely British Yorkshire puddings, which were originally eaten as a starter, is a trade secret, so you’ll just have to go and sample them.

Dan believes that the family gathering around the roast for a chinwag is now more important than ever.

“There’s something about tucking into a meal that’s taken hours to prepare — knowing all the time and care that’s gone into it — that really makes you appreciate the value of actual together-time.

S U N D AY R O A S T S

FOOD

At Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen, seasonal veg takes centre stage

“So many of us rely on social media to stay in touch with loved ones now,” he adds. “But there’s no replacement for a good oldfashioned, face-to-face catch-up. And a Sunday roast is the perfect opportunity to do that.

“On Sundays, I come in early to check that the fresh vegetables have arrived, then we’ll start the prep. Service finishes at 14:45, so I tend to get away a few hours later, after which I’ll head home for a roast cooked by my wife, Sarah – and, yes, I still enjoy it!”

So is it gravy or jus for a roast? “It has to be traditional gravy — hearty, thick, and plentiful,” says Dan. “Jus and gravy are similar, but jus is far richer so you can’t have as much of it. For Sunday roasts most people prefer to have a lot of moistness, so I do gravy.”

Dan Moon at The Gainsborough is open from 12.30pm to 2.45pm on Sundays.

“It’s the quintessential English dish,” says Robbie. “It’s an institution with the chaotic lifestyle of modern families. Sunday can be the only day that people come together.”

And the brothers keep to that tradition by making it a family affair on the seventh day, with mum working alongside her boys.

“My mother is an absolute wonder with customers, everyone loves her,” says Robbie. Since my brother and I have been cooking, she’s taken more of a back seat in the kitchen department – she’s hung up her apron, so to speak.”

But are her roast potatoes still better than the boys’? “Yes they are,” laughs Robbie. “But I learned from the best.”

Henry VII’s royal guards would eat beef every Sunday after church, which earned them the title of beefeaters. From the 15th century onwards, the Sunday roast was spit-roasted over a fire, or, alternatively, popped into cooling bread ovens on the way to church, so it’s never been ‘fast food’.

In these days of quick eats, how long does it take to prepare?

“The Pork belly is cooking overnight for at least 10 hours,” says Robbie. “The first member of staff gets in at 7am, and the last leaves about 9pm. I’m very busy going between two businesses, so I tend to just eat what I can, when I can, so lots of grazing.”

While Henry VIII may have enjoyed munching down on a rather well-done crispy leg of lamb, today we prefer out roasts rare. At GPT, the lamb and beef are served rare unless you ask otherwise. But, thankfully, they assure us they never serve the chicken pink.

A mélange of seasonal vegetables is de rigueur for roast dinners, but there are some that don’t belong on the menu. “I really like roasted Jerusalem artichoke, but we don’t want everyone in the restaurant having gas issues, though,” says Robbie. “One accompaniement that complements every classic roast, though, is a hearty gravy. But if you opt for a nut roast, I’d recommend a jus – a massively reduced stock, which is much smoother than gravy – because you’ll really notice the texture comparison.”

GPT is open from 12pm until 3pm on Sundays; prices range from £7.50 for kids to 16.50 for the lamb. www.gptbath.com

w

www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

THE FAMILY-RUN ONE

At the GPT Smokehouse on the Lower Bristol Road in Bath, it’s a case of brothers in arms – well, aprons really, for Robbie and Jamie Tack. A destination for those in the know on Sundays, the secret is out, so you really do need to book. (GPT has regulars that go every week without fail).

Of course, the menu boasts seasonal items – think rainbow chard, honey-roasted parsnips with a splash of truffle oil, purple sprouting and romanesco – and a very secret weapon in their arsenal is their mum, Carol, who works front of house. And, vegetarians rejoice, her nut roast recipe is served alongside roast potatoes, beautifully prepared vegetables and a veritable cloud of a Yorkshire pudding.

The secret to their Yorkshires is down to the following, “1/3 milk, 1/3 eggs, 1/3 plain flour, plus a splash of soda,” says Robbie. “And sing All Rise to the mix as your pour it into the trays…”

So why are we so sentimental about our Sunday Roasts?

GPT’s parsnips in truffle oil shouldn’t be missed

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 77

FOOD

S U N D AY R O A S T S

THE EXTRA GREEN ONE

With the growing emphasis on local seasonal produce, fifthgeneration farmer Tom Bowles has taken this and run with it.

He is the owner, and a farmer, at Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen at Neston, near Atworth in Wiltshire, where they take the tastiest ingredients from the farm and best-loved suppliers to create both British favourites and exciting dishes from overseas.

At the farm shop, seasonal greens take centre stage, as Tom explains, “We serve the classic Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes but our greens are always a showcase for what’s in season.

So, for example, recent hits have been cavolo nero with walnuts or roasted cauliflower with cumin, paprika and lemon.

Unsurpisingly, this means the veggie option is always a seasonal triumph.

“This changes weekly and according to what’s in season,” says Tom. “Expect to see dishes like roasted squash stuffed with quinoa, olives and feta at this time of year.”

And, for the dedicated carnivores, the meat is straight from the farm. “It depends on what we’re roasting but we always serve our

own Hartley Farm roast beef blushing,” adds Tom. “Whatever you eat, Sunday is still special for families. It’s the one time of the week where everyone can meet to enjoy great food together. It’s a real social affair and the perfect way to catch up with family and friends.

“The chefs start the prep at 7am and we usually finish serving by 3:30pm,” he adds. “For me, there is always room for a little more. However the chefs tend to disagree; they say they have to ‘be on top of quality control’ so have no space for more after a busy Sunday.”

When it comes to ingredients you shouldn’t include in a roast, Tom says it’s fine to experiment. “Nothing is ever odd, it’s always delicious,” he says. “We like to move with the seasons, so we’ll have pheasant or partridge on the menu from time to time. We once roasted all the different cuts of a cow for an incredible feast – that took a bit of careful cooking.”

With prices ranging from £11.50 to £13 for a main course, the Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen at Neston is worth checking out. www.hartley-farm.co.uk

BEST OF THE REST A TOUCH OF CLASS

For country house luxury you can’t beat Lucknam Park near Colerne, just six miles from Bath, it has been serving Sunday lunch since 1720. Lunch is £45 per person. Hywel Jones has been the executive chef for the Michelinstarred restaurant and The Brasserie since 2004. www.lucknampark.co.uk

MEDITERRANEAN INFLUENCE Offering a locally sourced seasonal British menu with Mediterranean influences in a small and elegant setting the Olive Tree at The Queensberry Hotel in Russell Street, Bath, is one of the city’s longest established independent restaurants.

It offers informally served modern British food at reasonable prices. Head chef Chris Cleghorn was the protégé of Michelin-starred chefs Heston Blumenthal and Michael Caines.

The AA awarded the restaurant three rosettes. www.olivetreebath.co.uk

Enjoy dinner with a choice of more than 30 craft beers at The King William

Check into The Chequers for inventive British food

HOME PRODUCE

Tucked away in rural Whitley near Melksham, 25 minutes from Bath is the Pear Tree Inn and Farmhouse Kitchen.

Housed in an old stone farmhouse, the inn abounds with flagstones, reclaimed timber, worn wooden tables and mismatched furniture. The Farmhouse Kitchen showcases the best local suppliers with a menu guided by the seasons and includes such delights as Happy Somerset lemon and thyme chicken, and ‘Wiltshire horn’ lamb leg, and offers plenty of gluten-free options. www.peartreewhitley.co.uk

REGAL OFFERING

If a city pub with craft beers is more up your street, The King William in Thomas Street, Bath, has been serving great British food for the past nine years.

Alongside four real ales, and more than 30 craft beers and a good selection of wines, they also use the best produce the West Country has to offer. Head chef James Harris trained with Chris Staines at the Allium in Bath and he is passionate about his food. One of his recipes this month is roast venison, served rare, potato purée, garlic confit, wild mushrooms, roast onion, chard, roast bone marrow and red wine sauce. www.kingwilliampub.com

CHECK MATE

Another spot with a long history in the city is gastro pub The Chequers, which is a short walk from The Circus and The Royal Crescent. Feeding people since 1776, The Chequers serves award-winning, inventive British food in a welcoming pub atmosphere. It opens daily at 12pm, but it’s popular, so book ahead just in case. www.thechequersbath.com

MIGHTY MARLBOROUGH

If the weather is unseasonably warm, The Marlborough Tavern may tempt

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you with its secluded courtyard garden and great British food at reasonable prices. It also serves lunch until 4pm.

Highlights include a roast free-range chicken with pork and thyme stuffing, bread sauce, Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes, and a very tempting butternut squash, wild mushroom and spinach Wellington for vegetarians.

Discover exciting dishes at the three AA-rosette Olive Tree restaurant

www.marlborough-tavern.com

BEAR NECESSITIES

Just a 15-minute walk from Bath’s city centre, The Bear is a landmark, thanks to Snowy, the life-sized polar bear, guarding the main entrance.

Relaunched by the team behind Zazu’s Kitchen, an independent group of pubs and restaurants, The Bear is the neighbourhood pub we’d all like to have. Sunday lunch is served from 12pm – 4pm, offering local free-range cuts and all the trimmings from £11.95. www.bearbath.co.uk

BY GEORGE, HE’S GOT IT

If you feel the need to walk off your culinary excesses, the perfect place to start is The George at Bathampton.

Previously a 13th-century monastery,

this Grade-II listed, country pub sits alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal.

It’s a Chef and Brewer-run venue and offers dishes such as slow-cooked pork belly in a toffee apple glaze with mashed potato, green beans, honey-roasted parsnips, red wine sauce and baked apple for £13.29. Not a bad place to while away a Sunday afternoon watching the canal boats. www.chefandbrewer.com

Christmas Celebration Menu 2 or 3 course, £23 & £28 per person

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY

Top Lane, Whitley, Wiltshire SN12 8QX 01225 704966 T f @peartreewhitley

www.peartreewhitley.co.uk

Award-Winning, Family Run Farm Shop Established for over 30 years Selling Quality Local Produce Open Daily 9am – 6pm (9.30am – 5pm on Sundays) HOME & LOCALLY REARED FRESH MEAT, POULTRY & GAME. HOMEMADE SAUSAGES, BURGERS & FAGGOTS

Christmas Orders now being taken Join us for our Tasting Day on Saturday 18th November 10.30am–3pm; Meet our suppliers and sample their delicious produce!

LOCAL CHEESES & HOME COOKED MEATS LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES, FRUIT & SALADS HOMEMADE CAKES & PIES LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATES & FUDGE FINE WINE, LOCAL ALE & CIDER PRESERVES & CHUTNEYS GIFT HAMPERS

Premium Christmas Trees on sale from 29th November Allington Bar Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6LJ www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk Tel: 01249 658112

THE RUSTY STAG

OPEN NOW

The Street, Broughton Gifford, Wiltshire SN12 8PN 01225 308541 Open Tuesday – Sunday • Lunch & Dinner

Christmas isn’t Christmas until you’ve tried our fabulous Christmas menu!

15th November – 25th December.

Bookings now open!

Vale House Kitchen is a bespoke country skills and cookery school situated in the village of Timsbury, 8 miles southwest of Bath. We will be offering all the traditional courses you would expect from a cookery school but will have the added dimension of teaching skills such as fishing, shooting, foraging and butchery.

Rooftop Bar Opening Soon at our Bath Restaurant…

Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EB Tel: 01225 446656 12-16 Clifton Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1AF Tel: 01173 291300 Email: info@themintroom.co.uk www.themintroom.co.uk

fa

FOOD & DRINK W H AT ’ S M A K I N G T H E G O U R M E T N E W S I N B AT H

B Block is Keynsham’s culinary newcomer Good luck, Joshua Murphy!

BEST OF LUCK TO LUCKNAM DEMI CHEF

great coffee, local ales and ciders, and a dinner menu.

The chefs at the 60-cover restaurant, Adrian Kirikmaa and Ben Sacree, have been working with Bristol’s Josh Eggleton to define the concept and the look, which will doubtless be a welcome addition to the menu in Keynsham.

Lucknam Park’s Demi Chef de Partie, Joshua Murphy, was named as a finalist in the Young Professional category of the South West Chef of the Year competition. Joshua went on to compete against three young chefs from Devon in the next stage of the contest, and now awaits the announcement of the overall winner at in a glittering ceremony at the end of October.

Now in its 14th year, South West Chef of the Year champions the very best of the region’s professional chefs and junior and home cooks as well as its exceptional produce. Judges include Michael Caines MBE who said of the level of skill displayed during the competition, “South West Chef of the Year is hotly contested and myself and my fellow judges are always impressed with the skill and flair demonstrated by those who enter. The competition aims to be nurturing and supportive whilst challenging chefs to grow and learn from each round. I can’t wait for the finals and to taste what I know will be some fantastic food from the South West’s next generation of culinary talent.”

For more: www.b-blockpizza.co.uk

For more: www.southwestchef.co.uk

NEW KID ON THE B BLOCK Keynsham is about to get a boost to its food scene. B Block is a new all-day restaurant in the Chocolate Quarter development, so named because it’s being built on the site of the former Fry’s and subsequently Cadbury’s factory. Expect to find local produce and wood-fired pizzas when it opens this autumn. And, as well as lunch, it will also be offering breakfasts,

Stella Event Hire also provides catering options

A STELLAR MOVE Owners of Nonna’s Italian in Gay Street are selling the restaurant to focus on a new venture. Angelo and Laura Tallo are launching Stella Event Hire, a local, online event hire business.

It will deliver high-quality equipment for weddings, birthdays, private parties and corporate functions nationwide but also plans to offer more in the form of catering solutions; everything from personal chefs to pizza making in-situ.

The idea began when the couple were organising their daughter’s first birthday.

What started as a family gathering soon grew, with the couple frantically sourcing chairs, plates, and cutlery. Inspired by their wedding in Naples, the couple

84 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

decided to cater the party with live cooking stations, offering everything from paella, porchetta and steaks to handmade Neopolitan pizzas. The party was a huge success and it made the couple reassess their career path. Laura says, “We want to make event hiring quick, easy and affordable so it becomes accessible to everyone; whether it’s an event-planner organising an elaborate wedding, or somebody needing extra chairs and plates when the relatives descend at Christmas. Plus, our ‘send it back dirty’ service gives you the best of both worlds; the luxury of glassware and china, minus the washing up!”

For more: www.stellaeventhire.co.uk

Quality food • Great location • Free delivery

Our new website is now LIVE!

5% off online orders www.bathsushi.co.uk 01225 330508

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Guildhall Delicatessen

Situated in Bath’s famous indoor market

M AG A ZINE

The South West’s new wedding bible PICK Up your free copy now

T Follow us @VowMag From the makers of Crumbs, Bath Life, Bristol Life, Cardiff Life, Exeter Living and Salisbury Life Ad enquiries: Pat.White@mediaclash.co.uk; Editorial: Matt.Bielby@mediaclash.co.uk; 01225 475800

We now stock a wide range of vegan, vegetarian and meat based products as well as delicious cakes and Bath Buns. Ideal for lunches, picnics or any time snacks.

Come and order you picnic and collect it when you need it. We can even cater for small business lunches.

Our range includes: Vegan, lamb or chicken samosas, veggie or meat pasties, bhajis, vegan or pork sausage rolls and veggie or pork scotch eggs. We also and stock a range of speciality scotch eggs, pork pies and vegetarian quiches. Why not add a Lovely juice drink to your picnic.

Open Mon - Sat, 9.30 - 17.00

8 Guildhall Market, Bath BA2 4AW • Tel: 01225 427195 email: guildhall-deli@hotmail.co.uk twitter: @GuildhallDeli

I N T E R N AT I O N A L M E N ’ S D AY

EXPRESS YOURSELF To mark International Men’s Day – which focuses on male health – here, Bath’s charities encourage men and boys to speak up…

By L I SA E VA NS

Y

ou may have noticed a theme developing in this issue of Bath Life, and it’s not an accident. We’re featuring all-things blokey because International Men’s Day day is coming up on 19 November.

Cue the eye-rolling and cries of ‘but it’s always men’s day!’, but the movement isn’t about egostroking, it has a serious underlying message as it focuses on men’s and boys’ physical and mental health, promoting gender equality, and highlighting discrimination.

Here, three charities who help boys and men in the local area encourage anyone who’s struggling, to open up…

BATH & DISTRICT SAMARITANS

“Men find it less easy to talk to someone else about what is troubling them, and that is a real problem,” says David Ryder, director of Bath & District Samaritans. “We’ve partnered with Bath Rugby to highlight that it’s the strong choice to ask for help if things are getting too much. We wouldn’t think twice if it was a physical injury niggling us, so regard an emotional problem the same way. Help can enable you to sort out the problem.”

For more, visit www.samaritans.org or call 116123

BATH RUGBY FOUNDATION

The foundation’s Move Like a Pro is a 12-week programme which aims to get men aged 35 – 55 off the sofa and onto the rugby pitch. But the programme isn’t just a physical one, it also looks at participants’ mental wellbeing, and gives them the tools to assess their lifestyles and make better choices. The programme will be running again shortly, at a date TBC. Here, the foundation shares eye-opening statistics with us about men’s health…

• 30 per cent of adults in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) are inactive • 60 per cent of adults in B&NES are overweight or obese • 16 per cent of the working-age population have a common mental illness, but around 3/4 of people with mental illness are receiving no treatment For more, visit www.bathrugbyfoundation.com or call 01225 904116

OFF THE RECORD

As men and boys typically find it less easy to talk about what is troubling them, Bath’s charities are urging them to express themselves 86 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

“The charity’s vision is for every young person in B&NES to be emotionally healthy, and be confident and empowered in themselves,” says Phil Walters, director at Off the Record. “We exist to improve the emotional health and wellbeing of young people by providing them with a safe space to be themselves, and we run a free and confidential listening support and counselling service for anyone aged 10 – 25 who lives or works in Bath. New distressing stats show that, in B&NES’ secondary schools, boys are less likely to cry than girls when they’re struggling (47 per cent, compared to 88 per cent of girls), and boys are more likely to play on devices when struggling, as a way of escapism (87 per cent, compared to 52 per cent of girls). We know that boys aged 11 – 15 are 1.3 times more likely to suffer from mental illness compared to girls. We know that there are more boys needing our help, but we need to find new ways of engaging them.”

For more, visit www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk or call 01225 312481

10 York Street, Bath BA1 1NH | 01225 447920 | leatherchairs.co.uk

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COMETH the HOUR OUR ‘HOMME-AGE’ TO THE GENTS – A SPOT OF SELF-GIFTING NEVER HURT ANYONE…

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1. HEAR AND NOW

2. SCENT-ER OF ATTENTION

3. SNAZZ IT UP

4. IN HIS SHOES

5. STONE COLD

Bowers & Wilkins PX headphones, £329 Wireless and noisecancelling, these over-ear headphones – available in gold or grey – are a musthave tech item this season From Moss of Bath, 45 St James’ Parade, Bath; www.mossofbath.co.uk

Aqua de Colonia cologne, £55 A sensuous, unisex, woody scent from Claus Porto, with notes of bergamot and vetyver From Article, 3 Bartlett Street, Bath; www.articlebath.com

Handkerchief, £55 Printed by esteemed silk printers Adamley, and hand-rolled in England, this soft pocket square adds a retro edge to a polished look From Gieves & Hawkes, 20 Old Bond Street, Bath; www.gievesandhawkes.com

Gucci boots, £220 Give your feet the Gucci treatment with these classic boots from the iconic Italian brand From Grace & Ted, 10 Kingsmead Square, Bath; www.graceandted.co.uk

Whiskey stones (pack of nine), £16.99 Keep your favourite tipple colder for longer (without diluting it) with these reusable ice rocks From Vinegar Hill, 16 Milsom Street, Bath; www.vinegarhill.co.uk

88 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE

SHOPPING

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6. WAX ON

7. ONE FOR THE MONEY

8. NOTHING TO SNIFF AT

9. FACE VALUE

10. JUST BREW IT

Uppercut Matt Pomade, £14 This no-shine product packs a punch once applied to your hair, giving ample grip and hold for a great look that lasts From Fine & Dandy Barbershop, 4 Prior Park Road, Widcombe, Bath; www.fineanddandybarbers. com

Vivienne Westwood wallet, £120 A good-quality wallet – such as this designer, cowhide billfold one – is a gentleman’s most essential and trusted accessory From John Anthony, 26 – 28 High Street, Bath; www.john-anthony.com

Paddywax candle, £21 Incased in an oldworld apothecary jar, this candle blends the charming and distinctive scents of verbena and eucalyptus From Rossiters of Bath, 38 – 41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com

This Man Can set, £40 Crammed with goodies, this heavy-duty male grooming set is ideal for blokes who are yet to venture into the skincare arena From Natural Spa Factory, Bath Business Park, Foxcote Avenue, Bath; www.naturalspafactory.com

Mind Your Step Coffee Edition, £6.45 From Amsterdam’s Het Uiltje brewery comes this special edition, jet-black imperial stout.

It’s a forceful 14 per cent ABV, and has enough coffee in it to wake the dead From Independent Spirit of Bath, 7 Terrace walk, Bath; www.independentspiritofbath.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE LIFE II 89 www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON 69

SHOPPING

FA S H I O N

MAN for all SEASONS From a shake-up of the classic suit, to toned-down versions of summer colours, here are the masculine trends we love right now

By L I SA E VA NS

F

ashion fades, style is eternal.”

While Yves Saint Laurent had a point when he uttered those timeless words, there’s nothing wrong with a man with his finger on the pulse grabbing a few on-trend pieces. Fortunately, AW17 is not short of them.

Despite what’s being whispered in some corners, the suit isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Having said that, it is changing. By mixing it up with T-shirts, cropped trousers or sneakers, you can expand the horizons of the classic suit. But if you’re going to stick to a shirt, there are adventurous types on the autumn/winter style menu – think bold prints, clashing colours and flamboyant collars. And for yet another way to liven up your tailoring, go for 70s-inspired slinky silk shirts.

These next few months are prime time for retreating into a world of dark tones. And we get it, but doing so doesn’t have to mean wearing all things brown and black. Instead, try darker shades of typically summer tones, like moss green or mustard yellow. They aren’t too in-your-face and they’re oh-soeasy to wear.

When it comes to fabrics, tactile types are key. Alongside the party season staple of velvet, touchable winter fabrics such as herringbone, wool and corduroy are here to make the wintery spell feel just as good to touch as it does to look at.

And as for details in the form of accessories, who said sunglasses were just for the warm(er) seasons? As soon as summer fades, people tend to box up their sunglasses along with their flip flops, beach towels and bathing suits, but the sun is always there, and you still need to protect those peepers – stylishly, of course.

90 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

K-Swiss men’s Court Frasco low-top sneakers, £45.50, from Kilver Court, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet; www.kilvercourt.com

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1. Lee 101 wool overshirt, £130, Found, 17 Argyle Street, Bath; www.foundbath.co.uk 2. Retro jacquard casual shirt, £145, Gieves & Hawkes, 20 Old Bond Street, Bath; www.gievesandhawkes.com 3. Silk jacquard tie, £95, Gieves & Hawkes, 20 Old Bond Street, Bath; www.gievesandhawkes.com 4. Barbour Bedale Wax Cotton Jacket, £230, John Anthony, 26 – 28 High Street, Bath; www.john-anthony.com 5. ‘1277’ sunglasses, £335, Cutler and Gross, 9 Bridge street, Bath; www.cutlerandgross.com 6. Paul Smith multicoloured button cufflinks, £90, Zucci, 7 Upper Borough Walls, Bath 7. Men’s black bag, £150, Cos, 24 – 26 Union Street, Bath; www.cosstores.com 8. Patek Philippe watch, £39,070, Mallory, 1 – 5 Bridge Street, Bath; www.mallory-jewellers.com 9. ‘Edward’ burnished calf shoes, £235, Loake Bath, 15 Green Street, Bath; www.loake.co.uk 10. Woollen bow tie, £10, Rossiters of Bath, 38 – 41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 91

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94 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

c u tle r a n d g r o s s feat u r e

life in techni-colour British luxury eyewear brand Cutler and Gross unveiled its Autumn/Winter 2017 collection of opticals and sunglasses, Techni-Colour, in September

T

echni-Colour introduces a bold new line of modern styles milled from a solid piece of metal using state-ofthe-art technology, with lenses in the brand’s widest ever selection of new colourways.The modern designs sit alongside a selection of Cutler and Gross classics in new acetate colour creations.

Style Director Marie Wilkinson comments, “As a uniquely placed, independent heritage brand, we are constantly fine-tuning the balance between the traditional craftsmanship of the past and the innovative designs and technology of the future. Our new collection aims to do just this, enhancing our range of iconic models with cutting-edge designs and new manufacturing techniques, yet remaining loyal to our artisanal roots with an uncompromising dedication to handmade craftsmanship.”

The new collection draws inspiration from vintage designs, updating them technically to create timeless, effortless styles which will last for years to come.

Highlights include the 1269 and 1270 which take shape inspiration from the 1980s yet incorporate contemporary detailing, with a wide double bridge and ridged metal temples. A notable new detail on the 1270 is an acetate rim with integrated side shields creating an effortless sports luxe edge. The 1277 brings a sleek, bold personality to the round pair of sunglasses, featuring a unique milled acetate hood and an impressive single piece metal structure. All the above frames come in eight fresh and exciting colourways each on statement flat lenses.

“COMBINING THE FINEST ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH COOL STYLE” Creating a link between past and present, the iconic 1007 and 1008 frames – with their unique screwless metal bridge – return in new colourways, Ground Cloves and Matt Aviator Blue. The brand’s timeless 0822/2 is reimagined in a stunning new Bronze Mirror and Petrol Blue sunglass, and there is also an optical frame which comes in both Ground Cloves and Classic Navy Blue.

All frames are crafted by hand in Cutler and Gross’ very own factory in Cadore, Italy.

Craftsmen there work on the finest Italian acetate and high-grade metals featuring hand-riveted hinges and UV400 lenses. The importance of the artisanal creation of each pair of glasses remains one of the essences of the brand, with each frame taking four to six weeks to produce. This manufacturing process, with 42 tailored steps by expert frame makers, gives each frame its unique character.

The collection launched in stores, online and at selected stockists worldwide in September, and is priced from £245 - £345.

About Cutler and Gross

Cutler and Gross combines the finest Italian craftsmanship with irrefutably cool style. Since its establishment in fashion’s halcyon days, the brand’s signature creativity has been applied to all of its sunglasses and optical frames, each boasting their trademark numbered designs and absence of ostentatious logo.

The bold, individual style of Cutler and Gross has attracted some of the most prestigious names in the industry for collaborations; from design houses such as Erdem, Comme Des Garçons and Maison Martin Margiela, to creative icons including Victoria Beckham, Roksanda Ilincic and Bella Freud, and limited-edition launches such as Jay-Z for Barney’s New York.

Considered bastions of iconic eyewear, opticals and sunglasses designed by the brand have been worn by some of the most recognisable faces of the last four decades.

Brand fans include the legendary David Hockney, Grace Jones, Sir Elton John and Madonna, as well as influential artists and style leaders from Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu to Kate Moss and Manolo Blahnik.

Visit Cutler and Gross at 9 Bridge St, Bath, BA2 4AS www.cutlerandgross.com @cutlerandgross

Founded in 1969, British luxury eyewear brand www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 95

Bath Life readers will get discounts on decorations galore at the Christmas Room

one Bath Life reader will win a Gisela

graham Christmas tree bedecked with twinkling treasures

The most magical room of the year Calling all Christmas-lovers, we’ve teamed up with Kilver Court to offer Bath Life readers exclusive discounts and offers on festive delights, for one night only‌

B AT H L I F E E X C L U S I V E

SH O PPIN G

Whether you prefer a traditional, whimsical, opulent or pared-back look, Kilver Court probably has something to inspire you

Bath Life competition and discounts • To receive 20 per cent off all Christmas decorations at Kilver Court’s Christmas Room, simply say you’re a Bath Life reader • Win a fully decorated Gisela Graham faux Christmas tree worth over £500 by filling in a flyer in-store or online at www.kilvercourt.com Some exclusions may apply

W

hen it comes to Christmas decorating, ’tis the season to be stylish.

From handblown Egyptian glass baubles to iridescent dragonflies, be inspired by the fabulously festive Christmas Room, now open at The Great House in Kilver Court Designer Village in Shepton Mallet. Minimal Scandi, whimsical pantomime, wild and woolly, opulent, colourful peacock, Victorian midwinter… find your perfect Christmas story and style at the most magical room of the year, where all that glitters is gold, silver and bronze.

Head down to Kilver Court’s Great House Christmas Party on 9 November (5.30pm – 8pm) because Bath Life readers will receive exclusive discounts, and one lucky reader will even win a Gisela Graham faux Christmas tree bedecked with twinkling treasures.

Shop for everything from trees, wreaths and decorations, to gifts, food and drink, cards, wrapping paper and smellies. And, while you hunt, take in the festal sounds of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band who will be playing Christmas tunes throughout the evening.

Nutcracker soldiers, stiletto-wearing Christmas crocodiles and ice-skating pigs in wigs are just part of the magic you’ll discover inside the room. And you should also expect mulled wine and mince pies on arrival, a special offer of 20 per cent off all decorations (for Bath Life readers only), along with a free gift with purchase when you spend over £20, and a gift-wrapping service.

As the Great House is all about discovering niche and exciting new brands, part of the excitement of the Christmas Room is for customers to encounter items they haven’t seen before. Some of the interesting brands you’ll find include Daylesford, Broste Copenhagen, Sophie Conran, True Grace, Parkminster Products, Averys of Bristol, NOMNOM, Rock Rose Vodka, Newton House Gin and Creighton’s Chocolaterie, plus the whole site at Kilver Court (including fashion stores for party dresses) will be open until 8pm on the same evening.

The Great House Christmas party at Kilver Court’s Christmas Room will take place on 9 November from 5.30pm – 8pm. Kilver Court, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF; www.kilvercourt.com

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E V E T E R I N A RY C A R E

KEEPING YOUR PET SAFE THIS AUTUMN AND WINTER You’ll find useful advice, tips and support at BATH VET SURGERIES

W

hen we start to see changes in the weather heralding the start of winter, this is also a time where there are potential dangers for your pet.

Conkers Conkers contain a poison called aesculin which can be toxic to dogs if chewed and eaten. They can also cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.

Oaks and acorns Like conkers, exposure to acorns in dogs is common in the autumn and winter. The toxic ingredient is tannic acid, which can cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and lethargy. Ingested acorns can also cause an intestinal blockage.

Fireworks Many animals find fireworks scary and it is estimated that 45 per cent of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks.

There are lots of simple things you can do to help your pet deal with fireworks, by preparing in advance before fireworks start your pet will be better able to cope with the noises.

Anti-freeze Ethylene glycol, otherwise known as antifreeze, affects both cats and dogs and is extremely toxic. It causes clinical signs such as ataxia (wobbliness), depression, vomiting, increased drinking and urination, collapse and

coma and inevitably causes renal failure and the prognosis is unfavourable.

Chocolate and raisins Chocolate contains a toxin called theobromine which is toxic to dogs and the higher the cocoa solids, the higher the levels of theobromine.

Clinical signs include hyperactivity, increased heart rate, convulsions.

Luminous necklaces and glow sticks The chemical mixture within luminous jewellery and glow sticks is very irritating to the gums, commonly causing dribbling, frothing and foaming at the mouth and vomiting.

Mushrooms and toadstools Some mushrooms are highly toxic to dogs but even fungi experts (mycologists) find it difficult to tell between them. It is best to ensure you keep all of them well out of your dog’s reach.

During the colder months, also keep your pet warm and dry and, for young or older dogs, putting a coat on them when out walking can help to keep them healthy.

For further advice always speak to your local veterinary practice.

Rosemary Lodge, Wellsway, Bath BA2 5RL 01225 832521 www.bathvetgroup.co.uk f Bath.Vet.Group

OUR CLINICS: • Rosemary Lodge Hospital, Wellsway, Bath, BA2 5RL 01225 832521 • Bath Cat Clinic, 4 Beaufort East, London Road, BA1 6QD 01225 312061 • Chapel Veterinary Surgery, Forest Road, Melksham, SN12 7AA 01225 702427 • Marshfield Veterinary Surgery, 57 High Street, Marshfield, SN14 8LR 01225 891171 • Oldfield Park Veterinary Surgery, 4 Third Avenue, Oldfield Park, BA2 3NY 01225 423652 • Peasedown Veterinary Surgery, 46 Bath Road, Peasedown St John, BA2 8DL 01761 435673 • Saltford Veterinary Surgery, 478B Bath Road, Saltford, BS31 3DJ 01225 872002 • Station Road Veterinary Surgery, Lower Weston, BA1 3DY 01225 428921 • Park Road Vets, 11 Park Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1BX 0117 9339 933. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 99

t e a c h e r s a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

Meet the teacher We quizzed some of Bath’s teachers and asked - so, what sets you apart from the rest?

david lee

Deputy Head of Prep School Stonar School; 01225 478478 www.stonarschool.com How does your school differ from others?

The consideration, care and respect that the children in the school display for each other is as unique as our global perspective, 80 acres of parkland and gardens, and renowned equestrian centre.

What are the qualities of a good teacher?

Passion – for their students, subject/s, teaching and school.

Being reflective and open minded, embracing change, taking risks, a willingness to collaborate, consistency, empathy, resilience, organisation and communicating effectively.

Of course, a sense of humour also helps!

What do you most enjoy about teaching?

Because education is always evolving, I feel that I am constantly learning and developing new skills. Therefore, I feel very fortunate that life always seems interesting and exciting.

At the same time there isn’t another job on the planet with so many opportunities to profoundly impact the lives of young people.

What advice would you give your 10-year-old self?

Embrace every opportunity you are given - you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing and keep tremendously interested in as much as possible.

100 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Sarah James

Head of Pre-Prep The Paragon School 01225 310837 www.paragonschool.co.uk How does your school differ from others?

You just need to walk through the doors at The Paragon to know this is a very special school. It has a unique feel which visitors always comment on, one that is friendly, welcoming, yet purposeful.

This is a school where happy children engage in their learning with excitement and joy.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I love my job! Being in the classroom is an amazing place to be. It is a privilege to watch as the youngest children find joy and excitement in learning something new, seeing their faces light up as they master a challenge. Every day is an exciting journey, you never know what it may bring. Even after 20 years of teaching, I still look forward to each day.

What are the qualities of a good teacher?

Warm, welcoming, caring, flexible and able to think on your feet.

What advice would you give your 10 year old self?

Always believe in yourself and have the confidence you are doing the right thing. Don’t worry too much about what others think.

John Davies

Deputy Head, Academic Kingswood School 01225 734210 www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk

What are the qualities of a good teacher?

The best teachers are those that do the fundamental things well, every day. And by fundamental things, I mean sharply-focused and engaging explanations matched with meaningful and challenging opportunities for students to practise new skills and knowledge. Good teachers do this every day.

What are you views on homework?

We know from research that homework can be hugely beneficial to senior school students. I do understand, though, that homework can also be a burden and can take away family or leisure time. My litmus test for good homework is that it should be sharply focused and should directly result in the student making progress.

What do you most enjoy about teaching?

I love that every day is different and that, as a teacher, you come to work each day prepared for surprises, challenges and mini-victories. I believe that if the world is going to resolve some of its most challenging problems, it lies in the influence of teachers to raise up generations of young adults who are ready to make a difference through innovation and radical compassion.

Mike Blaikley

Prior Park College Phone 01225 835353 www.priorparkcollege.com How did you get into teaching?

It has been a circuitous route! I gained a first class degree from Oxford in Classics, qualified as a chartered accountant in London, worked in retail management for three years before becoming a maths teacher.

What makes a good teacher?

There are too many ingredients – enthusiasm; love of the subject; being able to build great teacher/ student relationships; humour; inventiveness; patience; and a hint of eccentricity!

How is your school different?

Very simply it has soul. It has huge depth of care for the whole person, academic, pastoral, physical, and spiritual.

It allows the individual to discover their own strengths and achieve their goals, rather than straight-jacketing them by an educational norm.

Is teaching a vocation?

Absolutely. I would have been the most sceptical had you asked me ten years ago, but there is something hugely profound in finding a job where every aspect of your character and experience is drawn upon.

To be able to walk alongside, mentor, tutor and teach Prior Park’s amazing student body is a privilege.

a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e t e a c h e r s

Karen Cordon

Headmistress, St Margaret’s Preparatory School, Calne 01249 857220 www.stmargaretsprep.org.uk How does your school differ from others?

At St Margaret’s we truly believe that education should be a path, not a maze.

Intelligence, knowledge and understanding do not stand alone; similarly, the accumulation of examination grades does not, in itself, support the development of young learners who are already equipped with individual enterprise, curiosity, imagination, persistence and inventiveness. Schools should be about the future not the past, about removing barriers to progress and about opening closed minds. The real task of teachers is to encourage each pupil to grow as an individual.

Schools should be places where we can search together for the secret of a successful and happy future. Ultimately, we compete against ourselves, rather than against others; therefore the strength of St Margaret’s lies in aspiration, excellence and diversity.

The future undoubtedly belongs to those who are taught to believe in the beauty of their dreams, whether those dreams are of an academic, artistic, dramatic or sporting nature. Through unlimited possibilities for all, and a growth mindset that permeates St Margaret’s, our children know that in the long run, ambition, attitude and the way we learn from set-backs is truly important, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter!

catherine bruton

English Teacher, King Edward’s School 01225 464313 www.kesbath.com

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

English. Which probably explains how I became an author! When I was in Year 9, subsisting on a literary diet of ballet books and Jackie Collins, my English teacher gave me ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ - they opened my eyes to the power of fiction and later inspired my critically acclaimed Young Adult novels ‘I Predict a Riot’ and ‘We Can be Heroes’ (now a film starring Alison Steadman).

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I love introducing students to the kind of fiction that makes them ask questions, opens their minds, rocks their worlds!

Oh – and I am constantly inspired by their talent and imagination.

What does your school offer that others don’t?

The culture of creativity is like no other school I’ve ever come across. We publish an annual anthology of poetry and prose (with a book launch in Toppings!) Last year our Creative Writing Club wrote and published a collaborative novel – 80,000 words long and featuring 45 authors (get your copy on Amazon!) – and we’ve even written our own musical ‘Pop!’ which hits the KES stage in December These are pretty unique – and very exciting – projects!

Kate Williams

The Royal High School, 01225 313877 www.royalhighbath.gdst.net/ How does your school differ from others?

We are the only independent girls’ school in Bath and we offer both the International Baccalaureate and A Levels in the Sixth Form. A high proportion of RHS girls undertake STEM subjects at school and university. As a GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust) school we are at the forefront of educating girls in the UK. The GDST provides great networking opportunities and enables us to participate in unique opportunities; for example, this summer I took a group of students on a fabulous trip to NASA in Florida with other GDST schools.

What extra-curricular activities are you involved in?

I lead the HiSPARC project: a collaborative project with Bristol University to study cosmic rays with extremely high energy. I also take our 6th Form students to visit CERN annually and I mentor girls who participate in the challenging Engineering Education Scheme project.

What advice would you give your 10 year old self?

Have a go and don’t be afraid to make mistakes; make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

Catherine Winchcombe

Head of Pre-Prep Monkton Combe School 01225 831 238 www.monktoncombeschool. com What do you most enjoy about teaching?

I really enjoy the process of learning and seeing children succeed in making progress as they develop their skills and understanding.

How does your school differ from others?

Monkton Pre-Prep is a fun, happy and caring school with exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow. We have a new school building set in acres of countryside just outside of Bath with an adventure playground, lots of outdoor learning and small class sizes.

What subject did you most enjoy at school?

Art! This is something we love to encourage our children to explore freely, to be creative and imaginative both indoors and out in a range of subjects.

What is your school’s ethos?

We have a unique approach to pastoral care which delivers strong academic results. If you’re interested in finding out more I would be delighted to welcome you and your child to come and visit us. You can book your appointment by calling or visiting the website.

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Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions

B AT H G E T S S ER I O US SPONSORED BY:

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE Clockwise from top right: The Castle at Cirencester; the cheeky urinals; inside the ‘ice cave’; and the ski lodge-style room

DESIGN

CAPTURING THE CASTLE A creative workplace in a refurbished castle – from designers at Bath’s Interaction – bags top award An ‘ice cave’, men’s loos decorated with band posters, cheeky urinals, and a hidden doorway, are just some of the unique touches that have seen Bath design company Interaction judged best at the South West Property Awards.

The stylish £3m revamp of The Castle in Cirencester, owned by money.co.uk, won the Bath firm the Commercial Refurbishment Project of the Year award.

Their brief was to create the ‘best possible place to work’, with a gym, cinema and social areas all designed for the historic building.

Egle Bareikyte, one of the designers who worked on the project, says, “The design brief for The Castle revolved around juxtaposing the traditional architecture with a contemporary and one-of-a-kind finish. The unique building provides a characterful and quirky setting for a workplace, therefore the interior design and finishes needed to reflect the eccentricity of the exterior.”

This eccentricity was carried through the building’s vast interior.

“We also wanted to create an environment where the team could fulfil their potential and feel happy,” adds Egle. “We therefore created flexible and adaptable workspaces tailored to the needs of the team, in addition to settings where people can go for more informal meetings or to relax and socialise – which includes the ‘ice cave’ and ‘ski lodge’ which can be accessed through a secret door in the library.”

Not surprisingly, the finish wowed money.co.uk – and its staff. Founder and managing director Chris Morling says,“Interaction opened our eyes to what was possible beyond just making the place look pretty. “The workplace adds an extra level of motivation and satisfaction from working in such a stunning and functional environment.”

For more: www.interaction.uk.com

“IT IS TESTAMENT TO THE SKILL OF TAILORS THAT A GROUP OF GENTLEMAN WITH SUCH A DIVERSE RANGE OF PHYSIQUES WERE FITTED WITH SUCH ACCURACY” – Todd Blackadder.

For more, see page 105

£3m THE BIG NUMBER

How much it cost to refurbish a castle For more: see opposite

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ONE TO WATCH

ANDREW DAVIES The wealth manager at LGT Vestra has a rich background in financial services, and has a rather adventurous way of spending his spare time

Tell us a little about your background...

Despite having worked solely in financial services, I have been incredibly lucky to have had such a diverse career, with roles ranging from credit assessment for property finance, to managing a bank’s global balance sheet, and now managing clients’ money. This has not only provided an interesting career but also a breadth of experience to share with clients.

What did you want to be when you were little?

A racing driver.

What was your first job?

I got my first job at 14 to save for my first car. I worked in a greengrocer’s with quite a stern boss; most of my memories of him include him shouting at the staff.

However, the experience definitely encouraged a good work ethic in me.

Tell us a little about LGT Vestra...

It was founded by our chairman, David Scott, in 2007. He had a passion for a client-focused business that provided excellent advice with a simple and transparent charging structure, and that ethos is still very much at the heart of the firm today. LGT Vestra’s Bristol Office is much newer; we opened in February last year and have been successfully building the business since.

Who are your typical clients?

Entrepreneurs, families, charities or trusts, although we have seen an increasing number of professionals.

With the rise of personal pensions over the last few years, many professionals have accrued sizeable assets that benefit from professional management.

How do you help them?

Not only through investment management, but by working with them to create a plan and context for their investments. We then build a bespoke investment strategy that is linked to these objectives.

Through our wealth planning team, we can also incorporate tax efficiency and succession plans into the overall strategy.

What are the best aspects of your job?

Meeting successful and interesting people, learning from them, and helping them achieve their goals.

104 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

We see you have a weekly question time – how does it help your clients?

It allows them to engage directly with our chief investment officer on the week’s most pertinent topics.

It aims to give them an insight to better understand the current markets, and helps to link what they are seeing in the news with their portfolio.

If you have a client who is risk averse but still wants to build a portfolio how can you help?

We are able to build low-risk portfolios for clients but, as with any investment, low risk does not mean no risk. Key to our approach is transparency and building a close relationship with our clients, ensuring that they’re not only are comfortable with the level of risk applied to their portfolio, but truly understand it.

What makes LGT Vestra stand out?

We are passionate about providing unparalleled client service. This is reflected through our people and the quality of advice they provide. Also the ability to bring clients a wide range of investments including private assets in a truly bespoke manner.

What next for LGT Vestra?

In the South West, we want to become established as the pre-eminent wealth manager, therefore we are looking for new premises and new people to help deliver this.

What was the company’s proudest moment?

We are genuinely quite a humble organisation and our pride comes from doing a good job for clients.

Tell us something about you that might surprise us…

At least once a month, I can be found bouncing around the region enjoying my hobby of green laning (that’s off-roading on seldom-used public highways).

For more: www.lgtvestra.com

MY FIRST JOB WAS IN A GREENGROCERS WITH A BOSS WHO WAS ALWAYS SHOUTING

MOVERS, SHAKERS, ETC

BATH RUGBY NEWS Bringing you the latest from the Bath Rugby headquarters

Professor Susan Rigby

FRESH FACE Professor Susan Rigby has been announced as the next vice-chancellor of Bath Spa University in Newton St Loe. She will start in January and is currently deputy vice-chancellor, with responsibility for student development, at the University of Lincoln.

The palaeontologist says she will be buillding on the university’s success, “It is a privilege to join such a distinctive and effective university, and I look forward to helping staff and students achieve their ambitions for themselves and for the institution,” she says.

For more: www.bathspa.ac.uk

FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME A major project to regenerate the centre of Twerton and redevelop Bath City Football Club’s ground has reached agreement.

The deal Greenacre Capital reached is for the joint redevelopment of Twerton Park and the investment firm’s neighbouring parade of shops on the High Street.

The project could include student and affordable accommodation, a new gym, a 3G pitch, social club/café, 3G pitch and office space.

For more: www.bathcityfc.com

Bath Rugby powerhouses are dressing for success both on and off the pitch.

Its formal wear is being provided by Gieves & Hawkes, with the Savile Row tailors having the daunting task of making 78 made-to-measure suits for the entire squad and back-room staff.

The team’s director of rugby, Todd Blackadder, says, “We continually aim to raise the bar to ensure our standards reflect our ambitions. In the case of Gieves & Hawkes, they have gone above and beyond to ensure the suits we wear reflect our high expectations, and it is testament to the skill of the Gieves & Hawkes’ tailors that a group of gentleman with such a diverse range of physiques were fitted with made-to-measure suits with such accuracy.’’

Each suit was made using fine Italian fabric, with a customised Bath Rugby crest embroidered onto the breast pocket.

And the ties, exclusively designed for the team, are made in England from English woven silk.

Gieves & Hawkes’ managing director, Nick Keyte says, “We are delighted to team up with Bath Rugby.As two British institutions with such storied histories, and such commitment to excellence and quality, it made absolute sense for us to work together.

“We wish Bath Rugby every success and look forward to this journey together.’’

Gieves & Hawkes has also produced an exclusive set of supporters’ merchandise, available from their Bath store at 20 Old Bond Street. These include a hat, gloves and scarf set, and cufflinks made with white mother of pearl, turquoise blue agate and black onyx to represent the Bath Rugby team colours. www.bathrugby.com

BUSINESS MATTERS DIARY From city centre conferences to networking breakfasts, make a note of these dates and make them work for you 1 N OV E MBE R

2 NOVEMBER

The Women’s Business Club is holding a Bath Business Lunch for inspiring conversation at a key networking event.

11.30am; £32.73; Bailbrook House Hotel; www.womensbusiness.club

Network with local professionals at this event supported by L.K. Bennett, Jera Inc Models and Bath Academy of Media Makeup, and also raise money for Cancer Research.

6pm; £5; L.K. Bennett; www.eventbrite.co.uk

2 N OV E MBE R

Informal Networking and Nibbles event, followed by fireworks.

6pm; £10.50-£15.50; Tracy Park Hotel; www.tracypark.co.uk

15 NOVEMBER

Discussion in Bath entitled Brexit – What the Hell Happens

Now? politics.co.uk editor Ian Dunt will be in conversation with journalist and lecturer Celia Brayfield.

7.30pm; £5.90; St Michael & St Paul’s Church; www.eventbrite.co.uk 20 NOVEMBER

Networking for event planners, bringing together professionals from Bath and Bristol.

5.30pm; £12; the Apex; www.eventbrite.co.uk

e

* NOW RECRUITING professional drivers * we are looking for an apprentice Applicant: 25 years+ Hold full DVLA Licence for a Minimum of 5 years Business Administration Course – College 1day a week. *Contact for full details*

Business | Airports | Events | Tours | Weddings

Telephone | +44 (0) 1225 4634 04 Email | enquiries@chauffeurtravel.co.uk WEB | chauffeurtravel.co.uk

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TERRIFIC THREE

Get planning your entry – nominations open 6 November!

Our pick of the most exciting, intriguing or important local business stories right now

COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP ON THE CARDS AT KOMEDIA Komedia has announced plans to convert to a Community Benefit Society, in a move that will see people-power taking ownership of the club.

The move is inspired by the idea of common ownership with the Community Ownership campaign launched at the beginning of October.

Komedia Bath co-founder Richard Daws says, “Community is at the forefront of this new chapter of Komedia’s story in Bath, and we’re giving everyone the chance to get involved.

“We’ve investigated many options with a view to securing the permanence of the Komedia venue in the city and this is by far the best way forward for us.

“It’s not about ‘saving’ the venue, which is the case with many community ownership schemes, it’s more about taking a bold step to transform the way we do business, building a genuine and committed relationship with the community we serve.

“Our aim is to safeguard Komedia’s place at the beating

A stand-up investment

heart of Bath and the South West’s live entertainment scene.”

Investments are welcome from £250 to £100,000, on which a three per cent return can be paid, while those with smaller sums will need to make a donation.

For more: www.komedia.co.uk

PAGE-TURNER Bath gardeners have taken a leaf out of Jane Austen’s book, and have won best municipal horticultural display in the South West in Bloom awards.

The award for the Jane Austen 3D Jane says what we’re all thinking

bed in Parade Gardens wasn’t the only accolade, with Bath winning gold in the BID category.

The picturesque display shows a book with the statement, “Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?” from Northanger Abbey, and comes complete with a quill and ink pots – all made of plants.

Judges also liked the use of perennial plants and water being captured in floral reservoirs to improve sustainability.

The Bath BID was formed in April 2011 to help improve the city.

For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk

BIG NEWS ON AWARDS AS NOMS OPEN SOON Unprecedented support for the Bath Life Awards means that there are tight limitations on Tables and Tickets for the Awards this year – and there are now very, very few remaining sponsorship options.

Nominations open on 6 November for the free-toenter Awards. Companies are encouraged to check the Top Tips on the website and also to attend a free seminar: How to Win a Bath Life Award later in November.

Tickets will only be available to Finalists, other than the last remaining sponsorships. There are no category sponsorships left, with the last taken by Sub13. Two Silver Sponsorships remain in the Tea Room, plus a couple of feature sponsorships.

“Every year it is a juggle – last year for example we had 140 on the Waiting List, such is the demand,” says Steph Dodd, events manager at MediaClash. “But this year it is even tougher because of the wonderful support we’ve had from Sponsors. Hence having to make these changes.”

The latest category sponsor, as well as Sub13, is Hotel Indigo, which is set to open next spring.

Also joining as Sponsors are Vistage, taking the Sponsors’ and Finalists’ Reception, and Fwd:Thinking, sponsors of the champagne Reception on the uberglam night.

“With Sponsorships now almost sold out and Noms opening very soon, things are definitely gathering momentum!” adds Steph.

The Awards are free to enter, and any local company or organisation can put themselves forward. The categories are: Arts, Bar, Business Services, Café/ Coffee Shop, Charity, Creative,

KEY DATES 6 Nov: Noms open 20 Nov: How to win a Bath Life Award – free seminar 16 Jan, midday: Grand Reveal Day – Finalists announced 5 Feb: Sponsors’ and Finalists’ Reception 1 March: The 2018 Bath Life Awards…

Education, Environmental, Event, Gastropub, Hair & Beauty, Health, Homes & Interiors, Legal & Financial, Leisure & Tourism, New Business, Property, Restaurant, Retailer, Rising Star and Technology & Innovation.

There is also a Platinum Award for the crème de la crème, single best category winner on the night.

Finalists are announced in January, and all decisions are made by a panel of independent Judges, newly selected each year.

The roster of Sponsors features Headline Sponsor, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and its brand partner Taittinger, then Platinum Sponsor Bristol Airport, plus Hotel Indigo, Savills, Bath Volkswagen, Sub13, Fidelius, Bath Audi, Bath Rugby, Minuteman Press, Stone King, Bluefin, Bath BID, Tile & Flooring, Apex Hotels, Novia, Hope House, Curo, Kersfield, HomeLets, Bryers, First Bath, Hawker Joinery, Enlightened Lighting, soVision IT and Clifton Marquee Company. Silver Sponsors are Mogers Drewett, Pearson May and the Trevor Osborne Property Group, with Circo, SearchStar, Fwd:Thinking and Vistage as feature sponsors.

If you’d like to align your brand with Bath’s most prestigious business Awards, please get in touch with Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk

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BATH LIFE AWARDS 2017

LEGAL & FINANCIAL WINNER Sponsored by

EPOCH WEALTH MANAGEMENT Jon Rolfe, partner at Epoch, on the best advice he’s ever been given, why he’s kayaking, trekking and cycling across Costa Rica, and how sore the Epoch’s team’s heads were the day after the Bath Life Awards So how did it feel to win a Bath Life Award? How did you celebrate? And where is your award now?

It was a great feeling to find out we’d won the award. It’s fair to say that there were a few sore heads the next morning! The award is now sitting proudly in our boardroom alongside our other awards.

What do you think makes Epoch stand out from its competitors?

As well as all the things you’d expect us to be good at (managing money, customer service etc), client feedback tells us that it’s the way we approach the whole picture that sets us apart.

They love that our proposition centres on their goals. We take a holistic perspective rather than focusing on the nuts and bolts, which allows clients to understand what their money can actually do for them.

WE’RE IN A VERY PRIVILEGED POSITION TO BE PART OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS THAT OPERATES WITHIN THE THRIVING CITY OF BATH 108 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

(L-R) James Butler, Jon Rolfe, Mel Gogarty (face concealed), Sarah Crosby, Jaime Shrubb, Tom Annear (kneeling), Tash Ali, Markas Gilmartin.

How did you get into doing what you do?

Having studied economics at university, this was the area of finance that I wanted to get into the most. I was taken on by Chase de Vere in 1999 and haven’t looked back since.

Has it met or exceeded with your initial plans and expectations?

With a couple of hurdles, the job has far exceeded my initial plans. My learning curve before helping set up Epoch has continued over the last seven years. To be able to establish a profitable business in a competitive market, employ more than 30 members of staff and be recognised for being a leading firm in both the community and the industry we are part of is utterly fantastic.

Do you think being an active part of the community is important in business?

Absolutely. We’re in a very privileged position to be part of a successful business that operates within the thriving city of Bath. Taking an active part in both the business and the wider community is very important to us; for example, we’re committed to the Bath Percent Club and deploy thousands to local and regional charities each year.

What do you love most about your job?

Helping people realise when they can attain financial autonomy and can live life on their terms is the core of what we do and it’s what gives me most pleasure.

What advice would you give someone looking to go into this sector?

The average age of financial advisers is relatively high – somewhere between 45 and 60 years-old – and there needs to be a lot of ‘new

blood’ to redress this. Exams and the application of that technical knowledge is vital. Convincing a firm to take you on without exams under your belt could be hard, so if you were to get some qualifications off your own bat, potential employers would look favourably on this.

Any news to share?

There are, in fact, some exciting projects in the pipeline, but at this stage, I can’t say more.

Watch this space!

What is your favourite thing about Epoch?

I love the pride I have in the business. This business has changed many lives for the better and given staff huge opportunities to progress.

What do you love most about Bath?

Being able to get out and about relatively easily is great, particularly as I’m currently in training for the Lewis Moody Foundation HeadWest challenge in November; Barry Newbury and I (amongst others) are kayaking, trekking and cycling across Costa Rica.

What do you do when you’re not working?

Aside from the intense training for Costa Rica, I try and spend as much time with my wife (who runs Moovit personal training in Bath) and our two girls, three dogs and three cats as I can.

There’s not much time for anything else.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

That there will never be a ‘right time’ to follow your dreams. Without this advice, Epoch may not exist today.

For more: www.epochwm.co.uk

Clarkson’s Independent Funeral Directors (01225) 426 822 For a truly personal and caring service, from a family run independent firm, call us day or night, 24/7, 365 days a year…

For our pre-paid funeral plans with Perfect Choice, please contact us for further information.

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Frome Branch: Martha’s House Broadway, Frome BA11 3HA (01373) 463888

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Meet some of the team: L-R: Martyn Hurst (Bath), Wayne Kelly (Frome), Karen Lambert-Gorwyn (Frome) Annie Booker (Bath), Jo Blackstone (Bath), Paul Lawrance (Saltford)

L-R: Ian Marsh (Bath), Steve Pillinger (Bath), Josh Jones (Bath), Len Taylor (Frome), Terry Wyatt (Bath)

Carol Spalding Director

www.clarksonsfuneraldirectors.co.uk contact@clarksonsfuneraldirectors.com

Sophie May Director

GARDENS

RISE and FALL

T

NICK WOODHOUSE takes a visit to the year-round treat that is Westonbirt Arboretum

he year’s last, loveliest smile” – John Howard Bryant’s description of autumn in his poem Indian Summer seems to describe Westonbirt Arboretum perfectly on a brisk October afternoon. As we rise effortlessly into the treetops on the elevated serpentine walkway, the sun is peeking through the leafy canopy enough to warm our faces but not enough to blind our view of the near 15,000 tree varieties on show here. The arboretum is a year-round treat but really comes into its own in these months. Leaves in russet, scarlet and mustard seem to glide elegantly and unassumingly to their seasonal home, carpeting the underfoot in a multi-coloured mosaic.

We have Robert Holford to thank for the arboretum’s creation. When he inherited the Westonbirt estate in 1839, he used the family’s wealth to become a patron for the very Victorian passion of planthunting. The sprawling British Empire was the hunting-ground itself, from which a vast array of plants was shipped. It was a passion that was rarely to bring fame or fortune; instead it cost some hunters their lives. Some plants have, however, become instantly recognisable staples of today’s garden centres and plant catalogues alike. At Westonbirt, some of the original discoveries can still to be found today. Take for instance the Monterey pine, shipped across continents from California or Mexico and now standing majestically almost two centuries later at the junction of two of the arboretum’s main drives.

Sadly, there is little in the form of records or correspondence to fully explain the arboretum’s layout. What is evident is Holford’s inclination towards the picturesque movement, a trend not particularly new at the time but one that has shaped many landscape gardens here on our doorstep. Capability Brown’s designs at familiar destinations such as Longleat, Bowood, Corsham, Kelston Park and Newton St Loe were intrinsically linked to this aesthetic trend best described by artist and author William Gilpin: “That peculiar kind of beauty which is agreeable in a picture”.

The main principles of a picturesque landscape come from contrast, be that between dense and open plantings, or in the variety between the projections, shapes and colour tones of trees.

The key, however, is to have a gradual, harmonious transition between these contrasts. Equally, the spectator must never be able

THE

to observe a whole area, but instead be left intrigued as to the full extent and detail of the space as a whole.

And the arboretum certainly never fails to intrigue. These days, however, this enchantment is not just the preserve of the wealthy landowner. The arboretum has now been in the hands of the Forestry Commission for over 60 years, their mission to protect and expand woodland areas in the UK as well as increasing their value to both the environment and society. True to that mission, the arboretum’s community-inclusion programme is aimed at providing visits for wellbeing groups as well as vulnerable adults with addiction or mental health issues. For those less able to get to the arboretum, an outreach programme is also in place, offering a multi-sensory exploration of the tree collection.

While the arboretum is keen to be sensitive to both its metaphorical and literal roots, it is also looking very much to the future. Only a third of the planet’s estimated 60,000 tree species have been assessed for conservation and, worryingly, almost half of those are thought to be endangered due to threats such as urbanisation and timber exploitation. The arboretum is doing what it can to hold back this tide, caring for around 100 such species as a living resource for researchers. To help us greater understand the threat, and what we might do to help, Westonbirt has released a thought-provoking booklet available to all visitors, highlighting a selection of these trees. Helpful detailing explains a tree’s origin, where it can be found in the arboretum, what it looks like, and what is putting it under threat.

Thankfully, nature always keeps us on our toes when it comes to finding the perfect time to capture the autumnal colours at their very best; so much so that the arboretum has its own Autumn Colour Hotline to keep visitors up to date on the progress of autumn colours. The sheer variety of specimens and provenance means that there is an opportunity to see these colours in a more extended season than we might expect elsewhere, so there is always something to thrill and enchant. Just as those Victorian planthunters would have wished.

ARBORETUM IS A YEAR-ROUND TREAT BUT REALLY COMES INTO ITS OWN IN THESE MONTHS

112 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Westonbirt Arboretum www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt Autumn Colour Hotline 0300 067 5691 Nick Woodhouse is the co-director of interior and garden design company Woodhouse & Law on 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; 01225 428072; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Photo by The Forestry Commission

Take a wander through the treetops via the raised serpentine walkway

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Suppliers of contemporary and traditional wood, gas and electric stoves, from leading manufacturers. Over 100 on display, many working and in fire place settings. Stove spares and glass, accessories, baskets, patio heaters, outdoor fires, flues, chimneys and cleaning equipment available. Extensive product and installation knowledge and a showroom in a country setting.

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h e at i n g s e r v i c e s a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

the warm winter touch John Williams Heating Services are one of the South West's leading heating and plumbing specialists

A

s the winter nights draw in – have you ever fancied the idea of a wood burning stove for your cosy snug or open planning living space? Do you want to enjoy the feel of a fire warming up your living room and creating a focal point in your home?

John Williams Heating Services are now able to install and service wood burning stoves. They are an accredited supplier with Worcester Bosch which offer the Greenstyle Hanbury and Greenstyle Bewdley models. However the team can also fit models by other manufacturers to suit your taste and style.

The Greenstyle Bewdley is crafted in steel to give sleek, smooth lines and a modern, square glass front. The robust, high-temperature resistant steel provides a rapid heat up time whilst an optional integral wood store provides a neat way to store wood as well as acting as a base.

The Greenstyle Hanbury has curved cabriole legs, cornice top and matt-black, cast-iron finish, suitable for both period and modern homes. The

beauty of cast iron is that, although it may take longer to heat up, it naturally retains the heat and gives off warmth long after logs have burned down.

The Hanbury also features a hearth ash catcher which increases protection from hot embers and makes the stove quicker and easier to clean.

When thinking about having a woodburning stove there are some questions you may wish to consider. These might include: Does my home need to have a chimney?

Stoves can be installed in homes with or without a chimney, however a flue is needed to safely remove the smoke, hot gases and other by-products created when wood burns. John Williams Heating Services can advise on how this can be achieved.

What can I burn in the stove?

It’s important the wood has less than 20% moisture. Any higher and it will not generate as much heat, create particle build up in the flue or chimney and blacken the glass of the door. Be aware many materials can give off dangerous fumes indoors and generate harmful environmental

emissions. Do not use painted, varnished, glued or pressure treated wood, driftwood or engineered wood such as MDF. Do I need planning consent or building regulation approval?

Fitting, altering or replacing an external flue or chimney, or having work done which affects a chimney, is likely to need building regulation approval. Planning consent is not normally required as long as certain conditions are met, John Williams Heating Services can advise on this.

Bumper’s Farm Industrial Estate Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 6LH www.jwheating.co.uk; 01249 709024

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

HORSEY HAVEN Upper Farm at West Littleton is complete with everything a horse-lover could dream of – from stables and paddocks to an Olympic-sized arena

By E V E LY N GR E E N

118 LIFELIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk 112 II BATH CLIFTON I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SHOWCASE

PROPERTY

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE LIFE II 119 www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON 113

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

T

here are 2.7 million horse-riders in Britain, so it stands to reason that being able to keep, ride and train your ponies on your own land is a winning scenario. And if you’re horse-mad, here’s a property that caters for the equestrian lifestyle to the letter.

Upper Farm, situated on the edge of the pretty village of West Littleton – about eight miles north of Bath – is ideally placed for equestrian use. To the south of the house is a low-lit Olympic-sized arena with cushion-track surface, guaranteeing consistent conditions all year round; there are also five stables with sealed wall-to-wall rubber matting, wash bay/solarium and feed/rug room. In addition, surrounding the house and garden are well-maintained and fenced paddocks with their own water supply and the added benefit of an all-year-round drained sand paddock track for turnout, even in the worst weather conditions.

But wait! There’s more. A lot more. To the east of the house is a newly constructed spa with a sauna, massage room and Jacuzzi – the ideal spot in which to luxuriate after a hard day’s cantering. And the south-westerly facing garden is a great feature of the house; it’s mainly laid to lawn, bordered with mature shrubs and trees, and there is a large terraced area which is perfect for entertaining in the summer months.

We’re off to a galloping start already, so on to the beautifully presented family home itself. It’s been dramatically enhanced by the current owners, and the accommodation is both generous and well planned. Having been the subject of a recent programme of redecoration and refurbishment, the property is wonderfully presented throughout and incorporates contemporary features and neutral colour schemes.

On the ground floor are three good reception rooms.

The open-plan kitchen, breakfast and family room lies at the heart of the house, featuring integrated appliances and contemporary white units; it is a great space for modern 120 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Clockwise, from top left: the pristine, roomy kitchen; beautiful touches in the gardens; the animal theme continues indoors; a rich colour scheme creates a sense of flow throughout the house

HOUSE NUMBERS

5,472

square foot of space

6

bedrooms

1

double garage

£2.95M price

6.5

acres of land

5

stables

1

Olympic-sized equestrian arena

family living. Beyond the kitchen is an impressive living room complete with high ceilings and doors to the garden.

Offering a wealth of space, it would work well as a room to entertain on a large scale.

Also on the ground floor is the dual-aspect drawing room leading through to the impressive conservatory/dining room with exposed stone walls. There’s also a utility room, boot room and cloakroom on this floor.

Upstairs is the spacious master bedroom with en suite shower room, walk-in wardrobe and fantastic views over the garden and land beyond. There are three further double bedrooms, one with en suite shower room, and the family bathroom. There is also a secondary staircase leading from the living room on the ground floor to a family room above.

This fantastic room is flooded with light, offering great views of the gardens and grounds. From this room, you have access to all of the first floor accommodation, too.

The property is far from explored yet, though. Adjoined to one end of the main house is a self-contained annexe, which offers the versatility to be integrated into the main house or to provide separate accommodation. Presented to a high standard, it comprises a sitting room with a separate area for a kitchen, bedroom, shower room and gym/study.

There’s also a self-contained one-bedroom apartment which sits opposite the main house over the driveway. It is fully fitted and comprises a large open-plan kitchen/living room, double bedroom with en suite, and a separate WC. The combination of a charming house presented in good order with flexible accommodation, extensive gardens and grounds and equestrian facilities, all located on the edge of a picturesque village, represents a wonderful family home.

We predict prospective home-owners will be racing to the finish line on this one…

Crisp Cowley, 7 York Street, Bath; 01225 789333; www.crispcowley.co.uk / Savills, Edgar House, 17 George Street Bath; 01225 474501; www.savills.co.uk

P r o p e r t y a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

a d v erti s in g feat u re P R O P E R T Y

LIFESTYLERS MAKE WINNING MOVE TO BATH RIVERSIDE Bath house hunters looking to unlock the door to a new way of living should consider a trip to the city’s most aspiring new property development.

O

ffering modern, flexible living spaces, open parks, landscaped courtyards and views like nothing else in the city, those wanting to change their lifestyle are being advised to take a closer look at Bath Riverside.

Once there they will be astounded by what has been achieved since work began over six years ago, resulting in a range of stunning new homes, boulevards, walkways and open space that has not only won a host of awards but sits perfectly within the Bath city scape.

Marcus Evans, sales and marketing director from developer Crest Nicholson said: “Those

who want to spend more time doing the things they enjoy, really should come and see why Bath Riverside has enriched the lives of those who now call it their home.

“The waterside location itself seems to have invigorated residents to go out and explore, and try new things that they perhaps didn’t consider before.

“Another big draw is the location. The short flat walk to the vibrant city-centre means those who live here can take advantage of all the attractions the world heritage city has to offer including the many shops, bars and cafes.”

Marcus is keen to point out that with a renowned creative flair, there is always something going on in the city.

Reflecting this exciting, modern attitude all of the properties at the development offer a specification and layout that better suits the needs of today’s discerning house hunter.

He added: “It’s a win, win for people who move here. Many have come from older properties so they’re spending less time and money on maintenance while having more time to enjoy the things they like.

“We all seem to be busier than ever and for some, using their downtime to do the things

they want has become much more important.

“To swap painting weather beaten window frames or tending the garden for trips to the theatre or enjoying a walk around Bath’s famous ‘skyline’ route has grabbed the attention of those looking for a change.

“And the appeal of this ‘doorstep’ lifestyle, and having everything close by and within walking distance, has certainly appealed.”

Those interested in seeing Bath Riverside for themselves, can visit the marketing suite on Victoria Bridge Road which is open daily from 10am to 5pm, where the friendly sales advisors can be reached on 01225 463517. Alternatively www.crestnicholson.com/bathriverside provides is a great way to find out more, including a virtual tour of the stunning show apartment.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 125

SERVICES GUIDE

HOME CARE

GUIDE to SERVICES in the

ALLERGY TESTING

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B AT H L I V E S

Q&A

T

his year is the 125th anniversary of the worldfamous Norland College in Upper Oldfield Park, Bath, and it’s a record-breaking year. Not only has the nanny college had its biggest ever intake of students (104) to start the prestigious – and unpredictable – childcare training, but it also illustrates the changing face of nannies for the 21st century, as there are seven male students studying there, the highest number to start at Norland in a single year. Here we chat with the college’s principal, Janet Rose…

I have worked at Norland College for just over a year…

My job as principal is primarily to drive the vision and overall direction of the college, ensuring we deliver outstanding education and training for Norland students and maintain our premier reputation as the best early-years education establishment in the world.

I was formerly a primary school teacher…

After further postgraduate study, I went on to work at several universities as a research fellow and ran early-years undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. In between, I ran my own business, and ended up as a reader in education at Bath Spa University before joining Norland.

I’ve never been a nanny myself…

I was lucky enough to have part-time nannies for my children – not Norlanders, alas (I was living in Belgium and Holland at the time, which was not a choice destination for them).

The best bit about my job is…

The people, for sure. It’s the best work environment I’ve ever experienced because of the staff and students.

Norland Nanny training involves everything from evasive driving to martial arts...

They’ve been learning first aid, life-saving, evasive driving and martial arts for some years now, but we have a brand new addition in the form of cyber security training from former military intelligence officers, to help the nannies cope with modern-day challenges. They also still spend 50 per cent of the course out on placement in families, schools and hospitals, and learn all the traditional skills of cooking and sewing.

We endeavour to ensure our students receive a high-quality, cutting-edge education that will ensure they have a deep understanding of the best ways to promote children’s development, learning and wellbeing.

JANET ROSE The principal of the world-famous Norland College discusses the unexpected training Norland nannies receive – including evasive driving and martial arts – and the one thing she would change about Bath if she had the power…

We have a grand total of seven males studying at Norland…

A small but significant number. We’re proud to be playing a part in helping men break gender stereotypes and to challenge societal perceptions of their chosen career. All our students receive the same training. We’re also really pleased to be welcoming students from a range of different backgrounds, with 85 per cent of our students coming from the state sector. We’re pleased our widening participation campaign is helping to promote social mobility and to change some of the common misconceptions of a Norland Nanny.

I used to live in Bath as a child…

My father was in the Navy and was based here on different occasions. My sisters boarded at what is now the Royal High for many years, and I went to the junior school as a day student for a while, as well as Combe Down Primary. So, in many ways, I feel I’ve lived in Bath for most of my life. But I’ve only moved back here in the last three years.

Bath is the most beautiful city in England...

It’s complete with a river and canal, and is surrounded by countryside. A perfect blend. And it has a Christmas Market too.

My favourite places to visit in the city are…

The Velo Lounge – luckily just around the corner from our new site in Upper Oldfield Park – and a mobile pizza place called Bianco Rosso. They make the best pizzas in the world. I get one every

130 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Friday from Freshford. I also love all the gift shops in Bath. They’re so good that my friends in Devon come up to do all their present shopping in Bath.

My ideal view in Bath is…

The one from Alexandra Park where you can enjoy a panoramic view of both the city and the green countryside as you walk around the park.

I like to while away my spare time…

Anywhere along the canal, where I like to run.

If I had the power to change anything about Bath, I would…

Bring the ocean and a beach to its door, as these are the only thing Bath lacks.

The most special people in my life are…

My two wonderful children, Cameron and Katrina.

Something that not many people know about me is…

I trained as a firefighter in my 20s. Oh, and I can repeat every single line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

My best moments in life were…

Getting my PhD and, of course, becoming principal of Norland.

www.norland.co.uk