Bath Life – issue 352

Dining/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property @BathLifeMag

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE CITY

DINE IN STYLE

ISSUE 352 / 10 – 24 NOVEMBER 2017 / FEELING FESTIVE

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE IVY BATH BRASSERIE

ISSUE 352 / 10 – 24 NOVEMBER 2017 / £3

GETTING FESTIVE

BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET BUYS

WINTER WARMERS VISIT THE COSIEST LOCAL PUBS

FASHION GETS FIERY CELEBRATE THE COLOUR OF THE SEASON

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL WOW-FACTOR WINES

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY

MANE ATTRACTIONS

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 352 / 10 – 24 NOVEMBER 2017

58

MERRY AND BRIGHT

It’s getting festive in the city

PHOTO BY NEILL MENNEER, AS FEATURES IN HIS BOOK, BATH. A PICTORIAL JOURNEY

Christmas countdown At some point into the shelf-life of this very issue of Bath Life, the yuletide merriments in the city will have commenced – and we can’t wait. There’s everything from the award-winning Bath Christmas Market and the bedecked tree outside the Bath Abbey, to breathtaking choral concerts around the city, a festive street food market, pop-up coming-together spots, and the return of the much-loved Victorian carousel on Stall Street (as features on our front cover) to look forward to. On page 58, a local photographer recommends where else to visit in Bath during this time of year to get some impressive snaps; and turn to page 84 for a sneak peek at the exciting array of items – from artworks to jewellery – you’ll be able to bag at the Bath Christmas Market.

Sticking with the wintry theme, we’ve been spending our time visiting the cosiest pubs and bars in and around Bath. These watering holes don’t just offer a warm and toasty atmosphere, but they are thoroughly intriguing – there’s a magical one that featured in Harry Potter, one which is haunted by a poltergeist called Albert, and one where sworddancing is a regular occurrence (page 38).

Elsewhere, we lust after the season’s blazing-hot colour palette (page 86); indulge our taste buds at The Ivy Bath Brasserie (page 74); and take a look at the Christmas tipples that are sure to impress guests (page 76).

Have a jolly one.

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

FEATURES / ISSUE 352 / 10 – 24 NOVEMBER 2017

The alcoves at The Dark Horse are perfect if you want to hide from the cold

38

WINTERWARMERS

From the quirky pub shaped like a coffin, to the inn full of fascinating facts – we go in search of cosy watering (and eating) holes

122 Bath Lives

We discuss why you should always look up in Bath, with author Justin Postlethwaite

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

REGULARS / ISSUE 352 / 10 – 24 NOVEMBER 2017

THE ARTS

Comfort food and luxury at The Ivy Bath Brasserie

49 Arts intro Artistic licence from Dan Parry-Jones

50 What’s on Time to update the events diary

58 Picture this Neill Menneer finds focus in Bath

69 Bookshelf Nic Bottomley gets that warm and fuzzy feeling

74 Restaurant Style and substance at The Ivy Bath Brasserie

76 Wine

81 Food & drink news

83 Shopping intro Perfectly sculpted at The Small Shop in Bath

84 Editor’s choice You chalet find gifts at Bath Christmas Market

86 Fashion The power-palette for ladies in red

LIFEST YLE 95 Health & beauty An uplifting non-surgical facelift

Deputy editor Samantha Walker sam.walker@mediaclash.co.uk 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, Philippa May, Angela Mount and Nic Bottomley 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

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

Full-figured bottles from Angela Mount

SHOPPING

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

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

FOOD

Le Vignoble, The Scallop Shell and the Festive Street Food Market

M E ET T H E T EAM

Bath Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash

74

© All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

98 Car review

PROPERT Y

Shapeshifting design and power, Lexus style

112 Property showcase

BUSINESS 101 Business insider News, views and interiews from the region’s professionals

Space and light aplenty in this period property in Bailbrook Lane

DEPARTMENTS 11 14 27 29

Spotlight Society A man’s world Inside story

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

On the cover The Victorian carousel heralds the return of the Bath Christmas Market.

For more; pages 11 and 84.

Photo credit: www.visitbath.co.uk

BATH: ITS LIFE AND TIMES

SHOPPING

CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED The Bath Christmas Market is now in its 17th year and, with 200 chalets around the Abbey and just a snowball’s throw away in Abbey Green, it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

And we’re feeling smug, as Bath residents will be able to curl their hands round a mug of warming mulled wine, nibble on roasted nuts and other seasonal wares first, as there’s a special evening just for locals on 22 November from 5pm.

Prepare for your ears to be enchanted too, with choirs, carol singers, musicians and theatre students adding to the thrill of the market. This includes the magical Snow Queen gliding around the chalets on 23 November, while the Rock Choir on 23 November and 9 – 10 December, will certainly rouse the crowds.

“Over 80 per cent of the stallholders come from Bath and the South West, and an impressive 99 per cent of all products are either handmade by the stallholders’ own hands, in Britain, or abroad with Fairtrade certification,” says Vicky Bunt, head of events at VisitBath.

“When you shop at the Bath Christmas Market, you are also supporting all of the wonderful small business owners.”

Little ones will enjoy storytelling and activity sessions in the crypt of St Michael’s Without Church, including making Christmas decorations.

The market runs until 10 December.

PHOTO CREDIT: VISITBATH AND PAOLO FERLA

You can almost smell the mulled wine...

For more: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk and page 84

CASH FOR CHRISTMAS! We have immediate starts available in Midsomer Norton and surrounding areas!

Call us TODAY on 01761 235741

Simple Recruitment Ltd, Chanel House, South Road, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 2EZ enquiries@simplerecruitment.co.uk Follow us:

SPOTLIGHT

The Forum will be rocking when Kim comes a-knocking

EVENTS

WILDE AT HEART

PHOTO CREDIT: KATRIEN VERCAIGNE

Kids In America singer Kim Wilde is back – and coming to Bath as part of a 19-date tour.

The Chequered Love, Cambodia and You Keep Me Hangin’ On star will perform new material at The Forum on 4 March, plus plenty of singalong hits from her back catalogue.

Kim was named Best British Female Singer at the BPI Awards (the forerunner to the BRIT Awards), and has also supported legendary artist David Bowie.

She took a break from music and became a respected gardener, but says her floral forays are not as exciting as being back in the spotlight.

“I don’t think I’ve toured the UK for over 30 years so I can’t wait to play this brand-new show with my fantastic band,” she says.

“We are going to be playing my biggest hits and some fabulous tracks from the new album, which is coming out next spring. We can’t wait.”

For more: www.bathforum.co.uk

FUNDRAISING

GET THE ABBEY HABIT FOR CHARITY’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Stephen Girling and Stephen Chesworth get into the spirit of the sleep-in

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

Supporters of homelessness charity Julian House will be swapping beds for pews at a vigil and sleep-in to mark its 30th anniversary.

The vigil will start at Bath Abbey at 9.30pm on 17 November, with the sleep-in starting at midnight. It will end at 8am the following day.

“This ‘bookends’ our celebrations for this milestone year,” says Julian House’s community and events fundraiser Stephen Chesworth.

“We hope that people attending the vigil will go away inspired by the work of Julian House in the communities it serves and,

those who decide to sleep-in, experience what it is like not to sleep in a comfortable bed overnight by sleeping on the floor or the pews of the Abbey.

“Even so, conditions will be nowhere near as harsh inside the Abbey as on the streets of Bath.”

As well as running vitally important emergency hostel accommodation, Julian House also provides ongoing support, and works to tackle the underlying problems that lead to homelessness.

People are asked to register for the sleep-in and vigil, which will be led by Stephen Girling, Bath Abbey missioner.

For more: www.julianhouse.org.uk

BONITI NATURAL STONE FLOORING | EVERHOT RANGE COOKERS TIMBER FLOORING | GARDEN FURNITURE

WWW.BONITI.COM | 01225 892 200 | SHOWROOM@BONITI.COM

Adventures in party-going

Rod Laver is no card shark

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

CROWD PLEASER

A gala evening marked the start of Komedia Bath’s crowdfunding campaign for community ownership on 12 October.

Actress Anita Harris was a surprise guest and told the audience her grandfather Emmanuel built the venue nearly 100 years ago – and why she wants to see it continue.

Komedia needs to raise £350,000 by 10pm on 21 November to achieve its goal of being owned by the community, with comedian and venue favourite Katherine Ryan among those sending messages of support.

“Komedia is a vital linchpin of Bath’s thriving arts community,” says Eleanor Household, who is Komedia’s head of development and leading the project.

“If Komedia is unable to support all the wonderful things that happen in Bath, including Bath’s festivals, emerging talent and local businesses, it will create a chain reaction that will no doubt affect the whole ‘ecosystem’ of live entertainment, both locally and nationally.”

SPONSORED BY:

Adrian Boreham and Richard Daws

The Hot Potato Syncopators get in the groove

Photos by Soul Media www.soul-media.co.uk

What a Carry On with Anita Harris and Mike Margolis

Janine Solomon-Gardner and Mary Brown Dan Gregory and Libby Borton

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

Hoop dreams from Alexandra Hofgartner

Nick Page, English Comedian of the Year 2017

Christmas Begins at Rossiters

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

BODY OF WORK

Kirstie Rowlandson and Elissa Kelly

An autumn exhibition was held at Waller & Wood, previously known as the One Two Five Gallery, to celebrate artist Gary Wood’s work on the theme of torso.

This striking body of work was created in painted stoneware, with texture and contours emphasised by beautiful metallic glazes. Gary’s exhibition aimed to capture associations made with the human form as a contemplative presence, and also to reveal subtle qualities of surface and shape.

The exhibition was dedicated to the memory of Bath-based writer Ian Wilson, who was a friend and supporter of Gary Wood and his partner Carole Waller.

Photos by David Shoukry www.englishphotoworks.com

Gary Wood Carmen Schmidt

Peter Cockhill and Fran Landsman Admiring Gary Wood’s Torso

Gail Barker and Celia Fazan Charlotte Bolton

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

Brian Goodsell

Secure your Home in Style.

Add an additional layer of security to your home with the brand new range of aluminium security shutters from S-Craft. Now available at Aspect Window Styling.

01225 469 559 info@aspectwindowstyling.co.uk www.aspectwindowstyling.co.uk or visit our showroom 1 Saracen Street, Bath, BA1 5BR

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

TECH SAV V Y Guests at October’s Bath Life Business Club gained an insight into tech companies, thanks to speaker Tom Lewis, the owner of The Guild coworking hub.

The event, at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, also looked at new ways of working and why Tom feels the commercial property scene in Bath needs to adapt for start-up businesses.

As well as the thought-provoking conversation, guests also enjoyed a fine two-course lunch.

For more on the Bath Life Business Club, see page 106.

Eleanor Household and Matt Delargy

Photos by David Shoukry www.englishphotoworks.com

Charlie Salter

Carmella Tempier and Jonathan Walker

Lauren Prince and Martin Warnes

Naomi Summers, Dale Gregor and Philip Lawrence

Susan Harrison and Lisa Howells

Francesca Kite and Danica Clements Nicala Clapperton and Rob Moore

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

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

CREATIVE COLLABORATION A party was held to celebrate a collaboration between artist Emma Rose and sculptress Rachel Stormonth Darling.

The arty event took place at Emma’s Wellow studio, with guests enjoying a convivial atmosphere and being able to browse the artworks.

Massive sculptures and lights were woven into the outside greenery, with the studio providing a contrast with the wild gardens beyond.

Georgie Cooney and Madeline Waters John Rose and Jason Moore Lady and Lord Hartigan

Lindsay and Ted Baker

Seabury Burdett Coutts and Joan Partridge

Lisa Fraser, Rebecca Wordsworth, Vanessa Lloyd and Imy Moore

Ayca Wheating, Lexie Voisey, Rebecca Coke and Emma Rose 20 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Sarah Sell and Jules Lowrie

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

SAKE TO ME Sake-tasting was on the menu at an event organised by the Bath Beppu Friendship Association (BBFA).

The Flavour of Japan event was part of the Great Bath Feast, with guests sampling premium sake – rice wine – Japan’s national drink.

Guests also enjoyed traditional wagashi sweets, Japanese treats often served with tea, as well as sushi, and discovered more about the country’s rich food and drink culture.

The event’s main sponsor was the Kayashima Sake Brewing Co.

Enjoying a good vintage Trying on a traditional kimono

Photos by Tony McNicol www.tonymcnicolphotography.com

Natsuko and Peter Stroud with Edward Leather and Peter Stroud

Sampling some sake

Rie Yoshitake and Kaoru Jacques A very special brew

Yukie Williams

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

Susume Kayashima, Paul Crossley, Rob Appleyard, Hiroaki Kaneto and Masahiro Katayama

SOCIETY

SPONSORED BY:

PARALLEL LINES Thought-provoking reflections on architecture were celebrated at an event at The Edge, based at the University of Bath.

Guests at the Parallel (of Life and) Architecture exhibition enjoyed a drinks reception for its opening.

The exhibition brought together three duos of architects, artists and designers – Assemble and Simon Terrill, Warren and Mosley, and The Decorators and GOIG, to look at the legacy of architects Alison and Peter Smithson.

Interactive art Living life on The Edge

Photos by Francesca Petryszak www.franpphotography.com

The exhibition brought together architectural duos

Raising a glass to the exhibition

LITERATURE LAUNCH The art deco splendour of The Forum, Bath, was the venue for the launch of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival.

The event brought much-loved wordsmiths to Bath, including Miranda Hart, Jacqueline Wilson and Nadiya Hussain.

Photos by Julian Foxon www.jfoxon.co.uk

Heidi Hughes, Jo Duncan, Conor Busutill and Katherine Livesey

Sophie Cleverly, Fox Benwell, Lucy Christopher, Rajiv Edward and Ed Shire Lynda Bevan, Ian Stockley and John Cullum

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

Cheryl, Ava and Leon Gilmartin

A MAN’S WORLD

DAVID FLATMAN

OUT IN THE COLD Bath might be icy-cold and Dickens-dark, but the city still manages to give Flats the warm fuzzies

B

y a mile, I reckon those freezing-cold, sharp morning walks are about as good as it gets in Bath. Drifting down into Victoria Park this week with my ageing bull terrier, I did something that made me feel both old and grateful: I stopped to admire the view. It was misty, properly cold, and perfect. Then it was ruined, as a frankly grumpy photographer chap shrieked at me as if a meteor was coming. All that was coming was, in fact, a natural delivery from the backside of said dog, it just happened to be three feet from his next shot. “Calm your jets, old chap,” I said, “I’ve got it covered.” “Keep that ruddy thing on a lead!” he replied with venom. Ah, Bath. I mean, who even says ‘ruddy’ anymore?

We ignored his misguided aversion to my dog’s physical appearance, and returned to the beauty that faced us. Well, I did. The dog ran off (he’s his own man, which I rather respect) and I ended up finding him over on St James Square, being stroked by the nicest old lady in Europe. Then we walked! We walked and we walked. We took in Somerset Place (had a nose through some windows – wow), Lansdown Crescent, Portland Place, Camden, and ended up passing the Richmond Arms.

Once home, still a little over-warmed by our snail-slow pootle, I opened up the big windows and sat to actually read that weekend supplement I’d been using as a coffee cup coaster for a week. It was all rather grown-up, and all rather Bath. I mean, I didn’t read it. I wanted to, but the dog began to regurgitate all of that lovely grass

he’d consumed en route. But the intent was there.

When icy-cold and Dickens-dark, Bath feels to me like a ghost town, punctuated by glowing, inviting restaurant lights and cosy, huddled sitting rooms. Of course, once your sitting room has been stepped into, wild children, full dishwashers, barking bloody dogs, and malfunctioning wi-fi shatter the daydream somewhat, but one look out of the window onto the glowing lights of the city does warm one up a little.

Typically, I was in my shorts and T-shirt last week as I walked down Milsom Street, people wondering what sunny planet I’d come from. I fancied a quick, hot shot of coffee and I ducked into The Ivy. Not only did they not mention my inappropriate get-up, they took me in and brought me coffee. That coffee turned into lunch, which turned into more coffee. As I walked – my electric bike had run out of battery – back up the hill to home, again the wrapped-up masses scuttled from meeting to meeting. I thought, as they scuttled, of just how lucky we all are to be in Bath in the winter. I said as much to Mrs F when I got home with her takeaway baguette. “Whatever,” she replied without even making eye contact, “I’ve just found cat sh*t in our en suite.” Ah, time to gaze back out of that window.

TYPICALLY, I WAS IN MY SHORTS AND T-SHIRT, PEOPLE WONDERING WHAT SUNNY PLANET I’D COME FROM

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

INSIDE S T O RY

PHILIPPA MAY

A NEW DAY

PAST GIANTS HAVE BEEN GREETED BY NEW, YOUNGER BUSINESSES AND EXCITING BRANDS

Whether you’re shopping stand-out furniture at Neptune, or pretty accessories at Abbott Lyon, there’s plenty to discover in Bath’s array of new, exciting stores

T

he Bath street scene has evolved massively over the past decade, retail has become a different ballgame with more consumers turning to the internet to shop, and a lot of bricks-and-mortar stores heading into decline. I’ve noticed in the past year, however, that this seems to be going full circle, and online retailers are following their success on the web by opening new shops, and so a new cycle has started!

We’ve seen a shift in the high street where past giants have been greeted by new, younger businesses and exciting brands that have revolutionised the way we shop, but it looks as though the consumers have changed, too, and, like me, more people are craving a more personal way of shopping. They want to be greeted by the owners, know the story of the brand and feel like they’ve discovered a new friend.

I’ve been excited in the past few weeks by fresh faces appearing in Bath with the same feeling. Ollie Quinn has been spotted with their beautiful hanging greenery, minimal decor and deep-hued subway tiles letting their affordable, design-led eyewear to do the

The sparkling interior of the new Milsom Street shop Abbott Lyon

talking. Like many of the new retail spaces we’re encountering at the moment, they are putting an emphasis on the fact that a shop doesn’t have to feel like a shop, it should be an experience. This isn’t a new notion as we’ve seen over the past few years the likes of Sweaty Betty and Anthropologie doing very similar things, but it’s lovely to see that the idea is catching on.

If you haven’t seen it yet, and you’re an interiors enthusiast like me, you’ll be excited to know that Walcot Street is about to get even more interesting as it starts to build a reputation for the best homeware shops in Bath: Neptune is here. This wonderfully traditional and yet subtly contemporary company has been on the radar for years – they were conceived in Wiltshire 20 years ago – and has gone from strength to strength, still managing to keep their brand feeling wholesome and special. Their ability to create furniture that would look stand-out in any style of house is their fortune, but the fact that they still care so much about the craft is the way they forge themselves into people’s lives as more than just a homeware brand. Beautifully presented in every way, a walk around their store will have you pining for absolutely everything like a jealous guest at a friend’s beautiful new house. Forget treating yourself to a new chair, you’ll be signing for a new kitchen as every showroom evokes a real sense of home and a story you want to be a part of and that’s probably because it grew from a local family with the same story.

More retailers are turning to this ethos and the high street is becoming less of a faceless stream of big brands and more about having shops that feel welcoming, are beautifully well thought-out and make you feel as though you can drop by for a chat anytime.

Bath is the perfect city for this type of shopping, with thriving independents as well as big chains; the city is still small and friendly enough for them to work in unison. Many of these have been working together with collaborations that give their customers a more unique and special experience in store. Whether it’s Space NK offering up bespoke appointments with touring By Terry specialists, The Juice Collective pitching up with Bertinet Bakery for a Saturday juice and croissant or Brissi styling out the new addition to Milsom Street – Abbott Lyon with their plush grey velvets to create an accessories shop that feels more like a lifestyle. This Christmas I’m excited to put down the laptop and go on an adventure sround Bath, feeling out the new shops and new friends that are to be made, what could be better than a glass of fizz and a chat whilst getting those pesky last-minute gifts…

Philippa May is an interiors enthusiast and the designer and brand creative manager for accessories label Abbott Lyon. Follow her on Instagram @_ philippamay_

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 29

Cosy up From a magical one that featured in Harry Potter, and one which was frequented by Noël Coward, to one haunted by a poltergeist called Albert, and one where sword-dancing is a regular occurrence, here we visit the eclectic mix of pubs, bars and inns in and around Bath By l i sa e va ns

If you choose to arrive at Sign of the Angel – built in 1480 – by horse, you would still have a legal right of way through their passageway

FOOD AND DRINK

L

et’s face it: it’s going to be a cold one from here on out, but instead of braving the elements only to get washed out, nip into a cosy, local pub (because good pubs are wonderful things, and Bath’s definitely not short of them). But cosiness is not all that these establishments offer; there’s a great deal of tales, history, spooky goings-on, and good old-fashioned fun behind their doors, too. So here are some of our favourite, and thoroughly intriguing, watering holes in the vicinity…

GOOD VIBES

Take out all the people for a moment, what gives a pub its atmosphere? It’s a combination of many qualities – including décor, music and lighting – but the background of the building, and the stories embedded the bricks and mortar can offer so much, too…

In and around Bath, there are a plethora of establishments rich with history and interesting tales. The Dark Horse on Kingsmead Square, for example, chose its name in homage to the building’s past (The Black Horse pub, which used to occupy the space, closed over 100 years ago); and Jon Ingall, deputy manager of The Star Inn, says The Star, which you’ll find on the Vineyards, Bath, had a close call in 1942, when the Luftwaffe delivered an unwanted gift to the house opposite.

There was bomb-damage to the windows and

The Dark Horse has been voted into the top 10 best bars in the world at the Tales of the Cocktail awards, the Oscars of the bar world

HARRY POTTER COMES OUT OF A

FIREPLACE IN ONE OF THE FILMS, AND THAT IS ONE OF OUR FIREPLACES

front wall of the pub, and the plans for wartime repairs can still be seen on the wall inside.

Box’s The Northey Arms, so Mark Warburton, the director of OHH Pub Company, tells us, was frequented by the late Maisie Gay and Noël Coward; and, if you visit the pretty village of Marshfield, stand outside the building that houses The Catherine Wheel – which owner Roo Allison explains is at least three centuries old and was originally a merchant’s house – and you’ll spot the array of original, carved stone faces staring down at you from under the eaves.

The Hideout, a little 25-seater with a warm, personal feel on Bath’s Lilliput Court, dates back to, as far as the owners know, 1751, and was, they say, once the living quarters for the servants of Hamilton House.

“Many moons ago, when smugglers would bring booze and other illicit substances through Bristol, Bath would be one of their stopping points, and our little Hideout used to be where they would stay,” says Callum Rixson, general manager. “They would knock on the door, offering booze and many other delights, and they would be let into the cellar (now the bar) with the servants where they would imbibe, tell tales, and keep the fires stoked for the lords of the manor above.”

Sign of the Angel in Lacock has such a magical quality to it that location scouts made it the setting of the fictional Babberton Arms in the village of Budleigh Babberton in Harry Potter.

“Harry comes out of a fireplace in one of the films, and that is one of our fireplaces,” says Tom w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 39

The Castle Inn a beautiful family pub at the top of the hill, overlooking Bradford on Avon.

Recently refurbished, to celebrate our 10th birthday, we have two relaxing dining areas and bar, a large garden with plenty of seating and four luxury guest rooms.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, great wine, local ales and ciders.

Open all day, children and dogs welcome.

www.flatcappers.co.uk The Castle Inn, Mount Pleasant, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1SJ 01225 865 657 • thecastle@flatcappers.co.uk

FOOD AND DRINK

Nicholas, partner at Sign of the Angel. “The coaching inn was built in 1480 and has bags of character. If, today, you chose to arrive by horse, you would still have a legal right of way through our passageway.”

As for the building which is now The Bell Inn – a freehouse cooperatively owned by 500 or so of its customers – on Walcot Street, its age is indeterminate, but cellarman Jamie Matthews reckons its probably Jacobean – judging by the filled-in windows hidden at the back. “The front was ‘Georgian-ified’ when the Palladian style became all the rage,” he says. “There is some record of it having been a pub since the early 18th century, and it was originally a coaching inn (the unusual concave bow-windowed shopfront opposite the gates was to allow coaches and horses to turn into our yard). And, in the 19th century, we had our own brewery on site.”

The Bell Inn prides itself on welcoming “young and old, male and female, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, left and right” through its doors

GHOSTLY GOINGS-ON

AND LIFEDRAWING

Mischievous poltergeists and a former landlady are among the spirits reported to be haunting our local pubs…

As with most old buildings, there are rumours of a ghost – a former landlady who they call the ‘grey lady’ – who haunts the Sign of the Angel; there’s a poltergeist called Albert, who frequently causes unexplained disturbances on the premises, lurking at Bath’s The Wheelwrights Arms; and a mischievous spirit named Pickford moves items and turns on the ladies’ hand dryer at The Star.

One other peculiar feature of the Grade-II listed Star Inn, which was built in around 1759,

THERE’S

SWORDDANCING ON A

TUESDAY, CLASSES

ON A WEDNESDAY

is that it is coffin-shaped. “Legend has it that the architect also made coffins, and he built a coffin-shaped building to advertise his business,” says Jon Ingall. “Although, it’s worth noting that the plot of land was also coffin-shaped in the first place, so it’s just as likely to have been born of practicality. The little wooden bench outside the front door is also coffin-shaped, in homage, and, continuing the theme, our smaller bar area features a long bench known as ‘death row’ where a complimentary pinch of snuff can still be found in tins.”

At The Curfew (which is housed in a building that dates back to the 1820s) there’s apparently an apparition lurking in the basement, as Emily Brew, who owns the stylish pub on Cleveland Place West with her husband, Dan, explains.

“Originally built as a home, the building was transformed into an apothecary store. Later in its life, it was a bookstore (hence our homage to books in our upstairs lounge), an off-licence, then a pub. If rumours are to be believed, we have a ghost downstairs; we have been contacted by a number of ghost-hunters, eager to visit us for a glimpse of something spooky.”

ALL FUN AND GAMES

An ideal pub, in our opinion, has to have that certain indefinable soul or spirit that just makes you feel at home – and, sometimes, that’s heightened by live music, pub quizzes, games, or even sword-dancing and pub choir…

Uninterrupted by music or machines, conversation among the locals is the theme w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 41

FOOD AND DRINK

at The Star most nights of the week. But on Friday nights, the mood changes with an Irishthemed band, and, on Sunday evenings you’ll catch traditional folk singing at the pub. If that doesn’t take your fancy, perhaps dominoes, cards, cribbage or Shove Ha’penny will. In these colder months, pub games by the fire are also the order of the day at The George in Bradford on Avon, but you can also enjoy The George’s garden where cosy throws and lanterns will take the edge off the chill.

For Louis Lewis-Smith, managing director at The Dark Horse – which was, this year, voted in the top 10 best bars in the world at the Tales of the Cocktail awards, the Oscars of the bar world – music is a most essential mood-setter. “You cannot create a convivial atmosphere, you can only create the right vessel to allow it to develop,” he says. “I think we’ve cracked that. The music here is made up of playlists curated from my record collection of over 20 years. It’s full of rarities and oddities and forms a huge feature of the bar. I’ve spent years mixing them in my recording studio, and it’s another constantly evolving piece of The Dark Horse.”

Music is intrinsic at The Bell Inn, too, as Jamie Matthews explains, “We have live music in the main bar on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays.

Our music promoter Steve Henwood (who works out of the Bath Fringe office on the premises) books a gloriously eclectic range of artists – mostly from the jazz and roots fields. Expect the unexpected.

“In addition, Thursdays see open mic nights in the Back Bar,” he adds. “This space also hosts workshops, cinema, rehearsals and the occasional private function. There’s also plenty of other stuff to keep you occupied – from bar billiards and 42 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

If numbers get you going, then be impressed by The Hideout’s range of over 170 whiskies from all over the world

LEGEND

HAS IT THAT THE ARCHITECT ALSO MADE

COFFINS,

AND HE BUILT A COFFINSHAPED

BUILDING

TO ADVERTISE HIS

BUSINESS

table footie, to pool and chess.”

At The Curfew, the offering is rather varied.

There’s a DJ on the first Saturday of every month, pub choir on a Monday, sword-dancing on a Tuesday, and life-drawing classes on a Wednesday.

And at The Northey Arms – which boasts 10 tastefully decorated bedrooms – pétanque enthusiasts can brush up on their skills on the boules pistes in the garden, where there’s also a children’s play area, patio heaters, and awnings.

You can also partake in the sell-out monthly quiz on the first Tuesday of each month, or the regular jazz evenings with dinner at the relaxed, familyfriendly Wheelwrights Arms (check out their fairy light-studded garden, too, with a view of Limpley Stoke valley not to be missed).

WHAT’S YOUR POISON?

Whether you’re a dedicated whiskey fan, or a cocktail connoisseur...

Louis at The Dark Horse says his favourite drink on his menu at the moment is the juice of fresh ginger root mixed with scotch, honey and lemon.

Above all else, his focus is on local producers, brewers and farmers. Each day, the team create their own syrups and cordials from fresh, local produce, and the cocktails are fashioned from juices made on the spot, which, Louis divulges, is the secret behind them being so damn tasty.

All of the beers and ciders at Sign of the Angel are from within a tight radius, too, and Tom’s favourite warming tipple for a winter’s night is a Box Steam Brewery Funnel Blower – a porter with chocolate and vanilla flavours – best sipped while gazing into the fire. The White Horse Inn in Compton Bassett is renowned for its wellvaried selection of Wiltshire-brewed real ales and craft ciders; The Northey Arms has an own- w

In its former life, The Curfew was a bookstore, hence the pub’s homage to good reads in their upstairs lounge

FOOD AND DRINK brewed pale Ale on offer; and most of The Bell’s ales are from local independent breweries too.

Meanwhile, back at The Curfew, if you can make your way past the dogs sitting patiently in the hope of a biscuit from the bar, enjoy a Wadworth ale, or, if cocktails and gin blends appeal, these are a new addition.

If numbers get you going, then be impressed by The Hideout’s range of over 170 whiskies from all over the world, and heed Callum’s suggestion of a CrabSmasher, if you’re brave enough.

“The Hideout is the birthplace of the CrabSmasher,” he says. “One night, we thought to ourselves ‘What do we love?’, and we reached for Scapegrace Goldilocks Gin, Ardbeg 10-year-old, and green Chartreuse – a French herbal liqueur.

Upon realising the mixture needed a colour to match its name, we added a dash of deep red Peychaud’s bitters to these intense flavours, and the CrabSmasher was created. This little bit of fun we had on this faithful night has spread all over the country; multiple bars in London have added it to their menu.”

This modern concoction juxtaposes with the rather more traditional offering at The Star, a classic example of an untouched multi-roomed English public house, where beer is still served from the jug. But much like The Hideout, one of its focuses is cockle-warming whisky – ranging from smooth, easy-going lowlands like Glenkinchie, all the way to the smoky, phenolic Islay malts like Lagavulin.

Legend has it that the architect of the building that houses The Star Inn also made coffins, and built a coffin-shaped building to advertise his business

TOP EATS

Here are the signature dishes and bar treats you can look forward to…

Overseen by chef Jon Furby, who has won multiple regional and national awards during his time in the West Country, the menu at food-led inn Sign of the Angel is a high-quality yet casual affair, featuring dishes such as sticky ox cheek with dauphinoise and a rich port sauce, and bass with crab and orange risotto.

The White Horse Inn – a classic, country freehouse set in extensive grounds in the heart of the countryside – has an award-winning restaurant offering everything from a light, pubstyle lunch to a special-occasion dinner, both of which offer a taste of Wiltshire. “We make the most of the outstanding pork from Buttle Farm,” says general manager Kristian Goodwin.

“We source from the many smallholdings in the village; we can honestly say that every meal served has a touch of Compton Bassett in it.

We also have two gardens dedicated to al fresco dining, and a large paddock housing our resident sheep, pigs and geese.”

With an AA rosette for their cuisine, you’ll find classic dishes such as beef wellington, and roast partridge with game pie at The George; over at The Curfew, indulge in their signature chilli con carne; try the new gourmet burger offering at The Northey Arms; sample the West Country cheeseboard with homemade chutney at The Dark Horse; get a taste of the Butcombe 44 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

THEY WOULD OFFER BOOZE AND MANY OTHER DELIGHTS, AND THEY WOULD BE LET INTO THE CELLAR (NOW THE BAR) WITH THE

SERVANTS

beer-battered fish and triple-cooked chips at The Wheelwrights Arms; and go for a hearty steak and kidney pie at The Catherine Wheel.

While summer at The Bell Inn means The Pizza Bike sets up in the garden, winter sees the introduction of hearty stews made on the premises; the pub also offers vegan and veggie treats from Bath’s Harvest Natural Foods.

WINTER WARMERS

Above all, these pubs are cosy – just the kinds of places to head for now that the nights have drawn in…

The centuries-old, honey-stoned Sign of the Angel – which is Alistair Sawday’s Pub/Inn of the Year 2016/17 in the UK – looks warm and welcoming from the outside (it has a lovely cottage garden, too) and lives up to its promise once you enter.

Each of the rooms in the pub have significant inglenook fireplaces that dominate the space, so all is warm and toasty, and the interior boasts large exposed beams, ancient wooden staircases and historic wood-panelling. And, being located in the National Trust village of Lacock – the setting of Downton Abbey and Cranford – means that a visit to the inn can be part of a day out exploring the village and abbey.

Get ready to snuggle up at the 16th-century building that is home to The George, where low lighting, wall sconce candles, squashy leather chesterfields, plush throws, and four – count them – crackling open fires create an intimate vibe; at The Star Inn – which had its last major refit in 1928 – expect a warm, homely feel, with its banqueting seating, red tabletops, and wood in every shade adorning the space; and relax at The Catherine Wheel surrounded by original features w

FOOD AND DRINK

Left: a poltergeist apparently causes frequent unexplained disturbances at The Wheelwrights Arms; below: pub-dog Toby taking a snooze at The George

PUBS ON PUBS The best local drinkeries, as recommended by the experts…

“My favourites are The Chequers, and The Nest.

The staff are great.”

David Munn at The Wheelwrights Arms

Assembly Inn, which is our sister pub – along with the Coeur de Lion and The Trinity.”

Jon Ingall at The Star Inn

“The Hideout make cracking drinks, and I love the new upstairs bar at Sub 13. You’re also likely to find me in The Bell when there’s a good band on, and when the weather’s good, I like the walk up to The Hare & Hounds for the view.”

Louis Lewis-Smith at The Dark Horse

“Way across town, the Royal Oak has a bohemian vibe not unlike our own.”

Jamie Matthews at The Bell Inn

“The Old Green Tree is great. Also featuring in the CAMRA National Inventory like us, it does home-cooked food and great ales. I also like The Bell for its Bohemian vibe and corkingly good live music. I must also mention The

“I like heading over to The Common Room for a night cap, or taking my good lady to The Canary Gin Bar, and, if I’m catching up with friends, we head to The Dark Horse for a cocktail.”

Callum Rixson at The Hideout “Vino Vino to is a great place to relax in.”

Alison Ward-Baptiste at The George

including stone fireplaces, exposed beams and wood panelling.

To reflect The Dark Horse’s use of local produce, the décor has a nature theme – deep green walls, dark, exposed timber and handmade furniture. “It’s a winding warren of candlelit lounges, scattered with antique armchairs, and rich, velvet curtains lining the doorways.”

During the winter months, The Star really comes into its own, according to Jon Ingall.

“The four small wood-panelled rooms make for a comfortable atmosphere, and the real coal fire in the Glass Room ensures that it always fills up with people first,” he says. “A good pub should make you feel as comfortable as you would at home. We like to think we have that quality. Such an interesting array of people come through our doors – from polar explorers and famous musicians, to actors and doctors. Everybody has a story to tell, it’s quite amazing sometimes.”

A visit to The Curfew will see you in tavernlike, club lounge surroundings, and, for Emily, what makes a good pub is simple: creating a place where she, the owner, would want to spend time.

“The nooks and corners of the pub that you can cuddle up into are great,” she says. “If you want a private conversation, the snug is perfect – the log-burner fire is in full swing during the cold months. A huge library bookshelf, used spirit bottles to hold candles, and low lighting create a really cosy feel, and the wooden bar gives us a great centrepiece which creates a warm welcome. Our extensive refurb last year was kind to the building’s age, using heritage colours and high-end furnishings.”

And Jamie at The Bell says it’s the team’s pleasure to receive all walks of life through its doors, “Cosiness is not so much architectural as metaphorical. We pride ourselves on our relaxed atmosphere and on being welcoming to young and old, male and female, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, left and right. We are the throbbing heart of Bath’s creative and artisan quarter.” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 47

FINE ART | PRINTS | PRODUCT DESIGN | CERAMICS | FURNITURE|

| MONDAY to SATURDAY | 10 am till 6 pm | SUNDAY | 12 pm till 4 pm

Christmas at the ART Salon is from 13th November

plus The Big Event 25th November

ART Salon, 21 Broad Street, BATH, BA1 5LN 01225 422 220 | team@artsalon.co.uk | www.artsalon.co.uk

Music/theatre/film/more

TRUE COLOURS

Local artist Dan Parry-Jones produces expressive mixed media landscapes, taking inspiration from his urban surroundings, the South West coast and travels abroad. The innovative and collectable artist’s increasingly abstract backgrounds are constructed with a heavily textured, impasto technique in acrylics and oils, with added typography, collage and silk-screen elements. His work has been widely exhibited at major art fairs and gallery shows in Europe, Asia and the USA, and his newest exhibition, Inner Worlds, can be seen at Bath’s Adam Gallery.

See Inner Worlds until 18 November at Adam Gallery, 13 John Street, Bath; www.adamgallery.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 49

11 November – 9 December

Will You? see Hazel O’Connor at Komedia; those Dodgy boys are coming to Bath; Thriller will be Off The Wall at the Theatre Royal Bath

Exhibitions U N TI L 1 2 N O V E M BE R

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 U N TI L 1 9 N O V E M BE R

GRAVITY PAINTINGS AND MODERN FRESCOS This show celebrates 21 years of

Catherine Beale’s contemporary watercolours and portraits. She captures Bath’s topographic hotspots in running pigments on board and clay; where heritage buildings meet ridgeways, cascade down hillsides and meet its waterways.

The Imagianation Gallery; www.imagianation.com U N TI L 2 5 N OV EMBER

BATH AND THE SMITHSONS The fascinating Past, Present, Future exhibition is part of a series of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Royal Crescent. It examines and explores Bath’s unique architecture through two of England’s most influential post-war architects: Peter and Alison Smithson.

Museum of Bath Architecture;

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

www.museumofbath architecture.org.uk UNTIL 29 NO VEMBER

OPEN 2017 Annual art competition and exhibition with judges including broadcaster Mariella Frostrup and previous winner Seamus Nicolson. The exhibition includes paintings, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics.

10am; Black Swan Arts; www.blackswan.org.uk UNTIL 30 NO VEMBER

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 30 NO V EM B ER

AUTUMN’S FALL An exhibition from Emma Rose exploring the potential of negative space to represent light – often referencing ‘ma’, the concept in Japanese aesthetics that translates roughly as ‘gap’ or ‘pause’, and which, in traditional practice, helps balance the relationship between different areas of an image. This focus on the space between things lends her paintings an ethereal presence.

Emma Rose Gallery; www.emmaroseartwork.com

UNTI L 1 0 D E C E MBE R

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 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 very positive relations with the Victoria Art Gallery through exhibitions and acquisitions.

This unique exhibition celebrates these connections whilst exploring his love affair with India, which he visited for the first time in 1964.

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 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 UNTI L 7 J ANUARY

WINTER WONDERLAND Enjoy the spirit of Christmas with this ever-changing selection of new work, plus festive decorations, cards and jewellery. The Rostra Gallery; www.rostragallery.co.uk

Plays/Shows 1 1 NO V E M B E R

A DAY TO REMEMBER Toby Thompson’s vibrant and poignant performance poem brings the story of one town’s

Catherine Beale’s Modern Frescos exhibtiion features this calming Bath scene

terrible tragedy during the First World War to life.

8pm; £9.50/£7.50; The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk 1 4 N OV E MBER

PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT – THE MUSICAL This production is based on the Oscar-winning film, and is the heartwarming story of three performance artists looking for love and friendship, as they travel across the Australian desert in a battered old bus called Priscilla. Expect hits galore, including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff and It’s Raining Men in this BLOG production.

Various times; £15 – £32; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 1 5 – 1 8 N OV EMBER

ROUGH JUSTICE James Highwood, a TV personality who presents a programme looking at the failings of the judicial system, is on the stand at the Old Bailey for the murder of his severely disabled child. During the battle to have his intentions understood, he constantly comes into conflict with the judge and cracks when cross-examined.

Various times; £12.50/£10.50; The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk 20 – 25 NO VEMBER

A JUDGEMENT IN STONE Eunice struggles to fit in and, when she joins a family as their housekeeper, the reason for her awkwardness leads to a terrible tale of murder, in this plot from Ruth Rendell.

The cast includes Chris Ellison from The Bill, Sophie Ward from Heartbeat and Young Sherlock Holmes, and Antony Costa from boyband Blue.

Various times; £19.50 – £35.50; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 26 NO VEMBER

FOURTEEN DAYS Stunning dance from the BalletBoyz, with this performance the result of four choreographers given 14 days to each create a work, with very different results. 7.30pm; £17.50 – £19.50; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 27 NO VEMBER – 2 DEC EMBER

THRILLER – LIVE Celebrate the king of pop in this spectacular show direct from the West End. The two-hour concert

will moonwalk you through nonstop hits including ABC, Off The Wall, Smooth Criminal and Billie Jean. Various times; £18 – 36.50; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 28 NO V EM B ER – 2 DECEM B ER

DEMOCRACY Extraordinary urgency and subtlety exploring the relationship that developed between Willy Brandt, the former West German chancellor, and his assistant, Gunter Guillaume – an East German spy planted in government – and whose presence is a constant threat to Brandt’s survival.

Various times; £12.50/£10.50; The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk 30 NO V EM B ER

JERRY SADOWITZ The comedian, magician and all-round scary man is back with his unique blend of humour, absolute hatred and card tricks.

6.30pm; £19.50; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

Music 11 – 18 NO V EM B ER

BATH MOZARTFEST

w

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

ARTS

W H AT ’ S O N

Clockwise, from top right: Trawler with Fish at the Rostra Gallery; controversial comedian Jerry Sadowitz; A Judgement in Stone comes to Bath

The event is now in its 26th year with artists from around the world performing in the city.

Highlights include Mass in C Minor in Bath Abbey, performed

by La Nuova Musica, plus the English Chamber Orchestra and the Takacs Quartet.

Various prices and locations, www.bathmozartfest.co.uk

including Clare Hirst from the Belle Stars and Communards on sax, and Sarah Fisher from the Eurythmics on keys.

7.30pm; £25; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

Family fun U N TI L 1 2 N OV EMBER

16 N O V E M B E R

ALABAMA 3 Acoustic arrangements accompanied by guitar and a harmonica, with the band performing songs from their back catalogue and from their Blues recording. 7pm; £17; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 23 N O V E M B E R

DODGY Dodgy are Good Enough and back after a 10-year break, performing songs from their six albums. 7pm; £15; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk 24 N O V E M B E R

HAZEL O’CONNOR The Breaking Glass star comes to Bath with a five-piece band,

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 one word being spoken. Various times; £6.50-£8.50; the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Free with normal admission; www.nationaltrust.org.uk 14 NO VEMBER

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

1 – 18 DE CEM B ER

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS This popular attraction returns to create a winter wonderland of festive cheer, with a trail and a chance to meet Father Christmas. Various times and prices; Westonbirt; www.forestry.gov.uk 5 – 6 DECEM B ER

IT’S THE MOST ARTY TIME OF THE YEAR Create seasonal art at a family activity to take away for decorating your home at this drop-in activity. Various sessions; Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL It’s the last evening of the year and the snow is falling. A little girl attempts to stay warm by striking a match.

The flames blaze to life and we are transported into her tumultuous hopes and dreams.

7pm; £8/£6; The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk

18 NO VEMBER

7 DEC EM B ER – 7 J ANUARY

16 NO VEMBER

U N TI L 1 7 D E CEMBER

SOUNDING THE WOOD Let your imagination run wild at this inspiring pop-up musical playground in Bath.

Music makers can find four instruments set within the woodland and explore how sound is created – what noises can you make and hear?

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

MUSIC FOR MINIATURES: HORN CONCERT A classical concert specially designed to enthuse little ones and their carers.

10.30am; £8 per adult and child; St Swithin’s Church; www.musicforminiatures.co.uk

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Traditional family panto with thigh-slapping fun, comedy, singing, dancing and plenty of audience participation.

Stars Bath’s Jon Monie, Harriet w Thorpe from Absolutely

ARTS

W H AT ’ S O N

Fabulous and Nick Wilton from EastEnders. Various times and prices; Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk 7 D E C E M B E R – 1 4 JA N UA RY

THE LITTLE MERMAID Venture thousands of leagues under the sea for this tale of five young mermaids. But one, Morgan, has an enquiring mind and feels she just doesn’t fit in.

Various times and prices; the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Other U N TI L 1 2 N O V E M BE R

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, it features an equal split of films directed by men and women. Various times, prices and venues; www.filmbath.org.uk U N TI L 2 1 D E C E M BE R

LUNCHTIME EXHIBITION TOURS Learn more about exhibits on show every Thursday lunchtime.

12.30-1pm; Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk 12 N O V E M B E R

REMEMBRANCE DAY Remembrance commemoration at the Royal British Legion War Memorial.

Royal Victoria Park; 10.30am.

Also a remembrance parade in the city centre. 2pm; from the bottom of Milsom Street; www.bathnes.gov.uk 14 N O V E M B E R

THE ECONOMICS OF SCHOOLS Professor Simon Burgess poses the questions how can we raise attainment and improve GCSE scores, especially in disadvantaged areas? He will look at ways to raise the effort and engagement of pupils with their school work. 7.30pm; £2 – £4; BRlSI; www.brlsi.org 15 N O V E M B E R

STRICTLY EXPERIENCE DANCE CLASS Learn to dance at this fun Strictly Come Dancing -inspired workshop where the basic steps

The Alabama 3 aren’t from Alabama and there willl be more than three of them when they come to Komedia

of ballroom, salsa and jive, among others, will be taught.

7pm; £35; Ston Easton Park; www.stoneaston.co.uk

cones, seasonal foliage, baubles and ribbons. 10am; £95; V V Rouleaux; www.vvrouleaux.com 22 NO VEMBER

1 7 N OV E MBE R – 2 J ANUAR Y

BATH ON ICE Get your skates on for this outdoor rink, which is even bigger this year. Also a bar and café area. Various times and prices; Bath On Ice; www.bathonice.com 1 8 – 1 9 N OV E MBER

WIDCOMBE CRAFT FAIR Join local artists and artisans for a weekend of crafts, with the event now in its 11th year. Choose from ceramics, jewellery, textiles, candles and more. Light refreshments, including mulled wine.

Various times; Widcombe Social Club; www.widcombecraftfair.com 2 2 N OV E MBE R

CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP Learn to make a festive arrangement for your front door or fireplace, using pine

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

CHRISTMAS FOOD FAYRE Get ready for Christmas with this festive food fayre in association with homelessness charity Julian House.

Sample food and drink – including specials served in the new café extension – with a glass of mulled wine on the door for every customer. A brass band will play Christmas favourites from 6.30pm, and Julian House will promote their work and also receive 10 per cent of takings on the night.

4pm; Farleigh Road Farm Shop; www.farleighroadfarmshop. co.uk

23 NOVEMBER – 10 DECEMBER

BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET Browse through chalets selling high-quality artisan products at this 18-day shopping extravaganza. Over 70 per cent of stallholders are businesses from Bath and the surrounding region, with 60 per cent of goods handmade in the UK. 10am; various locations; www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk 24 NO VE M B ER

PSYCHEDELIC SCIENCE CAFÉ Join scientists and mathematicians from the University of Bath for a night of illusion and wonder, including mind-bending illusions created by artists. Music from DJ Pablo Tinte. 5pm; The Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

23 NO VEMBER

LOOFAH HARVEST Pick, skin and de-seed your loofah – and then reward your efforts with a two course lunch and glass of wine.

10.30am; £35; Ston Easton Park; www.stoneaston.co.uk

26 NO VE M B ER

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Meet the makers of a range of diverse works and find unique Christmas gifts in a festive atmosphere. 11am; £2; The American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org

nick cudworth gallery

Triple Glazing oil on canvas

NEW HORIZONS 1 – 30 November

An exhibition of paintings and prints reflecting different aspects of Bath skylines through windows and reflected surfaces

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

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

Get up early – especially if it’s snowing – wait for the light, be different, and use your mind and eyes!

Cold snap

Christmas is coming, and, here, photographer Neill Menneer shares his advice on the best places to snap away during the festive period, and tells us about his book, Bath. A Pictorial Journey…

Wor d s by E v e ly n Gr ee n Photo s by Ne i l l M e n n ee r As featured in his book, Bath. A Pictorial Journey

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

A

hh, Bath at Christmas – what a wonderful sight.

There’s the magical, award-winning Bath Christmas Market, the bedecked Christmas tree outside the Bath Abbey, breath-taking choral concerts, sparkling lights, the aroma of mince pies and mulled wine filling the air, and plenty of all-round spirit and loveliness. And there’s so much to look forward to this year in particular, with the very first Festive Street Food Market taking place at Kingsmead Square, pop-up, scene-setting coming-together spots – such as the Abbey Hotel’s winter- wonderland-themed Après-Ski Bar – and the return of the much-loved Victorian carousel on Stall Street.

One Bath resident who is particularly looking forward to the city being sprinkled with festal cheer is photographer Neill Menneer, who has published a book depicting Bath in all seasons called Bath. A Pictorial Journey. On the pages, you’ll spot many a yuletide view – from a snow-covered scene at the Royal Crescent, to a bird’s-eye view of those little chalets that come once a year – and this year’s festivities can’t

PHOTOGRAPHY

Clockwise: Opposite page: a bird’s-eye view of the Bath Christmas Market; this page, clockwise from top: the popular Victorian carousel; the city full of sparkle; snowy scenes at the Royal Crescent, the annual festive chalets

FESTIVE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Late-night shopping, every Thursday throughout November and December Bath Brunch Market at Green Park Station, 12 November Christmas Lights across the city, from 16 November A White Christmas makeover at SouthGate, 16 November – 24 December Bath On Ice and Glow-in-theDark Mini Golf, 17 November – 2 January Widcombe Craft Fair Weekend, 18 – 19 November

Bath Christmas Market, 23 November – 10 December A Jazz Age at Christmas at the American Museum in Britain, 23 November – 17 December Abbey Hotel’s Après-Ski Bar, 23 November – 21 December Kingsmead Square’s Festive Street Food Market, 24 November – 9 December Walcot Street Winter Festival and Traditional Children’s Lantern Procession, 26 November

The Artisan Market in Queen Square, 26 November and 2 December Dickensian Christmas at The Corridor, 7, 14 and 21 December

ARTS

begin soon enough as far as he’s concerned.

“In the unlikely event of getting a white Christmas this year, I will aim to dash around the classic sights like the Royal, Camden, and Lansdown Crescents in the snow,” says Neill who, with his wife, Jo, runs Spirit Photographic which specialises in family and boudoir photography from the old Methodist church in Twerton. “If it’s dreary weather, I might go for an Abbey Tower Tour, or a walk in one of our lovely parks, especially Victoria Park and the Botanical Gardens. You might well find the leaves and flowers still around, and they can look lovely in the frost. I would also recommend, if one has more time, a good, long stroll, taking in the Skyline Walk and Prior Park. This area could include Widcombe Crescent and the area around Widcombe Manor.”

He describes his book as a ‘love letter’ to the city which has been his home for 30 years. It’s illustrated with both Neill’s photographs and watercolour images by French artist Jean Nattes, who painted the most glorious depictions of Regency Bath – including views of Pulteney Bridge and Camden Crescent – adding his magic mix of light, colour and perspective to enhance the scene.

“Combining forces with such an accomplished artist as Nattes is a real honour, and I think, in a bizarre way, we are both trying to do the same thing,” he says. “I love Nattes’ images. It is both fascinating and melancholic to see Bath as it was at the end of the 18th century. Bath was created on the back of a cultural and stylish revolution that valued classicism and the romantic ideals of The Picturesque with its love of nature, the sublime, variety, surprise and Hogarth’s ‘line of beauty’. Rationality and natural forms combine in a brilliant mix. My images, I hope, have some of the same qualities.

“I have such passion for our beautiful city, which was expressed in the pictures,” he adds.

“The fact that I photographed my home city from every conceivable angle and throughout all the seasons and times of day does suggest a slightly obsessive preoccupation with taking snaps of the city at its loveliest moments. I always like to capture Bath in its best light.”

And his tips for shooting a unique photo in Bath? “Get up early – especially if it’s snowing – wait for the light, think about achieving different and varied viewpoints (maybe use a drone). Climb stairs and hills, use shadows and silhouettes, keep walking, be different, and use your mind and eyes!”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pantomime at the Theatre Royal Bath, 7 December – 7 January The return of the Victorian Carousel on Stall Street, 14 – 30 December

Bath. A Pictorial Journey, £9.95, by Neill Menneer, published by Robert Frederick, is out now.

For more, visit www.capturethespirit.co.uk

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

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Thursday 30th November 2017 6.30–9.00pm

For more information, please contact the Sixth Form Office on 01249 766036 or email sixthform@sheldonschool.co.uk

THE ROUTE to your

future success

“Amazing success” in returning pupils to mainstream education (Good Schools Guide) • Co-educational day school for pupils aged 6-13 with dyslexia and other specific learning/language difficulties.

• Located in Wiltshire between Bath and Chippenham.

CReSTeD approved.

• Fully qualified specialist teachers with maximum class size of eight - reducing to one-to-one as required.

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

/Bath.Academy

T H E C U R TA I N E X C H A N G E For the best dressed windows

IN BATH

11 Widcombe Parade, Bath, BA2 4JT | Tel: 01225 422078 | Email: curtainexchange@live.co.uk www.curtainexchangebath.co.uk

Quality ooring and carpets at competitive prices

Showroom in Chelsea Road, Bath info@interiorharmony.co.uk | 01225 483818 www.interiorharmony.co.uk

ad v e r ti s i n g featu r e O p t o m e t ry

Brad Abrahams Optometry. when your eyes matter What is Brad Abrahams Optometry all about? The man himself explains…

H

appy clients. The aspect of optometry I enjoy most is the number of happy people I see.

Being able to provide them with not just the best vision, but also the clearest lenses, grooviest frames, most comfortable contact lenses and most thorough eye examination anywhere; all in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere is very careeraffirming for me.

I opened in January 2000. Prior to that I had worked in various multiple practices as an optometrist but found that after 12 years of doing so I had become disenchanted with the direction the industry was taking. It prompted me to strike out on my own so I would be able to bring that excellence back to optometry and provide better preventative eye care for my clients in a more caring environment. A recent survey conducted by the respected consumer organisation Which? confirms these rather sad findings some 18 years on.

I feel I have been able to capture this client focus by conducting every eye examination myself so that I can provide continuity, am familiar with the history of the client and am able to get to know them on a more personal level; something that can’t be achieved within multiple practices as you never know if you will see the same optometrist twice. I am able to focus on each person and provide what is best for them every time I see them.

What a fabulous team I have around me!

All young and infectiously enthusiastic about their jobs and knowledgeable in their roles,

“we now sit among the top 1 per cent out of over 7,000 practices in the UK” very much seeing things in the same way I do in their approach to our clients. After the eye examination clients are seen by one of my dispensing team who follow through with the personal service and help them choose frames and lenses best suited to their needs. Clients have the added benefit that my dispensers are either fully qualified or in training (during my time working in multiple practices I found this was quite rare with dispensing staff), ensuring that they are able to use their knowledge to advise on the best optical choices.

I believe in being dynamic within my chosen sphere of optometry. This is achieved through the great support I have from my clients which allows me to invest in the best equipment, thereby giving me the ability to provide the most comprehensive and thorough eye examination found in the UK. Indeed, due to this we now sit among the top 1 per cent out

of over 7,000 practices in the UK by virtue of the significant investment I have made in the latest state of the art equipment. In the last year alone I have spent over £100,000 on new equipment including a Daytona Optomap, which is able to give unrivalled views of the peripheral retina not previously able to be imaged before, to go along with my OCT 3D macula scanner, neither of which is available in any of the multiples in the Bath area.

Come along to the practice or book online for an appointment to find out what Brad Abrahams Optometry can do for you.

2 Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG 01225 444321 team@bradabrahams.uk.com www.bradabrahams.uk.com

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

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

Fireplace, Stove and Chimney specialists

Appreciate Italy in a totally new way

Visit our showroom to see the range of woodburning stoves, gas fires and surrounds from Chesney's, Hwam, Barbas and Bellfire Monkton Combe Mill, Monkton Combe, Bath, BA2 7HD Tel. 01225 722706 Email. info@mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

Immerse yourself in authentic Italian culture and tradition 9-day guided tours to the Unesco World Heritage recognised Cinque Terre, stunning Tuscany and glorious Emilia Romagna 5-day cooking lesson tours to Cinque Terre with professional and award-winning chefs “Before the big day” tours to the picturesque Lake Garda region For more information, visit our website www.doriatour.com

BOOKS

ARTS

NOW A FIRE IS BLAZING IN THE HEARTH, YOU JUST NEED A COSY BUT SCINTILLATING BOOK TO COMPLETE THE SCENE

THE HEAT IS ON Warmth, blazing fires and Christmas are on the agenda at Mr B’s Emporium Of Reading Delights

By N IC BO T T OM L E Y

O

ur illustrious editor tells me that over at Bath Life towers they’re in the mood for wintry cosiness this issue – smoke wisping from snow-speckled rooftops, patches of golden light cast from windows onto prematurely darkened lonely streets, fireside cuddles and indulgent suppers, that kind of thing. It would be the perfect theme were I not writing this in bright sunshine on another absurdly mild November afternoon.

Still, the editor will be proven right sooner rather than later. There’s no doubt, as the clocks have now retreated, that the winterwarming season will soon be upon us, and, of course, the publishers are prepared, as this three-step complete fireside reading kit is about to prove.

Before you can enjoy a fireside read, you need to build a decent fire. After Lars Mytting’s Norwegian Wood was a surprise festive hit a couple of years ago, this winter, Daniel Hume takes us into the heart of the fire itself with The Art of Fire (Century, £20).

You get a clear feeling of Hume’s obsessive love for his subject matter before you even

open this book, as the exuberant subtitle identifies the book’s thrust to be ‘the joy of tinder, spark and ember’.

On fire-building itself, Hume knows his stuff. He’s a member of team Mears, teaching bushcraft for a day job, so he’s the perfect person to help you identify the best woods to burn and the best way to get it burning – particularly as he’s used to slightly more challenging fire-building environments than the bone-dry log-burner in your lounge. As well as the practical side of firecraft though, Hume also considers fire more broadly in this book, from its impact on the landscape to its continued importance in the culture and lifestyle of people around the globe.

Now as the heat fills the room, you just need some appropriate snacks to accompany your evening of reading pleasure.

Fortunately, the most lyrical and inspiring of all chefs is on hand this year with a book crammed with wintry treats. The Christmas Chronicles (Fourth Estate, £26) is Nigel Slater’s homage to winter cooking and is presented in his usual style, with very personal narration of his own life in and around the kitchen and garden punctuating

the recipes themselves. Only Nigel Slater could begin a cookbook by comparing freezing air inhaled on a winter’s walk to wasabi.

Of course, Slater sets out his own take on the classic Christmas feast recipes, but you don’t want that kind of fare just yet. Fortunately, some smaller dishes are included too. Imagine curling up on the sofa with a plate of Nigel’s fig shortbreads at your side, or even a slice of wholemeal apple cake complete with spiced frosting.

So now your interpretation of Nigel’s treats are all plated up, a wilderness- survivalstandard fire is blazing in the hearth, you just need a cosy but scintillating book to complete the scene. For that, I recommend A Cat, A Man and Two Women by Junichiro Tanizaki (Daunt Books, £9.99) a gentle comic novella featuring all of the characters mentioned in the title but starring, most certainly, the cat Lily above all. She may be the only one of the main players unable to speak, but beautiful tortoiseshell Lily doesn’t have any problem expressing her feelings or manipulating the emotions of those around her.

Lily’s owner is Shozo, a large ineffectual man who has recently stumbled into a fresh marriage after the demise of his first was contrived by his mother. One factor in the first marriage’s decline was his first wife Shinako’s refusal to accept playing second fiddle to Lily. But now, exiled from her marital home and living alone, Shinako demands that Lily be sent to live with her for companionship, and whilst Shozo abhors the idea of letting Lily go, his second-wife is all in favour, as she too has started to notice that Lily might be the controlling influence in her new household.

Tanizaki was one of Japan’s finest 20th-century novelists, so this is no twee tale; in fact, in his hands, this quirky story of a cat in the midst of a love triangle is simultaneously witty, clever and hypnotic.

In other words, the perfect short novel for you to devour cover-to-cover in the firelight alongside those shortbreads.

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 69

a d v ertisin g feat u re F I N A N C E

10 Top Tips for Savers From concierge cash advice experts SAVINGS CHAMPION

T

he savings market is constantly changing, so how can you make sure you always have the best savings rates, while ensuring your capital is protected? Philip IrwinBrown and Nathan Robinson from our Concierge Cash Team, give us their top tips.

1. It may sound obvious but shop around.

Knowing what you are earning is the first step to improving the return on your savings as you can then move to a more competitive account if there is one available. This can mean the difference between earning just a few pennies or many pounds. And best buy tables are a good place to start. But not all best buy tables are created equally. Accounts may be excluded from best buy tables if they have restrictions on age, postcode, whom the applicant currently banks with, if they can only be opened or accessed in branch and if they have a high minimum deposit.

2. Decide how flexible you are willing to be about access to your deposits.

How much cash do you need to be able to access on an immediate basis? This amount should be deposited into easy access accounts or high interest current accounts. If you can lock some away for longer in fixed rate bonds and/ or notice accounts, it could improve the interest you can earn.

3. Take advantage of the free protection offered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Should your bank or building society fail, the maximum pay-out is £85,000 per person, per banking licence. If you have savings of more than this and want full protection, this will require extra administration as you may need to open and monitor multiple accounts and then switch when fixed rate bonds mature, bonuses end, your provider decides to drop the rate or a better paying account enters the market.

4. Check for FSCS licence conflicts.

When you need to open a new account, check there are no clashes with existing accounts.

There are over 141 banks and building societies covered by just 124 licences.

5. Decide if you are happy to use internetonly accounts to increase your return.

Many of the best rates can only be opened and operated online and while this has many benefits, not everyone wishes to use them. You can still find other accounts that are postal,

“Many of the best rates can only be opened and operated online” telephone or branch based, but it can be harder to find the best ones, so call us if you want us to help you.

6. Regularly monitor your accounts, to ensure you know if and when your bank or building society drops your interest rate.

Often a rate cut is not always made clear so check them regularly, if possible on a weekly basis.

7. Regularly monitor the savings market.

Even when you have found the best accounts and deposited your money, new accounts and new providers are constantly entering the market. To help you monitor this activity and allow you to compare any new accounts against your existing savings we offer free rate alerts straight to your inbox. Remember to check the account terms and conditions to make sure you are eligible to apply.

8. Maintain a list of all the accounts you hold, so that you know where your money is and what interest rate it is paying.

Our Rate Tracker service savingschampion. co.uk/rate-tracker/ will help you to do this and will also alert you when those rates change.

This list can also be useful for loved ones in the event of your death.

9. Keep records of all the accounts you have held in any tax year, so that you can make sure you submit your tax return correctly.

10. Let us do the hard work for you – talk to our Concierge Cash Team.

After all, who wouldn’t want a better, more secure return for their savings without the hassle?

To find out more, simply call us on 0800 321 3582 and we will review your existing savings account(s) for free.

If we can’t improve your savings return as a result of using our service then there is no commitment to proceed.

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

OFFICE SUPPLIES OFFICE FURNITURE OFFICE MACHINES

DELIVERIES TO YOUR DOOR...

TEL: 01249 444777 EMAIL: SALES@WOODSOFFICE.CO.UK WWW.WOODSOFFICE.CO.UK

Woods the stationers

OUR SHOP HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN BATH FOR OVER 200 YEARS

Come in for all your day to day and gift stationery

12 Old Bond Street, Bath Tel: 01225 445 347

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

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

The Ivy Bath Brasserie LISA EVANS finds out if Bath’s fanciest new eatery is really worth all the hype…

P

aying homage to the local history and culture, one of Bath’s most anticipated new restaurant openings of the year, The Ivy Bath Brasserie, is bedecked with art inspired by the city’s healing waters and King Bladud’s pigs; and its cocktail menu sports everything from a ‘Crescent Sour’ to a ‘Lansdown Lady’.

We’ll admit we were dubious about visiting; after all, what could any London chain offer Bath, as packed as it is with every type of independent restaurant imaginable?

But this is no cut-and-paste job from the Big Smoke. It’s obvious just how much effort has gone into creating a distinctly local vibe at this dining spot.

The group has certainly managed to give the place its own character and charm, and there’s still more to look forward to because, as of spring next year, yet another floor of the brasserie will launch, along with an al fresco terrace.

It helps that it has associations with the exclusiveness of the actual Ivy, and that it’s housed in a Georgian building – which was previously occupied by NatWest – with its floor-to-ceiling arched windows, original features and striking, high, ornate ceilings. The designers at Martin Brudnizki Design Studio did the rest – think mirrors, chandeliers, swathes of vibrant art, incredible flooring, and plush navy and burnt orange-coloured seating.

The Ivy has been synonymous with style and status for a century, so we expected this level of luxury when it came to the décor.

The food, however, we anticipated to be accomplished but unmemorable (due to the amount of aforementioned indies already doing impressive, unforgettable things in their kitchens), but we were soon to be proved wrong.

With a hearty spirit and a Bathonian spin, the menu features dishes such as a creamy Bath Blue and apple salad; and Bath Ale-battered cod with mashed peas and thick-cut chips. My dining partner appreciates the charms of finely chopped raw beef, so the oft polarising dish of steak tartare is a winner for him. The puck of striploin is coarsely minced, by hand, and is peppered with tangy cornichons and shallots, and a blanket of parsley and a bright, rock- salt-scattered egg yolk finishes the presentation. Drizzled with the Worcestershire and Tabasco dressings provided, the dish sings.

For me, it’s the deeply savoury wild mushrooms on toast; they’re sautéed with cream, Gran Moravia and grated truffle and served on toasted brioche. It’s a robust serving, too; head chef Jimmy Akritidis – who was formerly at both

THIS IS NO CUT-AND-PASTE JOB FROM THE BIG SMOKE

Bill’s and CAU in Bath – and his team don’t skimp on portions.

They keep the famous shepherd’s pie simple, as its meant to be, but it has flair seldom seen within the comfort-food world. The mashed potato topping – which has a thin, golden crust – is smooth, buttery and cheesy, and it hides a perfectly circular hillock of slow-braised tender lamb in a rich red wine jus.

We also order the unfeasibly fat roasted butternut squash, which is halved and piled with a minty buckwheat, chickpea and pumpkin seed mélange, which mingles with crumbled feta, harissa yogurt, freshly torn coriander leaves and surprise fruity bursts of jewel-like pomegranate seeds.

I haven’t come across a veggie option as inventive – or colourful – for a long time.

For side dishes, we order the creamed spinach topped with toasted pine nuts and Gran Moravia; a medley of peas, sugar snaps and baby shoots; and tenderstem with lemon oil and sea salt. Did you ever see more effort put into accompaniments?

As we indulge, Cheek to Cheek billows softly from the speakers, and a beaming, impeccably polite, immaculately dressed waiter comes to check how everything is. The staff here, it should be said, are polished and expert: they miss little and remember all; and there are plenty of them – including bar manager Thomas Graham-Hibbs who you may recognise from his time at the Abbey Hotel, Bath – so you get all the attention you need.

The Chocolate Bombe is a no-brainer for me as far as dessert goes. The spherical, golden chocolate shell collapses in on itself once the warm, salted caramel sauce is poured over. As there’s ice cream (and honeycomb) in the centre, the melted chocolate that hits it re-solidifies, while the rest of the chocolate and caramel forms a licentious lava lake around the cold vanilla island.

There is also a tangy lemon meringue Alaska which comprises a baked meringue shell, a zingy lemon ice cream centre and a bed of baby basil-sprinkled lemon curd.

The layers of complexity and quality are apparent in every dish, but – whisper it – it’s not actually that expensive; classics like roast chicken, steak, shepherd’s pie and fishcakes all come in under £15 (but you can push the boat out if the mood takes you – lobster-for-two and a bottle of champagne will set you back £300). Whatever you order, you can relax and enjoy it in a sophisticated setting where a sense of occasion and satisfaction is palpable. And the best thing is, the food is served all day, every day. We’re already looking forward to trying the Bath Bun afternoon tea, maybe with a cheeky Milsom Street Royale cocktail, to keep it extra local…

DINING DETAILS The Ivy Bath Brasserie, 39 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DS; 01225 307100; www.theivybathbrasserie.com Prices Starters £5.50 – £11.95; mains £13.50 – £34; dessert £3.50 – £9.95 Drinks Expect elegant cocktails, an incredible selection of wines by the glass, and special bottles – the highest price reaching £340 Service/atmosphere Impeccable, well-executed, utterly luxurious, yet surprisingly relaxed

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 75

FOOD & DRINK

WINE

MAGNUMS, NOT THE ICE CREAM VERSION, ARE THE EQUIVALENT OF TWO BOTTLES IN ONE

DRINK EXPERT

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL Size matters if you want to make your guests ooh and ahh at Christmas time

By ANGELA MOUN T

W

hen it comes to Christmas, as children will undoubtedly agree, big is always better.

The bigger the festively wrapped presents, the better the impact, the excitement, the effect.

It’s no different with wine. Christmas is also about impressing, about putting on a show. And what better way to impress guests than with large bottles of wine, which have ‘wow factor’. Let’s face it, Christmas is all about impact and the feel-good factor.

Magnums (no, not the ice cream version) are the equivalent of two bottles in one. 1.5 litres as opposed to 75cl. Think about the oohs and ahhs that emerge when the turkey is delivered to the table. It’s the same with the wine. It makes a statement.

So my advice to you, if you are likely to consume more than one bottle, is to go for glitz and knockout-factor and serve your wine in magnums. The bottles look as beautiful as they do impressive.

There’s a great selection at Great Western Wine, which should take you through from fizz to the Christmas feast, and will also provide the dramatic effect – not just

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

on Christmas Day, but for Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and even New Year’s Eve parties – as well as fantastic value, as many of them are on offer from mid November.

Kick off with fizz. If you’re inviting a crowd, there’s no point in bringing in out your top champagne. Go for prosecco, but make it a good one. Fiol Prosecco extra dry NV (£30) is just the ticket. In its glossy black bottle, and with sleek curves, it’s a gentle, creamy fizz, with a lovely apple and peach character and a soft mousse. Dry, but softer than many bubblies, it ticks all the boxes for parties.

If champagne is on the agenda, then impress with Taittinger Brut NV (£85).

Delivered in a silver-spangled white gift box, this cannot fail to impress your guests, with its creamy elegance and intensity, perfect stream of tiny bubbles, and rich yet subtle baked apple and toasty flavours.

Christmas tends to be a time for classics, so, sticking with the magnums theme, Sancerre La Reine Blanche, Domaine Reverdy 2015 (£35) is fantastic value and perfect for Christmas Eve fish dishes, or smoked salmon and seafood at the main event. It has green apple and quince flavours, real elegance, with typical flint and steely character, but is richer and more intense and evolved than many a Sancerre, with a polished, sleek style.

Staying with the classics, it doesn’t get more so than Bordeaux – or claret, as the wine is commonly known in the UK. Chateau Bertinat-Lartigue 2012, Saint Emilion (£30) is another fantastic red to share in magnums.

Produced mainly from the softer, riper merlot grape, it has all the hallmarks of classic claret, yet with no harshness, or tautness.

Bursting with voluptuous scents and flavours of blackberries, currants and dark chocolate, it has an enticing softness which will not disappoint on the big day.

For those who love to explore and discover new wines, and make a point of difference, why not try the beautifully soft and silky

Mandrarossa Cartagho 2014 in magnums (£30)? The bottle alone makes guests notice – nothing classical here, it’s a statementmaking short, stubby bottle, with a simple label. This comes from the island of Sicily, one of my favourite places, and is made from the seductively smooth Nero d’Avola grape. It’s a dark, brooding, beckoning red, full of violet and Morello cherry aromas, and flavours of figs, baked plums, bitter chocolate, sweet spice and cherry compote, with an incredible softness of touch. The tannins are gentle and this would make the perfect red for Christmas Eve stews or Boxing Day gammon.

And finally, a red from Portugal, whose softness and richness of style would be perfect with the festive bird, be it turkey or goose. Quinta do Crasto, Douro Superior 2014 (£39.50) is decadently rich and intense, with a spiced, dark berry fruit character, plus structure and smoothness. It’s a hug-in-aglass wine that delivers every time.

Happy drinking.

All drinks featured are available at Great Western Wine, Wells Road, Bath. Angela Mount is a Bathbased wine writer, presenter and international judge who had her taste buds insured for £10million during her tenure as one of the country’s leading supermarket wine buyers. She works with wine producers, chefs and distributors.

For more, visit www.greatwesternwine.co.uk

To make a booking please call 01225 807050 or visit abbeyhotelbath.eventcube.io/events

f

A Christmas Party to remember at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel We’ll prepare three fabulous courses to tease your taste buds before the DJ takes the reigns to �ill the dance �loor all the way to Midnight.

SILVER PARTY NIGHTS Dates throughout December 2017 £29.95 per adult; Stay overnight from £145.00 per room 6.30pm – Bar opens; 7pm – Dinner served; Midnight – Carriages Private events catered for, minimum 50 guests

GOLD PARTY NIGHTS Friday 17th and 24th; Saturday 18th and 25th November 2017 Dates throughout December 2017 £40.00 per adult; Stay overnight from £145.00 per room 6.30pm – Bar opens; 7pm – Dinner served; Midnight – Carriages Private parties catered for, minimum 70 guests For bookings or enquiries please contact 01225 476 892 M A C D O N A L D B AT H S PA H O T E L Sydney Road, Bath BA2 6JF 01225 444 424 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

ring

bells

10 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4JT

Under the new direction of chef-patron Dave Giddings, the Ring O Bells will be launching its new ‘Small Plates & Steaks’ menu enabling our customers to enjoy the high-quality food they have become accustomed to within a laid-back, social-dining environment.

We are also able to offer... n Bespoke menus for large events n A large function room with private bar

n Live jazz every Sunday from 7pm - 9pm n Catering for parties for up to 100 guests

For bookings: e-mail: contact@ringobellswidcombe.co.uk

Tel: 01225 448870 | www.ringobellswidcombe.co.uk

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

A VINE ROMANCE An award-winning wine lounge is coming to Milsom Place in Bath, serving fine wines both on and off the premises.

Customers will be able to sample from a list of 32 different wines at Le Vignoble, which means The Vineyard in French.

They can either choose to drink on the premises, and also enjoy a range of French tapas, or buy wine to enjoy at home.

This will be the second venture for Le Vignoble, with its other wine lounge in Plymouth’s historic Royal William Yard.

It has already won a number of awards, including Best Independent Wine Merchant in 2016, and named Top Merchant of the Year in 2014

Le Vignoble will also sell spirits and craft beers

by Harper’s Magazine.

“I had been looking for premises to open a new outlet for some time, and when I visited Milsom Place I immediately knew it was the right spot – a series of beautiful Georgian buildings, terraces and courtyards in the heart of Bath’s upmarket shopping quarter,” says founder Yannick Loué.

“Our hybrid business will be new to Bath, and, with the lounge element playing the biggest part, I believe it will complement what the city already has; this is something I believe is important as we are not opening to compete with the existing wine scene, we will be there to offer something new.

“Our wines by the glass change every couple of weeks, and we often alter our overall list depending on the season and the availability of new wines.”

Many of Le Vignoble’s wines are from certified organic vineyards, with some also suitable for vegans.

Le Vignoble is due to open in 2018, and will be opposite Hunter & Sons.

For more: www.levignoble.co.uk

Garry Rosser is keeping his fingers crossed

WILL IT TAKE FIRST PLAICE? The Scallop Shell in Bath has been named as one of the best fish and chip restaurants in the UK. The eatery, in Monmouth Place, will now be visited incognito by inspectors in the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards, who will decide if it should net first place.

The Scallop Shell, owned by chef Garry Rosser, made it into the top 20 based on its menu development and innovation, responsible sourcing policies, staff training and development processes.

“For our industry the National Fish & Chip Awards really are like the Oscars,” says Garry. “So to be shortlisted in the top 20 for Restaurant of the Year is an incredible achievement for the team here. We’ve made some changes to the business this year but we’re constantly striving to give customers the best possible experience.”

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at competition organisers Seafish, says: “The rigorous judging process behind this award ensures that not only the quality of the fish and chips being plated up is of the highest standard, but that the restaurants are offering customer dining experiences that are second to none.”

For more: www.thescallopshell.co.uk

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY Cantonese dumplings, Alpine-style mac and cheese, Valencian paella and crispy chilli squid will be just some of the tasty offerings on the menu when a Festive Street Food Market comes to Bath.

And, while some dishes might not be traditional festive fare, the food fest will coincide with Bath Christmas Market, and open on Fridays and Saturdays from 24 November – 9 December in Kingsmead Square.

The market will open from 12-9pm and is being promoted by HPH Ltd and CASUS Events, and supported by VisitBath and B&NES Council.

“This will be our first outing in Bath,

having previously concentrated on delivering food events in Bristol, and we couldn’t be more excited about bringing a street food market to Kingsmead Square this Christmas,” says Sophie Bowden, codirector of CASUS Events.

“The square is not only a beautiful part of the city, but it’s gaining a reputation for food and drink and we can’t wait to build on that by providing a destination for relaxation and good food during the festive season.”

There will also be covered seating, a mulled wine bar and live music to entertain the crowds.

Seadog will be serving this winter-warmer

For more: Kingsmead Square Market/Facebook

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 81

Fashion/gifts/stores/more

ll Shop The Sma g a ri e is off n

COUNT 10% DitIeSm to anyone on any ntions who me store le in this artic

BODY BEAUTIFUL Enter The Small Shop on London Road, Bath, and you’re likely to be astounded by the sheer array of niche antiques and natural-history curiosities.

Just a few of the incredible, unusual and unique items we’ve spotted there recently include a 19thcentury Masai lion-hunting spear, a perfectly formed coco-de-mer from the Seychelles, a taxidermy tarantula, a medieval beehive thimble, a mummified snake and, wait for it, a Tibetan Buddhist Kapala made from a human skull cap.

If you’re enamoured by the new as well as the old, though, the owners’ (Nicholas Lysaght and Anna Woodhead) handmade art may catch your eye, too.

They create extraordinary and original works blending a fusion of natural elements with the art of ceramics.

One of our favourite pieces is this life-size black torso sculpture, made by Anna, which celebrates the female form. The Torsos are built in the studio behind the shop, and fired next door in the Simon Wright pottery shop. It has been hand-crafted over a wire armature, decorated in crushed, varnished coal, and edged with 23-carat gold leaf.

Black torso sculpture, £375, from The Small Shop, 11 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath, BA1 6AD; 07927 198432; www.thesmallshopbath.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 83

2

1

3

SEEK, AND YE CHALET FIND

THE BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET IS ALMOST UPON US (23 NOVEMBER – 10 DECEMBER). HERE WE TAKE A PEEK AT A HANDFUL OF ITEMS THAT YOU’LL BE ABLE TO BAG…

4

5

1. IN THE FRAME

2. ON THE BALL

3. SOLE MATES

4. GREY AREA

5. SLOW BURN

City art, from £18 Bath-based Firewater Gallery creates modern map and contemporary landscape art. They have drawn over 200 local and international cities to date From Firewater Gallery, 8 Duncan Gardens, Upper Weston, Bath; www.firewatergallery.com

Personalised baubles, £24 Decorate your tree with bespoke baubles, unique to you, that are handmade in Wiltshire From Libby Ballard Ceramics, Studio 3, Pound Arts Centre, Corsham; www.libbyballard.co.uk

Wool socks, £25 Hand-knitted, and made from 100 per cent wool, these snowflake-patterned socks can be worn with boots or as a cosy alternative to slippers From Bibico, 9A Bartlett Street, Bath; www.bibico.co.uk

Ash ombre cushions, from £45 These soft merino and cashmere cushions feature a subtle gradient pattern, and are reversible for extra versatility From Katherine Fraser, 74 Walcot Street, Bath; www.katherinefraser.co.uk

Trio of votives, £24 There will be a 10 per cent discount on Limelight’s products at the Bath Christmas Market, and Discovery Card holders will receive a complimentary votive From Limelight Bath; www.limelightlimited.com

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

ED’S CHOICE

SHOPPING

6

7

8

10

9

6. YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?

Seven Hills Chocolate bars, £4 each From pistachio and cinnamon, to Colombian espresso, you’ll find many an inventive flavour inside these bars of loveliness From Seven Hills Chocolate, The Stable Building, Newton St Loe, Bath; www. sevenhillschocolate.co.uk

7. MEANT TO BEAD

8. GOOD BOYS

9. OIL BE THERE FOR YOU

10. DRINK IT IN

Glass bracelet, £37.50 A leading designer-maker of luxury Murano glass jewellery, Diana Ingram’s authentic, contemporary collections are coveted by many From Diana Ingram, Churchview House, Churchyard, Westbury; www.dianaingram.com

Dog bandana, £7 As well as cushions, gifts and cards designed and handmade in Bath, you’ll find a popular dog accessory collection at Bath-based Keylime From Keylime Design; www.keylimedesign.co.uk

Bath Harvest rapeseed oil, £7.95 The award-winning smooth and nutty oil is grown, pressed and bottled on the family farm in Bath, and is ideal for cooking with From Bath Harvest, Wilmington Farm, Wilmington; www. bathharvestoils.co.uk

Henny & Joe’s Masala Chai Infusion, £8.55 You’ll spot a H&J chai infusion on many a menu in Bath’s independent cafés, and you can also buy bottles to take home with you From Henny & Joe’s, The Locks House, Brassmill Lane, Bath; www.hennyandjoes.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE LIFE II 85 www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON 69

SHOPPING

FA S H I O N

This

BOLD thing

Whether you go for scarlet, cerise or blush, the colour palette for winter is fiery, deep and warm

By L I SA E VA NS

B

lazing and pretty shades of red and pink dominated the AW17 catwalk shows, with brands such as Givenchy and Max Mara sending head-to-toe crimson, burgundy and cerise looks down the runway. From playful tracksuits to sleek coats, oversized woollies and flashy accessories, there’s an entry point for every lady in red (or pink) this season.

Pantone’s winter shades are led by dynamic Grenadine red, Tawny Port and Ballet Slipper pink, so, whether you prefer a dominant or barely-there shade, or something in between, they’re all on trend.

The season’s stand-out palette dives head-first into heat and warmth and offers a spirit-lifting, high-energy feel, and can be worn in a plethora of ways. Go for all-over, matchy-matchy red to make a confident statement – and, bonus, red worn only with red means there’s no need for complicated colour maths – or wear the hues you’d normally don, but throw on a fiery accessory or two, such as suede boots, a spot of bling, a chic satchel or a silk scarf, maybe.

The ‘power palette’, as we like to refer to it, has shades to suit most skin tones; it’s punchy and impactful, and perfect for Christmas. The Clauses would approve.

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

Vermillion red suede ‘Dottie’ ankle boots, £160, from DuoBoots, 33 Milsom Street, Bath; www.duoboots.com

3 1

2

FA S H I O N

SHOPPING 4

5

9

6

7

8

SCARF PHOTO BY CHRIS DAW

10

1. Frieda eda & Freddies coat, £295, Kimberley, Trim Street, Bath; www.kimberly.co.uk 2. Suncoo coo Austin satchel, £165, Maze, 19 Green Street, Bath; www.mazeclothing.co.uk 3. French Connection dress, £48, The Dress Agency, 6 Widcombe Parade, Bath; www.facebook.com/thedressagency 4. Mole in the Camp trousers, £44.99, Mistral, 20 New Bond Street, Bath; www.mistral-online.com 5. Pompom wrap, £85, Lola Swift pop-up shop (opening 11 November), Northumberland Place; www.lolaswift.co.uk 6. Crest boots, £210, DuoBoots, 33 Milsom Street, Bath; www.duoboots.com 7. Hand-painted scarf, from £65, Waller & Wood, 4 Abbey Green, Bath; www.wallerandwood.co.uk 8. Cashmere hat, £69, Rossiters of Bath, 38 – 41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com 9. Viviana boot, £119.95, Franchetti Bond, 5 Upper Borough Walls, Bath; www.franchettibond.co.uk 10. Ollipop glass ring, £58, Alexandra May, 23 Brock Street, Bath; www.alexandramay.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 87

A R T a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

waller & wood Bath artists CAROLE Waller and GARY Wood have announced a new-look collaboration

F

ormerly known as One Two Five Gallery in Abbey Green, creative partners Carole Waller and Gary Wood have rebranded the gallery as Waller & Wood. This year they have created covetable gifts in time for the festive season. 'Scarves that tell stories' capture Carole’s passion for the history and architecture of Bath, which is reflected in much of her recent work, and Gary’s ceramics are filled with gorgeous candles.

New departures include a range of beautiful totes in canvas and leather, hand-bound books and organic candles wrapped in translucent painted silk.

Carole Waller has been working with a small women’s Fairtrade organisation in Gujarat in the

“Carole creates distinctive, wearable art”

old city area of Ahmedabad – making a small collection of wraps, coats and jackets using the off-cuts from her painted silk clothes. The ladies piece together the silk by machine, and then quilt the reinvented cloth with the beautiful traditional hand 'kantha' stitch, to construct warm, wonderful coats.

Gary has sourced organic scented candles for his pots to fill your home with the aroma of rose geranium and vanilla. Treasure the ceramic container for the candle long after it has burnt out. His ceramics make very special gifts whether you want to buy a one-off sculpture, plate or decorative bowl, or a set of six shot cups.

Carole creates distinctive, wearable art; oneof-a-kind hand-painted and printed clothing, scarves and glass works. Gary’s expertise is painted stoneware and porcelain ceramics; pots for use, wall pieces and sculpture. Waller & Wood is an independent shop and gallery selling contemporary British jewellery alongside the owners’ own original work.

Photo: Chris Daw

4 Abbey Green, Bath BA1 1NW Wednesday to Sunday, 11am–5pm www.wallerandwood.co.uk

COMING SOON 28 Milsom Street, Bath • November 23

Beautiful Italian Leather Jackets, Handbags, Fashion Accessories & Nickie Portman Jewellery Brand

www.NickiePortman.co.uk

SPIRIT FASHION

Opening Times: Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm 3 High Street, Devizes SN10 1AT 01380 729933 info@spiritfashion.co.uk www.spiritfashion.co.uk

High Quality Dry Cleaning and Laundry Services Roadside parking outside shop for loading/unloading

CURTAIN CLEANING 20% DISCOUNT Van service available 6 Monmouth Place, Bath BA1 2AU Tel 01225 311595

Silver Bear

DASSIE ARTISAN

L:A BRUKET

Contemporary Jewellery and Gifts

Have a look at our new website or better still come and visit our shop in Bear Flat, full of gifts for everyone

‘POPPING UP AT VERVE’ A series of lifestyle collections selected to inspire and delight this Christmas – from gifts and treats to clothing, baskets and bags Pop in for a browse Weds-Sat 11 until 5 or visit verveliving.uk for more info ANOTHER STUDIO

www.silverbearjewelleryandgifts.com 34b Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 2AA | 01225 422225 silverbearjewelleryandgifts@gmail.com /silverbearjewelleryandgifts

15 WALCOT BUILDINGS. LONDON RD. BA1 6AD

RAVEY STREET

S H O P P I N G ad v ertising feature

FOR a MERRY shop this christmas, keep it local Whether it's bamboo socks, limited edition art or contemporary homeware you're after, here' s our Yuletide pick and mix of the best shopping experiences in the region

paprika gifts

8D Chelsea Road, Bath BA1 3DU 01225 443246; www.paprikagifts.co.uk At Paprika Gifts our aim is to provide our customers with the widest possible choice of quality items that they wouldn’t find together anywhere else. We have a carefully curated range of gifts including jewellery, accessories, homewares and decorations. We are proud to say that almost all our products are sourced from design led UK companies.

Whether you should want some bamboo socks for the man in your life, a cute toy for a new arrival or stylish Ted Baker stationery, you’ll find something for everyone on your Christmas list at Paprika Gifts.

Dress agency

6 Widcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4JT 01225 949640 The Dress Agency is an independent ladies' boutique based in Widcombe Parade, a stone's throw from the city centre. We buy and sell on a 50/50 basis an eclectic mix of gently used high quality clothing. Offering a relaxed shopping environment with styling advice to those who desire it, we encourage women to "be your own label" and to embrace the fun of fashion.

CASTLE FINE ART

13 Old Bond Street, Bath BA1 1BP 01225 789298; www.castlegalleries.com Castle Fine Art on Old Bond Street offers a wide range of original and limited edition art exhibited in a stunning Grade-II building. Since being officially opened by the mayor in June 2014, the gallery has established itself firmly on Bath’s cultural scene, hosting events and exhibitions for a number of internationally renowned artists such as Alex Echo, Romero Britto and Andrew Kinsman. With a dynamic programme of fine art focuses in its dedicated exhibition space, showcasing artwork by Bob Dylan, Raphael Mazzucco and Lorenzo Quinn among others, the gallery is well worth a visit next time you are in town.

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

Spotty Herberts

5 Queen Street, Bath BA1 1HE 01225 331834; www. spottyherberts.com Independent children’s shop Spotty Herberts has won two awards within its first year of trading along one of Bath’s oldest cobbled streets.

It’s easy to see why Spotty Herberts is an award-winning brand; co-owners Kate Austin and Emily Ingram have carefully curated a shop full of fun, where children are welcome and can lose themselves discovering treats for pockets. The shop is brimming with colourful, unisex clothes and eclectic treasures, products chosen for their thoughtful design, singularity and ethical production, often British-made. The perfect place to fill a stocking!

Spotty Herberts donates one per cent of its takings to SANDS, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E S H O P P I N G

SPIRIT FASHION

3 High Street, Devizes SN10 1AT 01380 729933; www.spiritfashion.co.uk Spirit Fashion is one of a wide range of excellent independents situated in the historic market town of Devizes in Wiltshire.

Aimed at both 'mother and daughter', their contemporary brands hail from across Europe and the UK, ranging from the Dutch jeans label Garcia to French occasionwear Onjenu and Spanish Indi & Cold.

Other brands include Amazing Woman, French Connection, Great Plains, Dr. Denim and Vetono, which sit alongside a carefully hand-picked selection of footwear, accessories, jewellery and lingerie.

Fashion is their passion and they are always on the hunt for yet more new and exciting styles to bring to Wiltshire.

Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm.

Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook and Instagram; they’ll love you for it!

JODY CORY

9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY 01225 460072; www.jodycory.co.uk Jody Cory creates handmade jewellery in the heart of Bath. Situated opposite the Abbey and Pump Rooms, the store is home to a collection of unique handcrafted jewellery, that features many unusual gemstones alongside traditional pieces. Made in-house and showcasing national and local designers.

As well as selling jewellery, Jody also carries out jewellery repairs, commissions and can remodel your treasured jewellery from old to new.

As an established, independent designer goldsmith and also a member of the prestigious National Association of Jewellers. When visiting the beautiful City of Bath, Jody Cory Goldsmiths is very much worth a visit.

VERVE LIVING

15 Walcot Buildings London Road, Bath BA1 6AD 07785 332536 www.verveliving.uk Located in Bath’s artisan quarter on the London Road, Verve is an independent interiors store selling unique furniture finds alongside contemporary accent pieces, including artworks. Verve is passionate about supporting creativity in all its forms and is proud to showcase several local artists and designer makers, offering customers unique pieces that can’t be found anywhere else in Bath.

This Christmas, Verve is also hosting a series of Pop-ups to include inspirational gift ideas for him, her and them. So pop along for a browse - free parking nearby and coffee is on the house!

HOMEFRONT INTERIORS

10 Margaret's Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP 01225 571711; www.homefrontinteriors. co.uk; now featured on www.-trouva.com Homefront Interiors is an unique, independent homewares store full of beautiful handmade, vintage and contemporary homewares and gifts.

We try to follow an ethos of sustainability where possible, whether that means recycled materials, Fairtrade origins, small-scale handmade production, or simply showing a little love and care to vintage finds.

It’s not just about the old, though – at Homefront we love the juxtaposition of vintage and contemporary styles, and stock exquisite handmade work from a number of local artists, including ceramics, textiles and jewellery.

Pop in to our beautiful shop where we’d be delighted to see you. We can assist you in selecting something that’s just right for your home or help you find that special gift for a loved one this Christmas.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 93

BATH Not happy with your dentures? Are your dentures loose, too big or painful? Can’t eat or don’t like your smile?

Jaime Brain: Dip CDT RCS (Eng)

14 November

We can help you regain your confidence and get you smiling again.

Offering: FREE Consultation • New Dentures direct Flexible Dentures • Denture repairs Call us to book a free consultation on 01225 311 681 Saturday appointments available upon request 27 Walcot Buildings (The Old Pet Shop), Bath, BA1 6AD

www.jbdentureclinic.co.uk

07545 120799

01225 862665

REVIEW

BEAUTY

ALL CHARGED UP

I

have a friend whose skincare obsession is out of control. Her bathroom resembles Space NK, she looks annoyingly teenage (she’s 33) thanks to all her lotions and potions, and if she misses one of her monthly microdermabrasion sessions, you can count her out of all social events.

I, on the other hand, am terrible at caring for my largest organ – save for Sundays when I don a fetching pink facemask while I go about my household tasks – and I’m ashamed to say that my last face-fixer at a salon was too long ago to recall.

I had such a treat today at Frontlinestyle on Monmouth Street, though: I was zapped by electric currents to give the effect of a facelift, only without the surgery.

I knew from the outset that this would be an impactful treatment rather than a pampering experience, but I’m not one to shy away from a high-tech experiment.

I should explain the process of the new, revolutionary CACI Synergy NonSurgical Facial Toning treatment from the beginning, really, but I’m too excited not to dive straight into the zany part: the microelectrical currents, applied through special, glowing wands.

My therapist, Fran, said I may feel some tingling; at first, I felt absolutely nothing (I could taste metal very strongly, though), but after a few minutes, the reviving sensations kicked in. Sometimes, the microcurrents harmlessly caught a nerve, and they sent nipping shocks around the face like frantic pellets in a pinball machine (when it zapped

THEY SENT NIPPING SHOCKS AROUND THE FACE LIKE FRANTIC PELLETS IN A PINBALL MACHINE

LISA EVANS experiences a revolutionary, electrical non-surgical facelift at Frontlinestyle in Bath my eyebrow, I felt the invigorating jet of energy jolt to the back of my head).

The current itself – which is combined with collagen-stimulating, inflammationreducing LED light therapy – isn’t painful.

The only mild discomfort comes from the two charged rods which are pressed firmly into the face (with a lifting and grabbing action) to stimulate the muscles and wake everything up.

The muscle-toning facial incorporates a number of other pioneering technologies, too: orbital skin resurfacing, which delivers a controlled skin exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells; ultrasonic deep-cleansing, which clears the skin of makeup residue, and helps with blemishes and impurities; and a wrinkle comb – another high-tech wand – which targets deep and fine lines to provide a non-invasive alternative to dermal fillers.

The last part is pure bliss after all of that good-for-you pulling and prodding: it ends with a sheet-mask infused with hyaluronic acid, collagen and rosewater to give you a boost of hydration for springback plumpness. The gadgetry continues while your mask is getting to work, because microcurrent rollers gently massage over the top of it, causing the mask to become electrically charged so that the whole face is bathed with rejuvenating energy.

Don’t worry, it’s all very safe (Fran gets asked that a lot) and the toning part was originally developed as a medical treatment to re-educate the facial muscles for people with Bell’s Palsy. I should also point out that Frontlinestyle’s brand-new machine is unlike any other CACI system in Bath.

I expected to look in the mirror and like what I saw, but my radiance was overshadowed by a terrifying reflection. My fringe – which had been pushed back with a towelling band for the duration of the 90-minute facial – was on end, and, because I had been so cosy and warm while tucked under a blanket, I was as pink-skinned as a new-born mole-rat.

The flushing calmed down after a few

Micro-electrical currents are applied through special wands during the facial

moments, though, and I could see that the results of the facial were dramatic. The water retention had been released, and my once-round visage had some structure; I was less sallow, my cheeks were baby-smooth, and, dare I say it, I glowed.

I assumed my face would feel tight and dry a few days later, but no, just fresh, looking-lovely skin. The 90-minute treatment is perfect if you’ve got a special event coming up and you want a one-off quick fix, but a course of 10 60-minute facials – and then monthly top-up treatments thereafter – is recommended for best results.

When I walked out of the salon, I thanked my lucky stars that the clocks had gone back, because unsuspecting pedestrians would have had a fright if they saw my sans-makeup face and Einstein barnet in the unforgiving light of day. My skin was beaming though, and that’s all that mattered.

For more: CACI Synergy Non-Surgical Facial Toning lasts 90 minutes and costs £95, and a recommended course of 10 60-minute facials costs £630. Frontlinestyle, 4/5 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AJ, 01225 478478; www.frontlinestyle.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 95

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

OPTIMAL GUM HEALTH Wide-ranging specialist care is available at BATH DENTAL CLINIC

B

ath Dental Clinic aims to provide high quality personalised specialist dental care to our patients, in a supportive, calm and comfortable environment from dedicated and qualified staff.

They are delighted to offer specialist gum treatments in their state-of-the-art surgeries in central Bath.

Periodontist, Mr Hatem Algraffee (General Dental Council No: 72250), trained at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Dental Institute under the mentorship of Professor Richard Palmer. He is passionate about healthy gums, which leads to heathy teeth

“… HEALTHY GUMS LEAD TO HEALTHY TEETH AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE”

and improved quality of life. Hatem accepts referrals for all aspects of periodontal diseases and he has developed a subspeciality interest in soft tissue regeneration, including root coverage and aesthetic periodontal procedures.

MR ALGRAFFEE OFFERS: • Treatment of bleeding gums (gingivitis) • Treatment of gum disease (periodontal disease) • Regeneration of bone loss around teeth • Gum disease treatment around implants (peri-implantitis) • Correction of uneven gum lines (crown lengthening) • Cosmetic gum grafts to correct gum shrinkage • Treatment of bad breath (halitosis) To arrange an initial consultation, please call 01225 333848 or visit bathdentalclinic.co.uk.

Hatem Algraffee BDS, MSc, M.Clin.Dent., MRD RCS, MFDS RCS

Bath Dental Clinic, Catharine Cottage, 21 Catharine Place, Bath 01225 333848; reception@ bathdentalclinic.co.uk www.bathdentalclinic.co.uk

The best facials can be enjoyed at Beauty @ No 32 including Thalgo and CACI Gift Vouchers Available

32 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2AN 01225 428741 | www.beautyatnumber32.co.uk

Lex appeal Faster, wilder and more fun to drive than almost any Lexus before it, the remarkable new LC 500 shows the company’s mad streak happily in the ascendent

B

By M AT T BI E L BY

loomin’ heck, what a striking thing.

The Lexus LC has classic coupé proportions – it’s a sleek wedge with absolutely massive wheels – but it’s a hard shape to get your head around.

Challenging, even. (Schoolkids attempting to draw one on the back of notebooks would get confused and give up, we reckon.)

There’s just so much drama to the sharply-angled sheet metal and intricate details that you don’t know quite where to look, save – perhaps – for that huge mesh grille that makes it seem part-basking shark, partelectric razor, and all crowd-stopper.

In the bright colours of the two test cars we tried – a 3.5 V6 hybrid LC500h version in the brightest of yellows, and the 5.0 V8 LC500 model in the richest of reds – it provides real street theatre. This is a deliberately (and outrageously) magnetic beast that

will remain rare enough in the foreseeable future to turn heads wherever it goes, and one designed to force passers-by to reconsider everything they thought they knew about Lexus.

Lexus, of course, is Toyota’s luxury car division and, since it launched 28 years ago, it’s built an enviable reputation for great quality, high comfort levels, good customer service and restrained design. In recent years its become something of a hybrid specialist, too; one day, it’s been suggested, Lexus will become a hybridonly marque, in Europe at least.

What Lexus has always lacked, though, is soulstirring glamour, and part of the new LC’s job is to bring that in abundance. Current Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda is on a mission to make the company’s cars more exciting across the board, and to that end has appointed a former car designer – not the usual engineer or marketing guru – to run Lexus.

In some markets, where they don’t demand a front number plate, this unbroken gob has been known to gobble up cats

CAR REVIEW

The rear, like the front, is a riot of strange angles and intricate details; inside, prominent grab handles tell you that this thing is fast

The LC is a key building block in the company’s new, sportier, shoutier incarnation, designed to bring glamour to the entire range – but the guys at Lexus can’t help themselves, and they’ve made it practical, comfortable and easy-to-live-with, too.

It’s certainly easy to drive. The seating position is excellent, and the leather and woods inside of the highest order – though there are as many flashy bits of design inside the car as out, giving it a flamboyance old Lexus owners would find hard to recognise. (That the boot isn’t the biggest, and the back seats only suitable for short journeys, is par for the course with this sort of car.)

Though it’s very cleverly put together – using lots of aluminium and composite panels over a superrigid steel chassis – the LC is not light, so needs some fairly meaty engines to pull it along.

Enter your two identically priced but very different choices: a clever 3.5 litre V6 petrol hybrid, making 354 bhp (about two thirds from the V6 and a third from an electric motor), or a brutish 5.0 litre/471bhp V8 for the full muscle car experience.

Both have a 10-speed auto with flappy magnesium paddles if you want to make gear changes yourself – it sounds like too many gears, but proves delightfully decisive in the flesh – and do the 0-62mph dash in under five seconds. The V8, though, is the sportier choice – and makes the more thrilling roar.

SHOPPING

To drive, it’s one of those cars – thank numerous driving modes, running from Eco to Sport+ – that can be whatever you want it to be, from relaxing grand tourer to hunkered-down sports car. I found it poised (and even crisp), with precise, delicate steering and a tactile road feel, while the cleveras-you-like suspension soaks up the worst our abandoned tarmac can throw at it.

The Lexus LC is a special car, then, but it’s also up against some pretty special competition – the Porsche 911 and Jaguar F-Type at the sportier end of the spectrum, of course, but also the BMW 6 series and assorted Mercedes. The 911 is still the great driver’s car of this bunch, but it wouldn’t be pushing things to suggest that the Lexus might have its other rivals licked in this regard, and if the looks are a bit love-it-or-hate-it, then I suspect that’s just the way they wanted it.

There’s a fun story about Lexus that tells how their top production line guys are tested on their ability to make an origami cat – using just their non-dominant hand. It’s a great party trick, and demonstrates their top-notch craftsmanship – but it also gives them an eccentric sort of cool. And now they’re making a car to match.

For more: lexus.co.uk

THERE’S SO MUCH DRAMA TO THE SHARPLY-ANGLED SHEET METAL, YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK

AT A GLANCE Car Lexus LC Prices From £75,595, rising to around £85,000 for the fully-loaded model we tested Under the bonnet Either a clever 3.5 litre V6 petrol hybrid in the LC500h, making 354 bhp, or a brutish 5.0 litre V8 in the LC500, making 471bhp. Both come with a 10-speed auto Equipment specs Very high-end, and packed with gadgets and kit; the base model gets 20” wheels, a glass roof with sun-shade and a 12-speaker audio system; the Sport Pack adds the bigger wheels, a (lighter) carbon roof and yet posher front seats; and the Sport+ Pack gives Limited Slip Differential, real-wheel steering and more. (We say go for the Sport+ Pack.) Performance Top speeds are a limited 155mph (hybrid) and 168mph (V8); 0-62mph comes up in 4.4 seconds with the V8 (the hybrid isn’t much slower on paper, but is a less sporting device in the real world); and mpg is where the big difference comes in (44mpg plays 24mpg, or thereabouts.) In a nutshell A bold, striking, in-your-face luxury sports coupé, with bags of comfort and remarkable road manners; Germany, watch out. Dealer Lexus Bristol, Pioneer Park, Whitby Road, Bristol, BS4 3QB; www.lexus.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON LIFE I 43 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 99

Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions

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

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

Reinventing the Roman Baths

FUNDRAISING

UNDERNEATH THE ARCHWAY You can’t take them home, but gifting a Roman stone or a virtual tile will help the Archway Project inspire architects of the future A project to increase the education space at the Roman Baths by 400 per cent has launched a new appeal.

Its Archway Project is situated above the former Spa Laundry in Swallow Street, and will create two new learning spaces so the baths can host a range of community programmes.

It has been awarded £3.4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, but has now come up with a novel sponsorship Who‘d like a Roman stone for Christmas?

opportunity to raise more money.

From 1 – 12 December, the Roman Baths Foundation will run a Christmas appeal called 12 Days Of Archway, in support of the education project.

Instead of sending a Christmas card, people can sponsor a virtual tile, from £5, which can be customised.

Alternatively, people can also ‘adopt’ a Roman Stone as a unique gift – and receive regular updates about the stones, and invitations to exclusive events. There are three adoption levels, ranging from £100 to £1,000.

David Beeton, chairman of the Roman Baths Foundation, says, “12 days of Archway offers people some exciting gift ideas, and the money raised will help inspire the next generation of archaeologists for years to come.”

And people who sign up for the project’s newsletter during the appeal period can win a range of prizes, including afternoon tea for two in the Pump Room, and a tour for two people and tickets to visit the Roman Baths, Fashion Museum and Victoria Art Gallery.

The project will also have a stall at Bath Christmas Market on 8 December. For more: www.romanbaths.co.uk/archway

“I WORKED IN A COFFEE SHOP AND WAS VERY EXCITED WHEN MORTEN HARKET FROM A-HA CAME IN FOR A MOCHA” Anna Bowes on how earning pocket money left her starstruck.

For more: see page 102

£3.4m THE BIG NUMBER

How much playing the lottery has seen the Roman Baths benefit by.

For more: see opposite

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 101

BUSINESS INSIDER

ONE TO WATCH

ANNA BOWES Saving money means you can buy the things you really, really want – even if, when you’re young, that’s a pair of skates and a hit single from Mud, says the Savings Champion business director Tell us a little about your background...

I grew up in Surrey and moved to London when I was 10. I came to Bath in 2000 to work at Chase de Vere in their innovative Moneyline department, a free savings information service that became as popular with personal finance journalists as it was with savers. This is also where I met my fellow directors, Susan Hannums and Chris Shaw.

Since then, I have worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years and for most of that time I have been helping people to make the most of their savings.

financial services sector and that the needs of savers are largely ignored by the savings product providers and the government.

We wanted to change that and provide a no-nonsense simple savings advice service that everyone could use to earn as much interest on their savings as possible, and to help rebalance the market in favour of savers.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A vet because I love animals... the nearest I got to that is the fact that my best friend is a vet.

MY MUM TAUGHT ME THE VALUE OF MONEY

BY GETTING ME TO BUY CHOCOLATE RATHER THAN GIVING IT TO ME

And were you good with money when you were little?

My mum taught us the value of money by getting us to buy chocolate from the tuck-box rather than just giving it to us.

I’ve always liked to have money, but would also spend it rather than hoard it. Although I would save up for things that I particularly wanted, like the boot skates that all my friends had, and my first single, Tiger Feet by Mud (that’s showing my age!). It always felt very special to have saved up to buy something.

What was your first job?

A paper round at around the age of 13 – followed by working in a coffee shop on Saturdays in Kensington. It was next to a recording studio and I remember a very exciting day when Morten Harket from A-HA came in for a mocha.

Tell us a little about Savings Champion – how, why and when it was started…

Myself, Susan Hannums and Chris Shaw started Savings Champion in 2011 as we believed that savings advice was a neglected part of the 102 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

What are the best aspects of your job?

I simply love showing people just how much interest they can earn on their hard-earned savings if they are prepared to switch from the

high street banks.

Just recently, someone remarked that it was like magic, just how much they could earn compared to what their bank is offering them.

I also love the media aspect of my job – being trusted by the national personal finance media feels like a real achievement for me.

What makes Savings Champion stand out from others? And why does it have such a good reputation?

We are passionate about helping savers earn more interest – to stop them being ripped off by their bank.

Our passion, independence and integrity is illustrated by the trust we have earned from the financial press and broadcast journalists.

Our tables simply show the best of breed in order to make it easier to choose. And, if you

can’t see what you want, you can call a savings expert, in Bath, and we’ll help you get what you need.

We are proud to have created the largest database of savings account information in the UK. This enables us to monitor over 5,500 personal, business and charity savings accounts, which covers more than 18,000 interest rates.

We really are championing all savers, so whether you have £50 or £5m we want everyone to be able to access our service and benefit from improving the return on their savings.

Tell us about your £50 challenge…

If you have over £100,000 on deposit and we can’t improve either the total interest on your savings or the security of your savings, then we’ll donate £50 to a charity of your choice.

What was Saving Champion’s proudest moment?

When we launched it, I was invited onto BBC Radio 4 Money Box to talk about the services we were looking to offer. The surge of savers onto the site momentarily crashed it! I knew then that we had produced something that would be useful and relevant to savers.

Fast forward six years and we have over 70,000 savers registered with us, an office with 22 employees and a website that can cope with the traffic that comes in our direction because of the ongoing press we receive.

All of these things combined make me proud of what Savings Champion has achieved and the future looks even brighter.

Tell us something about you that might surprise us…

I am quite obsessed about parkrun on a Saturday morning – and have been a parkrun tourist at 21 locations around the UK. For more: www.savingschampion.co.uk

SPONSORED BY:

BATH RUGBY NEWS

MOVERS, SHAKERS, ETC

Bringing you the latest from the Bath Rugby headquarters Rachel Shaw

TAKE IT TO CHURCH Marshfield-based firm MJ Church is helping sportsmen and women by providing vital funding. Its latest ambassadors are Team Bath Netball and England international Rachel Shaw, badminton player Alex Lane, and swimmer Anna Hopkin, who will each receive a bursary towards their training and competition expenses in exchange for attending the company’s events.

For more: www.mjchurch.com

MILESTONE REACHED

Komedia’s move to become a community-owned club has got off to a good start.

The club, in Westgate Street in Bath, had raised £50,000 by the end of October.

Komedia needs to raise £350,000 by 21 November if its bid to be owned by the community is successful.

Investment starts at £250 and comes with a range of benefits, including a return of three per cent. Smaller amounts can be donated, starting from £25, and these are rewarded with ticket and other offers.

For more: page 14 and www.komedia.co.uk

Bath Rugby has made a splash with a new signing after partnering up with Bath Water.

The deal sees Bath Water named Official Hydration Partner of the Aviva Premiership club, and supplying the playing squad with bottled water. The brand will also be sold at The Rec on matchdays and be available to guests who attend events at its training ground, Farleigh House.

Bath Water’s co-founder Mark Allen says, “As a local Bath business, the partnership with Bath Rugby is a natural fit, supporting the rugby team both on and off the field. Bath Water captures our passion for our city as ‘Bath in a Bottle’. It is a refreshing, pure spring water drawn from the original source of Bath’s water from

Thirstquenching Luke Charteris, Mark and Rachel Allen and Taulupe Faletau

organic Mendip Hills land.

“We are extremely proud to have our spring water endorsed by the club’s professional athletes for healthy hydration.”

Raising a glass to the deal were first-team players Luke Charteris and Taulupe Faletau.

Bath Rugby’s business development director Matt Powell says, “The clear symmetry between Bath Water and Bath Rugby means that the fit is right for both parties and we are delighted to help them engage with the club’s fans and wider Bath community.”

For more: www.bathwater.co.uk

BUSINESS MATTERS DIARY From city centre conferences to networking breakfasts, make a note of these dates and make them work for you 15 NOVEMBER

20 NOVEMBER

23 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

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

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

Go Get Networking! for small business owners, the event will help address any barriers such as lack of time and budget.

9.15am; Framptons; www.eventbrite.co.uk

20 NOVEMBER

How to win a Bath Life Award seminar, with tips and ideas to make your entry stand out.

10am; The Apex; www.bathlifeawards.co.uk

21 NOVEMBER

The Bath, Bristol and Corsham Cyber Security Cluster meet for networking, plus speaker Billy Wardrope from Regency IT Consulting.

4pm; Hartham Park; www.eventbrite.co.uk

27 NOVEMBER

Bath Life Business Club with guest speaker Tim Warren, the leader of B&NES Council.

12pm; the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa; £50; www.bathlifebusinessclub.com

SPONSORED BY:

BUSINESS INSIDER

TERRIFIC THREE

IT’S A WRAP

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

TOP OF THE PILE Investment from China has seen Oriental Rugs of Bath secure its future and potentially tap into a new market.

Laurel and Ning Li decided to invest in the Hallatrow-based firm after hearing about it from a law firm that specialises in connecting Chinese investors with SMEs (small/medium enterprises) in the UK. “This investment secures the longterm future of the business and makes a potentially fruitful connection with China,” says manager Katya Maiseyeva.

“We were thrilled to show Laurel and Ning around the shop, giving them a better understanding of our product range and our ambition to build our reputation as the South West’s premier handmade rug shop.”

The investment was made under the Government’s Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa scheme, which grants investors a visa when they invest at least £50,000 in a UK business.

Oriental Rugs of Bath sells artisan rugs,

Ning Li, Katya Maiseyeva, William Pryor, Laurel Li and Joy Pryor

kilims, bags, furniture and accessories from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakstan, Pakistan and Turkey.

It also provides bespoke rug cleaning and restoration, with the business based at Bookbarn International. www.orientalrugsofbath.com

AWARDS KICK OFF! Noms are open!

The Bath Life Awards have properly kicked off – with nominations now open and two new sponsors unveiled.

And demand means that there will be no tickets on open sale this year, with priority going to finalists.

As businesses start entering the awards, all category sponsorships have now sold out – a whole five months before the uber-glam ceremony on 1 March.

The final categories of Business

Services and Health & Wellbeing were taken by new-to-Bath Hotel Indigo and cocktail bar Sub 13.

Now, just two silver sponsorships remain.

To help entrants craft the best nominations, a free How to Win a Bath Life Award seminar is being held on 20 November, with an updated 12 Top Tips guide on the Awards website. They cover everything from what to include in nominations to advice on using social media as a supporting tool.

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

A Bath designer has launched a range of limited-edition scarves as part of a community initiative with artisans in India.

Krishnaa Shyam was inspired to create the designs after visiting Chettinad, and now hopes a fundraising Kickstarter campaign will help her manufacture the luxe scarves.

“The money will be used for manufacturing and procuring handmade woven baskets from the artisans in the foundation, shipping from India and shipping to customers,” says Krishnaa of her Full Circle project.

“The Full Circle concept does not simply raise awareness or give back as an act of charity. It inextricably links local livelihoods and inspired products to make the relationship deep, meaningful and sustainable.

“In this project, I’m working with the M.RM.RM Foundation who are pioneering a transformation in the lives of the rural artisanal communities by building a sustainable and direct route to market their products.”

The limited-edition winter scarves start from £45 and are packaged in a reusable box, also handmade by the artisans. Krishnaa, an alumnus of Bath Spa University, has previously exhibited her work at the Bath Artisan Market and sold her scarves through local stores such as Boho.

For more: www.krishnaashyam.com

Companies self-nominate online and there are a host of tips to help you with your entry.

“The best piece of advice we can give to hopeful award-winners is that timing is everything,” says Steph Dodd, events manager at MediaClash.

“Please don’t sell your business short by leaving your nomination to the last minute.”

Categories available to enter include: Arts, Bar, Business Services, Café/Coffee Shop, Charity, Creative, Education, Event, Gastropub, Hair & Beauty, Health & Wellbeing, Homes & Interiors, Legal & Financial, Leisure & Tourism, New Business, Property, Restaurant, Retailer, and Technology & Innovation, plus new categories Environmental and Rising Star for those under 25.

A platinum award will also be awarded on the night to celebrate the best of the winners.

If you’d like to align your brand

with Bath’s most anticipated awards event, get in touch with Pat White, advertising manager, pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk The roster of sponsors features headline sponsor, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, platinum sponsor Bristol Airport, plus Savills, 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, Bath Volkswagen, soVision IT, Clifton Marquee Company, Hotel Indigo, Sub 13 and Enlightened Lighting. Feature sponsors are Circo, Vistage, SearchStar and Fwd:Thinking.

Silver sponsors include Mogers Drewett, Pearson May and the Trevor Osborne Property Group. www.bathlifeawards.co.uk @BathLifeAwards

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2017

CREATIVE WINNER Sponsored by

MYTTON WILLIAMS Creating strong branding pays dividends for businesses, says Bob Mytton, partner and creative director at the Bath brand and design studio.

How can its efforts be recognised?

With a Bath Life Award, of course

Bob Mytton and Hannah Lee know how to get a message across

So how did it feel to win a Bath Life Award?

How did you celebrate? And where is your award now?

It was great and we felt very proud to win against so many other great nominees – the creative sector in Bath is very strong. We celebrated at the after-party at Circo, which we know well (we designed the brand identity) and the award is now in our meeting room.

in the city; and working with a great team in a lovely studio.

What do you think makes Mytton Williams stand out from its competitors?

We are a brand and design studio with many years experience, developing brands that are simple, smart and timeless – with ideas that are relevant, well thought-through, beautifully crafted and effective.

IF YOU WANT TO BE REALLY GOOD, BE PREPARED FOR HARD WORK – IT’S NOT A NINE TO FIVE JOB

How did you get into doing what you do?

I trained as a graphic designer and worked in London for eight years with some major design studios on some significant brand projects, before coming to Bath to set up Mytton Williams.

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

And if so, how?

I feel very lucky doing something I love. The plan was to set up a design studio and do great work for a variety of brands, hopefully in our own studio.

After 22 years, we are still working with local and national brands, have our own studio with a great team and have won many design awards.

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

Absolutely. A great community helps make a great city. We really enjoy working with local businesses who care about design.

What do you love most about your job?

Solving problems; using design to help transform businesses and organisations; living and working

Have there been some tricky times for Mytton Williams?

Yes. After so many years in business there have been ups and downs. But by working together, sticking to our values and putting in the hours we’ve always come through and grown as a result.

What do you aim to achieve in the next couple of years?

To help more businesses in developing their brand and communications, and in particular to work with more organisations in the South West. Plus, I’m keen to develop our training and design education offer. The Werkhouse weekend we helped launch, where 20 design professionals did a workshop with 30 young designers over a weekend, is something I would like to help develop.

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

Developing good relationships and high levels of customer service are just as important as great design. And if you want to be really good, be prepared for hard work – it’s not a nine to five job.

Any news to share, or exciting projects in the pipeline?

We’re looking forward to sharing our brand work for a number of local hospitality businesses and, in November, a new design project for a national organisation. We are also planning on hosting some branding events in the coming months.

Why is a good brand important?

In a world where we are bombarded with messages every day, a good brand and strong communications help organisations stand out from the crowd, be remembered and get their message across clearly. Local brands we’ve created include Thermae Bath Spa, No.15 Great Pulteney, Clayton’s Kitchen and Malvern Hills Trust.

Nationally, we’ve worked with Waitrose, English Heritage and Royal Mail.

Brands need to consider all platforms to get their message across.

What do you love most about being in Bath?

It’s abeautiful city that’s small enough to walk everywhere but big enough to have a thriving cultural scene with a great community.

What do you do when you’re not working?

Spend time with the family, reading, and, more recently, cycling, but like many designers, I don’t see a split between work and home.

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

Employ people who are better than you.

Who are your business heroes?

I admire the partners at Pentagram, where I met my wife and business partner, Sophie.

Tell us something that might surprise us…

In 2014, I designed 100 posters, over 100 days, each on a different jazz musician.

For more: myttonwilliams.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 105

SPONSORED BY:

BUSINESS INSIDER

BATH LIFE BUSINESS CLUB

TOM LEWIS From building workspaces out of Lego as a child, to creating Bath’s first coworking hub, Tom Lewis of The Guild shared his story at the most recent Bath Life Business Club…

A

lthough Tom Lewis opened Bath’s first coworking hub – in which people looking for office space can all work under one roof – in August 2013, the concept of it has been in his mind much, much longer; even as a child he was building workspaces out of Lego.

“I’ve always been obsessed with the world of work,” he says. “People don’t have traditional nine-to-fives anymore. I’ve always been interested in how to make workspaces more interesting; my dad worked in this horrible, big office with cubicles, and I remember thinking ‘This is where you spend most of your life. It should be exciting, and people should be talking to each other’.

Instead of following the instincts that had been with him from childhood, though, Tom decided to become a salesman.

“My uncle was a great salesman,” says Tom who used to work in Bristol, selling coffee and coffee machines. “I thought sales was the right thing for me to go into, but I could never shake this workspace idea – it was always at the back of my mind. I wasn’t happy, I wanted to make a change.”

So how did he get started on creating The Guild coworking hub, situated next door to The Guildhall in central Bath? In truth, he had tried, and failed, setting up something similar in the past, but this time was different, and that might have had something to do with moving to Bath.

“I used to hate Bath,” he laughs. “I wouldn’t even look at it when I went past it on the train (how Queen Victoria of me). I ended up here, though – through complete fate after meeting the now mother of my children and moving to her home city – and didn’t know a single person, so I had to do something I dreaded: network.

“I thought, ‘If I set up a networking meeting myself, everyone will come to me and I don’t have to be the one who has to approach people,” he adds. “So I started a group called BathSPARK – a tech and creative networking meeting. I sent a LinkedIn message to this chap – David Maher Roberts – that I heard was doing a similar thing.

We started BathSPARK together, and it changed

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

The Guild’s Tom Lewis and colleague Lindsay Rocke at the Bath Life Business Club

my life.”

Off the back of that, the council invited Tom in for a chat. “They basically asked ‘Who the hell are you?’ and I thought, ‘I can either tell them I’m a washed-up coffee machine salesman, or I can tell them I want to change the world of work with this new thing ‘coworking’ where people work together under one roof, but for themselves,” he says. “They liked the idea, and they made things happen. It was basically: ‘Here’s a building, here’s a half a million-pound investment, and we’re not going to ask you a single question about the fact you have no experience in this’. I was making it up as I went along, but, very quickly, we had 10 members.”

I REMEMBER THINKING ‘THIS IS WHERE YOU SPEND MOST OF YOUR LIFE. IT SHOULD BE EXCITING’ In a nutshell, The Guild is a membershipbased workspace, and clients pay per month to be part of the CiC (a Community Interest Company which is protected and has a community benefit: essentially a not-for-profit).

Tom describes it as being like a gym – clients buy a certain number of hours, and use the space as they wish.

The workspace is limited to tech and creative industries – such as tech start-ups, PR companies and web designers – for the most part, but there’s a 10 per cent wiggle-room for people from other sectors to come in.

“One important point to make is that we see ourselves as a community,” says Tom. “It’s not just a room with pieces of wood you stick your laptops on: we have events and social gatherings, and we all get to know each other. It’s a family.

“For that reason (and others including practicality and lease limits) we do sometimes have to say no to people who want to join,” he adds. “Sometimes, though, people we don’t think will gel with the rest of the family can surprise us. For example, we had an insurance broker

come in, and we thought, ‘Is that really the type of person we want here?’ but, actually, this guy was making friends, making coffees, getting stuck in with conversation, and we realised he was great. It’s more of an attitude type of thing.”

There are now 200 people within The Guild, and the idea is that start-up companies there can grow, as Tom explains. “The whole idea is that businesses – which usually begin with one or two people – can expand (we have one at the moment which has grown from two to 14 people), but this also poses a problem because companies can become so big that they take over the culture of the space.

“We encourage them to move out to the wider market,” he says. “But the biggest road block for them is not being able to find a new space.”

Space is a challenge for Tom’s growing business at the moment, too, and he’s currently on the hunt for a follow-up property.

“The idea I’ve got is to create a space that has small glass offices – micro studios – all around (which seat two people), and if you buy a studio, you can buy as many spaces in the communal area as you want. Our existing customers love the idea. It’s got so much flexibility.”

It’s just a case of trying to find the right property, because, as Tom says, “the Georgians didn’t design the city with coworking in mind, which is pretty short-sighted of them”. What he does know, however, is that the new space will be in Bath, because what was once a city he loathed is now “the best and most unique” place he’s ever set eyes on.

For more: www.bathlifebusinessclub.com

FRESH THINKING OVER A FINE LUNCH

The Bath Life Business Club is a select group of senior business people. It features a leading speaker and a damn fine two-course lunch.

The next meeting is on 27 November with Tim Warren, leader of B&NES council. If you’d like to join, please contact Stephanie Dodd (Stephanie.Dodd@mediaclash.co.uk).

These events sell out quickly, so look out for the emails...

The Bath Life Business Club is sponsored

by Bishop Fleming

Successful, well-established year-round language school in the centre of Bath requires

HOMESTAY HOSTS IN BATH to host both short-term and long-term students.

We teach adults and teenagers, and need both single and twin-room accommodation.

For further details, including rates of payment, please contact our Accommodation Manager: Sarah Wringer, KIE Bath, 5 Trim Street, Bath, BA1 1HB Direct Line (01225) 473502, Email: sarah.wringer@kaplan.com

a d v ertising feature f i n a n c e

When commercial assets meet the personal life…

Nicola Walker from irwin mitchell private wealth explains why businesses can be put at risk by a separation or divorce

T

he majority of people don’t really plan well enough for the future, says Nicola Walker, family law partner at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth. “We deal with financial situations where people haven’t really thought this will happen to them.”

Businesses can be put at risk by far more personal matters, which is why Walker urges business owners to plan carefully. “Being in a firm like this where we have such a big and wide-ranging business team, there is much more of a focus on acting for people with business interests.”

“It is best to be involved right at the beginning of the story,” says Nicola. “You have to untangle so much, particularly if a couple are in business together or family assets are involved. For example, an up and coming entrepreneur who is doing really well and the business is flying - they don't necessarily think that in 15 years' time they might be sitting down talking about whether their current partner will get a share of the business they have built.”

Nicola continues: “As business owners, having to extract that money means implications for the business. How are they going to get it out of the business? Then it’s getting to the bottom of what the business is worth and other things which are massively disruptive.”

Nicola notes the high profile divorce of ASOS founder Nick Robertson, forcing him to sell 1.3m shares through a placing with institutional investors last year to fund his £70m divorce settlement.

The judge was asked to decide how much Robertson’s ex-wife Janine should receive after they failed to come to an agreement on the division of shares and property owned by the entrepreneur, which took ASOS from a £12m company when it floated on AIM in 2001, to a £3bn company today.

Stories like that of the former ASOS chief executive are the stuff of nightmares for entrepreneurs and successful businesspeople alike, but it is not often that they think about the situation early enough to mitigate it.

“This is not going to happen to everyone,” adds Nicola. “But on a more moderate level that happens to a lot of people, preparation in any event is therefore key.

“We need to discuss how they want to structure the business; when setting up home with someone, having a cohabitation agreement; how to manage finances, to think about having the right shareholder agreements for instance. Much of what we do centres around providing a sense of stability and knowledge for clients going through that situation when the relationship does break down.

“In terms of planning, the main thing is getting people to think about pre-nuptial agreements. As advisors now we must be talking about at least the option of a pre-nup to all our clients but especially the entrepreneurial ones.

“People were sceptical about them in previous years, that they would even have an effect, but the law has moved on massively in the past five years.”

The case of German paper company heiress Katrin Radmacher in 2010 made that clear, after the UK Supreme Court ruled

that the husband should be bound by his pre-nuptial agreement, giving very strong guidance on how pre-nups should be viewed.

“It gave people reassurance, and meant that we can be a bit more definite that they will benefit from having a pre-nup in place,” Nicola says.

Separation and divorce is going to represent a significant change to you and your family, especially if there is a business involved. Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth offer unrivalled guidance and methods to support you whatever the circumstance, help you plan appropriately and make the right decisions at the right time.

Contact Nicola on DDI: 0117 926 1584 or 0370 1500 100 Extension:1584 Nicola.Walker@IrwinMitchell.com www.irwinmitchell.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 109

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

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

HELP WHEN IT'S NEEDED BATH’S CHILDREN’S HOSPICE celebrates its 10th birthday

N

estled in a beautiful and secluded setting in North Somerset, Charlton Farm is the only dedicated hospice for Bath families whose children have been diagnosed with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. It looks after the whole family at a time when they need it the most.

Charlton Farm is the second of three hospices to be built by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), and is celebrating 10 years since it opened its doors to families in Bath, West Wiltshire and Somerset.

Unlike adult hospices, CHSW looks after families from the point of diagnosis and offers families short breaks, helping them to make the most of every moment with their children, often over many years and at any stage of a child’s illness.

Laura Hobbs from Bath is supported by Charlton Farm, and stays for short breaks throughout the year. She says, “Our daughter Elodie has a complex

medical condition, which means she has seizures, hearing loss, a heart defect, low muscle tone and developmental delay amongst other health problems. Elodie requires round-the-clock care and support. Charlton Farm is a major lifeline; it gives us a chance to relax for a few days knowing that Elodie has the care and support she needs. It isn't just the

“CHARLTON FARM GIVES FAMILIES THE CARE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED” quality of the environment that makes the hospice what it is, it is the love, friendship and smiles found inside which is simply amazing.”

Charlton Farm is open 365 days a year and its services are completely free of charge to families.

Thanks to its partnerships within the community

and with local companies, such as Bath-based Curo, CHSW can continue to raise vital funds and awareness necessary to provide the very best respite, palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care for local families into the future. The charity would like to thank the people of Bath for supporting its cause for the past 10 years and urges you to get involved with its fundraising initiatives taking place in Bath over the coming months, including its very special Jail & Bail event in May 2018!

For more information: www.chsw.org.uk; call 01275 866600 or email reception.cf@chsw.org.uk

Would you like to work in Media Sales?

We are always looking to hear from talented individuals who would like to work for MediaClash, presenting advertising opportunities and marketing solutions across our portfolio of fantastic local titles. We are a growing business and anticipate there being various opportunities over the next few months.

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

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

LITTLEDENE HOUSE Space and light are buzzwords in the property-selling lexicon, and this period property on Bailbrook Lane, Bath, has ample amounts of both

By E V E LY N GR E E N

112 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 113 www.mediaclash.co.uk I CLIFTON 113

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

N

atural light is essential to our wellbeing, but our homes are sometimes severely lacking in it, meaning we’re left with gloomy spaces that do nothing for our state of mind. Bright, spacious and airy living environments always seem to have a therapeutic effect, lifting our spirits and transforming our mood, just like a fantastic view from a window on a crisp morning might (turn to page 27 to see how much our columnist David Flatman loves a through-the-panes gaze). So living in a house positively flooded with natural light from every angle is the stuff of mindfulness dreams, right? Cue Littledene House on Bailbrook Lane, Bath, in which every room is bathed in the stuff.

In the bespoke, monochrome kitchen, for example, the vaulted glass ceiling welcomes rays to beam down on you while you prepare breakfast on the slick, black work surfaces, and when cooking your evening meal, why not take a moment to look up and star-gaze? The kitchen is our favourite room of this house (and most houses in general, to be fair); it’s open-plan, with ample space for a casual breakfast dining area, its style is pristine and distinctly modern, and it’s complete with a handy utility room – the perfect place for dirty boots after a wander through the nearby Alice Park.

The conservatory is another obvious place to enter if you want a little more sun-therapy – climb a few steps from the incredibly spacious dining hall, and you’re there.

The glass room opens out to a terrace that wraps itself around the principal rooms of the house, and there are 114 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Clockwise, from top left: the open fire is the focal point of the living room; light floods the modern kitchen; enjoy beautiful views of the garden from the conservatory; the extremely roomy dining hall

HOUSE NUMBERS

2,898

square foot of space

5

bedrooms

3

reception rooms

6

bathrooms/ cloakrooms

£1.395M price

0.35

acre gardens

beautiful views of the well-kept garden, with its raised beds designed to border the path and steps, and a main area laid to lawn, complete with some fine specimen trees.

The living room – which boasts traditional parquet flooring and an open fire – has floor-to-ceiling glass doors (more light) leading out to the garden, and the dining room and second-floor bathroom both have skylights installed (even more light).

The first floor houses three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and there are a further two bedrooms and a shower room on the second floor. There is also the benefit of a games room for children, plenty of parking, and a separate store room and office space (which has its own WC) in a stone outbuilding – ideal for those who work from home, or have hobbies which require additional space.

Although the décor has a contemporary element, the property is actually a period one, benefitting from a private, quiet and semi-rural spot on the edge of the city.

The tucked-away house is not far from Bath’s city centre, Larkhall and the village of Batheaston, and it’s within walking distance of a primary school, a doctors, a chemist, a shop and a pub.

The sun hasn’t got his hat on for many hours during this season, but when it beams, Littledene House will be flooded with its rays, creating a wonderful light and airy entertaining space to be boastful about.

Hamptons International Sales, Bath, 32 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT; 01225 312244; www.hamptons.co.uk

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E P R O P E R T Y

WHY PEOPLE ARE BUYING AND SELLING VIA ONLINE PROPERTY AUCTIONS

A

Peter Greatorex explains why THE APARTMENT COMPANY is embracing technology to help people buy and sell property

s part of our ongoing commitment in embracing the latest cutting edge technology to help people buy and sell apartments, we have now launched an online property auction service, in association with IAMSold, which has already sold 11,000 properties this way.

This innovative concept is all about the buzz of the auction room combined with the advantages of an online auction. They offer a 21st century way to maximise interest in your apartment and achieve a fast, secure sale. We still list properties on our website with all the details and photographs, market them and arrange viewings in person, but we invite buyers to place bids online instead.

It may sound a bit different, but online

property auctions boast many benefits for sellers. For example, you get real time updates, 24/7 bidding, and useful tools such as automated bidding. A specific pricing and marketing strategy will help create increased levels of interest. This should lead to competitive bidding wars which naturally bring up the price and ensure people are paying market value.

You also get to set a reserve price, so you know your home won’t sell for anything less than what you’re happy with. Another added bonus is that there are fixed timescales for exchange and completion, making the sales process quicker, bringing confidence for both parties. Also, sellers don’t need to pay a fee.

Furthermore, you get the security of a sale, as the buyer has to pay a reservation fee to secure the property once they’ve won the bid.

There are many benefits for buyers too.

Times have changed in how properties are sold which is why we strive to make sure we can provide both traditional and modern methods for our buyers and sellers. Do get in touch if we can help you too.

For more advice visit our blog at www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk/blog.html Sales: 01225 471144 Lettings: 01225 303870 www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk

Bristol & Clifton's premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk

UNIT 2, THE OFFICE VILLAGE, BATH BUSINESS PARK, BATH

• Self contained office.

• Modern, open plan space, with high quality finishes.

• Showers and bike storage.

Electrical Contractors & Solar PV Specialists Tel: 01225 438777 - Mobile: 07790 977156 Email: info@paulhussey.co.uk www.paulhussey.co.uk

• Approximately 2,124 sq ft – 4,284 sq ft (197.3 sq m – 397.9 sq m).

• 15 on site car parking spaces.

• Well established business park.

• Available to rent, new lease available.

For any further information, please contact Finola Ingham of Burston Cook on 0117 934 9977

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

SERVICES GUIDE

HOME CARE

GUIDE to SERVICES in the

ALLERGY TESTING

ALLERGY TESTING

CITY

Feeling unwell? May I help you?

ARE YOU FIT INSIDE AND OUT?

uk co. st. yte erg all w. ww

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL THE BATH LIFE TEAM ON 01225 475800 CONTRACTOR

Headaches & migraine, tiredness & fatigue, weight problems, eczema or other skin problems, asthma, catarrh & sinus congestion, IBS & digestive disorders, anxiety & depression.

If you suffer with any of the above complaints, an hour’s test could change your life!

For your nearest tester please contact Cindy on 07747 800097 or 01934 824056, or email allergytesting@churchviews.co.uk

Now testing at Lansdown Clinic, Bath BA1 5EE www.allergytest.co.uk

DECORATING

Paul Swift Painting and Decorating

45 Old Fosse Road Odd Down, Bath BA2 2SP

To advertise here call ✆ 01225 475800

Tel: 01225 352437 07894 210446 Fax: 01225 350429 Member of Painting, Decorating Association

STONE SPECIALISTS

NORTON MASONRY LTD Repairs, Restoration Alteration of Stone Buildings New Build Stone Cleaning Stone Carving Fireplaces

Tel: 01225 462688 / 07968 697091 Email: Julian@bathstonemasons.co.uk

www.bathstonemasons.co.uk

Stonework Specialists & General Builders 38 LONG BARNABY, MIDSOMER NORTON, RADSTOCK BA3 2TZ

Tel/Fax: 01761 419422 Fax: 01761 232480 Mobile: 07901 712232 / 07899 927276

Email: nortonmasonryltd@hotmail.co.uk

www.nortonmasonryltd.co.uk Over 30 Years Experience

SERVICES GUIDE

PONDS AND AQUATICS

HOUSEKEEPING

Richard Brook POND & AQUATIC SYSTEMS

DESIGN • CONSTRUCTION • CLEANING • MAINTENANCE BLANKET WEED SOLUTIONS AND MORE T: 07834 973945 E: richard.brook9@btinternet.com

Laundry and Ironing Services Tailored to your needs Domestic and Commercial

www.bathhousekeeping.com FRE pick-up E an delivery d availab le

01225 292141 | 07977563167 info@sparklingmatters.com

WWW.PONDANDAQUATICSYSTEMS.CO.UK HOLIDAY RENTALS

INTERIOR STYLING

60+ luxury properties for lets 2 nights to 5 months Holidays – For business – Friends & family – Temporary accommodation during renovation/relocation Contact: 01225 482 225 | alexa@bathholidayrentals.com www.bathholidayrentals.com Offering 4 & 5 star holiday rentals since 2006

GARDEN SERVICES

JEWELLERY

CONTRACTOR

Nigel Dando For Special Gardens Quality Garden Care and Development (by M.A.C. Gardening Services)

Established 20 years Bath based company 01225 336556 or 07833 351568 email: michael.cuff25@btinternet.com www.macgardeningbath.co.uk

WE BUY Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition.

Nigel Dando 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY Tel/Fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk

Luxury & local The most sophisticated audience is just a call away

2

d 197

lishe

Estab

D R Vowles & Son Ltd are highly reputable roofing contractors based in Bath, Somerset. We provide premier roofing services for residential, commercial and industrial clients with properties throughout the south west.

For more information please call Liz today

01225 425232

Upper Weston Farm, Weston, BATH BA1 4HL

drvowlesandson.co.uk PLUMBING AND HEATING A family run business, installing, servicing and repairing boilers and heating systems in Bath for 25 years.

Landlords Gas Safety Inspections also undertaken

Accredited Installer

✆ 01225 475800

MADDISON plumbing heating & gas services ltd.

T 01225 837025 E steve.maddison@virgin.net maddisonplumbing.co.uk

B AT H L I V E S

Q&A

R

ecently, you may have spotted our books columnist – Nic at Mr B’s Emporium Of Reading Delights – enthusing about the 111 Places in Bath That You Shouldn’t Miss guide. Here we chat with the author himself, Justin Postlethwaite, whose background is in audio books, and who is a magazine editor, specialising in French tourism. His travel guide is the newest release in the international series 111 Places That You Shouldn’t Miss, which has over 250 titles and 1.5 million copies in print worldwide. The local book is a collection of 111 unusual and unknown places in Bath which are illustrated with 111 photographs. The book invites locals and tourists alike to discover a more eccentric and bizarre side of the city, distinct from its famous landmarks.

I decided to write 111 Places in Bath That You Shouldn’t Miss because…

The publisher, Emons, wanted a longtime Bath local to reveal the secrets of the city. Inspiration came from having a nose around, speaking to friends, and lots and lots of research. I wanted to include some contemporary businesses and local characters, not just beautiful old buildings. I loved talking to people from all walks of life, such as the late Eric Snook, and Niraj Gadher who runs Chai Walla. It’s my first book, and, given the amount of work involved, it may well be my last!

Only kidding, I’d love to do another, about French cinema.

The 111 spots that feature are all off the beaten track, hidden or have an unusual story…

I also enjoy taking a sideways look at a familiar spot, but, of the lesser-known places in the city, the most incongruous perhaps is Fairfield House, with its shrine to Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, who lived in exile there. It’s now a place of pilgrimage for Rastafarians, and a drop-in centre for senior citizens. It’s very cool.

I moved to Bath in 1996 and I’ve lived all over the city…

I’ve lived on Norfolk Crescent; the top of Marlborough Lane (the cheese-shaped house); and St James’s Square, which is just about perfect. All of its residents had a key for the garden in the middle, an oasis of calm and beauty. You could see grazing sheep there until fairly recently – now this only happens at Lansdown Crescent. Today I live on the Bear Flat.

The pleasures of Bath are never-ending…

The best bits are its walkability, creative jobs, parks and a good chance of bumping into someone you know.

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

JUSTIN POSTLETHWAITE The Bath-based author on the unexpected curiosities and hidden delights in the city…

My favourite shops and restaurants include…

Mick’s corner shop by St James’s Square, which reminds me of everyone’s need for a natter in a community hub, to feel a part of where you live.

And Urban Outfitters is a shop I should not be going to at my age but I’m convinced I can still carry off a ‘Farah’ skinny jean. As for pubs, my go-to is The Hop Pole – a home from home; and The Star, which I put in the book, which should be cherished or it might end up just another soulless, grey-walled gastropub. And my favourite restaurant is Mai Thai.

The best view in Bath is…

The one from Alexandra Park. This spot makes for the best finger-pointing perspective from on high; I also love the view from one of the benches at Excel tennis in the park. I have spent many, many hours on those courts playing in all weathers. I would love to have my name on a new bench there when I shuffle off, so other unfortunates might hear the air turn blue as they watch sweaty, middle-aged men lurch about.

If I’m having a lazy day, I most like to visit…

The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel. I wrote about its Roman mosaic and was invited to ‘take to the waters’ and have a massage – it was heavenly.

Bath public library has a lovely zen quality to it as well.

My most treasured possession is rather odd…

It’s a tiny clump of horrible, sludge-green carpet.

I nicked it ‘by accident’ from the wall of the Jungle Room at Graceland many years ago on a brilliant boys’ holiday. I’m convinced The King

touched it, but don’t tell the FBI, who have been after me ever since. Possibly.

Something not many people know about me is…

You will find my name in cricket bible Wisden, circa 1988.

Biggest achievements professionally?

Becoming editor of a national magazine and seeing it on sale for the first time was hard to beat. A late friend of mine, Adam, was my greatest cheerleader and when he told me how proud he felt at seeing my name and mug in WHSmiths, I could have burst.

If I was giddy with power and could change anything about Bath…

I’d halve house prices, but only for those below a certain income so they could get a mortgage that day. The lack of affordable housing is nothing short of scandalous (even though student accommodation springs up everywhere). I would also put those who own a garden to the bottom of the allotment list.

One thing I’ve learned from over 20 years of living here is...

Always look up in Bath.

111 Places in Bath That You Shouldn’t Miss, published by Emons, is out now.

For more information, visit www.111places.com/guide-books

Bathrooms at

No.

5

your local Villeroy & Boch studio Now open | 12a Trim Street, Bath BA1 1HB | 01225 308060 5 The Shambles, Bradford on Avon BA15 1JS | 01225 309110 | www.bathroomsatno5.co.uk