Bath Life – Issue 409

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 409 / 17 – 31 JANUARY 2020 / £3

@BathLifeMag

TURN IT UP!

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE CITY

ISSUE 409 / 17 – 31 JANUARY 2020 / 2020 VISION

HOW TO CRANK UP YOUR LIFE IN 2020

PLUS!

THE YOUNG PETER GABRIEL THE OLD FIREHOUSE ROTISSERIE AND A GIRL HANDS US HER HEART

SHOULD YOU

➽ INVEST IN A NEW HOUSE? ➽ BUILD A NEW YOU? ➽ FIND NEW WAYS TO ENTERTAIN YOURSELF? YES, YES AND YES WE SHOW HOW, WITH BATH’S BEST GYMS, DEVELOPERS AND VENUES

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: Need a new start?

Try this freshly-built home from Curo (page 86); BELOW: A scrumptious soap to get you going in the morning (page 62)

*Only joking, she’s now editor of the estimable Exeter Living magazine, and still sits at a desk adjacent to mine much of the time.

Check it out if you’re ever in South Devon.

I

t’s just come to my attention that I’m back as editor of Bath Life.

It doesn’t seem possible, but it would explain a lot: not least the number of hours I seem to have been spending recently around MediaClash Towers, and how big the bags under my eyes appear to have grown.

While I try to make sense of it all, two conflicting storylines are dancing and fighting in my mind. One tells of late night working, and covers we have to pull at the last minute with no emergency replacement in sight, and hangovers from last night’s Scene-worth shindig sweating out through my shirt as I sit at my desk with a full-fat Coca-Cola and bed hair, trying to think of something witty to write for this issue’s ed’s intro.

(Nothing to do with this morning’s situation, oh no.)

And the other tells of the good times: of all the interesting people I get to meet through this job, and each exciting Bath innovation and unexpected treat that comes my way through reporting on such a vibrant, friendly, pretty little city.

Balancing the two turns my brain to mush – at least, it seems to be doing so today – but ultimately, of course and always, the upsides far outweigh the bad. I’m only here for a bit (until about June now, I believe, when permanent editor Lisa Evans returns to us), but that’s plenty of time to have a bit of fun here. Thanks to Harriet Noble, who I’ve been tag-teaming with as fill-in during Lisa’s absence, and who’s now gone away to live on a farm*, and to dep ed Lydia, who’s putting a brave face on putting up with me again. And though 2020 seems to be starting in dramatically bizarre and unpredictable fashion on the more global stage, it promises great things here in our little bubble. I look forward to talking about them over the weeks and months ahead.

MATT BIELBY Follow us on Twitter @BathLifeMag Instagram @bathlifemag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 3

Issue 409 / 17–31 January 2020 COVER The view across Bath from Hope House, an impressive new build project by Acorn Property; photo by Grant Frazer

VENUES

29 Bath’s best live performance venues, and what they’ve

each got planned for the months ahead

THE ARTS

39 ARTS INTRO A second chance to see the Peter Gabriel

Reflections photo collection

40 WHAT’S ON Theatre, stand up, music, exhibitions and

plenty of cool and fun family-friendly stuff too

47 BATH FESTIVALS We take a look back at notable

moments from festivals past

49 BOOKS The start of a new reading decade 51 THEATRE Anna shares Theatre Royal’s haunted history

FOOD&DRINK

53 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Competitions, cocktails and a

class about gin, coming soon

54 TRY 5 Where to find a hearty breakfast 58 RESTAURANT California cool at Firehouse Rotisserie

65

29

SHOPPING

61 INTRO Lust after this striking tableware 62 EDITOR’S CHOICE Get some serious self care sorted

with this luxurious selection of body products

LIFESTYLE

65 FITNESS How to get fit (and stay that way) 72 GARDENS A new book about Hauser & Wirth’s amazing

gardens through the seasons

106 LIVES A day in the life of the VAG’s Jon Benington

BUSINESS

75 BATHWORKS Local businesses making the headlines

PROPERTY

83 SHOWCASE A very big house in the country 86 NEW BUILDS Five new home developments we love 98 RESIDENCE Scandi living in Somerset

DEPARTMENTS 9 SPOTLIGHT 15 SOCIETY 23 A MAN’S WORLD

Editor Matt Bielby matt.bielby@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Editor Lydia Tewkesbury lydia.tewkesbury@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 Editor’s Photo Damon Charles Contributors Nic Bottomley, David Flatman, Paul Marland, Harriet Noble, Anna O’Callaghan, Imogen Wilde and Nick Woodhouse Group Advertising Manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Advertising Manager Justine Walker justine.walker@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Advertising Manager Polly Jackson polly.jackson@mediaclash.co.uk Account Manager Annabel North annabel. north@mediaclash.co.uk Account Manager Louis Grey louis.grey@mediaclash.co.uk Sales Executive Callum Staines callum.staines@mediaclash.co.uk Production/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 Chief Executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bath Life MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved.

May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

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 and Exeter. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag). 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

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

SPOTLIGHT Music

IT’S BACH

New Year honours

ROYAL APPROVAL

Bath resident Professor Peter John got made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s 2020 New Year’s honours list, thanks to his outstanding work and service to higher education. Professor John has worked in education for more than 30 years, and has been vice-chancellor at the University of West London (UWL) since 2007, during which time he’s played an instrumental role in transforming the institution into the success it is today.

“I am both thrilled and humbled to receive this award,” he says. “It’s a fitting acknowledgement of the importance of education and the essential role it plays in unlocking potential and transforming people’s lives for the benefit of all. It’s also a proud day for me and my family, as well as an acknowledgement of those, both past and present, who have served and continue to serve the University so well. Above all, however, it is the students who, often against the odds, achieve so much; it is they who are most deserving of what this honour represents.”

For more: www.uwl.ac.uk

Rachel Podger and featuring rising star mezzo-soprano Ciara Hendrick. This explores Bach’s musical antecedents in the second evening concert of the festival, including works by two of Bach’s extended family, J.M. and J.C., as well as a concerto and a secular cantata by J.S. to finish.

There’s nothing like a piece of classical music to shake off the cobwebs in these dark and murky months.

For more: www.bathbachfest.org.uk

Brecon Baroque: poised and ready

© THERESA PEWAL

New CBE: Professor Peter John

It’s almost time for Bath Bachfest’s 2020 run. Held on 20-22 February, this firm favourite of the classical calendar celebrates the music of J.S. Bach and his baroque contemporaries. Programmed

by Amelia Freedman, the short festival features five concerts from internationally acclaimed artists, but though the entire thing sounds a treat, we’ll mention just one highlight – Brecon Baroque, directed by violinist

Meet your new favourite animal

Longleat

© R ACHAEL HALL

NEW FRIENDS Have you met Longleat’s newest residents? They’re Pumpkin and Squash, a pair of female prehensile-tailed porcupines recently arrived at the Wiltshire Safari Park from collections in Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Known for their distinctive appearance and large, squishy-looking noses – some compare them to the scene-stealing Niffler from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – prehensile-tailed porcupines are strict vegetarians, originally from Central and South America. They get their name from their long, hairless tails and spend most of their time living in trees – when they’re not sniffing out tasty snacks, that is. Longleat is only the second place in the UK to keep the porcupines, and there are plans to use the pair to start a breeding colony of their own when a male arrives to join Pumpkin and Squash this year.

“As soon as we saw them, we knew Squash and Pumpkin were going to be a huge hit with both keepers and the public,” says Longleat’s head of animal adventure, Graeme Dick. (And he’s not wrong, if the reaction in the Bath Life office is anything to go by.) “That, combined with the fact they’re super cute and look like magical beasts from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, means they’re already firm favourites with everyone who meets them.”

For more: www.longleat.co.uk

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SPOTLIGHT Bath College

DOORS OPEN

Bath College has opened Wellow House, its brand new, state-of-the-art Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Centre. Based at the college’s Somer Valley Campus in Radstock, Wellow House features a sensory room, a de-escalation calming room, an accessible kitchen and a fully operational onebedroom flat. The new facility means the college has now welcomed a cohort of pre-entry level learners with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), who will follow a curriculum designed around Pathways to Adulthood. This is a new initiative that will be available in addition to Bath College’s successful Life and Independent Living Skills (LILS) programme, designed for 16-25-year-old learners with SEND. “We are delighted to launch Wellow House,” says Carole Stott, chair of governors at Bath College. “This is part of the ‘Local First’ policy, where young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are educated in their local community, rather than being sent ‘out of county’.”

For more: www.bathcollege.ac.uk

Carole cuts the ribbon at Wellow House

Fashion Museum

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING

Fashion Museum Bath has declared 2020 the Year of the Shoe. In March, a world-class selection of more than 100 pairs of shoes will go on display to celebrate – over half of which have never been shown before. The exhibition, featuring the highlights of the museum’s 3,000 pair collection, will demonstrate the evolution of shoe design over the last 300 years. From some of the oldest pairs belonging to Her Majesty Queen Mary to more modern examples by Vivienne Westwood, Versace and Jimmy Choo, it’s a fascinating insight into how fashion has changed from 1600 to the present day.

“In 2020, the Fashion Museum will ‘lift the lid’ on the museum’s fabulous, and sizeable, collection of shoes,” says manager Rosemary Harden. “Our visitors keep telling us they love shoes! The Fashion Museum is thrilled, therefore, that this will be the year to showcase as many pairs, and as many styles – historical shoes, up-to-the-minute styles, platforms, trainers, stilettos, mules, slippers – as possible, both in the gallery displays here in Bath, and worldwide through our online platforms. Stand by for variety, originality, creativity… and pairs and pairs of fashionable and extraordinary shoes for men, women and children through the ages.”

For more: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

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Put your paws up for a weekend

Award winner

BEST IN SHOW

Woolley Grange has clinched the title ‘Fido’s Family Favourite’ in the PetsPyjamas 2019 Dog-Friendly Travel Awards. Judged according to dog-loving atmosphere (at all times), three or more dog-friendly rooms, fourlegged access to some of the property’s communal areas and pup-friendly eating areas – a special doggo menu is a bonus – and nearby attractions for all the family (especially the dog) to enjoy, Woolley Grange scored highly in all the important areas.

Woolley Grange’s space for off-lead walkies and pet listening service, allowing you to leave your pup for short periods safe in the knowledge that staff will alert you should they start fussing – as well as their family appeal – cemented this place as Fido’s Favourite.

“At Woolley Grange we warmly welcome dogs and their owners to our ‘home from home’ hotel. We all love dogs here, and really feel like they help to make a house a home,” says Caroline Mackay, marketing manager at Woolley Grange. “Our resident King Charles Spaniel, Rex, greets all his guests with a wagging tail, and there is readily available water and treats on arrival, as well as a field to run around in to let of steam after the journey. We hope you’ll like it here as much as we do.”

For more: www.woolleygrangehotel.co.uk

Shoes, glorious shoes

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SCENE T H E L AT E S T A DV E N T U R E S I N PA R T Y- GO I N G AC ROSS BAT H

There was a great turn out for the night

Clare Crestani and Leslie Loach

Dave Mason, Ken Loach, Carole Banwell and Shaun Smith

Diane Stenton, Bella Stenton and Mark Stenton

Ken was on hand for a Q&A session after the film

SORRY WE MISSED IT

James Clark and Jon Bickley

Bath City Football Club recently held an exclusive screening of the powerful new drama Sorry We Missed You in the company of the film’s director, Ken Loach.

Ken, who has twice won the coveted Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, is an avid supporter of Bath City and can often be spotted on the terraces amongst the matchday crowds at the club’s ground, Twerton Park. Following the screening, which took place in front of 180 people packed into the supporters’ bar, he led a lively Q&A with the audience, offering them the chance to share thoughts and experiences and to hear more about the making of the film.

A collection was made at the end, with proceeds being split between Bath City FC Foundation and the Southside Family Project. www.bathcityfc.com Photos by James Arthur Allen

Tom Wiseman, Sharon Wiseman, Lucy Fordham, Ken Loach, Sarah Morrison, Penny McKissock and Donna Hodson

Robin Gibbs, Barbara Gibbs, Gary Gibbs and Karen Wilkinson

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SOCIETY

Simon Wear and John Gower

Marie Young and Guy Dungworth

#JOINTHECOUNTDOWN Chris Anderson, curator of TED, unveiled an exciting new project at an event with Creative Bath. Sponsored by Play Sports Network, the evening saw Walcot House packed with people keen to hear the news. Along with Tom RivettCarnac, a major player in the 2015 Paris Agreement, Chris presented his new worldwide climate change initiative, known as Countdown. The project’s ambitious aims are fourfold: eradicate the internal combustion engine by 2030, plant a trillion trees by 2050 and, more immediately, host a climate emergency conference in Bergen, Norway in October, followed by an ‘international global gathering’ immediately afterwards, where people will come together to share their ideas for dealing with everything from transport to food in a way that works for the planet. www.countdown.ted.com Chris Anderson and Simon Harrison

Tom Rivett-Carnac and Bee Rivett-Carnac

Photos by Giulia Spadafora/Soul Media

Juan Lopez and Yvonne Russill

Gill Andrew, Nathan Baranowski and Ritka Carr Tom and Chris on stage, presenting the Countdown plan

The event was totally sold out 16 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Matthew Evans and Sarah Pullen

SOCIETY

David Dixon, Mark Bradbury and Rich Wigley

Katherine Raderecht and Jayne Caple

Jack Gilham and Trevor Gilham Rhodora Baguilat and Jeanie Honey

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

While in Bath for the unveiling of a major new TED initiative (see previous page), Chris Anderson stopped by the Bath Life Business Club lunch at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa for a lively conversation about entrepreneurship, climate emergency and his days at Future Publishing – which he started back in 1985. At the lunch, sponsored by Mogers Drewett, Chris spoke about the evolution of TED from an ideas sharing platform to its recent step into the world of activism, a lifetime of risky and ultimately productive business decisions, living life with an eye to what could be, and the role of Bath in Future’s success.

For more on the conversation, see page 79. www.bathlifebusinessclub.com Photos by Betty Bhandari

Ed Grobler and Giles Griffiths Annabel Jackson, James Binns, Joel Gregory and Catherine Lichota

Tim Fendley, Andy Marshall, John Gower and David Flatman Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford

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

Andrew Taylor and Rosa Park

Joe Cussens and Tim Moss

SOCIETY

Michael Brady

John Harney, Lynn Bridges, Jennifer Harney, Dave Harney and Marion Harney

THE BIG QUIZ

Bathavon Rotary Club members recently gathered for their annual Quiz Night at The Mint Room.

Hosted by Mint Room boss Moe Rahman, the quiz and dinner was a fun test of general knowledge – competition was, as ever, pretty fierce – as well as a great fundraiser. The Club raised well over £2,000, which will be donated to The Genesis Trust and Bath Stroke Support Group, both local charities doing vital work in the community. www.rotary-ribi.org Jon Wansey and Stuart Andrews

Ken Jefferies and Tony Duce Roger Payne, Lesley Payne, Tony Perry, Debbie Perry, Adrian Hurst and Jack King

Michael Wood

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Stella Tonks, Ashish Rawat, Moe Rahman, Anthony Burts and councillor Manda Rigby

Back row: Imran Khan, Moe Rahman, Soyful Alom, Shaikh Ahmed and Juhal Ahmed; front row: Ashish Rawat and Louis Zed Graham

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A MAN’S WORLD DAVID FLATMAN

Life isn’t sweet

© TAKING PICTURES

Or, at least, not sweet enough for Flats.

Look, we’ll just let him explain…

“Maybe I need to be less grouchy?”

N

ow this column may bounce around a bit, and that may be because I am four days late for my deadline (not the latest I’ve been) and also because I popped out last night and, wouldn’t you know it, the red wine that the lovely lady at the Marlborough Tavern kept bringing over was delicious. I also took my daughters to school this morning in my pyjamas. I’m not even sorry.

First of all, I’d like to talk about the Theatre Royal. We went to the pantomime on Christmas Eve and it was good, and it’s nice to begin these things with a positive. However, we were again disappointed at the almost nonexistent choices of treats. As soon as I approached the bar I realised that, on the same day a year earlier, I’d promised myself I’d remember to go to a sweet shop en route to the panto, as there was naff all inside. Obviously, I forgot.

Truly – and I know I’m being a baby – the lack of fun stuff to eat and drink in there is a scandal.

Can somebody have a word, please? Anyway, yes, the panto was good. Not exceptionally good, but good. It was also nine hours long, which seems punchy. Maybe I need to be less grouchy?

Next up is the gym. I know, I know, you’re working off that Christmas weight. New year, new me, etc. Well, would some of you mind just going for runs instead?

Firstly you wouldn’t have to drive or take the bus into town, so you’d be helping the environment, and secondly you wouldn’t be contributing towards turning my gym into what feels like an organised political leisurewear rally. I think there were 89,745 people in the gym at 11am yesterday, and it was a version of hell. Please do not mistake me for someone who discourages folks from having a go, far from it. I love all that, and always admire hugely those who turn up and

try, despite the gymnasium not being their natural or preferred environment. The people I’d like to remove are the ones who are lying to themselves. They will come five times and they will not come again until a week before their summer trip to Lanzarote.

They’re also the ones who clog up all the machines, leave their kit everywhere, and slow the rest of us down. My lungs and waistline would benefit hugely from regular long runs, but I am not going to join a running club and slow everyone down because I know I will not keep it up, because I don’t lie to myself.

Finally, let’s talk about Firehouse. I love it there, or at least I think I do. As young rugby players, we would eat there quite a lot as we loved the grub. And it’s still going strong, so said grub must still be bang on. The thing is, I’m too scared to go back. You see, circa 2004 or 2005, four of us had ordered and were awaiting our food. We were messing about and ribbing one another and, because he’s an awful bully, my teammate Martyn Wood at one point called me a fat b****rd. No problem there and, frankly, not much in the way of defence.

Crucially, though, the manager happened to be walking past at that exact moment, and firmly believed the comment was directed at her. Oddly, she was, from memory, extremely slim, but she refused to believe that my potty-mouthed contemporary was insulting the 20 stone lump in front of him and promptly kicked us out. She then emailed Bath Rugby and informed them that we were officially banned. Crikey, dare I go back?

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

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VENUES Komedia Bath: your perfect night out may (or may not!) look just like this…

THE PERFECT NIGHT OUT Anybody trying to dodge the booze, but still wanting to be entertained? (Or, rather, is anybody not?) Bath’s top venues – our independent theatres and cinemas and gig spaces – are keen to make us laugh, make us cry, make us dance, and generally romance the hell out of us. Ladies and gentlemen, your best nights are ahead of you – and though you’re welcome to drink, it’s in no way a prerequisite to having fun…

By Matt Bielby www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 29

1

KOMEDIA Westgate Street Where it doesn’t matter if you don’t like one gag, as there’ll be another along in a minute Bath’s top comedy venue also hosts bands and cabaret in the old Beau Nash Cinema – the South West’s first purpose-built picture house, as it goes, originally opened in the early 1900s and now Grade II listed. That old cinema was an impressive space but with rotten sound, and though the first remains, the second has long since been happily upgraded.

Komedia, the Brighton-based variety specialists, moved in here in 2008, revitalising the then-derelict building. “We celebrated our 11th birthday last year,” says marketing manager Ellie Rogers, “and over that time we’ve seen more than three-quarters of a million people pass through the doors.”

In 2012, a partnership with Picturehouse – the art house cinema chain, and the people behind The Little Theatre – saw the movies return to the old Beau Nash too, while in 2017 there was a successful community ownership bid. “This saw Komedia Bath become the city’s first community-owned venue dedicated solely to live entertainment,” Ellie says. “It’s allowed us to take on board the needs and ideas of the people of the city when it comes to our programming, and has secured

The question is: how did they get the elephant through the Theatre Royal’s doors?; right: Catch Kiri Pritchard-McLean while she’s still playing smaller venues like Komedia (and still healthy, from the disturbing look of that pic)

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

the future of the venue for as long as people want it. Legislation would now have to change for the building to be used as anything other than a community entertainment space, which we think is a pretty cool thing to have achieved.”

This year the guys are planning to up the venue’s music game, with rock ’n’ roll legends Marty Wilde and The Wilde Cats and blues virtuoso Joanne Shaw Taylor both lined up for this year, but live stand-up comedy will always remain their bread and butter.

“Our Krater Comedy Club sees over 300 punters attend each week to see three top stand-ups and a compere; it’s what our reputation was built on. We’ve seen Sarah Millican, Russell Howard and Romesh Ranganathan all take to the stage long before they became the massive household names they are today, and we still help upcoming comics break onto the scene.

“The Komedia idea is rooted in a love of live performance and a belief in its power to add to the sum of human happiness.”

Our pick for 2020: Kiri Pritchard-McLean brings her ‘Empathy Pains’ show to town on Sunday, 26 April. “She’s a powerhouse of a stand-up, and really starting to blow-up,” Ellie says, “so this could be one of the last opportunities to see her play a relatively small venue.” www.komedia.co.uk

“The Komedia idea is rooted in a love of live performance”

VENUES All (well, mostly!) smiles at The Mission Theatre as they celebrate their 15th year in business

2

THEATRE ROYAL BATH Saw Close Where they once (true fact!) had an elephant on the stage Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful theatres in Britain, the Georgian Theatre Royal Bath has enjoyed a distinguished history, celebrating its bicentenary in 2005. In 1768, the first ever Theatre Royal Bath was christened when a Royal Patent, granted by a special act of parliament, allowed a provincial theatre to use the title ‘Theatre Royal’ for the first time, while the current venue opened nine days before the Battle of Trafalgar. When much of the original exterior was destroyed by fire in 1862, an architectural competition was held to choose a new design; the winner was a young Bathonian, CJ Phipps, who went on to become the leading theatre designer of the late Victorian period, and the new and improved theatre reopened in 1863 with Ellen Terry playing Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

There have been further off-stage dramas since, of course – in 1980, Kent Opera was forced to perform in front of the house curtain when the lighting rig started collapsing around them – but more recent years have seen the theatre up its game hugely. In 1989 Peter Ustinov presented a fundraising evening for what was to become the Ustinov Studio, created from an old stable block and scenery storage area and which finally opened in 1997 – it’s since become the most successful small-scale producing theatre in the country. And, in 2005, the old Robin’s Cinema next door was converted to make the egg theatre for children.

“Theatre Royal Bath remains one of Britain’s oldest working theatres,” says marketing manager Anna O’Callaghan, “and presents a weekly-changing programme of quality drama, comedy, opera and ballet, many productions arriving prior to or post a West End run.”

Our pick for 2020: God of Carnage, that ruthless comic study of middle class parenting, is back at the end of the month with a cast led by Downton Abbey’s Elizabeth McGovern, as is Jennifer Saunders as Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit a few weeks later, but we’re especially looking forward to seeing Joe Thomas (needy everyman Simon from The Inbetweeners) in What’s in a Name?, adapted from the award-winning French stage and screen hit, in which an expectant couple announce the somewhat unexpected name they’ve chosen for their new baby…

3

MISSION THEATRE Corn Street Original productions, notable firsts, and the locallyunique delights of theatre in the round…

This impressive and versatile little arts venue – home to plays, concerts, festivals, musicals, dance performances, opera, magic shows, talks, ballet and more – has been around since 2005, operating out of an attractive Grade II listed building in the middle of Bath, originally built in 1780 as a Roman Catholic Chapel. Not that it had much luck in its initial incarnation: just two days before its official opening, it was burnt down in the anti-Catholic ‘No Popery’ riots, which also damaged the Bank of England and hastened the formation of professional British police forces.

Six years later it was rebuilt by architect John Palmer, while postWorld War II it became home to The People’s Mission, which kept it busy until 1998. By the time Ann and Andrew Ellison of Next Stage Theatre Company started looking at the building, though, it had been derelict for four years and – after much campaigning – Next Stage was finally granted a lease from the owner, Bath Council, and opened the

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VENUES

The Little Theatre made a cameo appearnace in Wes Anderson’s take on The Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)

revamped, redecorated and thoroughly redesigned Mission Theatre in January 2005.

“To celebrate Next Stage Theatre Company reaching its 25th birthday, we’ve launched a new website,” says Ann, “and we’re looking forward to work starting on the forthcoming Bath Bankside development at the end of the year. This will put The Mission right in the heart of an exciting and vibrant new development bringing commercial, retail and residential life to the north side of the river, and we’re looking forward to providing cultural input to benefit all who’ll work or live here.”

There have been many memorable ‘firsts’ produced by Next Stage here over the years, including the highly popular Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth, which opened in January 2012, just two weeks after Mark Rylance had ended his successful West End run as Rooster Byron in the show. (One of that West End production’s other stars – Mackenzie Crook – sent them a good luck email.)

The Mission is actually the only bespoke theatre-in-the-round in Bath or the immediate area, and patron Sir Alan Ackybourn – the greatest living exponent of this style at The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough – has long supported Next Stage’s work here. “With the audience seated on all four sides and the action taking place in the middle, you get intimate and compelling staging and memorable productions,” Ann says. “We pride ourselves on staging highlyacclaimed shows at affordable prices, enabling as many people as possible to experience first-class classic, modern, or new writing.”

Our pick for 2020: Collaborators by local playwright John Hodge showcases a stellar cast of the Next Stage company’s best actors, in a play originally performed at the National Theatre with Simon RussellBeale and Alex Jennings. A Bath première staged to coincide with the

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

“The Mission is actually the only bespoke theatre-in-the-round in Bath or the immediate area” theatre’s 15th birthday, it opens with a special gala night on January 24 in front of the Mayor and Mayoress of Bath; there’ll be a reception afterwards with Hodge, artistic director Ann Ellison and director Andrew Ellison, plus cast and crew. www.next-stage.co.uk

4

LITTLE THEATRE St Michael’s Place Even Wes Anderson, it seems, struggles to resist such charm You may wonder quite why The Little Theatre – which has operated as a cinema since the beginning of World War II, after all – is called a ‘theatre’ at all. It’s because that’s what it was built as, in 1935, but the short-lived community theatre here soon mutated into a news-reel cinema in 1937, and then a regular cinema two years later.

“We celebrated our 80th year as a cinema last year,” says current general manager Mason Pollock. “In our early years, the balcony in Screen One is where the Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, would watch the latest news reels during his exile in Bath from 1936 to 1941; more recently, it was only the success of Ghostbusters that saved The Little

VENUES

Chapel Arts have lots of plans to develop, from streaming shows online to building a balcony

from closure in the ’80s. Its greatest moment, however, may well have been in 2009, when it appeared prominently in the climactic scene of Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox.” In recent years, the guys at The Little have increased the number of one-off screenings and strands they run, to include Autism-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly screenings alongside such long-running promotions as Vintage Sundays, Discover Tuesdays, Silver Screen, Kids Club and Toddler Time; there have also been more special events, including Q&As with actors, directors and producers.

“We specialise in film, of course,” Mason says, “but our real speciality is community spirit. We’re always thinking of ways to bring cinema to new audiences and groups, and will try anything to see if it has an audience in Bath. Our new community space will launch this year, with the hope that we’ll be able to host all sorts of clubs, societies, talks, lectures and groups. We have something for everyone, and like to be as inclusive as possible – so every Monday, tickets are only £7.70, making us the cheapest in town. And it’s even better if you’re a member, when you save £2 each time.”

Our pick for 2020: The major awards season films are currently running or on their way: 1917, Little Women, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Parasite and the rest – just take your pick. www.picturehouses.com

5

CHAPEL ARTS CENTRE Lower Borough Walls Even the Nazis couldn’t keep it down, and they tried The building that’s now the Chapel Arts Centre was originally built in 1879 as a church hall to the now destroyed Church of St James’s, where Marks & Spencer now stands. (Blame World War II, and the Luftwaffe’s famous ‘Baedecker Raids’ on Britain’s historic towns.) Following the war, the now orphaned church hall became a dance school, a teaching room, a youth club, and then the Window Arts Centre, which was eventually taken over – “in dubious circumstances,”

“Our real speciality is community spirit” says current owner Philip Andrews – and re-named Invention Studios.

“I took control in February 2008, and renamed it Chapel Arts Centre,” Philip says, “later using my pension fund to buy the building from Bath & NE Somerset Council about three years ago. We’re constantly trying to improve it – the sound system here has got dramatically better over the time I’ve run it, and we’re doing the same with the lighting as resources permit. Indeed, the Arts Council of Great Britain recently awarded us £15,000, which we spent on three extra LED spot fixtures, which improve the range of effects available to our lighting engineer. At some point, we intend to install a video capture system so that we can live stream and upload to YouTube too, and there are plans to put in a balcony at some point. A Steinway would be another nice addition – grant funding permitting!”

The guys here are keen to showcase a wide variety of live music and performance art, but flamenco – and music acts with a good theatrical or performance content – are currently particularly popular.

“We don’t tend to put on heavy rock, thrash, metal, punk or other ‘noise-based’ styles of music,” Philip says, “but we do run tribute acts, though they’re always carefully chosen to have some valid artistic merit – in other words, they have to be more than just ‘cover bands’ to play here.”

Our pick for 2020: You may have missed it, depending on when you picked up this issue, but Bath’s own James Warren leads his band The Korgis – famous for their hit ‘Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime’ – in a gig celebrating their 40 years in the business on Saturday, 18 January.

Be quick! www.chapelarts.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 35

VENUES

6

Widcombe Social Club went through a pretty big reinvention in 2012

WIDCOMBE SOCIAL CLUB Widcombe Hill The community hub you always dreamed of Widcombe Social Club has been an important part of the local scene since 1899, but only moved to its present site – on what was formerly the delightfully named Mrs Merry’s Coal Wharf – in 1970.

The purpose-built premises, once voted Bath’s ugliest building, was in fact a much-loved institution, boasting a huge bar overlooking the canal basin, two skittle alleys, facilities for playing pool and darts and an al fresco terrace. Few working men’s clubs could rival its regular programme of entertainment, bingo, dances and community events, but by 2012 – thanks to dwindling attendance and serious decline in the fabric of the building – the managing committee entered into a multi-million pound redevelopment partnership, which saw the site reconfigured as student accommodation, a convenience store and the current modern light, airy community hub, which opened in 2016 and continues the club’s tradition of providing spaces for events, social gatherings, wedding receptions, cabarets, dance classes, craft markets, choir practice, discos, wakes and all sorts of entertainment at affordable prices. (Plus, the bars are amongst the cheapest in Bath!)

“The ‘Friday Night Social’ is fast becoming the go-to free event in the neighbourhood,” says fan Nick Steel, “and encapsulates the true ethos of what is commonly known as ‘The Sosh’, providing comfortable, friendly, affordable surroundings with high quality music provided by excellent local musicians. There are hugely popular Northern Soul and ’80s disco nights, plus assorted up and coming musical and comedy acts, top drawer jazz and folk events, and the scurrilous and ever popular Bonbon Cabarets. Now one of the hubs of the annual Bath International Comedy Festival, it’s also home to the burgeoning Bath Jazz Weekend, which is fast gaining a national profile.”

Our pick for 2020: Try Bath Comedy’s Bonkers Burns Night on January 25, or wait until the end of March for the start of Bath Comedy Festival; CAMRA Beer Festival on 7-8 February is an obvious must for pint-fans, too. n www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk

“The ‘Friday Night Social’ is fast becoming the go-to free event in the neighbourhood”

OR YOU COULD TRY THESE… BATH FORUM An old Art Deco cinema turned ace music venue. www.bathforum.co.uk

MOLES Cellar vaults under George Street host Bath’s legendary live music venue. www.moles..co.uk

BATH RACECOURSE Slightly unexpectedly, the racecourse just outside town hosts bands as big as the upcoming Kaiser Chiefs. www.bath-racecourse.co.uk

THE RONDO One of Britain’s most adventurous fringe theatres in an old Larkhall church hall. www.rondotheatre.co.uk

THE BELL Bath’s bohemian co-op pub, perhaps most famous for its music nights. www.thebellinnbath.co.uk

ST JAMES WINE VAULTS Downstairs at this buzzy local’s pub is one of Bath’s most eclectic music venues. www.stjameswinevaults.co.uk

THE GRAPES Newly reborn 1792 pub plans to up its gigging game in 2020, we’re told. www.thegrapesbath.co.uk

WALCOT HOUSE Features different bands every Saturday night (pictured), and has upped its event game hugely. www.walcothousebath.com

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

Image shows Ulster Boho Collection

THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F B AT H ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

DARK STAR If you missed it last year, you’re in luck. Peter Gabriel Reflections has returned to the Museum of Bath Architecture for a spell. The exhibition comprises a collection of photos taken by Clive Arrowsmith FRPS back in 1978, when Peter invited him to the city for a shoot the year following the release of his debut solo album. Together, Peter and Clive explored our most famous buildings to create a set of striking and surreal images that cast Peter in an otherworldly light.

They shot in the Roman Baths; Peter half submerged, steam lifting from the rippled surface of the natural pools. Above, unknown to the casual viewer, the flash unit was precariously suspended over the water on a boom, something Clive has said would never pass a health and safety check these days. Fortunately both men survived without getting electrocuted to create a frankly striking collection of images, some of which were only published for the first time during the exhibition’s initial outing last year.

Peter Gabriel Reflections is on display until 2 February; Museum of Bath Architecture; The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, The Paragon; www.museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 39

WHAT’S ON

© NICOLE GUARINO

17 January – 16 February

Delve into ancient mythology with Return to Heavenxxx

EXHIBITIONS Until 2 February 2020

PETER BROWN: BATH IS IT Over 100 new oil paintings and drawings by Bath’s favourite artist will be on show at the Victoria Art Gallery for the foreseeable.

You’ll spot some of Bath’s most picturesque spots, along with a few lesser known, but equally beautiful, corners of the city.

Mon-Sun, 10.30am-5pm; £5; Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 13 February

EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN IN BATH Epic ladies of Bath, please step into the spotlight. This exhibition at the BRLSI will highlight a few of the amazing women who have lived

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

in the city – many of whom missed out on a commemorative plaque.

Bluestockings, rebels, milliners, archaeologists, suffragettes, explorers and poets, amongst many others, make up this intriguing exhibition.

10am-4pm; Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution; www.brlsi.org

science and marine pollution, the movement and migration of peoples across the seas, hidden postcolonial histories and human vulnerability and isolation.”

Tues-Sat, 11am-5pm; The Andrew Brownsword Gallery, The Edge; www.edgearts.org

Until 21 March

Until 25 May

MARINER Here, 14 artists consider the continued resonance of Simon Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. “Inspired by language and rich visual metaphor, Mariner connects the past with the present to retell an epic tale for the 21st century,” says Dr Sarah Chapman, who is co-curator of the exhibition.

“Our exploration is informed by the latest research into marine

GRAYSON PERRY: THE PRE-THERAPY YEARS An exhibition built from Grayson’s ‘lost’ works crowd-sourced from around the UK following a successful public appeal in 2018.

This reintroduction of the explosive and creative works he made in the ’80s will shine a light on his use of pottery to address radical issues.

Mon-Sun, 10am-5pm; £12.50; The Holburne; www.holburne.org

8 February – 14 March

FIFTY BEES There’s quite a buzz (sorry – we had to) around Somerset artist Lydia Needle’s latest offering. Lydia has created 50 life-sized bees out of wool and stitch to represent 50 of the 275 bee species in the UK. Each of her bees is paired with a piece created by another artist in response – a way of representing how interconnected bees are with our ecosystem.

Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm; Black Swan Arts, Frome; www.blackswanarts.org.uk

PLAYS/SHOWS 20–25 January

GOD OF CARNAGE The acclaimed production of the Theatre Royal’s Summer Season

WHAT’S ON 2018 is making a triumphant return. Elizabeth McGovern and Nigel Lindsay will reprise their roles as Veronica and Michael in this piece about what happens when niceties go out the window.

Mon-Sat 7.30pm, matinees Wed and Sat 2.30pm; prices vary; Theatre Royal; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

© NOBBY CL ARK

20–21 January

above:

The highly acclaimed God of Carnage is making a welcome return left: Take a look at Lydia Needle’s 50 wool and stitch bees, an exhibition at Black Swan Arts below: Spend some time in the weird world of Tony Law, at Komedia this month

BEING MR WICKHAM Original Mr Wickham Adrian Lukis has reprised the roguish role to delve into what exactly the selfserving soldier has been up to since Lizzy threw him over in favour of Darcy. Join George on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, as he reflects on his life so far.

8pm; prices vary; Ustinov Studio; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

22 January

MAX & IVAN: COMMITMENT The unbelievable true story of the time Max took his best man duties to the extreme to give Ivan, the groom, the best weekend of his entire life. It’s a show about failure, dreaming big and growing up – sort of, anyway.

Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm; £14; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

22 January

SLAPSTICK ROLLING FUNDER Omid Djalili, Jon Richardson, Count Arthur Strong, Lucy Porter and Angela Barnes are all heading to Bath for one night only. These giants of British comedy are performing to help raise funds for Slapstick, the UK’s biggest celebration of silent screen and classic comedy, to start hosting events in Bath.

Doors 7pm, show starts 7.30pm; prices vary; The Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

24 January

TONY LAW Quirky, sometimes non-sensical and most definitely cult, this Canadian comic can offer you a laughter break from life – if you can keep up with the non-sequiturs, diversions and absurdities of his storytelling.

Doors 7pm, show starts 7.30pm; £10, Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

30 January – 1 February

RETURN TO HEAVEN The award-winning Mark Bruce Theatre Company is stopping at Frome on their latest tour. Their newest production, Return to Heaven, draws on the mythology of ancient Egypt. Explorers Dane Hurt and

Eleanor Duval journey through a land packed with demons and gods who will stop at nothing to coerce the pair into resurrecting an ancient deity.

7.30pm; £18; Merlin Theatre, Frome; www.merlintheatre.co.uk

31 January – 1 February

FROM SHAKESPEARE WITH LOVE If there’s one universal theme in all of Shakespeare’s works, it’s love.

In this intimate, sweet and truthful two-hander play, actors explore the theme of love and relationships in all their many forms through scenes from the works, sonnets, personal anecdotes and live music.

Various times and prices, Mission Theatre; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

31 January – 1 February

RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY Out on the road for one final tour, the Richard Alston Company are coming to Bath for one final goodbye. With a programme including crowd favourite Brahms Hungarian and Alston’s newest piece, Voices and Light Footsteps, the company is certainly going out with a bang.

Fri-Sat 7.30pm, matinee Sat 2.30pm; prices vary; Theatre Royal; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

4–8 February

BLITHE SPIRIT Jennifer Saunders returns to her side-splitting turn as Madame Arcati in the Noel Coward classic. Hapless novelist Charles Condimine finds himself haunted by the ghost of his ex-wife after a visit from Saunders’ eccentric clairvoyant – and not only that, but she’s determined to sabotage his relationship with wife number two.

7.30pm; matinees Weds, Thurs and Sat 2.30pm; various prices; Theatre Royal; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

7 February

TESTAMENT OF YOOTHA Yootha Joyce: glamorous sitcom legend, adored by friends and fans, dead at 53 from the acute alcoholism she hid from everybody.

Caroline Burns Cooke presents a show that tugs at the heartstrings.

8pm; £16 (£14 conc); Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

7–8 February

SALMON A blend of spoken word and original score, this surreal tale of a boy called Angus and his descent into self-destruction following the

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 41

WHAT’S ON

12–15 February

WOYZEK Generally considered the first modern play centring on a working class man, Woyzeck was originally discovered in 1836 after the death of its writer. The eponymous Woyzeck doesn’t have a happy time – experimented on, cheated on and filled with the need for revenge – so this is an intense piece from Playing Up Theatre Company.

7.30pm; £12 (£10 conc); Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

MUSIC 24 January

TOM POSTER/KALEDOSCOPE CHAMBER COLLECTIVE Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Shumann and Vaughan Williams are just a few of the composers you can expect to see represented at this concert by the WMC’s artist in residence.

Pre-concert talk 6.30pm, concert starts 7.30pm; £19; Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon; www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk

25 January

SON YAMBU Grab your dancing shoes for this night of Afro-Cuban music.

Originating from the streets of Eastern Cuba, Son Yambu play a fusion of Spanish and African rhythms. Dedicated to keeping up the traditions of the genre, they have been keeping Cuban music on the map since 1997.

Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm; £17.50; Chapel Arts Centre; www.chapelarts.org

30 January

THE WILL JOHNS BAND One of the most distinctive British Blues performers around, Will Johns is one spellbinding live act. With quite the A-list pedigree – his dad is legendary LA record producer Andy Johns and his uncle is Eric Clapton – Will has been touring the world for the last 15 years.

7pm; £10; Komedia; www.komedia.co.uk

31 January

WANNABE: THE SPICE GIRLS SHOW Dig out that Union Jack dress and

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

throw your hair up in bunches: it’s time to party like it’s 1996.

Featuring all the hits (and classic costumes) of the Spice Girls, Wannabe is the longest running Spice Girls stage show in the world.

7.30pm; £16.50; Cheese & Grain, Frome; www.cheeseandgrain.com

13 February

MARTIN SIMPSON Master of the art of storytelling, this folk musician has spent his career travelling the length and breadth of the country performing intimate, emotive solo performances that have audiences enraptured.

Doors 7.30pm, show starts 8pm; £16; Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

13 February

JAZZ AT THE VAULTS James Morton will be showing off his saxophone prowess in this pre-Valentine’s day blow out. A sax player since his early teens, he’s a stalwart of the local jazz scene.

8pm; £9; St James’ Wine Vaults; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

14 February

FAIRPORT CONVENTION Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the much loved album Full House, and Dave ‘Peggy’ Pegg’s membership with Fairport, those stalwarts of British folk-rock, on their winter tour. Winners of the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, Most Influential Folk Album of All Time (for Leige & Lief) and subject of a major documentary, they know how to put on a show.

7.30pm; £23.50; The Forum; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

15 February

MIDGE URE: THE 1980 TOUR, VIENNA & VISAGE To celebrate the new decade, Midge Ure is going back to the ’80s. Don’t question it. Playing songs from his time with Ultravox and Visage – a turning point in his own life and a big moment in music – he reckons looking back on that time serves as an important reminder that anything is still possible.

7.30pm; prices vary; The Forum; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

FAMILY 1 February

CHARMANE Piggin says Charmane is a kitten because that’s what he sees on the outside. But Charmane doesn’t

© STEVE ULL ATHORNE

death of his dog. It’s an unsettling commentary on youth, drug abuse and male mental health.

7.30pm; £10 (£8 conc); Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk

above: Enjoy the tragic and entertaining tale of Yootha Joyce at the Rondo left: This piece, by local artist Leslie Damhus, will be on display at the BRLSI below: Charmane: a visually quite stunning play for children

Photo: Laura Lees, Boxclever Productions

WHAT’S ON

9 February

THE BIRD SHOW The Last Baguette presents the tale of Henry the Heron and Sally the House Sparrow as they face the impact of the climate emergency.

Fact-filled, funny and full of puppetry, live music and – we’ve heard – all of the bird puns, it’s a sweet and thought-provoking show.

3pm; £10 (£8 conc); Kington Lanley Village Hall, Chippenham; www.poundarts.org.uk

9 February

PUSS IN BOOTS Patrick Lynch from CBeebies takes centre stage of the classic tale.

Puppets, a working windmill and an avalanche of fruit and nuts bring the story of the talking cat who tricks his way to the top to life.

11.30am & 3pm; £9; the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

15–16 February

TOGAS AND TUNICS Not sure how to keep the young ’uns occupied during half term?

Get them engaged with the city’s heritage at The Roman Baths, where they can dress up as a Roman and play Roman games.

10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm; normal admission applies; Roman Baths; www.romanbaths.co.uk

5.55pm; £32; The Little Theatre; www.picturehouses.com

4 February

KINKY BOOTS The award-winning musical, inspired by the film of the true story of a Northampton shoe factory owner and a London drag queen’s collaboration on a fabulous line of sturdy stilettos, is to be broadcast live this February. With songs from Grammy and Tony award-winning Cyndi Lauper, libretto by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein and direction from Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots is a must.

8pm; £22; The Little Theatre; www.picturehouses.com

8 February

BATH TRAMS SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE What might Bath look like with trams? This question is front of mind at the Bath Area Tram Association’s second conference.

There’ll be talks by experts from tram-served cities like Edinburgh and Birmingham, as well as insights from companies like Egis, who installed many of the major tram systems in France.

Doors 9am, conference 10am-4.30pm; £15; Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute; www.bathtrams.uk n

OTHER

24 & 31 January

LUNAR NEW YEAR ORIGAMI Ring in the Year of the Rat by learning to make adorable origami friends. Bath-based instructor Aikiko Wakefield will demonstrate how to make origami mice and cakes. No experience required!

6.15-7.30pm; £10; Museum of East Asian Art; www.meaa.org.uk MET OPERA LIVE: PORGY AND BESS One of the greatest American operas of the 20th century, and the final work of George Gershwin, Porgy and Bess tells the story of Catfish Row, a vibrant setting for music, dancing, emotion and – of course – heartbreak.

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

© CHRIS NASH

1 February

© MAT T CROCKET T

feel like a kitten; inside, Charmane feels like a lion. A subtle exploration of gender for children and their families, Charmane is a story about acceptance and empathy.

2pm; £8; Pound Arts, Corsham; www.poundarts.org.uk

above: Don’t miss your chance to see the smash hit live screening of Kinky Boots left: The Last Baguette presents a children's show that’s all about climate change below: Bittersweet: your last chance to see the Richard Alston Dance company is this month

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ARTS

A GOOD VINTAGE

As prep for this year’s Bath Festival, here’s a look through the archives…

B

ack in 2018, a couple of vintage Bath Festivals posters unearthed in a local attic caused quite a stir.

The posters, from 1969 and 1970 events, ended up selling at auction for a remarkable collective £3,800.

Understandably, ever since the Bath Festivals team have been hunting through their archives of posters for the best hidden treasures from the festival’s 70-odd year history.

Sadly there isn’t a complete set of festival posters available anywhere, but above are a couple of our favourites. And the fest itself ?

Here are some highlights from over the years.

1951: A BOAT was floated out on the River Avon with an orchestra on it – they played Handel’s Water Music, naturally.

1948: A GEORGIAN THEMED costume ball

filled city centre streets, despite the rain, to watch the festival parade, which was a mile and a half long.

for 800 sold out immediately; indeed, there was a waiting list of 700 wanting tickets.

1960: REVELLERS DANCED until 6am to jazz musician George Melly and his band. He told party-goers: “T’aint no sin to take off your skin and dance around in your bones.”

1965: THE ROMAN BATHS played host to

the Roman Rendezvous party, at which partygoers threw off their Roman togas to swim in the historic baths. They refused to leave the water, so staff were forced to pull the plug on the baths to force them to get out.

1966: CROWDS OF OVER 60,000 people

1975: BATH CITY COUNCIL switched off the street lights, residents in the Circus lit candles and put them in their windows and there was a full moon, which made a most romantic spectacle for the crowds attending the opening night of the festival.

1984: THE FESTIVAL adopted the theme of

mazes and the Beazer Maze was created on the banks of the River Avon, near the weir. It is still enjoyed by children today.

2010: BRISTOL ARTIST Luke Jerram was

behind Play Me I’m Yours, in which ten pianos were placed at public sites around Bath for people to tinkle on as part of an international street pianos project.

To buy tickets for The Bath Festival 2020, which runs from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 May, visit: www.bathfestivals.org.uk

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

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 pat.white@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

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Too many books?

Not for the Bottomley clan: 2020 is just underway, and they’re each already onto their second and third of the year. But what were the first ones like?

“A whole reading decade lies ahead”

T

he day after New Year’s Day, I made my annual hunt for a nice, fancy and unused notepad that could contain my new ‘list of books read’ during the year ahead. I didn’t find one. But I did find one that was mostly unused – except for the confident beginnings of a ‘list of books read’ for each year since 2016, all of which appear to have petered out around March.

This is the year, though! New year, new decade; and now I’ve confidently declared that oft-started notebook the new family reading log. I’m determined that back issues of Bath Life won’t be my only incomplete record of my own reading in the ’20s.

The first of the family to complete a book this new year was my eldest daughter, Leah, who absolutely devoured Song for a Whale

by Lynne Kelly (Templar, £6.99). Leah is ten, and that’s probably round about the lower end of the target age range for this emotional and adventurous novel – but it’s a book that also sits proudly on the favourite shelf of my definitely grown-up colleague, Rhian.

The main protagonist is eleven-year-old Iris, a deaf girl who is the daughter of two hearing parents and one of only two deaf girls attending her school. Unsurprisingly, she tends to feel left out, but perhaps more surprisingly, she struggles to make any effort with her one deaf peer who struggles with sign language.

The themes of communication difficulties and their consequences continue as Iris becomes fascinated by an Alaskan whale which has been found to sing at a different frequency to other whales, and often ends up swimming alone. Sensing a strong bond with the whale, she sets about writing it a song in the right frequency with the help of fellow students, and becomes fixated on playing the song to the whale – and perhaps visiting it herself.

Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens (Little Brown, £8.99) is set in the 1960s in the marshlands of North Carolina, and has kicked off my wife, Juliette’s, reading year in great style, right through to its nail-biting conclusion. She loved its basketful of themes – isolation, family, the solace to be found in connecting with nature, prejudice and the human need for companionship.

Owens’ novel is somehow a coming-of-age tale, a love story and a murder mystery all in one, which spins out through two converging

timelines. In the early ’60s we meet young Kya, whose family are eking out a subsistence living in little more than a shack on the edge of the marshes. On the first page her mother leaves home; the first of a long line of family members who abandon her due to her alcoholic and often violent father.

After brief efforts on her father’s part to re-engage come to a shuddering halt, Kya finds herself completely alone and living the life of a reluctant recluse known to the locals as “the marsh girl”. To survive, she becomes a remarkable natural historian, learning about her surroundings, as she stays in her waterlogged homeland avoiding truant officers and digging mussels for fuel.

The second half of the story begins a decade later, when a local jock from a wealthy family is found dead in the marsh. Unclear if his demise is due to accident or murder, it isn’t long before the finger of suspicion falls on the marsh girl.

Finally, my first read of the year was Paul Theroux’s The Plain of Snakes, the latest travelogue in an epic and illustrious career.

After his previous trip saw Theroux drive the backroads of the Deep South trying to take the pulse of pre-Trump rural America, this one has him crossing the border to introduce us to a pulsating, vibrant, tense, violent and povertyplagued Mexico.

Theroux first criss-crosses the troubled US/Mexico border, recounting the tales of those caught up in efforts to get across and stay across. He shines a light on the destructive power of the drug cartels and the consequences of a harsh foreign policy.

For me, though, the book improves once Theroux steers his car permanently south and away from the lawless border towns. That’s when he really starts to get under the skin of Mexico, whether it’s being pulled over by corrupt cops, talking down bodyguards who think he’s concealing a weapon in his laundry, eating local dishes and sharing literary banter with workshopping writers, or just describing its edgy towns and dramatic landscapes.

So three down, and a whole reading decade lies ahead.

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 49

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

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© STU MEECH

THEATRE ANNA O’CALLAGHAN

Ghost protocol How should we react to the threat of spooks and spectres? By sitting on the very edges of our theatre seats, of course

T

here can be few places as creepy as an empty theatre. Some years ago, I cut through the dimly lit auditorium to the foyer late one winter’s afternoon, to see a wall-light opposite flickering as if someone was walking backwards and forwards in front of it. No one was there. This spooked me enough to fetch a colleague. We climbed to the Grand Circle in case we could detect someone from the higher level. As she walked down the steps to the front of the balcony, we both watched, shocked, as the bannister gave way beneath her hand. “We need to tell someone about that,” she said, tapping it again to find it was completely solid. Weird!

The Theatre Royal is considered to be one of the most haunted theatres in the country and boasts a number of juicy ghost stories.

The Grey Lady wafts around accompanied by the scent of jasmine.

Stories about who she is and what happened to her abound, but the consensus is that she was an actress in the early part of the nineteenth century, who hung herself in the Garrick’s Head, perhaps because of unrequited love, perhaps because her actor-lover was killed in a duel with her husband. Her favourite haunt is the top left-hand box facing the stage. Dame Anna Neagle was convinced she was sat there once when she was performing here in the 1970s.

One of our most unusual and persistent ghost stories is that of the tortoiseshell butterfly, which made its debut in 1948. That

year’s panto, Little Red Riding Hood, featured a butterfly ballet, with dancing girls dressed as butterflies and a glittering butterfly backdrop.

During the rehearsal a dead butterfly was found on stage and, shortly afterwards, while he was lighting that scene, general manager Reg Maddox suffered a heart attack and died. The scene was promptly withdrawn but, just before the show opened, a live butterfly appeared backstage; the butterfly ballet was reinstated, and the show went on to be a triumph. Ever since, the presence of a butterfly has been an omen for success.

The most memorable sightings occurred on the opening night of Aladdin in 1979, when Leslie Crowther, aware of the legend, was astounded as a butterfly appeared from the fly tower and settled on his shoulder, and in 1989, when Peter O’Toole went off-script to address a butterfly which fluttered in front of him on the opening night of Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, which became a huge hit.

That original piece of butterfly scenery is hanging in the fly tower now. During the1981-82 renovation it was briefly removed from the building by members of Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society, in order not to tempt bad luck for superstitious theatre staff. While it was absent, members of the stage crew came across a heavy wooden box while sorting through a collection of theatrical debris in an old store cupboard.

When it was opened, six tortoiseshell butterflies flew out and away. Inside the box was a photograph of Reg Maddox.

“There can be few places as creepy as an empty theatre”

FROM FAR LEFT: The haunted box; butterflies hold heavy significance at the theatre; Ghost Stories: not for the faint of heart

14 – 18 January: Ghost Stories Fanciful? Maybe – but I witnessed Peter O’Toole’s conversation, and have seen butterflies in the building at times of year when you would really not expect to find them.

Ghost Stories, the cult phenomenon, visits Bath for the first time in January having petrified audiences across the world, and been made into a successful film in 2017. In it, a professor who has spent his life exposing bogus psychics and debunking the supernatural, is called on to explain three baffling and macabre cases, strangely connected to his own life. This trio of nightmares is the creation of Jeremy Dyson, best-known as a member of The League of Gentlemen and co-writer of Funland and Psychobitches, and Andy Nyman, an accomplished actor, magician and mentalist who has collaborated with Derren Brown.

We have been asked to advise prospective theatregoers of a nervous disposition that the show contains moments of extreme shock and tension, and that they should think carefully before attending. Ghost Stories is an edgeof-your-seat, scary theatrical experience full of thrilling twists and turns. The Theatre Royal Bath, with its own reputation for spinetingling phenomena, will be the perfect place to see it – that’s if you dare!

Anna O’Callaghan, marketing manager, Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose; 01225 448844; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

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FOOD & DRINK S N A P S H O T S O F B AT H ’ S F O O D S C E N E

GIN MASTER The Bath Priory is joining forces with The Botanist Islay Dry Gin for a masterclass in The Pantry. Known for its layered complexity, Islay Dry Gin is said to be a ‘botanical exploration of the isle of Islay’, a remote spot in Scotland celebrated for whisky. Sounds romantic, right? During this relaxed masterclass you’ll have the chance to sample the gin in three delicious drinks, accompanied by an equally lovely selection of snacks – along with a few tips from the experts on making the most of a bottle.

For more: 30 January, 6pm; £25; The Bath Priory www.thebathpriory.co.uk

Gin and pretty views? Yes, please

The cash prizes are good but, really, it’s all about that trophy

CHEF WARS Applications for the 2020 Chef v Chef competition are now open. For talented chefs from within a 50-mile radius of Bath, it’s all about celebrating and promoting local culinary excellence. Organised by Bath College, The Initiative in B&NES and Catering Services International, the competition is a non-profit venture with a professional and student category.

To enter, the pros are expected to compile a two-course signature menu using a specific set of ingredients, while those competing in the student arm have a range of challenges to tackle.

With prizes of as much as £250 – as well as the sought-after Chef v Chef trophy – up for grabs, it’s well worth entering; remember to get yours in before 1 February.

For more: www.chefvchef.co.uk

BLACK MAGIC

Embrace your witchy side

Live out your witchy dreams at The Dark Horse on Kingsmead Square. They’ve got a new menu of cocktails for winter that draws inspiration from the dark arts. Utilising herbs and plants used in traditional witchcraft, the menu features locally grown ingredients and regionally produced spirits including a quince liqueur, a spiced apple shrub, a shrub made from locally foraged rowan berries, a rowan berry infused vodka and a pear and hazelnut syrup.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to create what we believe is an interesting, intriguing and unusual selection of new cocktails – considering every detail, from ingredients to glassware to the type of ice, to make the very best experience both in taste and appearance,” says Louis Lewis-Smith, owner of The Dark Horse. Filled with cocktails with names like Amulet, Devil’s Mark and Jackdaw, we’re certainly feeling the witchy vibes.

For more: www.darkhorsebar.co.uk

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TRY FIVE 2

3 1

Top quality spots around the city to enjoy the most important meal of the day

1

KINGSMEAD KITCHEN As well as its food, Kingsmead Kitchen is known for its home at 1 Kingsmead Street, perhaps the poshest – and most Instagrammed – building on Kingsmead Square. Eccentric but grand, it provides a fitting face for the grub within.This is a lovely spot to while away the hours people watching and admiring the talented local buskers, but it also serves up a quality breakfast, one of their biggest hitters being their shakshuka – a tasty Mediterranean dish of eggs baked in a spiced tomato sauce with feta cheese, served with sourdough. We can’t imagine a better way to kick off a lazy Sunday morning – but don’t worry if you roll out of bed late, as brekkie is served all day. www.kingsmeadkitchenbath.co.uk

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2

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TYNDALL VILLA The team here take breakfast seriously.

This light and airy B&B on Wells Road is a little away from the hustle of the down centre, so if you’re lucky to be staying here, expect serene vibes and a breakfast so good it’ll knock your socks off. The considerately curated menu includes eggs pretty much however you want them (benedict, royal, florentine – need we go on?), the ubiquitous avocado option and a classic porridge, amongst others. It’s an interesting spot, this; the main part of the house was built in 1874, but a 1960s extension gives it a unique and striking appearance. www.tyndallvilla.co.uk

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© ED SCHOFIELD

RISE AND SHINE

CAFÉ WALCOT The simple fact is that this spot on Walcot Street just oozes cool. The exposed pipework gives utilitarian vibes, while the contrast of the zig zag pink-orange exterior with the calming minty green and white finish inside lends the atmosphere of the café a sense of fun. But it’s not all about the aesthetics – let’s talk about the breakfasts. This is much more than your standard full English; there are four types of bread, two types of porridge (three, if you count the overnight oat breakfast pot with poached fruit compote and granola), and some very posh cereal on offer to make this a great stop if you’re looking, for instance, to impress a weekend guest. www.walcothousebath.com

LANDRACE BAKERY It’s become such a Walcot Street stalwart, it’s hard to believe that the folks at Landrace Bakery have only been in business a little under a year. Where would we be without their bread? (Honestly, we don’t want to think about it.) And although buying breakfast out is never the cheapest thing, it remains a total treat when you pick right – and, in our opinion, the extensive options at Landrace more than meet the ‘gifting yourself ’ criteria. We especially love their fried egg, borlotti beans and Tamworth on toast, as well as the Westcombe and pickled carrot toastie. www.landrace-bakery.business.site

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TIMBRELL’S YARD Fancy a trip out of the city for your breakfast? In that case, we recommend the pretty Timbrell’s Yard in Bradford on Avon.

With former River Cottage chef Tom Blake at the helm, expect a mix of old favourites (the Full Timbrell’s, with Old Spot sausage and bacon, roasted mushrooms, black pudding, hash browns, et al sounds a total win), as well as modern staples (like smashed avocado on toast); naturally, much of it sourced locally from the Yard’s network of West Country growers and suppliers. n www.timbrellsyard.com

We are UNIQUE in the West Country for the range of Wine & Spirit Education Trust Awards we offer…

The ONLY Level 4 Award in Wines available in the South West Level 3 Award in Wines • Level 2 Award in Wines Level 2 Award in Spirits • Level 1 Awards in Wines, Spirits and Saki All delivered by our experienced team of wine trade professionals, including several Masters of Wine For full details of all courses, please visit our website:

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Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel, Charlton Lane, Midsomer Norton, Nr Bath BA3 4BD | 01761 417711

FIREHOUSE ROTISSERIE

Everybody likes chicken and chips, right? And at Firehouse Rotisserie they’ve got this old stager – plus a pleasing and accessible range of California classics – off pat. Sometimes that’s all you need

By Matt Bielby

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t’s easy to enjoy Californian cuisine, a style that revolves around the farm-to-fork ethic, with plenty of fresh veggies, protein in the shape of seafood and chicken, and light, simple dishes. It began in the ’70s with Chez Panisse in Berkeley and The French Laundry in Napa Valley, but really went mainstream a little further south, thanks to the LA restaurants of Wolfgang Puck and others: Ma Maison and Spago, Campanile and Chinos on Main.

By the ’80s it had hit New York, and in 1991 Brett Easton Ellis would mock it entertainingly in American Psycho – there, Patrick Bateman loves “red snapper pizza” and tells his date that peanut butter soup is a “playful but mysterious little dish” – and we laughed along, partly because these parody dishes appeared pretentious and grotesque, but also because they sounded sort of delicious.

Firehouse Rotisserie opened in Bath a couple of years later, in 1994. Owner Richard Fenton had spent years in the West Coast music industry, and now very sensibly essayed the Sunshine State style’s more accessible end, all

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chicken and quality burgers. For a while, it became the most exciting thing on the Bath landscape: yes, there were fancier restaurants, but we couldn’t afford those – and the places we could were charming but not always slick.

In this landscape Firehouse Rotisserie was a revelation – friendly, efficient, reliable, and awash with dishes that people really wanted to eat. I remember taking the late and excellent Terry Pratchett here once – and the great man stealing the mash potato off my plate. It was surprising but not too annoying (we just ordered more), and I couldn’t really blame him – it was that blooming delicious.

Now, of course, Firehouse is less infant terrible and more old soldier, one of the landmarks of the local dining scene. Keeping any indie restaurant going for 25 years is quite some achievement and, off the top of my head, I can only think of Woods and Café Martini that have enjoyed similarly enduring success. Partly, it’s that the location is so good: tucked away up a side street between Milsom Street and Queen Square, it’s handy yet pleasingly hidden away. And partly, I suspect, it’s to do with Richard’s deft

RESTAURANT

choices: you get Mexican and Californian flavours, good ingredients and a look – exposed floorboards, bare tables – that’s only ever updated in the most subtle of ways.

And it’s the same with the food. Though they tell me the menu’s refreshed five or six times a year, it seems to me to be basically the one I remember from the ’90s. We visited on a wet Tuesday in January, and by 7.30pm there wasn’t a table to be had; the 40 covers downstairs packed with couples, families and friends, and the further 20 upstairs hosting a private party. What started as a nice relaxed buzz actually got quite loud at the height of it – I had to lean forward to ask my dinner date what she’d said more than once – but rather a lively restaurant than a morgue, I say.

There are a half dozen small plates, which work as starters or you could build a meal from them, at £7.50 or so each; a range of pizzas, burger and salads at around £12 – £14; and a selection of ‘sides to share’, all under £4. The most expensive thing is the steak frites, at £19.95; the most unexpected, the oven-baked fishcakes.

Towering over it all, though, is the house speciality: half a rotisserie free range chicken (£12.95), prepared one of three ways. This is exactly what I had on my first visit here, and what I found hard to look past again; in its current incarnation there are Texas spice rubbed, herb and lemon and Cuban spiced varieties, and somehow (if you can trust Bath Life, and I’m sure you can) they’re cheaper than they used to be, too. (Back in 2012, when we last reviewed this place, each was 55p more than it is now.)

To start, we had calamari with creamy, spicy sriracha aioli (£7.50) and tempura prawns with a spicy ponzu dip (£7.95), both crisp and fresh with an appealing sauce accompaniment, before going to the Cuban spiced chuck with a black bean salsa and coriander crème fraîche (£12.95), and the oven baked Atlantic cod and salmon cakes, with homemade tartare sauce (also £12.95). To accompany, we took rosemary roast potatoes, mac and cheese, and rocket salad, each £3.95; all were good.

Puds are tempting – chocolate brownies, Eton messes, sticky toffee puddings, all £6.50 – but by now we were totally stuffed; a simple affogato (vanilla ice cream with a shot of Espresso to pour over, £4.75) was all we could manage, and it slipped down very nicely.

Tasty and satisfying, this was the best sort of comfort food, and it’s easy to see why people come back time and again. The chefs will probably try to go a bit more gluten free in the future, we’re told, but it hardly seems a pressing issue. In fact, nothing much does around here. On the one hand, I’d like to see a slightly wider range – perhaps adding in Baja-style fried fish tacos, or the odd hippie-ish grain bowl – but then, why really shouldn’t they? Bath loves the Firehouse just the way it is. n

“Bath loves the Firehouse just the way it is”

DINING DETAILS Firehouse Rotisserie, 2 John Street, Bath, BA1 2JL; 01225 482070; www.firehouserotisserie.co.uk We ate Quite a lot, as it turned out: calamari and prawns to start, one of the free range chicken halves and the cod and salmon fish cakes for mains, plus sides of rosemary roast potatoes, mac and cheese and rocket salad, and an affogato (vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso) to share.

Vegetarian options Three of the starters, one salad, a couple of the pizzas and all of the sides: not a vast range, but you could certainly put a useful meal together here. The char grilled artichoke and feta quesadilla (£7.50) sounds especially tempting.

Prices Small plates £4.95 – £7.95; salads £11.95; chicken and grills £12.95 – £19.95; pizza £10.95 – £12.95; sides £2.95 – £3.95.

Drinks Red wines lean towards the New World (a Merlot from Chile, a Malbec from Argentina) while whites are more often from Italy or France; plenty are by the glass (think £5.50 – £7.50) with bottles between £20 and £30. There’s also a short cocktail list (Negronis et al), and a well-picked selection of beers, including Sierra Nevada and local options from Lost and Grounded, Bath Ales and Honey’s Midford Cider.

Service / atmosphere Rammed for a wet Tuesday night, with ne’er a table free; service is friendly and relaxed, just as you’d want it.

What else? One of Bath’s longest standing indie restaurants, doing what it’s always done with but the mildest of tweaks. People go here because it cooks the sort of food they’re going to like, to a good standard and at a reasonable price – and what more could you want?

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SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

CRACKED POT This beautiful turquoise tableware is a type of raku pottery – ‘raku’ means ‘enjoyment and happiness in the accident’ – that’s made in Japan using a special crackle glazing technique, something they’ve been doing since the 16th century. The process involves rapid cooling after firing, combined with combustible metals, to create this gorgeous effect and rich colour; traditionally used in tea ceremonies, these days raku is mostly decorative.

From The Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett Street, Bath; www.meaa.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 61

ZAGARA SINGLE SOAP, £6 If your budget doesn’t extend to hopping on a plane, you can escape to tropical Sicily with this luxurious Zagara Ortigia single soap. Pure vegetable glycerine soap is scented with natural perfumes that evoke the beauty of Italy’s exotic isle.

From Graham & Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

ISLA APOTHECARY HIMALAYAN SALT SOAK, £32 This aromatic salt soak of mineral-rich, detoxifying salts contains trace minerals that encourage nutrient absorption and improve circulation, while patchouli oil helps new cell growth, and is especially well suited to problematic or mature skin, and sweet orange and grapefruit oils balance and cleanse. French pink clay buffs the top layers of the skin to rejuvenate and restore radiance to your seasonally lacklustre epidermis.

From Anthropologie,1-4 New Bond Street, Bath; www.anthropologie.com

BODY BEAUTIFUL Winter weather is never kind on the skin, so here are some soothing lifesavers to nurture, protect and bring it all back to life

ILLUMINATE BODY POLISH, £48 A delightful creamy body scrub with micro particles of rice, which buff away dull skin leaving it noticeably smoother and more radiant. It’s vegan friendly, too.

From Natural Spa Factory, Foxcote Avenue, Bath; www.naturalspafactory.com

YELLOW GORSE SLEEP BALM, £5 Massage this into your pulse points (hands and feet) before you go to la la land – the balm will soften and feed your skin while you sleep, its almond, coconut, lavender, chamomile and castor oil doing all kinds of soothing and healing magic.

From Julia Davey, 20 Wellsway, Bath; wwwjuliadavey.com

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GINGER & LIME HAND CREAM, £7.95 This zingy hand cream contains 20 per cent shea butter, which means it not only moisturises, but also leaves a protective layer on your skin which helps shield hardworking hands from environmental damage.

From The Somerset Toiletry Company; www.thesomersettoiletryco.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE

THIS WORKS IN TRANSIT SKIN DEFENCE, £30 Too much cheese and red wine over Christmas? This lightweight lotion contains a superblend of repairing antioxidant plant oils – with anti-ageing and hydrating hyaluronic acid and calming vitamin E, helping to reduce symptoms of sensitive skin such as redness, swelling and itching, whilst evening the skin tone and concealing imperfections in the process.

From Rossiters of Bath, 38-41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com

LAVENDER AND GERANIUM BODY LOTION AND BODY WASH, £19 EACH This duo from Chalk will soothe the body, leaving you ready-for-bed happy.

From The Salcombe Trading Company, 76 Walcot Street, Bath; www.salcombetrading.co.uk

TRIPLE ACTION SERUM, £12 This natural serum combines vitamins A, C and E to boost and tone the skin’s structural layers. What’s more, it’s refillable so you can return to Consciously You for more with all eco boxes ticked.

From Consciously You,1 Kennington Road, Bath; Facebook: @consciouslyyoubath

ROSEHIP SEED LIP CREAM, £10 Dry lips are a real menace at this time of year. Get kissable again with Aesop’s vitaminrich blend formulated to replenish, soften and (yes!) hydrate.

From Aesop, 16 Old Street, Bath; www.aesop.com

CBD BATH BOMB LUXE, £14.99 This one is all about unwinding, detoxing and exfoliating; melt this pretty bath bomb and a hidden core, infused with 25mg of CBD, is revealed. Glow guaranteed.

From Goodbody Wellness, 7 Broad Street, Bath; www.goodbodywellness.co.uk

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FITNESS

HOW TO GET YOUR $#!T IN SHAPE Who are the hardest working people in Bath?

It’s hard to say, but the sweatiest are certainly the personal trainers. We caught up with some of the city’s top fitness gurus to cadge workout tips to get your a$$ in gear (and nicely toned too)

By Matt Bielby

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

“By keeping energy levels high but movements simple you build confidence alongside your fitness”

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hat happens in January? Everybody joins a gym, of course – then runs out of steam as February looms into view. It’s a fitness industry cliché, but (like most clichés) it exists because it’s sort-of true. What gyms and bootcamps and personal trainers need do is focus on keeping people committed to fitter and healthier lifestyles for longer – forever, ideally – and certainly shrink the number of new members falling off the wagon come February.

Their allies in this? Community, variety, and fun. Here are local gurus’ top tips for keeping yourself engaged this January and beyond…

fitness won’t come overnight (but it might come in 70 days) 1Remember, “We run our 10-Week Body Transformation Challenges throughout the year,” says fitness coach Joe Haines of Power10, based at Percy Community Centre on New King Street. “The aim is get people in better shape in 70 days through high energy 30-minute workouts, primarily using body weight exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness and agility, and kettlebell training to improve strength and power. By keeping energy levels high but movements simple, you build confidence alongside your fitness.”

the best trainer is someone who’s been through it all themselves 2Sometimes

Power10 owner Alexandra Mackenzie started her mission to get in shape after gaining 38kgs during two pregnancies – and, when trainer

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Joe Haines proved more than up for the task, was inspired to become a trainer herself. Things have been going so well for the pair ever since that they’ve raised enough money to pay for a major makeover to their workout space, adding a new floor that will benefit all Percy users.

3Playing games is part of the fun

At Power10 they run optional Dodgeball sessions once a month. “It allows everyone else to get their own back by throwing balls at us,” Alex says, laughing.

little point in training if you don’t eat right too 4There’s

“When a new member joins, they’ll be entered into a closed Facebook group where we coach them through their 10 weeks with diet and motivational advice,” says Joe at Power10. “This is a great stepping stone back into fitness for those who haven’t worked out for a while.”

5You need something to take away at the end

Even if it is just an inspiring before and after pic to proudly show off to family and friends, or hide at the bottom of your sock drawer – your choice, naturally.

6If it’s not pleasant, people won’t go

“Everything at Studio XXVII is aimed at providing the absolute best possible experience,” says Charlie Bird, owner of the recently renamed indoor cycling specialist at Milsom Place. “The class itself is only one element. We provide everything, so you don’t have to: your cycling shoes, shower towels, sweat towel, Dyson hairdryers, GHD straighteners, the lot.”

FITNESS

OPPOSITE PAGE: Arm day at Power10; CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Prepped at Studio XXVII and ready to ‘spin’; rollerskate fitness is now a thing, reckons MoveGB; the great outdoors is also an option, says Zita at Zest; fancy showers at Studio XXVII

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FITNESS

11Community is everything

“There’s a real community feel at TONIQ ,” says Arron, “with each workout designed to work for individuals in the optimum way, and qualified trainers demonstrating every move before each class starts and keeping a close eye on you during the session. We pride ourselves on knowing each member individually, and our friendly and approachable team give our clients the support, encouragement and confidence to bring their A game to every session. The motto is ‘work hard to play hard’, and we believe in, and would always advocate, a healthy balance!”

12Gyms don’t have to look like gyms

In fact, TONIQ is more like a nightclub, with LED lights, dark walls and a great sound system. “It just has a very cool vibe,” says Arron, “while our trainers are some of the elite of Bath, all highly qualified and varied in their skillsets, providing a huge range of skills and expertise.”

and mental health really do walk hand in hand 13Physical

above: No, really: you’ll be doing this in no time; opposite page: To say there’s something for everyone would be something of an understatement…

working out should be the highlight of your day 7Indeed, “We don’t subscribe to the notion that exercising is a chore,” says Charlie at Studio XXVII. “It should, instead, be something you actually look forward to. Our instructors are unbelievably talented at creating diverse, fun playlists, avoiding generic, clichéd Ibiza house music for 45 minutes. And our front-of-house team are absolute superstars, giving everyone a warm welcome.”

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Actually, it’s difficult to over-estimate the importance of music to working out

“At this time of the year, more than most, mental health is a pressing concern,” says Arron. “Along with our higher intensity workouts, it’s important to focus on mindfulness exercises, so all members are encouraged to attend the free mindfulness classes that run every Monday evening – these change weekly across yoga, qi gong, breathing workshops, foam rolling and meditation, and are also offered to nonmembers at the cost of a standard class.”

are scared of approaching gyms, but they needn’t be 14People

“We know that some people may be nervous about coming straight into a full blown class, which is why we’ve created a new foundation class, aimed at people who’d like a gentle intro to TONIQ ,” says Arron. “These sessions run once a week and are absolutely free to first timers; as there’s a maximum of six people in each, it’s easy for us to answer questions and guide you through the most common movements and exercises, as well as give an idea of what each class entails.”

15Ofat allcourse, you need never step foot in a gym

“No music genre is safe on my playlists,” Charlie says, “so you’ll go from Linkin Park to Ariana Grande to Led Zeppelin to Prince, and you’ll never hear the same song twice. Grace here, meanwhile, pulls together epic themed classes, which can revolve around everything from ’70s rock to ’90s pop, while ‘smiling assassin’ Darcy offers the smoothest blend of funk, disco and deep house, so her classes are like sitting in the front row for the most exclusive catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week.”

“Our outdoor group exercise classes allow people who don’t like training on their own, or within a gym setting, to get regular exercise, no matter what their level of fitness,” says Zest Bootcamp owner Zita Alves. “I’ve created a programme where different abilities can be challenged, with classes in Boxercise-style fitness boxing, as well as equipment sessions that include battling ropes, suspension training and other ways to work the whole body. The result is a community that’s friendly, fun, supportive, and full of camaraderie.”

ain’t sustainable, you won’t sustain it 9Ifat exercise

16Age is no barrier to fitness

“Everything we do is designed to help members continually progress in a holistic way,” says Arron Collins, founder of TONIQ at Green Park, and a personal trainer in Bath for 14 years. “We do this through our core classes and guidance from expert trainers, plus nutritional support from our team nutritionist and balanced mindfulness workshops that run weekly. We offer a balanced workout week with a variety of classes, six a day running Monday to Friday (plus more on Saturday and Sunday mornings). You will never repeat the same workout twice, keeping you motivated, progressing and never bored.”

10Sometimes, though, you just need to chill

Or, if you’re at TONIQ , ‘Chill’ with a capital C. “There’s an additional Chill session on Monday evenings too,” Arron says, “which focusses on recovery, with workshops on yoga, qi gong [a bit like tai chi], meditation and breathing.”

Previously an overweight, non-exercising asthmatic, Zita of Zest has completely changed her lifestyle and is now passionate about helping other women over 40 do the same. It’s won her all sort of awards, including Best Fitness Business at the 2015 Bath Independent Business Awards.

17Variety is key

According to MoveGB, the Bath-based fitness class membership platform, variety is the key to long-term fitness, especially when users include more ‘experience-based’ classes to top-up their standard fitness routine. “Data gathered from our platform’s users in Bath reveals that 62 percent of members who attend a variety of classes are still active after 12 months, in comparison to just 38 percent of single venue users,” says founder Al Rollins. Basically, the more you mix things up, the better. “Popular combinations of fitness activities are gym sessions or bootcamps supplemented by Zumba classes,” Al says.

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FITNESS

“Dance will continue to see a huge surge as an alternative way to get a cardio fix” These days everybody wants to feel they could win on Strictly

18Dance is the way forward

Every type of dance-related fitness activity has snowballed over the last year, thanks to people watching Strictly and street dance crews, and specialist classes like Zumba and Ragtang. “Our research has shown that those who stay committed for longer are still doing the ‘bread and butter’ of their fitness routine through traditional means like gyms and swimming pools,” says Al, “but stay motivated by supplementing these with classes that challenge them in new ways, adding a fun and social dimension to their regimes.”

19

Okay, we can cope with Zumba

Heck, we’re only getting started. “The enthusiasm for more diverse, experience-led classes has also meant there’s been an increase in more niche and unusual activities,” says Al, “including acro yoga, circus-inspired aerial hoop, twerking and adult gymnastics.”

20Hang on, did you just say twerking?

We did, deal with it. “Dance will continue to see a huge surge as an alternative way to get a cardio fix,” Al says. “As well as providing a high impact workout, class goers are working their minds to remember routines and get to grips with new moves. In fact, dance will see continued diversification with a growth in specialist dance classes, such as barre mash-ups, reggaeton, belly dancing, roller skating and silent disco bootcamps.”

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

YOU HAVE BEEN READING MOVEGB Not a gym, this Bath-based club instead offers access to 6,000 activity locations, studios and gyms in 25 cities across the UK. www.go.movegb.com POWER10 How long does it take? 10 weeks.

How much does it cost? £199. www.Power10bath.com STUDIO XXVII How long does it take? If you sign on before the end of the month, the Intro Package runs for four weeks instead of three.

How much does it cost? £39.99, giving unlimited access to all weekday classes for three (or four!) weeks. www.studioxxvi.bike TONIQ How long does it take? “TONIQ is not a short term programme, but designed to become part of your routine.”

How much does it cost? There’s a range of membership options, class passes and drop ins; the first class is free, then you get the option of a seven-day trial pass for £25.

ZEST BOOTCAMP How long does it take? Four weeks, with classes running every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6.30am, 9.30am and 6.15pm.

How much does it cost? £10 for a trial week, then a variety of membership options. www.zestbootcamp.co.uk; www.zita.co.uk

SERVICES GUIDE HOME CARE

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CITY

GARDEN SERVICES

GARDENERS AND LANDSCAPERS

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL THE BATH LIFE TEAM ON 01225 475800

ROUTINE GARDEN MAINTENANCE, RESCUES, MAKE-OVERS AND NEW PROJECTS 01225 783344 | 07970 008810 www.axfordgardenservices.com

STONE SPECIALISTS

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

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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

GARDENS

FIELD OF VISION

The gardens at Hauser & Wirth Somerset are glorious anyway, but especially so at this time of year. A new book by plantsman Rory Dusoir celebrates them and their designer, Piet Oudolf Words by Nick Woodhouse, photos by Jason Ingram

M

any garden-lovers cite these winter months as their favourite time of year to visit the nearby gardens of Hauser & Wirth Somerset. It’s testament to the exceptional plant knowledge of designer Piet Oudolf that such interest can be sustained through the seasons with the inclusion of just three evergreen grass varieties and not one clipped form. Just five years since opening to the public, this project is undoubtedly one

time out from a family trip to Korea to answer a few questions on his new book.

Thanks so much for your time, Rory. In the forward to the book, Piet Oudolf explains that Manuela Hauser and Iwan Wirth gave him ‘absolute freedom’ in the design. How do you feel this has influenced the garden we see today?

I think it’s probably always been important to Piet that he has a free hand on design, and that external influencing factors are kept to a minimum. It must have helped that Iwan and Manuela are used to facilitating artistic expression, as Piet’s approach to making gardens seems to me like that of an artist. The fact that this ‘freedom’ was made explicit to Piet at an early stage no doubt gave him confidence that he could achieve something special here. For the Oudolf Field, in particular, there were very few constraints, so he could really go for it. As a result, his work here is arguably his best project to date.

“Piet’s approach to making gardens seems to me like that of an artist” of Oudolf ’s finest, and has recently been celebrated by plantsman and garden designer Rory Dusoir in a new book.

In Planting the Oudolf Garden, Dusoir takes us through the gardens season by season, concentrating primarily on the Oudolf Field itself. Exquisite photography by Jason Ingram brings to life the transition through the seasons, reminding us further of the sheer beauty of Oudolf ’s planting combinations, whatever the time of year. And for those looking for some inspiration for their own outdoor spaces, the book finishes with an extensive plant directory from the gardens themselves.

Alongside his writing, Rory runs a garden installation and consultancy company with two fellow students of the prestigious Kew Diploma from their studio in Richmond.

Fortunately, he was able to take some precious

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

It must have been exciting to really get to know the project so intimately. Tell us a bit about your visits to the gardens over the course of your research.

I visited the garden at least once a month during 2018. Initially the plan was to have regular meetings there with our photographer, Jason Ingram – but this became impractical, as he worked mostly at dawn and I was travelling two and a half hours to get there. So, we used to converse by email and phone. Jason put in an incredible amount of work to ensure that we had all the shots we needed, and his diligence and creativity meant that he was able to catch some wonderful moments in the garden. It was always very exciting when I got to review the latest batch of images. I guess I got to see the garden through his eyes,

and this taught me a lot about it. Shots of the Sporobolus Meadow, in particular, were breath-taking, as Jason was able to distil the quite mercurial effects of the sunlight in this part of the garden.

Was there a particular time of year at which you felt the gardens were at their most special?

It’s tempting to pick one of the winter months, as the garden retains its structure impressively throughout winter; no mean feat when you are working almost exclusively with herbaceous plants. But really, I don’t think you can beat a crisp September morning. Perhaps my favourite time of the year anyway, the garden is really firing on all cylinders then. The light is clearer, and the cooler nights exert their influence, encouraging the process of ripening and decay even as some of the late flowering plants just begin to bloom. The pace of change is kaleidoscopic, and I think this expresses what Piet Oudolf is all about.

And did you have a favourite spot within the Oudolf Field that you were drawn to?

The field is laid out to encourage perambulation and immersion and, in a way, it’s quite hard to imagine remaining in one spot for very long! The Sporobolus Meadow is a section of the planting that sits at the centre of the garden, and it gathers light in a way that I find quite magnetic, so I’m always drawn there in the end.

Nick Woodhouse is the co-director of interior and garden design company Woodhouse & Law on 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; 01225 428072; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

CLOCKWISE: Hauser and Wirth’s gardens through the seasons,

but looking especially cool come wintertime

Planting The Oudolf Gardens by Rory Dusoir.

Co-published with Filbert Press, £30 www.hauserwirth.com/publishers

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 73

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, Kaplan International Languages Bath, 5 Trim Street, Bath, BA1 1HB Direct Line (01225) 473502, Email: sarah.wringer@kaplan.com

It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>CHRIS ANDERSON OF TED (79) >>CREATIVE BATH AWARDS RETURN (77) >>MEET NATHAN BARANOWSKI (78)

Juice Recruitment has raised £1,000 for Eddie’s Street Cuts.

The Bath-based recruitment consultancy spent the festive period fundraising for the organisation, which provides haircuts for the homeless and spreads a vital message of hope and recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Juice chose an unusual method for their fundraising – delivering Terry’s Chocolate Oranges to businesses across the South West, who were then asked to make donations and create a showcase depicting what Terry the Chocolate Orange had been up to at their gaff (with the help of fun emoji stickers created by Juice) and share them on social media. A prize was up for grabs for the best display.

“Watching what Terry’s been up to has been beyond brilliant,” says Emma Summers, founder & CEO at Juice.

“From enjoying a spa day in Switzerland to Christmas shopping, skiing and sipping champagne, along with the odd Christmas latte, Terry has certainly been living the high life!”

Though competition was fierce, wedding gift specialists Prezola were eventually declared winners of a food hamper – and a free hair cut by Eddie himself.

For more: www.juicerecruitment.com

Emma Summers, Eddie Illic and Alison Watson

© DAVE MCGIRR

GIVE IT SOME JUICE

Ceawlin, Viscount Weymouth and Emma, Viscountess Weymouth meet the Jackson family, Longleat's millionth visitors, in 2019

One in a million Longleat Safari Park recently welcomed its millionth visitors. The lucky group, Dave and Katrina Jackson and their sons, Bodie (age five) and Lachlan (age three), from Watchet in Somerset were presented with annual passes on arrival, along with some Longleat memorabilia and the chance to meet Viscount and Viscountess Weymouth.

“We were delighted to welcome Dave and Katrina and their family as our millionth visitors this year, especially as Katrina was visiting to celebrate her birthday,” says Ceawlin,

Viscount Weymouth. “Over the centuries Longleat has played host to everyone from Queen Elizabeth I to the Rolling Stones.”

2019 was fantastically busy time for the entire team at the house and safari park, however, not least thanks to the opening of the ground-breaking new Koala Creek at Easter.

“The enclosure not only enables people to walk amongst the koalas,” says Viscount Weymouth, “but to find out more about conservation work to help protect them in the wild.”

For more: www.longleat.co.uk

MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 115

BATHWORKS

NEW to Bath Meet the new characters on the Bath business scene

HATS OFF Dawn Bonfield MBE has been awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Bath. The celebrated engineer and campaigner was awarded the Doctor of Engineering (DEng) award during winter graduation.

Dawn, who studied at Bath herself, is a passionate campaigner for improved diversity and inclusion in the industry (for which she earned her MBE), manager of the Magnificent Women project, which celebrates historic female engineers, and was second on the 2019 Financial Times list of the UK’s most influential women in engineering.

“I have enjoyed a long relationship with the University of Bath, having studied there myself, so I am delighted to receive this Honorary Degree,” Dawn says. “I am very lucky to be in a position to tell young people about the ways they can make a difference in the world through a career in engineering.

This is particularly important as we

SPONSORED BY

have so many global challenges to address, and we need as much creativity and innovation as we can get.

“I sincerely hope that more people, from all kinds of backgrounds, will join the industry as it addresses these future challenges and opportunities.”

For more: www.bath.ac.uk/research

www.mooreswit.co.uk 01225 486100

Dawn Bonfield MBE

ProCook has recently set up shop on Quiet Street

PROCOOK Brand director Sarah Savery Smith introduces Bath’s newest (and probably biggest) kitchenware destination.

FINAL LINE-UP AT BL AWARDS Finalists for the Bath Life Awards have now been revealed. Sparkly attire will be getting a dust off, shirts ironed and acceptance speeches drafted for what’s surely the event of the business year.

Once more the much-coveted tickets are available only to finalists, due to phenomenal demand. Social media went into overdrive at the announcement, with the Bath community congratulating those deserving businesses on the shortlist.

“In previous years, finalists have secured the few remaining tickets within minutes of their release,” says Steph Dodd, event director at MediaClash, Bath Life’s publisher. “The latest position will be updated via Twitter and email, so keep

© SOUL MEDIA

your eyes peeled. And good luck!”

Before the big night, all finalists are invited to a party along with Headline sponsors The Royal Crescent Hotel, and category sponsors at a special Sponsors’ and Finalists’ Reception on January 29.

“It’s been refreshing to see a highquality mix of familiar faces and newcomers enter the Awards this time around,” says Steph. “The reception offers a great chance to meet fellow finalists for social business networking ahead of the big night.”

The Awards will take place at the Assembly Rooms on 27 February.

For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk @BathLifeAwards

It’s time to dig out your glad rags

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

KEY AWARDS DATES February 4: Sponsors’ and Finalists’ Reception, The Botanist February 27: The Bath Life Awards 2020, Assembly Rooms March 25: Winners’ Dinner, Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Tell us a bit about ProCook, Sarah.

We’re a British, family-owned kitchen and dining ware brand that’s been established for around 25 years. Our mission is to supply our customers with exceptional quality British designed cookware, dining ware and kitchen accessories in clean contemporary styles that can happily slot into any kitchen or dining room. We have a great mix of own brand products and iconic brands, such as Joseph Joseph, Dualit, Kenwood, and Robert Welch, with over 50 stores across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Why did you choose Bath for your new shop?

Bath is a renowned shopping destination not just in the West Country but across the South generally, so there was no question we wanted to open a store here. Plus, the store has always been a cookshop with a great following of loyal customers, and we wanted to give these customers a fresh new place to enjoy shopping in. Bath has a great foodie culture, and as ProCook is the ultimate destination for the home and professional cook there was an obvious link. We are proud to say that our Bath shop, in its prime location, is our new flagship store.

What are some of the challenges involved each time you set up a shop in a new city?

We’ve opened quite a few stores in the last few years, so our process for store openings has been fine-tuned. We have a very detailed, tight schedule and, from project managers to IT specialists, designers, marketers, recruitment people and, of course, the all-important retail team, there’s a huge number of people involved in the turnaround, which usually spans around three weeks from when we get the keys to when we open. The biggest challenges are usually things out of our control, such as setting up broadband!

For more: www.procook.co.uk

Get inspired at the Creative Bath Awards

BUSINESS MATTERS DIARY

© NICK COLE

From networking breakfasts to invaluable evening events, make a note of the courses and classes that could help your business

CREATIVE AT HEART Nominations for the 2020 Creative Bath Awards open on 14 February, and the Creative Bath team are anticipating another sell-out celebration for this year’s Awards, which are on 18 June in a giant marquee on Queen Square.

The 2019 Awards saw a flamboyant public celebration of creativity, filled with music, entertainment, inspiring figures and high-achievers, with over 300 guests enjoying the night alongside a further 200 at the parallel Creative Bath Summer Party.

The Creative Bath Awards celebrate creativity in all its forms, from artist to architect, dancer to designer, photographer to publisher. The Awards also highlight talented students, making the event an excellent opportunity for young creatives to network in the thriving local creative scene.

Sponsoring a category is a brilliant way to showcase your business and support the creative industries, and

comes with far-reaching marketing benefits and profile promotion.

Shoulder events which support the Awards include the Finalists’ & Sponsors’ Reception and the Winners’ Dinner after the event.

Already showing public support through sponsorship are Headline Sponsor Bath Spa University, Platinum Sponsor Future Publishing and a morethan-impressive list of category sponsors, including Anthem Publishing, Bath Digital Festival, Edit, Enlightened, The Guild, Half Moon Bay, Kaleidoscope Collection, MediaClash, Minuteman Press, OJO Solutions, Richardson Swift, Rocketmakers and Royds Withy King.

For sponsorship enquiries, and to benefit from the Creative Bath Awards, contact Vicki Cheadle vicki@creativebath.org creativebathawards.org @creativebath

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC

20 JANUARY I DO LIKE MONDAYS Is one of your resolutions for 2020 to meet new people?

Then this is the networking event for you. Casual, regular (it’s every Monday!) and all about having fun, it’s a great opportunity to expand your local network.

7pm; The King of Wessex; ww.everymonday.org 23 JANUARY SMALL STEPS FOR GREAT PR The Small Business Network are kicking off the new decade with a talk from Jessica Morgan, founder and director of Carnsight Communications, a local PR and communications consultancy. She’ll shed some light on how small businesses can communicate their story to their customers.

10am; Digital Mansion, Corsham; www. digitalmansioncorsham.co.uk 3 FEBRUARY BATH LIFE BUSINESS CLUB This engaging club offers compelling insights with leading Bath business people over a fine lunch. This time, Andy Semple talks about the success of National Trust, amongst many things one of the nation’s largest landlords.

Doors 12pm; The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa; www.bathlifebusinessclub.com

We are pleased to introduce Selina Elley to our Senior Lettings Team. Having been a key member of our competitors Andrews on the Bearflat, with over 15 years’ experience, she is highly knowledgeable. If you know Selina and would like to pop in and say hello you will be more than welcome.

Selina@bathstoneproperty.com

Roper Rhodes’ posh new HQ

NEW YEAR, NEW HQ

Bathroom specialist Roper Rhodes is ready to move into its brand-new Bath headquarters. Based on Brassmill Lane Trading Estate, the 19,000 sq ft HQ was designed and converted by Carter Jonas to be modern and eco-friendly, with recycled materials used at every opportunity and insulated rendering giving it a cool black exterior.

“Aesthetically, the building is a step-change from other office accommodation and warehousing in the area. Owing to its unique exterior, it is set apart from other buildings in Bath by a crisp, contemporary look,” says Tom Lowe, associate partner at Carter Jonas. “We’re proud to have led the project team on this, and to have utilised the incredible expertise we have on our doorstep here in the South West. Our hope is that examples of high-quality commercial conversions such as this will inspire greater investment in the existing building stock in the region to make it meet the requirements of today’s businesses.” www.carterjonas.co.uk

Turn over a new leaf this new year and market your property with Bath Stone Property.

01225 422224 bathstoneproperty.com

where we developed a digital strategy and roadmap to support their ambitious plans; Dorothy House, where we facilitated the development of their stakeholder relationship management strategy; Wiltshire Air Ambulance, where we designed and developed their digital strategy and website (as well as donated a mobile game – Helifun); and Talent Intuition, a start-up delivering global talent insight to FTSE 100 businesses. And, of course, there are even more further afield.

ONE TO WATCH

Nathan Baranowski

The man with the plan, OJO Solutions’ MD Nathan Baranowski is all about using tech to solve problems Tell us about your career, Nathan.

OJO was founded back in 2000 as a bedroom business when I graduated from university. Working for nothing more than beer or a meal, we built websites for friends and family.

I had taken my Geology degree and headed to London at the time to apply it to something different – Professional Standards. Whilst working for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), I began training as a lawyer, before being given the opportunity to take some of my web and tech passion into a large IT transformation programme that was seeking to take many of CIMA’s processes online. I never looked back.

After CIMA, I co-started a management consultancy designed to deliver IT change, small and large, right across the UK, from internal audit systems for Barclays to membership and CRMs for the Motor Sports Association.

My passion has always been in tech and using it to deliver a positive impact. At the time of the dot com boom returning, I was studying a Masters in Responsibility and Business Practice at University of Bath, and found myself asking more and more how I could deliver greater impact. From there, I quit management consultancy and went to apply myself to a local charity – Brandon Trust – before, in 2012, taking a leap of faith to go full-time with OJO. Tell us about what OJO does?

We help organisations see what’s possible, and help make it happen, from digital strategies that set out a clear digital vision and roadmap for the future to designing and developing beautifully crafted mobile apps and websites. We help SMEs, start-ups and charities go further and grow faster, and the fun and magic of OJO is how we do this.

The one thing I love about tech and the digital space is that it’s never boring. It is impossible to know everything, and no two problems are necessarily the same.

Some solutions are straightforward to define and deliver – for example, a new website – and others are more complicated, like building a whole new banking app or incubating a start-up. We co-create and co-design with our clients new ways of working, living and engaging with their staff, clients and future stakeholders – all through beautifully crafted technology.

So, who are your clients?

Technology cuts across pretty much any sector and is, in many respects, agnostic of them. We work in everything from education and manufacturing to health, social care and finance. That makes for a quite a diverse client list, but they locally include: St Johns Foundation,

When you talk about creating solutions with technology, can you explain what that means?

In simple terms, we are very curious and very nosy. We ask a lot of questions and get to the heart of our client’s goal or problem.

Through an open-minded approach, we challenge ourselves and our assumptions to create a solution for each client, from undertaking user research to asking what a customer needs through to testing out assumptions and prototypes to ensure we know what the customer wants before building a solution.

Didn’t you run an ultramarathon this year? What was that like?

Yes! I think it was a sort of mid-life crisis and, as if work and family life were not busy enough, I thought it would be a good idea to run 100K along the Ridgeway as part of Race to the Stones for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. It has been the most amazing experience I can imagine, yet definitely the toughest too – especially at 2am, when I was feeling very sleep deprived. I believe there is a rendition of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) on Twitter that I decided to sing during the later hours. My aches and pains, however, are nothing next to the huge generosity of those who sponsored me, raising £6,812.40.

For more: www.ojosolutions.com

BATHWORKS FUTURE PAST AND LEGACY Chris founded Future in 1985 with a £15K loan and sold it nine years later for £52.5m. He then went on to similar success in the States.

He bought back into Future with VCs at £142m, less than four years after selling – then merged it with his then-new US business and floated it all 14 months later with a first day market cap of $1billion.

BATH LIFE BUSINESS CLUB

CHRIS ANDERSON, CURATOR OF THE TED CONFERENCE TED – yes, that TED, the video giant of inspirational talks by geniuses from all walks of life – has been particularly ambitious in the past few years, as curator Chris Anderson dropped by the Bath Life Business Club to explain FROM IDEAS TO ACTION While the basic structure of the TED conferences – short, multi-disciplinary talks from stellar figures (think Bills Clinton and Gates, or even the Pope!)

– has endured for years, the business model had a radical change soon after Chris took it over in 2002.

It switched from being funded via $4,000-a-head attendees at a ticketed event in the US to making all the talks free worldwide via video. Risky?

Well Chris, something of a serial entrepreneur – he started Bath’s own Future Publishing prior to his time at TED – was never afraid of that.

“Putting all our content online for free and making that the core of our business meant the talks spread all over the internet, so demand for the conference actually surged, it didn’t fall at all,” Chris explains. “It got me really excited about a different business strategy that I call radical generosity – basically, if in doubt, give it all away

and be amazed at what comes back.”

And that’s how it stayed for a long time. A sharing platform for ‘ideas worth spreading’, TED wasn’t really about activism – until now.

“The efficient thing to do is just let the ideas get out there – ideas at the right time are a really powerful force – but last summer my senior team at TED and I went away for a retreat, and asked all the tough questions,” he says. “We concluded that there were some issues in the world too urgent and that, as we had a platform, we had a responsibility to go a step further and try and turn our ideas into action.”

THE AUDACIOUS PROJECT This action has taken a couple of different forms. One aspect, known as The Audacious Project, has been running for about three years. Inspired by the work of Jacqueline Novogratz, a social entrepreneur with a focus on global poverty – and also Chris’s wife – it is a funding model for social entrepreneurship.

“It’s a scandal that we have the best talent in the world, who want to make the world a better place, spending all their time raising

“WE HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO GO A STEP FURTHER AND TRY AND TURN OUR IDEAS INTO ACTION”

money to do so – that’s just not how society should be organised.”

The problem is many potential funders (AKA billionaires) are consistently unenthused by the prospect of investing in projects where progress seems incremental, so often dismiss them, or tell the entrepreneurs to return in a few months with a better pitch. Ultimately, for the billionaires, funding a project – to, for example, eradicate disease caused by parasitic stomach worms – just isn’t as sexy as a cut throat business decision.

“The Audacious Project was established to put these two problems together and solve them by creating a market for bold ideas,” Chris explains.

In other words, he helped give philanthropy a makeover.

The Audacious Project selects 10 projects from hundreds of applications to each craft one compelling presentation for potential donors – and put a clock on the decision. The donors either fund the projects by the end of the session, or they don’t get funded.

Cut throat indeed.

“Amazingly, that formula worked.

At the last one we ran, $300 million was committed for seven different projects. The donors loved it, and I found that really, really exciting.”

Future today is a successful plc.

And its legacy here in Bath, 35 years on, is huge. Companies created and led by former Future execs include Lovehoney, Play Sports Network, Prezola, Network N, Anthem, Dialect and Bath Life’s publisher, MediaClash – as well as many dozen others.

BACK TO THE FUTURE Chris has always been a big thinker.

The original mind behind Future Publishing – from which so many other Bath businesses were born – Chris puts his success down to his endless appetite for possibility.

“An entrepreneur reshuffles the pieces of the present in their mind to try and picture a solution to a problem, a better way,” Chris says.

You can see that attitude at work in the creation of Future, which at the time of launch was something of an outlier, outside of London and filled, Chris says, with a ‘band of rebels’ who were not so much career journalists as enthusiasts in love with the subject matter of their magazines. It was a risky business, but – as we’ve mentioned – that doesn’t put Chris off.

“Arguably one of the biggest single risks was the day early on when 20 of us in Somerton asked, ‘Where would we most like to move this operation?’

The overwhelming vote was for Bath, so we came here and we loved it.

Future absolutely thrived here – and everything else followed from that.”

For more: www.ted.com

SPONSORED BY

The Bath Life Business Club is a unique lunchtime event with a high calibre speaker. Attendees come from all sectors of Bath’s business life – from the coolest of the indies to the largest of the corporates. For information on the latest events, please go to: www.bathifebusinessclub.com

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Meet the web designer The experts in user experience

KEVIN TRIGGLE

CREATIVE LEAD & DIRECTOR, OJO SOLUTIONS www.ojosolutions.com;

@ojosolutions

What sets you apart from other web design agencies?

We’ve lived and breathed web design for over 20 years. We work collaboratively with our clients, focusing on beautiful designs that inspire and we craft functionally rich, user centric designs that work for our clients and their customers.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Ten years ago, the iPhone 3GS had just been released. Websites were built using flash and we were using style sheets with very limited capability. The world of mobile first development, web personalisation, web 2.0, Javascript and modern browser technologies have completely transformed the industry, so much so that design really has no limitations.

Why did you get into design work?

Art and Design is something I’ve been doing since childhood and my love of computers from an early age made digital design an obvious choice to take into my professional life if I could. I feel extremely lucky I’m able to call something I love doing a job!

What is the best customer experience you have created for a client’s business?

We’re currently working with deafPLUS, a charity offering advice and training to people affected by hearing loss nationwide. We helped

create a donation platform to better support the charity and will soon be launching the new information hub where deaf people can find information in BSL friendly formats and make appointments to speak to an advisor via an online video call.

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

Everything we do is bespoke. We build our designs from a blank canvas and configure open source content management systems to deliver a unique online user experience. We do this by discovering our clients’ needs, challenges and goals and understanding their customers through user research to deliver a solution that has real purpose and value.

CHRIS DAWSON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, TALLHAT DESIGN 01225 445505; chris@tallhat.com tallhat.com How long have you been designing websites?

A long time! In the ’90s I designed Microsoft’s first ever UK website. That led to work on the Euro ‘96 footy site – the biggest in Europe at the time.

How has your industry changed?

Back then we were pioneering. ‘Digital’ agencies were in their infancy and it was specialist work. It’s joined the mainstream, and now digital often IS the primary marketing channel. Technically things keep changing, but the core challenge remains: target and engage customers, develop a frictionless buying process, make them advocates.

What sets you apart from other web designers?

I think understanding – and often orchestrating – all the elements involved. From the strength of the core marketing message/brand, the care and tone of the implementation (design, copywriting, content), through to the ongoing support. And I like to challenge a brief!

What keeps you passionate?

I love the variety. Recent sites include The Owls of Bath charity sculpture event, a New York hotel, a pop-up book designer (notable for his work on Paddington 2), and a U.S. data-mining/machine learning company.

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A PLACETO CALL HOME

PROPERTY A PL ACE TO C ALL HOME

THE OLD RECTORY

Thinking of a move to the country?

The perfect family home awaits just outside Bradford on Avon

By Harriet Noble www.mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK I BATH LIFE I 141 83

PROPERTY

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Y HOUSE NUMBERS Square footage over 3,900 Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms 4 Extras Coach house/garage to the side of the house with additional parking spaces Price

£1,350,000

For more: Savills Bath, Edgar House, 17 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EN; 01225 474500; www.savills.co.uk

ou’re sitting on a chapel pew, drinking a cup of Earl Grey, munching on marmalade on toast, reading the paper and looking out onto the beautiful garden. Not a sound apart from birds tweeting. Where are you? Well, you’re sitting in the kitchen in The Old Rectory. This peaceful location is not quite in the middle of nowhere; in fact, it’s just twelve miles outside of Bath, in the village of Hilperton (that’s Bradford on Avon way). If your family has mushroomed and you’re looking to up sticks and, well, move to the sticks, this family gaff with its abundance of space (in excess of 3,900 sq ft) and large gardens (about 1.2 acres) for the kids to run wild in, may be just the ticket.

But what about the style, the look, the feel? Are you going to get that warm, fuzzy, this-is-the-one feeling when you enter the door? We think you just might.

The house is a Grade II listed detached late Georgian property, sporting handsome period features in pretty much every direction. Large rooms, tall ceilings, marble and slate fireplaces, original working shutters and huge windows, allowing the natural light to flood in, are what’s in store for you here.

Step inside and you’ll see a mammoth entrance hall with flagstone floors and a chapel pew, perfect for helping your offspring with getting those wellies on and off.

The ever-so-elegant drawing room, again with loads of large windows overlooking the gardens, has a substantial marble fireplace with an open fire, while the spacious snug has a wood burning stove and the dining room (former kitchen) is home to a midnight blue Aga. The sizeable kitchen comes complete with loads of wall units, a large island and direct access to the gardens. Elsewhere on the ground floor is a loo, utility room and, wait for it, a dreamy walk-in pantry.

Upstairs on the first floor you’ll find a master bedroom suite with spacious dressing room and large en suite shower room. Additionally, there are five further double bedrooms, a family bathroom complete with both bath and shower and a separate shower room.

On sunny days (remember them?) you can bask in the gardens which surround the home and comprise lush level lawns, well stocked flower beds, wild areas with views over the neighbouring fields, robust borders and a range of spectacular specimen trees. Crucially, the gardens offer real privacy, and are ideal for both entertaining and allowing the children and pets to run free to explore all the nooks and crannies.

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MAKE A FRESH START

And do it in a fresh home. Follow our 2020 living upgrade, featuring five of the best new build flats and houses from the greatest local developers

By Paul Marland

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NEW BUILDS SPECIAL

Y

es, we know. Period houses are cute and beautiful – but practical, perhaps not so much.

Do they have floor-to-ceiling windows, or marble-topped island units, or underfloor heating? Or (we can dream) walk-in wardrobes paired with a generous en-suite? Probably not.

For stress free living, and the same new-car feel you get when your ride arrives with plastic still on the seats – but on a much vaster scale – a good new build might well be where it’s at. We got in touch with some of the best, most prominent local developers and estate agents to find out what’s fresh on the market, and – of everything on their books – what their own beady eyes are most aggressively fixated upon. Read these pages, and you may never lust after an old house again…

F3 AT HOPE HOUSE is a grand four-bedroom apartment in one of Bath’s better-known Grade II listed buildings, built in 1781 and once Bath Royal High School, but now right at the centre of a vastly impressive new development on Lansdown Road. Taking up the majority of the ground floor, it benefits from a generous hallway with stone flooring and ample storage that leads to a substantial kitchen/

“For stress-free living, a good new build may well be where it’s at”

living/dining area, complete with study space. Here’s where you’ll find no fewer than seven gigantic sash windows, offering dual aspect views across the city and incorporating the original bay of the building. (The master suite also incorporates the original bay on the west side of the building, which looks out over lawns and has its own dressing room and bathroom, with a freestanding bath and shower.)

All in all, this home offers the perfect entertaining space, combining character, history and the ease of lateral living with an utter lack of the maintenance and upkeep demanded by most older homes.

“To see a historic building brought back to life like this is something rather special,” says Jonny Verrell, Hope House’s sales negotiator.

“The vast ceiling heights add so much charm, and outside there’s an abundance of open space, as Hope House sits within six acres of stunning private parkland. There’s grand formal lawn, tennis court and great views across the centre of the city – and from here there’s easy access both into and out of town too.”

Hope House, Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 5ES; Acorn; www.acornpropertygroup.org

The impressive Hope House development was once home to Bath Royal High School

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NORWOOD DENE is a development of seven luxurious apartments in Claverton Down, set in mature and extensive grounds towards the top of Bathwick Hill; right now four have gone but three remain, each with two or three bedrooms with an en suite, plus an additional family bathroom and handy study area.

“Apartment seven is situated on the first floor, a two bedroom property with particularly large and light rooms and underfloor heating,” says marketing manager Natalie Carpenter. “There’s a large living/dining room and a superb kitchen with Neff integrated appliances, and from the living room there are doors leading to a private terrace. The master bedroom has built in wardrobes and an ensuite, while the second bedroom has doors opening onto a private terrace. In addition, there’s a family bathroom and purpose-built study area.”

There’s also gas-fired underfloor heating with individually controlled zones, while outside are secure electric entrance gates and plenty of mature grounds, plus two covered parking spaces and a storage area to the rear.

Norwood Dene, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AX; Ashford Homes; www.ashford-homes.co.uk

Inside Norwood Dene: a handsome communal staircase with the best lighting

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NEW BUILDS SPECIAL ONE TRAM YARD offers a number of contemporary apartments in one of Bath’s better known historic buildings, the old tram depot, originally built in 1903 by the architects Harper & Harper. By the 1930s, Fussell’s Brewery was also situated here, but in the last few years the current owner – kitchen and interiors specialist Neptune – has done an outstanding job restoring the old building, and creating a series of unique properties within it. What makes them especially appealing is that no two are in any way the same.

“What makes them especially appealing is that no two are in any way the same”

“Apartment 102 is one of my favourites,” says Francine Watson, new homes associate at estate agent Knight Frank. “It’s a beautifullyfinished three bedroom apartment on the first floor, which perfectly combines elegance with practicality and offers a sense of space and light throughout. Well-proportioned, with one of the largest livingkitchen areas in One Tram Yard, the wide hallway creates a sense of grandeur while large Crittal steel-framed windows in the bedrooms and living area add real architectural interest. Each bedroom includes a stunning, fully tiled en suite bathroom with walk-in shower and stylish lightings, and there’s a separate utility room too.”

There’s also underfloor heating throughout, and each apartment has its own parking space, so rare for the centre of Bath. Oh, and making it your own couldn’t be easier, either: One Tram Yard is also home to Neptune’s Furniture Shop & Kitchen Showroom, where you could pick out the coolest of hand-crafted furniture.

One Tram Yard, Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD; Neptune/Knight Frank; www.knightfrank.com

It’s all about open plan living and plenty of light at One Tram Yard

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NEW BUILDS SPECIAL CHURCH FARM is a charming scheme of new homes on the outskirts of Rode in North Somerset, a village 12 miles from Bath and just six from Frome. There’s plenty to choose from here – no fewer than 44 houses, in fact, offering everything from two to five bedrooms – and a traditional feel but modern high standards, including underfloor heating and super-fast fibre broadband.

“Of all of them, though, The Granary is my favourite,” says Giles Harling of Savills residential development sales team. “This detached four bedroom, built in natural stone, is the epitome of countryside elegance, with an impressive and attractive oak staircase, a good-sized sitting room and a spacious open-plan kitchen/family room, complete with island unit. It all gets flooded with light through two sets of French doors. Upstairs are four well-proportioned double bedrooms, two to the left and two to the right, while the master suite is particularly special,

as it provides not only a separate dressing room, but a spacious en suite bath and shower room too.”

Outside, meanwhile, you get a covered external porch, an attached double garage and further parking, plus a small walled garden to the front and side.

Church Farm, Frome Road, Frome, BA11 6PW; Savills Bath; www.savills.co.uk

“It all gets flooded with light through two sets of French doors”

Elegant, modern and light: the perfect kitchen at Church Farm

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NEW BUILDS SPECIAL THE PORTLAND AT MULBERRY PARK is a style of three-bedroom family home, managing to feel both spacious and cosy at the same time – no mean trick. You’ll find Mulberry Park on the old Foxhill Ministry of Defence site on Bradford Road in the south of Bath, now reborn as a brand new neighbourhood of almost 700 homes, community facilities and open spaces with views across the city. (The name, by the way, is inspired by the old Mulberry Harbours, innovative and incredibly useful temporary landing spots for Royal Navy ships, used on the Normandy beaches during D-Day and designed by the Admiralty in Bath; they’re right up there amongst the greatest engineering achievements of World War II.) “The Portland is a design that’s ideal for family life,” says Lisa Howells, sales director at the developer, Curo, “with a welcoming

“The Portland is a design that’s ideal for family life”

entrance hall that leads directly into a spacious lounge and up the stairs to the first floor. A large, contemporary kitchen/diner is situated at the rear, leading to the back garden and creating the perfect entertaining and socialising space, while the downstairs WC can be accessed via the generous utility area to the side of the kitchen.”

Upstairs, there’s a master bedroom with en suite at the front – flooded with light through a beautiful floor-to-ceiling window – plus two further bedrooms, a family bathroom and far more storage than you’d usually get in a house of this size and style.

Naturally, Mulberry Park is full of Portlands, many with south facing gardens that function as extensions of each house, and with various parking options for two cars: you can just have two spaces, or replace one of those with a carport or garage.

Even without a car, though, getting into central Bath is easy – there’s a bus every 20 minutes – but many days you may not even bother; after all, there’ll soon be a new park here, plus plenty of shops and restaurants, a play area and more. All this is due in 2022, but there’s already a facility called The Hub up and running, complete with a café, community spaces and regular fitness and art classes too. n Mulberry Park, Bradford Road, Bath, BA2 5BZ; Curo Group; www.curo-sales.co.uk

Portland’s cosy and spacious: just the job!

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RESIDENCE

THRILL OF THE HUNT

Scandi meets Somerset in this delightful hunting lodge Words by Imogen Wilde Photography by Colin Poole

“Overall, we’ve gone for a blend of modern and country” 98 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

R

oughly nine miles south of Bath lies the Hunting Lodge. Sitting in the grounds of Farleigh Castle, it originally housed staff ‘from the big house’, such as a chauffeur – and once, during this time, it had only one bedroom, in which the butler, his wife and five children slept.

Squashed quarters no more, the house is now a spacious, calm place where Michelle and Barry, directors of The Salcombe Trading Company, make their home. They restored the house when they moved in, transforming it into an impressive modern-yet-rural mix. We caught up with Michelle to find out more…

How long have you lived here, Michelle, and what did it look like when you bought it?

We bought the Hunting Lodge in September 2017 and spent around five or six weeks renovating the house – all whilst living here. The plumbing work then went on for a year as that was the biggest issue we faced, due to a serious lack of water pressure.

In the process, we uncovered original wood flooring and ceiling beams and, while keeping floors and walls neutral, we added a bit of colour through our furniture and accessories.

And what was your vision for the way the interior of the house should look?

Being in the grounds of a historic castle, we wanted to make sure we kept this in mind with the decor. Overall we have gone for a blend of modern and country, mixing old and new with a touch of Scandinavian design.

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RESIDENCE What are the common pitfalls that you see people fall into when redecorating?

Many people try and do as little as possible when it comes to renovation, assuming that will be the most budget-friendly option. But not going deep enough into the preparation is where they can fall short, particularly with older properties, which can benefit from being taken back to the bones and improved with quality finishes without losing original features. Preparing walls and floors properly for their final finishes is key for a quality look that will last.

In your opinion, which room should you start with when redecorating – and why?

Generally, I would always advise you to start with the room you hate the most, or the one that looks most like the previous owner’s taste. With the Hunting Lodge we started with the floors. We hated the carpet, so had to get that up as soon as possible, which then showed us huge issues with the floor that we needed to sort out first. Sometimes you can’t help where you have to start from with a project.

Emptying a room completely is always a good beginning, as until everything has gone you can’t really get a feel for it, particularly if you are looking at it with someone else’s carpet, old curtain poles or light fittings.

Who (or what!) are your main inspirations when it comes to interior style?

I love the @shnordic Instagram account. She’s based in Bath, and has a beautiful Nordic style home which features heavily on her feed. She also has a wonderful blog, which shows behind the scenes on her latest renovation projects. I also hugely admire the transformation by Iwan and Manuela

Wirth of The Fife Arms, which has gone on to win Hotel of the Year 2019. We are lucky to have some incredible properties just a stone’s throw away from Bath, such as the wonderful Hadspen House at The Newt, with interiors to absolutely die for. I always keep an eye on other firm favourites on Instagram too, such as @neptunehomeofficial, @simshilditch, and @thewhitecompany.

What local shops did you use when sourcing your homeware and accessories?

We used Fired Earth paint colours and Mandarin Stone for our tiles. We love to purchase interesting homeware from The Fig Store, who are now located in Tetbury, and like to scour reclamation yards, such as Wells Reclamation. Of course, many pieces came from our own homeware and interiors shop, The Salcombe Trading Company.

Naturally! Got any other favourite homeware stores in Bath or around?

Sadly, we are slightly lacking in independent homeware shops in Bath right now. But we like Katherine Fraser for beautiful home textiles, and we love Jim Lawrence, who has the most wonderful selection of lighting.

Do you have a favourite room, or is there any other part of the house you are particularly proud of?

I think I would have to say the study – this is the most changed in terms of looks. It went from carpeted floor to elm hardwood flooring, and had a horrible flat ceiling with lighting that resembled a commercial office. We also now have the flexibility to flip the study into a dining room, if need be.

“Generally, I would always advise you to start with the room you hate the most” 100 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

One cushion seems to have fallen off the sofa above.

Oh, hang on…

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RESIDENCE The bespoke built-in storage provides an excellent hiding place for all the extra dining items that you want to keep out of sight. The elm floor was brought in from Scotland to match the rest of the original elm flooring in the rest of the house, and we had a fireplace designed to be a miniature of the big fireplace in the castle.

Michelle and friend, looking very much at home in the much improved Hunting Lodge

What was the most difficult room to design?

The top floor wet room was certainly the most challenging.

We upgraded a tiny add-on toilet into a 1.2m square wet room, which completely transformed the top floor of the house. The two bedrooms on the top floor became almost self sufficient, in the sense that the main bathroom on the floor below was now solely for use of the master bedroom.

How do you want people to react when they enter your house?

We always want them to feel at home at the Hunting Lodge. Saying that, we do love a pristine house – but I think everyone who is invited over knows how to plump a cushion, so I don’t need to worry too much!

What did you learn from designing your own home?

The Hunting Lodge was our 25th project, so we felt like we really used all the best bits from other projects on this particular property. All good things are learnt from previous mistakes, so it was really nice to have a project where we weren’t left feeling at the end feeling that we would have liked to have done things differently.

Whose house would you like to have a snoop around?

We have both always swooned over Widcombe Manor!

How much do you think the interior of your home reflects your personality?

We love mixing old with new, which I feel we have done very well with the Hunting Lodge. An old property needs a level of respect, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stuck in time.

We like comfort, and feel that it’s worth spending money on. This property had a lot of money spent on it behind the scenes, ensuring everything was done well. Quality comes in perfectly closing doors and bespoke joinery.

Finally, what’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about your home?

It is always lovely to hear people say that they would love to move in. And, of course, Bath Life asking to do a feature on it is a massive compliment too!

Got an amazing local home?

Want it to feature in Residence?

Contact lydia.tewkesbury@mediaclash.co.uk

“An old property needs a level of respect, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stuck in time” 102 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

FOR THE HOME Our local businesses are poised and ready to help with all your home needs for winter

WESTSIDE DESIGN

Westside Design is a family-run Bath based company offering a tailored design, manufacturing and installation service for all aspects of cabinet making and joinery. Specialising in contemporary bespoke kitchens and interiors.

Contact Michael on 01225 330843 or 07976 268458 or email info@westsidedesign.co.uk www.westsidedesign.co.uk

ETONS OF BATH

Founded in 2006, Etons of Bath is the UK’s only specialist interior design practice focussed on refurbishing, renovating and reinvigorating Georgian and Regency homes and hotels. Their team of 12 interior designers, planners and project managers can help you design and deliver classically inspired interiors that add value, turn heads and improve the use of space.

Tel: 01225 639002; www.etonsofbath.com

CHEVERELL

Cheverell is set in the heart of Wiltshire with a stunning showroom and workshop, offering a full bespoke design, manufacturing and installation service in kitchens, bedrooms, and interiors. Established in 1989 it has over 30 years of experience to guide you through the whole process. Cheverell, Waller Road, Hopton Park, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2GH; Tel: 01380 722722; www.cheverell.co.uk

TR HAYES

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

TR Hayes has been selling furniture in Bath for over 100 years now and has a reputation for good quality and excellent service, and the handy customer car park makes browsing stress free. You will find furniture of all sorts, with many major brands featured. There are also well respected curtain and carpet departments. 15-18 London Street, Walcot, Bath BA1 5BX; Tel: 01225 465757; www.trhayes.co.uk

Clair Strong Interior Design is a small, creative company based in Bath, providing a wide range of services for both residential and commercial clients. Her portfolio of projects includes the design, project coordination and sourcing for some of Bath’s most beautiful residences, as well as sports clubs, offices and other commercial venues.

Contact Clair on 01225 426906 or 07855 79731

MENDIP FIREPLACES

SHUTTERCRAFT SOMERSET

Bath’s leading fireplace, wood burner, gas fire, chimney and flue specialist. From classic to contemporary, concept to completion, their team of experts can work with you to achieve your perfect interior. Brands include Chesney’s, Barbas Belfires, Hwam, Stuv and Jetmaster. Get in touch or visit the showroom. Mendip Fireplaces, Monkton Combe, Bath BA2 7HD. info@mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk, Tel: 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

BONITI

Boniti is based on the outskirts of Bath and offers a wide range of quality interior and exterior products: natural stone and timber flooring, Everhot range cookers, garden furniture and Kadai firebowls. As well as the vast selection of products on offer, a friendly and personal service is at the heart of all that they do.

Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton,Wiltshire SN14 8JA; Tel: 01225 892 200; www.boniti.com

www.clairstrong.co.uk

Shuttercraft Somerset provide premium madeto-measure shutters and blinds for your home.

Shuttercraft give you the best privacy whilst retaining style with a huge variety of colours and materials to choose from. Price matching available on like for like products from your local expert.

Contact your local expert, Simon today.

Tel: 01225 459 389; www.shutttercraft.co.uk

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

Based in the heart of Bath and specialising in bespoke, handmade kitchens, Bath Kitchen Company become personally invested in every kitchen they design and build. It’s about attention to detail at every stage – creating a beautiful space that enhances the way you live. 7-9 North Parade Buildings, Bath BA1 1NS; Tel: 01225 312003 www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF…

“Most people don’t realise it, but we plan exhibitions two years in advance” the roles of a curator, by the way, but I’m motivated by the fact that sales offset the gallery’s running costs.)

What exciting projects are you working on at the moment?

JON BENINGTON OF VICTORIA ART GALLERY The VAG manager on the undeniable appeal of Toulouse-Lautrec, and the rather more deniable joys of a pre-6am start…

When does your alarm go off?

At 5:45am, because I’m currently on dog-walking duty before starting work.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Let the dog out, give him some brekkie, then listen to the Six O’Clock News on Radio 4.

And what do you usually have for breakfast?

Granola, a mug of tea and a slice of toast.

How do you get to work?

I cycle to work along the canal towpath. It takes about 10 minutes, and so is much quicker than driving and parking.

And what’s the first thing you do when you get there?

I’m often the first person in the

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building, at around 8.15 – and the last one out. On arrival I dump my bike, then re-lock and alarm the premises while heading across the road for a takeaway coffee – using my own cup, of course. Meanwhile, my computer chunters through its slow start-up process.

What does a typical morning look like?

I’m a morning person and like to answer new emails by nine, whilst glugging coffee and eating a bun, before embarking on more creative tasks, like writing exhibition texts or proofing design work. Just recently the sales of Peter Brown’s paintings have been quite successful and generate lots of enquiries, so I’ve even learned how to update our online catalogue. (Not traditionally considered one of

There is always a new exhibition round the corner to keep the adrenalin pumping, with the imminent one being the blockbuster Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre, which opens on 15 February.

Most people don’t realise it, but we plan exhibitions two years in advance, and each show is like a child needing constant feeding.

I love to juggle lots of projects though, and I regard each one as a learning curve requiring research and negotiation.

What’s the atmosphere like at the VAG?

I could say frenetic, as we’re a small team trying to punch above our weight. But, in truth, the busiest times are the weeks – actually, five days – when we break down an old show and set up the new one. Everyone mucks in together. Earlier in my career, I disliked working in large institutions where the boundaries are more defined, and you had less autonomy.

What are the big challenges of your job?

There are always financial ones, but you have to square up to them and find creative solutions – this is very much the ethos of our Heritage Services department within Bath & North East Somerset Council. I worry, sometimes, that we are a stable team with low turnover, which on one hand is great, but on the other means we’ll be facing a spate of retirements in the nearish future. I guess legacy planning is the answer, although the reality of the day-to-day is that most of

our time is dedicated to delivering the programmes that keep the visitors coming.

What are the real rewards of your job?

Best of all is to witness a busy gallery. That can’t always be the case, but one benefit of experience is that you get a feel for the shows that will generate good footfall.

Our previews have become so well attended that we’ve started staging them across two evenings rather than one, in order to ease the crush.

What do you do for lunch?

I usually bolt down a homemade sandwich at my desk and, if time permits, go for a quick stroll along the riverbank or to Henrietta Park, where the trees and flowers are a delight.

And are your afternoons very different to your mornings?

I’ll generally do more of what I had been doing, punctuated with meetings and occasional trips to visit artists or collectors. By four, I’ll have lost some of my drive to get things done, so that’s usually a good time to turn to some of the more boring admin-type tasks.

Do you fit in any exercise?

The bike gets me to work and back, the dog walk is undertaken at abnormal speed (although I don’t run) and, if work takes me to London, I always try to cram in too many things, as London is my second favourite city after Bath.

When is bed time, and do you have a typical routine?

I usually head for bed at 11, then sit up for a while reading – I own far too many art books, and even read them in the bath! – or doing a Sudoku puzzle, in order to cleanse my brain of all its clutter. n For more: www.victoriagal.org.uk