SPOTLIGHT Celebrating Haile Selassie

LIVES Bath City Farm’s Helen Fisher

Black History Month ROYAL TREATMENT

For Black History Month, (until 31 October) Fairfi eld House is working with schools in B&NES to educate students about one of Bath’s most famous residents: His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I, former emperor of Ethiopia. Fairfi eld House is off ering a presentation to schools that can be used as an assembly or in the classroom.

The story of the legacy of HIM Haile Selassie I to Bath is timely and thought-provoking, embracing themes of race, gender equality, war and peace, international statesmanship and morality.

“Haile Selassie is the most signifi cant world historical fi gure ever to have lived in Bath” says William Heath of Fairfi eld House Bath CIC. “It’s Bath’s piece of black history, and his legacy to our community has never been more important. We’re determined to work with B&NES to ensure it’s better appreciated and cared for in future.” For more: www.houseofhismajesty.com

So wrong it’s right: The Play That Goes Wrong

Theatre Royal

THE PLAY THAT SAVED CHRISTMAS Theatre Royal will have a show this Christmas after all. Following the postponement of this year’s panto, hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong will bring the city some much needed festive family fun.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring back the fantastic Mischief Theatre and one of the most popular shows of the last ten years, The Play That Goes Wrong, to keep families and theatregoers laughing and smiling at the end of a very diffi cult year,” says Danny Moar, director of Theatre Royal Bath. The multi award-winning show follows the fi ctional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s 1920s murder mystery, but as you may have gleaned from the title, things don’t quite go according to plan…

Panto lovers – don’t fear. It’ll return in 2021 with this year’s postponed show, Cinderella. For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

CLOCKWISE: HIM Hailie Selassie; Fairfi eld House is Bath’s piece of black history; A blue plaque was placed to commemorate Selassie’s legacy in Bath last year

Bath Central Library

LIBRARY BIRTHDAY CARDS

Bath Central Library hit a milestone at the end of September. The space in The Podium turned 30 years old. The library’s team celebrated by asking locals to submit stories of their best memories of the building, from childhood story times to the change-making librarians at the heart of the institution.

“Bath Central Library is a cornerstone of the local community in Bath that goes beyond a book-borrowing service,” says Paul Crossley, cabinet member of Community Services at B&NES council. “It’s so important for people of all ages to have access to literature – throughout the pandemic the team developed a wide range of virtual resources and activities alongside our e-books to ensure that our residents still have a library service.”

As well as a quiet place for study and research, the library provides free internet access and has been vital to nurturing generations of Bath’s young readers with its story times and the Summer Reading Challenge.

“The library has always been a community space where people can come together,” says Paul. “I’m so pleased that the library has reached this milestone.” For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk

Celebrating thirty years young

University of Bath

TABLE TOPPERS University of Bath has placed in the top 10 of three major national league tables. Cue the celebrations: the University is offi cially ninth in The Times and The Sunday Times University Guide 2021 University Guide 2021, sixth in The Guardian University Guide University Guide 2021 and ninth in the Complete University Guide 2021.

“I am tremendously proud that Bath has placed ninth in the latest national league table, particularly as it marks a trio of top tens in national university rankings,” says vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bath, Professor Ian White FREng.

“As we approach the new academic term in unprecedented diffi cult circumstances, I am sure this accolade will inspire all in our community at Bath who have worked so hard over a number of years to provide an outstanding learning and teaching environment.” For more: www.bath.ac.uk

A top tier experience

Beechen Cliff

HOMEGROWN SUCCESS Beechen Cliff School had even more reasons to celebrate Bath Rugby’s recent win against the Worcester Warriors in the Guinness Premiership. No less than fi ve of the school’s former students played for the winning team. Home of the Bath Rugby Pathway Programme, the school has a long-term partnership with Bath Rugby to develop players throughout their secondary careers, establishing them in an outstanding rugby and academic programme from age 16.

“We started the programme fi ve years ago and it has very quickly borne fruit,” says Sean Turner, Beechen Cliff ’s director of rugby. “The backing of Bath Rugby through the professional rugby coaching, strength and conditioning expertise, medical support and match analysis has made it possible for everyone in the school community to see that teamwork, determination and a professional Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Kieran Verden, Miles approach can bring great success.” Read, Orlando Bailey and Tom De Glanville For more: www.beechencliff .org.uk