SPOTLIGHT Drama on the streets of Bath

LIVES Instagram influencer Nathan Rollinson on his move to Bath

PAUL BLAKEMORE ALL PHOTOS ©

Bath Fringe ART ATTACK

The creative types of Bath will always be working away on a new project, pandemic or no pandemic. Over a weekend in October, the streets were taken over by street performers for a walk about performance. The six street acts were part of the Fringe’s New Work Works scheme with funding from Arts Council England and the Roper Family Trust. New Work Works gives up and coming talent the opportunity to collaborate with professional directors and workshop leaders to craft their performances – the positive results were obvious to see.

The six acts included Curious Company with the Department of Complaints, along with Fringe regular Queenie, Fun in the Oven Theatre with Witcheroo, The Newspaper Man by Joe D’Orso, SUSSAN the Robot created by Sun & Moon Theatre and The Shy Mice by Stephanie Reeves and Bobby Tromple, created by James Crawley.

“We love doing street festivals, and normally that’s just what we do, but it’s somehow even closer to the spirit of the art not to tell anyone about it beforehand, so that everybody comes upon the performers unexpectedly,” says Steve Henwood from Bath Fringe Festival. “If there’s one thing better than a smart show adding to the charms of a pleasant place it’s when you didn’t expect to find it there. That way it’s a complete bonus, a totally unexpected gift.” For more: www.bathfringe.co.uk

clockwise: The Shy Mice;The Department of Complaints; Bobby Tromble on the hunt for pidgeons; SUSSAN the Robot out for a stroll; The Newspaper Men

Arts

THE BEATING ART After months of struggle, Bath’s venues and arts organisations fi nally have something to celebrate. Nine of the museums, venues and organisations that make up Bath’s cultural heart were thrilled to receive awards from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. Bath Festivals, Bath Comedy Festival, Moles Club Bath, The Holburne Museum, Jane Austen Centre, Rondo Theatre, Komedia and Theatre Royal Bath all received desperatelyneeded funds.

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages,” says Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.” For more: www.artscouncil.org.uk

TOP: Fangs of the Dodo at Moles; MIDDLE: Bath Festivals lighting up the streets in years’ past; BOTTOM: Joseph Millson and Edward Bennet star in Betrayal Moments

Bath City Farm

FETCH THE BUBBLY

Bath City Farm is celebrating its 25th birthday. Over its quarter century Bath City Farm has transformed the lives of thousands. Last year alone, it saw 950 people through targeted projects in animal care, horticulture and catering – seven per cent of them went on to fi nd employment, 25 per cent re-engaged with training or education and 35 per cent reduced clinical mental health support or medication. It’s also just a lovely place to visit.

In addition to its big birthday, the farm is also celebrating reaching their £50,000 fundraising target to meet the budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus crisis.

“Even with our celebrations being slightly lower key than we’d hope, the impact of the charity over the past 25 years is something we are really proud of,” says Helen Fisher, farm manager. “Having the opportunity to look back and refl ect on our founding vision and the journey that we have been on has come at really good time.”