SPOTLIGHT Reasons to be cheerful

We’ve rounded up just a few reasons to be cheerful (part 2) during lockdown (part 2)

Competitions POETRY IN MOTION Two pupils from Bath’s King Edward’s School, Elise Withey and Anna Winkelmann, have been recognised as among the top young poets in the country when The Poetry Society recently announced the winners of The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2020. The pair will see their poetry published in a printed winners’ anthology.

Catherine Bruton, an English teacher at KES, says, “I am so thrilled for Anna who is possessed of the most glorious imagination and the very soul of a writer.

“Elise’s achievement is all the more remarkable, in that she has made the top 100 two year’s running. She spins words into pure gold, her use of language is breath-takingly beautiful and insightful.” For more: www.kesbath.com

Elise and Anna, the KES poets

2021 DEAR DIARY

With vaccines on the horizon and better treatments available, we can start believing in 2021 again. In fact, dare we say it, but go ahead and buy that diary and start jotting down all the glorious events that have been rescheduled.

From the Bath Half Marathon (5 September) to our very own Bath Life Awards (27 May), there’s also the Bath Festival (29 – 30 May) featuring Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Billy Ocean; Sophie Ellis Bexter is at the Forum (14 May); and there’s comedy from Reginald D Hunter at Komedia Bath (6 May). For more: www.visitbath.co.uk

from top to bottom: Huey Morgan, Reginald D Hunter and Sophie Ellis Bexter are due to perform in Bath next May

Vicky’s headed to the rescheduled Tokyo 2020

Olympic Games

GOOD SPORT Vicky Holland has become the first University of Bath-based sportsperson to be officially selected for Tokyo 2020 after being named in the Team GB triathlon squad for next summer’s rescheduled Olympic Games.

She says, “I’m delighted to have been nominated for a third Olympics next year in Tokyo. The Olympic Games has always been the driving force behind my athletic career and to have another opportunity to race on the biggest stage of all is something I do not take for granted.” For more: www.teambath.com

Art

PAINT THE TOWN Creativity will always have a way of rising to the surface, pandemic or no pandemic, and our Bath artists have proved themselves to be a resourceful bunch. The Bath Contemporary Arts Fair took their work to the open space of Green Park station, the Bear Flat Artists displayed their wares outside their homes so the September art trail could still happen, and now the Bath Society of Artists Online Exhibition, which would normally be at the Victoria Arts Gallery, can be seen online (for more turn to page 34) For more: www.victoriagal.org.uk

The sculpture Literary Hangover by Caroline Waterlow is part of Bath Society of Artists Online Exhibition

We can still wish each other a very abbey Christmas

We’re lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and here’s the proof

St Johns from Bathwick Meadows by @brilliantbath

Christmas

MERRILY ON HIGH We’re going to be looking at the updated events for Christmas in greater depth in our next issue, including a round up of the online Bath Christmas Market, but rest assured, Yuletide in Bath has not been cancelled. The enterprising team at Visit Bath have been working hard to ensure there’s still festive spirit during the season of goodwill.

Visit Bath’s Emma Frayling says, “Stilt walkers, street performers and entertainment will be taking place from 5 December, as will the charity gazebo. Bath Carnival activities and lantern parades are still scheduled to happen and the illuminations are now up.” For more: www.visitbath.co.uk

There’s always light at the end of the tunnel

© JOHNNY HATHAWAY

Recreation

GIVE US SOME SPACE Public parks and botanical gardens are allowed to remain open during the national lockdown, meaning that people can still enjoy green spaces, including Westonbirt Arboretum, for recreation and exercise.

Westonbirt’s Enchanted Christmas Illuminated Trail will also be going ahead in December, with pre-booked tickets and staggered start times. For more: www.forestryengland.uk

Pulteney Bridge by @chloemoore_photography

Street scene by @rhianwirtz