Bath Life – Issue 454 by MediaClash

TAKE ME

AWARDS SPECIAL

ISSUE 454 / 8 – 21 OCTOBER 2021 / £3

ISSUE 454 / 8 – 21 OCTOBER 2021 / WINNING WAYS

JUST DESSERTS THE BEST OF BATH’S PUDDINGS

IN THE PINK

YAK YETI YAK

ADD A LITTLE BLUSH TO YOUR INTERIORS

EAT HERE, AND YOU WON’T LOOK BACK

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD

STREET LIFE

THE BEAUTY OF BARTLETT ST QUARTER

WEDDING PLANNING WITH THE EXPERTS

DREAM HOME

WINNERS! THE PERFECT LANSDOWN TOWNHOUSE

CELEBRATING THE BATH LIFE AWARDS 2021 PLUS JANE CUDWORTH / CL AIRE DOUGL AS / ARVIN HASSANPOUR

EDITOR’S LETTER

their Bath Life Awards win (page 15) below: We’re blushing pink for our editor’s shopping choice (page 62)

hen I was offered the role of Bath Life editor it was in the middle of lockdown, and while I didn’t hesitate to accept, I was apprehensive. This was a city in the middle of a pandemic – businesses were shut, the streets were quiet – no arts, no restaurants, no shops, just a pandemic. What on earth was I going to write about – how would we fill those pages? And then it started – the stories were flooding in – how our local restaurants like The Mint Room were supplying free school dinners, how our venues and organisations, like Bath Festivals and 44AD, were taking their arts online, there were businesses offering their services for free – it seemed everywhere Bathonians were queuing up to support their community. We were also getting word about new businesses actually being created in the midst of all this mayhem – like the wonderful Happy Donut Co, set up by Nat Morris and Meg Smith as seen on our cover celebrating their Best New Business win at the Bath Life Awards on 21 September. Bath Life Awards 2021 (page 15) was a chance, not just for runners up and winners to be honoured, but also an opportunity for all of us at Bath Life to say thank you. Thank you for your resilience, creativity, compassion, and thank you for sharing your stories with us in this magazine. Myself, Lydia and the whole team look forward to being part of the next chapter of your journey.

above: Woodhouse & Law and team celebrate

SARAH MOOLLA

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44 Issue 454 / 8–14 October 2021 COVER Nat Morris and Meg Smith of Happy Donut Co, winners of the New Business category at the Bath Life Awards, photographed by Soul Media

BATH LIFE AWARDS

15 THE AWARDS RETURN Meet the winners and catch up with

the celebration at the Pavilion in this bumper Awards special

THE ARTS

33 ARTS INTRO Local art on show at the Victoria Art Gallery 34 WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, family stuff, comedy and art in

Bath and beyond

41 BOOKS The return of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival 43 FILM Wes Anderson is back with a new star-studded film

WEDDINGS

44 RINGING THE CHANGES How weddings are adapting

FOOD&DRINK

52 FOOD & DRINK Bath’s Great Taste Star winners 53 TRY 5 In this city, we never skip dessert 54 RESTAURANT Nepalese dining at Yak Yeti Yak 58 RECIPES Warm your soul with recipes from Cooking with Alcohol

SHOPPING

61 INTRO Sitting pretty 62 EDITOR’S CHOICE In the pink 64 BARTLETT STREET 5 ways to enjoy this indie haven

LIFESTYLE

68 TRAVEL Visit a luxury lodge at Laugharne’s Dylan Coastal Resort

BUSINESS

71 BATHWORKS News, views, and interviews from our successful

local businesses

74 BIZ Q&A Jane Cudworth on her father’s legacy 76 BIZ Q&A Arvin Hassanpour of Revitalise SkinCare Clinic

PROPERTY

83 PROPERTY LEAD The local market remains buoyant,

according to Battens solicitors

84 PROPERTY NEWS Updates from the market 86 SHOWCASE Georgian elegance made cosy 92 RESIDENCE The picture-perfect houses of Peagreen Locations

DEPARTMENTS

8 SPOTLIGHT Meet Longleat’s new arrivals 11 INSTAGRAM Act like a tourist at home 13 FLATLINE Flats is checking out checking in 30 GREG INGHAM Greg’s going ‘out out’ 98 BATH LIVES Meet authour Claire Douglas

Editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@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 Contributors Nic Bottomley, David Flatman, Emma Ingledew, John Mather, and Matilda Walton Group advertising manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Justine Walker justine.walker@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Annabel North annabel.north@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Dan Nichols dan.nichols@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. 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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 7

SPOTLIGHT Longleat

BABES IN THE WOOD Longleat has welcomed some adorable new arrivals. A quartet of baby red squirrels were recently born at the safari park. The babies, a boy and three girls, are known as kits, and are the first to be born at Longleat. “We’re very excited to announce the birth of our very first red squirrel kits here at Longleat,” says keeper Chris Burr. “The youngsters are part of a very special captive breeding programme with the aim that one day these amazing animals can be reintroduced and thrive in our native landscapes. Our role is to establish a healthy breeding population and, once fully grown, these kits will become part of future breeding programmes or perhaps even wild release themselves. “Obviously our ultimate goal would be to have a population living on the Longleat estate and the aim is for us to have the native red squirrels back on site within the next 10 years.” For more: www.longleat.co.uk

clockwise from top left: Anton Ferdinand; June Sarpong; David Olusoga; Stuart Lawrence

Black History Month

Longleat’s baby red squirrels are part of a nationwide breeding programme

WATCH AND LEARN

It’s Black History Month (BHM21), and throughout October a range of events across the city will focus on the accomplishments, experiences and challenges faced by black people. Events include a month-long display of artefacts at The Pump Rooms relating to the last Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Salassie, who spent five years in exile in Bath; a special webinar hosted by B&NES featuring experts in black history from local museums, tourist attractions and representatives from B&NES Race Panel, B&NES Schools Race Group and Boys in Mind. B&NES is also a partner sponsor of the regional BHM conference, a virtual event on 11 October, with speakers including historian, writer and presenter David Olusoga, presenter and campaigner June Sarpong, author and brother of Stephen Lawrence Stuart Lawrence and former professional footballer Anton Ferdinand. For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk

Bridgerton

The Bath Film Office has been shortlisted for an internationally recognised award for its work on Netflix phenomenon Bridgerton. The Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) award recognises Film Offices that go above and beyond the expected service. “It’s a well-deserved honour for our Film Office team to have been nominated for this prestigious award,” says Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture. “The team is very small compared to other organisations, yet they enabled the filming of Bridgerton across large parts of Bath with the scope of a feature film on the schedule of a television drama. It’s testament to their dedication, skill and hard work and that of supporting council teams that the requirements of the production company were successfully fulfilled.” Bridgerton shot four blocks of filming in Bath between August and November 2019, completing more than 70 scenes – filming on a scale not seen before in the city that included street scenes, ballroom sequences at the Assembly Rooms and the Guildhall, shop scenes and extensive filming at the Holburne Museum. For more: www.bathfilmoffice.co.uk

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The Bath Film Office has been shortlisted for an award for its work on Bridgerton

AS SEEN ON SCREEN

BATH’S FIRST LUXURY SPARKLING WINE The first of its kind, let us introduce you to Minerva! Combining Wine with Art, what we call Vine-Art. Minerva is a celebration of three incredible women, trailblazers in their respective fields

Emma Rice

Victoria Topping

Emily Addicott-Sauvao

Emma has crafted the first Minerva vintage – she is arguably the best Sparkling Winemaker globally, winning the most prestigious international awards. She is a true pioneer and the most decorated English Sparkling Winemaker to break into the US market.

Bath’s own Victoria Topping, an internationally recognised Artist, has designed the very first exclusive Minerva vine-art wine label. Fusing digital and traditional techniques, she has brought part of Bath’s Roman history to life with her relevant and sublime artwork.

Emily is a third-generation Bath Somerset Farmer and the first Farmer to produce Quinoa. She grows the traditional Champagne variety grapevines Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir to create Minerva Sparkling wine.

riceywine

corston_fields_farm

victoriatoppingart The Romans produced wine from these very fields in Bath, at Minerva we’re bringing back to life what the Romans created in this terroir in the middle ages.

Imagine if you had the chance to own the very first Moët and Chandon or Dom Perignon vintage, and get to know the people that make them?

As a Bathonian, this is your chance to be part of something special in your neighbourhood, joining us right at the very start of a journey.

More to come in the November Edition of Bath Life.

You now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a founding member of Minerva. The fi rst founders will enjoy incredible benefits, centred on creating a community interested in the enjoyment of winemaking, food, art and the local countryside. This will include exclusive access to special events (we can’t wait to announce these!) plus discounts and priority on future products, vineyard experiences, tasting days and much more!

If you’d like the opportunity to be on the priority list to own the very first Minerva Vintage being released for pre-sales this November 2021, and be part of our new community sign up for our Newsletter at Minervawine.com/BathLife

Corston Fields Farm, Bath, BA2 9EZ. Founder: Eddie Addicott-Sauvao @Minerva_wine | www.minervawine.com Email eddie@minervawine.com

SPOTLIGHT

LANDMARK MOMENTS

We’re blessed to live in a city known for its landmark architecture. Locals and tourists alike can’t stop themselves from snapping away…

@3van_hall

@annalisemaybath

@foxglove_and_ivy

@happysunseeker

@laughingwithlizzie

@aosvisual

@rui_21

@pocketwanderings

@turkcantugba

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 11

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FLAT LINE DAVID FLATMAN

Without reservation

Flats isn’t one for checking in but recent life changes have him considering ways to get his toast served hot

“Hotels force me to interact with people as I order and ask and thank”

otels are a thing that I’ve never quite got. I understand what hotels are and what they do, of course, but the desire to pay actual money to stay in them when I don’t have to has never made my chemicals swirl. To be more speciﬁc, while I know that a nice hotel is key on a proper holiday, the notion of driving to stay in one just for the sake of it simply hasn’t ever computed. Much to the apparent astonishment of some, I’ve never been to The Newt. ‘Oh you HAVE to go!’ No, no I don’t actually. As it happens I think I could like it there as it looks sensational, but I have no drive to get there. Popping to the gym on my bike or sitting down for mushrooms on toast at The Green Bird will always take priority. When a new hotel pops up I do not think to myself that I must book a stay. Perhaps I should. For years I had a membership to the Soho House hotels, and haven’t missed it for a millisecond since I binned it. I enjoyed staying at White City House once or twice while working in town, but mainly because the gym and coﬀee were so nice. And I would never stay at Babington because it’s so close to my actual home that it made no sense. Also, at Babington, it’s impossible not to see hundreds of people you know, and I don’t want that if I’m attempting a luxurious escape. Hotels to me feel like work. They remind me of work, and they force me to interact with people as I order and ask and thank. I never quite feel relaxed as there are, inevitably, many other people around. To this end, while I appreciate not having to cook meals or clean them up, I just never feel as totally unwound in the presence of people I don’t know in a hotel as I do in my own sitting room, so what’s the

point? I’m about to make some toast (Bertinet sourdough, obv) and coffee at home and I do not intend to add anything to an outfit that currently consists of some underpants. Why would I pay hundreds of pounds to have to get dressed just to eat toast, and then to sit upright in a hard chair, talking at a consciously reduced volume, reassuring instructed staff that everything is ok with my toast? In eight minutes, when I’m eating my own toast, I’m going to ask myself eight times if everything’s ok with my toast, just to give the morning that hotel stay vibe. I finished the last paragraph an hour ago, and it’s just taken me that long to make my breakfast. I’ve ground my beans, washed up the cafetière and made my coffee right-handed, as a suitably and perfectly disgruntled and grunting little baby occupies my left. I can deal with that, and I can deal with having to type these words on my iPhone with my right thumb only, but I’ve hit a wall. I can’t spread the apricot jam on my sourdough without the use of both, and that’s where I draw the line. So I’ve booked a stay in a hotel near my home for next week. I’ll present it as a gift to my glorious girlfriend and that will be genuine, but it’s also for me. I want the toast and I want the jam spread to the edges and I don’t care whom I have to thank to get it. We’re going to The Pig and I desperately want to love the experience enough that we go back. Desperation has driven me here, but I’ll pull up with an open mind.

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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BATH LIFE AWARDS

BATH IS THE WINNER – ALWAYS...

Joy and jubilation reigned supreme at the recent Bath Life Awards. Here we take a look back at the highlights from that glorious evening...

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WHY BATH LIFE AWARDS 2021 WAS AN EVENT TO REMEMBER!

he Bath Life Awards are always pretty spectacular to be fair – the unashamed celebrating of the city, its talent, its businesses, its creatives, its entrepreneurs, and the unbridled joy of getting to hang out together, catch up, and toast each other’s success. Now set this year’s event against a backdrop of us all thinking we might not see normal ever again, so our happiness at being in the Bath Pavilion on Tuesday 21 September was amplified to the power of a hundred. The Bath Life Awards 2021 wasn’t just about rewarding success, it was about honouring resilience, determination, and our amazing community. It was an extraordinary night – there were tears, cheers, and a roll call of hugely inspiring runners-up and winners. From the sincerity and composure of the Happy Donut Co young couple Nat Morris and Meg Smith, who feature on our cover, to the glorious, flabbergastedness of what?! who-me?! from Bath artist

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BATH LIFE AWARDS

Emma Rose, and the nifty little dance routine from letting agents Aspire To Move. The 450 attendees enjoyed the delicious three-course dinner by food and event designers and caterers Eat5Star; the starry and sparkly AV was by Enlightened; and the proceedings were held together by the effortlessly sharp and humorous presenting skills of rugby pundit, TV presenter, and Bath Life columnist David Flatman, who was aided by the shiny-shoed and beamingly happy chief exec of MediaClash, Greg Ingham. We have devoted a whopping 12 pages marking this extraordinary night with photos from live event photography specialists Soul Media and stills of the video footage from filmmaker Sam Gillespie – and in our next issue look out for all the aftershow party action st Sub 13. And just a reminder next year, the Awards are resuming their normal March date, so let’s get together and make 2022 another night to remember! With love, thanks, and hi-fives from Sarah, Lydia, Greg, Jane, Pat, and all the Bath Life team

MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 37

BATH LIFE AWARDS

Cold glasses of fizz were served on arrival in front of the main stage

A toast to the hard work of the past year

The atmosphere built as guests ate, with sparkling lights, background music and a display of social posts from attendees

MediaClash chief exec, Greg Ingham took to the stage to welcome everyone and gave an emotional tribute to the NHS

Host for the evening David Flatman held the spotlight to hand out the Awards

Awards and Taittinger poised and ready...

The first Award of the night was won by 44AD artspace for the Arts category

Legendary winners’ speeches were given

2021 winners enjoyed celebratory moments

Winners took to the stage one by one with well-deserved joy and excitement

Uberglamorous guests arrive at the Bath Pavilion

Guests dined on a seasonal menu created for the event by Eat5Star

ALL PHOTOS BY SAM GILLESPIE www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 17

CATEGORY WINNERS

ARTS

BAR

WINNER:

44AD

Sponsored by

BUSINESS SERVICES Sponsored by

CHARITY Sponsored by

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ALL PHOTOS BY SOUL MEDIA

WINNER:

BIND MEDIA

WINNER:

BATH MIND

CAFÉ

Sponsored by

CIVIC

Sponsored by

WINNER:

FLOW BAR FROME

WINNER:

GOOD DAY CAFÉ

WINNER:

3SG

BATH LIFE AWARDS

CREATIVE Sponsored by

WINNER:

EMMA ROSE

ENVIRONMENTAL

HAIR & BEAUTY

WINNER:

SHARE & REPAIR

DERMAGURU

EDUCATION Sponsored by

EVENT

Sponsored by

HEALTH & WELLBEING

WINNER:

INSPIRING KIDS

WINNER:

BATH FESTIVALS

WINNER:

COMMUNITY WELLBEING HUB www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 19

BATH LIFE AWARDS

HOMES & INTERIORS

LEISURE & TOURISM

PEOPLE SERVICES

WINNER:

WOODHOUSE & LAW

WINNER:

HOMEWOOD HOTEL & SPA

WINNER:

THE UNIVERSITY OF BATH STUDENTS’ UNION

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LEGAL & FINANCIAL Sponsored by

NEW BUSINESS

Sponsored by

PROPERTY Sponsored by

WINNER:

SECCL

WINNER:

THE HAPPY DONUT BAKERY

WINNER:

ASPIRE TO MOVE

BATH LIFE AWARDS

RESTAURANT Sponsored by

WINNER:

THE MINT ROOM

RETAILER

WINNER:

LARKHALL BUTCHERS

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION WINNER:

PURE PLANET

PLATINUM AWARD Sponsored by

WINNER:

3SG

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ARCHITECTS

AWARDS 2021 ALL PHOTOS BY SOUL MEDIA

Chris Blakeley, Megan Smith and Nat Morris

Polly Jackson, Philippa May and Robyn Blackmore

Simon Jones, Bob Irwin, Claire Black and Nick Hems

Stephanie Dodd, Lydia Tewkesbury, Annabel North, Harriette Dixon, Greg Ingham, Dan Nicholls, Emma Maisey and Pat White Michael Musgrave, Karoline Chesterman, Madeline Wibberley, Emma-Marie Smith, and Rebecca Harvey

xxx

Sarah Baker, Seb Kedzierski and Caitlin Rolfe The excitement was palpable for the winners

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Lucy Billington

MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 47

Steve Hawkins, Jessie Hudson and Dave Dixon

Alistair Smith, Lucy Iles, Stephanie Ring, Ian Tarr, Kartini Sutoto, Amy Grant, Elliot Cotterell, Lottie Bull and Hollie Markham

Philippa May

Ellen Kythor

David Flatman and Steph Wilder

Sarah Baker John Law, Sandra Groso, Rowena Rutherfoord, Rianne Leigh, Sophie Lamb, Nick Woodhouse and Fiona Daymond

Emma Rose

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BATH LIFE AWARDS

David Flatman, Madeline Tovar, Nicola Fender and Josh Berry-Jenkins

Kartini Sutoto

Miles Lloyd and Sarah Williams-Martin

Table celebration for Dermaguru Matt Pegler presents Restaurant winners The Mint Room with their award

Everyone showed up dressed to impress Lorna Montgomery picks up her award from Flats

Ian Taylor

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ARCHITECTS BATH LIFE AWARDS

Will Maslin and Caroline Baxter

Alex Miller

Flats, Rob Haworth-Dunne and Nicole Davies

Darren Sheward John Law

Rosanna Hood and Emma Rose Pete Milton

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Jasmine Barker and Kate Abbey

BATH LIFE AWARDS

Marty Grant, Sam Boland, Phil Bailey, Lucy Jones, Kim Wilkinson, Michael Musgrave, Anna Thuraisingam and Simon Davis

Miles Lloyd and Sarah Williams-Martin

Maggie King, Simone Lucas, Dan Nichols, Jack Wells and Lizzie Andrews

Kat Dawe Schmeisser and Tim Dawe Schmeisser Nick Hems and Sarah Moolla

Hannah Sheppard, Nathan Sheppard, Charley Buckland, Adam Tesdale, Lauren Jenkins and Tom Coles

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Matt Slade

Winning smiles

Greg presents Share and Repair with their Bath Life Award as winners of the Environmental category

Greg, who helped co-host the Bath Life Awards, on the emotions, joy and wonderment of the night

ever before had there been so many smiles. Beaming, happy, friendly excited people, with just a hint of wonderment, all gathering for the Bath Life Awards. People were so delighted to be out (or, as several said, “out out” which appears to be a thing). There was a hint of those forgotten breaking-up-for-thewhole-summer wide-eyed not quite believing it youthful days, a new vista emerging, the sense of possibility, shouty-happy boisterous times. And more so than expected. For sure, we’d all been conﬁ ned. Yet surely we’d also all been released for weeks, well before Freedom Day ( just don’t…)? So why did it feel like so many hadn’t been out at all, let alone out out? It seems that as with school days, a larger scale event like the Awards required a form of permission to sanction that we were all, actually allowed

to do this. There had of course, been the prior requisite precautions, of proof of double jabs, negative tests and Covid passports. And there had also been a late change of venue, just to add extra conditionality to these contingent times, like we needed it. These both aptly fused in the Bath Pavilion, scene of so many jabs in the spring, a focal point of civic piety for so many Bathonians: marshalled by volunteers, punctured by experts. From vaccination to celebration, the alpha and omega of this year. A fundamental seriousness underpinned the happy emotions. This was a chance to recognise that in the worst of times people had shown their best, to celebrate and thank those who had risen to the civic challenge. Percolating through the ﬁ rst part of the evening was a ritualistic square dance played out with Partridgean awkwardness: are we, er, kissing, hugging, hand-shaking, ﬁ st-

“From vaccination to celebration, the alpha and omega of this year” 30 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

bumping or, still weirdly, elbowbumping? Reader, I did all of the above (and possibly more) – after due hesitation and pausing to read the permissive signal from the other side, of course. On reflection, what helped was the artifice of an Awards ceremony. Adults don’t play enough. The kidult thing of believing you’re a teenager when ker-razily gooning around to music and fi lms and TV shows and books from decades back doesn’t count. Nor the vicarious playing through your kids, wonderful though that is. No, actual playing. Suspension of belief. Role-playing. Losing yourself to another reality. Dressing up. Otherness. The nearest most adults get to playing like a child is sport – directly playing or the ersatz version of watching, where tribalism by proxy adds another layer of unreality. Similar point with performing arts. Both have rituals of language and form; most also also have costumes (though best not use that word at the Rec or Twerton Park). At a pinch, you might locate organised religion in an anteroom just off the hall of playing: rituals, convergence, different belief-set, an ineffable otherness. Usually less fun though. With awards, there are elements of all these. We are allowed – no,

encouraged – to dress up, to role play. We each don our own form of play armour, where uberglam rules from trad DJs to the most outré of incarnations. We play act. Some may have a distant memory echo of the Oscars as they swish around, like kids dressing up as adults. Others may initially have that bashful self-conscious awkwardness like a parentdressed ﬁ rst-interviewee. All are performative, playing to the glam, losing themselves. There is the formal game too, played out in 20 stages, the notional reason why all come: to see who has won which category. (And secondarily, who will win the biggest acceptance speech cheer or burst into tears or thank just one or two too many family members or jawdrop swear in astonishment or try to be Joe or Jo Cool Unbothered but who can’t help but burst into smiles.) Add the music and noise and the chatter and the food and the drink and it really does become a rollicking playparty celebration. This year..? All of that turned up to 11. It was good, so good, to be back… Greg Ingham was a journalist back in the day and runs MediaClash jointly with Jane Ingham. He chairs Creative Bath, and can be found @gregingh

#BATH TOGETHER GREG INGHAM

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

OPEN ACCESS Bath Society of Artists’ 116th Annual Open Exhibition is currently at the Victoria Art Gallery until 20 November and is also available to view online via their website. The collection features more than 250 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures by local talent, including Tim Carroll (seen here), Ben Hughes, Fay Shirley, and William Rose, which can be bought as well as browsed. The works will also be voted on for the Public Choice Prize which carries a prize of £500. Sculptor Marc Quinn will select the 3D prize winner; and Fiona Robinson PRWA and David Simon of the David Simon Contemporary gallery will together select the remaining prize winners. For more: www.victoriagal.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 33

Todd Phillips’ groundbreaking, award-winning film Joker will be screened with the accompaniment of a live orchestra at Bath Forum on 20 October

WHAT’S ON 9 October – 5 November

EXHIBITIONS Until 22 October

JANE EATON Dedicated to the oak tree, this artist explores diﬀerent approaches to reconnecting to nature, to make work that forges enquiry, awareness and physical engagement with nature to provide a more intimate and spiritual experience. The Town Hall, Trowbridge; www.trowbridgetownhall.com

Until 31 October

OUCH! This online exhibition draws on the themes of pain as explored by the University’s Bath Centre for Pain Research. It is made up of an interdisciplinary team who examine how pain aﬀects people’s lives. The ‘in person’ exhibition of Ouch! is now rescheduled at 44AD’s Abbey Street gallery soon. www.44ad.net

Until 31 October

SHOOTING STARS: CARINTHIA

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WEST, BRITAIN AND AMERICA IN THE 1970S Features a collection of 63 intimate natural and lifestyle portraits of the rich and famous, including Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood, taken in the 1970s in America and the UK by journalist and photographer Carinthia West. American Museum; www.americanmuseum.org

Until 6 November

REBECCA CAMPBELL Beaux Arts are showing Still • Life a new collection of oil paintings by Rebecca Campbell. These life-enhancing paintings burst with iridescent colour and life, and are an homage to Persian miniature paintings. Also on show is new work by Linda Felcey, and ceramics by renowned artist Akiko Hirai. www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

Until 20 November

BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 116TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION Now in its 116th year, this hugely

Always check Covid-19 restrictions and instructions with venues before your visit

popular exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent including Ben Hughes. Turn to page 33 for more. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 9 January

ROSSETTI’S PORTRAITS A unique show devoted to one of the giants of Victorian art – the ﬁrst ever exhibition dedicated to Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s portraits featuring some of his most celebrated artworks, including The Blue Silk Dress and The Blue Bower. The exhibition also explores the artist’s intimate relationship with his muses and their inﬂuence on his depiction of beauty. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 9 January

SUNIL GUPTA: THE NEW PRE-RAPHAELITES To accompany its major new exhibition of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s portraits, the Holburne is displaying the photographs by Sunil Gupta, who was born in New Dehli

and is now living in London. His ten photographs reference the struggle against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code instigated during British rule in the 1860s, and criminalised gay sex. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 3 January 2022

HORNET, HAILSTONE, CRAB EYE, AERODROME… (ETC.) Hornet, hailstone, crab eye, aerodrome… (etc.) presents the fruits of a recent anagama kiln ﬁring by Aaron Angell and Steven Claydon. These two leading British artists share an anachronistic approach to historical inﬂuence, in this instance in the vernacular of ceramics from late-medieval rural Japan from where anagama kilns originate. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 2022

SHOEPHORIA! Discover the fascinating evolution of shoe style over the last 300 years, from the actual footwear worn by

WHAT’S ON Leadbetters, played by Rufus Hound, Preeya Kalidas, Dominic Rowan and Sally Tatum will be seen on stage. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

14 October

ALICE: CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER A cinematic chance to experience the V&A exhibition which explores the cultural impact of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll written in 1865 and its ongoing inspiration for leading creatives, from Salvador Dalí to Little Simz. Delving into the origins, adaptations and reinventions of Alice over 158 years, this entertaining and informative documentary is presented by senior V&A Curator Kate Bailey and broadcaster Andi Oliver. Little Theatre Bath; www.picturehouses.com

16 October

above: Coming to the Bath Pavilion 21 – 24 October is the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair left: Beaux Arts is showing Still • Life a new collection of oil paintings by Rebecca Campbell below: The first ever stage production of TV’s The Good Life stars Rufus Hound, Preeya Kalidas, Dominic Rowan and Sally Tatum

Queen Mary and Queen Victoria, through to the recent contemporary designers, such as Manolo Blahnik and Vivienne Westwood. Fashion Museum; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

10 October

BATH CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS FAIR Visit Green Park station to see a wealth of local talent exhibiting and selling. Artists who belong to the collective include Melissa Wishart, Georgina Peters and Katarzyna Zamiar. www.bcaf.co.uk

16 – 31 October

FEATHER & FIN The Willow gallery at No 19 Corsham High Street is hosting an exhibition of sculptures and prints of birds by the wildlife artist Celia Smith. Celia’s intricate, delicate and energetic sculptures of birds are created using discarded wire collected and gathered wherever she finds it from the side of the road to scrapyards. www.willowuk.com

THEATRE / CINEMA Until 16 October

THE GOOD LIFE Theatre Royal Bath is hosting the world première stage production of the 1970s TV show The Good Life. Directed by Jeremy Sams this will be the first time that the characters of neighbours the Goods and the

ODE TO JOYCE Compiled and performed by Cheryl Knight, and co-devised and directed by Paul Knight, this is a celebration of the songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell who was one of the greatest female entertainers of the twentieth century, loved the world over for her hilarious and beautifully observed monologues and songs, as well as numerous film, television and radio appearances. The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk

18 – 23 October.

LOOKING GOOD DEAD No good deed goes unpunished… hours after picking up a USB memory stick, left behind on a train seat, to try to return it to its owner, Tom Bryce (Adam Woodyatt) inadvertently becomes a witness to a vicious murder. Reporting the crime to the police has disastrous consequences, placing him and his family in grave danger. When DS Roy Grace becomes involved, he has his own demons to contend with, while he tries to crack the case in time to save the Bryce family’s lives. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

20 October

JOKER LIVE IN CONCERT Todd Phillips’ ground-breaking, awardwinning film Joker will be screened with the accompaniment of a live orchestra playing composer Hildur Guðnadóttir’s emotive, powerful score which will be conducted by SENBLA’s Dave Mahoney. Central to the emotional journey, Joaquin Phoenix’s character Arthur Fleck takes throughout the movie is Guðnadóttir’s beautifully haunting, Golden Globe and BAFTA award-winning score. The fusion of looming industrial

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

WHAT’S ON

soundscapes with raw, emotive string-led melodies – led by a lone cello – creates a melancholic shroud pinpricked with moments of hope, which unfolds gradually to become a fever pitch of disquieting tension. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

29 October

MET OPERA ENCORE: FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES Met Music director Yannick NézetSéguin conducts the Grammy Award– winning jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard’s adaptation of Charles M. Blow’s moving memoir. The first opera by a Black composer presented on the Met stage and featuring a libretto by filmmaker Kasi Lemmons, the production tells a poignant and profound story about a young man’s journey to overcome a life of trauma and hardship. Little Theatre Bath; www.picturehouses.com

MUSIC 11 October

ROGER TAYLOR With the pandemic putting Queen + Adam Lambert’s epic UK and European tour on pause until 2022, the acclaimed drummer has decided to hit the road for a set of intimate shows. As well as introducing brand new material from his new album Outsiders, he’ll be revisiting some of those legendary Queen classics. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

12 October

PALOMA FAITH The soulful and quirky Paloma’s new album Infinite Things is more than a record about relationships. It’s a rumination on sickness and loss. It’s about finding your way back to romance within a long-term relationship. It’s her most confident record yet from a female artist who’s been in the game for two decades. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

22 October

HARRIET Harriet’s music is deeply inspired by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Carole King and The Carpenters, as well as artists such as Adele and Lana Del Rey. Her self-titled debut album, recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and produced by Steve Anderson (Kylie Minogue/Leona Lewis), is a haunting personal expression of loss and love. Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

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24 October

KEVIN BROWN & THE SHACKDUSTERS The Bell are holding a special tribute night for the late artist and music-lover Nick Cudworth who was a regular at the Walcot Street pub. Special guests include boogie woogie master Jim Hammond, and all are welcome. Turn to page 74 for more on Nick from his daughter Jane Cudworth. www.thebellinnbath.co.uk

25 October

FONTAINES D.C Irish post-punks (the D.C stands for Dublin City) who came together at music college in Dublin and bonded over a love of poetry, are made up of Grian Chatten (vocals), Carlos O’Connell (guitar), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor Deegan III (bass), and Tom Coll (drums). Expect captivating gritty garage rock with blistering lyrics. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

30 October

BATH BACH CHOIR The Bath Bach Choir perform Ein Deutsches Requiem Brahms, which combines magic, poetry and romanticism with profound seriousness, to deeply moving effect. Brahms wrote the oratorio in German and called it “a human requiem”, weaving together themes of consolation for the living, as well as hope for the life to come. Bath Abbey; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

COMEDY 15 October

RACHEL FAIRBURN: MANIAC Rachel Fairburn is a maniac. She’s got manners though and keeps it to herself. Not like you lot. You’re all mad. You’re either screaming

above: Irish post-punks are performing at Bath Forum on 25 October right: The Holburne is currently hosting the first ever exhibition dedicated to Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s portraits below: Paloma Faith who has just released her new album Infinite Things is playing Bath Foum on 12 October

WHAT’S ON

House, the House of H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I, is holding special open days and several guided tours. They tell the story of the Newbridge Hill property and the man known as The Father of Africa, who made it his home from 1936 to 1940. www.fairfieldhousebath.co.uk

FRANK SKINNER Presenter, actor, writer and funny bones comic Frank Skinner returns to Bath with his critically acclaimed stand-up show Showbiz. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

THE SHUTTERED SHED Colerne’s Shuttered Shed are popping up in Bath at 5, Old King Street, Bath, to help raise money for the Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children with a sale of jewellery, rugs, candles, Xmas decs. www.theshutteredshed.co.uk

17 October

18 October

17 October

MARK WATSON: THIS CAN’T BE IT We’ve all had some pondering to do about the fragility of life recently, but don’t worry, skinny national treasure Mark Watson has it covered. At 41, he’s halfway through his days on earth, according to the life expectancy calculator app he paid £1.49 for. That life is in the best shape in living memory… but one problem remains, and it really is a huge one. Find exactly what the problem is on the night...Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

28 October

PAUL CHOWDHRY After barely surviving the pandemic and with two pent-up years of killer material, Paul Chowdry tackles the UK’s handling of Covid-19, why the rules of six only worked for white people, England football fans, Tom Cruise’s helicopter and the TV show Naked Attraction in the Middle East. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

OTHER

Every Friday & Saturday

KROWD KEEPERS MAGIC THEATRE Promising no rabbits, cheesiness or top hats, this is a every Friday and Saturday night magic show featuring resident magician, conjurer, wizard and liar Billy Kidd, along with guest stars who also happen to be world renowned magicians. Held upstairs at The Ale House on York Street. www.krowdkeepers.com

Every Sunday in October

FAIRFIELD HOUSE To mark Black History Month, every Sunday in October Fairfield

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RUBY WAX TALKS MINDFULNESS: A GUIDE FOR SURVIVAL Toppings & Company Booksellers are in conversation with the extraordinary Ruby Wax at Komedia to discuss her latest book A Mindfulness Guide for Survival. Best known as a successful comedian, TV writer and performer, Ruby also holds a Master’s degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University, and was awarded an OBE in 2015 for her services to mental health. www.toppingbooks.co.uk

15 / 16 / 17 October

above:

Join the Thinking Drinkers’ pub quiz on 22 October Mark Watson talks about the merits of his life expectancy calculator app at Komedia Bath

below:

21 – 24 October

BATH DECORATIVE ANTIQUES FAIR Held at the Bath Pavilion this is an autumn chance to look at gorgeous antique and contemporary style decorative furniture for the home, including stunning lighting, luxurious textiles and rugs from Asia and the Levant, folk art, mirrors, early glass and English and Continental pottery with a broad range of art from period portraits to Modern & Contemporary by named artists. Look out for local experts and interior designers including House of Hummingbird. www.bathdecorativeantiquesfair.co.uk

22 October

THE THINKING DRINKERS Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham are two alcohol experts and pioneers of alcohol-based comedy who have embarked on a selfless mission to improve your liquid life. So what better way for this award-winning duo distil their drinks knowledge to the world than via the medium of a good old traditional pub quiz using fun facts and complementary drinks? Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk n

at strangers on the internet, telling everyone what to think or bearing your soul on Instagram about how bloody brave you are cos you’ve felt a little bit sad lately. You all need a good talking to and Rachel is here with her big mouth and big opinions to give it you. And the way it works – you’ve bought a ticket, you’ve consented. Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Youth club

Nic on the joy of children meeting their author heroes at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival

“It has been just so heartening to witness authors connecting face-toface once again with young readers”

t the recent Bath Life Awards (aka the Bath Oscars) our good friends at Bath Festivals won the Events award for their incredible Reading is Magic festival. This was the brilliant online literature experience for young people, crammed with author talks and interactive workshops, that they created at the drop of a hat when faced with 2020’s new impersonal reality. In 2021 Reading is Magic is back and looks just as strong and inspiring as last year, but so too is the actual Bath Children’s Literature Festival. I’m typing this immediately after spending my weekend helping our bookselling teams at the various venues around the city hosting festival events, and it has been just so heartening to witness authors connecting face-to-face once again with young readers and would-be writers. I’ve been lucky enough to witness so many great interactions at the signings tables – some kids reading half a book whilst queuing for hours to meet the woman, Liz Pichon, who created Tom Gates; one other telling an author with brazen honesty that their book titles could be better. So it struck me as right to dedicate this column to highlighting some of those writers who’ve been meeting the kids of Bath at this comeback festival. Stephen Mangan, better known until now for his brilliant comic television and ﬁlm work, was in town to talk about his debut book for children Escape the Rooms (Scholastic, £6.99) illustrated by his book-designer sister Anita Mangan. This middle-grade adventure novel features a boy called Jack whose trip to the fairground takes an unexpected twist as he ends up plummeting into the puzzle-ridden labyrinth that is ‘the Rooms’. Jack soon encounters a girl named Cally, whose friendship he’ll come to greatly value as the pair of them dodge all manner of peculiar adversaries to ﬁnd their way out (watch out especially for the really small but still scary lions). The Mangans had their young fans at Komedia honing their own illustration skills on clipboards during the event and were then checking out the results in the signing queue, whilst chatting about everything from giant

ducks to the rigours of trying to write a children’s book at the same time as working on stage. Earlier on the same day multi-talented children’s author Gareth P Jones was in town to entertain a much younger audience with a show that combined music, reading and bookchatter around the three (yes three) picture books he has released in 2021. The Lion on the Bus, Cindergorilla and Rabunzel (each Harper Collins, £6.99) are all bright and funky books to read with pre-schoolers with the latter two marking the beginnings of a series of empowering alternative takes on fairytales. Puns and positive messages abound with dance-crazy Cindergorilla enlisting the support of her Hairy Godmother, and Rabunzel dangling her elongated ears from her oversized hutch in the forest. Once he was done crooning, reading and signing, we had a chance to talk to Gareth about future plans and throw in some ideas for the next animal fairy tale mash-ups that might take children’s publishing by storm. Somehow though Gareth didn’t seem convinced by our plan to make teensy aquatic creatures his next heroes – Rumplekrilltskin is unlikely to be in the shops anytime soon. Meanwhile, over at the Forum, Greg James and Chris Smith entertained several hundred middle grade readers in an event to celebrate their funny new adventure novel The Great Dream Robbery (Puffin, £12.99). The author duo had everyone sharing their love for creating, and then defeating, baddies. In particular, they revealed a slightly petrifying baddy known as the Bath llama, that consisted of Greg James in a furry white llama mask. Fans threw out highly original foe-fighting ideas that wouldn’t be out of place in The Great Dream Robbery itself, including a tank that fired out lemon-scented boys and bowling-ball pooping geese. I hope all these authors acknowledge the creative input of Bath’s youngsters (and booksellers) if they end up using any of these golden plot and character ideas!

Nic Bottomley is the general manager of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, 14/15 John Street, Bath; tel: 01225 331155; www.mrbsemporium.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

REJUVENATE AND REVITALISE Founded in Wiltshire in 2013, REVITALISE SKINCARE CLINIC has recently opened a second clinic in the heart of Bath

ocated on St James Parade close to Southgate, Revitalise Skincare Clinic is an exclusive medical aesthetic clinic with a particular expertise in medical facial aesthetics. Their philosophy is to achieve the best results for their patients through safe, high quality services whilst always acting in their best interests. Their ability to delivering great aesthetic results whilst at all times maintaining the highest standards of patient care with their registered membership of Save Face along with the Care Quality Commission ensuring their services have been approved as safe, effective, caring and well led. Revitalise Skincare clinic is inspected regularly by CQC to make sure services meet the highest standards of quality and safety. Prior to every treatment they offer full consultations to educate their patients,discuss concerns, find out medical history and consider the most beneficial and safest treatment options.

MEET THE FOUNDER

Arvin – CQC registered practitioner & aesthetic nurse prescriber Arvin is the founder and medical director of the Clinic. A registered general nurse with years of experience working for the NHS, during this time she developed an interest in medical aesthetics, going on to train in this area and become an independent nurse prescriber working for one of the UK’s leading cosmetic surgery

practices. With a first-class reputation for her work and patient care, Arvin is highly experienced in performing a wide range of advanced medical aesthetic treatments and procedures such as non-surgical facelift with PDO threads, hollow under eye (tear trough) and dermatology treatments. Dedicated to continuing professional development and maintaining medical ethics, Arvin regularly attends world class conferences and master classes in aesthetic medicine. ■

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Flat 1, Lombard House, St James Parade, Bath BA1 1UJ Tel: 01225 760 556; Email: info@revitaliseskincareclinic.co.uk Web: www.revitaliseskincareclinic.co.uk

FILM EMMA INGLEDEW

It’s the reel thing

Never Gonna Snow Again is tipped to be an Oscar contender; BELOW FROM FAR LEFT: Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson star in the new Dune; The 1954 epic Japanese action drama Seven Samurai; The French Dispatch stars a host of big names including Elizabeth Moss, Owen Wilson and Tilda Swinton

October will be bringing snow, samurai, and a double serving of Timothée Chalamet

he days may be getting colder but the award season race is already beginning to heat up. The Oscar hopefuls are coming thick and fast with this month scheduling a large group of contenders arriving at The Little.

Never Gonna Snow Again

The intriguingly offbeat Never Gonna Snow Again is a fascinating new Polish satire arriving in early October. Lead actor Alec Utgoff may be most recognisable as Doctor Alexei in season 3 of Stranger Things, but here he transforms into a mysterious masseuse, Zhenia, who uses his talents of touch to be accepted into the centre of a rich community. Zhenia’s past may be a mystery, but as he helps his clients unwind, he also begins to unravel their secrets. Never Gonna Snow Again has already been selected as Poland’s Oscar entry for this year’s Best Foreign Film category, so keep an eye out for this offbeat contender on the award circuit this year.

Seven Samurai

New and exciting is always a winner but just sometimes, you can’t beat a classic. This is certainly the case of Seven Samurai, which is

“So expensive was this ﬁlm that the studio closed down production twice”

returning to screens at The Little on 17 October. Seven Samurai is often known as the first modern action film, following the titular seven Samurai as they come together to protect a village from a group of bandits. The Japanese epic drama made in 1954 was voted 12th in Entertainment Weekly’s list of the top films of all time, but so expensive was this film that the studio closed down production twice. Rumour has it that director Akira Kurosawa’s response was simply to leave and go fishing, as he rationalised that the studio had spent so much money already, they wouldn’t want to give up until the film was finished. As we can tell by the final masterpiece being completed and screened many years later – he was right.

French Dispatch

Wes Anderson is back, and in a big way. Over a year since it was originally slated for release, the beloved auteur’s latest film The French Dispatch is finally coming to screens. With an all-star cast so big I couldn’t possibly list them all here (but honourable mentions go to Elisabeth Moss, Saoirse Ronan, Frances McDormand and of course Anderson’s favourite collaborators Bill Murray and Owen Wilson) this film is already set to be fantastic. Set in the American offices in the fictional French city the movie follows a group of journalists and the stories they tell. Filled with Anderson’s quirky humour and unmistakable style, it truly is a love letter to journalists and print media. Now excuse me whilst I wait for the sequel set in the offices of Bath Life.

Dune

The 1965 science fiction epic Dune has been cited as the world’s best selling science fiction novel and whilst previous adaptations have been… not successful (Lynch’s adaptation may be a cult classic now but at the time was a box office bomb), excitement is building for the latest attempt to bring the sci-fi epic to the silver screen. There is a lot to be excited for, director Denis Villenueve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival) has been a fan of the book since he was a teenager and has provided an amazing cast. The film stars two young Hollywood legends with Timothée Chalamet as the young Prince Paul Atreides and Zendaya supporting as the mysterious Chani, alongside Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson and more. Plus, Villenueve has reunited with Hans Zimmer to provide the score. Helping to illustrate just how much buzz there has been about this remake, Zimmer even elected to work on Dune rather than reuniting with his old collaborator Nolan on last year’s Tenet. Emma Ingledew is a life long film fan who graduated with a BA in Film Studies to become manager at The Little Theatre Cinema, 1–2 St Michael’s Place; 01225 466822; www.picturehouses.co.uk

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

TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH Is 2021 ringing the changes for weddings? We ask the experts By John Mather

fter the drought of nuptials thanks to the 2020, couples are resuming their plans but how have they been impacted by recent events? “Many brides and grooms over the past 18 months have not only had the stress of planning a wedding, but also of having to deal with a worldwide pandemic in the middle of it all. With a lot of uncertainty, it has made many couples feel overwhelmed with where to start,” says Jay Taylor, luxury wedding planner, stylist and owner of Adora White Weddings. “But one of the positive changes of late has been suppliers, venues and couples being so accommodating and flexible. It has actually made the team work and networking around the wedding planning even more solid.” Here we ask a few more of our local professionals for their observations of how weddings may have changed.

BRAIDS OF HONOUR

Clare Lloyd who specialises in bespoke handmade bridal hair accessories and jewellery says, “This year has seen an explosion of weddings and it’s been completely joyful. It’s been the busiest time I’ve ever known but it’s been magical to be able to work with brides to create their dream headdresses and hair accessories. “I’ve definitely seen a trend for adding more colour to accessories post Covid and this has been wonderful. I’ve made beautifully subtly coloured designs where we have picked out some of the soft hues in the bridal flowers and also through to going for a riot of colour and using more bold jewel tones. Crowns have been enormously popular with many brides choosing to go for a real statement headdress. “Saying that, I’ve also made a lot of more delicate and intricate headpieces to compliment the details on a dress or to mirror the botanical details on the wedding invites. I’ve also seen many couples planning a more sustainable and eco-friendly wedding and choosing to create beautifully personal and meaningful wedding celebrations but with care for the environment as an important centre point. More and more wedding suppliers are working and creating in a more sustainable way. “I use all recycled metals to make my headpieces and jewellery and I make as many as my designs as possible to be worn again after the wedding, so a crown can be worn as a statement neckpiece afterwards and many of my headpieces can be converted to brooches, wrist cuffs or necklaces. The joy for weddings has returned and it’s been amazing after such a difficult period for so many couples and wedding suppliers.”

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“Such is the power of love that very few couples have cancelled during the pandemic”

WEDDINGS

During lockdown, Rupert Legge of Hamswell House conducted viewings over WhatsApp

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The Guildhall Your idea, our venue, the event of the year

Maybe you have attended a wedding in our grand Banqueting Room, or had the joy of registering your child’s birth in our Georgian building. But were you aware that the Guildhall has hosted book talks, gin festivals and film screenings to name a few of our diverse events? The Guildhall has four picturesque rooms, is only a ten minute walk from the Bath Spa train station and is the only heritage venue in Bath where you can select a caterer of your choice. If you are searching for a venue to hold your unique event then come to the High Street for a new experience. To book a viewing or to find out more contact Sara Brooks, Events Manager, at sara_brooks@bathnes.gov.uk • 01225 477442

WEDDINGS

The rustic wedding is moving away from hay bales and to a more high end feel says Holly Allman-Lopez

IT’S A LOVE THING

Far from tearing couples apart, true love really does stay the distance as Rupert Legge owner of Hamswell House, which is located just 10 minutes from Bath Racecourse and has 50 acres of gardens and private land and an orangery, reveals, “Such is the power of love that very few couples have cancelled during the pandemic. Most have postponed and we are looking forward to some amazing celebrations over the next few years. “During lockdown, I was conducting viewings over WhatsApp and couples were booking from as far afield California, New York, Switzerland and even Addis Ababa. “Today’s couples don’t want to feel part of a production line. They are looking for venues that will make their day extra special. They are looking for amazing views, beautiful gardens and exclusivity. Marquee weddings are perfect because they are informal, make full use of garden settings and are very flexible. They can also be decorated to express the couples’ individual taste and personality. “Good food and good drink are vital essentials of any good party and things like not charging a corkage charge. That way the couples can be generous with what they serve, without it costing them a fortune. Roll on the good times!”

“Benefits to a smaller, intimate wedding day include more quality time with your guests”

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD

Brianna Ryder-Maki, wedding and events sales co-ordinator for The Oakhouse Hotel, says, “It must be said that over the past 18 months we have seen an initial and inevitable push back and panic regarding altering wedding plans and capping numbers from couples stuck in the storm of planning a wedding during a pandemic. Who can blame them? But moving into 2021, as restrictions begin to relax, this has slowly morphed into a feeling of a ‘new normal’, with the attitude that it is necessary for life to continue. Love will always win and weddings will continue. “Of course, the wedding industry has been impacted greatly by Covid-19. How could it not be? But what it has unearthed is couples’ deep rooted reasons to marry and non-negotiables for their day. Far beyond a specific colour-scheme or brand of wedding dress, this has been somewhat of a forced trend towards intimate celebrations, but one that I cannot see changing soon once couples begin to understand the magic that can be created when you share a deep-rooted bond with every face in the room. “There are several benefits to having a smaller, intimate wedding day including more quality time with each one of your guests, a reallocation of funds to allow you to indulge in those added extras that would have been unachievable for many people and not forgetting many more venue options that can accommodate your requirements. “Plans are becoming highly bespoke and my number one tip to any newly engaged couples out there would be to say that this is your day and you can have exactly the wedding that you want. Don’t settle for a wedding package with set numbers and set menus if that does not meet your needs. Don’t feel obliged to invite every person you have ever met and focus your budgets and attentions to the guest list of people that you truly could not imagine marrying your life partner without.”

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

WEDDINGS However Holly Allman-Lopez stylist and proprietor of Ambience Venue Styling Bath which specialises in designing and styling weddings and events is seeing an increase in numbers attending weddings, “It seems the days of intimate and micro weddings are behind us. Whilst average pre-Covid guest numbers for a ceremony and wedding breakfast were around 60-80, the majority of our future weddings see guest lists of 100 or more. Having been separated from our loved ones for so long, couples don’t want to have to pick and choose who to leave out. ‘The more the merrier’ seems to be the motto for 2022 – and why not! Let’s make up for lost time by celebrating with all the ones we love. “One positive effect of the pandemic was that we were encouraged to spend more time outdoors, surrounded by nature. Parties and events were taken out into our gardens (some people even hosted their Christmas lunch outdoors last year!) and it seems this trend is set to continue. Al fresco weddings are becoming increasingly popular and venues with flexible outdoor spaces are booking up fast. Gardens with pergolas or tented areas offer a perfect combination, allowing for a relaxed and stylish outdoor celebration with optional shelter in case the weather turns (all outdoor weddings in the UK must have a wet-weather backup plan!). “Recent changes in the law also allow legal ceremonies to be carried out in many more outdoor areas – opening up new options for couples and allowing us to style some incredible outdoor set-ups where nature can truly become part of the design.”

SLICE OF LIFE

Sarah McNally who specialises in contemporary bespoke wedding and celebration cakes says, “An obvious but notable positive coming out of Covid is the massive surge in engagements we saw in lockdown, which will keep many suppliers busy for

Al fresco weddings are becoming increasingly popular notes Holly Allman-Lopez

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“After spending a year browsing Pinterest and Instagram, couples have some strong ideas as to how they want their wedding day to look ”

A BIT OF A DO

Clare Lloyd has seen a trend of more colour in accessories in this post-Covid world

the next few seasons at least. After a very tough few summers, the built-up demand and the big influx of newly engaged couples is a welcome relief for many. “It may also sound very clichéd, but I really do believe couples are prioritising just the pure joy of having all their loved ones in the same room after such a difficult period of prolonged separation. Whereas before they may have tied themselves in knots about specific details and felt the pressure of having a luxurious celebration that impresses on social media, now they’re focusing more on creating a really relaxed, warm and fun environment for their guests where everyone can let their hair down and celebrate together. “In terms of wedding cakes specifically, I’m seeing increased numbers of requests for cake feasting and grazing to sit alongside their wedding cakes. Think big spreads of brownies, traybakes, macarons, mini dessert pots, and bite-sized treats that people can help themselves to and which contribute to a relaxed and collaborative dining experience.”

Exclusive-Use Wedding Venue The Oakhouse Hotel, The Square, Axbridge, BS26 2AP 01934 732444 (Opt. 1) | events@theoakhousesomerset.com www.theoakhousesomerset.com f theoakhousesomerset |  theoakhouseaxbridge

WEDDINGS LOVING LOOKS

“We’re finding that after spending a year browsing Pinterest and Instagram, our couples have some strong ideas as to how they want their wedding day to look and feel,” says Holly Allman-Lopez. “Couples are really thinking about the small details and want their weddings to have a beautifully cohesive design, with every element carefully curated, from their stationery and signage to their tablescapes and chair décor. “A continuing trend for 2022 is foliage-led design. Loose, wild and fresh, we’re seeing foliage in centrepieces, as garlands, weaving down banquet tables as well as framing arches and moon gates. Eucalyptus, ruscus, and ferns are all very popular and their sculptural qualities and beautiful colour varieties make for really striking results. It seems that foliage is no longer the background filler to flowers – but it has become the star of the show and we love this look. It’s natural, elegant and understated and works so beautifully in most venues, from rustic barns to marquees and mansion houses. “‘Rustic Luxe’ is a term that we have coined for a new style that has been emerging over the past year. Many style conscious couples want to incorporate nature and rustic elements into their styling, but are not keen on the hessian, hay bales, and bunting often associated with rustic wedding décor. These couples prefer a level of polish, elegance and luxury whilst also still embracing nature, simplicity and the authentic rustic beauty of their venues. “The key to achieving a Rustic Luxe look is the combination of wild, natural elements and natural textures alongside luxurious products and finishes. For example, a table runner of fresh eucalyptus foliage, interspersed between an abundance of sparkling glass candlelight, elegant coloured taper candles and a flowing chiffon table runner, pooling generously onto the floor. Think luxurious glass charger plates, soft linen napkins, elegant stationery, and a sprig of fresh foliage for a beautifully curated place setting. Or how about opting for gold accessories such as elegant candle holders, table frames or even cutlery, to really add a luxe, fine dining feel, without feeling over the top or straying into the realms of tacky. “Dramatic focal points can also really elevate rustic designs. For instance, adding bold, contemporary chandeliers into a marquee, stretch tent or even an outdoor wedding breakfast brings a sense of luxury and drama to the outdoors. Draped ceremony backdrops also offer fabulous focal points for photographs, combining wild greenery or delicate fresh flowers with elegant and soft flowing fabrics.” n

Sarah McNally is getting requests for cake feasting to sit alongside wedding cakes

OUR WEDDING BELLES 1. Brianna Ryder-Maki of Oakhouse Hotel, The Square, Axbridge; www.theoakhousesomerset.com 2. Clare Lloyd Accessories, Silk Mill Studios, Merchants Barton, Saxonvale, Frome, Somerset; www.clarelloyd.co.uk 3. Holly Allman-Lopez of Ambience Venue Styling Bath; www.ambiencevenuestyling.com 4. Jay Taylor of Adora White Weddings; www.adorawhiteweddings.co.uk 5. Rupert and Victoria Legge, Hamswell House, Bath; www.hamswellhouse.co.uk Love will always win and weddings will continue says Brianna Ryder-Maki of Oakhouse Hotel

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6. Sarah McNally Bespoke Cakes; www.sarahmcnallycakes.com

ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING RINGS HANDMADE BESPOKE JEWELLERY REPAIRS AND REMODELLING

9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY | 01225 460072 jody@jodycory.co.uk | www.jodycory.co.uk |

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

The Great Taste Awards of 2021 have been announced and Bath is as delicious as ever. The Bertinet Bakery, Sugarcane Studio, Bath Soft Cheese, Combe Hay Mare’s Milk and Bathbased granola brand Qnola were all recognised with stars for an array of different products. “We are really thrilled to be recognised by the Guild of Fine Food for our Macarons and Matcha Yuzu Tart, to add to our previously awarded Passionfruit Marshmallows,” says Fang-Yu Lin, co-owner of Sugarcane Studio. “We always put all our hearts into developing our products, and it makes it all worthwhile to receive compliments from our customers and to see the smiles on their faces. Hopefully this will help us to bring our desserts to even more people.” Stars were given following 86 sociallydistanced judging days, with every product judged on its taste merits alone – branding or packaging are not part of the equation. When it comes to Great Taste stars, they are awarded purely according to the product’s texture, appearance, composition and, most importantly of all, taste. You can find the full list of local winners and their stars on the Great Taste Awards website. For more: www.greattasteawards.co.uk

Sugarcane Studio’s Matcha Yuzu Tart received a star

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The Bath Alchemist has a new gut healthy apple cider vinegar drink

GUT FEELING The Bath Alchemist has a new gut-loving apple cider vinegar drink. The Apple Cider Vinegar Wellness Tonic No 1 is a fermented tonic with immune-boosting ingredients including turmeric, ginger, horseradish, garlic, rosemary, star anise and habanero peppers. Produced in Bath by nutritional therapist and gut health specialist Dani Clark, the Apple Cider Vinegar Wellness Tonic No 1 has ‘The Mother’ as its base, a naturally occurring sediment with a profusion of enzymes, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Infused over 12 weeks in small batches, it’s as tasty as it is good for you.

For more: www.thebathalchemist.com

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS Landrace on Walcot Street has entered the next stage of its evolution and opened a restaurant upstairs. The one-time café now Covid-inspired bakery and shop started hosting Landrace Lates between lockdowns – pre-paid dinners with only 14 guests per sitting. They were phenomenally successful, and so Andrew Lowkes, owner of Landrace decided to make them a permanent fixture. “As we went about planning our emergence from lockdown the ‘Lates’ have always been at the back of my mind,” Andrew says. “Then a very talented chef – who I’d come to know while living in London – got in touch around February/ March to tell me he was moving to the area with his partner who is also a very experienced restaurant manager. They asked if I knew anyone hiring…and never one to look a gift horse in the mouth I said that I might be. So the stage was set.” Downstairs will remain as is, while Upstairs will serve a menu of ingredientfocused dishes with a Mediterranean influence, helmed by chef Rob Sachdev and GM Juliet Copperman. For more: www.landracebakery.com

IN GREAT TASTE

Upstairs at Landrace offers casual, Mediterranean vibes

TRY FIVE 2

PUDDINGS

Dessert can make or break a meal – here, we list some of Bath’s best

MRS POTTS CHOCOLATE HOUSE If you’re roaming the city in search of a sweet treat – look no further. The cakes at Mrs Potts Chocolate House are simply next level – the Dream cake with white chocolate creamy exterior and dark, rich chocolate interior; the fluff and crunch of the tiramisu; the thick, spongey layers of their three-tiered Victoria sponge cake – just the thought of them sets mouths watering. If you’re not much for a slab of cake, they’ve also got brownies, cookies and chocolate bars made in their inimitable style. www.mrspottschocolatehouse.co.uk

LUCKNAM PARK HOTEL & SPA Like all the best hotel restaurants, The Brasserie at Lucknam Park offers a dessert menu that feels luxurious, yet homely. Options like pistachio and strawberry pavlova and vegan treats like coconut panna cotta sit alongside classics such as sticky toffee pudding and profiteroles. Everything is presented with a contemporary, stylish feel, and the ingredients are as local as they come – many are grown on site in the hotel’s kitchen garden. www.lucknampark.co.uk

THE BATH PRIORY The Pantry and Terrace at the Bath Priory overlooking the hotel’s four acres of gorgeous gardens is the place for peaceful, casual dining. The menu offers a range of light, tasty dishes and the puddings are no different – the

chocolate and avocado mousse and mango and lime parfait are both fresh, sweet options that won’t have you overstuffed and lethargically napping your way through the afternoon. Our favourite option on the menu has to be the peanut butter ‘choc ice’ – a proper oldfashioned lolly on a stick which arrives with a bowl of cocoa nibs for dipping. The bitter crunch of the chocolate with the salty-sweet peanut butter is an absolute dream. www.thebathpriory.co.uk

SWOON Sometimes it just has to be ice cream, and when the feeling hits, Swoon is our first stop. All freshly created from scratch with Somerset milk, the gelato is made with a slow churning technique that results in a creamy, intense flavour that actually contains half the fat of typical ice creams. According to Swoon, this means you can eat twice as much. It’s a philosophy we can get behind, and with flavours like pistachio, chocolate brownie, bacio (chocolate with hazelnut) and Amarena cherry cheesecake among others, we’ll definitely be going back for seconds. www.swoononaspoon.co.uk

NO 15 GREAT PULTENEY At No 15 Great Pulteney, they know how to do dessert, from the egg custard tart with poached rhubarb and GuestHouse nutmeg ice cream – you wouldn’t think that ice cream

could be cosy, but somehow, this achieves it – to the crowd-pleasing GuestHouse strawberry Eton mess. Our particular favourite has to be the Double Decker, though – as the name suggests, it’s the hotel’s clever take on the Cadbury’s chocolate bar. Lightly whipped nougat, dotted with raisins on a chocolate base, all dipped in thick, creamy milk chocolate – it is utter perfection. n www.guesthousehotels.co.uk

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YAK YETI YAK

Lydia Tewkesbury tries out Nepalese cuisine at one of Bath’s most long-standing restaurants

have been meaning to go to Yak Yeti Yak forever. The soft glow from the windows of its basement space on Pierrepoint Stree leak atmosphere up and out, drawing you in to retreat from the increasingly dark evening streets. It’s a cosy spot for autumnal hunkering down. Inside, you’ll find curios from Nepal – a rice dolly, fish traps made by jungle fishermen, a wooden saddle from the nomadic tribesmen of the Tibetan plateau and the Yak Yeti Yak banner that has visited the summit of Everest. The space is inspired by its owners’ former lives as Himalayan guides, their means to share their love of Nepalese food and atmosphere. I have never been to Nepal, but the decoration, the smells and squashy floor cushions and low tables gave me a sense of it, the feel of being elsewhere. Yak Yeti Yak is broken up into distinct dining spaces, each with their own style; the back room, the main dining

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area, the kitchen dining room and the traditional space with floor cushions and low tables (the authentic Nepalese experience) – I opted for the latter so I could say I did. And you know what? It was cosy. After a brief awkward moment of – where should I put my knees? We settled, tucked into our comfy corner and were ready to tackle the extensive menu. Yak Yeti Yak offers a mix of faithful reproductions of Nepalese favourites (think lentil dal, momo dumplings) as well as the odd contemporary imagining of a classic, made for today’s tastes. Like I said, the menu is extensive, with an array of meaty and plant-based options to pick either from the set menu (which comes with steamed basmati rice, orange dal and fresh chutney) or you can mix and match. I started with the mixed vegetable pakora – crisp veggies deep fried in mildly spiced chickpea batter – filled with satisfying textures and just the right balance of squish and crunch. My friend, meanwhile, had the malekhu macha,

RESTAURANT

a dish of deep-fried, crispy Scottish salmon with a fresh blend of ginger and spices providing a bit of kick. For my main, I chose from the set menu. While many of us would like to think we can handle more spice than we can, ordering this way means you can set your spice level: mild, medium, hot or very hot. I went for medium, but I think I could have gone hotter. I’m veggie, so I took my time with the array of plant-based options, ultimately opting for the hario cauli ra kurilo, a stir fry of fresh broccoli and asparagus with a delicate blend of spices, fresh tomato and peppers. Nepalese cuisine utilises the stir fry to expert effect, resulting in veggies that are perfectly caramelised, making the most of their natural sweetness – which, in turn, compliments the spice. The dal – Yak Yeti Yak’s speciality really – was exquisite. A creamy, sweet and balanced dish, it had a warming, soporific effect that sent me sinking drowsily into my floor cushions. My friend, meanwhile decided to try the special, a beef chilly stir fry – garlic-y, ginger-y and with a hint of salty soy sauce. As it was the special there was no option to turn down the heat and it was, by all reports, blow-your-socksoff spicy. To finish – and for my friend to cool off – we tried a mango lassi, a creamy, yoghurty smoothie-like drink that was the perfect hit of freshness to counteract the heat, and wake us up a little before we climbed the stairs back to the busy world outside. Our dinner felt wholesome, rich and warming – comfort food with a Nepalese twist. As the nights draw in ever earlier, I can easily imagine myself returning, nestled on a corner cushion, chasing away the winter chill. n

“It was, by all reports, blow-yoursocks-off spicey”

Sarah and Sera Gurung, Yak Yeti Yak owners and chefs

DINING DETAILS Yak Yeti Yak, 12 Pierrepont Street, Bath, BA1 1LA; tel: 01225 442299; www.yakyetiyak.co.uk Opening hours 5-10pm Tuesday – Sunday and 12-2pm Saturday and Sunday. The plan is to open every day once staffing and Covid allows Owners Sera and Sarah Gurung Established 2004 Covers Current 55, post-Covid spacing 70 Prices Starters £5-£6.50, mains £9-£17, desserts £4.90-£5.60 Veggie options Loads! The menu is about half vegan, and mostly gluten free, but always check first Disability access No Atmosphere Warm and cosy with decorative items sourced from Nepal. You can sit at a table or go for the traditional option and enjoy your dinner on floor cushions at low tables

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COOKING WITH ALCOHOL

aron and Susannah Rickard are the Bath-based authors behind the new cookery book Cooking with Alcohol. Alcohol. The idea for book’s theme began when they hosted a dinners themed on alcohol with a group of their friends from the University of Bath. “When thinking up recipes to cook for the dinner, the possibilities with alcohol seemed endless and we could hardly decide what to make. With so many ideas, we began testing recipes at home for ourselves and this has developed over the last ﬁve years resulting in this book.” Here they choose two autumn specials for us.

DARK BEER AND AUBERGINE CHILLI “Dark beer adds a deep rich flavour with hints of chocolate, while sweet potato and a little brown sugar helps to round out the hoppy notes. It can seem like Mexican food contains a huge quantity of spices, but each spice balances out the others so that no one flavour overwhelms. Serve this delicious one-pot dish with your favourite chilli toppings, and alongside tortilla chips, taco shells or rice.” Ingredients 400ml dark beer (eg. ale, porter or stout) 1 medium aubergine (approx. 350g) – de-stalked and chopped into 1cm cubes 2 white onions – finely chopped 2 cloves of garlic – peeled, and crushed or finely chopped 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp ground cumin

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1 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp smoked paprika 1 x 400g can of kidney beans – drained and rinsed 1 x 400g can of black beans – drained and rinsed 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 x 400g jar of tomato passata (or a can of chopped tomatoes, blended until smooth) 1 medium sweet potato (approx. 300g) – peeled and chopped into 1cm cubes 2 tbsp dark brown sugar 1 lime – ½ juiced, ½ sliced into wedges to serve Salt Oil Grated cheese, sour cream, fresh coriander and tortilla chips, taco shells or rice to serve

Method 1 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large deep heavy bottomed pan until very hot and the oil is beginning to smoke. Add the chopped aubergine and cook on a high heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes until the aubergines are browned all over and beginning to soften. Remove them from the pan and set to one side 2 Turn the heat down to medium, add another splash of oil to the pan and fry the chopped onions for 5 minutes until beginning to soften. Stir in the garlic, chilli powder, oregano, cumin, cinnamon and smoked paprika, and cook for another 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant 3 Stir in the kidney beans, black beans, tomato paste, tomato passata, chopped sweet potato, brown sugar, the beer, 1 tsp of salt and the cooked aubergine 4 Bring the mixture to the boil, then turn the heat down low and simmer uncovered for about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is soft and the sauce is rich and thick. If it starts to get too dry, add a splash of water or beer 5 Stir in the juice of ½ a lime, then taste the chilli and add more salt or lime juice to your preference. Serve with your favourite chilli toppings and sides, with a wedge of lime.

RECIPES KAHLUA FUDGE “This is a really easy version of fudge – it’s made with white chocolate, condensed milk and a generous helping of kahlua coﬀee liqueur. There’s no sugar to dissolve, so it takes just a few minutes to melt the ingredients together, and the mixture sets into a chewy, creamy fudge. We like to make just a small batch, but you can easily double this recipe if you prefer. Serve as an after dinner treat, or wrap in wax paper and give it as a gift. If you don’t like coﬀee, try making this recipe with Irish cream liqueur instead.” Makes approx. 25 pieces — Prep time 20 minutes + 4 hours chilling. Ingredients 60ml kahlua liqueur 200g condensed milk (½ a standard tin) 250g white chocolate – broken into pieces 30g butter Salt

Method 1 Grease a small piece of baking paper with a little oil, and then line the bottom and sides of your dish with the baking paper. •2 Empty the condensed milk, kahlua liqueur, butter and a pinch of salt into a small saucepan and heat for a few minutes until it comes to the boil. 3 Turn the heat to low for 5 minutes, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn on the bottom, until the mixture is a light caramel colour and thick enough that the spoon leaves a clear trail on the saucepan as you stir. 4 Remove the pan from the heat and add the white chocolate pieces, stirring until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.

5 Pour the mixture into the prepared dish, then place it in the fridge. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight until set. 6 When the fudge has set, run a knife around the edge of the dish, then turn the fudge out onto a board or plate. Slice it into small squares and store in a container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Cooking with Alcohol by Aaron & Susannah Rickard (RRP £20, Lendal Press) is available to order from all Bath indie bookshops. For more: www.instagram.com/ rickardkitchen

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

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

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

Would you like to work in Media Sales?

Repairs, Restoration • Alteration of Stone Buildings New Build • Stone Cleaning • Stone Carving • Fireplaces

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

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

SITTING PRETTY

Sit down, and imagine for a moment if the V&A made sofas. They’d be pretty special right? Well it’s a dream that’s come true as the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance has teamed up with Sofas & Stuff to create a V&A Brompton collection. The inspiration has been carefully selected from a wealth of textile patterns and botanical illustrations from the 16th to 19th centuries. The Flowering Kale seen here is a floral tree design with a block-printed look, inspired by a cotton textile produced about 1670-99. With a Dutch feel and refreshed in soft, contemporary colourings, this floral pattern is named after the ornamental and extravagantly ruffled vegetation growing from the stylised tree of life. The V&A and Sofas & Stuff collaboration – The Brompton Collection – is due to be launched shortly; www.sofasandstuff.com

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LINEAR JUG IN PINK GIN, £30 A gentle dusty pink with cute and contemporary vertical ridges, the linear jug by Garden Trading is perfect for juices, water and gin mixers. Stockists Woodhouse & Law, 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

FIRST BLUSH

DAHLIA BUNDLE, £25 Handpainted soft pink dahlias – some open, some just unfurling – to bring texture, peachy warmth and an English cottage garden aesthetic to your home. From Neptune, One Tram Yard, Walcot Street, Bath; www.neptune.com

Thinking pink this October and keeping it soft and subtle

HOLBORN DUSKY PINK GLASS PENDANT, £140.70 Hand blown, the Holborn is hand forged from high grade steel that has been painted in matt black with the dusty pink glass shade perfect for adding just a subtle hint of colour. From Jim Lawrence, 114-116 Walcot Street, Bath; www.jim-lawrence.co.uk

TEDDY POUFFE, £250 The soft velvet ﬁnish and a pulled buttoned form makes for both a comfortable sitting stool and a stylish storage companion. From Cox & Cox; www.coxandcox.co.uk

CARTER ROSE CERAMIC TILE, £1.58 PER TILE The tiles combine a hand-crafted look with a sheen evoking traditional glazed ceramics. From Boniti, Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Near Bath; www.boniti.com

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ED’S CHOICE WOODSFORD CORSHAM CORAL RED, £76 PER ROLL A trail of stylised hydrangeas by Nina Campell. Named after Corsham Court in Wiltshire, home of the Methuen family and famous for its collection of old masters. Stockists Rossiters of Bath, 38-41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com

TERRACOTTA HOFF POT BY BERGS POTTER, £9 Can be used indoors and outdoors with the raw terracotta allowing the roots to breathe which in turn helps the plant to thrive. From Julia Davey, 20 Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath; www.juliadavey.com SOAP DISPENSER REACTIVE PINK, £19.99 Accessorise your bathroom with this soft rose soap, mottled glaze dispenser. From Whitehall Garden Centre, Corsham Road, Lacock; www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk

GAUCHO BLUSH VELVET STOOL, £345 A luxurious blush pink velvet stool with a graceful crossover design perfectly suited to dressing tables and bedrooms. From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

DOT CUSHION SOFT BY HAY HAY, £69 Characterised by the coloured covered button that adorns the centre of the cushion, the Dot is upholstered in a premium cotton-linen blend, oﬀering a rich texture and ultra-soft feel. From Holloways of Ludlow, 37 Milsom Street, Bath; www.hollowaysoﬂudlow.com

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STREET LIFE

THAT WAY INCLINED

5 great reasons to scale the summit of Bartlett Street Quarter

Tina Engell opened her jewellery shop in March 2020

t’s not just the distinctive incline that makes Bartlett Street Quarter so memorable – the atmosphere and buzz around this corner pocket of city centre makes it a place worth returning to again and again. Here we select just five great reasons to visit...

SASSY BOO, 9 Bartlett Street, Bath; www.luellafashion.com Sassy & Boo was founded in 2005 in Bath by Alison Townshend after she moved to the city from London in 1992 and immediately fell in love with the city’s architectural beauty and eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and cafés. Alison says, “The first Sassy & Boo was in Margaret’s Buildings surrounded by other independent shops and galleries. Sassy & Boo has then grown to nine boutiques and its own clothing label Luella, offering colourful cashmere blend knitwear, linens, cottons and accessories. The business has been built on my passion for colour and timeless wardrobe pieces, which is what makes Sassy & Boo who we are. “Café Lucca is opposite Sassy & Boo in Bartlett Street, which is very handy and tempting for their fabulous cakes with a coffee. Whilst there, I always take the opportunity for a bit of shopping in The Loft, which is full of lovely lifestyle and homewear bits. “My restaurant top tip is in nearby Alfred Street. Woods is where I’ve had many family celebrations including my wedding reception – great food and atmosphere and always a warm welcome.” Alison Townshend is a fan of Café Lucca coffee and cake

1CLOTHES

This is not just any old street, it’s a Quarter...

2JEWELLERY

Tina Engell, 3 Bartlett Street, Bath; www.tinaenegll.com The goldsmith and jewellery maker is a relative newcomer to the area having opened her shop in March 2020, just two days into lockdown. Her gorgeous, quaint looking space is a combined workshop and shop, where she sells creative precious handmade jewellery. Tina says, “For me this street was love at first sight. For more than 20 years I have had my eye on Felix’s lighting shop so was glad and excited to be here finally, just a few doors up. “As we’d just moved in, the first lockdown was spent working on the shop with my amazing husband and son. They laid the stone floor, plastered the walls, build the showcases and in general got ready to open. “Being here has definitely been a boost to my business as the shop is now more exposed to passers by than my old premises on Lansdown Road. I love the hustle and bustle in the morning when the deliveries arrive to various cafés and shop, the constant stream of commuters – and most of all – it is pedestrian. Something most of us have celebrated with benches outside our premises. “My own favourite go-tos are BA1 hairdresser of course, and the Beckford Bottle Shop on Savile Row.”

3PROPERTY

Aspire To Move, 1 Saville Row, Bath; www.aspiretomove.co.uk Bath’s newest independent local letting agent, which has just scooped a Bath Life Award, was set up by Caroline Baxter and fellow director Will Maslin in spring of 2020. Caroline says, “We fell in love with the shop many years ago and always commented on its beauty and position with its curved windows and enviable corner position. When we saw the unit was available we booked to come and take a look immediately and once inside we knew this is where we wanted to grow the business.

Caroline fell in love with the Saville Row building many years ago

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STREET LIFE For Zac the indie spirit is what makes Bartlett Street so special

“With its tall ceilings, period features and quirky staircase in the middle of the show floor we knew we could turn it into the perfect home for Aspire to Move. Both the resident dogs,Willow and Nelly, also were excited with the raised window displays and the space to carry out their favourite pastime, people watching. The street itself has such a lovely feel and the local businesses located nearby were nothing but friendly and welcoming to us. “We are also surprised at the amount of people that pass our office as a walk through and to browse the local businesses, much more than we anticipated. It has also helped having our two furry friends in the window when getting to know the locals. I’d say having an office on Saville Row has certainly contributed to our success as a business and it already feels like a home to grow the business for many years to come.”

4HAIR & BEAUTY

BA1 Hair, 4-5 Bartlett St, Bath; www.ba1hair.co.uk The independent salon, a huge, light-filled, split-level space, was established in 1986 by founding director Philip Thompson and later joined by fellow director Zac Fennell. “Being surrounded by so much indie spirit and creativity makes Bartlett Street Quarter the perfect home for our business. Not only do the customers love visiting this unique corner of the city, the team do too. There’s always a buzz around here – you can lunch here, buy gifts, look for homeware, do your clothes shopping, pick up some beautiful jewellery, and browse the antiques. “I’m a firm believer in keeping Bath’s retail and stores independent and this is exactly what Bartlett Street reflects.”

5EAT & DRINK

Dos Dedos, Edgar Mews, Bartlett Street, Bath; www.dosdedos.co.uk The tacos and tequila restaurant, which opened in 2019, is co-owned by Harry Bret, who also co-owns the nearby Saville Row drinking den The Common Room. Harry says, “The building was formerly an old power substation and an art gallery, so we upcycled a lot of the discarded materials to make the bar, seating area and storage for Dos Dedos, which we opened in 2019. When Dave (the other owner) and I were doing the building work, we bought a lot of coffee and cakes from Same-Same But Different. “I’ve had The Common Room since 2010, but it’s a bit of a Bath institution, having been open on Saville Row since the 1960s, maybe longer. We buy our lamps from Felix Lighting, wines from Beckford Bottle Shop, and the big Boston Tea Party has been a great addition to the area. “This corner of Bath is known for its high-quality independents and it’s become a real destination over the years.” n

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Kitty Maloney, Lewis Sowerby and Zak Cooper of Dos Dedos

13 MORE REASONS TO VISIT

ALLEN & HARRIS – estate agents; www.allenandharris.co.uk BARTLETT STREET ANTIQUES CENTRE – the city’s oldest antiques shop; www.bartlettstreetantiquescentre.com BECKFORD BOTTLE SHOP.COM – contemporary wine merchant and bistro; www.beckfordbottleshop.com BIBICO – women’s ethical & sustainable clothing brand; www.bibico.co.uk CAFÉ LUCCA AND THE LOFT BATH – fashion and homeware store plus café; www.theloftbath.com FELIX LIGHTING SPECIALISTS – commercial and residential lighting; www.felixlightingspecialists.co.uk HENRY’S RESTAURANT – modern British cuisine; www.henrysrestaurantbath.com INTERACTION – workplace design and build experts; www.interaction.uk.com NUMBER THREE – hairdressing; www.numberthreebath.com SAME-SAME BUT DIFFERENT – med inspired café; www.same-same.co.uk TOAST – clothing and homeware; www.toa.st YEN SUSHI – Japanese dishes served via a central conveyor belt; tel: 01225 333313 YOGA BODHI – dedicated yoga space; www.yogabodhi.co.uk

BATH’ S L E A DI NG INDEPENDE NT HA I R SA LO N Join our team Stylist and Assistant positions available Contact: zac@ba1hair.co.uk

01225 420 611 www.ba1hair.co.uk

Proud to be using professional Aveda products

LUXURY IN LAUGHARNE

Lisa Evans visits a luxury lodge at Laugharne’s Dylan Coastal Resort in Carmarthen in South Wales which has just had a £20 million revamp...

“Waking up to panoramic sunrise vistas above the house that Dylan Thomas called home is pretty poetic”

TRAVEL

TRAVEL DETAILS • The starting price for a Dylan Lodge is £1,300 for a four-night stay. • Holiday providers Luxury Lodges have launched their ‘Residences’ range at the resort. Priced from £295,000, the 1,100 sq. ft fully furnished lodges are available as two or three beds, each with two bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and fitted kitchen. The Residences benefit from a designated concierge service as well as 24-hour security and owner discounts across the resort. Owners can exclusively retain their property or sublet it through the resort’s letting programme. www.luxurylodges.com

he pandemic may have halted overseas breaks for many of us, and there still seems to be a lot of stickiness around the topic, but there’s a particular staycation destination that could easily be mistaken for a far-flung holiday favourite. Its name is Dylan Coastal Resort, and it’s a jaw dropper. No one can doubt the beauty of Wales, and it’s not hard to discover a view that makes you gasp, but waking up in crisp white bedding to panoramic sunrise vistas from a luxury cliffside lodge above the waterfront house that Dylan Thomas called home is pretty poetic. During lockdown, the resort, in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, had an epic spruce up, £20million worth of refurbishments to be exact, which led to hotel-quality self-catering lodges being built. Holiday providers Luxury Lodges launched their ‘Residences’ range at the five-star resort, destined for people to purchase and enjoy time and time again, without trying to secure availability. And owners have the opportunity to exclusively retain their property or to sublet it through the resort’s letting programme. Lions legend, and the world’s most capped player, Alun Wyn Jones has become one of the first lodge owners. My rugby-mad husband kept obsessively checking Instagram to see if it was in fact Alun’s lodge we were renting, but he wasn’t able to put his finger on it. Although we didn’t get a chance to enjoy it due to tighter Covid measures at the time of our visit, the recently launched state-of-the-art £7.5million Milk Wood House Spa in the resort offers a herbal steam room, treatment rooms, themed showers, a tepidarium and infinity pools overlooking the mesmerising, shifting seascape. The mezzanine Milk Wood Bar & Kitchen, focused on locally sourced ingredients, was a highlight that we were really looking forward to, but downpours on the evening of our al fresco booking sank our plans. Thankfully, the restaurant kindly delivered our food to the room, so we ate delicately crispy fish and chips and rustic, fresh pizza, while snuggled under a blanket watching a Netflix film (they have streaming services in the rooms). What a night in. Our high-end lodge, which didn’t for a second compromise on comfort and luxury, was beautifully furnished and I couldn’t stop taking pictures inside for cool, Scandi décor inspiration

for my new house. There was a huge open-plan living room with windows taking up almost the whole sea view wall, two bedrooms – the master having yet more floor-to-ceiling windows – two bathrooms, a high-spec fitted kitchen, and, most importantly, a hot tub and sweeping balcony to take in those incredible sights. During our stay we had plenty of balmy sunshine and we drank Taittinger – just one of our welcome gifts waiting for us in the room along with a whole array of Welsh foodie treats – while submerged in the warm, bubbling tub overlooking the Tâf Estuary and the Gower beyond, the estuary’s waters gently ebbing away to reveal unspoilt golden sands and artistic snaking channels. I stared for so long (I think we spent around six consecutive hours in that hot tub) that it was like watching a timelapse video. I can’t remember the last time I had nothing to do all day other than watch the world go by. It brought several tears to the eye. The pretty township of Laugharne is an easy drive to beaches and other seaside resorts such as Pembrokeshire, the Gower Peninsula, and the Brecon Beacons, but we stayed local and chose the on-foot method, meandering around pretty lanes, plush green areas and visiting local bars. We peered through the window of Dylan Thomas’s Writing Shed, teetering on the cliff edge, where he worked, which was preserved and staged as if it was in use, complete with pencil pots on the table, a tweed blazer slung over the back of the chair, empty beer bottles and crumpled papers. And his boathouse, where he lived for the last four years of his life, was a little stroll away, which Covid measures at the time sadly denied us public access to. Our long ambles along coastal paths and winding tracks took us past castles, marshlands, quaint ice cream shops and street food vendors, and featured a dramatic outdoor lunch at The Fountain Inn, where a sparrow was hanging from the roof after getting its leg caught in wire. We all watched on as a brave staff member tried to free it while leaning perilously out of an upper floor window, until finally one of the diners’ friends, a hero in floral harem pants and a bandana, came along to save the day carrying a 10-foot ladder. We all cheered when the bird fluttered away, and faith in humanity was restored. I always try to think of a not-so-great point whenever I do a review, just to keep things balanced and honest, and the only memory that comes to mind is the extremely steep incline we had to trudge up to get back to our lodge. While cursing the trek and stopping around 11 times for breathers and a quick downward dog, a staffdriven buggy shot past us carrying guests, and that’s when we realised you can just hitch a ride up the hill. My poor calves wish we’d found that out sooner. So, I guess that means there are no negatives to note. You know that blissful, floating-on-a-cloud, feeling you get after visiting a spa? Well, I didn’t even get to visit the spa and yet the feeling was the strongest I’ve ever felt it. I needed it. Every muscle in my body felt limber, and I’m now recharged, reset and unwound. What a heavenly escape.

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It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>BATH LIFE PRESENTS ANDREW GORDON-BROWN OF KINGSWOOD SCHOOL (73) >>BIZ Q&A JANE CUDWORTH (74) >>BIZ Q&A ARVIN HASSANPOUR (76)

Everything is connected

TEDxBath returns this autumn with a series of talks on the subject of interconnection

EDxBath will return this November with TEDxBath Interconnected. The two-day event on 18 and 19 November seeks to explore how our community can thrive through interconnectedness on a local and global scale. “After the turmoil of the past two years, it’s never been clearer that we need to work together as one planet and one society for the common good,” says TEDxBath lead organiser, Rhodora Baguilat, who is also a nurse. “TEDxBath Inter-Connected is a space to explore powerful ideas and personal stories at a time when we need them most.” The outstanding range of speakers includes Dr Andy Georgiou, the former director of the RUH Intensive Care Unit, delivering a talk about his experiences in the ICU throughout the pandemic; Kate Raworth, bestselling author of Doughnut Economics speaking on her revolutionary idea and its 21st century applications; Claire Prosho, a transgender educator, will explore the impacts marginalised people and their treatment have on one another; Renée Jacobs, founder of B in Bath will talk about how we can create a more inclusive city; master storyteller Sarah Gregory will offer her thoughts on how we can harness the learnings from the Black Lives Matter Movement to design our collective and connected future; and Eddie Illic, founder of Eddie’s Street Cuts will share a message of human connection and hope based on his experiences getting sober and going on to support the homeless community. The conference will be streamed digitally to all participants, with details of a watch party and live Q&A to be announced. It will be streamed in multiple languages, including British Sign. Early bird tickets are available now, with the rest on sale from 22 October. For more: www.tedxbath.co.uk

BUSINESS CLUB

top row, left to right: Dr Andy Georgiou; Kate Raworth; middle row, left to right: Claire Prosho; Renee Jacobs; bottom row, left to right: Sarah Gregory; Eddie Ilic

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Bath Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 115

Japanese dolls from an antique seller at Homewood Hotel & Spa; Yellow submarine, purchased from the Royal Navy by Timothy Oulten and now at Homewood; The Big Cat by Graham Knuttle at The Bird, Bath; the reception desk at The Bird by Candice Bahouth

Robyn’s Yoga Studio is above TwentySeven

GO WITH THE FLOW

ARTISTS WANTED Ian and Christa Taylor are on the hunt for artwork for the Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa, their most recent acquisition with their company Kaleidoscope Collection, which also owns The Bird, Bath and Homewood Hotel & Spa. Local artists are encouraged to submit unique and eye-catching pieces using a range of disciplines – from paintings to tapestries to sculpture and beyond. The artworks chosen will be those that help realise co-owners Ian and Christa’s vision for a hotel that reﬂects the creativity of the area. Artists are encouraged to submit works, portfolio, website and contact details to artists@bishopstrowhotel.com. For more: www.bishopstrowhotel.com

Airhead founders Alex Smith, Harry Young, and Elliot Denvir all attended the University of Bath

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Bath city centre has a brand-new yoga studio. Robyn’s Yoga Studio is set within TwentySeven, near Pulteney Bridge, a new destination floral shop and perfumery, and founded by Robyn Blackmore after three years of teaching locally. At the beginning of the year, Robyn suffered a spinal injury that left her bedbound. Following successful surgery in April, Robyn returned to the mat more motivated than ever to make her dream reality: the new studio is the result. “We centre around inclusivity, with a timetable to suit people in all stages of life and ability,” says Robyn. “From beginner’s yoga to more dynamic power flows, we want to show that yoga really is for everyone. In a period which has been so fraught with isolation and division, it’s a fantastic space to meet new people. It’s about getting a little out of your head and more into your body, in a really friendly environment where a smile is the most important.” For more: www.robynsyoga.co.uk

AIRHEADS

The Airhead mask is designed to protect commuters from pollution

Three former University of Bath students have created a new face mask that protects users from city pollution. Harry Young, Alex Smith and Elliot Denvir came up with Airhead before the pandemic as they wanted a research backed, innovative solution for protecting commuters from pollution. They funded the project on Kickstarter, where it broke records to become one of the top 0.5 per cent most funded projects on the platform. “Air pollution is a global health emergency, killing 8.8 million people each year. Airhead was born with the vision of creating a face mask that protects people from air pollution, combining performance with comfort and a good look,” says co-founder Harry Young. Created with leading researchers and scientists at Brunel University, the mask is capable of blocking PM2.5 particulates from the air and tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. It also features a TPE seal to prevent leakage and rear-facing valves that move hot air away from the face. It comes with exhalation valve blockers, making it suitable for use as a Covid face covering too. For more: www.airhead.cc

BATHWORKS

Frome Mayor, Andy Wrintmore with Sue Willis, founder and co-director of Purple Elephant

Kingswood headmaster Andrew Gordon-Brown appeared on the latest Bath Life Presents

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC HELPING HANDS

Frome-based community interest company Purple Elephant has been awarded a grant of £6,000 from Frome Town Council. Since 2015, Purple Elephant has provided a range of support services for local families including a toy library, holiday activities, children’s festival and parenting support – especially vital during the pandemic. “We have gone through a rapid growth in the past 18 months in reaction to identifying and responding to the needs of many vulnerable families in Frome,” says director Sue Willis. “The support given to us by the council is amazing and now, as we have become more of a vital service-provider than we had ever imagined, we are reaching out to local businesses to please join us as sponsors. If you’re a local business, get in touch if you’d like to be a part of our amazing Purple Elephant community.” For more: www.purpleelephant.org.uk

THIRTY & THRIVING

Happy Days Bath held a joint 30th birthday celebration with Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) in September. The day saw families flock to the popular Bath-based nursery for a garden party and fundraiser for CHSW with games, a raffle and tea and cake. They raised £1,350 for the charity. “We are so grateful to Happy Days nurseries for their support of The Big South West Cream Tea, in what is the 30th anniversary year for both of our organisations,” says Bernadette Chambers, area fundraiser for Children’s Hospice South West. “Happy Days’ support will help us to continue offering vital care to over 500 children and families across the South West that access our hospices for support. Thank you to everyone involved in making our 30th birthday so special.” For more: www.happydaysnurseries.com

TOP OF THE CLASS Community feeling is strong at Kingswood under Andrew Gordon-Brown’s leadership, heard Bath Life Presents… Kingswood School. During a wide-ranging discussion at the online event hosted by Greg Ingham, CEO of Bath Life publisher MediaClash, headmaster Andrew shared a few of the ways he is sharing the privileges the independent school enjoys. During the acute challenges of the lockdowns, Andrew oﬀered the support of Kingswood to local state schools. This involved help with the provision of equipment in the case of St Marks School,

where Kingswood parents rallied to provide 20 Chromebooks to meet technology needs. More broadly, Andrew met with the heads of both independent and Bath Education Trust Schools regularly on Zoom throughout the lockdowns to share best practise, with hopes to come together in future to create city-wide school responses to community needs. But Andrew isn’t just looking to sharing the wealth outward – he also wants to make a Kingswood education more accessible. In pursuit of this, the school has recently been accredited by the social mobility charity Royal Springboard Foundation, which means they can offer sixth form boarding places to students from disadvantaged backgrounds – a project Andrew has championed and fast-tracked. The first two students have now started, with hopes to add more each new school year. The Kingswood ethos as laid out by its founder John Wesley over two centuries ago ‘do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can’ remains strong under Andrew’s leadership. Students are encouraged to get involved to the community via mentorship opportunities and a new year 9 non-examined curriculum based on the UN’s Global Development Goals that asks students the question: what can they do to make the world a better place? You can watch the full interview with Andrew again on Bath Life’s YouTube channel, just search for Bath Life. The next Bath Life Business Surgery is on 1 November, when Greg will be joined by experts from the University of Bath School of Management for a conversation about retail. You can find more information and sign up for the Zoom on Bath Life’s social media. For more: Instagram and Twitter @bathlifemag

ROYAL APPROVAL A major £1m refurb featuring The Royal Crescent a new food oﬀering was Hotel & Spa is set for a announced exclusively from the £1m refurb stage at the Bath Life Awards by the headline sponsor, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. The fresh approach for the new year will be focused on Bath people, as part of the Royal Crescent Hotel’s plan to connect more deeply with the city. “Bath is a veritable foodie paradise, awash with exceptional eateries, restaurants and pop ups, and this inspires us to continually update our own oﬀering,” says recently-appointed general manager Lorraine Jarvie. “We are very excited to be planning this refurbishment and introducing a brand new culinary concept, and we look forward to sharing more information in due course!” Work is expected to begin in January. And our Bath Life Business Clubs will be returning to the Royal Crescent shortly. For more: www.royalcrescent.co.uk

Lorraine Jarvie, new general manager

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Jane on the back of the bike along with mum Jen, dad Nick, and brother Matt

Q&A

Jane Cudworth Jane reveals how, along with her brother, Matt Chapman, she will be keeping the late artist Nick Cudworth’s legacy alive

ick Cudworth, who died 3 August this year following a diagnosis of leukaemia, had opened his own gallery and studio space in Walcot Street, Bath in 1999. He was well known for his landscape, still life and portraiture work, and was commissioned by The Royal Mail to design a set of stamps for the Commonwealth Games which can be seen at The Post Office Museum in Bath. His portrait of the Bath-based film director Ken Loach is on permanent display the National Portrait Gallery. Here we talk to daughter Jane about the plans to keep his Walcot Street gallery open...

We were sorry to hear about the passing of your father Nick Cudworth...

Dad was such a huge presence in ours and many peoples’ lives. During his short illness, he was so incredibly brave and positive and determined to live his life to the full. He spent all this time amongst friends and family and

in his beloved art gallery until the very end. We are determined to continue his positive energy and humour going forward. He has left an amazing body of work. What is your own first memory of your father painting?

We always knew we had a very talented and unique father, but I guess you slightly take it for granted when growing up surrounded by art. Now we are discovering more and more of dad’s back catalogue of work which is a real treat. My first memory of dad painting is having a real skeleton in the house, which he named George. Dad was working on the Anatomical Series at the time. We used to scare our friends by introducing them to George after tea! Have any of the other family members inherited his ability?

Yes my brother Matt is an exceptional artist in his own right, having attended St Martin’s School of Art. Dad was thrilled with the idea of Matt also using

the studio space for some his own work moving forward. It is very much a family affair. What are your happiest memories of the Walcot gallery space?

There are so many happy memories. The gallery was and continues to be a joyous space. The yearly Walcot Day Festival was truly wonderful as dad absolutely loved having the gallery full of people enjoying themselves. He would play his boogie piano and if people danced, all the better! We are incredibly grateful to have had the gallery back up-and-running, following the pandemic, for dad’s last few months. Dad was poorly following a stroke in February this year and unable to paint anymore but he would rally and get himself in his armchair just to spend time observing and chatting to people coming in. I cannot really explain how much joy this gave him and how connected he still felt to his beloved city. These are incredibly precious memories for us.

Your mother worked closely with him – tell us a little about that…

It really was a joint venture and our mum Jen ran everything behind the scenes, which allowed dad to concentrate on creating the work. Mum was a fantastic businesswoman, and it is credit to her that the business still thrives today. Very sadly we also lost our wonderful mum to cancer in 2020. They really were the most incredible team in life and in business and we miss them very much. Do you intend to keep the gallery open?

Absolutely. During dad’s last few months, we talked a lot about the gallery business and his legacy. He was thrilled with the idea of his kids, Matt and I, keeping the business going after he no longer could, and we were so proud to be asked. We will keep the name ‘Nick Cudworth’ going, which is very cathartic for us. Matt will continue to be the man on the ground and open the gallery on

BATHWORKS clockwise: The painting Myology/Mr Universe features George the skeleton; Inside Out features landscapes of Bath; Modern Times is a piece Nick painted in 1991; Nick outside the Walcot Street gallery his children, Jane and Matt, will now take over

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment at any other time. I will run the business side of things and the online shop. Was there any hesitation over this?

Never. It gave dad such peace to think all his hard work would continue to live on. The local Walcot traders have been so positive about us keeping the gallery going and we feel very well supported in this wonderful community. Dad even talked about his grandkids taking over one day, we shall see… I just hope we do him proud. His passing will have impacted the local community on Walcot Street. Can you tell us about some of the tributes?

“WE ARE DISCOVERING MORE AND MORE OF DAD’S BACK CATALOGUE OF WORK WHICH IS A REAL TREAT”

We have been blown away by the outpouring of lovely messages in person and online and how many of the other business owners attended dad’s funeral. Dad was a very wellloved and respected member of the community which is so heartwarming

and makes us even more proud than we already are. We hear The Bell are having a night in his honour

The other love of dad’s life was music and he was a master boogie woogie piano player. He recorded for John Peel’s record label ‘Dandelion’ in the ’60s and played in many rock ‘n roll bands since. He loved watching live music at his favourite local pub The Bell. Following dad’s death, a group of his dear friends got together and decided to get him a plaque to be placed in the pub where he used to sit every week in their Friday meet-up clubs. This then grew into the idea of a tribute night with music by the amazing musicians Kevin Brown and Jim Hammond, to take place on Sunday 24 October. We can all have a dance and a celebration of Nick. It is open to everyone, the more the merrier! For more: Nick Cudworth Gallery, 5 London Street, Walcot, Bath. tel: 07980 852417; www.nickcudworth.co.uk

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BATHWORKS “I AM PROUD TO SAY WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW CQC REGISTERED MEDICAL AESTHETIC CLINICS” consultation prior to any treatment to receive education about the treatment, discuss concerns, find out medical history and consider the most beneficial and safest options. Ongoing aftercare is also very important. What are your most popular treatments? Revitalise is always busy with wrinkle reduction injections and dermal filler treatments, but we are now receiving more requests for skin booster injections, with patients seeking a natural and subtle improvement to the quality of their skin.

BIZ Q&A

Arvin Hassanpour The CQC registered practioner and aesthetic nurse prescriber behind Revitalise SkinCare Clinic

evitalise SkinCare Clinic is a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered medical aesthetic clinic providing non-surgical aesthetic treatment solutions founded by Arvin Hassanpour in 2013. The clinic’s key treatments include wrinkle reduction injections (botox), dermal fillers, non-surgical face lift with PDO threads, prescription skincare for acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation, mole and skin tag removal, hyperhidrosis treatment (excessive sweating) and advanced laser hair removal. How would you describe Revitalise SkinCare Clinic’s philosophy? Our philosophy is to achieve the best for our patients through safe, highquality services and acting in their best interests. Tell us a bit about your career history I am a registered general nurse with years of experience working for the NHS as a sister in operating theatres and intensive care units in the UK and Scotland. It was during this time that I developed a real interest in

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medical aesthetics and went on to train extensively in aesthetic medicine and became an independent nurse prescriber, working for one of the UK’s leading cosmetic surgery companies. What was one of the biggest lessons you took away from your time in the NHS? Working as a sister and team leader in the operating theatres gave me valuable experience working under pressure whilst managing a team. NHS hospitals are CQC registered, which gave me the knowledge and high standards of care that I have implemented into our clinics. When did Revitalise come to be? In 2013 I achieved my dream and founded my first Revitalise SkinCare Clinic in Trowbridge, which has gone from strength to strength, gaining a first-class reputation for our work and patient care. Most recently I have opened the second clinic in the heart of Bath, which has been a goal of mine since opening the first. How do you think your NHS experience has influenced

Revitalise SkinCare Clinic? We went through the long process of becoming CQC registered complying to many regulations and I am proud to say that we are one of very few CQC registered medical aesthetic clinics in the UK. I hope this is reassuring for patients to know. What are the advantages of coming to a specialist like yourself over going to the GP? GPs who specialise in dermatology would only address issues with skin that cause concern as they occur. This means they do not include preventative lifestyle advice or skin care routines for problematic skin conditions, or look at the underlying causes. Mole and skin tag removal are considered cosmetic so patients have to go to the private sector. At Revitalise SkinCare Clinic we have the technology to remove them without skin excisions and little downtime. What happens when you book a procedure? A full consultation is one of the most important parts of the patient’s journey at Revitalise SkinCare Clinic. Patients should undergo a full

What’s one of your personal favourite treatments? Tear Trough Treatment for males and females. Otherwise known as hollow under eye treatment, it restores volume loss under the eyes with specially licensed hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, creating a more rested, refreshed and revitalised appearance. This treatment is very specialised, but in the hands of a very experienced injector can make a huge difference to a patient’s overall look and life. I have been performing this treatment for many years now and I am very happy with our signature technique – the results speak for themselves. Has the pandemic changed the kinds of treatments people are seeking? With work Zoom calls becoming the new normal, we have noticed a huge increase in new patients presenting with skin concerns. Acne treatments such as our Medical Dermalux LED light and chemical peels are very popular right now. What are some of your skincare top tips? The most important thing you can do for your skin is to wear a medical grade SPF every single day. Vitamin C is important for fighting against free radical damage, and retinol is key for promoting skin cell turnover. These are my three must have products for skin health. For more: Revitalise SkinCare Clinic, Flat 1, Lombard House, St James Parade, Bath; www.revitaliseskincareclinic.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

MEET THE ACCOUNTANT Clear, effective communication on financial matters from Bath’s best money minds LEONORA STEVENS

SAFFERY CHAMPNESS LLP 0330 094 4170; www.saffery.com What’s a common issue your clients are facing? Many clients are concerned about leaving a large Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill for their children. We therefore carry out reviews of their assets and provide them with options for how they might reduce the IHT due. Other clients think that the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) will go up. My advice to them is that if they are considering carrying out a transaction anyway, whether it be to give assets to their children (which could result in a CGT bill) or to sell certain assets, they should do it now (assuming they like the price). It is highly unlikely that tax rates will go down! Do you specialise in a specific area of expertise? I give bespoke tax advice to my clients when events happen in

CALVIN HEALY

for looking at tax problems. I am qualified as a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser with a particular specialism in capital taxes i.e. IHT.

What is your firm’s philosophy? At Richardson Swift, we believe that we should be there to help our clients prepare for life’s twists and turns, giving guidance where necessary and providing timely insights to help them make the right decisions and keep them feeling in control. Our goal is to be recognised for delivering valuable, trusted advice to businesses and individuals when it comes to their accounting and tax needs.

What is the biggest misconception surrounding accountancy? It’s not all about the numbers – in fact communication is the most important aspect of the job. You need to be able to communicate quite complex issues in a straightforward way so that the client can understand.

DIRECTOR, RICHARDSON SWIFT 01225 325580; www.richardsonswift.co.uk

What makes working in Bath special? Where do you want to start? It’s a beautiful place, with all the benefits of a city but without that anonymous ‘big city’ feel, and a varied mix of clients that you probably wouldn’t find anywhere else. What makes you different from others in your profession? Before becoming an accountant my background was in science, which taught me to take an analytical approach. That has been really handy

their lives. I have no typical client and I advise individuals, their families and associated enterprises, whether they be trusts or companies. Clients are often concerned about the tax implications of selling their business or when they die, and making sure that they benefit from reliefs is where I feel I can add value. What first attracted you to the industry? The realisation that being an accountant did not mean sitting behind a desk all day! Having studied maths at university, I always liked working with numbers, but I also love working with people, which is great for being a private client advisor. My role enables me to guide people’s financial decisions so that they can have more time doing what they enjoy. In the meantime, I get real satisfaction from getting to know my clients and helping them pay the right amount of tax at the right time.

Tell us something about yourself… When I was training to be an accountant I starred in a beer commercial for Worthington. Apparently the casting team spotted me at Temple Meads station and thought I looked like I really needed a beer! If you weren’t working as an accountant what would you be doing? My university Master’s degree was in biochemistry – with a particular interest in virology. So I may have ended up researching and working on a vaccine for Covid-19.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

DAN KENYON

GENERAL PRACTICE DIRECTOR, MILSTED LANGDON 01225 904940; www.milstedlangdon.co.uk What key bit of advice would you give a client in the current climate? It depends on the client and what they’re looking to achieve – our advice is always bespoke to each particular business or individual, but generally speaking, I would say to look to the future with optimism. We’ve been working closely with clients to ensure they are as well prepared as possible as we emerge from a challenging and disruptive 18 months – now could be a good time to explore new opportunities and alternative options. But remember, when it comes to important decisions, sometimes involving significant sums of money, it’s vital to discuss it with a specialist.

teams such as Forensic Accounting, Insolvency and Restructuring, Corporate Finance, Tax Consultancy, VAT, and Financial Services. But it’s our approach that makes a real difference – the client experience is extremely important to us and has helped us foster a culture of creativity and innovation, which in turn helps our clients and our people to thrive. What do you anticipate for your clients over the next 12 months? We’ve seen more delays to the Making Tax Digital regime, but I would still advise clients to think about their systems and processes. The way we work has changed and it’s a good time to consider how technology can make business owners’ lives easier – we’ve been working with many clients on moving to cloud accounting and new digital solutions including bespoke apps that can give a business owner real-time insight into their operations, with fantastic results in value, efficiency and better management information.

What makes you different from others in your profession? I think we’re different from other accountants in that we are a full-service firm in the centre of Bath with a number of specialist

MATTHEW RUTTER

BSC(HONS) FCA CTA, PARTNER, PEARSON MAY 01225 460491; www.pearsonmay.co.uk Tell us a little about your business… Pearson May is a leading firm of chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers with a Bath office located in Great Pulteney Street. The firm was established in Bath 180 years ago, and we strive to help our clients realise their personal and business goals. What makes working in Bath special? Bath is a vibrant and eclectic mix of business and pleasure. Against the backdrop of our beautiful city, Pearson May provides advice to owner managed businesses, fellow professionals, and private individuals who value a quality personal service – and paying less tax, of course! What advice would you give to anyone considering accountancy as a career? Training in a firm such as Pearson May can give you the opportunity to gain all-round experience in areas such as accounts, tax and audit. Look for a firm with good progression prospects – for example all six of our partners started their accountancy training at Pearson May. What do you specialise in? As well as being a chartered accountant, I am a chartered tax adviser and a registered auditor. I work with owner-managed businesses in Bath and beyond, assisting with both accounting and taxation support as well as providing auditing services.

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DAVE SEDGWICK

HEAD OF BRISTOL OFFICE, SAFFERY CHAMPNESS LLP 01179 151617 07702 533053 www.saffery.com Do you specialise in a specific area of expertise? I have a particular focus on private clients and owner-managed-businesses, supporting the ambitions of businesses and the families/individuals behind them. I also have a keen interest and work in the rural estate and agri-business sectors. Being a chartered certified accountant and a chartered tax advisor, I am well placed to provide holistic advice from tax planning strategy to audit and accountancy services. What one piece of advice would you offer to businesses that are worried about this current financial year? Have faith in the resilience of your business and your ability to trade out of the tougher times. The pandemic has shined a light on many and offered the opportunity to right size their business and consider how they operate effectively going forwards. There are fantastic opportunities ahead and I am

grateful to be able to help individuals and families to build on their journey. What first attracted you to the industry? The reward of being able to help clients through important decisions and planning whilst taking away the stress and complexity that comes with accountancy and taxation. What’s a common issue your clients are facing? Each client faces their own unique challenges, but the past twelve months have provided a period of ‘thinking’ and I have been busy more recently assisting with planning for the next generation, Inheritance Tax reviews and helping to ensure businesses are ‘match fit’ coming out of the pandemic.

IAN GILLARD

FCA FCCA DIPPFS BFP, PG OWEN LTD 01225 422183; www.pgtax.co.uk What do you anticipate for the economy over the next 12 months? I believe the economy generally will stutter somewhat, primarily due to general staff shortages in most sectors of business, the recent fuel crisis being a case in point. Business owners will have to be fleet of foot to minimise any issues in their own businesses. What key bit of advice would you give a client in the current climate? Embrace technology. The pandemic forced everyone to re-appraise their business model. For most using online meetings with the likes of Teams and Zoom became the only way to communicate. Whilst it is great to start going back to face-to-face meetings, online meetings are still a vital part of our contact process. What key mistakes should be avoided by businesses? Whilst Making Tax Digital Difficult for Income Tax Self Assessment has recently been deferred until April 2024, now is still the time to consider what digital options are available to business owners and property landlords. We work closely with a number of software providers that will be providing MTD compliant software, allowing us to find the right fit for our clients.

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Crannog house Burraton Coombe, Cornwall

A beautiful Cornish holiday home set in an acre of its own private and secluded gardens just a 2 hour 30 min drive from Bath with its own hot tub and children’s play area.

• Domestic and commercial rooﬁng specialists • Covering Bath, Bristol and the South West • Trading since 1985 Now releasing some fantastic deals for long weekend breaks and weeks October through to December 2021

With its own stream which leads to the inlet of Forder just 150 metres away, you can enjoy paddle boarding and even launch your own small boat. It has 4 double bedrooms and a cinema room which can be set up as a fifth bedroom if required.

Please see www.airbnb.com/h/crannoghouse for booking, prices and more details. Or simply search Crannog House online.

Tel: 01225 421499 Email: mail@youngsrooﬁng.co.uk www.youngsrooﬁngbath.co.uk Braysdown Lodge, Woodborough, Peasedown St John, Bath BA2 8LN

PROPERTY P L A C E S T O L I V E , W O R K A N D P L AY

Number 10a Great Pultney Street, a beautifully restored Grade I listed Georgian townhouse, is on the market with Winkworths for £2.3 million

Property market

ON THE UP

Battens Solicitors on the buoyancy of the South West

Sarah Ford of Battens

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) monthly survey of members reported in July there were signs that the recent frenetic activity in the property market was beginning to slow down as Stamp Duty Relief began to taper off. However leading South West law firm Battens Solicitors says that the region’s property market is still buoyant despite the findings of a recent national report which claims that the booming property market is beginning to cool. Head of residential property at Battens, the South West law firm, Sarah Ford refutes the findings on a local level and says, “Battens are opening an unprecedented number of conveyancing files per month. The market has not cooled in Somerset and Dorset, in fact the opposite is true and that the market

here is quite buoyant. “We are still very busy, instructions are still coming in and it’s not just properties under the £250k price bracket hoping to make a saving before the end of the current Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday – it’s across the board. “Certainly, the lack of availability of housing was a pattern I saw emerging long before the pandemic, but now we are seeing an increase in the number of buyers from outside of the South West region. This is very much helping to fuel the market in Somerset and Dorset presently. I have many clients who have sold, but struggle when looking for somewhere to buy as houses come onto the market and are snapped up immediately for often over the asking price. We are all fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful part of the country and with working from home and hybrid working becoming the norm it has widened some buyers’ house search remit.” For more: www.battens.co.uk

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PROPERTY NEWS New development

IN THE PLANNING A new housing project just outside of Bath is due for completion early next year. Longmeadow is a small, select development of eight 4 and 6 bedroom houses in Beckington and is being designed and built by John Yerbury Property Developments. The traditionally built houses have a natural ashlar and rubble stone façade and are finished with vertical oak cladding that will age beautifully over the years to come. They have been designed to make the most of the surrounding countryside, with floor to ceiling glazing that floods the unique and large living spaces with light. They have also created interiors as John Yerbury explains, “The brief for our appointed interior designer was for a design-led finish to elevate both the look of each house but also its flow and functionality for modern rural living. Working with a colour palette inspired by the surrounding countryside to bring a feeling of tranquillity, we added in greens and darker autumnal tones, as well as textures of stone, wood and silk, for depth.” For more: www.johnyerbury.co.uk

above: Property developer John Yerbury is working on the Longmeadow project left: The interiors’ colour palette is inspired by the surrounding countryside

right: The Guangzhou garden includes one of the largest volumes of water ever to feature in a Chelsea show garden; below: Chin-Jung Chen and Peter Chmiel of Grant Associates Guangzhou garden

Chelsea Flower Show

BOTH PHOTOS ALISTER THORPE; W W W.ALISTERTHORPE.CO.UK

WINNING GARDEN CITY

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Bath-based landscape architects Grant Associates, won a Gold Medal and the coveted Best Show Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show for its Chinese-inspired Guangzhou Garden, which shows how cites of the future must be considered as landscape cities. Designed by the practice’s director Peter Chmiel and senior associate Chin-Jung Chen, ‘The Guangzhou Garden: Guangzhou China’ takes inspiration from Guangzhou, a port city northwest of Hong Kong on China’s Pearl River. The ambitious design showcases numerous planting species and aquatic designs that were perfect for the first autumnal show in Chelsea’s 108 year history, with The Guangzhou Garden including one of the largest volumes of water ever to feature in a Chelsea show garden. Chin-Jung Chen says, “We have been very fortunate to collaborate with such a creative team for our first Chelsea Show garden and it has been incredibly exciting to receive many positive comments about the garden’s serenity and beauty. We hope that the Guangzhou Garden has provided inspiration and a sense of calm to Chelsea Flower Show visitors.” For more: www.grant-associates.uk.com

PORTLAND HOUSE An address in one of the most soughtafter areas of the city has come to market, writes Matilda Walton

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PROPERTY

he air is feeling a little crisper these days. Bath is in its golden phase, before the trees shed their leaves fully for the barren winter months. We’re digging boots and thick jumpers from the back of the cupboards. It’s cosy season, a time for hunkering down for the winter and adding pumpkin spice to everything. It’s also one for reflecting on our homes – is this the place we want to spend the next few years huddled away from the winter cold? Portland House, a stylish Grade II listed Georgian property on the lower slopes of Lansdown offers everything you need in a comforting retreat. It’s vast – arranged over five floors with four reception rooms and six bedrooms, with a sort of cosy grandeur distinct to Georgian homes. If we’ve taken one thing away from the pandemic it is the importance of space. Fortunately, in Portland House there’s no danger of feeling on top of one another. Main living areas include the kitchen, dining and living

rooms of course, with a TV room and drawing room on the ground and first floors providing additional opportunities – whether you want multiple entertaining spaces or simply somewhere to spend a tranquil evening alone with Netflix. It’s a charming and characterful property that’s homely yet glam, where little details like fireplaces repurposed as display nooks for knick-knacks meet Georgian-style staple intricate light fixtures and exquisite cornicing. It’s luxury that you can get comfortable in. It’d be a lovely spot for a family. With the massive principal bedroom suite occupying the entire second floor, complete with bathroom and dressing room – it makes the perfect escape from demanding children. Those children, in turn, might enjoy the entire top floor to themselves – it comprises three bedrooms and a bathroom. There are two further bedrooms and a bathroom on the lower ground floor you could keep as such – perhaps for guests – or these spaces could be converted to your tastes. Maybe a home office, gym, or art studio. The space is a gift – it’s up to the owner how to make the most of it.

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PROPERTY

Lansdown is one of the most desirable addresses in town, and this spot offers all the best of the area: panoramic views (through huge, mostly south-facing windows), a little distance from the busy city centre and access to many wellregarded local schools – St Stephen’s Primary, Kingswood School and the Royal High School are all nearby. Finally, the garden. It stretches from the side to the rear of the house, offering a multitude of options, whether you’re looking for a bit of a social area or have veg growing dreams come spring. It’s mostly levelled, with steps leading you up from the kitchen to a luscious and sizeable lawn surrounded by raised beds and two paved patio areas. Like the interior, it enables an enviable level of flexibility to the needs of the household – with the option to keep it simple or make a splash with your green-fingered prowess. Light-filled, gorgeous views and a vast, flexible space – for the right owner, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.

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HOUSE NUMBERS Price £2.45m Square foot 4,761 Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms

Reception rooms 4 For more: Savills Bath, Edgar House, 17 George Street, Bath; www.savills.co.uk

RESIDENCE

PICTURE PERFECT The women behind the new Bath business providing dreamy homes for photoshoots

Compiled by Lydia Tewkesbury Photos by Rachel Whiting

Peagreen duo Ruth and Maddy use their experience in visual merchandising to style properties like The Victorian House, Bath

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fter heading up retail visual identity with the National Trust for several years, the pandemic presented Ruth Taylor and Madeleine Ashley the opportunity to create Peagreen Locations. Two women with creative backgrounds who had worked together to create the visual narrative for the Trust’s retail product across online, press and PR were able to realise their dream of a niche lifestyle photography locations agency specialising in modern rustic and contemporary country spaces, representing properties in Bath, where Madeleine is based, and beyond. Ruth is 60 and Madeleine is 24 but their vision and their creative approach blend perfectly to build a boutique lifestyle locations business. Ruth brought with her experience of working with Liberty, Harvey Nichols and Heals before joining the Trust 21 years ago. Maddy joined the team at the NT as an intern and then developed her creative knowledge, skills and experience over the next four years Developed while the pair were furloughed, Peagreen Locations was launched in January of this year when Maddy and Ruth were released from the NT. Their first few months have been a rollercoaster, during which they have established Peagreen as an exciting new player on the scene – and their Instagram account @peagreenlocations is an interior aesthete’s dream.

Peagreen Locations was developed while its founders were furloughed to represent houses like Hanover House, Bath as photoshoot and filming locations

“A photoshoot loction agency has a portfolio of beautiful houses available to hire for photoshoots and filming”

What is a photoshoot location agency?

A photoshoot location agency has a portfolio of beautiful houses available to hire for photoshoots and filming including lifestyle and fashion. Peagreen is a location agency that specialises in building strong relationships with both our location owners and our clients. This means working together to ensure that we meet the brief of the client matching the perfect location with their brand. It’s really key that we have great communications with our location owners and our clients to ensure the smooth running of any shoot. What sorts of shoots happen in your properties?

Our locations can be used for anything the client needs although we specialise in interiors and lifestyle shoots. Our fabulous Victorian House in Bath has recently been used for a five-day Christmas shoot as well as a breakfast cereal commercial. The Christmas shoot involved shooting Christmas trees, Christmas lights and garlands...everything you need for the perfect festive season! What are the key features you look for when it comes to finding homes for your portfolio?

We look for a unique and inspiring location with at least three good principle rooms – so the kitchen, living and bedroom space. We also love unique features like stunning

The cosy living space of Bath property Hanover House is used for everything from lifestyle to fashion shoots

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staircases, laundry rooms, outbuildings and fabulous gardens. The space needs to have good natural light and rooms big enough to provide pull back space and working space for the crew. We love natural wood or stone floors, wooden or Crittall windows, fireplaces or wood burners and good wall finishes such as raw brick peeling plaster or panelling. Feature furniture and props are great too! How do you find the properties that you represent?

Social media, particularly Instagram, is a fabulous source of gorgeous houses. However, we have been overwhelmed with lovely location owners who are keen to work with us. What was your very first property?

Malmesbury House was our very first location... a stunning contemporary country style house not far from Bath where the owners have renovated a 17th century farmhouse into a fabulous home and have also built a photographic studio for us! Is there a particular feeling you want your properties to evoke?

Peagreen Locations specialises in modern rustic and contemporary country-style houses, great architecture and original features with beautiful finishes creating amazing spaces we would all love to live in.

“Peagreen Locations specialises in modern rustic and contemporary country-style houses”

RESIDENCE

clockwise from top left: The Victorian House living

room; Ruth Taylor and Madeleine Ashley; The Tudor House, bathroom, Bristol; Hanover House bedroom; The Victorian House dining room

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RESIDENCE What role do you play in styling the homes?

We love the images of our houses to be true to themselves, so that they almost create a canvas for our clients to develop their own stories. We work with our location owners before the shoot to agree how they would like their location presented on the Peagreen website. Do you have a favourite local retailer for sourcing your own homewares?

We love the Nam store and Found, both in Bath.

Do you think you work differently together because of your age difference?

From working together over the last five years, we already had a very strong interpersonal relationship and the difference in our ages doesn’t have any particular impact. We like a lot of the same things, we have similar design styles and this enables a perfect synchronicity between us. We rarely disagree and when we do, we listen to each other’s opinions with respect and consideration. There is no sense of hierarchy, we both have a lot to bring to the business and love working together. Our age difference allows us to work in a really well-rounded way, bringing our different life experiences to the business and giving a huge sense of energy that makes it super fun. Whose house would you most like to have a snoop around?

Too many to say but Jasper Conran near Tisbury, Wiltshire, Ben Pentreath in Dorset, Pandora Sykes’s house in London and John Pawson in the Cotswolds. A good eye – are you born with it or can you cultivate it?

Definitely a bit of both! We have found we have been influenced by places we’ve worked and visited over the years. But we’ve also definitely inherited a creative eye from our grandparents. Who are your interior design icons?

Terance Conran because of his pure design form using beautiful materials; Justine Cook at Harp Studio for her detailed minimalism; Christina Strutt, owner at Cabbages and Roses for her gorgeous country style with a contemporary twist; and Rose Uniacke for the simplicity of style and use of great shapes and colour What’s your advice to anyone who thinks their home would make a great photoshoot location?

Together with having an amazing house, the location owner should feel happy about sharing the space with a working team. The location owner should know that their house is being hired out to the client for the day for the shoot – this means furniture can be moved, or if agreed, painting and decorating. Shoots can be great fun, but the crew are doing their job and need the space to get it done. A practical approach and flexibility are super helpful! The house should be well presented and uncluttered, it should be an easy and practical workspace for the crew, this can include storage space and use of kitchen facilities. For more: www.peagreenlocations.com Got an amazing local home? Want it to feature in Residence? Contact lydia.tewkesbury@mediaclash.co.uk

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“We love the images of our houses to be true to themselves”

In Malmesbury House the owners even have a photography studio

BATH LIVES

“I wrote a tiny piece about a man who had won a piano contest. My dad framed it” experience for the Yate Gazette and I wrote a tiny piece

CLAIRE DOUGLAS From Take a Break to the Sunday Times bestsellers list… Before becoming a bestselling psychological thriller writer, Claire did a degree in journalism and started her career on local newspapers. She then moved to a press agency, writing true-life features for women’s magazines like Take-A-Break, Bella and That’s Life, which she credits for giving her lots of inspiration for her novels. In 2013 Claire won a writing competition with Marie Claire magazine, which led to a publishing deal. She lives in Bath with her husband, two children, and two very fluffy, laid-back cats. I grew up in Chipping Sodbury in South Gloucestershire.

My parents divorced when I was quite young so I spent my time between both my mum and dad’s houses, which were only a few miles apart. My sister, Samantha, and I shared a horse so we would spend our weekends and school holidays at a stables in Thornbury mucking out, which

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we loved. I think it helped keep us out of trouble. I loved school and saw it as a massive social event, although

I don’t think I was always that conscientious, particularly in subjects I didn’t enjoy, like maths. But when it was a subject I liked – History, English and Art being my favourites – then I worked hard. I always knew I wanted to be a writer. My earliest memory was

when I was in infants school and my teacher explained to the class what an author was. It was the first time I realised that people actually wrote books for a living and straight away I knew it was what I wanted to do. I wrote lots of ghost stories as a child – and then I’d read them

to my younger sister to scare her. Most of my stories had old houses and stumbled-upon hidden diaries that contained lots of secrets.

When I was in my early twenties I did some work

about a man who had won a piano contest. My dad framed it. A few years later I had a short story published in the magazine, Women’s Weekly. It was called Say It With Flowers and I was ecstatic when they rang me to say they wanted to publish it. It was my first paid for piece of writing.

I write thrillers about normal, everyday people caught up in

unusual circumstances. My books usually have a domestic setting and range from toxic friendships to secrets and revenge. When I’m writing I listen to soundtracks to films because

songs with words are too distracting. The current one I’m listening to is the soundtrack to Vertigo, which fits the mood of the book I’m working on at the moment. I like to plug my earphones in so that I feel like I’m cut off from the world. The first draft of a novel usually takes around six months but, after all the edits, it’s usually a year end-to-end.

A few of my career highlights have been when I was taken on by

my literary agent, Juliet Mushens, and when my second novel, Local Girl Missing, hit the Sunday Times top ten after three days on sale. A low moment was when my debut, The Sisters came out

and I got my first bad review – thankfully I’m more thick skinned these days but that first one-star reader review felt brutal. I do still read the reviews – good and the bad. I have a lot

of author friends who don’t but

I find that reviews help me to see what readers like and don’t like. Of course, it’s hard to please everyone but if a review is negative but contains constructive criticism then I do try and take it on board for my next book. I get sent lots of proofs of thrillers that are yet to be published. I’ve just finished a

brilliant one called Breathless by Amy McCulloch, which is out next year, about a woman who climbs an 8,000m mountain and there is a killer on the loose. It’s very original and unpredictable and I couldn’t put it down. I live in the Bear Flat area. I love

that it’s family orientated, it has Alexandra Park with some of the best views of Bath, and that you can walk easily into town.

My favourite shops in Bath are the bookshops – Toppings and

Mr B’s in the centre. I also love Oldfield Bookshop on Moorland Road. The owner, Harry, is so interesting and knowledgeable about books.

I play netball with a group of mums from my children’s school once a week, which

is really good fun as we don’t take it too seriously and then we go to the pub after – which is the highlight. n

The Couple at No. 9 is out now (Michael Joseph, £7.99) and is available to order at all Bath’s indie bookshops. For more: www.penguin.co.uk