Bath Life – Issue 455 by MediaClash

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ISSUE 455 / 22 OCTOBER – 4 NOVEMBER 2021 / £3

ISSUE 455 / 22 OCTOBER – 4 NOVEMBER 2021 / LIVING YOUR LUXE LIFE

THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE HOW TO LIVE WELL AND INVEST IN YOURSELF

PLUS DR PHIL HAMMOND / SYDNEY GARDENS / L AURENT AND CL AIRE VAN BEKKUM

HEART OF THE HOME

FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR KITCHEN

DINE LIKE ROYALTY

SEVEN-COURSE HEAVEN AT THE ROYAL CRESCENT

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2021

THE AFTER-SHOW PARTY ALBUM

MOVIE STARS

THE RETURN OF THE FABULOUS FILMBATH

LIVE THE DREAM

LOCAL AND LUXE PROPERTY SPECIAL

SECOND TO NONE

SPLENDID TIMEPIECES

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: Autumnal adoration (page 8)

BELOW: Creepy and it’s kooky (page 38)

hat’s your pre-pandemic definition of luxury? Big watch, some gold, and a yacht maybe? And now, post-pandemic I’m pretty darn sure that definition has shifted somewhat. or me it’s the lu ury of time and the lu ury of choice. imple as that. yself and husband recently went to the Rossetti exhibition at the olburne a detail of which is seen on our cover) – we strolled down Pulteney treet, ambled around the evocative collection of portraiture by the preRaphaelite painter; was then wowed by the accompanying unil upta photographs whose work was unfamiliar with and promptly fell in love with, before wandering off to have a cocktail at o ’s bar. t ust felt so lu urious away from the stresses and strains of everyday living and deadlines, for ust a few hours, and immersed in a world richly rewarding and with a tad of self-indulgence thrown in for good measure, and all right here – on my doorstep. ’ll never tire of saying it, because it’ll never not be true we live in one of the best cities in the world – and there’s a true value to taking some time out to en oy it.

SARAH MOOLLA

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92 Issue 455 / 22 October – 4 November 2021 COVER Detail of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The Blue Bower, 1865, © The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, which can currently be seen at the Holburne Museum

LIVING LUXE

18 CREATE A LIFE OF LUXURY How to feel like a million dollars

THE ARTS

31 ARTS INTRO Fly to the moon via Bath Abbey 32 WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, family stuff, comedy and art in

Bath and beyond

38 HALLOWE’EN 13 ways to make the most of spooky season 42 FILM Highlights coming up at the Film Bath Festival 47 BOOKS Nic’s escaping the present with a dive into history

THE BIG INTERVIEW

48 DR PHIL HAMMOND On Bath, and life at the RUH

FOOD&DRINK

53 FOOD & DRINK Homewood Hotel & Spa named number one

place to stay in the UK

54 TRY 5 The very best local coffee roasteries 56 RESTAURANT The Dower House Restaurant tasting menu

SHOPPING

61 INTRO Make every second count 62 EDITOR’S CHOICE Keep time in style

LIFESTYLE

64 GARDENS The transformation of Sydney Gardens

BUSINESS

75 BATHWORKS Business news, views, and interviews 78 BIZ Q&A Laurent and Claire van Bekkum of MONUSKIN

share news of their exciting new horse racing venture

PROPERTY

89 PROPERTY LEAD Boutique guest house The Kennard is on

the market now

90 PROPERTY NEWS Updates from the market 92 SHOWCASE Four properties for your new life of utter luxury 98 KITCHENS What’s trendy and what’s timeless

DEPARTMENTS

7 SPOTLIGHT Timothée Chalamet draws crowds to Parade Gardens 8 INSTAGRAM Bath in all its autumn glory 12 SCENE Catch up with the Bath Life Awards after party at Sub 13 17 FLATLINE Flats has that sinking feeling 106 BATH LIVES Meet teacher turned potter Kate Marshall

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, Holly Tarquini and Matilda Walton Group advertising manager Pat White pat.white@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

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AS M L AL ST R I U P F SM E K H C E D E O MA E G AT T P AV A P A N H I F H R IC R ES T AL G E W ST C DE N

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H O M E A P P L I A N C E S AT A F F O R D A B L E P R I C E S W I T H E XC E L L E N T S E RV I C E Our doors are open and we welcome customers back in to the store. If you’re looking for advice or have any queries, you can of course also reach us by phone, email or via the website. 01225 311811 | enquiries@coopers-stores.com | coopers-stores.com Coopers Stores, 13/15 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN

SPOTLIGHT Christmas

Visually impaired guides lead participants through a sensory tour of Westonbirt Arboretum

SEASONS GREETINGS

The Widcombe Christmas Market returns for its 15th annual event on 13 and 14 November at Widcombe Social Club (WSC). Browse up to 40 stalls, ﬁlled with unique and eclectic arts and crafts from paintings and jewellery to candles, mosaics and enamel works. Widcombebased Emma Taylor, an artist, designer and muralist will be among the sellers with her prints, cards, original artworks and luxury collection of silk scarves and handkerchiefs. The WSC will have marked routes around the stalls to allow for social distancing, and refreshments will be available. You can ﬁnd more of what’s coming up in Bath this festive season on page 75. For more: www.widcombechristmasmarket.com

Westonbirt Arboretum

IN A SENSE

Westonbirt Arboretum has launched a new initiative for autumn, Westonbirt Unseen. Visually impaired guides will lead participants on a sensory journey of the arboretum through its rich scents, sounds, textures and other sensations for the project. The experience is as a result of a collaboration between Westonbirt, Andy Shipley of Natural Inclusion, researcher Sarah Bell of Sensing Nature, which is a project about how visually impaired people interact with nature, and the University of Exeter. “As a visually impaired nature connection practitioner, I am interested in how greater use of our non-visual senses can aﬀect the way that people experience the natural world,” says Andy. “With this project, we aim to shift perceptions about the experiences of visually impaired people and demonstrate that there is much to be gained from exploring nature through another perspective.” For more: www.forestryengland.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

Works available include The Colourful Rec, oil on canvas by Emma Taylor; stoneware bowl by Kate Marshall (turn to page 106 more on Kate) ; crafts by Sally Harker of Blockhouse Bath; and jewellery from Design Vaults

The team at Demuths were well placed to watch rooftop filming

It snowed on Pulteney Bridge for the filming of Wonka

Wonka

DREAMERS OF DREAMS

Bath is set for yet another starring role, this time in the upcoming Willy Wonka prequel. Wonka, from Warner Bros and the Roald Dahl Story Company stars Timothée Chalamet as the young Willy Wonka. Production drew crowds to Parade Gardens and Pulteney Bridge, which was transformed into a snowy wonderland for ﬁlming, maybe all hoping to catch a glimpse of Timothée. Wonka is directed by Paul King and also stars Olivia Coleman, Rowan Atkinson and Matt Lucas. For more: www.warnerbros.com

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SPOTLIGHT

THAT FALLING FEELING

Every year we fall in love with the golden-hued city of the autumn months

@thebathexplorer

@adventuresinbathandbeyond

@anamariamnc

@jane_takestoomanyphotographs

@chloemoore_photography

@lydia.this.is.amazing

@stacksbath

@marius_mirica

@ellisreed

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

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

Kartini Sutoto and Alistair Smith Dan Nicholls, Sarah Moolla and Jae Frederik

Amy Dennies, Bob Irwin and Josh Butler Will Maslin and Caroline Baxter

BATH LIFE AWARDS AFTER PARTY After the ceremony at the Pavilion on 21 September, the Bath Life Awards celebrations continued across town at Sub 13. Winners, nominees, and sponsors gathered with Bath’s great and good to toast each others’ success – and the return of a good old fashioned IRL party. Photos by Soul Media; www.soul-media.co.uk

Ben Hudson and Paul Treasure Nathan Baranowski, James Young, Tom Weaver and Pat White

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Brad Snow, Kevin Triggle and Kim Hannon

Joe Stas and Rikin Patel

SOCIETY

Eleanor Preece, Peter Milton, Lucy Appleby-Trout and Katie Lewis Arron CollinsThomas, Kelly Marie, Tom Smart and Luke Mutlow

John Sykes and Denise Latham Jack King, Olivia Adams and Elliot Codral

Sophie Lamb, Lydia Tewkesbury, Rowena Rutherfoord, Sandra Groso and Rianne Leigh

Sebastian Melbourne, Dylan Couch and Katie Harris

Chris Lucas and Kieran Mills

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SOCIETY

Crowds enjoyed a beekeeping demonstration The Dorset Axemen showed off their extraordinary wood-cutting skills

The Woodland & Countryside Conservation ring featured terrier racing

BATH & WEST COUNTRY FESTIVAL

The vintage tractor parade The festival was a familyfriendly day out, with lots of activities for children

ore than , visitors ocked to the Bath & West Country Festival this year. he unique event featured many favourites from the usual oyal ath est how which was cancelled due to ovid security concerns including the ain ing, oodland and ountryside Arena, and Food rink all, along with special new additions of the akeside Farm, anine orner, and one of the highlights of the Festival – he reenwood tage, which saw live music performed all weekend. Photos by Casper Farrell; www.brilliantbath.co.uk

Martin Clunes joined the Paul Hannam Stunt Show for a quadbike ride in the main ring

Riders showed off showjumping prowess in the main ring

Butterfly Segway Artists from Peter Johnson Entertainments

Fun Pony Club Games in the main ring Guy Clothier demonstrated skep making in the Bees & Honey section

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FLAT LINE DAVID FLATMAN

Kitchen sink drama

The heart of the home is going to cost a fortune, says Flats, and you can quote him on that

“Posh kitchens are optional. Except when they’re not”

’ve been wondering, this last little while, if bespoke kitchens aren’t a total racket. My parents had a gorgeous one put in a long time ago and, my mum having stayed in touch with the lovely lady who did the design, recently asked her what it would cost in ‘today’s money’. he answer was sufficiently insane that even said lovely lady (who still designs for the same brand…) described it as ‘complete madness’. I am a firm believer that we must not blame the brands here, as if there are folks willing to pay big money, why shouldn’t they charge it? They’re not running charities or taxing the poor here; posh kitchens are optional. Except when they’re not. I mean, they’re always optional in the real world, but situations do arise in which anything other than a bespoke job would be suboptimal, and the decision has to be made as to whether or not you can live with that. We’ve been facing that dilemma – tossing unqualified opinions across the existing kitchen and back over meals – and we think we’ve made up our minds. We appreciate absolutely the privileged position in which we find ourselves, be in no doubt, but it’s not quite so simple as ‘ooh, shall we spend fifty grand or a hundred?’ No, that’s not the question. The question is whether or not we spend almost all of our renovation budget on a beautiful kitchen and wait to fix the leaking, crumbling, non- ushing bathroom, wait to install a top oor shower room for my daughters who don’t much love sharing said bathroom with their ‘gross’ daddy before school in the mornings, wait to sort the plumbing to the point where we don’t have to use a washing machine in the (manky) basement (oh, that also needs completely refurbishing) before hanging the wet clothes on rusty old radiators every night in order to have school

uniforms ready by 7.30 every morning. Do we wait to do all that, just for a new kitchen? Well yes, we probably do. You see, we use the kitchen all day every day, and it’s really quite a bad one. It just doesn’t work and it frustrates us thrice daily. Less interestingly, its relative rubbishness means that as soon as food is wolfed and dishes are piled, my daughters disappear upstairs to the ‘nice oor,’ and I hate this. I want them to have room to stay and sit and chat a while. As it is, they’re outta there. And I can’t blame them. With regards the bespoke argument, the thing is that our house is very old. This means that every wall is very slightly crooked, the oors aren’t dead level, and the whole place moves a bit when a family plods and pounds around it. Off-the-shelf kitchens are often brilliant these days, but the fact is that they will never properly fit a wonky old house. here will always be the odd gap, the odd cupboard door that won’t shut smoothly for more than a week before it starts to reject its working conditions. It will very nearly fit perfectly, but you’ll always know its aws, and that bugs me. I don’t half wish it didn’t. We also want to do things to a decent standard as we feel the house deserves it, which means more expense and, ultimately, more waiting until that expense becomes possible. The big brands – you know the ones – are so far out of reach it’s silly, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look at some nice pictures and ask someone clever to copy them. So the search is on. I have one or two ideas - old mates and mates of mates – but am crossing all fingers and toes that when the quotes come in, they don’t sound quite as mad as the lovely lady said. David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Twitter @davidﬂatman and Insta @dﬂatman

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R Expert advice on how to enrich our lives, our homes, and our future By John Mather

hat does living a luxury life mean? Is it simply about having lots of money and paying a lot for indulgences with hefty price tags? Maybe once upon a time that was the crass definition but the post-pandemic world has made us more aware than ever before, a good life can’t simply be bought. When our freedoms were curtailed, the luxury of time was pulled into sharp focus and for many our priorities shifted slightly – a rich life is having good health – both physical and mental, close relationships with family and friends, feeling safe, and being able to do what we want, when we want. o help us define this further we turned to Cherie-Anne Baxter, the marketing director of the financial lanners nivid al, who says, “Our lives seem to be centred around an image of success which often is a portrayal of someone ‘appearing’ to be wealthy. But as we mature we realise rich is also about a state of feeling rather than being. We collect memories of positive experiences, along with things we buy and use, but which is the memory that makes us feel great?”

LIFE-ENRICHING HAPPINESS

“Wealth is relative to what you set out to achieve, yet we are rarely taught the importance of expectations and goal setting,” continues herie-Anne. “ owever this can be key to achieving life-enriching happiness. A list of things that make you ‘feel’ rich is always going to have more value than things that make you ‘look’ rich. This can be the freedom of time to do the things you want to do, to see the people you want to see, to feel happy in your home, to enjoy the occasional restorative break, to be secure in your future. These ambitions can add wellness to your life but they aren’t about being well-to-do. It isn’t just about spending in the here and now to achieve these things, it is about recognising these can be long term objectives and working towards them, and realising with thoughtful planning they can be achieved.”

Lockdown or no lockdown, the likelihood is your home is where you not only spend the vast majority of your time but also where you might live the most of your life. Investing in the best in and around your home is always going to make you feel special. We ask the experts for their take on where to go for added luxe. ohn a the interiors creative director ith the interior design and garden design artnershi ased in ath ick oodho se and a , emphasises the importance of cherishing and investing in our homes right now. “Over the years it seems we have tended to overlook the truism that home is where the heart is. Rather than enjoying our home, and the memories that are made within, we have tended to focus on the day, however far away, that we might move on.

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

John Law emphasises the importance of cherishing and investing in our homes right now

LUXURY

“Things that make you ‘feel’ rich have more value than things that make you ‘look’ rich”

LUXURY “Our attempts to second guess what a potential buyer might be looking for has made us nervous about adding anything too individual, too controversial. Rather than enjoying our homes and our time within them, we run the risk of creating spaces that lack spirit, warmth and character; the very things that might actually be craving. A home after all is the sum of its parts, not just the practical touches or the big gestures. In surrounding ourselves with the things we love, our home is going to feel more special not just to us, but to those that enter through its doors. “Fortunately, there are some savvy developers out there that are keen to avoid the uninspiring new build, in favour of a property that feels both individual and loved. Our homes after all are the biggest asset we will ever have, one surely that we should invest in. This might be in the regular maintenance and upkeep of the property, but also in the introduction of key pieces. Timeless, well-made items that will stay with us through the years. The price of these pieces, whether a bespoke armchair or handmade side table, will undoubtedly re ect the love, passion and craftmanship put into its creation. They will however be very likely to be enjoyed that much longer, cherished that bit more.” Sarah Latham, creative director of Etons of Bath, the interior design and architecture practice, suggests where we sleep could be a good place to start, “We spend a third of each day in our bedrooms so it is worth creating the most luxurious place you can afford. hen designing bedrooms in eorgian houses, tons of ath focus on three main areas Firstly working with the eorgian symmetry, features and large windows to enhance the feeling of luxury and light. Then we work on calm colour palettes to create a feeling of opulence, luxury and comfort. “Lastly we design and specify harmonious luxury beds and headboards, lighting (with dimming and bedside switching) and statement furniture to ensure a great night’s rest in a luxury setting.” For interior designer Alex Henry and founder of I Love BELOW: Luxuriate at the Gainsborough Bath Spa;

RIGHT: Art can be a beautiful heirloom advises artist Emma Rose

“What better investment could there be than in your own health and well-being” 20 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Colours Studio the idea of a luxury bathroom also offers that hotel touch but in your own home: “My idea of ultimate luxury is an opulent spa-style bathroom at home and to be able to relax in the comfort of your own home after a long day. This way, a holistic relaxation can be pulled off without much effort and with regularity – no appointment needed It’s a good way of scraping off the negative energy created by stress from work, school or just about any other activity or event. “The epitome of indulgence is to turn the bathroom into a wellness sanctuary – a place for the body, mind and soul to relax. atural materials and neutral colours will evoke a feeling of calmness and help with feeling more comfortable and at ease in this space. A beautiful freestanding bath, luxurious soft furnishings, plush curtains, huge mirrors and stunning wallpaper are a great investment and a step towards creating a luxurious atmosphere, but really the sensation of luxury is given by the quality of the materials used. “Marble and quartzite slabs have distinct features that confer a touch of grandeur, whereas wood enhances the aesthetics of any interior. Perhaps the most important feature of all is the lighting, ensuring that dimmed indirect lighting is carefully considered at an early stage in the project phase. It’s not the sole point but worth remembering, a beautiful and luxe bathroom will always increase the marketability of a house.”

LUXURY

FEEL LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS

We all need treats and indulgences in our lives to help give balance, and give ourselves a break, from our daily routines. To make it really count and generate those restorative wellbeing holiday vibes, you can keep it local and go for gold. Or make the investment for someone else you think might need to feel a little indulged. Marc MacCloskey, general manager of The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the luxury hotel centred around Spa Village Bath, advises a stay in on the Bath Spa Room. “Airy and bright, the distinctive Bath Spa Rooms feature a roll-top bathtub with exclusive access to our natural thermal waters. There’s a range of Spa Welcome Amenities including Aromatherapy Associates toiletries and luxury eye pillow. It offers the very unique opportunity to bathe in thermal water in the privacy of their own room – a luxurious and relaxing environment where they can take some time to relax and enjoy the therapeutic properties of these precious waters.” Lewis Collins, brand and marketing manager of Homewood, the grand and creative Georgian country house in Freshford echoes the sentiments of taking yourself away from the stresses of everyday life. “At Homewood we take the art of relaxation very seriously and have harnessed the spirit of the Roman’s love of a good spa, with a pampering haven set within 20 acres of eclectic, artistic, and luxurious surroundings. “There’s nothing that says ‘Treat Yourself !’ like a weekend away in pure luxury, with spa relaxation, countryside walks, delightful dining and fascinating surroundings. Our Hot Tub Heaven package is the ultimate relaxation retreat. “Guests can enjoy an evening of Champagne in their very own private hot tub before wining and dining in the Olio restaurant. They can lie in with breakfast in their suite before a day of relaxation in the spa, or take a brisk walk through the local villages. There’s even a beautiful bouquet of owers in the room on arrival by our in-house orist, he oantree.” Marketing manager of the five-red-star Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Mary Stringer suggests living like royalty for a

TOP: It is worth creating the most luxurious bedroom you can afford says Sarah Latham of Etons of Bath; BOTTOM: To allow yourself the luxury of time at Homewood is an investment in yourself

night or two will do the trick. “What better investment could there be than in your own health and wellbeing? When you’re feeling your best, you perform at your best, and a little ‘royal’ treatment at The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa is the perfect way to let mind and body refresh and recuperate. e can treat our guests like royalty, offering full use of the tranquil spa, a deeply relaxing treatment and a stay in one of our lovely bedrooms or breath-taking suites (all individually designed by British designer Jane Clayton). “Our Royally Good Night Spa Package includes one night stay in one of our beautifully appointed rooms or suites, full English breakfast spa usage including the gym, 90-minute Royal Crescent Signature Treatment per person and two complimentary gifts from The Spa.” Turn to page 56 for our Royal Crescent restaurant review.

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Winner . BEST CREATIVE BUSINESS . Bath Life Awards

The Art Studio . Knight’s Barn . Wellow . Bath BA2 8QE www.emmaroseartworks.com . 07885 235 915 24/7 by appointment COMMISSIONS . ORIGINAL CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS . LIMITED EDITION GICLÉE PRINTS . ART CUSHIONS . CARDS

LUXURY CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Aquamarine diamond ring

from Orton costs £9,750; interior designer Alex Henry favours a luxe bathroom; a bespoke piece of jewellery by Nicholas Wylde depicting the coastal line of Cornwall

“My idea of ultimate luxury is an opulent spastyle bathroom at home” INVESTMENT PIECES

Looking at what you spend your money on now is always going to be good housekeeping. And maybe realising that what you are buying isn’t necessarily the best investment of your funds, and may not even be giving you the ‘cheap quick fix’ of a thrill. Fast food, fast fashion, fast and frantic shopping in general – none of these are adding luxe to your life and can be in turn detracting from making those sounder and definitely more beautiful long-term investments. Artist Emma Rose who is based out in Wellow and is a Bath Life Award 2021 winner says, “Many artists, myself included, are seeing the value of their work rise year after year. When you purchase from an independent creative who have a greater choice of original paintings, limited edition prints and even commissioning them directly. You become actively involved in the art and are even helping generate art for others. A piece of art in your home that you emotionally connect with is not just life-enhancing and aesthetically pleasing, but you have an heirloom for the next generation to love.” “Jewellery is, and historically has been, one of the safest financial investments, but I do also believe that its a personal statement and should be worn, not left hidden in a safe,” says jeweller Lee Orton who has 40 years of experience and is based in Bradford on Avon. “I encourage my clients firstly to invest in pieces of fine jewellery that will bring them joy to wear. Besides the obvious value of the precious metals and diamonds that we use, I strongly believe that precious gemstones will continue to increase in value over the years. “For a multitude of reasons, precious gemstones are becoming more difficult to source, particularly rare and unusual pieces. As demand is increasing, the value of these stones is rocketing. We have seen significant increases in the value of many of our own gemstones, including rubies, emeralds, aquamarines and sapphires. As well as lesser known gems, such as tourmalines and morganites, which are rising sharply.

“Of all of the financial investments one might make over a lifetime, few of them can compete with the intimate nature of fine jewellery. Jewellery embodies your personality and taste like no other. Stocks and shares have their place, but a beautiful heirloom can be passed down and treasured for generations.” Ahilen Chavez, brand manager for Bath’s city centre Nicholas Wylde Jewellers, agrees, “Jewellery has always been a good investment – if you look back over the centuries materials such as gold and diamonds have always been in high demand, regardless of economic and societal changing factors. It’s also an investment you have to do very little with – an item of jewellery is also low maintenance.” But regardless of any monetary value, the pieces will have a value money cannot buy. They can often represent a moment that we cherish forever – a wedding, a birth of a child, an important birthday, a token of affection, a special holiday – and that feelgood emotion can be conjured up just by wearing it. This in itself is priceless. Jeweller Nigel Dando who is based on Pulteney Street, also points out, the size of the rock is immaterial – it is all about discovering its beauty for yourself. “Precious stones can come in all shapes and sizes, colours and cuts – it’s as if they were designed to suit every pocket and preference. From extremely rare stones of unique colour or clarity, to those more modest, to us the value is in the eye of the beholder. We specialise in previously enjoyed, one off pieces, and so even the most cost friendly pieces can often be considered real luxuries to those that are fortunate enough to find them and fall in love with them.” FOR MORE: www.emmaroseartworks.com / www.etonsofbath.com / www.homewoodbath.co.uk / www.ilovecolours.co.uk / www.nicholaswylde.com / www.nigeldando.co.uk / www.ortonjewellery. co.uk / www.royalcrescent.co.uk / www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk / www.unividual.co.uk / www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

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LUXURY

WISH LIST

Bring a little luxe into your home 1

“Timeless, well-made items that will stay with us through the years” 24 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

1. The Fleure Bench Midi, POA; stockists www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk 2. Infinity, £1,500; www.emmaroseartworks.com 3. Ava seven pendant rose in antiqued brass, £1,113.40; www.jim-lawrence.co.uk 4. Capricorn console table, £6,250; www.tomfaulkner.co.uk 5. Hammered Gold Bottle Vase, £45, www.coxandcox.co.uk 6. Harnessmaker’s Atelier wallpaper by Mind The Gap, £175 for 3 rolls; stockists www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk 7. Charlotte headboard, from £460, www.neptune.com 8. Antique Japanese kesi silk and metal thread tapestry wall hanging, £3,750; www.haliden.com 9. True Grace candles and diffusers, from £32; www.truegrace.co.uk 10. Large Aqua Swirl Art Glass Vase made to order, £160; www.bathaquaglass.com

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You feel stressed Struggling to sleep at night Distracted at work or with family and friends Transferring money worries on to family

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oney can be a real stress, causing pressure that builds so you don’t know where to start or are afraid of the future. People need to avoid this at all costs, worry can lead to real mental health issues. That is hard when we don’t get taught ﬁnancial planning in school. ur brains are also wired with all sorts of instincts and biases that we battle daily with. Unividual talk us through three ways to cure yourself of money stresses. ‘No brainer’ money tasks

Tasks you know you should be doing, but aren’t, like getting the best deals on everyday costs like energy. Look at recurring costs too, see what small adjustments you can make, as small savings add up over time. To get disciplined with this, make the time, head down to a coﬀee shop even but spend a few hours every month on managing money. Get rid of false assumptions

Do you put things to the back of your mind, perhaps saving the worries for another day? It is a common coping mechanism that causes us to make assumptions about our ﬁnancial situation without knowing any facts. These thoughts prevent us from taking action. Without a plan we procrastinate. You need to

talk, to friends and family or charities like Citizen’s advice or the Money Advice Service even. Talking brings our thoughts in to the present and reduces anxiety. Something needs to be done

You work hard to reach your goals and enjoy life, yet if we don’t put that work in to managing our money we don’t make the most of every pound we make. People can either advise themselves on finances or outsource this to a professional. ome of us aren’t great at self-care and we don’t make the time or get the knowledge to manage our own money. If you aren’t making the most of every pound, hold yourself accountable. It is better to spend your time on what you do best, knowing your financial adviser can coach you through life’s milestones. f you have fears on seeking financial advice, you are not alone. You might think financial advice is for rich people , am too young or have left it too late . f you want to get started today read our Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Finances on our website, where you can also listen to our Finance Podcast Brave oney onversations or read some true life case studies from people who used to feel just like you. For more: 01225 427 474; bath@unividual.co.uk; unividual.co.uk

UNIVIDUAL HAVE ENABLED ME TO CONCENTRATE WHERE IT’S MOST REQUIRED

s a director of m lti le com anies my time is limited aving my family s ersonal finances as one less headache means can concentrate here it s most re ired nivid al g ided me thro gh the minefield finance oses and any an iety have in this area has een red ced l s my adviser is ersona le and has considera le assion for their ork –Thomas, Director of a music magazine and festival

Based on the Upper Bristol Road, Unividual is the place to go in Bath for ﬁnancial advice. Most recently “Highly Commended” in the Bath Life Awards 2021, signatories of the Women in Finance Charter and holders of the Chartered Financial Planner award. Established in 2000, Unividual is a progressive family-run, indie business with a proven reputation for caring about their clients, employees and Bath as a community.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 27

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

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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

MOON LANDING The moon is on its travels and heading to Bath Abbey where it will be on display from 20 November until 24 December. Created by Bristol artist Luke Jerram, it measures seven metres in diameter, and features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Since starting its tour in 2016 it has travelled all over the world including Australia, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Dubai, Korea and Poland, as well as many parts of the UK including Bristol Cathedral, Glastonbury festival (seen here), as well as on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 when it was hung in the Blackpool Tower. The artist says, “Over its lifetime, the Museum of the

oon will be presented in a number of different ways both indoors and outdoors, so altering the experience and interpretation of the artwork. As it travels from place to place, it gathers new musical compositions and an ongoing collection of personal responses, stories and mythologies, as well as highlighting the latest moon science.” In Bath the Museum of the Moon, which will be installed in the Abbey’s newly restored worship space, and will see Christmas carols, magical storytelling, and moon-gazing with our local stargazing group, the Bath Astronomers. For more: www.bathabbey.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 31

WHAT’S ON

Yellow Umbrellas by Mike Hendon is part of the Bath Photographic Society’s H2O exhibition

23 October – 18 November

EXHIBITIONS Until 31 October

SHOOTING STARS: CARINTHIA 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 31 October

BATH OPEN ART PRIZE 2021 Now in its 9th year, the Bath Open Art Prize is fast becoming one of the South West’s key art events. Open to all artists working in all media, and all genres, 89 artists have been chosen to exhibit including Asia Bakalarska, selected by Bridget Sterling and Jillian Sutherland, with the winners to be announced in November. www.44ad.net

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

Until 6 November

AKIKO HIRAI Akiko Hirai is a ceramicist making decorative artworks and tableware. using Japanese pottery techniques to create contemporary ceramics, her forms are simple and satisfying, with deeply textured surfaces featuring calm, cool colours. Also on display is new work by the artists Linda Felcey, and Rebecca Campbell. www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

Until 20 November

BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 116TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION Now in its 116th year, this hugely popular exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent including Ben Hughes. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 30 November

H2O The Bath Photographic Society online exhibition features more than 30 photographers getting creative with water in its various guises

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

including frost, ice, snow, mist and clouds, as well as water as found in rain, lakes, and waterfalls. www.bathphotographicsociety.org.uk.

Until 9 January

ROSSETTI’S PORTRAITS A unique show devoted to one of the giants of ictorian 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 (as seen on our cover). The exhibition also explores the artist’s intimate relationship with his muses and their in uence on his depiction of beauty. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 9 January

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

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 in uence, 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 Séguin conducts the Grammy award– winning jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard’s adaptation of Charles M. Blow’s moving memoir. he first opera by a lack 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

28 October – 6 November

ABOVE: The beautiful photographic art of Sunil Gupta can be seen at the Holburne LEFT: Bath Society Of Artists 116th Annual Exhibition is on display at Victoria Art Gallery until 20 November BELOW: Frances Cooley is just one of the artists who belongs to the Bath Contemporary Artists group.

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

14 November

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

THEATRE / CINEMA 28 October

SH!T-FACED SHAKESPEARE PRESENT ROMEO AND JULIET Romeo and Juliet are given the signature ‘sh!t-faced’ twist as the company attempt to navigate the Bard’s fated love story with one drunk performer. One cast member is selected at random and given four hours to drink before every show, this is classical theatre as it was always meant to be seen: with a gin in one hand, a cup of wine in the other and a agon of ale in the other. Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

29 October

MET OPERA ENCORE: FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES Met Music director Yannick Nézet-

PRIVATE LIVES This new production of Private Lives is the inaugural show from Nigel Havers’ new theatre company and also stars Patricia Hodge. Noël Coward’s dazzling comic masterpiece tells the story of Elyot and Amanda, who were once married to each other, and find themselves on honeymoon with their new partners, in the same hotel in the South of France. Their initial horror evaporates and, within no time at all, they’re sharing cocktails, cigarettes, a romantic serenade and rekindling their previous passion. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

29October – 13November

BLUE/ORANGE In a play that won the Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard awards for Best New Play in 2001, privilege and power are explored when a mysterious patient wants out of a psychiatric hospital. The problem is that, to him, oranges are bright blue and Muhammed Ali is a whole lot more than just a boxer. As his doctor and senior consultant debate whether to section or release him, an extraordinary new claim causes the pair to become more and more divided in their diagnosis. Ustinov; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

30 October

THE WHITE HEART INN Five guests arrive at the inn, each with a different expectation. o sleep, to explore, to hunt for ghosts. Things take a turn when they hear about the violent past of the grounds they are staying on. The eccentric owners of the inn, Bethel and Hector, seem obsessed by the marshes next door. Local pride? Or is it something more sinister? Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

10 – 13 November

ABIGAIL’S PARTY Platform 8 Productions invites you to spend an evening at Beverly and Laurence’s for a drinks party. They have invited their new neighbours Angela and Tony, and also Sue, another neighbour whose teenage

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WHAT’S ON daughter Abigail is hosting a party at their house. he evening starts off in an uncomfortable way as the neighbours tentatively gather together. The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk

CHILDREN 28 – 30 October

5 – 8 November

JOSEPHINE Fifty years after her death, Café Josephine, a down-at-heel New York diner dedicated to the dancer, actor, activist, campaigner, spy and mother to the multicultural Rainbow Tribe, faces closure. Nobody remembers Josephine, who she was, what she did, or what she stood for. It’s time to change that. The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

9 November

PETER RABBIT: COTTON-TAIL’S CAKE Follow Peter Rabbit’s adventures in this animated series of four episodes based on the works of Beatrix Potter. Little Theatre Bath; www.picturehouses.com

MUSIC 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. rahms wrote the oratorio

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

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. at at

4 November

KATY HURT BAND Steeped in country roots, but never one to simply yield to the traditional Nashville sound, Katy stretches the country music genre in new directions. Haunting blues vocals, towering country rock guitars, even a reggae vibe can be found and when Katy toured earlier this year with Gangstagrass, the ground-breaking New York band, they created a memorable bluegrass/hip-hop fusion. Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

ABOVE: Afro-dub ensemble Fofoulah perform at the Wiltshire Music Centre RIGHT: Asia Bakalarska is one of the 89 artists exhibiting at 44AD until 31 October BELOW: Patricia Hodge and Nigel Havers play the courting divorcées in Noel Coward’s Private Lives on at Theatre Royal Bath

6 November

FOFOULAH London-based afro-dub ensemble Fofoulah make their long-awaited WMC debut. Led by drummer Dave Smith, the band combine dub and ja with avours of West Africa to create a unique sound world that is both earthy and urban, futuristic and rooted. Wiltshire Music Centre; www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk

13 – 20 November

BATH MOZARTFEST The Assembly Rooms will be hosting a live audience for a packed programme, with the 8-day, 15 concert, festival also being livestreamed for those unable to attend. La Nuova Musica, conducted by David Bates, will present a compelling all-Mozart programme following the composer’s own musical symphonic development, featuring soloists Rachel Podger and Alec Frank-Gemmill. Also appearing are Barcelona-based Cuarteto Casals, the Belcea Quartet and Nash Ensemble. www.bathmozartfest.org.uk

MAVIS SPARKLE Over the past year we’ve learnt how important key workers are, and Mavis Sparkle is no exception. A cleaner with an extraordinary story to tell, Mavis is on a journey north to see nature’s biggest light show with her own eyes. With a cleaning trolley full of secrets and surprises, and a little help from Spike the hedgehog, Mavis the cleaner moves ever closer to making her dream come true. The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

WHAT’S ON 17 November

PAUL WELLER Paul Weller has just released his 16th solo album, which comes in just under 12 months following June 2020’s magnificent, chart-topping On Sunset. Fat Pop (Volume 1) – Paul adding the ‘Volume 1’ to keep options open for a second volume in the future – is a diverse selection of sounds. There’s the synth-heavy, future-wave strut of Cosmic Fringes, the stately balladeering of Still Glides The Stream co-written with Steve Cradock), and the chunky percussive groove of Moving Canvas, all illustrating why the former Jam member has hooked in generation after generation of devotees. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

COMEDY 24 October

DAVID BADDIEL Online trolls – the terrible people who spend all day insulting and abusing strangers for no other reason than to fill the huge gaps in their souls – are always best ignored. But David has always seen trolls as hecklers, and if a comedian gets heckled, it is their duty not to ignore the heckler, but to wittily put them down. his show Trolls: Not The Dolls is made up from his years of engaging with the online trolls. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

28 October

PAUL CHOWDHRY After barely surviving the pandemic and with two pent-up years of killer material, Paul Chowdry tackles the ’s handling of ovid- , why the rules of six only worked for white people, ngland football fans, om ruise’s helicopter, and the show Naked Attraction in the iddle ast. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

7 November

AL MURRAY: LANDLORD OF HOPE AND GLORY Turmoil is the norm. The world stands on the brink. Questions have been asked and none answered. What we need is one man, to step forward, one man with all the answers. Well you’re in luck, ladies and gentlemen – Al Murray, The Pub Landlord, is stepping his way to ath. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

OTHER

Until 31 October

WESTONBIRT UNSEEN his is part of a collaborative project

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

between the arboretum, Andy hipley of Natural Inclusion, and Sarah Bell of Sensing Nature and the University of xeter. he project team have been working together over the last few months to involve new blind and partially sighted volunteers as guides. he isually Impaired uides will be taking participants on a sensory journey of the arboretum to discover the rich scents, sounds, textures and other sensations to be discovered amidst estonbirt’s unique treescape. www.forestryengland.uk

11 & 18 November

PAULO BAIGENT: ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOPS art of a series of free workshops held at the Art Cohort and funded by he est of ngland ombined Authority. Paulo Baigent is currently painting abstracts in acrylics on various sizes of canvas. Born and bred in South West London, he has spent the last years living in ath. e runs an art and design company called ‘ peak o e abriel’. e has worked as an artist, designer and educator for the past thirty-four years becoming increasingly drawn, in his painting, to abstract compositions. www.the-art-cohort.myshopify.com

18 & 19 November

TEDXBATH INTER-CONNECTED 2021 A two day event of inspiring evening talks from speakers including former chief interpreter for the , wandro agalhaes, international economist and best-selling author, Kate Raworth, and Dr Andy eorgiou, the former director of the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal nited ospital. www.tedxbath.co.uk

Every Friday & Saturday

KROWD KEEPERS MAGIC THEATRE Promising no rabbits, cheesiness or top hats, this weekend magic show features resident magician, conjurer, and wizard Billy Kidd, along with world renowned magician guest stars. Held upstairs at The Ale House on York Street. www.krowdkeepers.com

Tuesday – Saturdays

CHARLES WARE TRUST MUSEUM A new classic car museum has popped up on the old artwells garage site on Newbridge Road, Bath along with classic cars, toys and models on display. here is also an exhibition dedicated to the history and evolution of the Morris Minor. Free admission. www.charleswaretrust.org

ABOVE: Akiko Hirai, whose work can be seen at Beaux Arts, uses Japanese pottery techniques to create contemporary ceramics BELOW: It’s always a barrel of laughs with Al Murray, the Landlord of Hope and Glory, who’s headed to Bath on 7 November

CREEPING

IT REAL

We have 13 spooky events providing thrills and spills for all ages in Bath this Hallowe’en

f you are looking for the fright of your life don’t make a grave mistake and miss any of these spook-tacular haunted happenings. Grab your best ghoul-friend and trick and treat yourselves. If you like things more dreamy, and less screamy, we have that too…

DARK AT THE HOUSE 1AFTER OF FRANKENSTEIN

A night to die for is happening at the House of Frankenstein ‘After Dark’ – a new experience exclusively for adults, from the Bath attraction dedicated to author Mary Shelley and her legendary Gothic tale. Immerse yourself in the Gay Street museum by torchlight, as you venture through the house in darkness to uncover Mary’s tragic past, her obsession with the macabre, Frankenstein the monster through the ages, and face the 8-ft creature as Mary really imagined. Brave the foreboding underbelly of the house at your peril, with live actors for a new ‘X-treme Basement’ experience. And there’s a chance to calm your nerves with a tipple in their Bloody Mary’s Bar. 22 – 24 October and 29 – 31 October, 6-11pm, s an nst in m

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

YOUR OWN PUMPKINS 2PICK AT NEWTON’S FARM

These guys have thousands of pumpkins in their -acre fields all waiting to be picked, carved, and eaten. There’s also a Hallowe’en Maize Maze, and lessons in Pumpkinology, which has until now, only been taught at schools for witches and wizards and reveals all the secrets of the fat orange gourd. t nt is t ma m st d m ins sta t at and a m as d i t i in at m

HALLOWE’EN 3MOTORCITY PARTY: DISCO INFERNO

ome in your freakiest and finest fancy dress for the chance to win prizes at Bath’s entertainment venue – Komedia. There’ll be tricks, treats, a pro-photographer, and some terrifying 10ft clowns at the funkiest and freakiest Hallowe’en party in the city. t m m dia

PATCH AND 4PUMPKIN SPOOKY ADVENTURES

Head down with all the family, including little ones, to Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park and their massive pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin. Whilst there you can also enjoy spooky entertainment including the ‘spirit of the pumpkin’ fairground ride, the pumpkin slingshot and paintball, hunt the golden pumpkin, a pumpkin canon, and a Scarecrow Shoot’em. There’s also lots of autumn eats to enjoy including spiced pumpkin lattes. t i s sta t at sn av nva

5FEAR SCREAM PARK

Make sure your party are at least all 12 plus, and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times, and very importantly, everyone is up for the fright of their lives! This is not an attraction for the faint-hearted. Voted the UK’s Best Scream ark, Fear at Avon alley consists of five intense scare mazes ANARCHY:LIVE, House of Clowns, X4, VITANOVA, and a brand new

HALLOWEEN surprise maze for 2021. In addition to the scare mazes, there’s a festival style experience with immersive street theatre acts and an immense fire show. Frank and his troupe of freaks will be back to stalk the event site. 15 – 31 October, entry from £14.50 for a street pass; www.avonvalley.co.uk

6THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

The new stage production of Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show currently on at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre in London’s West End is being screened live across the UK for one night only. Starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba as the squeaky clean but not for long Brad, in this romp and stomp creepy classic which features all those freaky favourites including Dammit Janet, Sweet Transvestite, and of course, the pelvic-thrusting, show-stopping Time Warp, which will drive you insane. 28 October, 7.45pm at the Tivoli Cinema; www.tivolicinemas.com

5 7

HORRORS 7HALLOWEEN WRITING WEEKEND

Unleash your inner darkness at the Mission Theatre. Learn how to terrify, thrill and intrigue your audience or readers, and create a shiveringly scary story or script, which will be presented by two professional actors. Course leader Clare Reddaway is an award-winning short story writer and playwright, and has run regular writing workshops for many years. Her background as a script editor for BBC Drama and Granada TV, and MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa has also given her experience of working with a wide range of writers. 30 – 31 October, course fee £50; www.missiontheatre.co.uk

HALLOWE’EN TRAIL 8FAMILY AT THE HOLBURNE

Uncover the hidden ghost stories within the museum’s unique collection and historic building – with a Hallowe’en twist. 23 – 29 October, £1 per person; www.holburne.org

HALLOWE’EN WEEK AT 9 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM & GARDENS

The American Museum & Gardens will be offering plenty of allowe’en half-term fun for children and their families. There’s the All American Pumpkin Place, special Trick or Treat zones, not too scary scarecrows and lots of autumn arts and crafts. There’s also an American style fancy dress parade open to all, with the best costume winning a prize. 23 – 31 October, prices start at £13 per adult and £5 a child; www.americanmuseum.org

STORIES AT 10SPOOKY BECKFORD’S TOWER

Suitable for under 12s, this is a snuggle down in the Crimson Drawing Room at twilight for an evening of stories inspired by William

Beckford, who built the Lansdown folly in 1827, and his love for Gothic tales. 31 October, free of charge, one adult per child, and booking is essential

11HALLOWE’EN DINING DOMES

Celebrate All Hallow’s Day in style at Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa and hire a Hallowe’en pumpkin-themed dining dome. Seating up to eight people, there will also be a specially created menu. 25 – 31 October, prices start from £50, www.bishopstrowhotel.com

TO DOOR TRICK 12DOOR OR TREATING IN BATH

We’re loving this idea by Oskar Jazdowski from Upper Weston who wanted to create a trick or treat trail map of Bath so he would know which houses to call upon with his fouryear-old child. imply open the map, find and add your address if your household would like to participate – no sign up required. www.trickortreatinbath.com

LAIR 13VICTOR’S ESCAPE ROOM

The clock is ticking for you to unlock the ramblings of an unhinged mind and find your way to freedom. Victor Frankenstein’s attic quarters are strewn with strange artefacts, insane equations, and miscellaneous body parts. You have one hour to unravel Victor’s mad thoughts to reveal the mystery equation and escape. Suitable for families with older children, and groups. Minimum of 3 persons required to play. Maximum of 6 persons. 22 – 24 October and 29 – 31 October, 6-11pm, ad t s an nst in m

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 39

SPONSORED CONTENT

THRINGS MEETS… St John’s Foundation, Bath

Louise Harvey, executive director of ST JOHN’S FOUNDATION FUND tells Simon Holdsworth, managing partner at THRINGS how St John’s is tackling the attainment gap… Simon Holdsworth: St John’s is a big presence in Bath but, for those who are not familiar with it, can you tell us what it does? Louise Harvey: St John’s was founded in 1174, making it one of the UK’s oldest charities. Originally known as St John’s Hospital, it offered support to those in need and its almshouses were at the heart of the organisation. The St John’s of today remains renowned for its almshouse provision but has extended its reach to include supporting disadvantaged children and people of all ages who are in crisis in Bath and the surrounding areas. We now focus on three main areas: our almshouses enable people over 65 to live full and independent lives; our large investment and property portfolio funds our charitable giving; and we continue to act as a funder, supporting charities and those who need help. SH: What are the main priorities for St John’s today? LH: Two years ago, we launched a ten-year strategy and created the Foundation Fund. This was a whole new way of looking at our organisation, what it did and how it could affect change. SH: So, what is the Foundation Fund? Why was it created and what does it do? LH: In this beautiful city of Bath, and across B&NES, there is one of the biggest attainment gaps in the country; from one end of the region to the other, the inequality in literacy levels, life expectancy, unemployment and life chances is staggering. We launched the Foundation Fund fund to reduce this disparity and deliver the social change our city needs. Our manifesto is to build communities where children can grow into happy, healthy, and educated members of society. Our aim is to significantly reduce the educational attainment gap in B&NES by 2030. SH: That’s a big project. How do you go about achieving that ambition? LH: We have started already – despite the pandemic. We identified and brought together seven lowest achieving schools in the area, who are already working with over 700 disadvantaged primary children who need support.

“BY CREATING A BEAUTIFUL SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND WORK… WE ARE BRINGING BUSINESSES, OF ALL SIZES, BACK INTO THE HEART OF THE CITY.” SH: You recently launched another exciting project – the House of St John’s. LH: The House of St John’s is a co-working venue powered by social change. By opening the doors of 1 Queen Square and creating a beautiful space for people to come and work – and play – we are bringing businesses, of all sizes, back into the heart of the city. And, because profits will go straight into the Foundation Fund we

are enabling those businesses to be part of the change we need to make for Bath. SH: Louise, there are some exciting and ambitious projects happening at St John’s. What are you most proud of? LH: I’ve been at St John’s for 17 years – it’s now part of my DNA. I’m most proud of our current strategy – it was a brave move to look inwards and then take a new route. We have started the journey, but we still have a long way to go. I do feel blessed to be part of an organisation that is really changing lives. For good. n

2 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HQ 01225 340000; solicitors@thrings.com www.thrings.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 41

FILM

IN MOTION

he ‘do not miss’ five star return of FilmBath Festival By Holly Tarquini

ilmBath Festival hits the screens of Bath 28 October – 4 November and is packed full of premières and talks, daytime and afterschool screenings, and Hallowe’en chillers. Here, executive director Holly Tarquini shares a few highlights, with this selection being shown at the Little Theatre Bath. “ e have really missed watching films together on the big screen. There is something magical about the shared experience which just can’t be replicated at home with streaming, so we are thrilled to be back in cinemas for the film festival. One of the great things about the festival is that you can come and watch films before anyone else – and they are usually the films that create loads of bu around awards season. Last year it was Nomadland and Another Round; this year, our opening film is Mothering Sunday, starring Olivia Colman, Colin Firth and Josh O’Connor – with a A from producers li abeth arlsen and tephen oolley – and our closing film is Jessica hastain’s The Eyes of Tammy Faye. They are already selling out. “Another highlight is Titane where Julia Ducournau, director of Raw, a film which literally made people faint, pushes yet more boundaries with this, her second feature. Earlier in the year she became the second woman ever to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes with Titane, a film about a young woman whose sexual obsession with cars leads to massive mayhem. In 2014, I founded the F-Rating, a feminist classification applied to all films directed and or written by women. It’s now used by over 90 other festivals and cinemas around the world to champion women in film. his year’s festival is per cent directed by women, a staggering achievement when you consider that other film festivals fail to achieve even 50 per cent. We have a wonderful daytime programme of F-Rated Gems, every one a treat to watch on the big screen. The one I am most looking forward to seeing is Zola. Based on a Twitter thread, this is a wild road movie black comedy crime thriller, about a trip to Florida by two strippers looking to make a lot of money. I have two teenage daughters and often hear that there is nothing for them to do in ath, so we have programmed films at o’clock each afternoon suitable for teens, but which will also appeal to our older audiences. Perhaps unsurprisingly, my favourite of these is from the director of A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, Marielle Heller. The Diary of a Teenage Girl stars el owley, Alexander karsg rd and risten iig and is based on the graphic novel by hoebe loeckner. It’s funny, unconventional and wonderfully honest – don’t miss this opportunity to watch it on the big screen. The festival runs over Hallowe’en, so we have programmed a whole

See why But I’m a Cheerleader has become a modern cult classic

selection of appropriate films. hese range from The Love Witch, a brilliant evocation of ‘60s romantic comedies and Hitchcock chillers, to the culturally acclaimed, deeply disturbing pairing of Lamb and Titane. he one I want to recommend is a film that gave birth to a top-hatted monster that became a gay icon: The Babadook. Grieving single mother Amelia’s sixyear-old son am becomes increasingly obsessed with and frightened by a character in a book called Mister Babadook. Amelia soon discovers that if it’s in a word or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of the Babadook. Our strand includes two films about conversion therapy. Elliott Page recently said of But I’m a Cheerleader, “the dialogue in that film and scenes in that film just transform your life.” ade 19 years later, but also set in the 1990s, Chloë Grace oret stars in esiree Akhavan’s wonderful The Miseducation of Cameron Post. We have a trilogy of films by the director Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Celine ciamma, including her Tomboy, which is a wonderful, gentle exploration of gender as ten-year-old Laure moves home and begins to present as a boy. The one I am most looking forward to is Sweetheart, a coming-of-age story about AJ who is reluctant to go on holiday with her family, until she falls for a local lifeguard, Isla”.

“There is something magical about the shared experience”

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

is a t i m at t am av at d stiva ass s i m ans a d s n as itt as a m da tim m ass sts v nin ms and a ms it m

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Mothering Sunday opens FilmBath on 28 October; It’s a

terrifying Hallowe’en special with The Babadook; Lamb is an Icelandic supernatural horror story; a young woman who is sexually obsessed with cars in Titane; Riley Keough and Taylour Paige star in Zola; The Miseducation of Cameron Post is set in a gay conversion camp; The Eyes Of Tammy Faye tells the true story of a televangelist

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BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Village life Three books that explore country abodes, the evolution of villages, and the ‘hidden’ Asian and Islamic heritage in historic homes

“We see how farms morphed into villages”

arious aspects of narrative non-fiction publishing are looking particularly strong this autumn, and history seems particularly wellserved. Maybe our dramatic present is throwing up even more fascination than usual

for intrigues past. One interesting aspect of this historical bonanza, when I cast an eye over all the new books arriving at the shop, is the myriad different approaches that the authors take to their subjects and, especially, the shifts in scope from broad sweeping overviews to zoomed-in accounts of a particular time and place. This time I thought I’d introduce you to three new history books, each look at the history of place, but where the scale of that underlying place ranges from individual buildings to multiple nations. Clive Aslet’s latest book reveals The Story of the Country House (Yale, £18.99) beginning with a nod to its earliest form, the Roman villa, before concentrating on the majestic homes that litter our landscape – be they strewn nowadays with visitors and tourist trappings, or crumbling due to unmanageable maintenance costs. Architecturally, every type of vast country abode is covered, from huge houses surrounded by Capability Brown landscaped grounds like Burghley house in Lincolnshire, to the genuinely palatial, such as Blenheim in Oxfordshire. Along the way there are illustrations and plenty of biography, as the lives, talents and eccentricities of some of the architects and inhabitants of these edifices are revealed alongside the descriptions of the buildings themselves. In England’s Villages (Bonnier, £25) Ben Robinson explores Britain’s most prolific form of settlement from prehistory to the modern day when, remarkably, room is still being found to create new villages. We see how farms morphed into villages and then how the medieval village layouts were established – with manor houses, churches, tithe barns and clusters of modest dwellings. Robinson also looks at the influence of industry – be it fishing, mining, farming or otherwise – on a village’s growth and character, shedding light on the history of the core components that make villages so alluring and, well, so English.

From duck ponds to village halls and village greens to war memorials, the full bingo card of a quintessential village set-up is explored and given historical context. Specific examples are dropped in throughout which ends up handing the reader a mustvisit list spanning the country. It’s bound to inspire, whether you’re minded to visit the perfect Norman layout (castle included) at Kimbolton, the fragments of the medieval village of Childerley in Cambridgeshire for its archaeological remnants and later Cromwellian links or the Nottinghamshire village of Bunny, just to find out what that name’s all about. This is a book to wedge in the glove box after you’re done reading, perhaps in combination with Aslet’s guide to the country houses you can often find at the village’s periphery! To complete, with a dramatic leap, a brief run through the historic scales, we can go from houses via villages all the way up to empires, with Hidden Heritage by Fatima Manji (Chatto & Windus, £20). In many ways though this book actually brings us back full circle as it is concerned often with the indicators of our imperial past that litter historic homes and public buildings – be they furnishings, artefacts or other relics. Part of the author’s mission seems to be to counter the modern myth that people of colour and their culture and art were not part of our British history until the most recent century. Using pieces of art and collections as leaping off points, Manji shows the longstanding British connection to Asian and Islamic heritage, even if that connection has often involved theft and misappropriation and been linked to even more abhorrent imperial behaviour. That awkward conflict does feels everpresent. Take the example of the stunning Durbar room at Osborne Palace on the Isle of Wight which is a stunning piece of evocative interior design created by Sikh architect Ram Singh for Queen Victoria that I remember visiting a few years ago myself. It’s an astonishing celebration of Indian style that does genuinely take the breath away, but that the same time exists as a reminder of Britain’s Victorian imperial history. ic Bottomley is the general manager of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, 14/15 John Street, Bath; tel: 01225 331155; www.mrbsemporium.com

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

THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW

He’s a journalist, an author, a comedian, and a campaigner, and a presenter – and when he’s not doing any of that, Dr Phil Hammond is a medic at our very own Royal United Hospital... By Sarah Moolla

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

THE BIG INTERVIEW

nown as a comedian, journalist, broadcaster, campaigner, Dr Phil Hammond is an associate specialist in the paediatric fatigue service at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. He qualified in , did a housejob at the and the ath GP Training Scheme, and was a GP for 20 years before returning to hospital medicine. He is also a patron of many charities, including Julian House, and is an ambassador for the Bath Citizens’ Advice Bureau. ince he has been Private Eye’s medical correspondent writing as ‘ ’, breaking the story of the ristol oyal Infirmary heart scandal in . is sixth book, Dr Hammond’s Covid Casebook, based on his Private Eye coverage of the pandemic is a Sunday Times top ten bestseller. His latest Radio 4 series, Dr Phil’s Bedside Manner, includes an episode featuring the fabulous staff, patients, carers and volunteers at the . ere we took him into the waiting room for a few routine questions… Where were you born?

I was born in the NHS, at home in Marlborough, in the early hours of New ear’s ay morning in . he snow was shoulder-high outside, and my umbilical cord got stuck around my neck, so the midwife had to call out the as an emergency. e somehow made it through the snow, and expertly delivered me. So I have a lot to thank the NHS for. Tell us a little about your upbringing...

When I was two, we moved to Perth, Western Australia. My dad was an Australian lecturer in chemistry, and my mum was an infant school teacher. y brother teve and I had a blissful five years largely outdoors, swimming, climbing and rock collecting. I excelled, as many Australians do, in cheating in sport. adly my dad died in , when I was only seven and we came back to live in atford with my mum’s parents, which was a lot less exciting than Western Australia. We then moved to Marlborough, the town where I was born, and my mum remarried a wonderful Wiltshire builder called Stan. He advised me to ‘do what you’re good at, and do what you enjoy. And to be a decent man.’ It’s the best advice I’ve ever been given. What did you want to be when you grew up?

y first love was collecting rocks, only because they didn’t rot and all had a story to tell. I wanted to be a geologist, but I also wanted to be an Olympic water polo player like my Aussie cousin Stan. He took my brother and I down to see him train and there was an underwater platform where you can see what a dirty game it was. Lots of punching, scratching and gouging underwater. It looks like the most fun in the world to me. Not a doctor then?

Phil around five years old, centre, with his brother Steve and mother, in Perth

What is life like at the RUH right now?

Of all the hospitals I’ve worked in, the RUH is one of the kindest and most supportive. If you want to get a avour of what life is like there now, I dedicated an episode to it in my recent radio four series, Dr Phil’s Bedside Manner, available on the BBC Sounds app. It paints a lovely picture of how wonderful the staff are.

“Of all the hospitals I’ve worked in, the RUH is one of the kindest and most supportive”

After my dad died, I thought about becoming a doctor but was very taken by the documentaries of John Pilger. When Paul Foot came to speak at my school, I decided I wanted to be a journalist for Private Eye. And then Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the hospice movement, spoke very movingly about how everyone deserved a decent death. So medicine won out initially, but I quickly added in comedy, journalism, broadcasting and campaigning alongside it. All of these jobs are about to truth seeking and storytelling. Who has been your biggest inspiration along the way?

My mum has been an enormous inspiration, because she picked us up when my dad died and put it back together again as a family. My second dad Stan was an absolute delight. Jo and the kids likewise. Ian Hislop has been a brilliant editor for over 30 years, and Sean Lock made me laugh out loud more than any other comedian. Steve Bolsin, the anaesthetist who raised concerns about heart surgery in ristol in was a big in uence. He taught me to never lose sight of the patient and to speak the truth to power, no matter the personal consequences. In terms of NHS workers, there are too many out there to mention who work extraordinarily hard, often for not much money, to help those most in need.

How long have you been there?

I did a house job there in , and the training scheme based there. I was in a GP for 20 years, had a few years in sexual health in ristol, and have been back at the RUH via the Mineral Hospital for the last decade, working in the specialist paediatric fatigue team. What do your fellow doctors think about your other jobs?

Generally, I think other doctors either admire or dislike what I’ve done over my career, but don’t really trust me. I broke the story of the Bristol heart scandal in Private Eye in , then gave evidence to the public inquiry eight years later. I was seen as someone who supported the NHS but was also unafraid to dish the dirt on it. And if you are a doctor, journalist and comedian, people are a little bit wary of speaking to you in case what they say ends up in a column or a comedy routine.

How did the media life come about?

I was quite angry and political as a junior doctor, and formed a double act in called truck Off And ie with r ony ardner. e told very bleak stories about a junior doctor’s lot, and adio recorded our first ever Edinburgh fringe show. They played highlights in the early evening that got record complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Council, and the head of comedy was so delighted he offered us a series. e were then

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 49

THE BIG INTERVIEW invited to the BBC radio light entertainment Christmas party in 1991, where I followed Ian Hislop into the toilet and emerged as Private Eye’s new medical correspondent, ‘MD’. I’ve now been in that role for 30 years. What do you feel is the most important campaign of right now?

I think making sure levelling up actually happens, and isn’t just a meaningless political soundbite, is vital. The pandemic has disproportionately harmed those who were already struggling, and widened health inequalities. The richest in the UK enjoy 20 more years of diseasefree living than the poorest, and have an extra decade of life expectancy. We need to make sure everybody gets a decent crack at health. Of all the roles you have – Countdown’s dictionary corner, stand up comic, presenter columnist, author, which is your favourite?

I like them all. My current work helping young people with ME or long Covid is enormously rewarding. Then I do a few days of investigative journalism, trying to understand the pandemic for Private Eye. Then I might do a stand-up gig, and help people cope through laughter. I find TV work less rewarding, because it’s less spontaneous and there’s far more hanging around. You can’t beat a live gig or live radio, or the intimacy of a consultation. And I was very proud to be shortlisted for the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism by John Pilger. Tell us a little about your family life

I have been married to Jo, a GP, for 28 years. She is wise, kind and happy, and undoubtedly the main reason that I have remained so healthy. We have two lovely kids, Ellie who works as a government solicitor and Will who teaches in a primary school. Whereabouts do you live?

I live in the Chew Valley, so equidistant from the three great cities of Bath, Bristol and Wells but with plenty of green space and lovely views. It’s also a lovely and supportive community, we’ve been here for 25 years and I can’t imagine moving away. On a personal level, how have you changed over the years?

I think I have improved with age. I was quite aggressive and competitive as a child, and the pressure of thinking that I might die at 38 like my dad, made me very ambitious. When I discovered later in life that he’d taken his

ABOVE: With children Ellie and Will in 1998; BELOW LEFT: Being held by his father in 1962

when the family were living in Marlborough

life, rather than had a heart attack as I had initially been told, it made me slow down a bit, be a bit kinder to myself and, I hope, kinder to others. My journalism and comedy is far less aggressive than it used to be. I’m far more interested in contentment and understanding. You’ve achieved so much – any ambitions left?

I’d like to be director of comedy in the NHS but I’m not sure anyone could top Matt Hancock. Phil’s new book PRIVATE EYE: Dr Hammond’s Covid Casebook, published by Private Eye, £9.99, is out now and available to purchase or order at all good independent book stores For more: www.drphilhammond.com

QUICK FIRE ROUND

What’s your ‘secret’ Bath? I loved working at the old Mineral Water Hospital. A beautiful building, lovely staff and culture, and a Roman mosaic in the basement! Where was the last meal you ate out in Bath? Clayton’s Kitchen a week ago with my family. I love it there. During semi-lockdown, Jo and I enjoyed outdoor meals on the terrace of The Priory. Where would you direct a tourist for the day in Bath? If they’re fit, the Bath Skyline walk takes some beating If you were given £1m what would you spend it on? I’d split it between the charities I’m a patron of. Julian House, Heads Up, the Herpes Viruses Association and Kissing It Better, a wonderful charity of which I’m a patron that uses community volunteers to put fun, compassion, and painted nails back into hospitals and care homes. Do you like / play sport at all? I enjoy watching most sports, play five aside football very badly and like walking and cycling holidays. As a house officer in Bath, I used to go and watch the legendary Bath rugby team with Hall, Guscott, Hill, Chilcott and Barnes.

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

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

SWEET TALK

atisfy a sweet tooth without sugar with new snack brand elushious. heir range of sweet treats are decadent and packed with indulgent ingredients – think elgian chocolate and healthy fats – but with up to per cent less sugar than the standard equivalent. hey don’t even use artificial sweeteners. elushious represents the meeting of two entrepreneurial minds. o-founder om de ass was working on developing low-sugar jams when he was introduced to ob ewis. A chef at educational charity Jamie’s Farm near ox, ob was working on his own premium, low sugar cake range. “ e quickly realised we shared the same vision to create a brand that creates food that first and foremost tastes ama ing but contains no added or refined sugars or artificial sweeteners,” says om. “ o we teamed up hilst we’ve developed the jams, we’re focusing on launching the cakes first.” ou can buy elushious cakes in handos eli and ewton t oe Farmshop. as well as online via their website. For more: www.delushious.co.uk Delushious treats have up to 73 per cent less sugar than standard cakes

Bath Pizza Co head chef Jonah Pole will compete at the National Pizza Awards in November

PIZZA THE ACTION ath i a o has been shortlisted for the ational i a Awards. he event on ovember sees chefs from restaurants, pubs and pop-ups battle it out to find out whose signature pi a reigns supreme. ath i a o is on the list for their pinachi with a heeky gg, which is always in high demand in the bustling reen ark tation restaurant. “I’m delighted for the team and our head chef Jonah to have been shortlisted for the Awards,” says Alex eters, director of ath i a o. “ sing quality ingredients alongside our outstanding handmade dough has been key to our success. o be nationally recognised is testament to the talent of our team.” For more: www.bathpizzaco.com

NUMBER ONE

It’s official ucknam ark is the number one best hotel in the , according to Condé Nast Traveler. he rating comes after more than , Condé Nast Traveler readers rated travel experiences around the world. “ e are very proud to be named the ’s best hotel in the Condé Nast Traveler eaders’ hoice Awards,” says ucknam ark’s hloe askaridis. “ his accolade is a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of the team who continue to deliver an outstanding experience for our guests. e would like to thank the readers of Condé Nast Traveler for their continued support and look forward to an even brighter future.” For more: www.lucknampark.co.uk

Lucknam Park is the UK’s number one hotel according to Condé Nast Traveler

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 53

TRY FIVE

OFF

he best local roasteries for your morning brew

GIRLS WHO GRIND his all-female speciality roastery sources all their coffees from women producers. he beans are all roasted in small batches, on a iesen affectively known as Aunt die. Frome-based founders asey and Fi were inspired to start irls ho rind to make change in the industry, to empower women and give them the recognition in the coffee world they deserve. he roasts are as unique as the beans to make the most of their natural avours, and every packet offers tips on how to enjoy the blend best – with milk, or without. ou can pick up a bag on their website, or at olf ine in reen ark tation. i s ind m

SIPS COFFEE ips offers a sumptuous small range of espresso and filter roasts. e’re partial to the echarge oast, with tasting notes of almond milk, iscoff and chocolate orange. he uatemalan coffee cherries go through a rigorous three-day process of de-pulping and fermenting before they are washed and soaked in clean water, making the absolutely most of their natural avours. hey are then roasted by ips’ partner lifton offee two ways – resulting in a roast for espresso and one for filter coffee. ou can buy bags online or enjoy ips at he Forum offee ouse, ascara and engen lubhouse. si s

COLONNA & SMALLS his ath coffee shop has an international reputation for a great brew, going so far as to co-author several scientific papers on the matter – research that delves into sensory

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

science and sustainability matters. hey even sell a specially designed water filter called eak ater that allows coffee lovers to create bespoke brewing water that hits the bicarbonate ‘sweet spot’. hey offer various ranges of beans, from Foundation, which offers a ‘beautifully balanced, rounded cup’ to are, a curated selection of beans from some of the most celebrated and award-winning farms around the world. nna m

ROUNDHILL ROASTERY his ath Farmer’s arket regular takes its name from elston ound ill, right in the backyard of where the roastery was founded. oundhill is all about vivid character, from their packaging to the avour profiles of their beans. hey roast in a way that highlights seasonality, with the philosophy of treating coffee like any other plant – it’s always best when it’s in season. his results in some of the freshest, most avoursome beans around, roasted to perfection in their beautiful brand new robat . nd i ast m

EASY JOSÉ his hepton allet-based roaster is an industry leader for ethical and sustainable practices. asy Jos partners with he ayni, a community living in the foothills of the Ama on ainforest who harness the natural landscape to cultivate only the most beautiful beans. orking in collaboration with community leaders and expert agronomists, the beans are grown in a way that protects the natural ecosystem. uch is the company’s investment in the area, they are the only

roasters able to buy the coffee – making asy Jos a world exclusive. ou can try out their coffee in af ortado, Adventure af and tall , and pick up the beans online and at illards of ath. as s

THE DOWER HOUSE RESTAURANT AT THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL AND SPA Sarah Moolla is in seventh heaven with the seven-course tasting menu

ow often do you go to dine at the Dower House Restaurant at the Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa? I’ll answer for you, not often enough. Almost hidden in the heart of the sweeping #iconic Crescent (no signage is allowed on the buildings’ exteriors) it’s easy to dismiss this 3 AA rosette award-winning city centre gem as probably more suitable for paying guests and passing tourists. But contained within that glorious curve is an ahead of the curve, divine dining experience. As soon as we arrive there’s the slight thrill that only a five-star lobby can deliver, doors are held open, coats are whooshed away and we’re feeling all swishy and important as we are lead through the twinkly landscaped gardens to our crisp white linen table that overlooks those exquisite grounds. There is a slightly hushed and referential atmosphere to the room but ushering away any awkward formality is the delightfully cheerful staff. At the ower you

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

don’t get handed a wine list, you get introduced to head sommelier Jean- arc who effortlessly solves the red or white debate with a light yet velvety bottle of pinot noir – Irancy Vieilles Vignes Colinot 2012. ut first it’s a single misty ute of the oral and spicy Tattinger Champagne as we scan the seven-course tasting menu. It’s sparse in detail – deliberately so, as I later find out – so we’re not really sure what’s coming. ut the staff are on hand to enthusiastically and proudly talk us through the courses on serving. Course no. 4 states: Autumn salad, cheese and mushroom tea. The cheese is actually a Hampshire handmade camembert-style cheese called Tunworth that is whisked with garlic, thyme, double cream, and cider into a fondue consistency and then dotted around a salad of artichoke, tru e, quince and slivers of serrano-type ham. A little cup of deeply earthy mushroom tea is served separately and each warming sip delivers a comforting, intense and almost nostalgic layer of umami to the dish.

RESTAURANT

Layering is a description that could be applied to every single course – this contemporary and creative menu, conjured up by executive head chef David Campbell, takes you on a culinary journey, artfully weaving through a myriad of textures, avours, and colours. As expected from a kitchen housed in a five-star haven, everything on the menu demonstrates a solid technical skill and is awlessly presented, but there is also a sense of whimsy, like the mushroom tea, that ensures this is a tasting menu with stature and status, and also character and imagination. David later tells me the brevity of the descriptions are a deliberate undersell, he wants each plate to be a minisurprise. It also works well to counter food-prejudices. Perfectly illustrating this is my dining companion who, despite being from Norway, insists she doesn’t like smoked salmon and yes, I am la ily candi-profiling here . ut the smoked salmon toast with samphire, caviar and lemon tells her otherwise. he salmon, with all excess fat removed, has been blit ed with smoked paprika, horseradish, reek yogurt and cream, and the mousse piped into discs on to an oily yet crunchy toasted bread soldier. It’s salty, luxurious, silky, and incredible – if I was pushed to pick a favourite, like with the threat of really being pushed over a cliff , this could be it. ut then the whipped puree of roasted pumpkin, plumped with vegetable stock, sherry, and parmesan, that is so light in consistency to almost be foamlike, and then scattered with pine nuts and onion seeds, has lingered tantalisingly on in my memory. For the orwegian, and the threat of the metaphorical cliff, the barbecued rump of lamb, with braised shoulder tart, aliums, summer tru e and mint, is the front runner. here’s also the ingwall scallop, curried mussel brother with lobster emulsion; Valrhona Manjari chocolate, raspberry, mascarpone and black peppercorn ice-cream, along with petit fours of apricot and earl grey jelly, strawberry and mint bonbon and a black sesame financier which is related to the adeline cake . here isn’t a dud there – but as I know it’s my job to try and present at least one negative – so, maybe, I’m not sure warm ath Ale bread with etherend Farm butter should be the first course. oo filling, too carby, and not representative of the magic that’s to come. It’s great that ath is evolving into a foodie city but even better news that the hotel is about to have a £1 million refurbishment – one they say that will help it establish a deeper connection with the city’s residents. he winning team of exceptional food and the passionate staff certainly deserve more home town support. hey’ve already picked up two new fans right here.

“The deeply earthy mushroom tea delivers a comforting, intense and almost nostalgic layer of umami” DINING DETAILS The Dower House Restaurant at The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LS tel: 01225 823 333; www.royalcrescent.co.uk Opening hours All day dining: 12pm-9.30pm, afternoon tea: 1.30pm-5pm, evening dining (tasting menu): 6.30pm-9pm Established The hotel as a whole was established in 1971 Type of food served Modern British-European cuisine with classic influences; a relaxed yet refined 3AA Rosette fine dining experience that consistently delivers interest, texture, flavour and balance Chef David Campbell Outdoor space Acres of beautiful private gardens Testing menu Five course for £72 and seven for £85 , plus there is a separate vegetarian tasting menu Drinks choice Extensive and always worth asking Disability access Ramp available Atmosphere Hushed, luxe, and welcoming

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Family run and providing quality food and service since 1985 TAKEAWAY SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE WITH UP TO 15% OFF We are now back open from 12pm to 2pm for lunch

1-2 New Street, Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AF Tel: 01225 466377 www.pekingrestaurantbath.co.uk a @PekingBath f pekingrestaurant Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 12 noon – 2.00pm and 6.00pm – 10.30pm | Closed Sundays.

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

A TRUE TEST OF TIME Chopard ‘s signature Happy Sport collection debuted in 1993 and with each passing year, the technical allure and innovative creative design have further established it as a classic style. Day or night this Sun, Moon and Stars model will ensure every second counts. Crafted from polished stainless steel, the playful and ethereal 36mm timepiece comes finished with a golden sun, and diamonds set, with moon and stars dancing across the dial. Chopard Happy Sport Sun, Moon and Stars stainless steel automatic watch, £6,100, Mallory 1-5 Bridge Street, Bath; www.mallory-jewellers.com

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NEWGATE MR CLARKE CLOCK, £65 Mr Clarke’s contemporary pale plywood case holds a modern ‘Pill Blue’ colour dial with minimalist graphic numerals. The Scandinavian-style design is finished with a at glass lens and linear baton hands. From Rossiters of Bath, 38-41 Broad Street, Bath; www.rossitersofbath.com

GOOD TIMES

EASTINGTON CLOCK STEEL, £40 The Eastington wall clock by Garden Trading is classic in design and available in two sizes including the 40cm seen here, it’s finished in deep carbon colourway, an off-black with a hint of midnight blue. Stockists Woodhouse & Law, 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

The clocks go back on 30 October – a sign we’re all moving on

CHERRY WOOD FLIP CLICK CLOCK, £45 Contemporary design meets intelligent technology with this natural cherry wood clock, with a bright LED display and laser engraved touch controls. From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

RIPLEY CLOCK, £24.99 Decorate your garden or your home with this Ripley clock. Constructed from plastic and glass, it is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with Arabic numbers and skip hand movement. From Whitehall Garden Centre, Corsham Road, Lacock; www.whitehall gardencentre.co.uk

HARRISON WALL CLOCK, £115 This clock in seasoned oak is similar in style to the large clear and easy to read classic timepieces seen in railway stations. For more: Neptune, One Tram Yard, Walcot Street, Bath; www.neptune.com

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EDITOR’S CHOICE 1918 FIRST WORLD WAR STERLING SILVER HALF-HUNTER WRISTWATCH, £475 anufactured near to the end of World War I this would most likely have been bought by an officer in one of the services as these watches were particularly marketed for military use. he ip-up front cover protects the glass and dial underneath, whilst still being able to see the time through the centre aperture. From Watches of Bath, 8 Bartlett Street, Bath; www.watches-of-bath.com

BRASS & BLACK MANTEL CLOCK, £49.99 Minimalist and elegant clock with iron base in a matt black and brass finish. A stylish, statement piece for your mantelpiece. From Vinegar Hill, 16 Milsom Street, Bath; www.vinegarhill.co.uk

GRENVELLE CLOCK, £995 urn a blank wall into something special with this larger-than-life working clock. easuring a metre in diameter, the renvelle is ideal for telling time in a big kitchen or making a statement in a sitting room. ith its antique finish and stylised oman numerals, the iron-faced design has industrial appeal. From OKA, 26-27 Milsom Street, Bath; www.oka.com

YELLOW GAS STATION STYLE CLOCK, £70 ith a distressed yellow frame and red and black numbering, our large, striking clock is inspired by vintage gas station styles for a unique look. From Cox & Cox; www.coxandcox.co.uk NKUKU OKATA STANDING CLOCK, £34.95 he stylish matt black finish of this Okoto clock provides a stunning contrast against the brass coloured clock hands. m a i id m a ad at aand m

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A look back at the history of ydney ardens, and the project happening now to restore it to its former glory Words by Nick Woodhouse

hose that have recently strolled through the winding paths of ydney ardens will have noticed that change is most definitely afoot in ath’s oldest park. he space is currently undergoing a transformative restoration programme that will see key historic features returned to their former glory, the creation of brand-new facilities and improved habitats for wildlife. One of the country’s few surviving eorgian pleasure gardens, the space was a favourite for author Jane Austen who attended a gala within the gardens in an event that would see fireworks, music and the lighting of thousands of lanterns. hortly before she took lodgings at neighbouring ydney lace two years later, she would write to her sister assandra “It would

Here, groups would gather in dining boxes for tea, coffee and ally unn buns, entertained by the orchestra perched on the balcony above. As well as the labyrinth so loved by Austen, gravel paths would invite visitors to view ruins and miniature buildings, and to join the central walk to the ydney avern the building we now know as the olburne useum. itting at the western end of the walk, the tavern offered a ballroom, tea and card rooms and a public house. In , the ennet and Avon anal was constructed, despite much opposition, cutting through the gardens. John ennie designed two decorative iron bridges in the Oriental style to link those spaces separated by the waterway. he following three decades saw new additions introduced to further draw the public to this centre of self-indulgence and curiosity a cascade, an aviary, a cosmorama, watermill and theatre. In , the gardens were however intersected once again, this time by the arrival of steam. he construction of runel’s reat estern ailway from ondon to ristol lead to the destruction of many of the gardens’ features a section of the abyrinth, a tea house, and he ide, a route for those on horseback to navigate the perimeter of the gardens. wo further bridges were constructed within the gardens to link the spaces divided by the railway, but perhaps this further intrusion saw the beginning of the gardens’ decline. ociety was fickle, then as now, ever in search of the new, the different. A bandstand, gymnasium and croquet, tennis and archery lawns were introduced in the second half of the nineteenth century to keep visitors enticed and entertained. hese additions failed to stave off financial hardship, and when in the lease on the gardens expired, the site was put up for sale, with ath ouncil purchasing the space in . he gardens were opened to the public three years later, the main building sold off and redesigned to house the art collection of ir illiam olburne. Over the course of the th century and particularly during the econd orld ar, some

“The project is undoubtedly far reaching and one that will transform the space for future generations” be very pleasant to be near ydney ardens e might go to the abyrinth every day”. hose very gardens were created several years beforehand, between and , on a -acre lo enge-shaped hexagonal plot, leased from the ulteney family. he initial build was based on the designs of architect homas aldwin, but on his bankruptcy, the task of finalising the designs was passed to fellow architect and surveyor harles arcourt asters. he gardens, initially named the ydney ardens auxhall, opened to the public in ay . aking their name from the politician homas ownshend, st iscount ydney, they soon became a popular destination for entertainment, relaxation and sustenance. Alongside galas and promenades, the gardens became famed for their daily public breakfasts.

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of the gardens’ buildings and features sadly fell further into disrepair and, in some cases, were demolished. he restoration project, a partnership of ath orth ast omerset ouncil, he olburne useum and he Friends of ydney ardens, aims to remedy this. A year after receiving planning consent for the restoration project in , it was announced that the gardens were to be one of six parks to secure funding from the ational ottery eritage Fund to reinvigorate urban green spaces across the county. A wealth of local talent is now working together on the realisation of those very plans. reenhalgh andscape Architecture, based in athwick’s ydney harf, are joined by nearby A Architects, with ann illiams acting as structural and civil engineer. he build and conservation project itself started in August , and is expected to complete over the coming months, despite delays imposed by the pandemic. hilst the lottery grant of . million wasn’t quite enough to realise the full extent of the original plans, the project is undoubtedly far reaching and one that will transform the space for future generations. As well as the construction of the new ommunity avilion, the project will see the refurbishment of the othy, canal footbridges, oggia and the emple of inerva, initially brought over from ’s mpire xhibition at rystal alace. In keeping with the gardens’ founding principles, a new play and sport area will also be opened, alongside refurbished tennis courts. ew trails will also celebrate the park’s history, taking visitors through sections of wild ower planting and into areas previously closed to the public. lenty for iss Austen to write home about. For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk Nick Woodhouse is the co-director of interior and garden design company Woodhouse & Law on 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; 01225 428072; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

GARDENS

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The Kennet and Avon Canal carved through

the gardens in 1799; Sydney Gardens as depicted in 1804 by John Claude Nattes; View of the Holburne Museum from Sydney Gardens; Jane Austen strolled and enjoyed these parks

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BREADTH V DEPTH:

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO LEARN? Asks Alex Hopkins, head of prep and deputy head academic at ST MARGARET’S PREPARATORY SCHOOL, Calne

ne of the ongoing debates in education revolves around the question of breadth versus depth when it comes to curriculum design. Is it better to foster a deeper understanding in subjects (depth) or expose our pupils to a wide variety of concepts (breadth)? Needless to say, a consensus between educationalists has not been reached but, over the past decade or so, a shift towards the concept of deeper learning or ‘mastery’ has been in favour. Any successful curriculum should certainly be meticulously designed and planned to foster higher order thinking and a deep level of understanding. However, an exposure to a breadth of topics, particularly in the Early Years when children’s brains are still developing, is also vital in building those foundations and piecing together the building blocks to allow our pupils to become lifelong learners and achieve maximum impact from their education. 66 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

The links which we can organically foster in a well-designed, broad and balanced curriculum help children to solidify their learning as well as provide them with an opportunity to learn topic areas in a more open-ended, exploratory fashion rather than simply relying on teacher-led instructional direction. In this model, the process and the journey are just as important as the end result. Here at St Margaret’s, we endeavour to find that ‘sweet spot’ between depth and breadth. Our minds work through making connections; the more we know about the details of one area of study, the easier it is to grasp other areas of study. An example we might see in the classroom could be within science. To pass an exam, it is true that children can learn and retain answers to a variety of questions in depth, but a true understanding of science can only be revealed by setting up your own experiments, making your own predictions and observations by drawing on your breadth of knowledge,

interpreting your results to decide what it all means and then applying that knowledge in other contexts to make connections. Processes such as this allow pupils to demonstrate their curiosity and perseverance alongside independence of mind and a total confidence in their own observations. By memorising data and facts, anyone can pass a science exam, but that alone does not make a scientist. Chris Quigley, a leading specialist in the primary curriculum writes: “A successful curriculum means providing children with increased cognitive challenge, allowing them to apply the skills which they have learnt independently in a range of contexts rather than moving them onto the next skill needlessly, when they have not truly mastered it.” This ideology is one which we adopt at St Margaret’s and our pupils are incredibly fortunate to be taught by specialist subject teachers in

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art, modern foreign languages, music, sport and computing. These are areas of the curriculum our specialists are passionate about and in which they are highly qualified and experienced. This specialist teaching helps our pupils to develop deeper and broader subject knowledge and make connections. This, coupled with top-class facilities, means that we can provide a curriculum which meets that ‘sweet spot’ between depth and breadth and which promotes a state of ‘flow’ where pupils unconsciously achieve an optimal state of learning and cognitive challenge. Combine this with the quality-first teaching from our class teachers in core areas of the curriculum and we are privileged to find ourselves in a position where we are enabling our young people to acquire and develop the knowledge, skills and values that they will need to prepare themselves for lives in an often unpredictable and challenging global context. Helena Harris, head of Art & Design comments: “Art develops focus, discipline, problem-solving and perseverance. These are all valuable life skills that help children prepare for their future and beyond. Specialist art teaching does not simply mean showing children how to draw and paint; it means sharing your passion for the subject and helping each individual child to explore and experiment so that they discover what interests them and learn to trust in their own creative choices.” Hilary Gibbin, head of Performing Arts, adds: “Music and the performing arts are powerful tools in enabling children to express themselves creatively throughout their lives and to develop their personal confidence. Aural awareness, analysis and performance skills are all transferable and carefully nurtured through a set of activities which, as a specialist, I am constantly evolving.

“OUR HEADMASTER, LUKE BROMWICH, PLACES POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND PUPIL WELLBEING AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR AGENDA AND IT IS NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER” My own training and experience provide me with a strong basis of knowledge and skill to share with every pupil, according to individual need, and extend the talented by challenging them appropriately.” Much of my work since joining St Margaret’s has been to work with our teachers to review our curriculum to ensure it is not only engaging and exciting for our children, but to also ensure it inspires excellence and motivates our pupils to be the best they can be whilst maintaining this careful balance between depth and breadth. For example, our redesign of the Pre-Prep curriculum means we have had the opportunity to work collectively to design and plan many opportunities for essential knowledge, skills and understanding to be gained in every subject for depth and across subjects for breadth. Evidence to date is showing that, since the children are being given opportunities to revisit and build upon their previous learning and apply them across a range of contexts, they are developing a deeper understanding of the skills and processes within each subject and those connections are happening. As we work to increase the breadth

of children’s knowledge, by default, we also increase their depth. Our headmaster, Luke Bromwich, places positive psychology and pupil wellbeing at the forefront of our agenda and it is now more important than ever. There has been a shift from traditional psychology, which prioritises what can go wrong, to focusing instead on what can go right. Children’s physical and mental wellbeing are high priority at St Margaret’s and we understand that they will not be successful learners unless they are emotionally secure. A broad and balanced curriculum which allows the children to succeed can only serve to promote this ideology. It provides us with the opportunity to challenge our children to become independent, well-rounded individuals who take ownership of their learning and become deep thinkers who are also able to apply this thinking across a broad range of topics through exploration, collaboration and self-reflection. This approach allows our pupils to strike that balance between both ends of these spectrums in order to fulfil their potential, achieve maximum impact from the curriculum and help them lead happy, successful lives.

Arrange a 1:1 visit,to see what St Margaret’s can offer your family. To book an appointment, please contact Mrs Simone Hughes in Admissions on 01249 857379 or email admissions@stmargaretsprep.org.uk Curzon Street,Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0DF 01249 857220; www.stmargaretsprep.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 67

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MEET THE HEAD TEACHER The minds at the helm of Bath’s most important institutions England primary school and we embed our Christian values in everything we do. We have key values that are most important to us: kindness, trust, respect, and love for each other and the world around us. We strive to make sure that every child is academically fulfilled, making great progress from their starting points, whilst ensuring they feel safe, happy and cared for. We are a truly inclusive school, welcoming children of all backgrounds and working in genuine partnership with our fantastic parents.

VICKY DUPRAS

HEAD TEACHER, ABBOT ALPHEGE ACADEMY 01225 580 281; www.abbot-alphege.org.uk I am delighted and proud to be the head teacher of Abbot Alphege Academy in Lansdown, Bath. I started in April 2020, the middle of the first lockdown – a very interesting way to start a new role! What is your school ethos? Our school is very proud to be a Church of

DR TREVOR RICHARDS

CPSYCHOL, ALL HALLOWS SCHOOL 01749 881600; www.allhallowsschool.co.uk Is this your first appointment as a head? Yes, this is my first appointment as head, however not my first appointment at All Hallows. I began teaching at All Hallows in 1993 as head of Geography. I left to go back to university studying full time to become an educational psychologist. I then returned to All Hallows as the UK’s first practitioner to be employed as a school psychologist by a single mainstream setting, working in this role with local authorities, before taking up the role of deputy head, and then progressing to head of All Hallows in 2017.

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What exciting things are coming up at your school? We are so pleased to be able to plan events this year for our children and community. We are looking forward to some great PTA events, including our Christmas Fair on Friday 10th December, and all of the performances and singing we can do this year to make Christmas really special for our children and our community. What do you find most satisfying about the job? Having led a number of schools as head teacher,

what I find most satisfying about Abbot Alphege is how amazing and close the staff team are. The welfare and learning of our children is at the centre of everything each member of our team does. I also love that I know all of the children and our families so well. How is the school changing? Since opening in 2017, the school has been small and I am the first Head teacher here. Our school is growing and developing all of the time. We are continually improving our curriculum offer, making it exciting, inclusive and challenging for every child. Now a wellresourced school, we will develop this further as we grow to our full capacity of 210 children. How does your school differ from others? It is a wonderful time to join us as we currently only have around 100 children in school. Our class sizes are mostly small, meaning that children get important extra attention from our teachers. We have a beautiful new building and large grounds, so the children have lots of space to spread their wings.

What do you find most satisfying about the job? We can and we have developed a curriculum we truly believe in. Unconstrained by the need to do SATS and having redesigned our own systems for assessment, we are maximising opportunities for learning whilst minimising stress. It works, our pupils are happy and thriving and achieving amazing outcomes! How does your school differ from others? We aim to focus on the whole child. We are concerned simultaneously with both maximising academic progress, wellbeing, and broader child development, and we appreciate that the best learning environments are built on positive relationships, a growth mindset, innovation, creativity, an inherent warmth, and a sense of community. Being a qualified educational psychologist brings a unique insight into the role of leadership at All Hallows, which permeates out into the everyday life in the school and through the way we think about child development. We work with parents and teachers to promote more ethereal outcomes of schooling, such as long-term wellbeing, a sense of self, a moral compass, a degree of resilience,

preparation for some aspects of work and even an appreciation for philosophy, culture, creativity, and civilisation. What is your school’s ethos? Happiness and wellbeing are paramount. Added to this, we are seeking to develop a range of skills including a willingness to take risks, a keenness to work as part of a team and open-mindedness, both in terms of thinking outside the box and in believing there are no ceilings to learning. Creativity is embedded within the curriculum from the classroom to the games field, empowering the children to take charge of their learning.

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help ensure that everyone can flourish and reach their full potential. All our children enjoy the same opportunities across school life, for example, year group instrumental lessons see beginners learn and play alongside more experienced musicians, whilst in Drama, less confident children are often given leading roles to encourage an interest or to support their own personal development. As our new Good Schools Guide review notes, at King Edward’s Junior School there is ‘somewhere for everyone to shine and have fun’, adding that here at KES ‘intellectual rigour is underpinned by excellent pastoral care – these kids really seem to thrive.’

GREG TAYLOR,

HEAD TEACHER, KING EDWARD’S JUNIOR SCHOOL, BATH 01225 464313 www.kesbath.com What is the school’s ethos? At the Junior School we firmly believe that children should have fun at school and enjoy the challenge of learning. A happy and supported child will always learn best. We value progress over achievement and in classroom settings, we group children according to different learning styles rather than ability, to

What do you find most satisfying as a Head? As a Head who still teaches Maths and Games, I find my personal involvement in our children’s daily learning journey and progress both in and outside of the classroom to be the most enjoyable part of my role, as well as supporting my immensely talented colleagues’ passion and ambitions for the school to be a remarkable and outstanding place of education. Across all parts of the school we are all united in that common goal, from academic life to pastoral care, and cocurricular experiences to a pupil’s personal development in an environment where they feel valued and respected.

LUKE BROMWICH

HEADMASTER, ST MARGARET’S PREP SCHOOL 01249 857220; www.stmargaretsprep.org.uk

What is your school’s ethos? I am extremely proud of the attitude which permeates everything we do at St Margaret’s Prep – it is one of have a go, get stuck in, and learn from your mistakes. We support our pupils to reach their academic potential, all while ensuring they feel happy and safe, with our proactive approach to pastoral care. Our expert specialist teaching in sport, music, art, computing and modern foreign languages provides ample opportunities for our pupils to pursue their passions and interests and fully reach their potential. Our nurturing community is also central to life here at St Margaret’s – we are a small school with a big heart! What exciting things are coming up at your school? There is always something exciting happening at St Margaret’s Prep! From bringing The Great Fire of London to life on our playground last week, to Year 6 getting into role as World War II evacuees, we try to showcase the huge amount that happens in a

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What does a typical day at the Junior School look life? My day always starts and ends with welcoming the children to school and then saying goodbye at the end. This individual, twice daily interaction offers an invaluable moment to engage in each pupil’s day or experiences. More generally, a typical day at school will feel busy and vibrant with our children engaged in a wide variety of activities in and outside of lessons. As I write, today’s lunchtime and after school activities alone include gardening club, Airfix model club, gymnastics, drama club, squad training and table tennis, whilst Year 6 are currently rehearsing the steel pans in the hall. A typical day also involves lots of specialist teaching across year groups. Year 3 and 4 enjoy the security and comfort of their form class teacher teaching them daily, with their learning interspersed with a mix of specialist teaching, whilst older Year 5 and 6 children are taught solely by specialist teachers, mirroring Senior School, with pupils developing lots of different life skills as well, as a result of interacting with different teaching staff – having a greater degree of self-management and independence, for instance – as they go about their day.

week via our Facebook and Instagram stories on a Friday. I am however especially excited for the opening of our Early Years’ Courtyard, which has transformed the central space of our school and is designed to ignite creativity and multi-sensory play for our youngest learners. This coincides with the opening of our Bluebird Nursery, where we are now welcoming two-year-olds. Describe your typical day My son has just started in Reception, so he comes in early with me and we start our day with breakfast together in my office before I check emails and go out onto the playground to greet the children and speak with parents and carers. Then it’s time for assembly – it is wonderful to be able to bring the school together again after the lifting of restrictions recently. Every day is then different; but usually involves lots of meetings, a school walkabout, lesson observations, monitoring and feedback. What do you find most satisfying about the job? Seeing pupils flourish and reach their potential and grow into well-rounded, happy individuals and those ‘light bulb’ moments that only those who have the privilege of working in education get to see!

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It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>BULLFROG’S NEW SHOP (76) >>BIZ SURGERY WITH BATH SPA UNIVERSITY AND CLEARLY PR (77) >>BIZ Q&A WITH LAURENT AND CLAIRE VAN BEKKUM (78)

Holidays are coming

Bath’s plans for the festive season have been revealed

For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk / www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

BUSINESS CLUB

ath orth ast omerset ouncil has confirmed plans for the Christmas season. Announcements so far include festive stalls on ingston arade and Abbey reen, an independent artisan market in ueen quare, nostalgia-inducing traditional celebrations around the Abbey uarter, the return of the illumination trail around the city’s most iconic and historic buildings, a beautiful ictorian carousel ride outside the oman aths and dynamic street entertainers and carollers adding festive spirit to the city centre. “I hope these plans will be welcomed by all who love ath and who love hristmas. e have reshaped our ath at hristmas programme to attract residents and visitors and we hope as many as possible will be able to enjoy this festive programme of events in our beautiful city,” says councillor ine omero, cabinet member for hildren and oung eople, ommunities and ulture. “ e cannot get around the harsh reality that the supply chain at the moment has been hit by a double whammy of rexit and ovid which is affecting the logistics and security industries very hard. e understand in particular that the market for security staff has been hugely depleted as a result of staff finding jobs in other sectors. o, we have reshaped our plans to focus our festivities on attracting residents and visitors in a sustainable way. “ iven the exceptional circumstances we are in, my concern is to ensure our wonderful city can celebrate hristmas safely. his reshaped programme allows us to create a wonderful environment for families and people of all ages and an event that businesses can benefit from after such a difficult year.” hough the ath hristmas arket won’t return in traditional form this year, it’ll will take place online again instead, giving all stallholders offered a place a platform to sell their products – and add to the festive feel.

Counting down the days until Bath turns festive

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

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BATHWORKS

“I’M QUITE A HIPPY AT HEART (AND HAPPY TO BE SO)” to be purchased from the UK. I mean everything, from ingredients, to labels, packaging, cartons, IT, e-commerce – it all comes from the UK. It wasn’t as easy as I had hoped, sourcing the best from our shores, but I gave myself plenty of time to complete the task and I’m relieved I did….!

BIZ Q&A

Claire and Laurent van Bekkum, MONUSKIN The MONUSKIN owners on life-changing opportunities, skincare and their exciting new horse racing venture

aurent and Claire van Bekkum own MONUSKIN, a natural, active skincare brand created and used by beauty therapists. With a 40-year history for formulating professional, cruelty-free skincare, the brand offers a skincare routine for every skin type, and can be found in many salons and spas around the UK, including Sarah Whittington’s Beauty Rooms at Chelsea Clippers in Bath. MONUSKIN has recently embarked on a new partnership with Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, based near Trowbridge, that’ll see their logo feature on the team colours. MONUSKIN was a life change for you both! Tell us about that Laurent: I was an investment banker at Kleinwort Benson, then in my early thirties I had an opportunity to head to Japan and set up a team in Tokyo, or buy into a skincare company

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– an industry I had absolutely no knowledge about whatsoever. So, I rejected a life in Japan to the utter dismay of friends, colleagues and family who all thought I was verging on insanity… Turns out – best decision I ever made. Claire: I was in advertising sales for over twenty years. I worked for The Times and Sunday Times and led the launch of Sunday Times Style; I worked at Harpers & Queen (as was!) with an amazing team to turn it back into former fashion glory title, Harpers BAZAAR; for the Economist as head of fashion advertising; then into interiors at ELLE Decoration for three years and, finally, six years for ond Nast as the associate publisher for The World of Interiors. And then… well, Laurent came along, and my life changed forever. What is natural, active skincare? Claire: It means we only use Actives (which are ingredients!) that are both

natural and scientifically proven to change the structure of your skin at a cellular level. These ingredients are working to repair, rejuvenate, hydrate, protect and nourish your skin cells. What kinds of active ingredients do you use? Claire: We use essential oils, for example in our Recovery Balm (a loved and comforting moisturiser for stressed out and sore skin), we use blackcurrant seed oil, rose otto oil, evening primrose oil, and bergamot oil to create this calming, gentle cream. However, these oils are pretty potent, which is where we employ our advanced manufacturing process that ensures the oils are delivered into your skin in a controlled but effective way. What have been some of the business challenges (other than the pandemic!)? Laurent: I had a hunch that Brexit was going to happen so two years before I shored up all our inventory

Tell us a bit about the new sponsorship of the Noel Fehily Horse Racing Syndicate... Laurent: I’m so excited about this partnership and it came completely out of the blue. Just before lockdown we were introduced to The Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate by some dear friends and I got the bug, quickly. I have always loved being around horses, they calm me down – and as Claire will testify, I frequently need calming down! Why this partnership? Laurent: MONUSKIN was founded in and is still based in Cheltenham, so of course there was an obvious affinity between ourselves and the most famous horse racing festival in the world. What’s the link between horse racing and skincare? Laurent: The increasing number of women involved in hunt racing – trainers, jockeys, managers and of course syndicate owners – it’s a brilliant audience to talk to. I’m quite a hippy at heart (and happy to be so) and that link of nature and performance, which is so entwined with these incredible horses and our skincare company, with its very heritage embedded in nature and achieving the best results.

What are you most excited about for the partnership?

Laurent: It’s a strong match and we are proud to be the first skincare company to, not just sponsor a brilliant syndicate that Noel and his business partner David Crosse are running, but to be an integral part of national hunt racing. I cannot wait to see our logo on the colours of a winning team! For more: For a 20 per cent discount use the code LIFE20 at www.monushop.co.uk

SPONSORED BY:

BATHWORKS

Fundraising

STONEWOOD CYCLING SPORTIVE Cyclists from Stonewood Group, its investors, suppliers, clients and partners recently completed the Stonewood Cycling Sportive to raise just over £13,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Brain Tumour Research. Around tonewood staff and 35 guests took part, cycling on either the 100-mile or 50-mile routes. For more: www.stonewoodbuilders.co.uk

Mike Hopkins (Stonewood Builders director) and James arriving through Bibury – their 75 mile stop

The 100 mile participants

Ben Lang (COO) and James Lowsley-Williams (a professional cyclist) at the lunch spot – James’ cafe Wild Carrot

James giving guests a pep-talk before setting off

Matt Aitkenhead (CEO) and guest at the Stonewood Parterships Somerbrook site Ben Lang and Jamie Priest (Stonewood Builders managing director) arriving at the Somerbrook site

The 50 mile participants

Joe Bergson, Sam Smart and Ben Lang (Stonewood Builders director, Stonewood Partnerships director and group COO) also arriving at their 75 mile stop

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 79

SPONSORED BY:

BATHWORKS

Rosanna Hood of Marsh Commercial presents Emma Rose, winner of Creative with her Award

What a feeling We’re already getting excited for next year’s Bath Life Awards

ne of the best feelings has to be seeing a business that you love do well. It’s the opposite of schadenfreude – do the Germans have a word for that? The Bath Life Awards, which took place on 21 September at the Bath Pavilion was a night entirely dedicated to that feeling. For all of our winners, it was a night of mutual celebration. Even in the midst of a pandemic, we’re still making the best of things, and whether you went home with an Award or not, that fact alone was worth celebrating. We can’t wait to do it all again next year on 8 March 2022 – nominations open at the end of ovember so start re ecting on all your award-winning qualities now. There are sponsorship opportunities available, including silver table sponsorships – to find out more about those contact pat.white mediaclash.co.uk or annie.kelly mediaclash.co.uk. The Awards are a great opportunity to get glammed up and have fun, yes, but they also provide invaluable networking for business from all the diverse sectors of the city, so make sure you get involved. For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk

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

Homes & Interiors winners, the Woodhouse & Law team

The Bath Life Awards celebrates the best of Bath’s businesses, from professional services to cafés, retail to charity

TESTIMONIAL

“We were thrilled to win after what has been a challenging 18 months for everyone. The night itself was so special, seeing everyone together. And then to win was such a special way of celebrating the hard work and commitment of our wonderful team.” John Law, director of Woodhouse & Law, Homes & Interiors winners 2021

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BATHWORKS

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2021

HOMEWOOD’s general manager Edward Fitzpatrick reflects on the Freshfordbased Hotel & Spa’s Bath Life Awards success Owners of Homewood Ian and Christa Taylor celebrating the hotel's win

LEISURE & TOURISM WINNER Well done on the Award! What was it like to win a Bath Life award? We are delighted to receive the Leisure and Tourism Award for the third time across the aleidoscope ollection. he finalists have all had amazing success and to come out on top is an ama ing feeling. Where will the Award be kept? It will be displayed with pride on our main omewood reception. Why do you think your hotel won? Homewood’s DNA is innovation on an everchanging basis. As a team we try and stand out from other hotels with different and appealing concepts. What do to think sets you apart from your rivals? We have a playful spirit at Homewood, that means our guests feel completely at home in a light-hearted but still utterly luxurious way. What do you really love about your job? Our team are the biggest and most irreplaceable asset we have. o lead them on a daily basis is very motivational for me as a manager. Where do the frustrations lie? ecruitment is our biggest threat. It is frustrating

You might be surprised to spot a yellow submarine in the gardens at Homewood

“WE HAVE A PLAYFUL SPIRIT AT HOMEWOOD”

the industry is labelled with a historical perception of long hours and low pay when they reality in is far different. What’s one of the the best part about working near Bath? We love the heritage of Bath and how it attracts new visitors to the city, and how we at Homewood get to be a part of creating a memorable experience for them throughout their stay. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Do not stop until you’re proud of what’s been created. Any exciting plans in the offing? We are about to go into planning for the creation of six new bedrooms and the enhancement of our spa and wellness facility. Tell us something surprising about you or your company... Watch out for the yellow submarine on our drive way. It was first purchased from the oyal Navy by Timothy Oulton, a leading furniture designer, when it was retired from the service of amsey and horeham where it was used to clear the waterways around Iraq. It was spotted and bought by the Taylors in 2018, and recently arrived at Homewood to take up its new place in the grounds, where it provokes a fair share of smiles.

For more: www.homewoodbath.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 81

SPONSORED CONTENT

CO-WORKING S PAC E S The offices of the future

BATH OFFICE COMPANY

JAMIE WILIAMS, MANAGING DIRECTOR 01225 632777; www.bathoffice.co.uk What does Bath Office Company offer? We’re on a mission to re-enable all that is great about working away from the home, providing spaces for businesses of all shapes and sizes to call their own – a place to call work – without the risk, or hassle, of a standard commercial lease. With private offices and meeting rooms across five central locations, we work with you to deliver a bespoke and flexible package. Renovating to reflect your brand, connectivity that matches your usage and security requirements, a sense of community as we emerge from the pandemic… whatever it takes to allow you to focus on what makes your business tick. What sets you apart? Being independent and local makes us adaptable, present, and responsive. How has the pandemic changed the role of serviced offices? It has only made the sector more relevant. With longer-term homeworking impractical for most businesses, a relatively risk-free and cost-effective solution is required. One-to-two-person bands looking for a bolthole in the city, SMEs plotting their next move, or larger national firms wanting to enable a hybrid working dynamic… serviced offices, especially in Bath, offer the right mix of affordability, location and control.

hours. Cassia hosts a range of events, from quiz nights to wine tastings to artisan markets. What sets you apart from other co-working spaces? The fact that we blend elements of co-working, café, bar and events space. We’ve worked very hard to make it somewhere customers feel at home and can visit us for a variety of different reasons. We’re opening a second Cassia in Bradford on Avon soon and that will have a wellness space too. What are your business values? The environment matters, supporting the local community and excellence in employment. We’ve just become an official Living Wage Employer which is very unusual in hospitality, but we were determined to treat our staff better than the industry norm.

CASSIA

ANNA SABINE, MANAGING DIRECTOR 01225 685825; www.cassiacommunity.co.uk What does Cassia offer? Cassia is a co-working café, so you can hire desks with us in The Study but you can also just pop in and work in our adults-only café for a few

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

What do your customers say about your space? “I was absolutely blown away by my visit to Cassia… When I arrived there was a lovely welcome and every single person I interacted with in the team was just brilliant.” That’s one of our Google reviews that we’re particularly proud of! What does the future look like for co-working spaces? They’ll look less like offices – who wants to finally abandon the office just to end up co-working in something very similar? Co-working needs to get better than just shoving some desks in a room and charging people for it. People will rightly demand more from their workspaces, which is a good thing.

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THE CLUBHOUSE

LAURA BREWSTER, PROPERTY ASSOCIATE, REGEN CLUBHOUSE laura@rengenclubhouse.com What sets you apart from other co-working spaces? The Clubhouse provides a chic coworking space to both work and relax in. Designed with you in mind by Caroline Brown, creative director of Rengen, The Clubhouse is a place to build real and valuable connections, leading to long-term friendships as well as business opportunities. We are growing a diverse membership from varying industries; building a network of individuals our members can call on for advice or offer their services to.

It’s also incredibly rewarding to receive so much positive feedback on the design and feel of the space. A lot of energy has been put into creating a place our members feel at ease and productive. Hearing that we’ve been successful at this makes it all worthwhile. Who are your customers? We have a range of members from long-established industries as well as more creative backgrounds, from law and accounting to publishing, marketing, tech, music and events. This reflects our physical space beautifully – a mix of the traditional and contemporary.

What are the most rewarding aspects of the job? Seeing members’ businesses and lives flourish from the new connections made here, even in the last few weeks alone, will always be the most rewarding aspect. That’s where the magic happens and why our role is as much about hosting and introducing people as it is providing somewhere practical to work.

furnished outdoor terrace. With attentive staff ensuring all runs smoothly, we firmly believe House of St John’s is the perfect place for the new hybrid working lifestyle.

HOUSE OF ST JOHN’S

01225 486486 hello@hosj.co.uk; www.hosj.co.uk What does the House of St John’s offer? Focused on community, inclusion and informal luxury, we describe the House of St John’s as the place to work, connect and grow. Situated at 1 Queen Square, the beautifully restored Grade 1-listed building now houses a variety of private offices, personal desks and hot desks, together with a bookable boardroom, elegant event space and stylish lounge and bar. High-end fixtures and fittings are complemented by ultra-fast broadband and, unusually for central Bath, we also have a

What sets you apart from other co-working spaces? While we are proud of the inspiring environment we have created, becoming a member of the House of St John’s is about so much more; not only do you get to benefit from the first-class facilities on offer, but your contribution positively influences the community around you. Profits from this new venture will be gifted to our charity partner, St John’s Foundation, specifically for its Foundation Fund – a fund established to support disadvantaged children in Bath and North East Somerset and to help lessen the education attainment gap. How do you support the community? In two ways: most importantly, St John’s Foundation Fund will be seeking to ‘level the playing field’ to help disadvantaged children in our area live happy and healthy lives. It will do this by ensuring children have nutritious food every day; a safe place outside of school; behavioural and emotional support and additional support with foundational reading, writing, oracy, and mathematics. Secondly, post pandemic, we are determined

to support local, independent businesses. To that end, we have engaged with businesses who share our ethos and whose products only enhance the House of St John’s offering. Members will benefit from discounted rates and priority access to businesses featured in our ‘Just across the Square’ list of who’s who. What do your customers say about your space? New to the Bath scene, we launch late November 2021 and so we have yet to have any customer reviews! However, whatever style of membership you choose, you’ll automatically be part of our inclusive and collaborative community. If you take a whole office, it will be thoughtfully furnished based around our members’ needs. As a member of the House of St John’s, you can enjoy a private office while still feeling part of a larger community. If a whole office isn’t for you, then personal or ‘dedicated’ desks are the way forward. Whether you are an early bird who likes to start work at 6am or someone who needs to be online at 11pm, the desk will be yours and yours alone. Finally, our hot-desking option provides the ultimate in flexibility and is ideal for those members who like to move around, choosing different environments dependent on their needs – one day it might be a quiet corner, the next all the hubbub of a communal lounge.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 83

Fireplaces, wood burners, gas fires, chimney and flue specialists

Classic to contemporary – concept to completion

Chesney’s . Barbas Bellfires . Hwam . Stuv . Jetmaster Contact us today or visit our showroom Mendip Fireplaces (Bath) Monkton Combe, Bath, BA2 7HD | 01225 722706 | info@mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk | www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

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TO BE OR NOT TO BE

Matthew Rutter from Bath-based chartered accountants and tax advisers PEARSON MAY looks at government plans to change the way in which unincorporated businesses are taxed

nincorporated businesses could be about to see significant changes to the way in which they are taxed, following the launch of a government consultation. The government plans to reform the basis period rules in a bid to simplify how unincorporated businesses, such as sole traders and partnerships, allocate trading profits to tax years for inclusion on their self-assessment returns. It aims to streamline the system before Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax becomes mandatory from April 2023 for these small businesses and align the way self-employed income is taxed with other forms of income, such as property income. Unincorporated businesses are currently taxed on the profits of their accounting period ending in the tax year, whereas under the new proposals they would be taxed on the profits arising in the tax year. This change would have no impact on a business whose accounting period ends on 31 March or 5 April but could have considerable impact for those with an accounting year-end of, for example, 30 April. According to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), 7 per cent of sole traders and 33 per cent of trading business partnerships do not draw up accounts to the tax year or to 31 March, indicating business partnerships are more likely to be affected. Should the reform get the green light, the changes could kick in from April 2022, with 2022/23 being a transitional year and the reformed rules applying from 2023/24.

WHAT ARE BASIS PERIODS? After the first year or two of running your own business, your basis period will be the 12-month period you use for your accounts (known as an accounting period). Most unincorporated businesses in the UK use either 31 March or 5 April as their accounting period end date and are therefore assessed for income tax based on the tax year. Where a different accounting period end date is used which does not align with the tax year-end, the basis period rules are applied to determine in which tax year the profits are taxed. In these circumstances, the profits are taxed in the tax year in which the accounting period ended. For example, if your business’s most recent year-end was 31 December 2020, you will pay income tax on any profits made in the year ended 31 December 2020 on your 2020/21 self-assessment Tax Return, because your accounting period end date fell in the 2020/21 tax year.

HOW MIGHT THE NEW RULES WORK IN FUTURE? If the proposals get the go-ahead, tax will be assessed by reference to the trading profits of the tax year itself, from 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024 onwards. Due to the proposed transition between the old and new rules, some businesses will find themselves being assessed for tax on a period greater than 12 months for the 2022/23 tax year. Businesses with a 30 April year-end could be particularly hit in 2022/23 as they may have to report profits for the period from 1 May 2021 to 5 April 2023 in that year – almost two years of trading profit. Where the business has overlap relief arising from earlier periods (often when it started to trade), that overlap relief can be offset against profits in 2022/23 to reduce the taxable profit in that tax year to help lessen the impact. It is also planned that transitional relief would be available to spread the extra income falling in 2022/23 over the five tax years up to and including 2026/27, but that could potentially push people into higher tax bands for those years and carry a risk of tax and National Insurance rates increasing during this period as well.

ACCOUNTING PERIODS Under the proposed plans, unincorporated businesses will still be able to draw up accounts to any accounting date that suits them, although an apportionment of profit or loss from different periods of account might then be needed to fit to the tax year of assessment. For example, a partnership with an accounting period ending on 31 December would have to prepare accounts for the two years ended 31 December 2026 in order to file the partnership tax return for 2025/26. That tax return would need to be filed by 31 January 2027, giving the partnership just one month to either finalise the profit figures for 2026 or provide estimates for the tax return. In practice, businesses might find it easier to change their accounting periods to align with the tax year.

Without this change to reporting periods, taxpayers with several sources of income would need to file MTD reports for differing quarterly periods in the tax year, leading to up to 13 MTD filings a year. Under the tax-year basis, it is envisaged that self-employed taxpayers will file MTD reports for all their sources of income by the same dates each quarter, with filing deadlines on 5 May, 5 August, 5 November and 5 February for quarters ending the month before. They will still need to file an end-of-period statement on or before 31 January each year. The estimated tax liabilities, based on those quarterly MTD reports, should make more sense to taxpayers, as the income reported in the quarter will be what drives the tax due for the year. HMRC has also recently consulted on accelerating tax payment dates for both companies and unincorporated businesses.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The consultation closed on 31 August 2021 and the government has said it will update draft legislation if it receives any changes or additions as a result. Our professional bodies, the ICAEW and the Chartered Institute of Taxation, together with others, have voiced strong opposition to the proposals. They suggest that the planned changes should be dropped as they will put significant pressure on taxpayers, agents and HMRC itself. They also make the point that, as the UK attempts to recover from the pandemic, the one thing businesses need most of all is a period of certainty and stability, which is arguably at risk if the proposals go ahead. It remains to be seen whether the government’s proposals will be given the green light so watch this space! * The above is for general guidance only and no action should be taken without obtaining specific advice.

MAKING TAX DIGITAL FUELS CHANGE With MTD for income tax set to commence from April 2023, HMRC wants to align the reporting of accounting data exactly with the tax year. HMRC deems accounting periods ending on dates between 31 March to 4 April as finishing on the standard tax year-end of 5 April. Businesses which already draw up accounts to 31 March or 5 April would therefore see no practical difference from 2022/23 onwards.

Matthew Rutter BSc(Hons) FCA CTA Pearson May Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers Bath, Chippenham and Trowbridge 37 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DA 01225 460491; mail@pearsonmay.co.uk www.pearsonmay.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 85

NORTON MASONRY LTD Stonework Specialists & General Builders

8 PICKFORD FIELDS, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4XU

Tel: 01761 232906 Mobile: 07901 712232

Email: nortonmasonryltd@hotmail.co.uk

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✆ 01225 475800

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MYTH BUSTING…

Jo Wagstaff, legal assistant at HELEN STARKIE SOLICITOR puts some common myths and misconceptions to rest

ometimes when new clients come to see us, particularly those who are making a will or consulting a solicitor for the first time, they can be apprehensive because they have a picture in their mind of a very formal meeting, a pinstripe suit behind a dusty desk and it all being rather imposing. Let that be the first myth this article does away with. Common sense and years of experience tell us that if we put clients at ease the outcome of the meeting will be better for both parties. The nature of the work we do means we often see people at the most stressful or difficult times in their lives, so it makes no sense for us to add to their worries. Please don’t be put off from seeking legal advice by what you think will happen. You might just be pleasantly surprised. Time and again we hear the same misconceptions from clients about the law surrounding wills and probate, so here are some facts about what you thought you knew: I don’t need a will because I don’t own a property Whether or not you own a property, the only way to be sure your assets pass where you want them to is by making a will. Family disputes aren’t confined to huge landed estates, they can break out over extremely modest sums of money. Making a will leaves clarity for those you leave behind. It will all pass to my wife/husband anyway If you’re married and don’t make a will it’s by no means guaranteed that your entire estate would pass to your spouse on your death. It may do, but it depends on the value of your assets, whether they are in your sole or joint names and a number of other considerations. A properly drafted will can make sure your estate is left as you would like it to be and in as tax-efficient a manner as possible. We’ve lived together for years so we’re common law husband and wife There’s no such thing as common law husband and wife. If you’re not married, regardless of how long you’ve lived together, you have no automatic rights on the death of your partner if they haven’t made a will. The law sets out a strict order of inheritance in the event of someone dying intestate (without a will) and unmarried partners don’t feature. The law does provide a mechanism for co-habiting partners to make a claim against an estate but it’s a lengthy and expensive process with no guarantee of success. Far better that the deceased left a will providing for their partner in the event of their death.

“IF YOU’RE A DISAPPOINTED BENEFICIARY THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING A CLAIM JUST TO IRRITATE YOUR BROTHER OR STEPMOTHER” I don’t agree with the will so I’m going to contest it The idea of making a claim against an estate is one that people have become more aware of in recent years. What most people don’t realise is that there are limited circumstances in which a claim can be brought, the burden of evidence is on the claimant to prove that they were entitled to more than they received, there is no guarantee of success and the costs can be eye-watering. If you’re aware of a family dispute or you’re going to leave your estate in a way which could cause one, e.g. leaving out one of your children, leave a letter with your will explaining the reasons why. If you’re a disappointed beneficiary, think carefully before making a claim just to irritate your brother or stepmother.

The will is read to the gathered family after a death Only in the movies I’m afraid. We made wills just before we got married so don’t need to make them again If you make a will and subsequently get married, unless there is very specific wording included in that will, it will automatically be revoked by the marriage. I don’t need to pay a professional, I’ll write my own will For the same reason that we wouldn’t recommend you service your own car or remove your own appendix, we don’t recommend you write your own will. It may look straightforward, but there are many potential pitfalls and unforeseen consequences to getting it wrong.

Helen Starkie Solicitor 38 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT; 01225 442353; www.helenstarkie.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 87

FINALIST

FOR SALE

CAMDEN

UNDER OFFER

£550,000 NEWBRIDGE

UNDER OFFER

LANSDOWN

£695,000 COMBE DOWN

UNDER OFFER

£650,000 HENRIETTA GARDENS

FOR SALE

COMBE DOWN

SOLD

FOR SALE

£900,000 LANSDOWN

UNDER OFFER

£550,000

SOLD

£500,000 GREAT PULTENEY STREET £2,300,000

£500,000

BATHAMPTON

£525,000

Matthew Leonard Director

Lucy McIlroy Director

Denise Latham Lettings Manager

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

The Kennard has 12 recently refurbished bedrooms

Commercial

BE OUR GUEST

Twelve-bed city centre guesthouse up for sale

Knight Frank are marketing the Henrietta Street property

An award-winning boutique guest house, The Kennard, situated on popular Henrietta Street in Bath is on the market with estate agents Knight Frank with a guide price of £2 million. The Grade I listed property is a converted late 18th century former townhouse by Thomas Baldwin and comprises recently refurbished guest bedrooms over five oors, a townhouse garden, a large breakfast room and on-street parking. Josh Aspland-Robinson, senior surveyor in the Knight Frank hotels team, says, “We are thrilled to act as sole selling agents for the sale of The Kennard in Bath. The business enjoys high profit conversions with forward bookings set to exceed pre- ovid performance. he ennard offers a purchaser the opportunity to take advantage of a highly successful business in a prime regional location. “Since purchasing the asset in 2016, our client has completed a comprehensive refurbishment, increasing the quality and appeal of the business. Following the impact of the pandemic, there has been an unprecedented level of demand for domestic tourism and hotels assets in the South West are increasingly being sought after.” For more: www.knightfrank.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 89

PROPERTY NEWS Sustainability

GREEN LIVING

he first low-energy properties in ath that are part of ath orth ast omerset ouncil’s commitment to build more affordable and sustainable housing are now on sale. he fourbedroom detached and three-bedroom semi-detached homes at t Joseph’s ourt on ladebrook oad, ath are part of a development of nine houses being delivered by the council’s construction and development company, Aequus onstruction imited. he properties’ green credentials include air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery and solar panels, which are set to save the new owners more than per cent on energy bills. All the homes will have electric vehicle charging points. he council has acquired two of the semi-detached three-bed homes for affordable housing that will be available to buy under shared ownership. eople who are unable to afford a mortgage on per cent of a home can apply for the government-regulated elp to uy hared Ownership scheme. his offers them the chance to buy a share of their home and pay a subsidised rent on the remaining share, with the combined payment being less than buying a property on the open market. ouncillor evin uy, council leader, says, “ he sustainability credentials of t Joseph’s ourt are a shining example of how it’s possible for developers to support climate emergency goals at the same time as making a profit. hese high-quality, low-energy homes are an attractive prospect for home buyers, especially the two we have acquired for shared ownership as they will help people to get a foot on the home ownership ladder more easily.” For more: www.aequusdevelopments.co.uk

ABOVE: Charles Gerrish, chair of Aequus, and Cllr Kevin Guy pictured with one of the air source heat pumps installed in homes at St Joseph’s Court, Road, Bath LEFT: The kitchen diner of one of the Sladebrook Road homes

Regeneration RIGHT: Innox Mills as it looks now; BELOW: Proposed plans for the site is a mix of residential and commercial

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

IN THE PLANNING A thriving mix of new homes, commercial workspaces, food and beverage sites are planned for Innox ills, bringing a vibrant new quarter to rowbridge town centre. he plans, submitted by Innox ills td who acquired the site in , to iltshire ouncil, include a mix of up to high quality houses and apartments, investment in the riverside, outdoor play areas for children, new links through the site to the town centre, plus green, open leisure spaces. here will be a big focus on independent food and drink, with space for artisan businesses and co-working space. here will also be regular events throughout the year. he development would regenerate a redundant brownfield site in the centre of rowbridge that has laid derelict for years, breathing new life into the historic buildings. e ardner, chair of the rowbridge hamber of ommerce, says, “ he hamber of ommerce is delighted that Innox ills is to be developed as beautiful commercial, leisure and residential space, with attention paid to good design, bat conservation, biodiversity and green environmental buildings. e are particularly glad to encourage the re-use of empty brownfield land here, which will help to revitalise and restore the ounty own of iltshire to its former glory.” For more: www.wiltshire.gov.uk

Lansdown

THE HIGH LIFE

Matilda Walton selects four luxurious Bath homes on the market right now

ath is synonymous with luxury living. From the iconic Georgian townhouses and villas to the rarer, contemporary-style modern builds, the city’s high-end property market is hard to beat. Here, we explore just a few of the deluxe homes for sale in Bath.

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

“It complements the Georgian surrounds”

Hartham House Price: POA

Savills; Edgar House, 17 George Street, Bath; www.savills.co.uk This exquisite Italianate-style villa was constructed six years ago and designed by Mark Watson, a well-regarded architect of Watson Bertram and Fell, with beautiful interiors and landscaping by acclaimed Bath favourites oodhouse aw. he five-bedroom villa enjoys a satisfying blend of traditional and contemporary details so that it complements the Georgian surrounds, but with a distinctive, modern edge.

PROPERTY

10a Great Pulteney Street Guide price: £2.3m

Winkworth; 14 Argyle Street, Bath; www.winkworth.co.uk It doesn’t get more Bath than Great Pulteney Street. Set across six oors, this rade I listed property offers enviable versatility of use and many characterful original features throughout. Its entrance hall is thought to be unique in si e and styling on reat ulteney treet – large and elegant, it features stone ooring, fireplace and the additional grandeur of impressive cornices and frie es.

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Tower House Price: £1.95m

Knight Frank; 4 Wood Street, Bath; www.knightfrank.co.uk Named for its unique stone-clad tower, this six-bedroom home is part of an exclusive recent development in the sought-after upper slopes of Lansdown. It makes the most of the exceptional views offered by its location with full-length glass doors in the open-plan ground oor that stretch the entire back wall, creating a panoramic vista. he tower, accessed via the first oor provides yet another gorgeous viewing point – and a cosy little hideaway besides.

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PROPERTY

7 Camden Crescent Price: £2.15m

Strutt & Parker, 7-9 North Parade Buildings, Bath; www.struttandparker.com Camden Crescent has it all – unbeatable architecture, far-reaching views, iconic address, and a little distance from the busy city centre. his five oor, five bedroom home is, quite simply, enormous – around , square feet – with exquisite original architectural details throughout. Our favourite feature? The mezzanine library on the second oor. It is a bookworm’s dream.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

REACHING OUT TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

Luke Brady, head of the Bath office and the southern region residential division at SAVILLS looks at the attraction of Bath property for buyers world-wide

eing a world-famous city means that Bath has long attracted a wide pool of buyers from across the country and around the globe. It is a city whose reputation undoubtedly precedes it, however it is not one to rest on its laurels, and continues to reach for – and secure – new accolades. In the last year alone, Bath has received a second UNESCO World Heritage status listing and has been named one of the ‘World’s greatest places’ by the US magazine, TIME. Meanwhile, we can’t underestimate the hugely successful Bridgerton for its role in promoting Bath to a worldwide audience. Perhaps, therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that – despite international travel restrictions over the last 18 months or so – we recorded

“IF YOU ARE THINKING OF SELLING IN BATH, IT IS WORTH CONSIDERING THE ROLE YOUR AGENT CAN PLAY IN TARGETING BUYERS FROM ACROSS THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY” 96 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

the highest proportion of sales to international buyers in the south of the country. In a normal market, non-UK buyers account for around 10 per cent of sales here in Bath. This dipped only slightly to 7 per cent in the 12 months to July – which is remarkable given the unprecedented circumstances the pandemic has subjected the world to. Now, as international travel resumes, we’re starting to see increased interest from this market. Our latest website statistics are already showing an uptick in interest from international buyers over the last three months. This is particularly notable in relation to people in the US – with searches for Bath up by a third on the same period last year. Our surrounding villages are also attracting attention in the US, with over 3,600 searches for Castle Coombe recorded, 72 per cent more than last year. If you are thinking of selling in Bath, it is worth considering the role your agent can play in targeting buyers from across the UK and internationally. We make good use of Savills national and global network here in Bath, working closely with our country house department and international teams to ensure the right homes are seen by the right people, whether they are in Lansdown, London or Lisbon. Of the various marketing tools we employ, virtual viewings have become increasingly commonplace in recent years. A lockdown essential, they allowed us to show homes to

buyers who were unable to view in person. Video allows buyers to view a long list of properties in a fraction of the time, and so by the time they set foot over the threshold, they already know the property and that first physical viewing becomes more like the traditional second, more considered, viewing. Buyers can avoid spending unnecessary time and travel while sellers can minimise the need to clean, tidy and vacate their home. The proof is in the pudding – one sale we made last year was to a family relocating from Hong Kong, who bought their house having only ever seen it virtually. Our experience of the last two years has allowed us to hone our strategy – and it has proved incredibly effective. Now, with our website statistics showing that a property listing that features video or an interactive floorplan is three times more likely to generate an enquiry, there is little doubt that it will remain a valuable tool – especially in relation to international buyers. With the appetite to buy property in Bath at an all-time high, now is an excellent time to sell. To find out more about the market for your home, talk to our expert team.

Savills Bath, Edgar House, 17 George Street, Bath BA1 2EN 01225 474 500; www.savills.co.uk

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL Dive into the new trends taking over kitchens around the country and the timeless looks too iconic to ever go out of style Words by Lydia Tewkesbury Bold contrasts of colours and materials are very on trend, seen here in this kitchen by Woodhouse & Law

KITCHENS

A kitchen island like this one by Neptune will never go out of fashion

o go for trend or for timeless: that is the question at the outset of any kitchen renovation. The latest look taking over Instagram always really pops – but will it still in a year’s time? Here, Bath’s designers and industry experts examine what’s hot right now alongside the looks that endure no matter the season.

TREND Turn up the contrast

Embrace the quirk and go bold this season with bright and contrasting colours and surfaces. Throw convention to the wind and make the space your own with a daring and inventive colour scheme. It’s time to go big or go home. “For the brave this can be achieved by choosing a statement kitchen door, which generally are available in a huge spectrum of colours,” says Natasha Allin, director at Formosa Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms. “Or if working with an existing kitchen, bringing in pops of colour through freshening up splash backs, wall colour and accessories, a space can be transformed into something truly unique.” Carine Butcher at Gardiner Haskins agrees – now is the time to be brave with colour. She says, “Experimentation with colour in the kitchen is getting bolder and the bolder colours are seeping through to the bathroom as well. Burgundy and plum tones are becoming popular for 2022.” If colour isn’t your thing, contrasting surface finishes can also be used to create a daring look without giving you a headache. Combine surfaces like wood, walnut, cherry or olive-stained oak with a

complementary colour such as white, gravel, clay or int to create a space that is striking without being in-your-face. “ he choice of worktop, splashback and ooring can bring even more visual interest to the room – the intricate patterns of marble, quartz or granite, tile textures and layout, or the tone and grain of wooden ooring,” says harlotte right, a design consultant with Hobson’s Choice.

TIMELESS Shake it up

…Or maybe don’t. Embrace classic simplicity with a shaker cabinet that will never go out of fashion. Unfussy, clean design that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional, it’s no wonder this minimal style continues to reign supreme. “The shaker cabinet in warm neutrals will never go out of style,” says Bath Kitchen Company’s James Horsfall. “It complements any English home; and can be kept quite traditional, or modernised through the use of different accessories, such as handles and taps.” These days we’re making choices with an eye towards sustainability and longevity – the simplicity of shaker style offers a blank canvass that you can update and adapt rather than tearing the room out and starting over every few seasons. “This timeless style of cabinetry design can be refreshed by painting in new colours or introducing new handles when in need of an update,” says John aw, director at oodhouse aw. “ he cost saving over the years, as well as the far smaller resulting carbon footprint, are both much more desirable than fitting a new kitchen as and when trends change.”

“To go for trend or for timeless: that is the question”

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KITCHENS

ABOVE: The trend is leaning toward bespoke,

according to Alex at I Love Colours;

RIGHT: A Stoneham Kitchen from Gardiner

Haskins embraces the aesthetic simplicity of shaker style; BELOW: Hand-blown clear glass pendants fom Jim Lawrence

TREND Go bespoke

Are the days of the catalogue kitchen behind us? Maybe, according to Sarah Latham, creative director and founder of Etons of Bath: “We are finding clients moving away from paying for ‘big brand’ kitchens and opting for more bespoke design and joinery to allow exibility around their style and how they use their kitchen.” arah puts some of this down to the pandemic – we spent more time at home and cooked more than ever before, and that gave a chance for re ection on what we really want from our kitchens. his applies to all the finer details, we may not have considered before in the post-work, grab dinner rush – like lighting. ight now, we are rejecting harsh down lights in favour of something a little softer. race lements, marketing and coordinator at Jim awrence explains, “ e’ve noticed a real shift towards our elegant hand-blown glass pendants over kitchen islands and dining tables. lear glass shades bypass the visual imposition that can sometimes happen with weightier lighting, allowing light to pass through wherever you need to place the fittings. his is particularly beneficial for island and dining tables so that the need for task lighting can be fulfilled without making the area feel cluttered or heavy.”

TIMELESS Island life

he kitchen island is ubiquitous across styles – functional and cool, it is, without a doubt, a modern kitchen must have. “ ranted you have the room, an island is the perfect solution to keeping organised in your kitchen as it provides further cabinetry or shelving, and somewhere to cook, eat, work as well as gather and socialise,” says laire irkbeck, kitchen designer at eptune ath. “Kitchen islands have evolved into a design essential in a modern kitchen, they just work brilliantly with our lifestyle making multi-tasking easy,” agrees Alex enry, interior designer and founder of I ove olours esign tudio. “In an open space, kitchen islands work great as dividers between the kitchen and the dining sitting areas, whilst providing some informal seating.”

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Bath Kitchen Company have seen a rise in demand for striking, veined marble such as such as arrabascato and calacatta

Here, Hobson’s Choice use a bold contrast of cherry and clay finishes

“A key kitchen trend we’re seeing is bold marble countertops”

KITCHENS

“More and more we are seeking to show individ a it it int i s

TREND Counter culture

It’s not just colours and cabinetry that create a bold look – these days, surfaces take centre stage. “A key kitchen trend we are seeing is bold marble countertops, islands and splashbacks,” says James Horsfall of Bath Kitchen Company. “Marble with lots of veins such as arrabascato and calacatta have been very popular, or people can find a budget-friendly alternative such as quartz.” ore and more we are seeking to show off our individuality with our interiors, and taking the time to consider the impact of every surface, finish and fitting is what takes a design to the next level. eep asking – how can this be more? At Woodhouse & Law, they go beyond the worktops, adding interesting contrasting details like brass inlays to cabinetry, ooring and furniture to create something of unique quality. “ his level of detail and workmanship re ects the growing shift towards artisanal work and craftmanship that has become more noticeable across all spaces within the home,” says John Law.

YOU HAVE BEEN READING

Add a pop of colour with a vibrant splashback, like in this kitchen by Formosa

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Bath Kitchen Company, 7-9 North Parade Buildings, Bath; www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk Etons of Bath, 108 Walcot Street, Bath; www.etonsofbath.com Formosa Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms, Ham Green, Holt, Wiltshire; www.formosakbb.co.uk Gardiner Haskins Interiors, 1 Straight Street, Bristol; www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk Hobson’s Choice, Kensington Showrooms, London Road, Bath; www.hobsonschoice.uk.com I Love Colours; www.ilovecolours.co.uk Jim Lawrence, 114-116 Walcot Street, Bath; www.jim-lawrence.co.uk Neptune, One Tram Yard, Walcot Street, Bath; www.neptune.com Woodhouse & Law, 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Producing only the finest architectural joinery, furniture and kitchens. T: 01225 459247 | M: 07896 809349 clayton@claytondavidson.co.uk | www.claytondavidson.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

Clair Strong Interior Design is a small, creative company based in Bath, providing a wide range of services for both residential and commercial clients. Her portfolio of projects includes the design, project coordination and sourcing for some of Bath’s most beautiful residences, as well as sports clubs, o ces and other commercial venues. Contact Clair on 01225 426906 or 07855 79731 www.clairstrong.co.uk

ETONS OF BATH

KUTCHENHAUS

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

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

FLOORING BATH LTD

ounded in 00 , tons of Bath is the ’s only specialist interior design practice focussed on refurbishing, renovating and reinvigorating Georgian and egency homes and hotels. heir team of interior designers, planners and project managers can help you design and deliver classically inspired interiors that add value, turn heads and improve the use of space. Tel: 01225 639002; www.etonsofbath.com

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

WESTSIDE DESIGN

CHEVERELL

www.westsidedesign.co.uk

www.cheverell.co.uk

Westside Design is a family-run Bath based company oﬀering a tailored design, manufacturing and installation service for all aspects of cabinet making and joinery. Specialising in contemporary bespoke kitchens and interiors. Contact Michael on 01225 330843 or 07976 268458 or email info@westsidedesign.co.uk

MENDIP FIREPLACES

Kutchenhaus have opened a brand new showroom in the heart of Bath bringing their beautifully designed and highly engineered German kitchens to the city. Owner Rob Cash and his experienced and talented team look after every customer through the journey from enquiry to completion, creating kitchens of the highest standard at aﬀordable prices. 5 Saracen St, Bath BA1 5BR; Tel: 01225 634025; www.kutchenhaus.co.uk/showroom/bath

www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk

Cheverell is set in the heart of Wiltshire with a stunning showroom and workshop, oﬀering a full bespoke design, manufacturing and installation service in kitchens, bedrooms, and interiors. stablished in it has over 0 years of e perience to guide you through the whole process. Cheverell, Waller Road, Hopton Park, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2GH; Tel: 01380 722722;

looring Bath td has decided to bring a ooring show home to you. hey will visit the space that requires ooring (commercial or residential), measure it, go through samples and work out your best option. They pride themselves on sourcing quality products and the ability to work with all trades and conditions with a can-do attitude. Call James or Nick on 07761 663492 /07704 062181 info@flooring-bath.com; www.flooring-bath.com

BONITI

Boniti is based on the outskirts of Bath and offers a wide range of quality interior and exterior products: natural stone and timber ooring, verhot range cookers, garden furniture and adai firebowls. s well as the vast selection of products on offer, a friendly and personal service is at the heart of all that they do. Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton,Wiltshire SN14 8JA; Tel: 01225 892 200; www.boniti.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 105

BATH LIVES

“Now that I’ve started giving pottery lessons, I’m absolutely loving teaching adults” One of the best jobs I ever had was when I worked as a barmaid when I was a teenager.

This is because I loved chatting to the customers and I didn’t have any responsibility at all. The worst job was door-to-door sales – soul-destroying.

KATE MARSHALL The Bear Flat potter on saying adios to teaching and starting a new career at the wheel Kate Marshall studied modern languages at the University of Nottingham before becoming a French and Spanish teacher at a school in Surrey in 1988. For the last 18 years she has taught at Beechen Cliff School but this year, after deciding she needed a change of direction, is making her hobby her job and is now a self-employed potter and pottery-teacher. I was born and raised in Bristol, and Bath was one of the places we would come for a day out

when I was young. I remember as a child how enormous the children’s playground at Victoria Park seemed, and the huge concrete pipe that we used to play in there. I moved here over 30 years ago, and the feeling of how lucky I am to live in this beautiful city has never left me.

My dad worked in a factory for 20 years and then trained as a social worker, and my mum was a legal secretary. I was

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the one of the first in my family to leave Bristol and move away to study, but I love going back, especially to the different live music venues there. I loved school – I think that must be why I became a teacher. I was a bit of a swot

At first, it was simply the languages I loved, and being a teacher was just a good way of being able to use them.

Over time, the pupils became more important. Now that I’ve started giving pottery lessons, I’m absolutely loving teaching adults and sharing my skills and enthusiasm with them.

My biggest achievement is having taught students the language they need to communicate in French and Spanish or having helped inspire

students to carry on studying Spanish at A level and university. My children are actually my biggest inspiration. They’ve

too because I just loved learning things. It was a bit of a shock to discover that not everybody felt the same way, but then trying to inspire a love of languages became my goal. I love it when an ex-pupil tells me with a big smile how they’ve been using their Spanish or French.

showed me there are different ways of living and made me re-evaluate what is important to me. The two oldest children have travelled and lived all over the world. My eldest has even cycled around the world.

I’ve always found learning languages easy, which is odd,

University, I had the chance to go to Mexico to study, but I turned it down because it was so far away. It was another 30 years before I went there to celebrate my 50th birthday, even though I’d been teaching Latin American culture all that time.

because neither of my parents spoke any languages, and I don’t think anybody else in my family did. They did always encourage me and my brother to go on school exchanges though, like the Bristol-Bordeaux Exchange, and we used to go to France and Spain on holiday when I was a child.

One regret is not having travelled much myself when I was younger. When I was at

Lockdown was a difficult time. As a teacher I had to learn new

ways of teaching so I was able to teach effectively online, and

as a parent I had to support my youngest in his online learning. To counter-balance the stress of all this, I spent more time on my hobby – ceramics. I was so lucky to be able to do something with my hands and be creative, and actually making pots gave me a great sense of accomplishment, at a time when we weren’t able to leave the house.

I have been involved with the Bear Flat Artists for 15 years and

hair for over five years, and when we organised a postponed Open Studios in September 2020, the support and encouragement from friends, neighbours and local people made me think that I could actually make a living out of my ceramics. In December 2020 I decided that it was the right time to leave teaching, and at the end

of August I took early retirement – after 33 years. I miss the pupils, but I’m enjoying teaching ceramics now – on a much smaller scale, of course.

I live on Beechen Cliff, very

near Alexandra Park. Every morning when I walk the dog I have the most fantastic views of Bath, and during lockdown we discovered loads of beautiful walks from our house through the Bath countryside. The people here are great too – I couldn’t have taken the difficult decision to leave teaching without their support and encouragement. There is a incredible sense of community here.

For more: www.katemarshallceramics.co.uk