Bath Life – Issue 466 by MediaClash

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180

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TAKE ME

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PRIMAL CHIC

FASHION TAKES A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

HOW TO USE PATTERN IN YOUR HOME

TAKE IT TO THE MAX ISSUE 466 / 25 MARCH – 8 APRIL 2022 / A PRIZE-WINNING ISSUE

BEAUTIFUL HAIR AT DAVID MAXWELL

BY GEORGE!

ETONS OF BATH ON GEORGIAN RESTORATION

ON A JOLLY

ISSUE 466 / 25 MARCH – 8 APRIL 2022 / £3

JOYFUL JAUNTS AND DELIGHTFUL DAYS OUT

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ABOVE: Noya Pawlyn, who won

both Best Restaurant and the overall Platinum Award BELOW: See all the Bath Life Award winners and party action starting over on page 15

t was as if a winning goal had been scored in a cup final. The approving roar of the crowd, people took to their feet, they punched the air for joy. Noya’s Kitchen had just been announced as the overall winner of the Bath Life Awards 2022, scooping the Platinum after having secured Best Restaurant earlier in the night. Noya Pawlyn, pictured above, represents so much that is great and good about Bath, and the winners who make up the Bath Life Awards. Noya’s story is an inspiring one – her first experience with food was making rice for her four siblings in a Hong Kong refugee camp, whilst her parents went out to work. She was seven years old and the family had just fled their home country of Vietnam by boat. For a decade now Noya has been sharing her Vietnamese heritage and culture to the people of Bath, first through supper clubs to then setting up Noya’s Kitchen on St James’s Parade in 2017. It’s a hugely successful Bath indie business with not just an incredible back story but with an incredibly exciting future. I don’t think there was a single person out of the 500 attendees at the Assembly Room on 3 March who wasn’t overjoyed by Noya’s win. Bath Life Awards 2022 was a night of togetherness, support, and of generous celebration. There’s also the behind the scenes stars such as the MediaClash events team and Jess Hudson-Myers of Soul Media, pictured right, who work tirelessly through the night to ensure the whole night glitters, sparkles, and runs smoothly. Turn to page 15 for Soul Media’s picture perfect capturing of the entire ceremony. And over the next few months we will be bringing you exclusive interviews with all the Bath Life Award 2022 winners to help tell the story of Bath’s thriving indie scene and entrepreneurial spirit.

©SOUL EMDIA

EDITOR’S LETTER

SARAH MOOLLA Follow us on Twitter @BathLifeMag Instagram @bathlifemag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 3

Issue 466 / 25 March – 7 April 2022 COVER Noya and Daniel Pawlyn, the forces behind Restaurant and Platinum Bath Life Award-winning Noya’s Kitchen, shot in celebration mode by Soul Media

BATH LIFE AWARDS

15 CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES The winners, the glitz, the glam,

and the joy – all caught on camera

104

SPRING INTERIORS

34 HOW TO USE PATTERN This season it’s time to go bold

THE ARTS

75 ARTS INTRO Contemporary Anishinabe artist Celeste Pedri-

Spade’s work comes to Bath for her first European exhibition

76 WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, family entertainment, comedy,

art and fun in Bath and beyond

80 EASTER DAYS OUT for all the family 87 BOOKS Nic’s reads for difficult times 88 FILM Toxic love, lockdown reminiscences, and blood-thirsty

fiends this month at The Little

FOOD&DRINK

93 FOOD & DRINK NEWS The Bear is back with a brand new look 94 TAKE 5 Verónica Ganan Burgoa shares the story behind Vero’s 96 RESTAURANT Beckford Bottle Shop is a lesson in taking it slow

SHOPPING

101 SHOPPING INTRO Stay cool, calm and collected with this facial

mist from Ubeity

102 EDITOR’S CHOICE How to feel better 104 FASHION Embrace your wild side with leopard print 107 HEALTH & BEAUTY A new do by David Maxwell

BUSINESS

111 BATHWORKS Local business news, views, and interviews 114 BIZ Q&A Louise Home of Bathrooms at No.5 115 BIZ Q&A Rosie Nottage, garden designer 121 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Support you need to succeed

PROPERTY

163 PROPERTY LEAD The 2022 RIBA South West Regional Awards

shortlist is out

164 PROPERTY NEWS Updates from the market 166 SHOWCASE This Widcombe Hill property feels like home 170 RESIDENCE Sarah Latham of Etons of Bath shares the secret

behind great design

170

DEPARTMENTS

9 SPOTLIGHT Local celebs throw their weight behind the Cleveland Pools crowdfunding campaign 10 INSTAS We’ll never get over Bath’s architecture 33 FLATLINE Flats is going underground 178 BATH LIVES Meet harpsichordist Nathaniel Mander

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, Elsie Chadwick, David Flatman, Emma Ingledew and Matilda Walton Group commercial manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Annabel North annabel.north@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Dan Nichols dan.nichols@mediaclash.co.uk Business Development Executive Kyra Hardy kyra.hardy@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 / Gemma Bourne gemma.bourne@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bath Life MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 Circus Mews, Bath, BA1 2PW 01225 475800; www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

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

SPOTLIGHT Charity

POOL PARTY

David Flatman

Jonathan Dimbleby

Kris Marshall

Sharron Davies

A whole host of celebrity guests donned hard hats and high vis vests to lend their support to the Cleveland Pools Trust’s Crowdfunder campaign in support of ongoing restoration work of Britain’s oldest public outdoor swimming pool. Kris Marshall, Jonathan Dimbleby, Sharron Davies, David Flatman, Stephanie Millward and Amy Williams all appeared in a fundraising video, where together they recited a poem written by the Trust’s communications trustee Kitty Dimbleby, who’s daughter Sophie also appeared in the film. The Cleveland Pools are now only a few months from reopening to the public, and everyone who pledges support towards the £80,000 target will be entered into a prize draw to be one of the first 100 to swim in the (now heated) pools, where restoration works began last year following decades of campaigning by the Cleveland Pools Trust. For more: www.clevelandpools.org.uk

Sophie Hodges

Stephanie Millward

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 9

SPOTLIGHT

HOUSE ENVY

We will never get over feeling awestruck by Bath’s architecture

@symz_photography www.symz-photography.co.uk

@matts_world_01

@abigailrosewest

@r_jay_84

@deslewisphotography

@itsrachelhannah

@sophieerin___

@therollinson

@wallpaper.and.wine

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

BATH LIFE AWARDS

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Joy and jubilation reigned supreme at the recent Bath Life Awards. Let’s look back on the gorgeous, glamorous, brilliant evening... Photos by Soul Media; www.soul-media.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 15

OH, WHAT A NIGHT

he Bath Life Awards is always a night to remember – this year back in the Assembly Rooms, hundreds gathered in their best, most glam looks to celebrate the best of Bath for another year. It was a night filled with special moments – made all the more precious for the continued uncertainty and difficulty the world is experiencing right now. Ukraine was on everybody’s minds, and at the beginning of the night Greg Ingham announced that MediaClash, Bath Life’s Life’s publisher, will be giving free advertising pages in Bath Life for all events and organisations that encourage donations to support those affected by the ongoing conflict. The announcement was inspired by Bathbased businesses pledging their support, including our friends Network N, who are donating a spectacular £50,000, and Anthem Publishing, who are donating £10,000. It was an extraordinary night; there were tears, cheers and a roll call of hugely inspiring runners-up, special mentions and winners – from the touching and emotional speech from the School of Dialogue to the utterly flabbergasted Platinum Award winner of winners of the night Noya’s Kitchen – and the absolute joy of the

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

BATH LIFE AWARDS

amazing Mentoring Plus, who won the Charity category this year. The hundreds of attendees enjoyed a three-course meal by Searcy’s – the cheesecake was spectacular – the smooth and slick AV was by Enlightened Lighting, and the proceedings were led by our forever host and columnist extraordinaire David Flatman with help from MediaClash chief exec Greg Ingham. Our gorgeous Awards were handmade by Bath Stonemasons with the jewel and plaque by Bristol Design Forge and Cutlines, and came with a bottle of fizz provided by Taste of Bath. Afterwards we all made the short trip down the road to Sub 13 for the afterparty – where we danced the rest of the night away into the wee hours – all caught on camera, of course, by our exceptional photographers from Soul Media. It was an emotional, thrilling, awe-inspiring night filled with all the very best of the city has to offer. We can’t wait to do it all again next year. With love, thanks, and hi-fives from Sarah, Lydia, Greg, Jane, Pat, and all the Bath Life team

For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk

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Guests enjoyed their Bath Life cover star moments

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CATEGORY WINNERS

ARTS

WINNER:

NEW OLD FRIENDS

BUSINESS SERVICES Sponsored by

CHARITY Sponsored by

WINNER:

CLEARLY PR

WINNER:

MENTORING PLUS

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

ALL PHOTOS BY SOUL MEDIA

BAR

WINNER:

Sponsored by

THE CURFEW

CAFÉ

WINNER:

Sponsored by

CIVIC

Sponsored by

SUGARCANE STUDIO

WINNER:

BATH FOODBANK

BATH LIFE AWARDS

CREATIVE Sponsored by

EVENT

Sponsored by

PERSEPHONE BOOKS

WINNER:

BATH CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS’ FAIR

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Sponsored by

WINNER:

PRECISION PILATES STUDIO

EDUCATION

HAIR & BEAUTY

HOMES & INTERIORS

WINNER:

CURTAIN UP THEATRE SCHOOL

WINNER:

12 TRIM STREET

WINNER:

WOODHOUSE & LAW www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 19

BATH LIFE AWARDS

LEGAL & FINANCIAL Sponsored by

NEW BUSINESS Sponsored by

PROPERTY

Sponsored by

WINNER:

UNIVIDUAL

WINNER:

SOMERSET CHILLI CO

WINNER:

ASPIRE TO MOVE

BATH PROPERTY AWARDS

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

LEISURE & TOURISM Sponsored by

PEOPLE SERVICES

RESTAURANT Sponsored by

WINNER:

MARY SHELLEY’S HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN

WINNER:

THE SCHOOL OF DIALOGUE

WINNER:

NOYA’S KITCHEN

BATH LIFE AWARDS

RETAILER

WINNER:

SUAVE OWL

SUSTAINABILITY Sponsored by

WINNER:

SIMPLE COW

SPECIAL AWARD

WINNER:

BATH HALF

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

WINNER:

DIGITAL WONDERLAB

Sponsored by

PLATINUM AWARD WINNER:

NOYA’S KITCHEN

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 21

SPONSORED BY:

AWARDS 2022 ALL PHOTOS BY SOUL MEDIA

Lucy Hogg and Fiona Daymond

Greg Ingham announced donations in support of Ukraine

Alvina Ware, Leah Moyle and Sheraton Watson

Chris Harris, Lucy Harverson, Jon Ducker, Heidi Street and Charlotte Mullen

Duncan Patterson, Gemma Drew, Julian Drew and Andrea Harris Chloe Wheeler, Georgia Winkworth and Philomena Svtlecic

Georgie Hughes and Lily Knight

Joseph Evans, Brad Snow and Alex Lutskes Jane Woods and Feargus Woods Dunlop

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 23

SPONSORED BY:

BATH LIFE AWARDS

Simon Wainwright, Peggy Braybrook and Tom Smart

Tash and Craig Bishop

Kerry Ann, Gavin Edney, Carl Phillips and Szymon Szymczak Dulcie Selby

Arabella Trisilian and Greg Ingham

Sam Daniels

Hans Metger and Valerie Gomez Mel Taylor and Andrew Taylor

Malachi Bogdanov

www.mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK I BATH LIFE I 48 25

SPONSORED BY:

ARCHITECTS BATH LIFE AWARDS

David Flatman, Sarah Moolla, Grainne Moher and Sue Fourie

Leslie Redwood

Celebrations are always enthusiastic

David Flatman, Simon Jones, Greg Harris, Cherie-Anne Baxter, and Michael Musgrave

David Flatman, Noya Pawlyn and Greg Ingham Stephanie Brown

26 49 IMEDIACLASH.CO.UK BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Fang-Yu Lin and Neil Edwards Rafaella Ponce

Emanuela Di Biase and Malachi Bogdanov

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Lots of love for the winners

There’s nothing like seeing your favourites win

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Oliver Day and Emma Willoughby

Lloyd Evans and Pete Helme

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Stuart Hobbs and Nathan Baranowski

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Patrick Brady, Lousie Kelly, David Hill and Mark Tyrell Emily Thatcher and Layla Arthur

Adam Mutlow, Kelly Marie, Luke Mutlow and Peggy Braybrook

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

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“I forgot to spec a light switch so we only ever enter in complete darkness”

Basement hacks Flats has gone for low level living while the renovations continue

he whole issue of scheduling during a house renovation is sufficiently labour intensive that a project manager now feels like a must. I was always of the view that while on a tight budget, paying someone actual money to make phone calls and sweep up every now and then was a ridiculous extravagance. That was until I got one. Without question our project manager is saving us money. Masses of time, and also money. I type these words from the basement that proves my point beyond reasonable doubt. The basement has its own entrance from the street. This meant that, after it had been given a lick of paint, we could live in it while the big stuff went on upstairs. No need to move out and rent another place – winner. Except

we decided that to save money we’d do the basement ourselves and have Guy, the project manager (of Camden Mews Construction Co.), run everything from the ground floor up. I’ve done a good few renovations before, so was pretty confident. It turns out my confidence was misplaced. As I live and type, it’s fine but flawed, and it’s certainly going to cost us more money once we’ve moved back upstairs. We ripped out the old kitchen and put in a nice and simple one from Magnet (which ended up being unexpectedly complicated to fit, and unexpectedly expensive – though it’s actually great!), and we laid new carpets and painted the walls. Easy, except that we haven’t finished the electric overhaul down here, and if we want more than a single plug socket from about 1950 in the bedroom/sitting room, we will need to rip into our newly decorated walls

to fit them. Excellent. The carpet is lovely, but it is light grey, which was deeply stupid. I also forgot to spec a light switch in the hallway so we only ever enter in complete darkness. Which is good when you’ve got a baby and a dog and a big coat on and some shopping bags. Anyway, my point is that planning is important and that, despite the fact that we are living in the anti-expert age where everyone knows better, experts really can be quite useful. Even with a project manager doing all the calling and booking and chasing and admin, there are still a ton of decisions to make, some to do with taps and tiles, others to do with where to compromise and where to plough on. This is why, despite having just a mid-sized city garden (lots of which has already been occupied by my outdoor kitchen), I’m having Guy and a landscape gardener plan and create our modest, new green space. This may sound profligate – indeed I would have agreed until not so long ago – but I truly believe it will both see us end up with a better end product and save us money. To them it is the work of moments, so let them do their work. Every build I’ve ever done has taken at least twice as long as planned or promised, and has seen costs fly away without my having any real handle on their ascent. We now know precisely what we’ve spent to date, and almost precisely what we still owe. We also have a guaranteed end date for a new kitchen and two new bathrooms. The plan is to get back from a sunny holiday and walk into a house with all of these things done and shiny and working. Imagine that. I’m still telling Guy in a passive aggressive manner that I just don’t think he’ll manage it all, and hoping he receives my pre-emptive taunts as motivation. We’ll see, but for a family that lives in a basement below a building site, we feel remarkably relaxed and confident. Let’s hope this confidence is justified. 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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 33

INTERIORS

THROWING SHAPES Expert advice on how to make patterns in your home By Sarah Moolla

any of us ﬁnd using pattern in the home a little intimidating – will it clash, will it jar, will we get bored? But used the right way it’s a wonderful way to personalise and energise spaces and can really lift any room from ordinary to spectacular. It doesn’t have to be walls of stripes or ﬂoors of parquet – pattern can be added to the curtains, tiles, bedlinen and the odd piece of statement furniture. Here our local interior experts advise on where to start and how best to pattern down the hatches.

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Animal Architecture wallpaper by Brand McKenzie is available through Woodhouse & Law

“It is important to incorporate a plethora of prints in every room”

Sean Symington is all for mixing and matching different patterns within a room

INTERIORS

Pattern softens the hard edges of an interior’s four walls, says Catriona Archer

Instead of it being an afterthought – pattern can be the starting block as John Law, creative director of Woodhouse & Law, explains, “We find that a pattern within fabric or paper can often prove the springboard for an entire scheme. “Referencing a small palette of colours within that very pattern, we would look for similar colour tones within other complementary fabrics. These might be pared back plain linens or velvets, or might equally be another pattern. The key however is to ensure that no one pattern is too close to the next. Opt instead for differing shapes and forms; soft and abstract patterns to complement bold geometric shapes for instance.”

PICK A PATTERN?

Do you need to stick with a preferred pattern? Nope, says interior designer Sean Symington, “I am all for mixing and matching different patterns within a room. I think it’s important to play with scale and incorporate large scale prints contrasted with small prints. The same applies for geometric versus organic prints. Nothing excites me more than a bold, large scale chintz next to a fretwork Greek key geometric. Pattern and fabric play a key role in all of our schemes. “I think it is important to incorporate a plethora of prints in every room. This avoids the ‘match-matchy’ predictable interior. Using lots of varying colours and patterns bring interiors to life. Mixing different patterns together in one room is all about repetition. If you have hit one pattern in one side of the room, try and replicate it in a different way in a different area of the same room. For example, if you

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upholstered an armchair in a fun print, hit that print again as a cushion on the sofa.”

BREAK THE RULES

It does seem to be the thinking that patterns are there to inject fun into a home and help break some of those ‘sitting in neutral’ blues, but there are a few things to maybe look out for, as Nick Woodhouse explains, “There’s no reason that patterns should be restricted to any given space within the home. Some rooms however call out for a greater sense of calm, and it is here that you may want them to take a more subtle, background role. “In bedrooms for instance, we will often introduce bold patterns to a headboard. This can offer impact during the day but is not in your eyeline when you are in search of a more restful outlook. Equally, it’s important be careful with patterns on window dressings in such a space. When open, the patterns between the folded pleats of curtains might look subtle and inviting; when closed however, a large, flat expanse of the same pattern may feel overbearing and dominant.” Interior designer Catriona Archer advises bearing in mind the size of the space you want to use your patterns. “I often find that smaller rooms such as home offices, bathrooms and cloakrooms lend themselves to being more playful in their design. Consider hanging a stripe wallpaper horizontally rather than vertically or focus a pattern on the floor rather than the walls. The latter adds personality without feeling overpowering and can often make a room feel bigger, especially if the pattern is laid diagonally.”

“There’s no reason that patterns should be restricted to any given space within the home”

Beata Heuman’s peacock wallpaper is available through Woodhouse & Law

INTERIORS

left: Rossiters are stockists for Annie Sloan, seen here with the RHS Decoupage Paper design; above: Annabel Grimshaw suggests sticking to a colour palette to give a sense of cohesiveness; bottom: Big patterned fabrics with big designs on small pieces can have a huge impact, points out Andrew Cussins, founder of Sofas & Stuff

vibrancy of a lush tropical garden in full bloom.” Nature in décor is nothing new of course, but Andrew Cussins, founder of Sofas & Stuff points out our tastes are getting bolder. “Strong florals are growing in popularity, including on sofas and separate pieces. The combination of colourful, oversize florals upon a soft neutral ground, with the beautiful texture of natural linen, softens the visual impact of a bold pattern, giving it a welcoming, homely feel, that will simply get better with age. “And while big patterned fabrics with big designs on small pieces of furniture like occasional chairs may feel counter-intuitive, the results are really impactful – a statement piece full of personality.”

COLOUR CODE

IN EFFECT

Patterns in the home can also mellow and add depth to spaces, as Catriona Archer explains, “Pattern softens the hard edges of an interior’s four walls on a visual and visceral level. It adds the warmth, depth and comfort we look for when creating a home. As the world becomes more urbanised and chaotic, it is not surprising that we often instinctively look to nature for inspiration, in the patterns, colours and textures it provides. Whether we are recreating the calming effect felt when admiring the curves of a rolling landscape, the reassuring repetition of a tree-lined path and the striped shadows it creates, or the

Can pattern and colour be a thing? And do they need to abide by certain boundaries? Vanessa Sayce of The Marmalade House advises on taking your end goal into consideration when pairing the two. “When used with colour and toned into a palette, patterns can be flamboyant and risk-taking. But know how you want it to make you feel. If you want to create a quiet space with a little interest, then use a favourite wallpaper on a signature wall only, or if you want a large, impactful centrepiece, then go big and bold. Remember that our spaces affect our mood and our sense of ‘home’, so be sure about how you will occupy that space. “Textiles are a great way to bring in pattern as they can be easily changed or switched up accordingly, but choose carefully structured patterns on flooring and tiling. They are with you to stay and they need to sit comfortably with their surroundings. Pattern brings perspective and a sense of order in chaos, it is the perfect way to create harmony in the home this season.” Interior designer Annabel Grimshaw suggests a good approach is to stick to a colour palette and layer pattern to give a sense of cohesiveness. “You might start with one pattern you love, for example a bold rug or piece of fabric which has multiple colours in it. From this you can then pull those colours out from it to work into the rest of your scheme. It’s good to use a mixture of large and smaller scale patterns to allow the eye to travel over the different elements in the room, and for things not to fight with each other.

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INTERIORS

When working with pattern it’s all about ascertaining needs of the client, says Verity Woolf

“Some people will like a more harmonious scheme with a tighter colour palette, and perhaps a more neutral backdrop. To really dial up the volume though, you can use a patterned backdrop such as a wallpaper, and then layer other patterns on top with your upholstery and cushions.” It’s also worth checking out both the natural and home lights to see what effect they might have on your patterns and colours, as home designer Louise Gauntlett advises. “Pattern and colour may look quite different when viewed over a large area or under different lights, so before choosing any fabric, wallpaper, or paint, always look at a piece as large as possible in the room where it’s intended and under different light conditions. “Patterns are fun, uplifting and reflect who we are. But remember, patterns become the focus in a room rather than the colour, so when using strong colours, be sparing with the pattern.”

LIFT THE SPIRITS

When working with pattern for a client it’s all about ascertaining their needs, as Verity Woolf, director of WOOLF Interior Architecture & Design explains, “Some client spaces will suit a very calm and minimally patterned space, which means that we would use pattern very carefully. We would restrain pattern, dial down the colour vibrancy and pattern repeat, use a monochromatic palette or simple large pattern repeats to keep a space serene. “Other client spaces are about expressing their relationship to a vibe or era or the creation of a mood. These spaces might suit a combination of small patterns and larger, more statement pattern repeats in a particular combination. These spaces are all about the relationship and balance of pattern and colour. “In our historic projects we are looking at patterns that reflect and enhance the history of a space. In a more complex aesthetic setting

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“Pattern will really articulate a space and often create a more individual energy” we may also look at the pattern records from a particular era and juxtapose it against contemporary design patterns in the same space. “When we are looking at hospitality projects, we are mainly exploring how pattern communicates the feeling of a space. Pattern will often articulate the brand and direct the sensations that you feel, when you are in a hotel or restaurant. Pattern will really articulate a space and often create a more individual energy.” For Klara Goldy, founder of The Divine Decorator there are certain ‘mood’ truths in patterns. “Designs that are soft and moody can bring feelings of peace and calm. Incorporating scenes that serve as reminders of tranquillity are evocative enough to enhance these states for the onlooker. It is personal choice, however certain subject matter can evoke such feelings, such as skies, stars, and celestial themes. “Traditionally wools, plaids, tweeds and wood textiles are ways to give a timeless appeal of comfort, using rich, deep colours alongside this starts to bring the depth.” One sure fire way to ensure the pattern is going to work in your home and always lift your mood is to make sure you love it, says Kathryn Bristow of Homefront Interiors. “Small and subtle patterns are much more likely to be on the relatively calming side though. Making sure you absolutely love the pattern is an excellent way to avoid it being jarring or overwhelming.”

across the width of the room, and this will make it feel wider. Pattern has its practical uses too. An intricate, multi-coloured tile in a busy hallway will hide all the muddy footprints. “Use large print wallpapers in small rooms, like the downstairs loo. And make sure every wall is covered, even the ceiling if you want. Layer it up by adding panelling below the paper, a hexagonal floor tile and a square tile behind the splashback.”

FEELING IT

IN THE ZONE

A clever way to use a strong pattern is when you want to distinguish or zone an area – a trick that works really well in open-plan spaces, as interior designer Lola Swift explains, “Adding a patterned wallpaper as a backdrop helps to create a zoned area in an open-plan kitchen, a busy hive of activity and fun. A Portuguese tile wallpaper with a threedimensional design can look like real tiles and creates a trompe l’oeil effect that is fun and playful. Adding plain coloured accessories on shelves in front of the wallpaper makes the whole area really stand out.”

STEP ON IT

“When it comes to wood flooring, the key pattern choice is between plank or parquet,” says Vanessa Garrett of Broadleaf Timber. “A plank will generally create a simpler style, but it’s worth remembering that a mixed width pattern of boards mixing will create a more traditional looking floor and wide boards in a large room will feel wonderfully luxurious as well as making them feel more intimate. “Parquet is all about pattern, and there a many classic designs to choose from. Chevron is well known for its directional pattern and naturally invites you into any space where it is used. You can mix colours within a parquet floor if you want to be more daring and really make a feature of the pattern and you can mix parquet and plank to create more individual designs or add borders. “Parquet floors make the biggest impact in rooms where plenty of floor is on show and are a particularly good solution for open-plan spaces that are entered from multiple directions or change scale in different areas.” You can play around with patterns on the floor to alter the dynamics of the room, as director and designer Victoria Evans explains, “Pattern can alter your perception of a space. And you are allowed to break the rules. Floorboards are often laid lengthways, and this draws your eye to the end of the room. However, when a space is already long and narrow, I advise to lay the boards

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

Charlotte Wright, design consultant at Hobson’s Choice reminds us that patterns can also be in the texture adding a whole new dimension to the effect. “Reminiscent of waves, ripples in water or leaves, textured tiles in a bathroom can create a calming and contrasting feature wall. The same tile pattern created in a subtle alcove of the walk-in shower room, adds yet another level of visual detail and interest.” It’s subtleties like this in traditionally plainer spaces like bathrooms and kitchens that can have the greater impact, as Leroy McKenzie of Schmidt Bath explains, “Some people would prefer to keep their kitchen colours plain, and then using a vibrant splashback to create that ‘wow factor’, and patterns are common for this. It doesn’t take much for your new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom to become a work of art, using contrasting colours or shapes that match patterned wallpaper. “Using pattern in the bathroom is proving popular, with customers choosing designs for vanity units as a small design flourish for their space. Using too busy a pattern could be considered controversial in spaces such as the bathroom, bedroom or study where they can prove to be a distraction, or be overwhelming when waking up early in the morning.” above: A strong pattern will help to zone an area, says Lola Swift; inset: the wallpaper

by Louise Body has an almost three-dimensional effect; below: Jennifer Mosse suggests rugs as an easy way to introduce pattern

INTERIORS clockwise from left: Using parquet flooring like this from Broadleaf Timber offers a classic design pattern; textured patterns such as this ripple effect by Hobson’s choice adds a whole new level of visual detail and interest; using pattern like art work, as in this Schmidt Bath design, can create a real wow factor

“Pattern can alter your perception of a space”

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

INTERIORS THINK SMALL

You don’t have to go all out on walls and floors to bring plaid, geometrics, stripes or spots into your life as interior design consultant Jennifer Mosse points out: “There are numerous ways to incorporate pattern into a scheme, from the bold and brave to the statement shy. It can be as simple as adding a couple of floral or abstract cushions to a sofa. It can be a curtain or blind in a tonal stripe, a chair covered in a check or damask or even a geometric bathroom tile. “Rugs are also a great way to introduce pattern, I find a bold print on the floor particularly grounding and it really helps to piece a room together, both in period and contemporary settings. Think of it as a piece of art but for the floor, geometrics and florals are both firm favourites. Keep the walls to one colour though or you risk making the room look smaller. If you are worried that a pattern may be too busy, try contrasting it with a solid block of colour, this will work as an anchor and tone it down.” Product and creative director with Cox & Cox, Dani Taylor agrees: “You can easily introduce colour, pattern and texture to rooms with soft furnishings. Go for cushions to experiment with patterns and floor coverings to transform the look with a patterned design. When it comes to rugs, time-aged patterns work incredibly well in industrialinspired schemes because they bring with them an authenticity that anchors the look and warms it up. For muted Scandi rooms, choose a design made up of block colour, a monochrome scheme or a Berberinspired design to complement.”

FRAME WORK

There is one source of pattern that may already exist in our home that we aren’t always embracing or enhancing – the structure itself. Natalia Karvouni of Batterham Smith Architects explains, “From an architectural perspective, structures and shelters imitate nature in their simplest form; columns and roof represent the branching tree trunks and their canopy, solid masonry buildings replicate shielded cavelike structures. For example, the use of timber throughout habitable spaces, with its tactile nature of cracks and grain patterns, weathered or

“From an architectural perspective, structures and shelters imitate nature in their simplest form”

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

below: There can be pattern in the house structure itself, as Natalia Karvouni

explains; above: Dani Taylor of Cox & Cox advises introducing colour, pattern and texture to rooms with soft furnishings

distressed, can help create an environment that feels naturally familiar and immediately puts one at ease. “Referencing nature with decorative biomorphic motifs in tiles and flooring in their natural colour palettes or stonework with stimulating textures can also be highly effective in bringing nature indoors.” Backing this up is Charlotte Wright, who advises to look out for the already occurring exposed timber and brick slips in your home. “Presenting the interior architecture of your home as a feature can bring pattern and character to a room. By revealing, or recreating with timber cladding and brick slips, the texture and detail of structural materials, a room can take on a very different personality full of pattern and detail.”

INTERIORS

CHECK IT OUT A beginner’s guide to popular pattern styles By Clair Strong CHECKED PATTERNS also work well with other patterns and especially with stripes. Checked designs traditionally give more of a country look. Gingham is a classic checkerboard fabric which gives a traditional vibe. STRIPES are the most basic pattern and there are so many diﬀerent variations depending on width. Stripes go with pretty much anything so you can mix with other patterns without fear. Stripes can be sophisticated or rustic, and everything in between. SPOTS and polka dot patterns are really versatile and work great with other patterns. The dots can be any size and any colour and the background white or a contrasting colour. GEOMETRIC designs featuring shapes like triangles, ovals, circles or squares can be symmetrical or abstract in design. They are also versatile but tend to work best in contemporary spaces. TWEEDS and herringbones with their traditional zig zag patterns often work best in more traditional country houses where their muted tones create a classy luxe look. CHINOISERIE is based on traditional Chinese designs and features ﬂorals, birds, people and scenic views. These look wonderful in bedrooms and bathrooms if aiming for a pretty, feminine look.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

Mixing stripes and florals with Christian Lacroix; a bold cerise chrysanthemum design by Lux & Bloom; Zulu border with animal print by Cole & Son; fabrics by Osborne & Little; going for plaid with Mind The Gap

PAISLEY with its intricate teardrops, originated from Persia and is an opulent design which often adds dramatic colour to a scheme. ANIMAL PRINTS like leopard, cheetah, zebra and ocelot can often work well as a neutral to mix with other fabrics. Leopard print, with its rock’n’roll appeal, is great in maximalist interiors where the neutral tones ground your scheme. JACQUARD, brocade and damask are designs with raised embroidered patterns. It’s a very traditional fabric but looks wonderful in Georgian houses in Bath where the softer colours really work.

Cuboid print wallpaper in blue by Louise Body

Finally, the most popular design – FLORALS. Floral designs are a wonderful way of brightening up our homes. From pretty and romantic to classic or contemporary, floral designs are a timeless favourite that never goes out of fashion. It’s hard to talk about florals as a single category because, like flowers, each pattern has its own personality, style, size, and colour. There are four main groups – small florals, large florals, vintage florals and bold modern florals. Which floral pattern you choose will determine the overall feel of your room. ■ For more: www.clairstrong.co.uk

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

German engineering for your home.

INTERIORS

MOODBOARD

Kathryn Bristow recreates THE PIG Near Bath’s dining look

athryn Bristow of Homefront Interiors, which is based in Margaret’s Buildings, Bath, takes her inspiration from THE PIG Near Bath dining room for her moodboard inspiration. “The mix of old and new used throughout The Pig sits so well together. The dining areas are by far my favourite, where there is a relaxed yet luxe style using eclectic but well-chosen crockery and glassware to complement the rustic wood. The takeaway for me is not being afraid to mix your styles to add interest, which stops your eye being able to take everything in at once. “With the help of small designers, local artists and ethical homewares from around the world, all of which I source and stock in my store, I’ve suggested some items that can help replicate that farmyard luxe look at home.” For more: www.homefrontinteriors.co.uk These lovely tactile Indus wood bowls from Nkuku are skilfully made by artisans in India from pieces of mango wood, £35-£60

Golden artichoke candleholder adds a touch of decadence to your tabletop, £29.95

Add an instant Mediterranean / rustic feel to your table with this tablecloth from Weaver Green’s, which is 100 per cent recycled plastic faux linen, £65

THE PIG near Bath utilises the best of natural greenery inside, and this zinc tray with three plant pots, £24.95, is perfect for windowsill kitchen herbs These Fali glass tumblers have a cool teal hue and a tactile ribbed exterior, £32.50 for a set of four

The handles of these Sirkali brushed gold salad servers, £42.50, have been hand forged using traditional techniques

Take tap water up a notch with a clear glass Mila decanter, £44.50

The Narpala bottle terracotta vase, from £18, brings in those warm, earthy tones

Bath Belles with the City of Bath in the background designed by talented British artist Diana Wilson, £26-£45

A beautiful vintage garden wall sconce from Grand Illusions to add elegance and sophistication, £29.95

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

Spring Detox

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INTERIORS

THE LIST Our local businesses are poised and ready to help with all your home needs for spring ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY SERVICES Artistic Plastercraft

4 Lyndhurst Mews, Bath 01225 315404; www.artisticplastercraft.co.uk Ashley Collins Decorating

01761 431354; www.ashleycollinspainting.co.uk

Batterham Smith Architects

1, Tollbridge Studios, Toll Bridge Rd, Bath; 01225 851122 www.batterhamsmitharchitects.co.uk Hetreed Ross Architects

Brewery, Toll Bridge Rd, Bath 01225 851860 www.hetreedross.com Nexus of Bath

Unit 9, Ashmead Business Park, Ashmead Rd, Keynsham 01225 300414 www.nexusofbath.co.uk Plushh Restoration

01225 767148; www.plushhrestoration.co.uk SBS Design and Build

439 Bath Rd, Saltford 01225 874676; www.saltfordbuildingservices.com

Sydenhams

Hawthorn Grove, Bath; 01225 833585; www.sydenhams.co.uk Timber Windows of Clifton

29 The Mall, Bristol; 0845 652 7300; www.timberwindows.com Youngs Roofing

01225 421499; www.youngsroofingbath.co.uk

BATHROOMS Bathrooms at No5

5 The Shambles, Bradford-on-Avon; 01225 309110 www.bathbathrooms.com Formosa Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Ham Green, Holt, Wiltshire 01225 308541 www.formosakbb.co.uk

BLINDS AND SHUTTERS

Aspect Window Styling

1 Saracen Street, Bath; 01225 469559; www.aspectwindowstyling.co.uk

COURSES AND WORKSHOPS Lola Swift

07971 106546; www.lolaswift.co.uk The Marmalade House

Roundhill Farmhouse, Bath; 01225 445855; www.themarmaladehouse.co.uk

6 Cleveland Terrace; 01225 460483 www.walcotupholstery.co.uk

EXTERIORS

Eliza Gray Gardens

01761 479790 www.elizagraygardens.co.uk Garden Requisites

11 Widcombe Parade, Bath 01225 422078; www.thecurtainexchange.co.uk;

FIREPLACES AND WOODBURNERS

The Curtain Exchange

Perfect Rooms & Interiors

Ripples

Sofas and Stuff

Ham Green, Holt, Wiltshire, BA14 6PX Tel: 01225 308541 • info@formosakbb.co.uk formosakbb.co.uk

Walcot Upholstery

286 High St, Batheaston, Bath; 01225 851577 www.garden-requisites.co.uk

Silver St, Gastard, Corsham, Wiltshire ; 01249 716445 www.perfectrooms.co.uk

Chelsea House, London Road, Bath; 01225 447971; www.ripples.ltd.uk

0117 370 2745 196 North St, Bedminster/62 – 64 Clifton Village/Bristol www.swupholstery.co.uk

CURTAINS, SOFT FURNISHINGS AND UPHOLSTERY

London Road, Bath: 01225 433511 www.hobsonschoice.uk.com

Hobsons Choice

South West Upholstery

7 New Canal, Salisbury, Wiltshire 01722 280131 www.sofasandstuff.com

Mendip Fireplaces (Bath )

The Old Mill, Mill Lane, Monkton Combe, Bath; 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

FLOORING, CARPETS AND TILES Bath Carpets and Flooring

4 Kingsmead Square, Bath; 01225 471888; www.carpetsandflooringbath.co.uk

INTERIORS Boniti

Dunsdon Road, West Littleton, Chippenham; 01225 89200; www.boniti.com Broadleaf Timber

134-136 Walcot Street, Bath; 01225 463464; www.broadleaftimber.com Capitol Carpets of Bath

120-122 Walcot Street, Bath 01225 333341; www.thecarpet.co.uk

Flora Harris Tweed Marine Navy Barstools from Summit Chairs

Haliden Oriental Carpets

98 Walcot St, Bath 01225 469240; www.haliden.com Oriental Rugs of Bath

1 Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road, Hallatrow; 01761 451764; www.orientalrugsofbath.com Radstock Carpet & Bed Centre

The Old Cinema, Coomb End, Radstock; 01761 432808; www.radstockcarpetandbeds.co.uk Simon Davis Flooring

Gardiner Haskins

Brunel Rooms, Straight St, Bristol 0117 929 2288; www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk Holloways of Ludlow

37 Milsom St, Bath 01225 258874; www.hollowaysofludlow.com Homefront Interiors

10 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath; 01225 571711; www.homefrontinteriors.co.uk

Unit 1 Old Mills Industrial Estate, Old Mills, Paulton, Somerset 01761 410779 www.simondavisflooring.co.uk

Leekes

FURNITURE, INTERIORS AND HOMEWARE SHOPS Bed -E-Buys

26 27, Victoria Buildings, Lower Bristol Rd, Bath 01225 313421 www.bedebuysltd.co.uk Cox & Cox

0330 333 2123; www.coxandcox.co.uk Emma Rose Art Works

The Art Studio, Knight’s Barn, Bath; 07885 235915 www.emmaroseartworks.com Etons of Bath

108 Walcot Street, Bath; 01225 639002; www.etonsofbath.com The Farmhouse Table Company

Unit 15 Beacon Park, Dartington, Devon ( by appointment ) 01803 362368 www.farmhousetablecompany.co.uk The Framing Workshop

80 Walcot Street, Bath; 01225 482748; www.theframingworkshop.com

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

Beanacre Rd, Melksham, Wiltshire 0333 222 4120; www.leekes.co.uk

07823 884945 www.catrionaarcher.com Clair Strong Interior Design Ltd

Walcot Studio, Old Orchard 5 Argyle St, Bath; 01225 426905/07855 797311; www.clairstrong.co.uk Etons of Bath

108 Walcot Street, Bath; 01225 639002; www.etonsofbath.com Jennifer Mosse Interior Design

07738 289189 www.jennifermosse.com

7-9 North Parade Buildings Bath; 01225 312003; www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk Cheverell Wood

Cheverell, Hopton Park Waller Road, Devizes; 01380 722722; www.cheverellwood.co.uk Formosa Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Ham Green, Holt, Wiltshire 01225 308541 www.formosakbb.co.uk Hobsons Choice

01225 433368; www.klaragoldy.com

London Road, Bath: 01225 433511 www.hobsonschoice.uk.com

01225 839834 www.modernartbuyer.com

Lola Swift

Kutchenhaus

Perfect Rooms, Interiors and Upholstery

Louise Nichole Interior Design

Modern Artbuyer

Silver Street, Gastard, Corsham; 01249 716455; www.perfectrooms.co.uk Summit Chairs

Aintree Avenue, White Horse Business Park, Trowbridge, Wiltshire; 01225 777844 www.summitchairs.co.uk TR Hayes

Klara Goldy Interiors

07971 106546; www.lolaswift.co.uk 07894 342 063 www.louisenichole.co.uk

Perfect Rooms & Interiors

Silver St, Gastard, Corsham, Wiltshire; 01249 716445 www.perfectrooms.co.uk Sean Symington Design

07918 080355 www.seansymington.com

15-18 London Street, Bath 01225 465757 www.trhayes.co.uk

Victoria Evans Design

HOME APPLIANCES

Woodhouse & Law

Coopers Stores

13-15 Walcot St, Bath; 01225 311811 www.coopers-stores.com

INTERIOR DESIGN Annabel Grimshaw

07940 376363 www.annabelgrimshaw.com Catriona Archer

07734 678506 www.victoriaevansdesign.com 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill Bath; 01225 428072; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk Woolf Interiors

Broome House, Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath; 01225 445670 www.woolfinterior.com

KITCHENS

The Bath Kitchen Company

5 Saracen St, Bath; 01225 634025 www.kutchenhaus.co.uk/showroom/bath Saltford Kitchens

439 Bath Road, Saltford, Bristol; 01225 874676; www.saltfordkitchens.com Schmidt Bath

1 Park Road, Bath; 01225 337276 www.home-design.schmidt/en-gb Victoria Evans Design

07734 678506 www.victoriaevansdesign.com

LIGHTING

Antique Textiles and Lighting

Lansdown Road, Bath; 01225 310795; www.antiquesofbath.com

RADIATORS

Reclaimed Radiators

07540 978408; www.reclaimedradiators.co.uk Sash Windows Timber Windows of Clifton

29 The Mall, Bristol; 0845 652 7300; www.timberwindows.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

KÜTCHENHAUS CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS Originally opened in February 2017, the KÜTCHENHAUS shop in Bristol has just clocked up five years of trading. We sat down with owner/operator Rob Cash to discuss this landmark and discover what the future may bring…

“T

he first five years of trading have gone well!” says Rob. “There’s been a lot of hard work, late nights and lessons learned, but it’s resulted in some really worthwhile projects and a firmly established customer base. A lot of our business now comes from referrals or recommendations, which we’re obviously grateful for; and it gives us reassurance that our customers are happy.” Has the business changed much since you originally set it up? I’d say so, yes. The team has grown from just myself and one other colleague to seven. We also opened the Bath showroom in September 2020 off the back of the successes we had in Bristol, so that’s kept us busy over the last 18 months or so. We’ve also expanded our offering beyond kitchens – we can now help our customers with their bathrooms, living spaces and bedrooms too. Plus we’re now able to help with much more of the installation process, including plumbing, plastering, flooring and some building work. This helps us keep projects on track and gives us more control over the quality of the overall finish. Any plans to celebrate this year? Absolutely. We’re about to have a revamp of

our Bristol store, which we’re all really looking forward to – it’ll allow us to showcase some of the newer trends and some different product lines. Once it’s done, we’ll be having a launch party to celebrate with some of our customers and suppliers.

When is the revamp due to take place? It’s due to start at the end of March, and it’ll likely take a few weeks. Hopefully we’ll be done by the end of April, but we’ll be open, as usual, throughout. When we have a firm date for the launch party, we’ll let everyone know via social media and our media partners. On that note, it’s also worth pointing out that we’re in the process of selling off some of our showroom stock, and there are some great deals to be had on some quality ex-display units and

appliances, on a first-come-first-served basis. Drop into the store for more details. What’s one of the best-selling pieces of kit that you’re currently offering? The BORA downdraft extractor hob. It’s proving to be a real hit with lots of our customers and we’re one of the only suppliers in the Bristol area. Essentially, it’s an extractor fan built into the hob which sucks any steam/cooking aromas into the filter – much easier to understand with an in-store demo, but it works really well. Are there more showrooms planned in the future? Maybe! We’ll see. When we opened in Bristol, we were one of six Kütchenhaus stores. We’re now up to 50 with plans to get to 100 sites. For our franchise, customer service is of paramount importance, so we want to make sure that if we do grow, we do it in the right way where we can still offer our high levels of service. n

Clifton Down Shopping Centre, BS8 2NN 0117 213 0680; kutchenhaus.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 63

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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

REDRESS THE BALANCE

The Dress to Redress is an exhibition by the contemporary Anishinabe artist Celeste Pedri-Spade, and is the first time her work will have been shown in Europe. The work focusses on the role of strong women in community, using fashion to explore how stories and experiences of Indigenous and European women both connect and disconnect. Inspired by various designs and materials Pedri-Spade uses her work to remedy the past, revising male-dominated historical narratives, that fail to recognise the powerful role that women have played in their respective communities. She says, “In order to move towards something other than colonialism, we need to encounter it in the present, making the present connect to the past. But I also think we need more than that. We need to imagine and fashion something radically different.” Dress to Redress is exhibiting until 3 July at The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath; www.americanmuseum.org

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WHAT’S ON 26 March – 22 April

EXHIBITIONS Until 21 April

PROTECTING OUR PLANET Bristol-based charity Wildscreen have brought together a vibrant series of photographs from indigenous people across the world focusing on the theme of ‘community’ being displayed in the corridors of the RUH sites. Curated in collaboration with If Not Us Then Who and their network of artists, which includes Irati Dojura and Edgar Kanaykõ Xakriabá. www.artatruh.org

Until 24 April

SHOEPHORIA! Discover the fascinating evolution of shoe style over the last 300 years, from the actual footwear worn by Queen Mary and Queen Victoria, through to the recent contemporary designers, such as Manolo Blahnik and Vivienne Westwood. Fashion Museum; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

Until 30 April

LIGHT AT MARSTON PARK

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An immersive light exhibition by internationally acclaimed British artist Bruce Munro at Marston Park in Frome. The artist’s ephemeral light-based works have featured in urban landscapes and remote rural areas around the globe, including the acclaimed Field of Light, currently illuminating Uluru in Australia. www.marstonpark.co.uk

Until 2 May

PEOPLE MAKE MUSEUMS Showcasing over 20 sculptural pieces that have been specially made for this exhibition with the aim of celebrating the creativity and the importance of people in museums and capturing those complex, personal moments of connection. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 2 May

IDA APPLEBROOG Now in her nineties, the comprehensive exhibition speaks to feminist pioneer Ida Applebroog’s radical introspection as a woman and an artist, presenting life as it is

Comic and mimic Luke Kemper brings his highly anticipated brand-new show, Macho Macho Man to the Rondo Theatre

and the repetitive patterns of our existence. www.hauserwirth.com

Until 4 May

JEAN ROSE: PEOPLE, PARKS AND PLANTS As a student at Bath Academy of Art at Corsham Court, Jean Rose was inspired by the intimate interiors of Vuillard, and has developed her warm painterly patterns that reveal the clarity and focus Jean sees in the world around her. Now in her nineties, this remarkable artist completes a painting a week. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 4 May

FROM HOGARTH TO HODGKIN The From Hogarth to Hodgkin exhibition oﬀers visitors a walk through the history of printmaking, starting with old masters such as Cranach and Durer and through to the contemporary works of artists including Grayson Perry, Cornelia Parker and Paula Rego. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 8 May

THE TUDORS: PASSION, POWER AND POLITICS In partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, London, and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, the Holburne Museum’s current exhibition features 25 famous Tudor portraits and includes the ﬁve monarchs of the time spanning 1485-1603; Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 14 May

GLOBAL SINO PHOTO AWARDS The annual Global SinoPhoto Awards is an international photography contest, which aims to communicate Chinese culture through remarkable imagery reﬂecting the skill, creativity and imagination of the photographer, and to connect photographers internationally. Winners include Huaifeng Li, Qingjun Huang, and Tongyu Yang. Museum of East Asian Art; www.meaa.org.uk

WHAT’S ON Until 15 May

OLD GHOSTS Old Ghosts by artist Mick Peter takes a wry and aﬀectionate look using a cartoons-come-to-life tableaux, at the idea of history as an industry. It’s a narrative trail through the museum and its garden that humorously critiques the conventions of heritage sites through various encounters. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 3 July

DRESS TO REDRESS An exhibition of the work of contemporary Anishinabe artist and visual anthropologist Dr Celeste Pedri-Spade comes to Europe for the ﬁrst time. Turn to page 75 for more. The American Museum & Gardens; www.americanmuseum.org TOP: Rap artists and brothers Stay Hungry are just one of the artists performing at the Free Music Festival at Komedia; MIDDLE: The oil paintings of Bath-based artist Jake Sheppard go on display at Widcombe Social Club from 30 March; BOTTOM: Charles Minty is just one of the many local BCAF artists whose work can be viewed at Green Park Station on 10 April

30 March – 21 April

RICHARD CARTWRIGHT The Adam Gallery’s ﬁrst show for 2022 is by Richard Cartwright, a Bristol artist who they’ve been working with for 30 years. He believes art to be spiritual, transcendent and mysterious, and that a picture requires a melody of colour, light and form evident in his landscapes, nocturnes, nudes and interiors. www.adamgallery.com

30 March – 27 May

JAKE SHEPPARD The Bath artist creates abstract and impressionistic works in oil paints and inks, and uses a mixture of geometry, colour theory and dynamic symmetry to form the structure of his work. Widcombe Social Club; www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk

10 April

BATH CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR Since its creation last year, BCAF has exhibited over 400 artists, has just won a Bath Life Award and is returning to Green Park Station for its ﬁrst exhibition of 2022. Contributing artists include Charles Minty, Emma Lacon, and Hollie Molloy. www.bcaf.co.uk

12 – 17 April

LEMON SQUAT Join Bill and Betty Blockhead for an absurd contemplation of life, art and lemons in their real-life installation sit-in at 44AD Gallery. www.44ad.net

18 April – 31 May

LET THERE BE LIGHT The exhibition celebrates the history and beauty of churches, and features more than 20 glass works by local

artist Shelley Ashkowski. Much of Shelley’s collection uses acrylic gouache paint, specifically chosen for its high pigmentation and matt finish to provide vibrant colours, with many pieces embellished with gold leaf to add opulence to the finished work. www.bathabbey.org

THEATRE / CINEMA 30 March – 9 April

THE HOMECOMING Mathew Horne, Keith Allen and Ian Bartholomew star in Harold Pinter’s 1960s masterpiece, a bleakly funny exploration of dysfunctional families and their power struggle relationships. A modern classic that is said to puzzle, provoke and please in equal measure. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

12 – 16 April

PRIVATE PEACEFUL Written by Michael Morpurgo, 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful is in the trenches of World War I and reliving his most cherished memories of family, friendship and love. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

14 – 23 April

EVITA THE MUSICAL The Bath Light Operatic Group tell the story of the life of the legendary Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón, following her early life, rise to power, charity work, and death. The Roper Theatre; www.bathlightoperaticgroup.com

CHILDREN 31 March – 2 April

SQUIDGE A fun, immersive and interactive experience for children aged 3 to 8 years and their grown-ups, taking a light-hearted look at our sense of touch and how it inﬂuences our lives The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

MUSIC 30 March

IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE Since Ibibio Sound Machine was formed by Williams and Max Grunhard in 2013 the Londonbased group has become renowned for their irresistible grooves, pulsating afro-beat rhythms, electro-funk

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WHAT’S ON sounds and energetic, dynamic, you-just-have-to-dance live shows. Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

31 March

HANNAH JAMES AND TOBY KUHN Hannah’s and Toby’s debut album Sleeping Spirals is a journey through music and emotion, bringing together English folk and European melodies in an engaging dialogue between the two skilled musicians. Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

1 April

KENNY THOMAS The soul dance vocalist Kenny Thomas who went from the multiplatinum-selling album Voices and Brit Award nominations in 1991 to giving everything up to live in a monastery, returns to performing 30 years later. Supporting him is Acantha Lang who blends Staxinspired funk with Southern blues and spirited, shimmering grooves. Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

21 April

AMY DUNCAN Acclaimed Scottish singersongwriter Amy Duncan with a 15 -year recording career has released her new album Cocoon, which blends warm yet minimal folk and electronica sounds with intimate vocals. Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

22 April

WHEN RIVERS MEETS The husband and wife team, Grace and Aaron Bond, have a unique and distinctive harmonic vocalled approach to song writing. The dirty electric guitar, slide resonator mandolin, and ﬁddle create a charged contemporary blues rock sound that echoes 1970s classic rock with hints of the 1930s blues. Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

COMEDY Every Sunday

GOLDFRAPP Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory formed Goldfrapp in 1999 and since then have released seven albums, most recently Silver Eye in 2017, and scored a string of hits including Strict Machine, Ooh La La, Lovely Head and A&E. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

DRAG KARAOKE AT MANDALYNS Most days of the week the welcoming and upbeat LGBTQIA+ Mandalyns bar has always got something upbeat, fun, and groovy happening, and Sunday nights are no exception. Their drag karaoke nights are in fact so darn good, Sunday is the new Saturday. www.facebook.com/mandalynsbath

8 April

27 March – 21 April

5 April

KOMEDIA’S FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL In partnership with Bath Spa University, Bath Komedia is hosting a free music festival taking place across two stages, with acts playing in Komedia’s newly refurbished and kitted-out Electric Bar, as well as the main stage. Artists include multi-award-winning hip hop act The Scribes, festival favourites The Maitree Express, rap artists and brothers Stay Hungry, jazz-meetsneo soul rising star Avygayle and vibrant, 5-piece soul/blues band Water For Honey. There is also an option to pay what you want in aid of Bath Carnival. www.komedia.co.uk

14 April

TEENAGE FANCLUB The hugely loved and much acclaimed Scottish alternative rock band are about to release their 11th studio album Endless Arcade, delayed from 2020, which promises yet more infectious hooks, soaring harmonies and memorable classics. Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

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BATH COMEDY FESTIVAL A bumper-packed programme of mega comics and rising talent comes to venues all over Bath. There’s the new act competitions at Revolution, comedy at the Bell pub and Rondo Theatre from upcoming talent including Jen Ives and William Stone, and the household hitters including Jasper Carrott, Josh Widdicombe, Sandi Toksvig, and Sarah Millican are playing at the Forum. www.bathcomedy.com

2 April

LUKE KEMPNER With a hilariously razor sharp roster of contemporary impressions ranging from Piers Morgan, Boris Johnson and Ru Paul, comic and mimic Luke Kemper brings his highly anticipated brand-new show, Macho Macho Man to Bath. Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

8 April

WHITE CHICKS 2 Alex Bertulis-Fernandes and Sharlin Jahan are two stand-ups who happen

TOP: The German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn is coming to the city as part of the month-long Bath Comedy Festival; ABOVE: Acantha Lang is supporting Kenny Thomas when they perform in Bath 1 April

MY CULTURE CLUB Florence Odumosu

The film you could watch over and again again… Anything starring Barbra Streisand but The Way We Were would be my top choice. Your lockdown boxset. Parks and Recreation. I cannot believe that it took me until 2021 to watch that show. The book that changed your life. I recently read Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel. It’s about race, class and gender and is very important. Last live music gig you went to. I went to the jazz bar in Edinburgh and watched a Jimi Hendrix tribute night. The first single you bought. I believe the first single I bought was Holler by the Spice Girls on tape! But it may have actually belonged to my sisters. The last great film you saw. The Nest, directed by Sean Durkin and starring Jude Law and Carrie Coon. It’s such an aesthetically pleasing film and also has an incredible score. I listen to the soundtrack every evening before going on stage to get me in the zone. What’s your karaoke go-to? Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler – I do not do it justice. Where will you visit in Bath? I love a bit of live music so in any city I go to, I try and find a local jazz bar. I also intend to check out the Fashion Museum as I’m fascinated by period design. For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk Florence Odumosu stars in Black Is The Color Of My Voice

Florence is a London-based actor currently performing in the UK tour of Black Is The Color Of My Voice, which comes to the Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal 30 March – 1 April. Here we quiz her on a few of the arts highlights of her life...

Husband and wife team When Rivers Meet perform at Komedia on 22 April

to be brown women and work brilliantly as a double act. They’ve performed to sold-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and to non-sold-out audiences elsewhere. Rondo Theatre; www.rondotheatre.co.uk

9 April

HENNING WEHN: IT’LL ALL COME OUT IN THE WASH Appearing as part of the Bath Comedy Festival, the German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn gives everything a good rinse and trying to wring sense out of the nonsensical. An unbiased look at a certain virus might be inevitable but Henning has no agenda; he just happens to be always spot on. It’s a curse. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

SPORT 30 March

BATH RUGBY V WORCESTER WARRIORS A midweek special. The Premiership Rugby Cup comes to the Rec to end a busy March period. A host of rising stars are set to be on show for both teams making this an exciting headto-head. Kick oﬀ 7.45pm Recreation Ground; www.bathrugby.com

11 April

TEAM BATH NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE Team Bath will be looking to avenge an early-season defeat when they entertain London Pulse at the Team Bath Arena. Pulse edged, it was a classic encounter on the opening weekend in February and this match also promises to be a cracking contest. Centre-pass is 7.30pm. University of Bath; netball.teambath.com

2 April

BATH CITY V DULWICH HAMLET Bath City FC host play-off hunting Dulwich Hamlet. The Romans were defeated 3-0 by Dulwich Hamlet the last time the two sides met in November. This fixture is one of three home games the Romans will play in April as the National League South campaign comes to a close. Kick off 3pm at Twerton Park; www.bathcityfc.com

OTHER

Last Friday of every month JANE AUSTEN AT NO.1 ROYAL CRESCENT The new Jane Austen tour looks at life in Britain in the 1790s – 1820, including when the Pride and Prejudice author was writing, and, for a time, living in Bath. Using the rooms of the house as inspiration, passages and conversations from Austen’s novels bring to life the activities that took place in such domestic spaces. www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk

8 April

OCEAN WITH STEVE BACKSHALL Join the explorer, naturalist, TV presenter and writer Steve Backshall who, through stunts, experiments, props, cutting edge science and big screen footage, shares his two decades of adventures with the natural world and the ocean. From great whites to great whales, from seals to sardine shoals, and from orca to the oddities of the deep, be prepared for thrilling encounters and fascinating anecdotes. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk ■

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DAYS OUT

DAY TRIPPERS Lovely and local Easter days out Compiled by Elsie Chadwick

See the story of Alice in Wonderland played out in the Longleat grounds

ooking for ways to entertain little ones this Easter? Yes, chocolate eggs are a given – that is non-negotiable – but there’s also an abundance of entertaining, engaging and (whisper it) educational activities on our doorstep to keep them occupied and happy. From Easter bonnets to mad hatters and from Indian dance workshops to all-day Easter egg hunts, even the grown-ups are in for a treat.

A LONGLEAT WONDERLAND

8 – 24 April Longleat, Warminster; www.longleat.co.uk Longleat House is reopening to visitors following a two-year break due to the pandemic and bringing with it a world of wonder – Alice in Wonderland. Alice, the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, Tweedle Dum, Tweedle Dee and the White Rabbit are all dwelling around the estate and the grounds waiting to meet and greet. Get crafty with the Mad Hatter in the Orangery with origami and rose decorations. Join the Clumsy Playing Cards in the Love Maze and help them fill the garden with the crafted red roses. There’s also the opportunity to hunt down the nine giant Easter eggs hidden around the main park. See website for prices.

ALL-DAY EASTER EGG HUNT

17 April Timbrell’s Yard, 49 St Margaret’s Street, Bradford on Avon; www.timbrellsyard.com On Easter Sunday there is an all-day Easter Egg hunt for little ones

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clockwise from above: Look for the natural treasures of Westonbirt Arboretum; Easter Art Camps at the Holburne Museum are a productive way to spend the holidays; Timbrell’s Yard is hosting an all-day egg hunt on Easter Sunday; getting creative at the Fashion Museum

around the grounds of the beautiful Bradford on Avon restaurant which is situated along the banks of the winding River Avon. Look out for the nearby BOA annual duck race as well. On the Bank Holiday Monday kick back and relax with a Timbrell’s all-day brunch from 8am until 5pm. Reservations are recommended.

NATURE TREASURE HUNT

11 – 14 April Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury; www.forestryengland.uk Go in search of the natural treasures of Westonbirt. Using a supplied blank map, favourite places are plotted and small treasures collected as you take a leisurely tour around the site, which is home to 2,500 different species of trees from the far corners of the globe. A trip can even be taken up high amongst the trees along the 300 metre long treetop walkway, situated 13 metres high, and is fully accessible for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and prams, with a crow’s nest, rope bridge, and fun interactive hotspots along the way. And don’t forget, somewhere in the deep dark wood, there’s a Gruffalo to be found.

While there, also check out the Dress of the Year 2021 winner, which happens to the Giorgio Armani dress as worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for the CBS television special Oprah with Meghan and Harry, and is presented as the last item in the headline exhibition, A History of Fashion in 100 Objects.

FACES AND FLOWERS

13 & 20 April

Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath; www.victoriagal.org.uk Wander around the gallery and take in the current exhibitions, one of which spans the history of printmaking, and the other features the work of local artist Jean Rose. There’s also the permanent exhibits to enjoy, many of which relate to the people and places of Bath and our surrounding areas. Then use this as inspiration to create a design using collage and textures and use it to make a print through rubbing. Sessions take place at 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3.00pm. Free activities, no need to book.

“Westonbirt is home to 2,500 different species of trees”

A SHOE IN

12 – 19 April Fashion Museum, Assembly Rooms, Bennett St, Bath; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk Get inspired by the Shoephoria! exhibition which features a fascinating array of shoes, including the oldest in the collection – a pair of red velvet mules from the 1690s and sneakers and trainers from the 2000s. And then go on to create your own paper shoe design.

EASTER ART CAMPS

11 – 14 April The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bathwick, Bath; www.holburne.org Delivered by experienced artists, the four days of creative day camps, suitable for children aged 6-11 years, are designed to explore new skills,

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DAYS OUT

art practices, and encourage work with exciting materials, taking inspiration from the museum’s collection and temporary exhibitions. Tickets are £40 per day, per child and booking is essential. On 23 April there’s free admission for all families, with no need to book, so they can enjoy the Mick Peter Old Ghosts trail. Plus there will be creative drop-ins and plenty of selfled family activities available all day in the SpacetoMake creative area.

AN EGGCELLENT EASTER ADVENTURE

9 – 24 April American Museum, Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Claverton, Bath; www.americanmuseum.org Visit every day throughout the school holidays for an outdoor trail, which is a search for the creative and colourful nest installations scattered all around the gardens and parkland. Pick up an activity pack on arrival and join the scavenger hunt, and then visit the crafting station for the chance to make some fabulous Easter crafts. Normal admission applies.

GLASTONBURY ABBEY MEDIEVAL FAYRE

23 & 24 April Glastonbury Abbey, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury; www.glastonburyabbey.com The Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre starts at 10am and closes at 5pm and the time in between can be spent enjoying battles, activities, ﬁne ale, delicious food, and the joust. There is also the huge sense of history to be soaked up and enjoyed in this monastery ruin that was built in eighth century and is associated with the 12th century legend of King Arthur. Look out for their other daily family activities earlier in the week, which include making a glass tea light holder for a beeswax candle on 12 April, and creating ﬂoral crowns and headdresses on 22 April. See website for prices and times.

EASTER HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT WORKSHOPS

11 – 21 April The Art Cohort, 13 Chelsea Road, Bath; www.the-art-cohort.myshopify.com There’s a whole range of family-friendly artsy craftsy sessions suitable for ages 6-12 years, happening at the Chelsea Road gallery and shop. These include making bonnets, bunnies and chicks, writing and illustrating your own picture book, and modelling with clay. Prices start at £35 and booking is essential.

STONEHENGE EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST

FROM TOP: Explore the outdoor trail at the American Museum; Glastonbury Abbey

is rich with the history of Avalon; there’s a whole range of craft sessions happening at The Art Cohort; Stonehenge is the prehistoric scene of some cracking Easter adventures; INSET: be inspired by Victoria Art Gallery’s collections and exhibitions

2 – 24 April Stonehenge, Salisbury; www.english-heritage.org.uk Explore the Stonehenge grounds – the prehistoric wonder of the world, and learn about the origin of traditional Easter games like egg rolling. There’s also a hunt for clues and challenges with chocolate treats and an adventurer’s certiﬁcate as the rewards. Also coming to the site between 29 April – 2 May is a puppet show starring Gnomus, the kind giant caretaker of the Earth who tells the thrilling tale of Stonehenge and the conservation work that has gone into preserving it for future generations. See website for prices.

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DAYS OUT THE ANIMAL FARM EGG TRAIL

8 – 24 April Hope Nature Centre, Southwick Country Park, Frome Road, Southwick, Trowbridge; www.hopenaturecentre.org.uk A haven for wildlife and animals, the trail is set inside 15 acres of Southwick Country Park and along the way, as you go hunting for the six giant eggs, you can see alpaca, emus, goats, sheep, pigs, and donkeys. There’s also an adventure play area and the café serving cakes, snacks and full-English breakfasts. Hope Nature Centre is part of the Fairﬁeld Farm Trust which helps provide young adults who have learning diﬃculties with opportunities to learn new skills for employment. Booking recommended and see website for prices.

EASTER BONNETS AND BICORNS

23 April No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath; www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk Along with the exhibits of Georgian life as it was led then, there’s the animated visual storytelling along with the way. By the end of the tour you can create your own headdress makeover with either a Georgian bonnet or a Napoleon style bicorn. This drop-in activity takes place in the museum gallery and is free with the museum ticket.

FULL MOON AT EASTER

9 – 24 April Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street, Bath; www.herschelmuseum.org.uk Easter this year, is just one day after April’s full moon on Saturday 16 April, which is the ﬁrst full moon to occur after the spring equinox on 20 March, and is therefore known in the Christian calendar as the ‘Paschal Full Moon’ and it is this that determines the date of Easter. Learn more about the celestial bodies and make your own spinner that reveals the phases of the moon. This drop-in activity is free with the museum ticket.

THE BECKFORD BUNNY TRAIL

9 – 24 April Beckford’s Tower, Lansdown Road, Bath; www.beckfordstower.org.uk Free of charge, the bunny trail is set in the landscape of William Beckford’s historic paddocks, long-lost grotto tunnel and gardens that were founded 200 years ago. If you wanted to visit the house and cemetery while there, booking is advisable, and the website has numerous family learning resources that can be utilised before, during and after the visit.

INDIAN DANCE WORKSHOP

10 April Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon; www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk Members of the Indian dance company SEVENS will teach the basic dance movements and sequences of Bharatanatyam which originates from the temples of South India, and also Kathak which is one of the main genres of ancient Indian classical dance. Tickets cost £6, and while no previous experience required, booking is advisable.

ANIMAL MAGIC

11 April Roman Baths, Abbey Churchyard, Bath; www.romanbaths.co.uk Investigate how the Romans used animal images in decoration such as the eagle that represented the power and prestige of Imperial Rome and their belief in the magical healing properties of the snake. There is the opportunity to also make an animal fridge magnet. The activity takes place from 10am –12.30pm and 1.30pm – 4pm, and is included in admission price, so there is no need to book. ■

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: The Hope Nature Centre is a 15-acre haven for wildlife and

animals; learn how the moon changes Easter’s dates at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy; SEVENS will be holding an Indian dance workshop at the Wiltshire Music Centre; visit the Roman Baths and investigate how the Romans used animal images in decoration; make an Easter bonnet Georgian style at No. 1 Royal Crescent; there’s a free of charge bunny trail set in the landscape of Beckford’s Tower

ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING RINGS BESPOKE JEWELLERY DESIGNER COLLECTIONS REPAIRS AND REMODELLING

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

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Hard times Even in novels detailing the toughest of times, we can find hope…

“An incredibly accomplished debut with a character that you root for all the way”

omething about the troubled history we’re living through has been making me reach for some tough historical novels recently – not for solace certainly but there is something oddly escapist, and even hopeful, in reading about characters enduring difficult circumstances in the past. Mercia’s Take by Daniel Wiles (Swift Press, £12.99) is the only one of this trio of tough historical novels that is not set in the U.S. Nevertheless it somehow has a Southern Gothic flavour, despite being firmly rooted in Britain’s West Midlands. This short, intense novel follows Michael who works two mining jobs fuelled by a desperation to provide for his family and prevent his son from having to do the same arduous work. This is a time when youngsters are forced to enter the mining workforce, and one of the most unsettling but brilliant aspects of Wiles’ book are its descriptions of underdressed, unprotected children working in the mines in dangerous and filthy conditions. As he toils, Michael dreams of his son entering school rather than the mines, feeling duty bound to shoulder that burden alone despite his wife’s insistence that she too could get a job and contribute. When he finds a seam of gold, hope springs that this could be his family’s way towards security and out of the grip of the mines. But he’s not the only one to discover the gold and Michael finds himself on a collision course that poses as many threats as opportunities. Mercia’s Take is an incredibly accomplished debut with a character that you root for all the way. It’s also a commentary on hope amidst hardship that’s reminiscent at times of John Steinbeck’s allegorical novella The Pearl (Penguin, £7.99) with Michael, like that book’s impoverished pearl-fisherman Kino, discovering the mixed blessings of sudden apparent fortune. The eponymous heroine of Zorrie by Laird Hunt (Quercus, £14.99) gives Michael a real

run for his money when it comes to adversity and hardship. Growing up in depression era Indiana, she loses first her parents and then the aunt who raised her in their absence, leaving her drifting across the mid-west as a teenager. Being twice-orphaned makes her remarkably resilient as she finds work and accommodation where she can, even doing a stint at a radium processing plant. Ultimately though Zorrie is a woman who thrives on friendship and community and, grieving once more, she finds herself back in Indiana running the farm she has inherited. Ordinary life remains hard but Zorrie bears those hardships with a quiet strength, finding solace in the everyday and slowly rooting herself in her hometown. This stoic fictitious life-story is stylistically reminiscent of writers such as Elizabeth Strout and full of heart-breaking moments of brilliant prose, best summed up perhaps by the description of Zorrie spending her life riding ‘shotgun to joy’. The family situation in Booth by Karen Joy Fowler (Profile, £18.99) begins with less abject hardship perhaps than in Zorrie and Mercia’s Take but given we’re dealing with the family of John Wilkes Booth, the man who would assassinate Abraham Lincoln, we know bad news isn’t too far down the tracks. The infamous member of the Booth family is not however the main focus of attention for much of this book – this is certainly no glorification of a murderer. Rather, the author has us explore the generations that came before him, perhaps to hunt for the genesis of his terrible decision and to show the ripple effect of his actions on those close to him. Full of cameos by characters from history and with a real insight into the conflicts of attitudes around race and slavery in the 19th century, this is a fascinating pageturning piece of biofic. Nic Bottomley is the general manager of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, 14/15 John Street, Bath; tel: 01225 331155; www.mrbsemporium.com

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THE REEL THING EMMA INGLEDEW

Acting doctors and documentary pop stars lead the batch of new releases at the Little this April The Worst Person In The World (release date 25 March)

The Worst Person In The World is a bold claim for any title to make, but behind it is the idea that all of us, in our different loves and heartbreaks, have at some point felt truly like the worst person in the world. The film follows Julie (Renate Reinsve) as she embarks upon the scary journey of discovering yourself in your twenties, and her search for definition. Director Joachim Trier said that he wanted to write a film for the female gaze, and the film addresses Julie’s indecision between career paths and men both sensitively and well. And a wow fun fact – Anders Danielsen Lie, who plays her love interest Askel, also has a real life career as a doctor, and as he was receiving stellar reviews from the Cannes film festival, he was also working on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic.

True Things (release date 1 April)

True Things is a delicate and sensual slice of life portraying a mismatched couples’ toxic relationship. Adapted from Deborah Kay Davies’s novel True Things About Me, we meet Kate, played by Ruth Wilson, as she embarks on a relationship with Blond, a man she meets at her job at a beneﬁts centre. Those familiar with Wilson’s earlier work may be used to seeing her as a modern day femme fatale, whether as Mrs Coulter in BBC’s His Dark Materials or Alice Morgan

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in Luther, and her comfort with the morally grey draws the audience in during this intriguing and sensual drama. Blond, played by Tom Burke, is as charming as he is dangerous, and soon Kate is drawn into a toxic downward spiral as their relationship progresses in this beautifully shot drama.

Charli XCX: Alone Together (release date 14 April)

Charli XCX is truly a pop star for the modern age. This insightful documentary follows her as she produced her quarantine project, an album called How I’m Feeling Now in just 40 days across lockdown. Charli XCX has always been known for her closeness and proximity to her fans, the Angels, and here the project really reveals the deep love she has for them, but also the mental toll that online fandom spaces can have. There’s a lot to love here for those who already love Charli XCX, but for those unfamiliar with her work, the documentary is an insightful look into the realities of fame, and the pressures that come with making art.

Nosferatu (release date 3 April)

Before Twilight, before Buﬀy, before Francis Ford Coppola’s interpretation, there was the 1922 German horror movie Nosferatu. Directed by F.W. Murnau, he tried to

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

True Things, with Ruth Wilson and Tom Burke, explores a toxic relationship; The Worst Person In The World stars Renate Reinsve; The bloodsucking Count Orlock in the 1922 film Nosferatu; Singer songwriter Charli XCX produced her film project during lockdown

circumvent the copyright issues over the original Bram Stoker novella by changing Count Dracula to Count Orlock and having his blood thirsty count whither in sunlight. It was a trope that became so popular it is now part of the Dracula legend but it wasn’t enough to convince the Stoker estate who sued and a court ruling ordered all copies of the film to be destroyed. However, several prints of Nosferatu survived, and the film is now regarded as an influential cinematic masterpiece. The story is set around an estate agent who meets a Transylvanian count who lives alone in a creepy castle, sleeps in a coffin, admires necks and is feared by the locals… F.W. Murnau really was pushing his luck wasn’t he..? Emma Ingledew is manager at The Little Theatre Cinema, 1–2 St Michael’s Place; tel: 01225 466822; www.picturehouses.co.uk

THE VERY BEST IN COMEDY & LIVE EVENTS

Krater Comedy Club

The Electric Comedy Club

All Saturdays

Last Monday of every month

When Rivers Meet

The Ministry of Burlesque’s Cabaret Friday 29 April & Friday 24 June

Dylan Moran – ‘We Got This’

Slowdive

Mad Dog Mcrea

Wednesday 18 May

Friday 20 May

Friday 22 April

Drag Bingo with Charlie Hides

Matt Forde: Clowns to The Left of Me, Jokers to The Right Sunday 3 April

Thursday 5 & Friday 6 May

Wednesday 11 May

KOMEDIA BATH 22-23 Westgate Street, Bath BA1 1EP Box Office: 01225 489 070 | www.komedia.co.uk/bath

f  KomediaBath

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THRINGS MEETS…

Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights Gavin Smith, senior associate at THRINGS meets Nic Bottomley, founder of MR B’S Gavin Smith: Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, or Mr B’s as it is affectionately known, is something of a Bath institution. But for those not familiar with the business, how would you describe it? Nic Bottomley: Mr B’s is an independent bookshop where conversations about books are ever-present. The atmosphere is informal and friendly, and knowledge of books is allpervading. GS: I believe you and your wife were corporate lawyers before the birth of Mr B’s. What made you ditch the legal life and try something so completely different? NB: It’s true, we were both lawyers, and although we liked some things about that lifestyle, we both knew we wanted to do something we loved. GS: So how did the dream become a reality? NB: A trip to the fabulous Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle blew us away. From that moment we knew we wanted to open a bookstore with a difference – and in 2006, that’s exactly what we did. GS: Had you any experience of selling books prior to this? NB: None whatsoever. It was sheer blind faith which carried us along and made us believe we were doing the right thing. GS: You must have done something right because here you are 16 years later with a national and international following. What do you think makes Mr B’s so special?

NB: 100 per cent it is our booksellers. Yes, we sell a great selection of books, and yes, the building is weirdly wonderful but it’s the booksellers themselves who make the whole experience such a joy. We are lucky to have people working with us who love books, who can talk well about books and who, above all, engage visitors into the magic of reading. GS: It’s not just selling books though is it – you also stage events? NB: Over the years we have created all sorts of experiences based around books. We’ve had the sci-fi book club (the Emporium Strikes Back);

the walking book club (The Paperback Ramblers); and the now-famous Bookshop Band who started their musical journey here at Mr B’s. And, of course, we are big fans of World Book Day. GS: How important do you think it is for children to read and love books? NB: Every child should experience books – they bring escape, fulfilment, adventure, delight. It’s up to booksellers to make their stores as accessible, fun and irreverent as possible, and to find a way to bring in those children who think they’re not readers and show them the magic of books.

GS: What do you like most about your job? NB: I love the variety. I am involved with many aspects of the book industry outside of the store and each of those roles brings something interesting. But most of all I love being on the shop floor and meeting and talking to customers – it is the beating heart of our business. n

2 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HQ 01225 340000; solicitors@thrings.com www.thrings.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 91

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

CREAM OF THE CROP

Marshfield Farm, which is based on the Cotswold Way just outside of Bath, has won Best Ice Cream brand in Fine Foods Digest’s 2022 Best Brand Survey. “Winning the award Best Ice Cream Brand from The Guild Of Fine Foods is an amazing achievement for our team,” says Dawn Hawking, who owns the business with her husband, Will. “We stay loyal to our roots: farming over eleven hundred acres of organic farmland, we only ever use our herd’s milk in our ice cream and we use the finest ingredients that are free from artificial flavours and colours to create our family favourite ice creams.” For more: www.marshfieldicecream.co.uk ABOVE: Award winning ice-cream made locally;

BELOW: Dawn and Will, owners of Marshfield Farm

The Bear Inn has a swanky new look

THE INN CROWD The Bear Inn reopened its doors this month following its acquisition by the Metropolitan Pub Company. The Bear has been completely renovated with a brandnew look including a spectacularly revamped bar, refurbished bedrooms and a fresh colour scheme throughout. “The Bear Inn is a well-known Bath landmark, thanks largely to the well-loved statue of Snowy the bear that resides over the door,” says Matt Ashford, general manager of The Bear Inn. “The team are so excited to welcome guests to the new and improved site, it’ll be a fantastic chance to connect with old regulars as well as meeting new faces. “Whether people visit for after-work drinks, to spend time with family and friends, or if they are staying here whilst visiting Bath for the weekend – we’re ready to make them feel at home at The Bear Inn.” The Bear now also has six individually designed en-suite boutique bedrooms, including a generously sized family room and a dog-friendly room, and will be launching a new food menu of seasonal dishes and authentic pub food. For more: www.bearinnbath.com

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER Hywel Jones is celebrating an awards hat-trick for the Lucknam Park team. The chef and director of food and beverage at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, who has held a Michelin star at Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park since 2006, has now seen three of his chefs win the coveted National Chef of Wales title in the last six years. 24-year-old chef de partie Thomas Herbert became the latest to win the title last month. “Out of the three of them, I am most chuﬀed for Thomas, only because Ben Taylor and Tom Westerland were a bit more established and conﬁdent,” says Hywel. “Thomas is quiet and unassuming and needs to believe in himself more, because he doesn’t realise how good he is.” For more: www.lucknampark.co.uk

Hywel Jones with National Chefs of Wales winners Ben and Thomas

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TAKE 5 Have you always worked in hospitality?

As a teenager I always worked as a waitress in my neighbour’s restaurant and to save money while I was studying my nursing degree. I spent the last few decades working as an intensive care nurse in Bath which I love, however I turned to running cafés with my husband. Initially I was to continue nursing, but the cafés became too busy. I helped during the Covid surges but I am back to the cafés full time again. Do the two jobs have any transferable skills?

I’ve always liked talking to people and caring for people. I guess I now care for people with good coffee, cake, and toasties!

The café is named from Verónica’s nickname, Vero

VERÓNICA GANAN BURGOA

Spanish café and deli Vero’s is our latest must-visit brunch spot in Milsom Place If you’re after relaxed, Spanish-inspired comfort food in Bath – it has to be Vero’s. The café and deli from Verónica Ganan Burgoa offers a tasty selection of breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks – in addition to the divine coffee its sister business, The Colombian Company is famed for. Named after its owner – Verónica is known as Vero for short, a common nickname in Spain – the café has a fresh, colourful vibe.

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Tell us about yourself

Myself and my husband, Jhampoll are the owners of Vero’s, the little sister of our other business, The Colombian Company cafés (Bath and Bristol). Vero’s is a bright and colourful café that reflects my personality and heritage, but we also have a fantastic team that bring their own personalities to the café. Vero’s is what it is because of the people that work in it. They are amazing.

my mum’s own marinated olives recipe…. But also, some of the food I like to eat! I love smoothies and milkshakes so we have a large selection of those. What’s your favourite thing on the menu?

Ohhh, that’s hard. I love a good toastie, but I really enjoy one of our healthy and refreshing smoothies – or a delicious and naughty milkshake. Tell us about your coffee

Our coffee is imported and roasted by JP here in Bath. We are super passionate about the process of coffee. We also have a brand-new company, Bath Coffee Roasters, and through this we can import, roast and sell amazing coffee from all over the word to our customers, and also wholesale to other businesses.

“I now care for people with good coffee, cake, and toasties!”

You also own The Colombian Company...

Yes, we first opened The Colombian Company in Abbey Green in 2017 as my husband Jhampoll (JP) is Colombian and crazy about coffee. The Colombian Company Bristol followed in 2019. We import our Colombian green coffee, JP roasts it and I bake the cakes. We are very much self-sufficient. Why did you decide to expand and launch a second business?

The idea of Vero’s came up as there are really good Spanish restaurants in Bath, but nowhere where you can still eat Spanish food in a non-restaurant environment, and where you can buy everyday Spanish products to take home. What sort of thing can we expect to see on the menu?

We don’t fit into the typical Spanish tapas style of cuisine. Growing up in Spain, the best food is always eaten in an informal setting. Although simple in concept, our menu showcases the best of Spanish eating served in a familiar way using the best ingredients. You can find our famous sourdough toasties, toasted bagels, Spanish omelette,

You mentioned you have some new products – tell us more…

Yes, freshly made waffles came to Vero’s at the end of February. We have a healthy waffle, naughtier waffles, waffles with bacon, and all freshly made. What would you say have been some of the challenges in launching Vero’s?

The toughest part of any business is establishing yourself in the community. We have many lovely regulars already but spreading the word that we are in the beautiful Milsom Place is our focus. What has been your favourite moment so far?

Opening day was very special. Of course, we already have two other established coffee shops and so we were very lucky that lots of our customers, friends, family and members of the Spanish community came to show support. It was lovely to see so many people come to check us out in Milsom Place. For more: Vero’s, 17 Milsom Place, Bath; Instagram @veros.bath

With a huge passion for food and service, you are certain to receive a warm welcome here. Whether it’s that first coffee of the day with breakfast, a working lunch, tapas and cocktails after work, celebrating an occasion with friends and family or the last glass of wine in the evening, we are your home from home. To ensure we are in-keeping with the seasons, and, offering a variety of influenced dishes, the restaurant will offer a regularly changing specials menu. Our chefs thoughtfully source all produce which is also locally sourced wherever possible and lovingly prepare dishes that will suit every appetite.

2 Margarets Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP T: 01225 310 064 E: info@crescent-restaurant-bath.co.uk crescent-restaurant-bath.co.uk

WE ARE NOW FULLY OPEN FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER – PLEASE VISIT US!

THE BECKFORD BOTTLE SHOP

Sarah Moolla takes her time at the Saville Row wine merchant and bistro

henever I need a little foodie inspiration writing these reviews food critic Jay Rayner is the first person I read. He’s fair, funny, and insightful – and nobody does it better. Least of all me. So it’s somewhat of a disaster to discover he’d just visited the Bath wine merchant and bistro. His glowing review appears in the Observer the Sunday after my Friday visit. I’m happy for the Bottle Shop of course but stroppy on my own behalf because I know I mustn’t read it. Whatever I say – he’ll say it better. A simple cut and paste of his piece annoyingly contravenes copyright rules. I have one ace up my sleeve though – I have brought along three dining companions tonight so we can cover some serious ground and I can heavily utilise their opinions. The Beckford Bottle Shop can’t be missed at the top of Saville Row – all gold and black with huge windows housing an other-worldly wine shop – think Harry

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Potter’s wand shop in Diagon Alley and then replace with 250 fine wines on display and you’ll get some idea of the magic within. Adjacent is the split level bistro with industrial tin clad ceilings, sumptuous wrap around Chesterfield sofas, plentiful dark wooden seating, and a marble countertop window seat. It feels polished, Art Deco elegant, and reassuringly high-end. A waft of butter, wine, garlic, biscuit, and old-school tobacco wraps its welcome around you, whispering of what’s to come. The attentive and informative waiter Alex advises two to three plates each, and the charcuterie to start – translucent slices of spicy salami, tangy hard cheeses with gherkins, pickles, a sweet homemade jam chutney, and a punchy garlic aioli dip. One gripe – it came with just five crackers between four of us – not enough, and there is no bread with the table – it comes as extra and in hindsight is probably a good call if you’re actually hungry. Admittedly though the Beckford Bottle Shop isn’t about slap-up hefty dining – the carb-lite portions are more finger food, and plates emerge from the kitchen

RESTAURANT

when they’re ready – all indicating Beckford Bottle Shop is about fine wine, the ambience, the chat, the sharing, and that stop the clock feeling. Don’t rush, let’s savour, becomes the mantra of the night. We ask Alex for a wine recommendation and the Touriga Nacional Adega de Pegoes – herby, blackberry, vanilla-y and a little peppery – is the perfect accompaniment for all the dishes that follow, and the table’s one beer drinker is thrilled with the soft-hop taste of Samuel Smith’s Pure Brewed Organic Lager. Just a few of the write home about highlights include: the slivers of oily anchovies on two tiny toasts topped with rings of sweet pickled shallots are salty and funky and lip-smackingly savoured. Equally incredible are the deep fried golden cubes of Bath chaps – the pork is soft and sinewy, and zings into another dimension when dipped into the firm globule of sour Bramley apple jelly. The roasted cauliflower – with all its crunch and piquancy intact – is a surprise hit – glistening with sticky honey, smeared with bacon jam, and scattered with fresh, peppery watercress – it’s a simple dish that comes together beautifully. If I had to pick a favourite it’s the Norwegian Skrei cod with cockles, dulse (which is a cold water red seaweed), and butter. I find out later Skrei is known as ‘the king of the fish’ and I pledge my allegiance here and now. Thick, meaty flakes of beautiful, translucent white fish – it tastes clean, pure and fresh. The creamy sweetness of the butter sauce and the briny bites of the cockles complement perfectly. This dish is my siren song –I can still hear it daily, luring me back to the Bottle Shop bistro. We go all out for the puddings and order all five, and not a single one disappoints. The nutty, spicy and complex Tonka bean features twice – once as a rumsoaked, coffee-punched affogato, and also as a powerhouse of an ice cream served with a lemony, aromatic, crisp sherry. But the winning dessert has to be the blush poached rhubarb sliced into chunky diamonds served alongside biscuity crumbs of caramelised rye and a dollop of tart sour milk ice cream. The Beckford Bottle Shop has cornered the market in British small plates, which are given a warm continental hug and where wine is the focus. Just don’t visit if you’re in a rush, and do order the bread. I'm sure Jay will say the same... n

“Skrei cod is known as ‘the king of the fish’ and I pledge my allegiance here and now” DINING DETAILS The Beckford Bottle Shop, 5 - 8 Saville Row, Bath, BA1 2QP, tel: 01225 809302; www.beckfordbottleshop.com Established In 2015 by Charlie Luxton and Dan Brod of the Beckford Group Opening hours Tuesday – Saturday 11am-11pm Chef James Harris Type of food served British small plates, cheese, and charcuterie Covers Up to 50 with outdoor seating along Saville Row Recommendations In season now is the smoked cod’s roe with pickles and toasted rye, and the poached rhubarb with rye and sour milk ice cream

Prices Snacks on the menu start at £3.75 and cheese or charcuterie boards are around £12; savoury small plates start at around £5 and go up to £7 and desserts cost between £3 - £7 Drinks Anything and everything you could imagine with an enchanting selection of great beers, local cider and spirits Vegetarian Lots but if something is fancied then the kitchen will happily whip up something specially Disability access No Need to know On Tuesdays there is no corkage charge; the site was once a tea merchants called Luxton’s; and the Beckford Group make all-natural, British made Bramley Products, the soap of which can be found in the toilets.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

VIBRANT

SPRING PUBS Drinking and dining to make the most of the season

THE STAR INN

23 Vineyards, Bath BA1 5NA 01225 425072; www.star-inn-bath.co.uk

THE COEUR DE LION

17 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR 01225 463568; www.coeur-de-lion.co.uk One of Bath’s hidden gems, the Coeur De Lion is a cosy traditional pub full of period features located in the heart of the city in the pedestrianised Northumberland Place opposite the Guildhall. It enjoys the distinction of being Bath’s smallest pub, with signs above the seating reminding customers to ‘budge up’ and is almost, as far as the owners know, the only pub of this name in the country. Attracting both friendly locals and adventurous tourists drawn to the fantastic Abbey Ales beer, diverse mix of conversation and traditional classic pub food – bangers and mash, fish and chips and locally made Celtic Pies – The Coeur De Lion particularly comes alive on Bath Rugby days both before and after games.

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Situated on Vineyards (The Paragon), The Star Inn is Abbey Ales brewery tap and remains a classic example of an untouched multi-roomed English public house, where beer is still served from the jug. First licensed in 1760, The Star Inn retains many of its original features including 19th century bar fittings and wooden benches. Described by CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale) as a ‘rare and unspoiled pub interior of outstanding historic interest’, The Star Inn is listed on the National Inventory of Heritage Pubs. The pub features four separate drinking areas. The smaller bar, used by many of the regulars, features a long single bench known as ‘death row’ where a complimentary pinch of snuff can still be found in tins on the ledge above the wall panelling. Uninterrupted by juke boxes or gaming machines, chat amongst the locals is the theme along with dominoes, cribbage, shove halfpenny and live music.

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THE CATHERINE WHEEL

The High Street, Marshfield, SN14 8LR 01225 892220; www.thecatherinewheel.co.uk

HOPE AND ANCHOR

Midford Road, Midford, Bath BA2 7DD 01225 832 296; www.hopeandanchormidford.co.uk

Eight miles north of Bath, The Catherine Wheel is a 17th century coaching inn in the historic village of Marshfield. With the front and façade dating back to 1680, the building first became an inn around 1740 and was originally known as The Star, changing its name to The Catherine Wheel in the 1780s. The Catherine Wheel is a great place to visit before or after taking one of the many fantastic walks in the countryside close by, including the Cotswold Way and Limestone Link, as well as being a great base for nearby attractions such as Castle Combe and Westonbirt Arboretum (the Inn is dog friendly). Along with first class accommodation, The Catherine Wheel is known for its real ales and wholesome food freshly prepared by the highly regarded kitchen team using local produce, with an offering including lunch, dinner and takeaways.

The Hope and Anchor Midford is set in the heart of the delightful Cam valley, a 10-minute drive from Bath city centre, or a fairly gentle and very scenic cycle ride along the two tunnels cycle path, which leads straight into the pub car park (and then on to Radstock for the more energetic). The pub is one of Bath’s few remaining independently owned and run establishments. The historic country pub has been family-run for 30 years now, making it a well established favourite among Bath’s discerning diners for consistently delicious, reasonably priced food in a relaxing, friendly atmosphere.

THE OLD HAM TREE

Ham Green, Holt, Trowbridge, BA14 6PY 01225 782581; www.theoldhamtree.com The Old Ham Tree is a traditional 18th century village pub with letting rooms, where everyone is welcomed. Serving Wadworth ales and tasty, homemade comfort food, you can order most mains in smaller portions (£7.50) as well as the regular size, and tasty, homemade desserts, also available in small (£4). Customers can benefit from the pub’s loyalty scheme, with members receiving points to use on future visits. Dogs are welcome in the bar area and the pretty beer garden. The Old Ham Tree serves a very popular traditional Sunday roast for £8.50/£12.95 catering for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Separate menus available for those with gluten-free and coeliac diets. Whether you want to visit for a meal alone, with family or friends or simply pop in for a cup of tea, everyone is welcome.

THE GEORGE & DRAGON

High Street, Rowde, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2PN 01380 723053; www.thegeorgeanddragonrowde.co.uk Are you a foodie that loves a bit of luxury? You need to visit the George & Dragon in Rowde near Devizes, a 16th century coaching inn that specialises in fresh fish and seafood from St Mawes in Cornwall. The George & Dragon will open its lovely garden for alfresco dining this spring, with newly installed heaters and trusty hot water bottles and blankets at the ready for those colder days. The garden includes two private alfresco tables – the potting shed, which holds up to six people, and the new pavilion, which can hold up to 12. Finish the night with a stay in one of the pub’s three individually designed bedrooms, prices from £75 per night.

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THE FINEST IN LINGER I E, B E ACH & NIGHTWEAR

7 Quiet Street Bath BA1 2JU | T: 01225 330563 E: info@dressingroombath.com

www.dressingroombath.com |

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

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

LE NOW ON!

A NIGHTWEAR S

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

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

SPRAY MISTY FOR ME

We all need a facial mist to keep cool, calm and collected during road trips, gym visits, boogie nights, and for regular bursts of well-being. Made by Ubiety, this beauty is packed with natural ingredients and essential oils including frankincense, neroli, yarrow, ylang ylang, lemongrass and angelica, to encourage relaxation and mindfulness. But maybe one of the best side effects of all is that all profits from the purchase of this Friend In Need facial mist will help to fund Dorothy House end of life care. A Friend in Need facial mist duo, £25, www.findubiety.com

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MOOD BOOST

GENTLE CLEANSING MELT BY EVOLVE, £28 A luxurious cleansing balm rinses away leaving skin clean, calm and hydrated. The key ingredient is organic baobab oil that nourishes, improves skin elasticity, helps to rejuvenate new skin cells and promotes healing. From Little Lab, 20 Broad Street, Bath; www.littlelab.co.uk

Because we could all do with a little lift right now

ANTIDEPRESSANT RELIEF - BYE BYE BLUES!, £14.50 A pocket-sized roller bottle made by the Bath-based aromatherapy experts, containing clary sage, geranium, lavender and bergamot all banded together to create a gang of happiness that can be applied whenever needed. From Bohobo Aromatherapies; www.bohoboaromatherapies.co.uk

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BALANCING BATH OIL BY GAIA, £30 Natural and handmade containing GAIA's balancing blend and bespoke elixir. As well as softening the skin, the soothing aromas of ylang ylang, rose geranium and frankincense help bring the mind to a state of equilibrium. From Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Easton Grey, Malmesbury; www.whatleymanor.com

DR. HAUSCHKA REVITALISING DAY LOTION, £26 This moisturising lightweight lotion for dry skin stimulates skin’s natural oil and moisture production. It gives skin fresh and vibrant beauty and brings out a radiant complexion. From Lifestyle Pharmacy, 15 Westgate Street, Bath; www.lifestylepharmacybath.co.uk

ANTI POLLUTION AEGEAN CHARCOAL SERUM INFUSED SHEET MASK, £31.50 A powerful anti-oxidant blend extracted from the Creosote Bush, native to the Aegean island of Chios, containing active charcoal and impregnated with two acids to help control bacterial growth and ﬁght shine. From Natural Spa Factory, Bath Business Park, Foxcote Avenue, Bath; www.naturalspafactory.com

ED’S CHOICE LAVENDER DIFFUSER SET BY NORFOLK LIVING, £27 An elegant diﬀuser oil set with lavender sourced naturally from the lavender ﬁelds of Norfolk that provides six months of wonderful aroma. From Julia Davey, 20 Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath; www.juliadavey.com

TOTTERDOWN APOTHECARY BATH SALTS, £15 A bottle of luxurious bath salts made from a blend of Epsom and Himalayan pink salt, fragranced with natural essential oils to create the most beautifully aromatic bath. From Consciously You, 1 Kennington Road, Bath; www.consciouslyyou.co.uk

BOTANICAL REPAIR BY AVEDA, £40 Get a full night’s deep renewal with the serum that absorbs quickly into cortex strengthening hair from the inside out. Wake up to stronger, healthier looking hair after just one night. From BA1 Hair, 5 Bartlett Street, Bath; www.ba1hair.co.uk

WELL-BEING SHAMPOO BY DAVINES, £20 A light and hydrating shampoo enriched with extracts and proteins with moisturising, protective and anti-oxidant properties. From Noi Salon, 20 Milsom Place, Milsom Street, Bath; www. noisalon.co.uk

GOOD VIBES SCENTED CANDLE BY AERY LIVING, £27 Spread the good vibes throughout your home with uplifting notes of rhubarb, warming ginger and soothing vanilla. From Homefront Interiors, 10 Margaret’s Building, Bath; www.homefrontinteriors.co.uk

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WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Embrace the leopard skin print and feel empowered Words by Marianne Cantelo

e might talk animal print until the cows come home but I say zebra, giraffe and indeed cow, shouldn’t be part of the fashion conversation. There is a safari park of primal prints out there, but it isn’t a coincidence that

the most popular praises the predator and not the grazing animal. Once you acknowledge Joe Exotic put the nail in the coffin for tiger print, you have to admit that Cruella killed it for Dalmatian spots, and the least said about snake the better…

PRINT CHARMING

Leopard print it is then. Do you love it? Do you hate it? I’m not going to bore you with all the usual negative clichés about the types of women that wear leopard. If it was good enough for Christian Dior to introduce to the catwalks in 1947, it is clearly a print that can be elevated to the highest degree. Jackie Onassis, Eartha Kitt, Bet Lynch, and Lisa Rinna of Real Housewives would agree. Many women I have spoken to, talk about leopard as something they have only started to become interested in wearing in their thirties and up. Seshat the Egyptian goddess of wisdom is depicted wearing it on the walls of ancient temples – maybe it is a print that requires something extra to pull it off? If not wisdom exactly, the confidence that comes with maturity and a developed sense of self (aka The Modern Goddess). If you put maturity together with a predatory print it feels symbolic in the best possible way. It’s an assertive

Photography Egle Vasi; www.eglevasi.com Venue The Rondo Theatre, Larkhall; www.rondotheatre.co.uk Model: Holly Reynolds Price Makeup and Hair: Chantelle Moody Styling: Anna Power

statement that says, ‘I’m still here, don’t take me for granted, don’t turn your back!’ With recent headlines highlighting the prejudice that still exists against maturing women – ‘she must be menopausal’ and a long history of suspicion of women who don’t have babies to rear, or things to clean – ‘I saw her riding a broom, honest, let’s get the pyre ready’, it feels totally necessary to keep fighting these stereotypes.

JOIN THE CUB

Perhaps wearing leopard print and loving it, is being part of a special sort of club, where anyone can be a member and where you are happy to own your independence and feminine ferocity. So how can we wear it? Head to toe? If you like, but softening the print with a more fluid fabric is more modern. Taking a leopard print and changing the colour way is an abstraction of primality that still looks fierce without overwhelming the eye. Separates in a leopard print are extremely versatile, a pussy bow blouse adding wildness to a work outfit that otherwise would be a bit domesticated, a sweatshirt a laid back confidence to a look. Similarly, a flowy midi leopard skirt with trainers (ubiquitous amongst bloggers for a reason) punctuates a look with some energy that means business.

POWER DRESSING

Of course, you can’t go wrong with a leopard print accessory and I love a heel with a wide leg jean, a simple T and a trench coat – very French, very cool, very powerful. I found a pair of Sergio Rossi pony skin leopard heels in the Bath Cats and Dogs charity shop for £15! We recently used a beautiful Dune pair in our latest shoot for Dorothy House. Charity shops are the best place to find high quality leopard accessories – you are likely to benefit from someone else’s decision that they aren’t yet brave enough for primal chic. There are also plenty of local boutique brands with gorgeous options. Treat your purchase as an investment, with leopard never going out of fashion, you can use it for the rest of your (wild) life! Marianne Cantelo is the business development project manager for Dorothy House Hospice Care. The charity has 25 high street shops across the region selling fantastic pre-loved items which provides a large part of their income, plus it now has an online shop. For more: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

FASHION

SHOPPING LIST

1. Olivia maxi skirt in leopard beige, £79, Spirit Fashion; 3 High Street, Devizes; www.spiritfashion.co.uk 2. Basil dress made sustainably by Munthe, £339, Grace & Mabel, 3 George Street, Bath; www.graceandmabel.co.uk 3. Leopard blouse by Fabienne Chapot, £129.99, Jollys, House of Fraser, 13 Milsom Street Bath; www.houseoffraser.co.uk 4. Sadie leopard socks made in Britain, £16, Worship The Ground; www.instagram.com/worship.the. ground 5. Brave Soul green leopard skin shirt dress in size medium, £9.99; Dorothy House; www.dorothyhouse.shop 6. Ganni crispy Jacquard shirt dress, was £210 now £105, Square, 12 New Bond Street. Bath; www.squarebath.uk 7. Metallic leopard earrings in gold by Ivy & Ginger, £8, www.rostragallery.co.uk 8. Lydiiaa Saffiano leopard envelope pouch, £40, Ted Baker, 46 Milsom Street, Bath; www.tedbaker.com 9. Pointure light leopard shoes, £245, Chanii B,9 Milsom Place, Bath; www.chaniibshoes.com 10. All Fenix Avery 7/8 Leggings, £75, indie Bath-based e-commerce Pasha Living; www.pashaliving.com

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SMARTY DRY CLEANING

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• Complete tailoring service for ladies and gentleman • Alterations and Repairs on all Garments • Made To Measure Suits and Shirts • Bespoke / handmade Suits and Separates • Ladies bespoke tailoring • Bridal wear and Evening wear Alterations • Re-sizing and Re-Designing Suits and Dresses • Replicating your old favourite clothing

25 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG t: 01225 920 263 info@citytailors.co.uk www.citytailors.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY

from left: The exterior of the Pulteney

Bridge salon; Sarah’s new super shiny hair; David Maxwell have won several Bath Life Awards and been finalists numerous times

DAVID MAXWELL HAIRDRESSING Sarah Baker’s loving the beachy bounce and delicious brownie treatment at the Pulteney Bridge salon

am not very good at organising my hair appointments. I am all a bit last-minute-and-panic, and I am firmly blaming a busy and inconsistent freelance schedule for my unpredictable styling, and not my poor admin skills. When I do finally get myself to the hairdressers, I’d like it to take as long and as slow as possible. Yes please, make it fabulous and make me fabulous too, if you can! David Maxwell Hairdressing are twice Bath Life Award winners and consistent finalists over the past 10 years. David, as lead stylist and salon owner, has fine-tuned their offering having worked in the industry for decades, finally settling in Bath with previous successes in London with a glittering client base. This light and comfortable salon on Argyle Street, at the end of Pulteney Bridge, is their second Bath home after being on Widcombe High Street before moving to be more centrally located. David is a warm, funny and a personable character, who clearly loves what he does, leading by example and in so doing

guaranteeing a warm welcome from any one of his loyal team. Hot tea and home baked brownies kickstarted this salon experience and was a nod to what was to come. I was booked in by business manager Beth for a much-needed haircut and a Kevin Murphy salon treatment. Kevin Murphy is an Australian brand born from the same philosophy as skincare. All Kevin Murphy products are designed to deliver performance, strength, and longevity by combining hi-tech scientific knowledge with the best natural ingredients available. The award-winning brand has also got all the green credentials too, using recycled goods for their packaging as well as using only sustainable and natural ingredients in their products. Josh, salon co-ordinator, took me through the Kevin Murphy products and treatment process step-by-step and at this point I was in their massage chair, oh yes, I was. My hair was

shampooed with the Plumping Hair Wash, created for thin/thinning/fine hair as well as a detoxifying Maxi Wash Shampoo followed by an awesome deep treatment designed to thicken my hair that I would happily have worn as a fragrance. I was still in the massage chair at this point and topped back-up with green tea and another brownie…whilst the treatment worked its magic. Once rinsed, Josh handed me back to David for an hour of excellent Bath-based chat but not before he’s fully consulted on my re-style. After consideration we agreed that I needed a good few inches removed to create thicker looking hair and to remove the dead-ends, and for an asymmetric fringe to be added to open and soften my face, with a soft gentle layer for extra bounce. We chatted and giggled about all manner of things and not before long the hairdryer was on, and David was also working some magic on my new cute shoulder length hair. The benefits of the treatment were now becoming evident too, and my previously lacklustre hair was now super shiny and the light enjoying a place to bounce on that perfectly placed layer. Beachy waves were also added, which survived the next few days too, enough for me to show off my new ‘schujj’. Brownies and long lasting bounce – what more can you want from your hairdresser? n

“An awesome deep treatment that I would happily have worn as a fragrance”

For more: David Maxwell Hairdressing, 10 Argyle Street, Bath. tel: 01225 435 713; www.davidmaxwellhairdressing.co.uk

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is a medical Aesthetics clinic situated in Widcombe, Bath offering a bespoke service for all your aesthetic needs. With an emphasis on ‘natural’, Dr Lucy uses Wrinkle relaxing, Dermal Fillers, Profhilo and Mesotherapy’s to deliver outstanding natural results from anti-ageing to tweaks which enhance or disguise certain features. 10 Rossiter Road, Bath, BA2 4JP; 07887514154 www.doctorlucy.co.uk

LITTLE LAB offer award-winning beauty classes and beauty salon treatments; they are no strangers to makeup classes. They have been teaching people how to achieve a three-to-five-minute daily routine for over eight years in their shop in Bath, and have taught 4,500 people their bespoke routine. Think of it as shy-ofmakeup mentoring aimed to give confidence. Book Live for your beauty appointments. 20 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LN; 01225 310849; www.littlelab.co.uk

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It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>SERENA GUTHRIE ANNOUNCES NETBALL RETIREMENT (113) >>BIZ Q&A LOUISE HOME (114) >>BIZ Q&A HOLLIE MARKHAM (115)

Longleat House will reopen on 1 April; inset: Longleat is home to a collection of rare books, including a first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Be our guest

After a long two years of closure, Longleat House will reopen next month ongleat House will reopen its doors to visitors for the first time in two years from 1 April. The home of Marquess and Marchioness of Bath first opened to the public in 1949, and the pandemic closure is its longest in more than 70 years. To mark the reopening, Longleat has announced brand-new guided tours of the house and new exhibitions taking place throughout the rest of the year. (Turn to page 80 for more) “We are delighted to finally be able to reopen the doors to our family home after such a long time,” says Ceawlin Thynn, Lord Bath. “Longleat is very much a family home and has been welcoming visitors from across the globe for more than four centuries. Indeed, Queen Elizabeth I stayed at Longleat soon after its completion.

“During the closed period we have been working hard to devise a way to showcase more of what the house has to offer than ever before.” The new tour will bring the magnificent Elizabethan property’s 450 years of history to life, and the hour-long experience includes the chance to see the family’s massive collection of paintings, furniture, tapestries, ceramics, silver and books, incredible 19th century interiors, ‘back stairs’ areas and the spectacular original 19th Elizabethan great hall. The changing programme of small exhibitions will also give visitors the opportunity to see special items not normally on permanent display, including paintings by prominent artists from history, special material from Longleat’s extensive archives, and some of the 44,000 books kept in the house’s seven libraries. For more: www.longleat.co.uk

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BATHWORKS

MADE WITH LOVE A new regular independent market has arrived in Bradford on Avon. Local Makers BoA was created by Holly Bower, the distiller and founder behind Scout & Sage Gin. The monthly markets take place in St Margaret’s Hall, and feature a range of stalls filled with delicious local food, hand-crafted homewares, jewellery, clothing and vintage pieces. The inaugural March market included a slate of fantastic local makers like Planty Kate, Camilou Jewellery Design, Holly’s Chocs, and Wiltshire Chilli Farm, alongside a food stall that raised money in support of Ukraine. The next market will take place on 9 April. For more: Instagram local_makers_boa

You can now pick up produce from Jamie’s Farm at Larkhall Butchers

DREAM TEAM Larkhall Butchers has announced a partnership with Jamie’s farm that’ll see the charity’s produce sold in its Larkhall and Widcombe shops. Jamie’s Farm is a charity that welcomes 450 disadvantaged young people to its four farms, including its HQ , Hill House Farm in Box, every year, where they take part in a unique residential experience built around the core principles of farming, family and therapy. The residentials enable children at risk of social and

academic exclusion the opportunity to thrive academically, socially and emotionally during their school years and beyond. “I have known Peter from Larkhall Butchers for a number of years and I am so pleased to see our products on his shelves,” says Jamie Feilden, founder of Jamie’s Farm. “It really gives the customer the chance to follow the whole journey of their food, a passion we both share.” For more: www.larkhallbutchers.co.uk

Oldfield students with Cllr Dine Romero, headteacher Steven Mckay, Sue Hemmings, Cllr Lisa O’Brien and Cllr Kevin Guy

Harth Chocolate was among the stalls at Local Makers BoA

EDUCATION INNOVATION Oldfield School has opened a new Special Educational Needs Building. The Hemmings Centre is an innovative, purposebuilt facility including a sensory room providing students with a calming environment to regulate and process emotions, therapy rooms for one-to-one and group interventions and an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Specialist Resource Base, which offers a bespoke package for up to 10 ASD students to access mainstream education and supports individual learning needs. “This new facility will facilitate increased, dedicated support for students to encourage, reassure and promote their development,” says councillor Lisa O’Brien, chairman of the council. “Congratulations to Oldfield School on the completion of this important project which, I feel sure, will yield impressive benefits.” The centre is named in recognition of Sue Hemmings, who retired last year after 47 years at the school as a science technician. For more: www.oldfieldschool.com

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Team Bath is saying goodbye to netball captain Serena Guthrie (centre)

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC MOVING FORWARD

Serena Guthrie is to retire from netball after announcing ‘amazing surprise’ pregnancy news. The Blue & Gold legend had planned to retire after captaining for England at the Commonwealth Games this summer, but brought it forward following her and fiancé Bob Kersten’s happy news. “I’m feeling super excited to finally be able to share this news with everyone and I’m really looking forward to moving into what will be a whole new chapter of my life,” says Serena. “The news came as a bit of a surprise but an amazing surprise. I’d always planned to go through to the Commonwealth Games this year but Bob and I were also planning to start a family as well. It’s a little bit earlier than expected but we’re both really excited and super happy about moving into parenthood and parent life.” A University of Bath Hall of Fame inductee, Serena won four Superleague titles during two spells with Team Bath, and was a driving force behind England’s Commonwealth Games success in 2018. www.teambath.com

William Bertram was our speaker for the return of the IRL Bath Life Business Club

BUSINESS CLUB

BUILD AND THEY WILL COME In March we gathered at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa for a live Bath Life Business Club for the first time in two years, with speaker William Bertram. The 82-year-old architect and founding member of the Bath-based award-winning architecture practice, Watson Bertram & Fell gave a lively talk about his career, from the beginning of his fascination with buildings at only four years old, to what he refers to as his retirement in ‘the unaccepted

sense of the word’, today – he still creates new designs, but leaves projects in the hands of trusted colleagues to see them through. William’s most famous works include the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, which he masterminded back in the 1980s; Cavendish Lodge, a controversial project that took 10 years to get planning permission for following objections from the National Trust, English Heritage, Bath City Council and Bath

HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT

Stone King has donated £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal in aid of Ukraine. “We feel that this is a really effective way of giving to large organisations that already have a presence on the ground and who can support those fleeing Ukraine,” says managing partner Steven Greenwood. “We have all been moved by the terrible events taking place and want to support this worthwhile appeal in an effective way as possible. “We urge fellow businesses to do the same and note that our government has matched donations up to £25m.” www.stoneking.co.uk

Preservation Trust, and a trip to the High Court on an appeal; and a 27-year stint for the Prince of Wales, during which time he created hideaway pavilions and a treehouse for young William and Harry at Highgrove, and took an advisory role in a range of building projects for the Duchy of Cornwall. William’s talk was full of smart thinking, fascinating stories and wisdom including the following thoughts on the topic of failure – drawn from the experience of failing and then resitting his third year of training at the Architecture Association. He said: “I haven’t gone through my life thinking failure was ever an option. Therefore, when you’re told that you’re not going to do something, that is a spur. Not to tell them they’ve got it wrong, but to tell yourself what you really want to do – and to go for it.” The Bath Life Business Club is a networking lunch at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa offering professionals the chance to make new connections over a delicious meal, followed by a fascinating speaker from the local community. The next Bath Life Business Club is on 28 March with interior designers Woodhouse & Law. For more: Follow @bathlifemag on social media for information about the latest Bath Life Business Clubs and on how to purchase tickets

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Woolley Grange’s glamping site is making a welcome return in April

Woolley Grange’s popular glamping site will return this April. New for this year the site will host the launch of the UK’s first ever pop-up spa in partnership with Bramley. This year the site has undergone a multitude of upgrades for the new season, with wood-burning stoves in all glamping suites, and a new wood-fired pizza experience in the site’s pop-up café and bar. In addition, the glamping site is now fully dog-friendly. For more: www.woolleygrangehotel.co.uk

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BATHWORKS

“I WAS A FINALIST FOR NEW BATHROOM DESIGNER OF THE YEAR” What’s your personal bathroom style? I love a bit of vintage and glam. That can be achieved in bathrooms using traditional style products, and the choice of tiling is so vast now I would find it hard to narrow it down to only one or two styles.

BIZ Q&A

Louise Home The designer at Bathrooms at No.5 shares her thoughts on design, awards, and her dream client

ou can find Bathrooms at No. 5’s boutique-style showroom tucked down a pretty little street in Bradford on Avon. They’re an indie outfit offering design, supply and installation of luxurious bathrooms in Bath and the wider Wiltshire Area, with a small team of in-house specialists. Here we chat to designer Louise Home. How long have you been a designer for Bathrooms at No. 5? I joined Bathrooms at No.5 last year after moving to Somerset from Brighton, but have been designing bathrooms for over 16 years. Have you made any changes since you started? Since joining Bathrooms at No.5, I have expanded our choice of products

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and suppliers and am currently working on re-designing and updating the displays in the showroom. What drew you to this line of work? I got into bathrooms originally coming from an art and design background – a bathroom design company local to me at the time were looking for someone who could draw, as all their designs were drawn by hand back then. From there, I learned about the technicalities of bathroom design, and the array of products available. What have some of your best career moments been? I was lucky enough to be a finalist for New Bathroom Designer of the Year, a national design awards for the second design I did, and have been a finalist in bathroom design awards a further two times since.

How has your job changed over the years? I now use a computer aided design package to put together designs for clients, which is much better for them as they get a virtual tour of the space, and really get to see how the room will look before sign off. Can you tell us about one of your all-time favourite projects? We’re currently working on a multiple bathroom project locally, which is an old windmill – this has to be one of my favourites. The challenge is to use products and materials that work with the quirky personality of the property and honour its history, while still creating a practical and useable space. I have used raw copper, tin, linen and natural stone in one bathroom and can’t wait to see the design come to life.

What are some of the most common errors you see when it comes to bathroom design? There are so many practical challenges within bathrooms that it’s very easy to get it wrong. Bathrooms are usually the smallest room in a house, so ergonomics are really important; the useable space around the basin, toilet, bath and the swing of the shower door, etc, all need to be considered. The water feeds and waste all need to be allowed for within the design and layout before the fun stuff like colours and lighting can begin. Persuade us: why does the bathroom deserve every bit as much love as say, the living room or kitchen? I love designing bathrooms as they are a very uniquely personal space. They can be very restorative, using the element of water to relax and pamper, which makes one’s environment even more important to the senses. Whose house – dead or alive, real or fictional – would you most like to have a look around and why? That would have to be the burlesque artist Dita Von Teese. She is an avid collector of all things vintage and likes to reflect her personality in her environment. I would love to work with her on designing her bathroom. For more: Bathrooms at No. 5, 5 The Shambles, Bradford on Avon; www.bathbathrooms.com

BATHWORKS

“PLANT A TREE. IT’S THE DEFINITION OF OPTIMISM” out of the site. That helps us to create zones and routes, which leads to where to put any structure. We can create structure with trees, shrubs and of course built elements. The next step is to work through concepts and see if they resonate with the client, then we add detail – where exactly does each plant go. Then it’s time for the garden to be made. What’s the most important part of the design? The end. For the client to live with it and for it to continue to change and evolve as it settles.

BIZ Q&A

What are some of mistakes you see gardeners making? Spending money on plants rather than soil and rushing. If you have just moved into a house it’s better to wait for a year and see what the garden does before you interfere with it, as there could be gems in there you didn’t notice.

The founder of Rosie Nottage Garden Design on growing a love of gardening

What is one thing every gardener should do today? Plant a tree. It’s the definition of optimism and forward thinking.

Rosie Nottage

ith Rosie at the helm and a hands-on, practical approach to garden design, the seven-strong team at Rosie Nottage Garden Design create beautiful gardens in a variety of settings, from classical lawns and outdoor kitchens to flood resistant gardens, gardens with natural swimming ponds, rewilding schemes for large swathes of land and courtyard gardens for Bath townhouses. Have you always wanted to be a gardener? My degree was in Plant Science so I always intended to work with plants, but I accidentally spent 15 years in Soho in media and events before retraining in 2009.

Plant Science sounds interesting! What does that involve? I wanted to do a degree that was science based but would also allow me to be outside. In all honesty Plant Science at Manchester looked the most fun. I studied mountain plants and managed to go all over Mallorca as well as up Ben Nevis. My ambition was actually to be a plant hunter crawling through jungles, interviewing local tribesmen about plants, but Soho got there first. So after the Soho life, what brought you back to plants? I went on the trip of a lifetime for a month in Asia and realised all my photos were of plants – so I signed up to a diploma at Hampton Court with KLC School of Design the day I landed back in the UK. I won a competition at Chelsea Flower Show during the next year, bought a van

and started making gardens. It’s been a huge adventure since and now, whilst we don’t lay any patios, having had my hands in the rough end of a mixer means I understand how to create a garden as well as how to draw one. Where do you start a project? Listening and looking is stage one – where does the sun sit? Which bits are wet? Where do you want to hang out? How do you live your life? How do you cook and rest and host, and how much time do you want to spend looking after your garden? There are lots of questions in our initial meeting and we are focused on absorbing information. What’s the design process? From there, we look at the space, how buildings and surroundings relate and what are the views in and

What keeps you in love with gardening? The slow nature of it. Our world is chaotic and ever changing, but whatever is going on, the bulbs will still press through. What is your favourite part of your job? So many bits are amazing, but I love working with people. Some of our clients have moved two or three times and worked with us on each new home, so we get to know people over years. I also really love diggers. Do you have a favourite plant? Coronilla valentina subspecies glauca ‘Citrina’. There is a pair at the back of the Holburne Museum wrapped around the railings on the steps. Put your face to it and breathe in – and you will see why it’s my favourite. For more: www.rosienottage.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THE BUSINESS FOR GOOD SERIES CEO Kirsty Matthews on how the Bath MBA advanced her career in the health and care sector

“I WAS ABLE TO USE MY EXPERIENCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE” Kirsty Matthews is CEO of Hft, a national charity supporting adults with learning disabilities

credit the Bath MBA with changing my entire career path. What I really liked about the programme was the combination of theory and practical business experience. Through project work, we were able to apply what we had learned and ground it in reality. It was inspiring and gave me a strong sense that so much of what you do in building good business skills is about applying common sense and being brave. The course took away a lot of my self-doubt. One of the projects I worked on actually led to a job oﬀer with Nutricia Clinical Care, building their homecare delivery business from scratch using the commercial skills I developed through the MBA. The opportunity came about through a Bath graduate, so it was a great example of how the alumni network can create opportunities. It’s still one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. Since then, I’ve worked for the NHS across exec and non-exec roles; became the CEO

of Bath’s Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and managing director of the Virgin Care contract in BANES. I’m now chief executive of Hft, a learning disabilities charity and provider of homes, care and support for adults with learning disabilities across England and Wales. What really appealed to me about this role was the chance to use my 30 years’ experience in the health and care sector to make a diﬀerence and strengthen the opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to live their best life.

myself to do the best I can and to be open to opportunities. The MBA is a stepping stone into so many diﬀerent possibilities. My advice to students is to use the time to test yourself and your thinking, and don’t feel constrained to one path. Are you a graduate of the School of Management with a story to share? Connect with us: alumni@management.bath.ac.uk

To become a CEO, I think you need a lot of courage, determination and a strong sense of belief that it’s a role you can aspire to do, but I don’t think I’ve ever lost my awareness of how much I still have to learn. It’s probably quite important because it keeps me grounded and ensures I check in and test out where I really am with others. To me, ambition is more of a personal challenge. It’s about always striving to push

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Successful, well-established year-round language school in the centre of Bath requires

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WHY YOU NEED A WILL Local legal expert HELEN STARKIE offers advice for one of life’s certainties…

esearch by ‘Which’ shows that almost two thirds of us have no Will in place. About half of those interviewed (so about one third of us) said they had nothing worth leaving, and the remaining interviewees were pretty evenly divided between it not having occurred to them or being ‘too busy’. There is an assumption that ‘the law will sort it out’ if no will is left – and in some cases, the Laws of Intestacy will do the necessary – but that should not be taken for granted! And if you need evidence for that then it is a sobering thought that in the last five years or so the number of people requesting advice on how to challenge a Will has apparently risen by 120 per cent. Your estate may well be more valuable than you think. For example, people often forget that they have insurance policies which may pay out to their estate on death. Married couples and couples in Civil Partnerships often assume that if one of them dies the other will inherit everything. Not necessarily true! If the couple are childless then the spouse/civil partner will inherit, but if they have children then the spouse/civil partner will inherit the deceased spouse’s personal possessions, the first £250,000 of their assets (the value of which may include the value of their interest in the couple’s home) and one half of anything over and above that. The rest will pass to the children. There have been cases where a bereaved spouse has had to sell their home to pay out their children. Talking of marriage and civil partnerships, couples need to bear in mind that, if they have made Wills before marrying or becoming civil partners, those Wills will be revoked by that marriage or partnership unless they have expressly been made ‘in contemplation’ of it. The situation is more complex for those who live together but are not legally married or partnered. These now form a very significant part of our population. Currently some four million people are in this sort of relationship, and the number is growing fast. Many of those involved believe that they will have rights as ‘common-law spouses’ but there are no such rights under the Laws of Intestacy. The estate of one party to such an arrangement will pass to his or her nearest family member, not their cohabitee. It is very important to understand this when, for example, buying a home together. The way you own the property (as tenants in common or as beneficial joint tenants) will make an enormous difference

“YOUR ESTATE MAY WELL BE MORE VALUABLE THAN YOU THINK” to the way in which the deceased person’s interest in it is dealt with on their death. This is not to say that an individual who survives their partner cannot challenge the position which has arisen as a result of the intestacy. If they were being or ought to have been being supported by the deceased in his or her lifetime then they may make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. But claims of this kind are notoriously expensive to bring —and they are slow. It may be years before things are finalised. There is no sense in leaving things in such a state that this avenue is the only one available to one’s partner. The expected cost of making a Will can be a deterrent, of course, and the press is expert at bandying around some pretty terrifying figures, but you would probably be pleasantly surprised by the real cost, and if you are a charity supporter you may take advantage of

a free Will scheme run by solicitors in support of certain charities (we run such a scheme for Amnesty each spring and for the Friends of the RUH later in the year – if you leave the charity something in your Will we give our time drafting it free of charge). So cost is not a good excuse. We are all going to die one day. Why on earth would we not want to plan wisely for the aftermath of that as we would for any lifetime event? ■

Helen Starkie Solicitor 38 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT; 01225 442353; www.helenstarkie.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 119

2022

PROSERVICES

BUSI N E SS SE RV I C E S / FI N A N C E / L AW / PRO PE R T Y / AG E N C I E S / R EC RU I T M E N T

THE CITY AT WORK

MEET THE PROFESSIONALS MAKING THE CITY BUZZ

EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS INTO LOCAL BUSINESSES

SPONSORED CONTENT

SOLICITORS BATTENS SOLICITORS Patrick Mears, Head of Commercial Property Bath Tell us a little about your business...

Battens is a three-hundred-yearold law multi-disciplined law ﬁrm with six oﬃces in Somerset, Dorset and Bath. Our business and individual clients count on us for our renowned legal expertise, fresh thinking and pragmatic insight. What areas do you specialise in?

I have more than 20 years of experience in commercial property law, advising clients on all aspects of the sector, including sales and purchases, leases and renewals, development and strategic land transactions and secured lending work. How has your firm adapted to stay relevant?

Technology has helped us

to develop as a firm, we have introduced a new case management system and hybrid working has also allowed us to be flexible in terms of staff and client needs. Hybrid working is very much here to stay but the important thing is to listen to clients, and I am always happy to meet clients face to face to discuss their issues. Did you know?

Our people are our best asset and Battens understands that especially during such recent challenging times. We promote a positive approach to health and wellbeing, and many of our staff have taken part in mental health first aid courses. We are very proud that we now have mental health champions in every office, with a total of 16 across the company. It has been a very beneficial for us as a business and for the wellbeing of our staff. For more: 01225 536870; patrick.mears@battens.co.uk

BLB SOLICITORS

Sarah Loveless, Partner Tell us a little about your business...

BLB Solicitors is a leading law firm serving Bath, Wiltshire, and beyond. We pride ourselves on offering clear, practical, and cost-effective legal advice to businesses and individuals. In addition to providing excellent service, our clients tell us we have a reputation for being friendly and approachable, which keeps them coming back. What areas do you specialise in?

The firm offers a comprehensive range of legal services. However, I head the Private Client Department, which specialises in Wills, Inheritance Tax planning, can this be more convenient for Lasting Powers of Attorney, clients, but often they feel more Deputyships and Administration at ease speaking to of Estates. I am us from a familiar a full member environment. of the Society of DID YOU KNOW… We work extensively Trust and Estates with clients in the Practitioners and What makes leisure and hospitality Solicitors for the working in Bath industries, which Elderly. special? are currently facing It is a fantastic city unprecedented to live and work, How are you challenges. Despite communicating especially having that, many of our with clients? so many parks, clients are bucking the cafés and coffee As with so many trend and investing substantially. shops right on our businesses, the doorstep. Our pandemic has office in George broadened how Street is just a short stroll from we meet and communicate with Victoria Park, which is great for a clients. Although we have been lunchtime stroll! delighted to welcome clients back into our offices, we will inevitably For more: 01225 462871; continue to make good use of video conferencing platforms such sarah.loveless@blbsolicitors.co.uk; blbsolicitors.co.uk a Zoom and Teams. Not only

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SPONSORED CONTENT GOUGHS SOLICITORS Phillip Bolton, Partner & Head of the Private Wealth Sector Tell us a little about your business...

Goughs is a law firm with 7 offices throughout Wiltshire. Goughs has 5 departments – Family, Residential Property, Commercial and Real Estate, Employment and Private Client and 5 sectors – Armed Forces, Farming and Rural Land, House Building, Private Wealth and Property Investment. The firm employs over 100 members of staff and further recruitment and expansion is planned for the next year. The firm is unique in having a strong high street presence and excellent reputation in 6 towns, along with a large, first-class commercial offering based in the firm’s new Chippenham office. What areas do you specialise in?

My practice encompasses all aspects of Private Client work, with a particular interest in complex Wills, wealth preservation, tax mitigation and estate planning. I have also had

significant experience in advising on agricultural and farming estate planning matters. What challenges are your clients facing?

The pandemic has made many of my clients consider their own mortality, and therefore consider estate planning matters and family succession in relation to businesses and wealth. This requires great consideration in relation to family and tax matters, which can be complex for clients to deal with. At Goughs, we are well placed to advise clients through this journey. What awards has your company or members of your team won?

The firm has been nominated and shortlisted by The Law Society for its national excellence in law management. For the last few years, Goughs has been regularly recognised in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, which are both highly credited legal directories. I am really proud to be an individually recognised lawyer in The Legal 500. For more: 01249 712193; info@goughs.co.uk

HELEN STARKIE SOLICITOR Helen Starkie

What area do you specialise in?

We are a niche ‘private client’ firm — the only one in Bath. We specialise in non- litigious work for individuals, families and entrepreneurs — Tax Planning, bespoke Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work, Care Home contracts, Care Funding and Property transactions of various types. When was the firm founded and by whom?

I founded the firm twelve years ago. After training and qualifying at a London firm I had for over twenty years run very large private client departments in two sizeable regional firms; but I became disillusioned by the way that they had become more ‘corporate’ in their approach to private individuals and the loss, as a result, of a personal service to clients. To me that is the essence of being a private client lawyer and the time

seemed right to set up a practice based on the premise of ‘service’ as opposed, purely, to profit. I was right. Clients tell me that they wish I had done it years before I did. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

Our ethos and our size, which facilitates us getting to know clients’ needs in depth. Many clients have moved to us from larger firms because they value the fact that we know and understand them (and ideally their families, too) and their particular needs. We make time for that. Many complain that in larger firms they never got to speak with the same person twice. Here, they feel they can always get hold of the person they need, and that, if they cannot come to us, we will go to them at no additional cost. A surprising fact about the firm?

We are all women.

For more: 01225 442353; helenstarkie.co.uk

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SPONSORED CONTENT MOGERS DREWETT Karen Sherwin

Tell us a little about your business...

Mogers Drewett is a leading Southwest legal and financial planning firm with offices in Bath, Frome, Sherborne and Wells. Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

someone who joined us at the beginning of the year, Sarah Clacker. Sarah moved to Bath from London with her family and is a very experienced Tax and Trust senior associate. We’re thrilled that she’s joined us and she’s a great addition to our Bath Private Client oﬀering which compliments our other oﬃces.

DID YOU KNOW… 78% of our employees are female. And if you add up all of our length of service it is more than 600 years -that’s a lot of experience and knowledge to tap into!

By leading by example. I take my own mental and physical health very seriously and a positive work/life balance is critical to that. Everyone at Mogers Drewett works hard and cares about what they do. Down time is essential in order to recharge so that we can be at our very best. Name a rising star in your company?

Everyone is a star at Mogers Drewett but I think a special mention should be made to

What is your company’s ethos and philosophy?

We wouldn’t be here without our clients or the fantastic team that is Mogers Drewett so we take care of both very carefully. We strive for excellence in both and have a very positive and supportive working environment. Our values as derived from client testimonials spell out the work SHAPE -we are Straightforward, Helpful, Approachable, Professional and Eﬃcient. For more: 01225 750000; enquiries@mogersdrewett.com; mogersdrewett.com

STONE KING LLP Rebecca Eels, Partner

Tell us a little about your business...

We are a national law ﬁrm with a 230-year working history in Bath. We have an excellent reputation for our private client work as well as our expertise across the education, charity & social enterprise and business sectors. We’re committed to supporting and advancing the work of our clients and dedicated to our community by getting behind local causes and events, such as sponsoring the charity category at the Bath Life Awards. What areas do you specialise in?

I’m part of Stone King’s Family & Mediation team specialising in complex children and financial matters, I am also a trained mediator. Mediation can help couples through their separation in a non-confrontational way, which is particularly valuable where children are involved. It aims to avoid potentially acrimonious court proceedings and can be more cost and time efficient. I also specialise in child inclusive mediation, that enables the child’s voice to be heard. Separation is a challenging time and it’s rewarding to help our clients find amicable solutions whilst reducing the impact on children. What challenges are your clients facing?

Our Family & Mediation clients have had a tough two years managing the ﬁnancial and emotional impact of the pandemic and several lockdowns, which have undoubtedly sparked and escalated issues. Where clients are waiting for court proceedings, the backlog is prolonging the process and preventing them from moving on. We are doing all we can to support our clients through this. Did you know?

Last November we relocated all our Bath-based teams to a new head oﬃce at Upper Borough Court, Upper Borough Walls, including the Family & Mediation team. We have three trained mediators, which sets us apart from other family law teams, and between us we have more than 100 years of experience. For more: 01225 337599; stoneking.co.uk

“SEPARATION IS A CHALLENGING TIME AND IT’S REWARDING TO HELP OUR CLIENTS FIND AMICABLE SOLUTIONS”

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

ACCOUNTANTS MILSTED LANGDON Daniel Kenyon, General Practice Director

Tell us a little about your business...

Milsted Langdon provides award-winning accountancy, tax and business advice to help our clients innovate and embrace change. We have a team of over 200 people across oﬃces in Bath, Bristol, London, Taunton and Yeovil, with a shared vision to help our clients thrive. Tell us about your community/charity involvement?

We were a founding partner of the South West Charity Conference which takes place in Bath and throughout the Covid pandemic we hosted a series of digital seminars to provide charities the opportunity to discuss ideas with an expert panel. As part of our CSR initiative, the team recently volunteered with Bath Rugby Foundation’s outreach programme, which involved teaching young adults about managing their money with some sport thrown in for good measure.

What challenges are your clients facing?

There is uncertainty for a lot of businesses at the moment, with a shortage of people capital, as well as supply and demand issues and we can’t forget the impact of Brexit, the continued pandemic and geopolitical uncertainty. Access to finance can also be challenging at this time, but our team has a vast knowledge of different financing options and alternatives. With experience in a wide-range of sectors, we provide the best business and tax planning expertise, to help our clients thrive. Did you know?

Although we are predominantly a South West ﬁrm of Chartered Accountants, we belong to a global network through our membership of MGI Worldwide. This means we have access to almost 9000 professionals in over 250 locations worldwide, so that we can oﬀer creative and pragmatic solutions in almost every jurisdiction. For more: 01225 904940; dkenyon@milstedlangdon.co.uk; milstedlangdon.co.uk

“WE PROVIDE THE BEST BUSINESS AND TAX PLANNING EXPERTISE, TO HELP OUR CLIENTS THRIVE.

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SPONSORED CONTENT RICHARDSON SWIFT Jon Miles, Tax Director

Tell us a little about your business...

RS is an independent accountancy and tax advisory company specialising in owner managed businesses and individuals throughout the Southwest. Tell us about your community/ charity involvement?

PEARSON MAY

Matthew Rutter, Partner Tell us a little about your business...

Pearson May is a leading firm of chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers with a Bath office located in Great Pulteney Street. The firm was established in Bath over 180 years ago, and we strive to help our clients realise their personal and business goals. What makes working in Bath special?

Bath is a vibrant and eclectic mix of business and pleasure. Against the backdrop of our beautiful city, Pearson May provides advice to owner managed businesses, fellow professionals, and private individuals who value a quality personal service – and paying less tax, of course! What advice would you give to anyone considering Accountancy as a career?

Training in a firm such as Pearson May can give you the opportunity to gain all-round experience in areas such as accounts, tax and audit. Look for a firm with

good progression prospects – for example all six of our partners started their accountancy training at Pearson May which demonstrates the potential. What do you specialize in?

As well as being a chartered accountant I am a chartered tax adviser and a registered auditor. I work with owner-managed businesses in Bath and beyond, assisting with both accounting and taxation support as well as providing auditing services.

of its lifecycle. What plans does RS have for 2022?

We are planning to strengthen our team and concentrate on developing our resources in key areas to ensure we are ahead of the game when it comes to offering the best services to our clients. We have already restructured our business and encouraged a culture to enable our staff to be more integral to our clients’ personal and businesses goals, with ongoing dialogue and advice.

We are delighted to be sponsoring the fantastic work of the Ben Saunders Foundation. The BSF was founded by the Bath teenager shortly before What challenges his death from a are your clients DID YOU KNOW… facing? rare tumour in Richardson Swift’s August 2020. The Coming out of Bath office at Laura charity has already the pandemic has Place, is also the provided family been tough for fictional home of holidays for over many businesses Lady Dalrymple 50 young cancer and some have from Jane sufferers, and we had to revisit their Austen’s last novel couldn’t be prouder personal goals and Persuasion. to be involved with business models; its work. repositioning the business slightly differently in the market or even taking the difficult What areas do you decision to sell. We have been specialise in? involved in an increasing number As tax director I have a broad of these transactions as well as knowledge and experience of acquisitions. most areas of tax, but I specialise in providing commercial tax For more: 01225 325580; consultancy to owner managers, hello@richardsonswift.co.uk; supporting their business’s richardsonswift.co.uk development through each stage

Did you know?

Having recently celebrated a birthday, I was reminded of the coincidence that not only do I share a birthday with one of my fellow partners, we were actually born just hours apart on the very same day in the hospital here in Bath. Roll forward a few years and after both studying maths at university we both joined Pearson May in 2004 and are now both partners in the firm. There must have been something in the water at the RUH that day! For more: 01225 460491; matthew.rutter@pearsonmay.co.uk; pearsonmay.co.uk

“BATH IS A VIBRANT AND ECLECTIC MIX OF BUSINESS AND PLEASURE. “ www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 129

SPONSORED CONTENT

MEET THE BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS

DATASHARP INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS is a leading UK communications and collaboration solution-provider that has been helping businesses become more agile since 1999

e design and deliver best-in-class unified communications and collaboration solutions that help businesses drive productivity, reduce costs and build the bottom line. We’re proud to be based in Bath, and with customers nationwide and across the globe, our high-performing team is growing fast. We all share a single goal: our passion for delivering the best possible solutions for our clients. Meet the team:

MARTIN BUCKLAND CEO

We focus on our clients’ business, not technology. There are thousands of comms technology products in a very crowded marketplace. By taking the time to understand our clients’ business, we cut through the noise, focus on value and build partnerships for the long-term by sharing risk. We like to take care of our team. From health to financial well-being, learning and development and support for remote working, we continually invest in our employees to help them achieve their objectives. We know how to work hard to deliver the best possible service to our customers. But we know how to relax and have fun, too. We have regular social events, and last year we were lucky enough to have a crack at Airsoft, karaoke at The Cork, ten-pin bowling and even virtual reality shoot ’em ups at Bath Leisure Centre. 130 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

STUART MARTIN

Head of Business Development It’s great to be surrounded by people who have very little fear and respect for the past – not in a negative way, but positively. They appreciate everything that’s been done, but constantly look for ways to improve. When you lead with what’s possible, and constantly seek to create value for clients, it’s energising. Being around that kind of energy and inspiration has allowed me to think bigger than I ever would have thought.

WILLIAM WOOD Head of Pre-Sales

My role here involves listening to customers’ challenges around business communications including voice, video, data, mobile and network security and designing bespoke solutions that fit their unique requirements. I’ve been here over 20 years and have seen a lot of change, but right now there’s a tremendous excitement about the future, as we ride waves of change in the industry, such as huge uptakes in video conferencing, cyber security and the need for consolidated platforms such as Microsoft Teams.

SPONSORED CONTENT

BRAD SNOW

Head of Engineering My team is responsible for executing the technical side of a client’s project, which can include remote and physical installations, training and maintenance support via our helpdesk. We have a dynamic, high-performing team who are driven to take the initiative and solve problems when they arise. There’s always space to train on the latest technology (often used in-house) which gives us vital first-hand experience that we pass on to our clients. It’s a great place to make a name for yourself.

SAMANTHA WHITE

PAUL OATEN

My team provides the business with administrative support for client projects and ensuring the efficient operation of the office. As ‘gatekeepers’ to the business, we are usually the first point of contact for our customers, so it’s important to develop strong relationships with each of them. It sounds clichéd, but the main reason I enjoy working here is because of the people. I’m passionate about supporting the team and ensuring that everyone feels valued for their contribution. We’re an essential part of the business and the work we do helps to shape its future.

I head up a small, crack team of marketers whose entire focus is positioning our company and the services we provide as the ‘go-to’ solution provider for any business looking to level-up its comms technology game. We actively participate in local business community events and support a local Bathbased charity dealing with homelessness and substance misuse. In today’s online world, marketers are the ‘rain-makers’ when it comes to attracting new customers. So, plenty to do and never a dull moment! ■

Head of Administration

Head of Marketing

JOIN US! You’ll be empowered to reach your full potential and make a real difference creating innovative communications solutions for our customers. See the ad below for more information about our current vacancies

0800 032 8274; hello@datasharp-ic.co.uk; datasharp-ic.co.uk Find us on social: f   l

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SPONSORED CONTENT

FINANCIAL ADVICE & WEALTH MANAGEMENT BECKFORD JAMES CHARTERED FINANCIAL PLANNERS Ivan Lintner, Chartered Financial Planner

Tell us a little about your business...

We are a chartered firm of independent financial planners. Financial planning begins by assessing what’s important to you in life and how to plan your finances accordingly. Independent means that we work unrestrictedly across the whole market to find the most appropriate solutions for our client’s needs. Our chartered status reflects our commitment to professionalism, ethics, and learning, all of which translate into high quality financial planning. What challenges are your clients facing?

Recently we’ve experienced how both the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, such as the conflict in Ukraine, can unsettle financial markets which naturally gives cause for concern. Whilst every client is individual and will

have differing objectives, the key for investors is not to panic and to trust the process. Keeping a longterm perspective is important, and it’s worth remembering that historically market dips often tend to be followed by recoveries. What advice would you give to someone who’s never really thought about financial planning?

It’s never too early or too late! Start by picturing how you’d like your financial future to look for you and your family. Through discussion we will help you determine your goals and can then work towards achieving your objectives by creating a realistic financial plan, which is regularly monitored and reviewed. Starting retirement planning early is a great example. It may seem uninspiring to add a small amount into a pension each month when you’re young, but remember, that the earlier you save the bigger the difference it will make in the long term. For more: 01225 437600; bathlife@beckfordjames.com; beckfordjames.com

HANDELSBANKEN Martin Williams, Branch Manager

Tell us a little about your business...

We’re a relationship bank built on sustainable values and rooted in the local community. We offer individual and corporate banking with a truly bespoke service. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

DID YOU KNOW… Established in 1871 in Sweden, we operate through over 160 branches across Great Britain. Along with the financial products you’d expect from a bank, we also have an award-winning wealth and asset management team, whose expertise can help with financial planning.

What achievement as a firm are you most proud of?

We have a unique decentralised model, where our colleagues are empowered to make decisions, even the pricing of products, meaning our customers benefit from swift decision making. Customers have a direct line to their own account manager, who knows the local market and invests time to understand their aspirations.

Definitely our reputation for customer satisfaction. In 2021 we were rated number one for customer satisfaction for the thirteenth year running, in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers. (epsirating.com). This recognition shows we’re doing the right thing by our customers.

What is your company’s ethos and philosophy?

For more: 01225 311222; martin.williams@handelsbanken.co.uk; handelsbanken.co.uk/bath

Our focus is on long-term

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

relationships. We believe we can help our customers achieve their goals, by really knowing them. Our cultural handbook is clear “our advice must always be what is best for the customer, not what is most profitable for the Bank at the time”; we back that up by being free of sales targets and bonuses, so customers know we work in their interests.

SPONSORED CONTENT LANSDOWN FINANCIAL SERVICES Doug Miller, Mortgage Broker / Director

Tell us a little about your business...

community. We donate £75 to the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity, for every referral we receive which successfully completes on a mortgage through us, and we are committed to doing one days volunteer work at a local charity every month. We are also on the hunt for another charity in Bath which we can help through regular fundraising and support.

We specialise in arranging all types of mortgage finance. This ranges from first time buyers and home movers, right through to clients with sizeable portfolios or people investing into holiday lets. We can also advise in many What sets you DID YOU KNOW… other important apart from Our directors and areas relating others in your advisers have over sector? to mortgage 20 years’ experience and property We remove the in the industry, and finance, including mortgage jargon have advised on secured loans and form our advice, approximately £800m bridging finance, and ensure that of mortgage lending protection policies you understand during this time. and buildings everything, every and contents or step of the way. landlords insurance. Our whole ethos and reason for Based out of our central Bath founding this company was to office, we have access to over 90 put the personal customer service mortgage lenders and do not back into the industry, something charge a fee for our services. that has been lost by many of the larger firms who rely too heavily on technology. Tell us about your community/ charity involvement

We feel that it is imperative to give something back to the

For more: doug@lansdownfs.co.uk; lansdownfs.co.uk

MCKENZIE WEALTH

tell you that they put the client at the centre of everything they do. We don’t. We put our clients’ financial goals at the centre of Tell us a little about your business... everything we do. We will coach our clients and defend those We are a young company, based goals, even if it means we have to in the heart of Bath, which has give our clients some tough love. rapidly expanded from a single Investing smartly adviser to 12 for the future advisers and 6 DID YOU KNOW… requires discipline support staff in the As with all investments, and motivation space of 7 years. the value will be and our clients Successful directly linked to the may not always wealth performance of the thank us, but they management funds selected and the do when their is like other value may fall as well as goals have been rewarding things rise. You may get back achieved. in life. It requires less than you invested. knowledge and experience to What challenges understand your goals and know are your clients facing? what’s possible, followed by hard The same as us all. We live in work and discipline to make volatile and uncertain times and sure you achieve them. Our the markets reflect that volatility. unique combination of financial Our clients are finding it more expertise and a performance important than ever to have us driven mentality ensures we by their side, reminding them support, motivate and coach our of their goals and the long term clients to achieve outstanding nature of their investments, and results that can transform their being a cool head to talk to when financial futures. they start to worry. Tristan Johnson, Director

What sets you apart from others in your sector?

All financial advice firms will

For more: 01225 436 555; mckenzieandco.co.uk

“INVESTING SMARTLY FOR THE FUTURE REQUIRES DISCIPLINE AND MOTIVATION AND OUR CLIENTS MAY NOT ALWAYS THANK US, BUT THEY DO WHEN THEIR GOALS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.“ www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 135

SPONSORED CONTENT

PROPERTY ASPIRE TO MOVE

getting the whole team involved.

Tell us a little about your business...

How have the last 12 months been for you?

Aspire To Move are a local, independent, award winning letting agent. Our focus is to deliver unrivalled levels of customer service with a smile! We cover all aspects of residential lettings focusing on Bath, Bristol and the surrounding area.

In the past 12 months, the business has grown from strength to strength, much faster than we actually anticipated. We opened our doors just before a global pandemic, thrived as a business and achieved exceptional growth. This period has involved moving to larger premises, creating two new roles and maintaining Tell us about your community/ our 5 star customer review charity involvement? rating. Service is everything to Our company ethos is to give us and having a fun rewarding back to the community that we environment to work within live and work in. Last year we where people live and breathe raised over £2300 for the RUH our ethos and thrive is important forever friends appeal by cycling to us. We have continually for been honoured to 12 hours. We also win several supported the DID YOU KNOW… awards this year. Bath Foodbank, We’ve actually won the However, the by donating and Bath Life awards two British Property collecting goods to years on the trot! Gold award was help local people a real high for in need. This year us. All agents we are donating are mystery shopped on service and collecting for Bath Cats and excellence and only one agent is Dogs home and have some great rewarded the accolade. support from local dog and cat lovers like ourselves. We have also For more: 01225 444333; pledged to do a Skydive in July with the aim to raise money whilst aspiretomove.co.uk

“OUR FOCUS IS TO DELIVER UNRIVALLED LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH A SMILE!“

BATTERHAM SMITH Tell us a little about your business…

so you might often find us on a lunchtime run or walk exploring the local countryside!

Based in the idyllic outskirts of What sets you apart from others in your sector? Bath, we are a small practice of six who find inspiration in We offer bespoke solutions with people and nature and strive to bold architectural design which create elegant poetic spaces. We are born out of organic thinking prioritise integrity and welcome and thorough understanding any opportunity to discuss ideas. of the particular issues involved We look forward in a project. to working Bringing the alongside you human element DID YOU KNOW… to realise your to the heart of Our recently completed visions for your the project and barn conversion the home, community working from first ‘Hive’ features our very or school project. principles, we take own skyspace, a circular oculus infinity view of pride in our subtle the glorious Somerset contemporary What steps are skies! designs of you taking for understated employee’s quality. We enjoy mental health the process of creative brief and right work/life balance? writing by challenging convention We are a close-knit team who and relishing in doing something encourage open communication. worthwhile. We prioritise the We make sure to check in use of natural materials and regularly and celebrate each sustainable technologies and other’s professional and personal aim to deliver unique, user development. The office has a friendly spaces with respect to the culture of openness in discussing individual and the environment. workload and we offer flexible hours and remote working. For more: 01225 851122; We are strong believers that batterhamsmitharchitects.co.uk movement and stress relief activities promote a healthy mind, www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 139

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WINKWORTH

Lucy McIlroy, Director Tell us a little about your business...

Matthew Leonard and Lucy McIlroy took over the Bath Winkworth Franchise at the end of 2018. Being part of a large inclusive Franchise network works well for us, we can operate as an independent Bath business but have the backing of a large well-established London based company. In London Winkworth have over 70 offices and are always expanding. We have both worked in the property sector for over 20 years and love both living and working in Bath. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

We have a well established letting portfolio which we’ve recently increased with the acquisition of another Bath based Letting agents’ portfolio and now have over 200 landlords. We believe in supporting local Bath businesses and try to use

Bath based companies, where possible, for everything from independent coffee shops for our morning meeting through to the Bath based marketing companies we use. Whilst there are cheaper alternatives we strongly believe in supporting independent local firms which benefit not only the Bath economy but also the environment. What predictions do you have for the sector for 2022?

The Property market, as a whole, had a phenomenal last year, with the number of transactions nationally reaching a 15 year high. In Bath we have seen a strong start to 2022 , property prices in both sales and rentals continue to climb and there hasn’t been a decrease in the number of buyers and renters registering with us. For more: 01225 829000; lmcilroy@winkworth.co.uk; winkworth.co.uk

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HR & RECRUITMENT witnessed since launching in 2006. The Stamp Duty Holiday created a surge of activity, and X-Press was on hand to support their conveyancing clients throughout this hectic period.

What areas do you specialise in?

The team carries over 100+ years of recruitment experience. Our recruitment sectors include Accountancy and Finance, Welfare to Work/Employment Related Services, HR, PA and Secretarial, Sales and Marketing, IT and Design, Engineering and Technical, Administration and Customer Service, Industrial and Driving.

Tell us about your community/ charity involvement

X-PRESS LEGAL SERVICES BRISTOL John Watt, Owner

Tell us a little about your business...

X-Press Legal Services provides expert property search reports to solicitors and conveyancing professionals across Bristol, Bath and Somerset. Owned by John Watt, who has an excellent knowledge of the local area and outstanding attention to detail, X-Press provides first-class customer service and complete end-to-end service, with a full range of products – including Residential & Commercial Searches, Pre & Post Completion Services, Cyber Security and Compliance Products. How have the last 12 months been for you?

The last 12 months have been one of the busiest periods X-Press has

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John is an active member of the local business community, and is involved with the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. He has also organised large property and construction events for professionals throughout the region, as well as regular CPD events for the local conveyancing sector. These events allow conveyancing professionals to keep up to date with changes and developments in the sector, whilst connecting with peers. How are you communicating with clients?

X-Press takes pride in providing high quality customer service, always at the end of the phone to help their clients, often becoming an integral part of their team. Communicating with clients is made easier through the X-Press ICOS system, placing everything a conveyancer needs to order and complete a report in one place. Did you know?

The property searches that X-Press Legal Services provide to the conveyancing sector are essential part of every property purchase, sale, repossession, remortgage or redevelopment. For more: 0330 159 5311; john.w1311@xpresslegal.uk; xpresslegal.co.uk

What challenges are your clients facing?

CMD RECRUITMENT Dan Barfoot, Operations Manager

Tell us a little about your business...

CMD Recruitment is a leading independent recruitment consultancy with offices based in Bath, Melksham, Devizes and Calne. We are perfectly situated to recruit across the Wiltshire and South-West area ensuring a competitive edge locally in terms of accessing a high calibre talent pool and reach. When was your firm founded and who by?

CMD Recruitment was established in 2004 by twin brothers Tim and Dan Barfoot. We now have a team of 19 working closely with both clients and candidates to find the best people for your vacancies; the team has extensive market knowledge and up to the minute tools to deliver the perfect recruitment solution.

Primarily our clients are concerned about how the lack of available candidates is affecting their business and their frustration with the multiple offers/counteroffers preventing them securing talent. Our best advice is to be flexible on your requirements, be ready to recruit with a quick communication chain and short interview process and listen to what your candidates are asking for. Having a strong Employee Value Proposition is also hugely advantageous in this market. A good recruitment agency knows how to navigate the market through tough times and can help support and assist your recruitment strategy. DID YOU KNOW… One of our Senior Consultants was runner up to be the official Milky Bar Kid! Can you guess which of our colleagues it was?

For more: 01225 805080; info@cmdrecruitment.com; cmdrecruitment.com

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OFFICES AND CO-WORKING SPACES BATH OFFICE COMPANY Jamie Williams

Tell us a little about your business...

Bath Office Company, both independent and local, provides 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; while offering the right mix of affordability, location, and control. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

and traditional long-term leases. Hybrid working dynamics for each business will develop naturally as new processes are discovered, adjusted, and defined. Our serviced office proposition offers advice on how to introduce new physical and virtual ways of working, and an ability to flex the space and service to meet the changing needs of employees and the wider business. Having all this support, from a present and responsive local partner, allows our customers the confidence to focus on the growth of their business.

The pandemic presented a huge What plans do you have for 2022? shift in how businesses and their employees view the function We plan to take on more space, of the workplace in relation to serviced by a front desk. This will lifestyle. Bath, beautiful and enable us to offer a wider range historic, with easy accessibility of clerical services, and a friendly to London, the face to welcome countryside and visitors. Key to our DID YOU KNOW… further down to vision is bringing Our perfect working the South-West, local businesses day: Cycle commute. has attracted together, Coffee. Radio. Emails. waves of people collaborating to Gym. Lunch in the sun. hunting for benefit the wider Meetings around Bath. a better life community and Pint. Home to the family. balance. This has future of Bath’s highlighted a need city centre. for an adaptable office model, in Bath, that bridges For more: 01225 632777; the gap between home, coworking hello@bathofficeco.uk; bathoffice.co.uk

RENGEN Jo Lloyd

Tell us a little about your business...

At Rengen House we offer a boutique co-working space in the heart of Bath, just off Pulteney Bridge. Created to be a ‘home from home’ workspace, we provide the added touches that make your day that bit better such as fresh cakes and snacks, as well as bottomless hot and cold drinks and of course, fast WiFi. We have a number of meeting and events spaces available at Rengen House. These are free to use for members but are also available to hire for nonmembers. We host a regular calendar of events and also have accommodation available, for which members receive a discounted price. Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

At Rengen House, our focus is on improving work/ life balance for our members. We offer a home-from-home community to co-work, host meetings, events and relax with clients or team members. This offers a flexible solution for those wanting to work away from home but not

wishing to commit to a full time office space. The workspaces are cleverly designed around social interaction, collaboration, and relationship building, whilst also providing quieter spaces for private meetings and calls. What plans do you have for 2022?

2022 is an exciting year for Rengen House. Having opened our doors in Autumn 2021, our current ‘casual co-working’ facilities have been really well received. April sees the launch of the second phase of Rengen House, as we launch a brand new renovated space which will offer more traditional desk spaces to complement our more relaxed work areas, along with additional meeting rooms. Did you know?

The home of Regen House, Argyle Street was designed by Thomas Baldwin for Sir William Pulteney. The 6 storey buildings were intended to serve as residential townhouses. However, over several decades shopfronts were added to form an extension to the shopping parade on Pulteney Bridge. For more: 07443 273921; rengenhouse.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 149

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PR AGENCIES CLEARLY PR

Paul MacKenzie-Cummins, Managing Director What are the most important marketing considerations for businesses in 2022?

Purchasing decisions are increasingly influenced by what a business stands for, says, and does. Their focus will move from ‘selling’ themselves as the best this or leading that, to how they can support their customers without expectation of renumeration or loyalty. This will give rise to greater environmental and social governance (ESG) reporting and customer engagement in the form of information sharing rather than communicating sales messages. Why should a business use your services?

We are not the number one agency in the region, but we want to be. To become so means we work harder to deliver the results and business outcomes that clients want, which is why over 80 per cent of all clients renew with us once their initial contracts expire.

More important is our ‘Pledge’. Clearly gives 2 per cent of every penny we make to sustainable and social impact initiatives, so our clients know that by working with us they are also helping the planet and those most disadvantaged in society. In November, Clearly became a Certified B Corporation – only the seventh PR firm in the UK to gain accreditation. What sets you apart from other agencies?

We are not your ‘typical’ kind of public relations agency. In fact, Clearly is not really an ‘agency’ at all – we are a consultancy. The difference being that we work with clients to create, implement, and measure media, creative, and content campaigns that are aligned to the strategic goals of the organisation and deliver better business performance. We do not do all that fluffy stuff that looks great but doesn’t always translate into improved perceptions or bottom lines. For more: 01225 694349; clearlypr.co.uk

SCOTT MEDIA Fiona Scott

What sets you apart from others in your sector?

One thing – my business is a BS free zone. You won’t here phrases like ‘we’ll create a buzz’ or ‘we’ll write a lead magnet story’. I don’t My business is 14 years old do wishy washy. and it’s been a wonderful and I have more than 20 years’ unexpected part of my life. full-time experience in the media Having worked in television as a and I still work in the media today. series producer, I never wanted I operate on a news desk model to run a business. However when so stories go out consistently and faced with redundancy, I became a freelancer and over time realised often for my clients at a local, regional, national and sometimes I’m okay at business! Where did international level. that come from? I work with a team Today I offer DID YOU KNOW… of freelancers media relations I’ve recently been including training, named the UK’s Top PR national working retained services, Adviser by Enterprise journalists. I don’t videography, Nation, a national just talk about the social media, organisation which media, I’m part of blogging and supports the SME it. I help my clients animation sector. Not bad for a coalminer’s daughter to have just a little services to from Somerset. of that, aligned ambitious to their business businesses and goals. brands where teams understand the value of For more: fiona@fionascott.co.uk; telling stories. I loved working in scottmedia.uk tv every day, I never dreamed I’d love running my own business every day. I lost my dream job and created a new one! Tell us a little about your business...

“I HAVE MORE THAN 20 YEARS’ FULL-TIME EXPERIENCE IN THE MEDIA AND I STILL WORK IN THE MEDIA TODAY.” 150 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BSc MRICS Chartered Surveyor Mark Vincent Surveying provides surveying and valuation advice on residential properties primarily across North Somerset, Bath and North-East Somerset and West Wiltshire. As a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and with experience of properties ranging from modest studio apartments through to multi-million pound country estates, Mark’s advice is impartial and provides peace of mind to his clients. Operating in Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Bristol, Frome, Midsomer Norton, Shepton Mallet, Trowbridge, Warminster, Wells & Westbury – Mark provides a wide range of services related to the value and condition of residential property, including: • Homebuyers reports • Building Surveys • Valuations Mark is independent of estate agents and financial institutions which means he gives unbiased advice and can offer complete peace of mind with Professional Indemnity Insurance cover up to £250,000 per claim.

mark@mvsurveying.co.uk 07922 557100 | 01225 581591 www.mvsurveying.co.uk

1-07, 3 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2FJ

It’s all about peace of mind… Bath based since 1992

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TECHNOLOGY BLACK NOVA DESIGNS Kyle Holmes

What are going to be the topical issues for your sector in 2022?

We believe cyber security and cyber crime will continue to be something business owners, large It was set up by me, Kyle Holmes, and small, will need to be alert to a committed tech geek back in and to try to avoid. It’s something 2011 as I had a dream to have we talk about on a daily basis to my own company. It lay dormant our clients, criminals are smart for a few years while I worked online and we elsewhere and have to be smart then in 2015, too. Another is supported by my DID YOU KNOW… AI which will wife Danielle, I’m attempting to raise £1000s for the RNLI continue to grow I powered up this year in memory of and develop. Black Nova which a close friend who died As a team we currently has two through drowning. I’m find the future main strands to already in training for a of tech exciting the business – one Three Peaks Challenge and empowering offering high and will also be holding driving efficiency quality website a 24 hour sponsored and innovation design and build gaming marathon later in business. We and on the other in 2022 as I am (not surprisingly) an avid intend to embrace side full tech gamer. Who fancies it and help our support and joining me? clients to do infrastructure. the same. Soon my team will For more: 01793 210045; also be offering social media blacknovadesigns.co.uk management. The business is based in Calne, Wiltshire however we work with clients across the South West and the Midlands. Tell us a little bit about your business?

DATASHARP INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS

Stuart Martin, Head of Sales Tell us a little about your business

We’re a leading business communications company based in Bath. Our area of expertise is Unified Communications & Collaboration systems including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, cloud telephony systems, video conferencing, data networking, network security and business mobile phones. We have the in-house consultancy, design and deployment capability to bring these technologies together and create the best solutions for our clients. Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

We practice what we preach. The solutions we provide for our clients help them adopt flexible working practices so naturally we encourage our staff to work remotely or from the office, depending on what they’re doing and what the business needs. Increasingly, the role of the office

is to provide meeting and social space where face-to-face time is required. What benefits do you offer employees?

We offer a fully funded social calendar including monthly social events such as karaoke, virtual reality, kart racing & airsoft and an annual foreign trip. We also provide an annual pay & holiday entitlement uplift, training and development with our tech partners and much more. DID YOU KNOW… In 2021 we doubled the size of our team and in 2022 we plan to expand further, with positions in administration, engineering and business development available. We’re looking for experienced applicants who want to join a high performing team, make a real difference in their role and shape the future of the business. If that sounds like you, please contact me!

For more: 0800 032 8274; smartin@datasharp-ic.co.uk; datasharp.co.uk

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SPONSORED CONTENT DIGITAL WONDERLAB Tell us a little about your business...

how do we maximise investments in digital to meet ours and our customer’s needs. Making sure the end vision is clear and the steps we need to take are clear to help build through multiple phases that can allow us to test and learn and evolve. After all no invention is straight line.

We help amazing organisations of all shapes and sizes do amazing things with digital. Uniquely fusing magic and logic. Bringing together creativity, strategic thinking and technology to deliver high impacting digital solutions. Tell us about your community/ Working collaboratively to charity involvement continually experiment, craft and Everything we do is about build websites and supporting apps that delight and enabling DID YOU KNOW… users, deliver community Darren one of our impact and realise and charity lead developers is a your strategic organisations to professional drummer goals. do more. We also who has met the Queen support many and went on tour with of our clients to What challenges LP (biggest pop/rock access technology are your clients artist in Europe). and software facing? aﬀordably as We work with not well as supporting them through for proﬁts and charities as well as fundraising. Last year we ran multi-nationals. Typically, the the virtual marathon for Charlie two questions we often hear are: Waller Trust from the White Can you help me make sense of Horse in Rhode to Bradford-onthe digital landscape to realise my strategic goals? And I have a great Avon. idea for a new website / App, can For more: 01225 220 155; you make it happen? The debate hello@digitalwonderlab.com ; has moved from being about digitalwonderlab.com justifying why we need digital to

MOORE SW IT Tom Cannon

How can you help with the way Covid-19 has changed the way we all work?

We provide cloud based IT systems, VPN’s, remote desktop and other services such as VoIP. We have helped a huge amount of clients switch from being fully oﬃce based, to be able to work from anywhere (home), some organisations have already adapted to permanently working from home or a hybrid solution. What can we all do to protect ourselves at home with IT security?

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It’s important to make sure that your computers and devices are kept up to date which maybe harder when not in the oﬃce. It’s worth regularly checking the antivirus and any backups that should be in place.

How has Covid-19 altered the way you work, professionally and personally?

We have been able to allow staff to choose whether to work from home the last couple of years and be more flexible. We are looking to continue that as a lot of us have realised that we don’t need to be in the office every day. How can you help with IT security?

We can oﬀer most organisations a free IT audit or review which will highlight any weaknesses. Please visit www.msbit.co.uk/free-itaudit for more information. Did you know?

We also provide schools with IT support? We work with plenty of schools in BANES and as far as Gloucester and Exeter? We work with various MAT’s to provide networking, devices and interactive screens. For more: 01225 486100; msbit.co.uk

Providing tailored HR support to small and medium sized businesses. ● Providing vital resource to support your business with professional employment and HR advice. ● Helping businesses to develop strategies to attract, develop and retain the best talent. ● Helping your business to create the right environment and culture so that your people and your business can thrive.

Polly Rathbone Ward | Bath, UK | 07740 432734 | f l   polly@rathbonehrsolutions.co.uk | rathbonehrsolutions.co.uk

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BUSINESS SERVICES DC STUDIO Tell us a little bit about your business?

customers is a big challenge. Their customers are looking for easier, sustainable ways to buy at the right price.

We’re an independent brand design and communications What sets you apart from others in your sector? company. Our studio is in Frome and we’ve been helping clients We always deliver more on each grow for 30 years. We share and project. That’s because we bring demonstrate these values and the everyday to life and simplify beliefs. Balanced in strategy and the complex. We look ahead with creative. Clear: we intelligence and act keep it simple. fast in every project. DID YOU KNOW… Astute: we know We have a wide DC Studio are you, your customers range of skills, built the initials of and category. up over 30 years. owner Dario Proactive and We can meet most Canale and what’s ahead of the game. communication more… Design Communication. Open: honest needs from strategy and keeping it to execution at our real. Creative: studio. surprising, fresh and relevant. Friendly: good chemistry, good What areas do you specialise in? company. Effective: it’s all about BRAND DESIGN Strategy, results. And last and by no means Identity and Guidelines. least: Liberating: set free from COMMUNICATION: the complex and everyday. Literature, Campaign advertising, Sales & Marketing Support, Website, Production, What challenges are your Copywriting, Animation, Video. clients facing? There’s one challenge that’s For more: hello@dc-studio.co.uk; universal. How can they grow dc-studio.co.uk customers and their brand with less resources? That’s about ensuring their communication and design is more productive. Growing and maintaining

“WE LOOK AHEAD WITH INTELLIGENCE AND ACT FAST IN EVERY PROJECT. ”

DIGIPRINT

Alex Sykes, Digital Marketing Manager Tell us a little about your business

and actively seek to help them to achieve their full potential, we embrace professionalism and seek excellence in everything we do and our team do their absolute best to help our communities be better places to live, work and grow.

Nettl at Digiprint is a print, signage and web design company based over three sites in Bath and What DID YOU KNOW… Chippenham and predictions for In 2021 we became your sector in was founded in ‘Climate Positive’ we 2022? 1987, since this actively off-set more time we have We’ve all carbon than we produce, supported the experienced a real and to go even further in local business tumultuous couple each of our studios we community grow of years, we’ve supply free ‘Alder Tree Seeds’ for our customers by continuously all seen massive to take away and off-set enhancing changes in the their printing! our products way we have to and services, run businesses, whilst maintain we’ve had to adapt competitive prices, and an at a speed never seen in peace excellent skill set within the team time, but we feel the change in the to boot! air, our customers are becoming more aware on the need to market their businesses and also the What’s your company’s ethos importance of having a website, and philosophy? that not only looks beautiful but We believe in putting our customers first and strive to secure that functions well too. their loyalty through top notch For more: 01225 424821; service each and every time, we digiprintgroup.com value each of our team highly

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SPONSORED CONTENT THE FEMALE EDGE Anna Sabine

What are going to be the topical issues for your sector in 2022?

The Female Edge is on a mission to empower women in society by helping them to become entrepreneurs. We are a community of women at various stages of thinking about, setting up and running their own businesses.

Covid caused a huge shakeup in the work place and I one of the interesting results is the number of people taking the plunge and starting their own business. For us at The Female Edge there’s an opportunity to harness the power of women collaborating with each other to help those new businesses succeed.

When was your firm founded and who by?

What challenges are your members facing?

Tell us a little about your business...

It is being founded right now, by me! I set up the Cassia co-working cafes in 2021 and I’ve been blown away by the number of female entrepreneurs there are locally, and in particular by how brilliant they are at collaborating. I wanted to formalise that a bit and create something more useful than yet another networking company, but a space where these amazing women could come together and take their businesses a step forward.

A lot of female business owners can feel very lonely. Women often don’t have the established business networks that men have, and it’s not necessarily something women discuss when they meet up. There can also be a huge pressure to look like the perfect businesswoman/wife/mother even if things are falling apart. We hope to help with that by being a space where women can focus on work talk, and not worry about being judged. For more: thefemaleedge.co.uk

“THE FEMALE EDGE IS ON A MISSION TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN SOCIETY BY HELPING THEM TO BECOME ENTREPRENEURS.”

MINUTEMAN PRESS Dave Dixon, Marketing director

at the moment and a really cost-effective way to keep your branding visible.

Tell us a little about your business...

What plans do you have for 2022?

How has your business/firm adapted to stay relevant?

What sets you apart from others in your sector?

We are a full print, design and signage company based in Bath offering a full range of marketing services and events branding solution. We draw on our 24 years in business in the local area and use this to ensure that our clients are getting as much return on their investment as possible.

We outgrew Walcot Street and we really could not reach our full potential there. The new location represents a £1 million investment in the business. We have two of Xerox’s top end presses and we have added the full range of specialty colours to those, this includes white, fluorescent, gold, silver and clear toners, the range of colours we can achieve is impressive. We’ve added short run foiling in house and of course our huge vehicle bay means that we can now do signwriting on cars and vans. Our signage team is expanding our offerings further. Interiors will be a big growth area for us including printed graphics on walls, floors, and windows. Window blinds are very popular

We are in the right premises at last, so we now need to consolidate and plan for expansion. We need to continue strengthening our print and signage offerings and ensure that we are seen locally as Bath’s number one printer, as well as growing our online sales.

For us it’s always been about putting our customers first. We like to help them stretch their marketing budgets as far as possible. Sometimes it’s not about finding the cheapest option, it’s about the maximum return on investment. The success of our customer base is our success. We still have customers today that placed their first orders back in 1998! Did you know?

Our large format printers have printed an area the size of Bath and Bristol in the past 5 years. For more: 01225 442000; minutemanbath.co.uk

“WE STILL HAVE CUSTOMERS TODAY THAT PLACED THEIR FIRST ORDERS BACK IN 1998!” 158 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT TANYA RICH Tell us a little about your business...

Tanya Rich Ltd is a one-stop shop for all your voice over needs. What areas do you specialise in?

I have been providing professional voice services for over thirty years, working on everything from commercials to corporate films, telephone systems and video games. The best thing about my job is I can be anybody behind the microphone. No two days are the same! As they say, variety is the spice of life! What makes working from Bath special?

SUMMIT AT HOME Tell us a little about your business...

only British company to offer this quality of bespoke service with such a short delivery time. Our Harris Tweed® collection offers seven pieces of furniture for the home handcrafted in four exclusive Harris Tweed® fabrics from the Carloway Mill on the Isle of Lewis.

We are the chair experts. British manufacturers of chairs for the home & office, based in Wiltshire. For over 45 years we have designed & manufactured seating, leading the way by blending cutting When was your edge ‘chairology’ firm founded DID YOU KNOW… We have a table tennis technology with and who by? table & a full drumkit in beautiful design Tom Simpson the showroom! for physical founded Summit & emotional Chairs in 1977 wellbeing. designing Customers benefit from a wide high quality chairs for the choice of home working chairs & education, healthcare and office bespoke home seating, available environment. Tom’s son, David, in 19 fabrics, delivered free, fully joined the business at 18 years old, assembled from 3 working days. and today is the current CEO and our very own Chair Architect. What areas do you specialise in? We now manufacture from 45,000 sq ft premises in Trowbridge, The main ergonomic home Wiltshire where today, every office chair collection consists of single chair is designed and eight chair ranges. Renown for lovingly handcrafted for you. the wellness features, alongside a host of standard adjustment features, customers can choose from armrest, inflatable lumbar, For more: 01225 777 844 ; body balance mechanism, twin hello@summitathome.co.uk; air cell technology, memory foam summitathome.co.uk and mesh options. We’re the

“EVERY SINGLE CHAIR IS DESIGNED AND LOVINGLY HANDCRAFTED FOR YOU.“

Although most of my work is recorded remotely from my studio, the best thing about living ten-minutes from town is being able to pop in to any company that needs a phone message refresh, recording directly onto their system/answering machine as well as discussing client needs in person. I’ve lived in Bath for nearly

thirty years, and I think from a creative perspective it is an exciting place to be. Did you know?

I’m the voice of the lift in the BT tower, although you probably have heard me on TV, via your car radio, and on thousands of phone systems. Ever shouted at the person telling you ‘how important your call is?’ Yep, that’s me! From international companies Tiffany’s and Santander, to local favourites such as Storm Consultancy and Bath Honda, I can change my voice to suit the brand, and always go the extra mile to ensure clients retain my services. Telephone messages, explainers, corporate narration or any form of recorded media, are a great opportunity to reach and engage clients. Let me help your company sound great! So, if you’re wondering ‘could Tanya voice this?’ The answer is yes! For more: tanyarich.co.uk

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Imperial Staff 27 years and counting!

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We have professional and dedicated staff available for your selection. • Couples • Chefs/Cooks • PAs/Grooms • Chauffeurs/Security • Housekeeper/Cooks • Housekeeper/Nannies • Butlers/Valets/House Managers • Gardeners/Estate Managers/Maintenance

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33 lowndes street, knightsbridge, london SW1x 9hx 19-20 Charles Street, Bath BA1 1HX

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Superb Quality Clothes Care Excellent Value SPECIAL OFFER

2 Standard Coats Dry Cleaned for £20* *offer excludes leather, suede, down and waxed garment

Van service available 6 Monmouth Place, Bath BA1 2AU Tel 01225 311595 Parent Company established in 1975

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THE END OF THE TAX YEAR Jacqui Bowden from Bath-based chartered accountants and tax advisers PEARSON MAY looks at the action you’ll need to take to minimise your tax

s the end of the 2021/22 tax year approaches on 5 April, it is also a good time to review your affairs, making the most of opportunities to maximise your income and minimise your tax. Some tax planning may require action to be taken before 5 April. I will highlight below a few of these.

GIFT AID PAYMENTS Don’t forget that, in respect of the 2021/22 tax year, higher rate taxpayers can claim an extra 20 per cent of the ‘grossed up’ donation from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for donations made during the tax year. For example, if a donation of £80 is made to charity under gift aid during the year, the higher rate tax relief that HMRC will give you will be 20 per cent of £100 i.e. an additional £20. For additional rate taxpayers (those with taxable income above £150,000 for the year), the extra relief would be £25.

PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS If you regularly make contributions to pension schemes, you may wish to consider a one-off additional payment to be made before 5 April 2022, particularly if your total income for the current year may take you into the 40 per cent (or even higher) income tax rates. For most individuals, the 40 per cent rate starts to apply once income reaches £50,270. The tax relief for personal pension contributions works in a similar manner to gift aid payments as mentioned above and as a result, tax relief is available at

your marginal rate of tax. You may however need to bear in mind and take specific advice concerning the Annual Allowance, which limits the amount that can be contributed to a pension each year while still attracting tax relief. For most individuals, the Annual Allowance is £40,000 but this could be more or less in certain situations, depending on factors such as the level of your income, amount of pension contributions made in earlier years and whether you are already drawing a pension, etc.

HIGH EARNERS High earners also need to bear in mind that they may be at risk of losing their personal allowance. Those with net adjusted income in excess of £100,000 for 2021/22 will lose the whole or part of their personal allowance of £12,570. For every £2 of income in excess of £100,000 the allowance is reduced by £1, leading to an effective marginal rate of income tax of 60 per cent in the band between £100,000 and £125,140. Once net adjusted income reaches £125,140 the allowance is completely eliminated. With both gift aid donations and pension contributions, it is certainly worth considering making a one-off payment before 5 April 2022 if you are in danger of losing all or part of your personal allowance or being subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (which applies when net adjusted income exceeds £50,000). The gross amount of any gift aid donations and pension contributions are deducted from total income when calculating net adjusted income for these purposes. For example, if you are expecting your total income for 2021/22 to be £110,000 (and assume for these purposes that you haven’t yet made any pension contributions in the tax year), by making a net pension payment of £8,000 before 5 April 2022 (equivalent to a gross contribution of £10,000), could save you additional income tax of £4,000, over and above the basic rate relief, meaning the effective cost (after tax relief) of the pension payment is actually only £4,000. In other words you obtain the benefit of £10,000 being contributed to your pension scheme at a cost of only £4,000 – a massive 60 per cent relief.

INHERITANCE TAX

Jacqui Bowden, a partner at Pearson May

Small gifts of up to £250 to each of as many individuals as the donor wishes to benefit can be made. This allowance cannot be used to cover part of a gift or gifts totalling more than £250 to the same individual during the same tax year. If you wish to make use of the annual

inheritance tax gifts allowance for larger gifts not covered by the above exemption, up to £3,000 can be given in total to all recipients for the year ended 5 April 2022. If the allowance was not used for the year ended 5 April 2021, that can also be utilised for gifts now, i.e. up to £6,000 could be gifted if there have been no earlier gifts in the last two years. This could save up to £2,400 of inheritance tax. Furthermore, recurring gifts which form part of normal expenditure out of surplus net income may be made in addition to the above. This can be an extremely important relief that is often overlooked. You must however maintain careful records of your gifts and expenditure in order for your executors to be in a position to prove that you were able to maintain the same standard of living after making the gifts. If your Income Tax Returns and tax calculations are retained, clearly, they will go a long way to providing details of your taxable income.

INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ISAS) If you are in a position to do so then you should consider using your annual investment allowance in an ISA. The maximum allowance for 2021/22 is £20,000 and this can be paid into a cash ISA and/ or an investment ISA. The key message is to use it or lose it, since it can’t be carried forward. The above are only a small selection of some of the tax planning points included in our annual publication, Financial Perspectives – End of Tax Year Guide Spring 2022 available on our website or to anyone who would like to telephone our offices or e mail us at mail@pearsonmay.co.uk. Copies of this will be provided free of charge. ■ * The above is for general guidance only and no action should be taken without obtaining specific advice.

Jacqui Bowden BSc(Hons) ACA 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 161

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

Architecture

GRAND DESIGNS

12 projects shortlisted for 2022 RIBA South West Architecture Awards Twelve projects have been shortlisted from 38 entries for the 2022 RIBA South West Regional Awards, including the school library at St. Mary’s Calne by Woods Bagot and The Newt in Somerset Garden Café by Benjamin & Beauchamp Architects. RIBA South West director Jon Watkins says, “With four educational buildings, five new and reconfigured houses, alongside a hospital, café, and retirement community, this year’s shortlist offers quality, diversity of type and scale, excellence in design, and buckets of delight.” All shortlisted projects will be assessed by a regional jury with the winning projects announced later this spring. Regional Award winners are considered for several RIBA Special Awards including the RIBA Sustainability Award sponsored by Michelmersh and the RIBA Building of the Year sponsored by Taylor Maxwell. Regional Award winners will be considered for a highly coveted RIBA

National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, the results of which will be announced in the summer. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will then

be drawn from the RIBA National Awardwinning projects, and the Stirling Prize winner will be announced in October. For more: www.architecture.com above: The Newt in Somerset Garden Café; below: St Mary’s Calne school library

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PROPERTY NEWS

REAL ESTATE

SAM DANIELS, associate and head of Bath city at Knight Frank, on stamp duty changes With stamp duty rates, the focus appears to have moved to closing loopholes, particularly around MDR (multi-dwelling use relief). Under the current system, stamp duty rates are lower for mixed-use transactions, however the government is proposing that the tax should be paid on the residential portion of the sale. They are consulting on changes to prevent multiple dwellings relief from being used on annexes. This means buyers looking at MDR for properties, such as a townhouse that has a selfcontained apartment, will need to be aware. Although, as these loopholes close, the prospect of a hike in capital gains tax (CGT) for property investors appears to be off the table according to the government’s response to a review of the tax system. For most buyers looking in Bath the stamp duty aspect to their purchase is by no means a high priority or major concern in what still is a market driven by a lack of stock. For more: www.knightfrank.co.uk

This Grade II Georgian villa on Bathampton Lane has just sold with Knight Frank at a guide price of £3.750 million

The topping out ceremony for the new Midford Manor Care Home

New development

TOP CARE A major milestone has been marked at the new, state-of-the-art 80-bed care home Midford Manor Care Home, which is being built by Savista Developments on Frome Road. The site’s construction team were recently joined by Hallmark Care Homes’ Chair Avnish Goyal, the Mayor of Bath Councillor June Player and MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse to mark the next stage of the build. As part of the special event, a stone block was pointed and a special commemorative plaque unveiled. The 1.6-acre site which is costing £16 million will include a café, a state-of-the-art cinema, a luxurious hairdressing salon with a therapy room. Other innovations will include a wellness room to support residents to build up strength and keep ﬁt; a specialist dementia community which incorporates the latest technology and thinking in care home design, as well as an abundance of outdoor space on all ﬂoors such as terraces, a roof garden and garden bar. For more: www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk

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4 CAMBRIDGE TERRACE Matilda Walton explores a dream home in Widcombe

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hen it comes to buying a home, we all have nonnegotiables. There are the obvious – a certain number of bedrooms, distance to good schools, parking, etc – and the less tangible but make-or-break feel of a place. When a buyer finds a dream house it isn’t just because they finally got the garage space they wanted – it’s because on entering, they were hit with an impossible-to-explain sense of certainty: this is home. 4 Cambridge Terrace inspires such sensation. The peaceful, four-bedroom grade II listed townhouse is tucked away down a no-through lane off Widcombe Hill. The approach can only be described as charming – the row of pretty houses in which number four sits share a unique higgledy piggledy grandeur that lends the street quirk and cachet in equal measure. Traditional wrought iron railings and pennant stone terrace – perfect for

PROPERTY

a potted garden – leading to the front door only add to the appeal of the entrance to number 4. Inside has a contemporary but rustic feel – think sisal carpeting, stone flooring and original fire places meet stylish and modern gold and marble palette furnishings. The garden level is a cosy and sociable space, from the TV room to the smart handmade kitchen, which has a beautiful burr oak island, hand-painted units and an Everhot range cooker complete with three ovens (three!), induction hob and hot plate. These two spaces complement each other nicely, but what makes them special is the addition of the garden room, which offers a seamless open-plan dining area. The garden room ends at bi-fold doors, which during the summer months can be thrown open, allowing diners to flow easily between house and rear garden. Just think of the barbecue and garden party potential – number 4 was made for it. The rear garden is designed to be considered four different ‘rooms’ – an intimate dining terrace immediately outside, followed by the lawned garden, a further seating area at the bottom of the

garden – perfect to retreat to with a gin and tonic after dinner – and beyond that, the fourth, a concealed vegetable garden. With the veggies from the plot and the apples from the old tree at the centre of the lawn, number 4 offers a taste of the good life with all the conveniences of the city but a short walk away. The rest of the house is equally lovely. The elegant first floor drawing room is a dreamy spot to spend a lazy sunny morning with a coffee in front of the full height sash windows – the views are just glorious. Upstairs includes four bedrooms – one of which currently functions as an office, though the house has an additional study on the second floor if required – a luxurious bathroom featuring beautiful pebble bath and walk-in shower, and a further shower room upstairs to prevent queuing. Upstairs offers beautiful views all around – even at night, when the lit-up Abbey sits like a glowing beacon in the city centre. Of course, number 4 has the best amenities, the space, the garage – but much more than that, it offers the indefinable sense of home.

HOUSE NUMBERS Price Square foot Bedrooms

£1.65m 2,121 4

Hamptons Sales, Bath, 32 Gay Street, Bath; www.hamptons.co.uk

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RESIDENCE

CLASSICALLY INSPIRED Etons of Bath occupies a unique space as the go-to interior designer for Georgian and Regency homes By Lydia Tewkesbury

An inner hallway with magnificent De Gournay hand painted mural

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“Our style is underpinned by the principles of Georgian architecture”

ack in 2010, Sarah Latham made the jump from a career in corporate branding to interior design. When she founded Etons of Bath, now a multi-award-winning practice focused on classically inspired interiors, her award-winning heritage architect father, Derek Latham gave her a career-defining piece of advice: specialise. “There was no hesitation,” says Sarah. “Georgian architecture represents the best in classic style. The proportions, the architectural detailing, the light afforded by the large sash windows, all provide the most wonderful backdrop to work with.” Here, Sarah gives us a glimpse behind the curtain at life in the busy Etons design studio on Walcot Street, where she (creative director), six interior designers, two project managers, two FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) experts and an entire extended community of the industry’s best craft exquisite designs for Georgian and Regency homes and hotels in Bath, Bristol, and beyond.

Let’s start at the beginning. Talk us through the first steps of a new project

Having seen the property, met the clients and undertaken a stylefinder and briefing session, we will gather inspirational images together that represent the direction we want to take the design in and pull together an indicative colour palette. This is put together in a creative direction presentation. We also start with room layouts, called space planning, adding in things like lighting positions. This is done for the whole house so that we can see how it all flows.

Etons specialises in Georgian properties

RESIDENCE

Etons of Bath created a unique character and feel to every room in the Queensberry Hotel

You’ve got a full team of support behind every project. What are some of the different areas of expertise they bring to the table?

We have Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) part one and part two trained architects on the team who have crossed over to the colourful side. They bring fantastic technical knowledge as well as understanding the construction of a building. Our technical drawings are as good as any architects’ and enable clients to see the scale of every component that goes into a room. We are increasingly building scale 3D visuals for spaces that warrant it, like kitchens, libraries, etc, which our clients find very helpful. We also have ex-fashion students and experts in all things window dressings on the team. Other members of our team have worked for well-known London designers such as Kelly Hoppen and David Collins. Is it a collaborative process of design?

Very much so. We typically have three to four designers working on a full service, full property redesign and a similar number on the installation team too. We spend time with our clients at the outset getting to know and understand their style preferences and brief so that we are all on the same page. We then present a creative direction piece to the clients for their approval before delving into detailed designs for each room. I oversee the creative direction with regular project team meetings and reviews, and the team will take on a certain number of rooms each but will constantly be cross referring and sharing ideas on concepts, suppliers and products. We are lucky to have a cooperative, supportive team who all get along and work well together. That’s something we have worked really hard to cultivate. Are there ever disagreements?

It’s my role to manage and take the ultimate decision, but our process

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of recording client preferences and producing a high-level creative direction piece is invaluable as we have a visual and verbal record to refer back to. What do you consider the most important qualities for an effective design team?

Whilst creativity is of course extremely important, the other key quality is organisational skills and attention to detail. When you are specifying and procuring the products for every single component in a house, right down to the letterbox on the front door and the light/movement sensor in the bathroom, you need to be able to handle and process the detail. Do you ever get any unusual requests from clients?

The brief for the kitchen/dining space in one of our current projects was to create a kitchen that didn’t look like a kitchen. The cabinetry is Art Deco-inspired, and the appliances and worktop are all concealed away within it, with an island that looks more befitting of a glamorous London bar. The cinema design is also heavily influenced by the Art Deco era. This all sits within a contemporary extension, whilst the main house is far more classic with some subtle Art Deco touches as a nod to the new. You work with hotels as well as homes, notably the Queensberry Hotel in Bath. What’s that like?

A key difference is that you are dealing with a company not an individual. Although working with Helen and Laurence Beere at the Queensberry Hotel was more of a hybrid as the hotel is family owned and very much their baby, so there was a lot of heart involved as well as the need to balance the books. You’re working to create an experience for paying guests, which

RESIDENCE

“You’re working to create an experience”

clockwise from top: Some of the Etons team in the studio: Cathy Boyd, Robyn Reitz, Sarah Bardsley, Sarah Latham, Charlie Salter, Trudy Shard, Katie Nolan, Kirsty Lake, Jessica Lee and Lydia Mattock; Etons creates 3D visuals for spaces like libraries; great design means every detail working in harmony

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RESIDENCE

means that you can push certain elements further than you might do in a home, like bolder pattern and colour combinations. It’s fun giving each bedroom and bathroom its own individual character, within the overall style of the hotel. How has the pandemic impacted business?

It is a very strange time. We did have a few projects immediately go on hold at the beginning that have never come back. However, we had two large projects that continued and then as we moved through the second wave, the number of enquiries we were receiving and continue to receive in the current heightened property market, have been completely unprecedented. What about the supply chain issues everyone is talking about?

We have learnt to procure materials and products way in advance of needing them and storing them until they are needed on site. That way we can create a buffer for unexpected delays. It has been tough on clients though as inflation, particularly for wood, has meant that prices are soaring. We have been seeing this plateau and even taper off slightly so we are hoping that things will settle down again. But we live in very uncertain times. How would you sum up the Etons’ aesthetic?

Our style is underpinned by the principles of Georgian architecture. Elegance, proportion, clean lines, classic detailing, luxurious ﬁnishes and a touch of grandeur. All of this is carefully balanced with the need to deliver comfort and practicality. Thankfully the latter is helped by an amazing revolution in fabric technology making some of the most beautiful fabrics now extremely functional. Where are some of the Etons’ team favourite local indie retailers?

Oka is a great store. Their tableware, cushions, vases and faux ﬂowers are great, and they have some lovely quirky accessories. Biggie Best is

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ABOVE LEFT: Room 26 in the Queensberry Hotel; moodboards and designs

showing the colour scheme and materials used to create an aesthetic

also good for tableware, and stylish but good value candles. Always Sunday is great if you’re looking for something more contemporary. And one of the best resources in Bath are the charity shops. There are plenty of them and there are some amazing ﬁnds to be had, so whatever your budget, you can accessorise your home really well, which is all about adding that personal signature to your spaces. What’s one of the most important interior design lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Planning is key. It’s all too easy to make changes in isolation and then realise the knock-on eﬀect that this may have on other areas in the house. Plan, measure, research, draw, budget and schedule – all before you go ahead. In a nutshell, what does good interior design mean to you?

A space that has heart and soul but that has been put together meticulously, with every detail and aspect working harmoniously in form and function alongside one another. For more: Etons of Bath, 108 Walcot Street, Bath; www.etonsofbath.com

“It’s fun giving each bedroom and bathroom its individual character”

above: This beautiful hallway with inlaid marble floor ensures you’re always making an entrance; below: when working on a hotel like the Queensberry, Etons consider how to create an experience for guests;

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and traditional interiors, valued for their individual, beautifully tailored characterful design. With 25 years of expertise delivering space planning, detailed design, procurement, art curation and project management. An award-winning practice with studios in Bath & London, WOOLF are accredited designers of historic, period, listed houses and hotels. Tel 01225 445670; woolfinterior.com

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COOPERS HOME APPLIANCES

Providing bespoke kitchens and made-to-measure interiors across the Bath area for more than 35 years, Schmidt Bath offers luxury solutions for the home at affordable prices. With a dedicated in-house fitting team, your project will be completed to the highest standards. Visit their showroom to see the latest ranges and more of what they can offer. 1 Park Road, Bath BA1 3EE; Tel: 01225 337276; www.schmidt-bath.com

Coopers Home Appliances is an independent retailer trading continuously since 1947 and specialises in kitchen appliances. We have built an enviable reputation, delivering great products with an eye for the unusual. Value driven and customer focused. Striving to make shopping a pleasurable and human experience – a real antidote to the soulless online shopping ‘trip’. 01225 311811; www.coopershomeappliances.com

MENDIP FIREPLACES

Bath’s leading fireplace, wood burner, gas fire, chimney and flue specialist. From 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, Hwam, Stuv and Jetmaster. Get 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

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 www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk

BONITI

Boniti is based on the outskirts of Bath and offers a wide range of quality interior and exterior products: natural stone and timber flooring, Everhot range cookers, garden furniture and Kadai firebowls. As 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 177

BATH LIVES

“I have a complicated love/hate relationship with music”

NATHANIEL MANDER The harpsichordist on chauffeurs, champagne, and an early love of Tchaikovsky Nathaniel Mander, who lives in Lansdown, Bath, is a harpsichordist and gives recitals and concerts all over the UK, Europe and America as a soloist, with orchestras, and in small chamber groups. He has been invited to perform in the summer opera season in Paris at the Palais Garnier in Rameau’s opera Platée with Les Musiciens du Louvre, and in June he is releasing a recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. I’ve loved classical music for as long as I can remember.

My earliest memory is dancing around ecstatically to a Tchaikovsky waltz. I distinctly remember being aware of the

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structure as I anticipated my favourite bit towards the end. When I was about eight my parents arranged for my brother and me to have piano lessons. I remember feeling

deeply moved after hearing her play a Schubert Impromptu at the end of a lesson. She had huge bay windows in the front room and the sun was streaming in. It changed my life.

My harpsichord obsession came in my late teens. I heard

a recording on the radio and it knocked me for six, unlocking my 18th century soul forever. I had a harpsicord lesson every two weeks in Cirencester

with Richard Lester and at 17

I auditioned for a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London where I studied under Carole Cerasi for four years. I won two important harpsichord competitions in London and started my

international performing career at 22. I was junior fellow at the Royal College of Music in London for two years and travelled around Paris and Rome taking lessons with some of the world’s top harpsichord players.

Musically my biggest inspiration is my London harpsichord professor Carole Cerasi. She opened

my eyes and heart to the true soul of harpsichord playing and performance. We’ve been such close friends ever since and when we’re not discussing people or harpsichord touch, we’re laughing raucously. In life at large it’s my mum who shows us all – I’m the middle of three children – everyday how to be better human beings. One of my big career highlights was a trip to America a few years back

where I was performing at Yale University in Connecticut. It was all chauffeurs and champagne and after my performance the audience were whooping and cheering. It was like nothing I’d experienced before! I was so glad I’d worn my Liberace shoes. I was giving a concert at St James’ Palace once for Prince Charles who nonchalantly

walked onstage afterwards and charmed us all. He told one of the oboists that her instrument looked like something you’d clean the toilet with!

I have a rather complicated love/hate relationship with music to the extent that if I could

never play again tomorrow, a part of me would be relieved.

I live for Mozart and if I was

stranded on a desert island I wouldn’t last very long without a recording of his opera The Magic Flute. n

Nathaniel will be playing a live recital of the work at design shop and café Berdoulat on St Margaret’s Buildings on 14 May. For more: www.nathanielmander.com