Bath Life – Issue 469 by MediaClash

ISSUE 469 / 6 – 19 MAY 2022 / £3

LOCALLY

SOURCED

ALL CRESCENT AND CORRECT

ISSUE 469 / 6 – 19 MAY 2022 / TAKE IT TO THE MAX

HOW OUR RESTAURANTS ARE SUPPORTING BATH’S INDIES

OPEN

THE CITY’S NEW EATERIE GETS IT JUST RIGHT

A GOOD ANGLE THE BEST FISH DISHES IN BATH

HOUSE

GROUND

ON THE TRAIL OF THE BEAR FLAT ARTISTS

MAX + ANNALISE AT NUMBER.9 / ZOE SOMERVILLE / ROSE DEDMAN

THE NEW HOMES

LEADING THE WAY

AUTHOR

MAX PORTER

←

THE

BREAKING

ON COLLABORATIONS, CREATIVITY AND THE LARKHALL COMMUNITY

FACTOR

EDITOR’S LETTER

of Larkhall (page 10); BELOW: On the shopping trail of the Bear Flat Artists (page 58)

ne of the incredible things about being editor of Bath Life is the array of people you get to meet and chat to – from nurses to politicians, from artists to actors and from doctors to lawyers. Everybody has a story and every story is fascinating – it’s a privilege to interview people and something that rarely fazes me. But I’ll be honest, I was extremely nervous about meeting our cover star, the Bath-based author Max Porter. In preparation, I’d read two of his three books, Grief Is the Thing With Feathers and Lanny, and both utterly blew me away. I kept insisting everybody had to read them otherwise we could never be friends. Then, as I was heading to Larkhall to meet with him, the fear descended that my time with this innovative and extraordinary writer was going to be either: 1. me too scared to talk and sitting mutely in awe of his very obvious genius, or worse still, 2. gushing like a star-struck sycophant and allowing him no time to speak (like a proper fan, I did bring my books for him to sign). Luckily Max Porter is far too nice and far too good company to have allowed either option to have happened, as you’ll find out over on page 10. Elsewhere we learn what makes up a great restaurant – key ingredients seem to be great sta , community spirit and of course, superb cooking. We’ve also got the latest in business stories, what’s happening in the arts scene, and a look at property news – including a laugh out loud column from David Flatman (page 19) who goes e ploring his friend’s new build home and is awestruck by the e ciency of a tap delivering water and the lack of splintered oors. Enjoy, and see you in two weeks!

ABOVE: Author Max Porter on the joys

SARAH MOOLLA

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9 Issue 469 / 6 – 19 May 2022 COVER Max Porter photographed by Betty Bhandari; www.bettybhandaribrandphotography.com (page 10)

THE BIG INTERVIEW

10 MAX PORTER The award-winning author on Bath, Beaufort

Bookshop and the Bath Festival

THE ARTS

25 ARTS INTRO David Hockney is coming to the Holburne 26 WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, comedy, and art in the city 35 BOOKS What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan

FOOD&DRINK

37 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Verity shares how to make the most of the

short British asparagus season

38 TRY 5 he best local fish dishes 40 RESTAURANT New kid in town Crescent 44 FOODIE SPECIAL Delicious dishes made by top chefs and their

favourite local ingredients

SHOPPING

57 SHOPPING INTRO James Nunn is on the Bear Flat Artists art trail 58 EDITOR’S CHOICE Discover the creativity of the Bear Flat Artists

BUSINESS

65 BATHWORKS Local business news, views, and interviews 68 BIZ Q&A Rose Dedman creates unique photographs of families 70 AWARDS Q&A Retail winners Suave Owl

PROPERTY 73 74 76 82 87 90

PROPERTY LEAD Sustainable homes up for shared ownership PROPERTY NEWS Updates from the market SHOWCASE A property ripe for reinvention NEW HOMES Bath’s latest housing developments MOODBOARD Bringing nature into the bathroom RESIDENCE Annalise Holasz and her colourful city centre home

44 90

DEPARTMENTS

6 9 19 21 63 98

SPOTLIGHT Longleat’s unusual new residents INSTAS Wisteria season has begun FLATLINE Flats wonders if life would be easier in a new build SOCIETY Bath’s magic bar, Sleight reopens after two years EDUCATION Getting proactive about extracurriculars BATH LIVES Meet art curator Sandra Higgins

Editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy editor Lydia Tewkesbury lydia.tewkesbury@mediaclash.co.uk Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash. co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Nic Bottomley, David Flatman, John Mather 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

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SPOTLIGHT

Jon Monie, Tom Lister and Nick Wilton star in Aladdin this Christmas

Arts

CUTE AS A BUTTON

As the first safari park to open outside of Africa back in 1966 we do have a lot of e perience looking after e otic animals, but ulie’s menagerie is definitely something else, says Darren Beasley, head of Animal Operations. he time, e ort and love that ulie has put into the collection deserves to be seen by as many people as possible and I am sure its new home at the entrance to our ungle ingdom will provide a lot of enjoyment for our visitors. For more: www.longleat.co.uk

Julie Thomas’s lockdown zoo is made entirely of buttons and beads

Outdoors

STEP UP

The Mayor of Bath has launched a free summer walks programme happening until August. he free themed walks will take place over 78 sessions, and are all led by members of the Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides. During the past two years – particularly during lockdowns – many of us e plored parts of the city we’ve never walked around before, says Andy Gilson, chairperson of the Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides. “This is a chance to find out for free a bit more about our fantastic city – who lived, loved and died here as well as how we came to have so many fascinating buildings and green spaces. The walks will run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and evenings, and last around two hours. For more: www.bathguides.org.uk

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Learn about Bath’s hidden stories on foot

Pantomime

OH YES IT IS West End and Emmerdale star Tom Lister and Eastenders’ ick ilton will join Bath favourite on Monie in Aladdin, this year’s pantomime at the Theatre Royal. Tom will play Abanazar to Nick’s Dame idow wankey and on’s ishee ashee in the delightful family show, which starts December and ends 8 January. e have got everything that you could wish for this year in our spectacular production of Aladdin, says artin Dod, producer of this year’s panto. “A brand-new hilarious script by the fabulous Jon, the most boo-able of baddies in the form of Tom, and the return of dame e traordinaire ick, oh and of course the one and only Jon Monie. ith lavish sets and costumes, sensational song and dance numbers, loads of laughs, and a magic lamp, your wish is our command For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk © @MELTEM.ESKII

Longleat has some new residents. The ‘lockdown zoo’ is a collection of animals made entirely from buttons and beads. A creation of graphic designer, Julie Thomas, the remarkable work began on the first day of lockdown when Julie’s grandsons asked if she would make them a gira e. he pair went on to challenge Julie to create a di erent animal every day – and so the lockdown zoo began, and now includes everything from armadillos to anteaters, walruses and zebras.

SPOTLIGHT

BLOSSOMING As Bath’s famous walls of wisteria burst into bright purple glory and the delicate pinks of cherry blossom lend the city a pastel hue, we all take to the ‘gram to celebrate this short-lived staple of spring

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Max is a huge fan of Beaufort Bookshop in Larkhall

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

“The scale of Bath enables compassion in a really good way”

BETWEEN THE LINES There’s more to the author Max Porter than just writing highly acclaimed awardwinning books…

Words by Sarah Moolla Pictures by Betty Bhandari

ax Porter has selected Beaufort Bookshop in Larkhall for our interview. Has to be there. Why? Because he’s a huge fan of it. And not in a ‘I like to come browse once in a while’ kind of way, but in a “I come here every day after the school run.” In fact, owner James Thomas has an errand to run this morning and can’t open up until much later, so he’s given Max the keys. “I’d be more than happy to actually cover for you anytime you need it,” Max tells James when he returns. “Seriously, it would never be a problem.” After a few minutes in Max’s company you know this to be most definitely true. And if you do call in while Max is in charge, he’ll probably make you a cup of tea, look for the biscuits, and introduce you to his ridiculously well-behaved dog Happy. The headlines about Max the author are pretty impressive. His debut novel, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers in which a crow appears in the home of a

recently bereaved family, was Winner of the 2016 International Dylan Thomas Prize and Shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award. His second book Lanny, a poetic but also plot-driven tale about childhood, friendship, folklore and the land beneath our feet, became a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller and was longlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize and the 2019 Wainwright Prize. Lanny is also about to be made into a film produced by and starring achel eisz. And his recent third publication The Death of Francis Bacon – a stream of consciousness monologue as the painter lies on his deathbed – looks set to be another huge success. But there’s another side to this literary high achiever. Max Porter believes in giving back to society and demonstrates that – not by the way of simply paying lip service to it – but by being thoroughly and utterly community minded. As well as mentoring young writers nationwide, he volunteers on a Bath mentorship programme. “I would go once a week before lockdown. They used to call me ‘book c*** guy’ and pretended

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

THE BIG INTERVIEW they didn’t want to read a book. But we built a library. hey built and painted shelves, and we filled them with books – I got donations from many major publishers. Then we started doing creative writing classes. They were going to make a book and get it published locally, and have a reading, but then Covid happened. And now unfortunately a change in sta ng and a lack of funding for the organisation has meant a further delay. But instead of stopping mentoring at this point, a utilised oom and managed to work with young people on a one-to-one basis. “In real life that’d been almost impossible but oom actually made that achievable, and he is also mentoring a young man with autism through a ulian ouse programme, e’s amazing – he’s changed my life for the better in a way that I would never have predicted. I love walking around the city with him and, because he’s neurodivergent and has no filters and is super smart, he gives me these brilliant full volume lectures on the world. e has taught me how really not to give a f what people think. a insists though his motives aren’t purely altruistic. I’m addicted to it mentoring since I moved to Bath. ou can find people that will benefit from you and, uite selfishly, you benefit from them in return. he scale of Bath, I think enables compassion in a really good way. And people here are good, like you find yourself having a chat with the old guy on the allotment about C D and then you’ll find out he’s a member. here’s a connectivity in Bath because of its size. eople can be critical of a smaller place because you can run into the same people but actually that can make it really good – it can be productive as well as creative. For e ample, I did a reading at a recent Bath elcomes efugees fundraiser at the olburne, which a friend had asked me along to, and an attending supermodel o ered to come along to a fundraising book sale I’m organising. he said she’ll bring some books and help sta it. I was like, gosh hings like that are amazing. Max is also working on a book about the history of olsbury ill with Beaufort Bookshop’s ames and ilary aynter, one of the ’s leading wood ABOVE: Meet Happy, one of the

most well behaved dogs in Bath; LEFT: The author moved to Larkhall five years ago

“Those little healthy, joyful projects can happen anywhere”

engravers and a past president of the Royal Society of ainter- rintmakers who happens to live in Larkhall and who met a through ames he is part of a loose musical and poetry collective that have performed at the shop and caf Berdoulat in argaret’s Buildings he’s interviewed at least visiting authors at oppings Booksellers – something he does free for the love of it and is interviewing journalist eorge onbiot ( ay at omedia) and singer-songwriter arvey ( ay at omedia) for the Bath Festival. he rarely interviewed arvey had actually asked if she could be interviewed by Max as she is a big fan of his work. “The Bath Festival has a real e clusive with that, says a . he’ll be performing from her book Orlam. It is actually written in the Dorset dialogue, which is where she is from. is creative collaborations also stretch much further than Bath of course. e recently worked with the American singer-songwriters Bonnie rince Billy and athan alsburg he’s done lyrics for oan helley the folk musician from entucky he’s working on various projects with the London folktronica band unng including a concept album he previously helped Caroline Lucas with her book Honourable Friends? Parliament and the Fight for Change and during lockdown made a film called All of This Unreal Time, with Cillian

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Max regularly volunteers his time for mentoring programmes in Bath; his three criticallyacclaimed novels; Max will be interviewing George Monbiot and PJ Harvey at the Bath Festival; during lockdown Max collaborated with his friend Cillian Murphy to create the film short called All of This Unreal Time

MAX ON LOVING BATH

Murphy of Peaky Blinders fame, for the Manchester International Festival. The pair met when Cillian played the father and the crow in the stage adaptation of Grief Is the Thing with Feathers in 2019, and they have stayed good friends ever since. “I initially just wrote a monologue for Cillian – there was no commercial imperative and then we edited it together as he performed it to me privately on Zoom. We didn’t have anybody else’s input or directions, and it felt really great. Then we got a filmmaker on board, then musicians, and then anchester Festival took it on, which was uite special. e’re going to try and do more stu like that. Ask a how many projects he has on the go right now, and top of his head he counts up at least 12. There’s the novel about an unhappy teenage boy who commits a terrible crime in . e also working on a story about a modern-day saint. “She’s a woman of menopausal age, who e erts an e traordinary power over people without any ideology. She’s not religious or political in any particular way, but she has a deep saint-like power that people are drawn to. here’s a big est nd project that has a famous name attached that he’s not allowed to talk about yet. I’ve also written the play of The Death of Francis Bacon. I’m not sure yet if the adaptation is definitely going to happen – but I don’t mind because I really loved doing it. I’ve learned even more about the artist doing it, and now I have a play. uch of a ’s work and time isn’t financially driven – he is driven by a love of creating, people and writing. “I’d just always rather be making new work and I’m a really big believer in the trust economy – if they’re interesting, and have good feelings about their work, and dealing with it sensitively and generously, then chances are working with them is going to be good. specially when it’s not monetized. Like the work I did with oan helley – we were just trying to make something beautiful. e ended up giving the money for that to charity. We split it between a river charity in Louisville, entucky and the river charity here. I swim in the river here and I notice it’s now full of s t. And this work meant I can do something about that. It’s not huge sum of money because it’s, you know, it’s a song on the internet, but that felt good. If the lockdowns taught me anything, it’s those little healthy, joyful projects can happen anywhere you are and, for me, moving to Bath actually clarified that you begin right where you are. n For more: www.bathfestivals.org.uk

Max and his wife and their three boys, now aged 12, nine and seven, moved to Bath five years ago. “We were in south London where I’d been since I was a student and we’d had 20 very happy years there. But then we were five people in a two-bed flat and that was just a bit mad. “As a bookseller I often visited Bath’s indie bookshops and when the time came to move we thought, Bath is a bookish, green, and lovely city, so why not there. Also I have a brother who lives in Bristol. “There’s a sort of grumpy monk in me that thinks I might end up in a remote cottage in Anglesey on my own, but really this is it. I am a happy man when I’m just pootling around in Larkhall. It’s brilliant. I use the grocers every day and I use the bookshop every day. My fatherin-law, me, and the boys go up to see Larkhall play. It’s just a really lovely place to be. “In the city centre itself I love The Bell pub – it’s where I’ll take a visiting author for a pint after an event. It’s great because everybody listens in on your private conversations and then feels free to join in. “Then there’s Chai Walla for an onion bhaji wrap and Noya’s Kitchen for dinner. In Margaret’s Buildings we love the Green Bird Café and Berdoulat. If one of us has a birthday it’s Alexandra Park for a choux bun, and if we have visitors then it’s a visit to Bath Abbey. “I also like to take people into the surrounding valleys. If we meet at Bath Spa station, then I walk them either down the canal, or the other way towards Cold Ashton. “Recently we walked up to Kelston Round Hill and watched the sunset from the top of the hill. And I thought, I am blessed to live in this place.”

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“Comparison is the thief of joy, a wise cocker spaniel once told me”

Mad about the house Flats’ is shocked at his reaction to his pal’s new build home…

ast week I popped for a co ee with an old friend at their new house. I’d been told their ga was a lovely one so, as well as being e cited to see said friend, I was rather keen to set straight the record that it could not possibly be all that lovely. ou see, it’s a new house. Or rather, it isn’t an old house. And being in Bath, my view has always been that unless you’re willing to spend a trillion pounds on what’s e ectively a spaceship made from Lithuanian larch that’s so incredible evin cCloud sleeps outside on a hunger strike until you agree to be on his television show, it just can’t be as good as a proper period pad. hen I told another friend I where I was going by te t, she replied ‘O even you will love it ’ he knew my stance on these things

and was confident nonetheless. o I pulled onto the driveway with a face that resembled a disapproving, veteran bartender, regarding the first casualty of a particularly laddish stag do. I think my head and chin were even wobbling like one of those plastic bulldogs that used to live on cars’ parcel shelves, so smug was I in the knowledge that I was set to be privately both underwhelmed and proven correct. I’m not a competitive person by nature. As a sportsman I was, of course, but those days are gone and I’ve frankly never really given a monkey’s about someone having something swankier than me. Comparison is the thief of joy, a wise cocker spaniel once told me, so I don’t bother. hus I didn’t arrive with a comparison between our house and theirs in my mind – not at all – but my mind did take me there pretty much as soon as I drove up. eepers, I thought, imagine having somewhere

to put your car that was right ne t to your front door. I love the buzz of not knowing on which nearby street a space might appear, I told myself, and carrying seven bags of shopping home from that street is great for the e ercise ring on my Apple atch so he doorbell sounded at first pressing (felt novel) and the big, sturdy, presumably draught proof front door swung open. I strode in and none of the oorboards creaked or cracked. he kitchen was large and solid and every drawer and door I secretly tested when she wasn’t looking, opened and closed with a smooth action and no rubbing. he ran a tap to fill the kettle and OO he water couldn’t wait to get out of there, which reminded me of the last few months in our kitchen where sometimes I’ve felt like hiring an FBI negotiator with a history in plumbing every time I approach the sink area. All of this continued for a good hour and, as I left, I felt all of my smugness evaporate. It was a wonderful home with straight walls and level oors, and proportions e pertly designed to suit sociable family living. It was high uality and beautifully finished and it made you feel happy and safe and healthy. I cruised home, parked up the hill and wobbled back down to the front door through and around which shines sunlight by day, and blows chilly air by night. I stepped onto the smooth-worn, utterly uneven stone oor in our hallway, hung my jacket on a wobbly peg (must fi that), kicked o my trainers and walked the splinter-or-no-splinter gauntlet across the sitting room. his time I got lucky and my feet survived unpierced and, as I sat down and looked up at the old sash windows, the shutters with the crumbling paint, the still-perfect cornicing, and the plug sockets jammed in where there were never meant to be plug sockets, I fell in love all over again. ome like the fresh and the new, and some like things with a few more stories under their belts. hatever tickles your fancy, Bath, it seems, has you covered. David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Twitter @davidflatman and Insta @dflatman

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SCENE T H E L AT E S T A DV E N T U R E S I N PA R T Y- GO I N G AC ROSS BAT H Jane Moore and Caroline Sanderson

May Mower, Ella Knott and Bridget Lees

Dan Mounter, Gena Goldfield, Beverley Wellbourne and Bryn Williams

Brian Woodford, Lauryn Jardine, Pam Twohig and Marian McNeir

LAUNCH NIGHT

Ian Stockley

The Bath Festival 2022 celebrated its launch at The Francis Hotel with more than 80 special guests. Bath Festivals chief executive Ian Stockley, festival literature programmer Kate Abbey and programme director Kate Hall shared some of the highlights of this year’s festival, which includes a Bath Festival Orchestra concert by the Roman Baths, a visit by Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak urnah, and an evening of laughter with five funny Women on Top at The Forum. Turn to page 10 for our interview with Max Porter who will be interviewing PJ Harvey and George Monbiot at the festival. Kate Abbey and Fran Beauman

Photos by Abigail Tinnion; www.abigailtinnion.co.uk

Louisa Oldfield, Fran Carroll, Sophie Mayhew, Elysia Collins, Ian Stockley, Hazel Plowman, Kate Abbey, Kate Hall, Victoria Walters and Jasmine Barker

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SOCIETY

Alex Sears, Pete Reisner, Connor Fathers, Emma Stanfield and Will Ray

Amy Williams and Katy Whyte Paul Brookes and Sarah Brookes

Esther Thompson, Celia McCarthy and Vishaka Robinson

Matthew Watkins and Amy Cousins

Tristan Joubert and Aleksandra Husar

TRICK & TREAT

After two years of closure, Sleight Magic Bar reopened its doors for a celebratory night of trickery – and cocktails. 40 guests gathered in the atmospheric basement bar to watch owner and magician in residence Paul Brookes perform realitydefying close-up magic along with Daniel Chard, who wowed the crowds in his own inimitable style. It was also a chance for the bar to introduce its brand new cocktail menu, which includes an array of steaming, fizzing, fire-y delights almost as magical as the card tricks. Photos by Mike Butt; www.mikebuttphoto.com

Richard Pickering and Lynsey Harmer

Jessika Willerton, Jen Owen and Claudia Balazs

Gemma Orford, Juan Barrionuevo, Rosie Alborough, Louis Jones and Jose Morales

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THE ARTS DAVID HOCKNEY OSSIE WEARING FAIRISLE SWEATER 1970 COLORED PENCIL ON PAPER 17 X 14” © DAVID HOCKNEY PHOTO CREDIT: FABRICE GIBERT

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

STILL LIFE With more than 40 of David Hockney’s drawings on loan from private collections, the new Love Life exhibition coming to the Holburne Museum 27 May to 18 September is a wonderful way to enjoy the artist’s incredible talent. is finding of beauty in the ordinary is most beautifully expressed in his still lifes, from a box of matches on a table to prosaic bunches of spring onions and leeks. This sense of delight is also expressed in his renditions of architectural exteriors and interiors, with a particular interest in empty rooms, chairs, and windows. It is also a key aspect of his famous portrait drawings, in which he uses closely observed details to capture the character of his subject – such as the 1970 painting Ossie Wearing

a Fairisle Sweater, seen here in which the fashion designer Ossie Clark is depicted slouching in an armchair, looking louche and very British. The director and curator of this exhibition, Chris Stephens, says, “I am so excited to present this wonderful show of master drawings, some well-known and some rarely seen. I have long believed David Hockney to be one of the greatest draughtsmen of all time and I consider his drawings of the later 60s and 70s to be among the greatest works by him and, for that matter, by anyone else.” Love Life: David Hockney Drawings 1963-1977 opens at the Holburne Museum on 27 May and runs until 18 September; www.holburne.org www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 25

WHAT’S ON

There’s still time to see Global SinoPhoto Awards exhibition at the Museum of East Asian Art

7 May – 1 June

EXHIBITIONS Until 14 May

GLOBAL SINO PHOTO AWARDS The annual Global SinoPhoto Awards, which can be seen at Museum of East Asian Art, is an international photography contest which aims to communicate Chinese culture through remarkable imagery. The 16 winning photographers include Tongyu Yang; www.meaa.org.uk

Until 15 May

OLD GHOSTS Old Ghosts by artist Mick Peter takes a wry and a ectionate look at the idea of history as an industry using a cartoons-come-to-life tableaux in the form of a narrative trail through the museum. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

Until 27 May

JAKE SHEPPARD The Bath artist creates abstract and impressionistic works in oil

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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

Until 28 May

ELAINE PAMPHILON The artist who lives in Cambridge and Cornwall follows in the St Ives tradition of naive British painting with a beautiful selection of still life paintings and landscapes. Adam Gallery; www.adamgallery.com

Until 31 May

HOPE AND HUMANITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH EXHIBITION Local artists including June Bianchi, Paul Thomas, and Rita Lazaro were asked to respond to the theme of ‘hope and humanity’ for this RUH exhibition. www.artatruh.org

Until 5 June

ALINA MAKSIMENKO A solo exhibition of paintings at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

by Ukrainian artist Alina, who as a result of the war has been displaced and has had to leave everything behind in her hometown Kyiv. This exhibition and sale of her work is in support of helping Alina to re-establish herself. www.axlearts.com

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. The American Museum & Gardens; www.americanmuseum.org

14 May – 2 July

BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 117TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION This exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent and is a must for art lovers and collectors alike, with all works for sale. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

21 – 22 May

BEAR FLAT ARTISTS ART TRAIL & OPEN STUDIOS 2022

Discover a hive of creativity and buy art direct when more than 30 artists open their studio doors to visitors. Turn to page 25 for more. www earflatartists o

THEATRE / CINEMA 9 – 14 May

HENRY V Antic Disposition’s reimagining of the Shakespearian classic, taking place in Bath Abbey, is set in a French military hospital in 1915 where two groups of wounded soldiers stage their own production of Henry V. Bath Abbey; www.henry-v.co.uk

16 – 21 May

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Dallas legend atrick Du y and Linda Purl star alongside Gray O’Brien in this exciting new production of the classic Broadway thriller. Inspector Levine investigates the disappearance of a newly wed

WHAT’S ON LEFT: The work of Anishinabe artist and visual anthropologist Dr Celeste Pedri-Spade can be seen at The American Museum & Gardens; BELOW: Lindsay Duncan, Hilton McRae and Emily Bruni star in The Dance of Death playing at the Ustinov from 19 May

Bath Theatre Academy welcomes first-year performing arts students from its in-house training academy onto the stage for the first time. The double bill consists of The Wardrobe by Sam Holcroft and It Snows by Bryony Lavery, Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett. The Egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

MUSIC 12 May

GEORGIA VAN ETTEN One of the UK’s most respected folk singer-songwriters brings to beautiful life her debut album backed by her phenomenal band. Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

13 May

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN he twice rammy-nominated ashville based singer-songwriter visits Frome to deliver a powerful collection of songs that reach into the place where vulnerability meets strength, right into the centre of the full beautiful dance of contradictions that inhabit love and life. Cheese & Grain; www.cheeseandgrain.com wife. But her reappearance causes more mystery when the husband claims this is an imposter. Turn to page 30 for our Culture Club interview with Linda Purl. Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

newcomer arrives their insular lives threaten to spin out of control even further. Stars Lindsay Duncan, Hilton McRae and Emily Bruni. Ustinov; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

19 May – 4 June

CHILDREN

THE DANCE OF DEATH Alice and Edgar’s lonely relationship is sustained by taunts and recriminations and when a

12 – 13 May

DOUBLE BILL: THE WARDROBE AND IT SNOWS

COMEDY Every Sunday

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

17 May

RUSSELL BRAND: 33 Actor, presenter and comic Russell Brand is performing stand up on the strangeness of the last 18 months exploring what have we learned, and not learned? And also asks, how do you ‘get back to normal’ if you’ve never been normal? Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

21 May

PHIL WANG ‘But where are you really from?’. Comedian Phil Wang, who attended Kingswood School in Bath, has been asked this question so many times he’s finally written a book about it, Sidesplitter. Join him at Komedia Bath. www.komedia.co.uk

FESTIVALS 13 – 21 May

BATH FESTIVAL A huge celebration of music and literature with speakers, performances, and workshops at venues all over the city, starting with a free Queen Square party. Big name visitors include Marian Keyes, and Davina McCall. Turn to page to meet Bath-author Max Porter who is interviewing PJ Harvey and George Monbiot at the festival. www.bathfestivals.org.uk

26 – 29 May

SHINDIG The seventh edition of Shindig

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

WHAT’S ON

returns to a new location, the 16th century Dillington House with old school festival circuit royalty and rising stars performing across Shindig’s seven stages. Big names include New York’s Grammywinning hip hop trio De La Soul and pioneering jazz funker Roy Ayers, alongside drum and bass up-andcomers, ero Budden, and oor fillers he itten Club among many others. www.shindigfestival.co.uk

27 May – 12 June

FRINGE ARTS BATH he festival that puts art in unusual places in unexpected ways is back with 17 days of free exhibitions and performances, and events. www.fringeartsbath.co.uk

2 – 4 June

ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW After two years away, the Royal Bath est how is finally back with an extra special event celebrating the Platinum Jubilee year of its patron, he ueen. Alongside the ubilee celebrations, you’ll find old favourites like he aul annam Stunt Show and Pawsability Dog Agility Display, making a welcome return. www.bathandwest.com

2 – 5 June

VINTAGE NOSTALGIA FESTIVAL Head to Stockton Park for a funfilled weekend of live music, dance, vintage and antique shopping, classic cars, automobilia, theatre and children’s entertainment. www.vintagenostalgiafestival.co.uk

9 – 12 June

FOREST LIVE AT WESTONBIRT Forest Live promises unmissable live music in the breath-taking location of estonbirt Arboretum. his year performing amidst the trees are ag’n’Bone an, eane, adness, and e as. www.forestryengland.uk

17 – 19 June

PUB IN THE PARK e can’t get enough of om erridge’s foodie music extravaganza in Victoria Park hosted by ames artin, he airy Bikers, Andi Oliver, and others. Alongside foodie pop-ups from some of the country’s best eateries and chef demos, there’s a stellar music line-up the likes of Supergrass, Natalie Imbruglia, he ugar ill ang ft. Grand Master Mellie Mel, and Norman Jay. www.pubintheparkuk.com

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20 – 26 June

CHALKE VALLEY HISTORY FESTIVAL Dubbed ‘the most civilised festival you will ever go to’ by Slow Travel, this seven-day history festival near Salisbury features world-class speakers like acclaimed travel writer Colin hubron, BBC broadcaster Justin Webb, and the former Home Secretary Alan Johnson. www.cvhf.org.uk

22 – 26 June

GLASTONBURY ickets are long since sold out, so if you’re not one of the lucky few, you can enjoy Billie Eilish, Paul cCartney, endrick Lamar, and Diana Ross from the comfort of your own home on the telly. And later in the year there’s the chance to get your Glastonbury fi on August at the lastonbury Extravaganza, organised by Michael Eavis and held in the ruins of Abbey, with Paloma Faith among others performing www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

24 – 26 June

MARSTONBURY Huey Morgan is the host of this C-style block party in Frome’s Marston Park. An homage to big brother Glastonbury, it includes Huey DJ sets with a bit of everything from Chic to Donna ummer and ool he ang. When you’re through partying, on the Sunday there’ll also be a range of wellness classes and family fun on o er. www.marstonpark.co.uk

TOP: Russell Brand brings his topical, loquacious and always funny stand-up to Bath Forum on 17 May; RIGHT: Patchwork Heights by Maxine Foster can be seen at the Victoria Art Gallery as part of the Bath Society of Artists Annual Open Exhibition

WHAT’S ON CULTURE CLUB …with Linda Purl

Actor and singer Linda Purl, best known for her screen roles in Happy Days, the US version of The Office, and Homeland, will be performing in the thriller Catch Me If You Can at the Theatre Royal Bath from 16 – 21 May. Linda, who found love with her co-star Patrick Duffy during Zoom rehearsals for the show, says, “We’ve been bouncing around the English countryside with the merriest band of actors since January with this murdermystery detective comedy. On the back of coming out of the pandemic, we are completely thrilled and feel so privileged to be back performing live theatre in some of the world’s most beautiful theatres. “I’m so looking forward to exploring Bath. I suspect one of my most favourite spots will be the Theatre Royal Bath of course, and also the Thermae Bath Spa I’ve heard so much about.”

Jessica Jones is appearing at the Bath Festival on 20 May as part of the panel for Women On Top: The Big Night Out; BELOW: The fabulous Shindig festival, 26 – 29 May, has a new home at Dillington House

The last great film I saw West Side Story remake. Hands down – astonishing. An artist I love The British contemporary artist Harry Yeatman Biggs never fails to inspire me. From breathtaking landscapes to intimate portraits to energetic pop art. My lockdown boxset Space Force, a comedy about a group of people tasked with establishing the U.S. Space Force and stars Steve Carrell, John Malkovich, Lisa Kudrow and Jimmy O. Yang. Best TV show ever Peaky Blinders…I can’t get enough! The book that changed my life George Mumford’s The Mindful Athlete. It explores how mindful performance has helped many word-class athletes reach their true and full potential. A book I could happily re-read Cold Mountain, by Charles Frazier. Last live music gig I went to Kurt Elling at Catalina Jazz Club LA. Remarkable. My desert island disc Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? My karaoke go-to and dance floor banger Well, karaoke is a no go for me but dance floor? You bet, and the song that guarantees that is Happy by Pharrell Williams. A blog I’d recommend is Blue Pearl (www.bluepearl.blog) Okay it’s my blog! I’ve been posting about my time with the theatre company and being in the UK. It sure is therapeutic to do. Check it out! For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk Linda Purl is starring alongside Patrick Duffy in Catch Me If You Can

1 – 3 July

AMERICANA FEST This new three-day festival celebrates all things American culture in the American Museum and Gardens spectacular hilltop surrounds. Set to coincide with US Independence Day celebrations, the top line-up of music encompasses folk, country, blues and rock and roll, featuring acts like Ethan John’s Black Eyed Dogs and The Magic Numbers. Alongside the music will run an all-American

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comedy bill, headlined by Reginald D Hunter. www.americanmuseum.org

1 – 10 July

FROME FESTIVAL This year’s festival is the biggest to date, with over 260 events. Big names coming this year include DJ Jo Whiley, singer-songwriter Andy Fairweather Low, TV historian David Olusoga, the Kris Barras Band and guitarist Wilko Johnson. www.fromefestival.co.uk n

Scan Me!

SPONSORED CONTENT

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Full of ambition Mr B looks at three novels that explore achieving dreams later in life

“The author recounts her childhood in 1980s communist and atheist Albania”

s life progresses it often seems that hopes and dreams shift and are rendered more realistic and achievable, than those held in childhood. This time I’ve picked out a trio of books that centre on that thwarting of plans or changing of ambitions. The Dollmaker by Harriette Arnow (Vintage, £10.99) is a lost American classic that’s every bit as emotional and heart-rending as Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. The dramatic first scene sets the tone for this epic family tragedy. In 1940’s Kentucky, Gertie Nevilles is carrying her choking infant son on horseback towards the hospital. Realising she won’t make it in time, Gertie ends up performing amateur roadside surgery on her child to successfully remove the obstruction from his throat. Gertie’s willingness to put everything on the line for her family in the face of immense adversity is a constant refrain. Moving from rural Kentucky to Detroit, where the factories are calling thanks to the onset of World War II, the family are cast into destitution, living in terrible conditions, working endlessly, and seeing their hopes gradually eroded as the priority becomes survival and putting bread on the table. The novel’s title hints at the soul-destroying lengths Gertie goes to in order to provide for her family – a talented whittler, she puts aside creative instincts to become a one-woman home production line for cheap, garish balsa dolls. In Free by Lea Ypi (Penguin, £20) the author recounts her childhood in 1980s communist and atheist Albania and as a member of a French-speaking Muslim family. This memoir o ers up a real child’s eye view of living under communism – family discussions and experiences and shifts in opinion are seen from the perspective of Lea’s actual childhood

memories, rather than any re-engineered historical take. And, as she grows, and whispers of political change emerge, the divisions within her own politically polarised family appear and the view of Albania as an equal and utopian society becomes complicated by snippets of information about how life might be beyond its borders. For all the political background, this book is most remarkable for being a first-hand account of day-to-day life under a very di erent ideological regime. Whether it’s Coke cans being used as a vase (as the cover pictured above depicts) without initially realising their original purpose, or excursions to the roof to twist the aerial towards Italy to access television from beyond the curtain, we get a real feel for life in this specific time and place. Finally a word about The Sidekick by Benjamin Markovits (Faber, £20) which publishes in June. Ostensibly this is a novel set in and around professional sports, specifically basketball, but as Chad Harbach’s The Art of Fielding did with baseball, you need no knowledge or interest in basketball to enjoy it. Because really this is a novel about friendship, narrated by sports journalist Brian Blum, who came of age alongside his best friend Marcus Hayes and always felt he was somewhat riding on his coattails. As predicted, Marcus becomes the best basketball player of his generation whilst, feeding on scraps, Brian builds a parallel career as a sports journalist. Years later, when Marcus announces he is planning to return from retirement to secure his legacy, he calls on Brian to write the book about his comeback – inadvertently o ering Brian an opportunity to build his own reputation, if he chooses to write a full and truthful profile.

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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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

PLANT POWER

Bath Vegan Festival returns to the Bath Pavilion on Saturday 5 June. More than 80 fantastic stalls are coming to the popular event, which includes all the most delicious vegan food alongside vegan products, fashion, food, skin care, and more. It’ll host Bath Culture ouse, Busy Bakery, Deliciously onest and weet ooth London among many others. Proceeds from tickets go to iracle’s ission, a non-profit organisation that works with sick, injured and di cult animals worldwide. or more www ve anevents o

BEST IN SEASON VERITY GENCO’S favourite ways to serve asparagus

Sparrows grass, more commonly known as asparagus, is one of the first plants to greet us come springtime. From the traditional green to the purple, fruity-tasting variety, the wild kind with long feathery shears found only on coastal dunes and cli sides, and light and delicate white asparagus – a favourite on the continent – the crème de la crème has to be the British variety. Regarded by chefs and gourmets the best in the world for its tender, sweet and mild grassy avour, it’s a cut above the bitter-tasting Peruvian and Spanish spears that sit jet lagged on our supermarket shelves year-round. British asparagus has a blink-and-miss-it short season of just six weeks from May to mid-June – and when you get your hands on some, eat it fresh. The quality of asparagus deteriorates as soon as it’s been cut from the root, so it’s best eaten within three days. The spears should be plump and firm, tips tightly closed – those that look woody, wilted or limp

are past their prime. You will see many greengrocers storing asparagus upright in cold water – follow suit at home and wrap the ends of your asparagus in a damp towel before refrigeration. To prepare your asparagus, simply trim the white woody ends and then blanch in salted water for two-tothree minutes. It can also be roasted, baked, and shaved into salads, pasta and risottos. A squeeze of lemon juice, roasted almonds, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or a spoonful of hollandaise sauce all go down a treat, and asparagus even works wonderfully with avours like nutmeg and allspice. My favourite way to eat asparagus is for breakfast – dipped in the yolk of a soft-boiled egg or served, egg poached, with smoked trout or salmon on bread. Take your tastebuds to Italy and add some anchovies from Italian deli Avellino’s – asparagus with crushed anchovies, capers and bread crumbs is the perfect springtime side – and for the aroma of Asia, try miso, a drizzle of honey, grated ginger and sesame seeds to garnish. o ow erit on Insta ram @ ort eflavo r or more as ara s ins iration If you want to enjoy superior British asparagus, you best be quick advises Verity

There’s plenty for a sweet tooth at Bath Vegan Festival

SWEET ON YOU

Bath’s beloved oral caf weet Little hings has opened a second location on Milsom Street. “I have had my eye on our new shop for over 20 years. The position is just perfect,” says Natalie at L . hen it became available last year, I knew I had to have it. Our first shop is fully booked months in advance, so we were looking for somewhere else to ease the pressure o . The pretty pink new location o ers L ’s beloved selection of choux buns, macarons, pastries, occasion cakes and afternoon teas, alongside options for those on the hunt for something savoury. This second shop is the beginning of an expansive time for Natalie, who has plans to open up a larger bakery in the next few months in order to keep up with the demand for L ’s Sweet Little Things has sweet treats. opened a second location or more www s t at o on Milsom Street

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 37

TRY FIVE 2

The very best fruits of the sea – and river – Bath has to o er

THE OLIVE TREE he ichelin-star fine dining menu at The Olive Tree in The Queensberry Hotel has a prominent seafood element. Artfully presented dishes like delicate, te tured chalk stream trout and Devon smoked eel with Isle of ight tomato, tarragon and chicken cream sauce (one of e ecutive head chef Chris Cleghorn’s personal favourites) show o the avours of fish at its absolute best. he restaurant sources from Flying Fish Seafoods and New Wave Seafoods in Cornwall, and eltic eafare shellfish from crystal clear Class A waters o the north-west ighland coast of Scotland – producers all supplying some of the best chefs in the world, from London to the top restaurants of aris. www.olivetreebath.co.uk

THE SCALLOP SHELL arry osser’s fish and chip restaurant and seafood grill in the city centre is a Bath institution. ver since opening back in , the family-run restaurant – which Marco Pierre White has declared his favourite in all of iltshire and omerset – has own the ag for fresh, sustainable catch from waters. he uality of their stock is evident in the beautiful, lightly battered, crispy and aky cod and haddock the callop hell serves up with chips cut only from the best seasonal spuds – and you’ll still find arry front of house most days. www.thescallopshell.co.uk

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THE PIG NEAR BATH At this country house hotel in the tranquil Somerset countryside, the culinary team has an obsessive commitment to seeking out and serving up the very best that the West Country has to o er. he majority of the fish dishes you’ll find on the menu are sourced fresh from Devon and Cornwall – think illiam of Ladram pollock from Bri ham and iver Fowey mussels from Cornwall. For the very best trout around, the team buys from Mere Trout, the fish farm in arminster, where the fish are caught in a manner that prioritises quality over yield, from chalk streams – the kind of crystal clear, cool water in which they most thrive. For more: www.thepighotel.com

THE ELDER The restaurant in the glamorous, sprawling otel Indigo from restauranteur ike obinson and group e ecutive head chef avin dney boasts some serious e pertise when it comes to wild food. heir fish dishes primarily use Flying Fish and King Fisher, which are caught using the wild and sustainable methods for which ike’s restaurants are renowned. he e ceptional dining e perience at he lder is all about the best of British – and right now head chef Gavin recommends the delicious bubble and s ueak with pollock, taramasalata velout and roasted leek. For more: www.bath.hotelindigo.com

THE GEORGE AND DRAGON The cosy pub in the little village of Rowde is legendary among fish lovers. very morning a fresh batch arrives fresh from Wings of St awes, the Cornish fish market owner Chippy Day favours, and it’ll be on plates by that evening – and in the event it can’t be used the day of arrival, you’ll find it in fish cakes or a classic fish pie after that. In addition to the mouth-watering beer battered haddock, grilled butter y mackerel, crispy fried whitebait and smoked salmon on the main menu, the George and Dragon boasts an entire selection of Cornish fish specials. hey’re subject to availability of course, but can include everything from half a dozen Cornish oysters to a sumptuous, dressed Cornish lobster. n For more: www.thegeorgeanddragonrowde.co.uk

CRESCENT RESTAURANT & BAR he cosy new spot on By Lydia Tewkesbury

argaret’s Buildings o ers a hearty meal

eanne and Simon Hedges, the husband and wife team behind Crescent Restaurant & Bar, the newest arrival along Margaret’s Buildings, must have felt like they won the lottery when they sealed the deal on the former Rustico site at the end of last year. It’s a dream location primed to make the most of the tourists drawn up by the architecture, strollers inVictoria Park and nearby residents. We visited on a chilly Thursday night – following a violent hail storm, the sky had cleared into crisp calm just in time for us to dash across town to Margaret’s Buildings. The Crescent is a cosy spot, with options to sit in the bright upstairs with a view down the cute little street, or in the romantic candle lit basement. I’m still in the habit of marvelling at the light evenings, so we retreated to a corner window seat with a view to make the most of the fading glow of the day over dinner. The menu at the Crescent is simple, Mediterranean-inspired comfort food built around the best of the land, the sea

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and the earth – so your meat, fish and veggie options. We started with a selection of freshly baked breads and aioli – a beautiful mi of u y focaccia, chewy atbread and crusty sourdough, which we greedily dunked in the creamy, garlic-y, tangy aioli. For my main I had an enormous, sumptuous tagliatelle diavola, a lightly spiced dish packed with a punchy sundried tomato, olive and red onion sauce. While it wasn’t super spicy, it was deeply avourful, with the sweet, tartness of the tomatoes and salty olives contrasted by fresh mint – an addition I thought unusual when I read it on the menu but its presence enhanced the avour of the dish, elevating the simple bowl of pasta to something extraordinary. My dining companion was immediately drawn to the Crescent burgers, and went for the 6oz beef burger, indulgently topped with prosciutto and blue cheese (there’s also the option to have Camembert), served with a tasty pesto mayo and fries. A woman who rarely

RESTAURANT

finishes an entire meal, she demolished that burger and left her plate clean. It’s worth noting that the portions at Crescent are generous – which I was a big fan of – but there are options on the salads and light bites menu for smaller appetites. As for us, our food comas were well and truly underway – but we weren’t finished yet. After all, there’s always room for pudding – and the sweet and satisfying whole baked pear with cinnamon and brown sugar and a dollop of vanilla cream was well worth unbuttoning my jeans for. I also have to give a special shout out to Crescent’s cocktail menu – Leanne persuaded me (it was not hard) to try out one of the restaurant’s ‘cheeky tipples’, and the Dark Chocolate Old Fashioned was utter perfection. Bitter chocolate and bourbon melded with zesty orange kick – it was just delicious, and an absolute must-try. After a welcoming and satisfying evening, it is easy to see the Crescent’s potential as the new friendly ‘local’. n

“The sweet, tartness of the tomatoes and salty olives contrasted by fresh mint” DINING DETAILS Crescent Restaurant & Bar, 2 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LP; www.crescent-restaurant-bath.co.uk

Prices Starters £3.70 - £8.95, mains £12.95 £19.95, desserts £5.50 - £9.50

Opening hours Wednesday - Saturday 9am til late, Sunday 10-4

Recommendations Pan fried cod loin with chorizo and garlic butter, sweet potato mash and samphire, and the Moroccan braised ox cheek with a vegetable ragu, crispy onions and pancetta

Names of owners Simon and Leanne Hedges Name of chef Simon Hedges Established 2022 Type of food served Classic British cuisine with Mediterranean influence. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Covers Up to 50 with outdoor seating

Disabled access No

Drinks A full range of soft drinks and wine list with an extensive cocktail selection Atmosphere A relaxed, cosy and intimate vibe – it feels like your ‘local’ where everyone knows your name

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 41

Bringing you the very best of Colombia! 6 Abbeygate St, Bath BA1 1NP 01225 316774 Info@thecolombiancompany.com www.thecolombiancompany.com

Rosa Scott’s kitchen at Flourish at Glenavon lives by one simple motto: ‘Eat Well, Do Well, Feel Great’

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FOODIE SPECIAL

KEY

INGREDIENTS From local produce to a great team to imaginative menus, we learn what makes a restaurant great By Lydia Tewkesbury

great restaurant is one big, interconnected system. It needs a strong team with a pioneering chef at the helm, a creative menu packed with local produce you just can’t find anywhere else – and the less tangible but utterly vital atmosphere to pull it all together Here, we get to know the chefs, producers and culinary creations that make our foodie landscape unique.

FLOURISH AT GLENAVON, Glenavon Farm, Bath Road, Saltford; www.flourishatglenavon.co.uk What’s it like? his light, bright farm shop and caf o ers the best

“Head chef Rosa Scott is a stereotype-smashing culinary whizz”

of all things local and wholesome. Flowers bloom on all the tables, the team are all smiles and Flourish’s motto, ‘Eat Well, Do Well, Feel Great’ is in action in abundance. Meet the chef: Head chef Rosa Scott is a stereotype-smashing 26-year-old culinary whizz who has created a supportive and caring kitchen – no mean feat – where her team of nine can shine. After studying for a Culinary Arts anagement B c at the London chool of Hospitality and Tourism, she spent some time in kitchen management and worked her way up the ladder in several independent restaurants and farm shops before landing at Flourish. The produce: It’s as local as it gets – coming directly from the Flourish butchery, which uses meat sourced only from Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire-based farms like Stillmans and Prestige Pork. The meat is cut and prepped on site – and when diners fall in love (inevitable) it can be purchased over the counter to take home. Recommends: “Our brioche French toast from the breakfast menu is a must-try, says arina Abraham, marketing and events manager at Flourish. “You can enjoy yours with crispy home-cured bacon, maple syrup and cinnamon, rhubarb and vanilla compote with fresh seasonal fruits, or chocolate sauce, banana and candied nuts.”

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ABOVE: Electric Bear favourite brews, guest street food and live music are all regular

features at the Taproom; RIGHT: Robun’s head chef Jon Claro has worked at top Japanese restaurants around the country

TAPROOM, Electric Bear Brewery, Unit 12, The Maltings, Brassmill Lane, Bath; www.electricbearbrewing.com

The joint: The Taproom at the Electric Bear Brewery regularly sees queues around the block to the unique little spot, which features 10 of Electric Bear’s latest, freshest craft beers of all styles on tap. Think easy drinking to highly hopped, high strength varieties from the core range – crowd favourites like i tape, ondo and errrd – and special one-o brews. Taproom manager Will also brings in his passion for music, making the most of the space for live music, DJs, stand-up comedy and more. Describe it in three: Urban, rustic, VIBES. When can you eat?: Every Friday and Saturday the Taproom hosts a rotating selection of local street food vendors. hey o er something di erent every week, with recent appearances from he erk ard, serving up the best traditional Caribbean jerk chicken, rice and peas, Sri-Licious bringing tasty Sri Lankan-inspired street food, and the travelling seafood and oyster caravan, WinklePicker. Community matters: Electric Bear recently teamed up with Bath Cats and Dogs Home for a limited-edition light and refreshing session I A, which featured di erent illustrations of cats and dogs to raise awareness of those pets still searching for their forever home. From each can sold 30p went to the charity. What should we try?: Libby Baggett, digital marketing manager says, ondo, our iterative five per cent pale ale, is always five per cent, always pale, and always juicy his core beer is brewed using a di erent hop profile on every batch, making each variation a must try – and it’s the cheapest price in Bath.”

ROBUN, 4 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath; www.robun.co.uk

The vibe: Everything about Robun has been carefully curated for an authentically apanese e perience. he menu is filled with sushi, sashimi and sharing plates, and includes akiniku dishes cooked over a fire – a method of cooking first popularised by the restaurant’s namesake, Kanagaki Robun. Drinks-wise, the menu is anchored around sake, Japanese whiskey and Japanese-inspired cocktails. Diners

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

eat with a backdrop of the ames of the obata grill and chefs hard at work with exceptional knife skills on full display. Introducing the chef: Head chef Jon Claro has done time in top -based apanese restaurants like he Ivy Asia t. aul and en en at Soho Farmhouse. Local connections: Our meat, fish and drinks re uirements are highly specialised, so not everything is available to us locally,” says Roger Payne, Robun’s owner. “But we do use local producers wherever we can, including Larkhall Butchers, who supply us with some wonderful cuts of meat. We also enjoy collaborating with other local businesses for special events, including tasting nights with Novel Wines. e absolutely love their selection of wines from o the beaten track – Bath is very lucky to have them.” Roger recommends: Our ribeye agyu is a real favourite. It’s ame grilled on our Robata and served on a small Konro grill over Japanese charcoal, so it’s a wonderful combination of tradition and theatre.”

FOODIE SPECIAL THE MARLBOROUGH TAVERN, 35 Marlborough Buildings; www.marlborough-tavern.com

Where is it?: This cosy, welcoming pub a stone’s throw from the Royal

Crescent serves up some of the best seasonal pub grub around. Who’s the chef? ead chef ack carterfield started his career in Bath before spending nine years in London at a seafood restaurant, a year in Thailand and then four years on Exmoor learning about farm to plate cuisine from the experts. He brings his breadth of experience to the av, and it shows in the e ceptional dishes on o er. What’s local?: Jack is particularly loving wild garlic at the moment, which is foraged and as local as it gets. Menu must tries: Something for everyone – pork tomahawk for the meat lovers, the baby monkfish for seafood lovers, and the tofu curry for vegans.

EIGHT STONY STREET, Frome; www.eightstonystreet.com

What’s it all about?: The glass fronted restaurant at the bottom of

Frome’s historic Catherine Hill is a wine lover’s haven. Floor-to-ceiling racks of bottles display a portion of its o erings – with available by the glass.

Who’s in the kitchen?: Head chef Dominique Goltinger honed his

craft in top London restaurants before making the move down to the West Country to immersive himself in the production and provenance of fine foods from their roots. “Doms’ foodie philosophy is ‘simplicity is key’, using only the finest of local ingredients that are produced to the highest possible standards, says ent Barker, owner of ight tony treet. Dom creates dishes where every little thing on the plate could be called the hero of the dish, yet they all work together in perfect harmony.” One must have: “Why stop at one?” says Kent. “Why not get your evening started with one of our inventive cocktails? I recommend the clarified colada, a jazzy re-imagining of the classic pi a colada – and it’s dairy-free. Cocktail in hand, let’s move on to your starter – the Pidgeon pastrami’s delicate blend of spices and moreish labneh really sets the tone of Dom’s food journey. For mains, our sourdough woodfired pizzas are amazing, and the rainbow chard is a stunning vegan option. It is awe-inspiring – the perfect blend of sweet and salty, and you can add some goats cheese for the non-vegan pallet. o finish o , I would have our ourless chocolate torte with salted caramel gelato. So light yet rich, it is far more luscious than anything else I have eaten – with or without our.

The Marlborough Tavern’s head chef Jack spent time on Exmoor honing his farm to fork philosophy

“Simplicity is key”

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FOODIE SPECIAL

LEFT: The Castle Inn’s chef Jamie Barnett favours meat from New Macdonald’s Farm near Bath; ABOVE: The Moorfields’ menu will suit everyone from families to students

THE MOORFIELDS, 73 Third Avenue, Bath; www.the oor elds.co

The vibe: Oldfield ark’s new favourite local, this spot has a warm and cosy feel and hosts an eclectic mix, from families to students. Meet the chef: Head chef Lucy Hartley has worked her way up through the ranks of the Bath Pub Company, which owns The oorfields, starting her career with them five years ago as a chef de partie. he’s now head chef at Oldfield ark pub, where she’s in charge of a beautiful menu of crowd pleasing dishes. What’s local? Lucy is big on foraging, and incorporates her finds into the menu. Inspired by a recent sta trip to a farm, she has just launched homemade Simple Cow ricotta cheese with foraged wild garlic, heritage tomatoes and beetroot trips. Local – and an absolute must try dish.

MACDONALD BATH SPA HOTEL, Sydney Road, Bathwick, Bath; www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/bath

Scene setting: he lu urious five-star hotel in Bathwick hosts dinner in

what was once its ballroom. The Bath Spa Hotel is a location curated for relaxation, a place to unwind and recharge – and its refreshing menu of modern British cuisine re ects this ethos. Meet the chef: Jonathan Machin has worked for Macdonald Hotels for over 11 years, where he has climbed the ranks from senior sous chef to executive head chef. He has a passion for seasonal produce and together with the hotel’s head gardener Dominic James, he’s developing a kitchen garden vegetable patch.

Community matters: “Jon has always had a passion for training new chefs and sharing his knowledge of the industry,” says Raj Chakraborty, general manager at Bath Spa Hotel. “Most recently, he has begun working with Bath College and supporting students beginning their careers in hospitality. He is a great mentor to young chefs, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds.” Raj recommends: Our venison fillet (onion ash, glazed baby carrots, potato pave, charred onion and red wine jus) paired beautifully with a glass of Vivanco Reserva, Rioja.”

THE CASTLE INN, West Street, Castle Combe; www.exclusive.co.uk/the-castle-inn

The feel: The 12th century inn beckons to visitors of the magical

Insta-haven of Castle Combe. Inside, rich dark woods, roaring fireplaces and the burble of happily chatting punters create a cosy, welcoming feel. The chef: Head chef Jamie Barnett joined The Castle Inn last year following stints at Lucknam Park, The Lygon Arms and Bowood House. He’s all about great pub grub from the best local producers – with minimal waste left over. Who are some of your local producers? “My favourite has to be ew acdonald’s Farm (near Bath) organic ersey beef, using retired dairy cows. he avour is outstanding – the fat is beautiful and yellow, the meat deep red. As well as being full of avour, they are also doing their bit for the environment, and use the milk from the cows to supply another one of my suppliers, The Old Cheese Rooms at Neston Park.” Must try: “At lunch, the soft shell crab bun or the ox cheek Benedict are a must, but dinner I would love to say maybe try our Cornish pollock, devilled clams, cauli pakoras and monks beard.”

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FOODIE SPECIAL

CLOCKWISE: The classic margarita comes highly recommended as Dos Dedos; at Eight Stony Street there’s always wine with dinner; Sugarcane Studios offers Asian-infused French patisserie

SUGARCANE STUDIO, 1 Grove Street, Bath; www.sugarcanestudio.co.uk Set the scene: his tiny caf o

DOS DEDOS, Edgar Mews, Bartlett Street, Bath; www.dosdedos.co.uk

What to expect: Bold colours and good vibes. This jam-packed little

bar and restaurant serves up an extensive menu of over 100 mezcals and tequilas, an extensive cocktail list, and a short, taco-heavy food menu to help soak up the booze. The team behind the bar includes a couple of musicians, as you can tell by the brilliant playlist. Who are you working with?: Harry Bret, co-owner says, “Our tacos come from The Little Tortilleria in Bristol, all our meat is from Larkhall Butchers, we use Arthur David for fresh fruit and veg, and Somerset Chilli Co’s hot sauces.” Harry’s hot tip: “Our carnitas negras tacos are the best, and super fresh and delicious at this time of year. If you want to try them, you’ll need to get in quick as exciting new things are on the way. “Drinks-wise, it’s hard to beat a refreshing largarita at lunch or a classic margarita at dinner.”

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

ulteney Bridge serves up an inventive menu of East Asian-infused French patisserie, with a drinks menu including matcha and hojicha from Japan, and oolong and red jade tea from Taiwan. The look is bright, summery and inspired by its Taiwanese heritage, and the playlist includes Taiwanese artists old and new – something owner Fang- u Lin says you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Meet the chef: “I originally trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London,” says Fang-Yu, who is also Sugarcane Studio’s head pastry chef. “Subsequently, I spent the next few years working in several hotels and restaurants in London and Taipei. One of these places that inspired me to start my own shop was a Japanese cake shop in London called Lanka. When I moved to Bath, I left the industry for a short while, but it wasn’t long before I started making and selling my patisserie at Bath Farmer’s Market, where we still trade on the weekends. After receiving so much positive feedback opening a shop was the next logical progression.” Local suppliers: Co ee beans are from oundhill oastery, milk comes from Ivy House Farm and apple juice is from Druce’s Juices, one of Sugarcane Studios’ fellow vendors at the Bath Farmer’s Market. What to try: Fang-Yu switches up the menu often, but most weekends you’ll find delicious matcha mille crepe – a layered pancake cake with matcha cream – and the matcha yuzu tart, which won a Great Taste Award last year.

TIMBRELL’S YARD, 49 Margaret’s Street, Bradford on Avon; www.timbrellsyard.com

What to expect: The airy, double height restaurant is a dreamy

summer location, with views of the winding iver Avon, a terrace packed with dog walkers and their pampered pooches pausing to refuel, and a chilled mi of adult and family groups. he menu is filled with fuss-free crowd pleasers, West Country ciders, local gins and an excellent wine list.

Crescent Restaurant & Bar is nestled in one of the beautiful side streets of Bath, just a stone’s throw away from the famous Royal Crescent landmark. Serving a fresh all-day menu, inspired by life-long culinary experiences of husband & wife duo Simon & Leanne, who strive to deliver a quality dining experience what-ever time of the day or night. 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.

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 menu is ed wit fuss-free rowd easers

ABOVE: Enjoy a meal with a view of the winding River Avon at Timbrell’s Yard

Who’s in the kitchen?: Executive chef Tom Blake and head chef Rob Russell-Cooke work closely to craft a delicious, varied menu. Tom, who has been with Timbrell’s since it opened, was previously head chef at River Cottage, and brought with him a network of growers and producers to create farm to fork dishes. Local heroes: “We always use local if we can,” says Natalie ZvonekLittle, operations manager at Timbrell’s. “Meat, eggs, cheese and yogurt are all sourced from local farmers, and bread, cakes and sauces are made in-house daily. Rare-breed pork farmer Jim Baker in Wedmore has been with us from the start, and his Old Spot pigs are a regular feature on our menu. Just now you can enjoy crispy roasted Old pot belly stu ed with salsa verde and served with herb gnocchi, butternut squash, celeriac puree and kale. Award-winning charcuterie comes from the Real Cure, eggs from Rupert’s Fancy Fowls, cream and butter come from Crook & Churn, and burrata and pecorino from White Lake Farm.” Natalie recommends: e have an outstanding vegan o ering. Don’t miss the beetroot and kale rotolo with feta salsa, wild garlic and braised

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

shallot, followed by the warm chocolate brownie with miso and sesame praline, and rum and brown sugar ice cream.”

WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL & SPA, Easton Grey, Malmesbury; www.whatleymanor.com

The foodie offering: The luxurious hotel renowned for its eco-

friendly ethos o ers not one but two restaurants rey’s Brasserie, where guests can dine a la carte in the evenings, and the Michelin reen tar holder (which recognises sustainable gastronomy) he Dining oom with an accomplished seasonal menu all of its own. In the kitchen: “Ricki Weston is our executive chef,” says Eloise ordon, sales and marketing manager at the hotel. e was head chef at Whatley Manor before taking on the helm from Niall Keating, who moved on at the end of the year. Ricki previously worked at Restaurant Sat Bains. Shortly after joining the team, Ricki took part in the 2019 Roux Scholarship, where he was one of 18 young chefs who reached the regional finals of the competition. icki brings a fresh focus on the finest British ingredients and some interesting

FOODIE SPECIAL traditional cooking techniques, all of which perfectly complement our sustainability goals.” Local delights: ou’ll always find beef sourced from om akefield on the menu. is herd of Aberdeen Angus cows feed on the fields right next door to the hotel. Must have menu picks: According to Eloise, it has to be the plum dessert from he Dining oom menu.

ROSEATE VILLA BATH, Henrietta Road, Bathwick, Bath; www.roseatehotels.com What’s it like? his cosy escape on peaceful

enrietta treet opposite the park is every inch the luxurious treat. Known especially for their spectacular afternoon teas lovingly prepared by pastry chef Norma Peralta Estanciero – enjoy yours tucked away in the Henrietta Bar or on the hotel’s tranquil lawns, where birdsong takes the place of a playlist. Feeling something savoury hen try out one of the hotel’s delicious sourdough pizza options. Who are your local favourites? Pastry chef Norma says, “From the Good Egg Company that has the best eggs in the area to Jimmy Deane’s, a local independent family greengrocers established in 1970, bringing the quality fresh fruit, vegetables and salad – we love supporting local produce. It allows our creativity to ow even better. As an example, when we see a tray of fresh strawberries – we would pick it up and turn it into our strawberry jam for breakfast.” Must try: he afternoon tea, obviously. Brimming with homemade treats, Norma even prepares themed cakes for special occasions, and has exciting (and delicious) plans to mark the Platinum Jubilee. n

LEFT: Whatley Manor’s executive chef Ricki reached the regional finals of the Roux Scholarship; BELOW: At Roseate Villa head pastry chef Norma has prepared special treats to celebrate the Jubilee

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Experience real Moroccan food cooked and served in a distinctive and traditional manner, together with warm hospitality in beautiful Moroccan surroundings.

S PA N I S H C A F É A N D D E L I Our outdoor area is superb in warmer weather making the perfect place to catch up with friends and family. Take a seat and enjoy the shisha pipe and its flavour of tobacco. Don't forget to savour our traditional Moroccan fresh mint tea whilst sharing our famous and authentic cold and hot mezzo.

1A North Parade Bath, BA1 1LF Reservations: 01225 839822 Enquiries: 01225 466437

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Experience the new menus by Executive Chef Ricki Weston and his team Bursting with flavour. Choose either the Michelin-starred restaurant ‘The Dining Room’, or Grey’s Brasserie. Enjoy a one-night break with dinner in Grey’s Brasserie from £449. Or the Michelin star experience with dinner in The Dining Room from £784. Book online whatleymanor.com or call reservations on 01666 822 888

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ON THE TRAIL

More than 30 artists open their studio doors or create a pop-up exhibition at this year’s Bear Flat Artists Arts Trail. Discover a hive of creativity all within walking distance of each other, on the weekend of 21 – 22 May. Visitors exploring this free event can expect a dynamic mix of painting, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, photography, wood turning, glass, illustration, and upholstery, along with the chance to meet the artists, such as James Nunn whose work is featured here. Owl by James Nunn, £595, Venue 5: 54 Longfellow Avenue; www.jamesnunn.co.uk or more www earflatartists o www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 57

BIOMORPHISM 1 BY JAY HOFMANNFORSTER, £80 Jay’s personal arts practice is grounded in observational figurative work and abstraction. His current series of biomorphic paintings and digital renderings explores the tension that exists between cognition and intuition. Venue 10: 3 Longfellow Avenue; Instagram @jayhofmannforster

BEAR FLAT ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS 2022 Discover the creativity of the Bear Flat Artists 21 – 22 May

VASE BY CLARE HUBBLE, £50 Inspired by natural forms, Clare hand builds ceramic vases and owerpots. Venue 7: 36 Longfellow Avenue; www are e om

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

POSSIBILITIES BY PEY OH, £50 UNFRAMED / £80 FRAMED LIMITED EDITION Pey Oh is a local Bath observer and photographer. She creates playful dreamy images and double e posures with botanical, landscape, and street photography of the world as she sees it. Venue 2: 10 Shelley Road; Insta ram @ ve e ement aromatherapy

WILDERNESS BY NICK MINERS, £180 ick is a freelance photographer who works for architects and interior designers around the world. is work includes traditional landscape photography alongside more abstract images of both architecture and the great outdoors. en e er d e d ar www ni miners oto ra om

CONCORDIA RAKU DOVE BY YVONNE ELSTON, £108 Yvonne’s handmade sculptural ceramics explore the beauty of the curve through the form of a bird using a range of glazing methods. Venue 9: 30 Longfellow ven e a e oo @ vonne ston erami s

ED’S CHOICE LARGE HEART OF GLASS NECKLACE BY EMMA AYRES, £65 Emma is the founder and designer-maker of the Dollydagger fashion and homeware label, and is exhibiting her range of jewellery, mixed media art, and womenswear. en e er d e d ar Instagram @emmalouiseayres

STORMY SKIES BY KRISTINE O’CONNOR, £450 Kristine is an American abstract artist who made Bath her home over 20 years ago. As well as painting large colourful geometric paintings, she has been inspired during lockdown by the countryside around Bath to create her vibrant landscapes. en e ower d e d ar Instagram @kristineoconnor

URBAN LANDSCAPE BY MAGGIE SIMONSEN, £180 Maggie is an abstract artist working with acrylic and mixed media on canvas and board using a variety of di erent techni ues. Her latest work is a culmination of techniques of forms, shapes and depth in her visual line. Venue 3: 46 Shakespeare Avenue; Instagram @maggie.abstract.art

PREPARATION BY SALLY POLLITZER, £305 Sally works with stained glass and paint. Over the past two years she has used the allotments as subject matter for her striking glass panels. en e oom e d oad www.sally-pollitzer.co.uk

MONDRIAN INSPIRED CAKE STAND BY SUZANNE BAGINSKI, £65 Suzanne creates unique designs in her workshop near Bear Flat. She aims to create vibrant, contemporary glassware for the home and garden – much of which displays a lovingly hand-crafted bumble bee. Venue 16: 15 Maple Gardens; www.beehappyglassdesigns.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 59

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SCHOOL GUIDE VICTORIA BOND Fun holiday activities can help a university application hit its target

Proactive

How to help boost your child’s CV this summer rming your child with a ourishing CV is becoming increasingly important, and school holidays are perfect for upping the extracurricular oomph. If termtime over-scheduling fills you with dread, the idea of booking an activity holiday with a bunch of overachievers in Lycra may not sound much like a break. There’s also the challenge of getting surly children on board with the idea. My older son was 13 when we first sampled a week away with an all-inclusive activity timetable. His reaction: “I’m not doing things. I’m definitely not doing things with other kids.” e switched over to a di erent kind of family break a few years ago and the result was the best kind of switching o . Choose a resort with an accredited kids’ club – usually wrongly named as they go right up to age 17 – and instructors who will introduce them to sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, tennis or mountain biking, and there’s a high probability that they will give a new skill a go. hy Because

there are other kids there, and they are all in the same boat – often quite literally. Mark Warner resorts are brilliant at o ering these options. There is also re-wilding resorts such as Camp Wilderness that o er the opportunity to learn bushcraft skills with safari-style accommodation, and even good old PGL – now classified as a veteran outdoor activity provider – can teach whole families to fence. For my boys, messing about with mates on the beach turned into CV-worthy RYA sailing ualifications. I can’t imagine spending weeks by a muddy grey lake in Britain to get them to do the same level. They swapped a few hours on the Aegean for a few less hours on a sun lounger listening to Spotify. Total result. Summertime CVs don’t just sparkle with ‘posh’ sports either.

In fact, it doesn’t have to be any sport. I spoke to one parent who decided to use the six-week break to enrol her son on an art course to make sure he had a portfolio ready for an art scholarship interview in the autumn. “Better than a tutor,” she said when he gained a sought-after place over peers who’d focused purely on academics. Nor do you have to jump on a plane to find a brilliant activity centre. Trying something like dry-slope tobogganing or archery might just turn into something that becomes a stand-out extra line on a job application in years to come. Any activity outside the classroom will help build what psychologists call self-concept. It enables us to recognise ourselves as a good team player, punctual, adaptable, or resilient. These may be soft skills but they are as valuable to future employers

“Any activity outside the classroom will help build what psychologists call self-concept”

as being good at maths. Plus, in an educational world that is increasingly super focused on assessments, self-assessment is an important skill in itself. It’s the di erence between ‘do this’ and ‘how am I doing ’. If your child is thinking about a university application, there’s also plenty of personal statement summer lovin’ to be had. UCAS forms are centred on the super-curricular rather than the extracurricular (sorry, Duke of Edinburgh die-hards): enrichment activities that show you have taken the subject that you want to study, further than what you have learnt in school. Podcasts, documentaries, and online competitions all add value, and again, no travel required. Victoria Bond is founder and CEO of School Guide, an easy-to-use website that helps parents discover exam results, catchment maps and parent reviews for all their local schools. For more: www.schoolguide.co.uk

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It’s the city’s business

BATHWORKS THIS ISSUE >>BURDELL’S YARD LAUNCH (66) >>BIZ Q&A ROSE DEDMAN (68) >>AWARDS RETAIL WINNERS SUAVE OWL (70) Wonderfund has so far raised funds for 4,000 free Egg theatre tickets to be given to state schools

Small wonders The Egg theatre’s Wonderfund, which enables schools to visit for free, is extended thanks to extra funding

he Egg Theatre’s Wonderfund is set to extend beyond 12 months. The Wonderfund was originally conceived to help welcome schools back to the theatre in the post-Covid climate, but when organisers from The Egg described a dream scenario in which they raised enough money to triple the number of performances for schools and make all tickets free, organisations including the Roper Family Charitable Trust reached out and the theatre saw the potential to keep the programme going beyond its initial goals. “We started to see that, with ongoing support, we could extend the Wonderfund programme beyond 2022,” says Andrea Harris, head of

development at Theatre Royal Bath. “It feels like a real victory when prestigious local trusts such as The Roper Family Charitable Trust, The Medlock Charitable Trust and The Linder Foundation recognise children’s ability to access the arts as vital to their well-being, education and fulfilment. To date, the Wonderfund has raised funds needed to o er up to , gg theatre tickets to state schools over the next 12 months and alleviate barriers such as transport and teacher cover for schools facing the greatest hardship. Lexi Learmond, founder and owner of the Broad Street store Always Sunday, is one of those supporting the initiative. She says, “The next generation who will be contributing to our thriving creative community is already here, but they might

not realise it if they aren’t invited to be a part of the arts at an early age. “Like so many other companies in Bath, Always Sunday is built on creative ideas by passionate souls, but we won’t be sustainable without investing into our future and the Wonderfund represents that opportunity. “We join this mission with pride to give back to the city that makes us and inspires us to see the beauty in everything.” A full schedule of Wonderfund activities will be announced soon, and includes a dance tour designed for school playgrounds, and many opportunities for children to see live performance at The Egg all the way up until Christmas 2022 and beyond. For more: www.theatreroyal.org

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TAKING EXTRA CARE Dementia coordinators at the oyal nited ospitals ( ) Foundation rust have been praised for improving the e perience of being in hospital for those who have dementia. The RUH’s service has been redesigned and a new dementia support worker role introduced to ma imise the number of patients the service is able to support and provide one-onone time. he team have been recognised for their e orts with first place prize in the hospital’s Improving atient perience Awards. “We know that being in an unfamiliar environment, such as a hospital, can be di cult for those who have dementia at the best of times, but during and following the pandemic, our team recognised how important it was to upscale the care we provide, says Astrid iddom, dementia co-ordinator at the . e particularly wanted to focus on delivering care tailored to each individual, that’s why we introduced the dementia support worker role to the team. A key element of the role is about befriending – getting to know our patients on a one-to-one basis to help us provide truly personalised care. For more: www.ruh.nhs.uk

Renee Jacobs, founder of B in Bath has a series of workshops coming up this month on workplace belonging

RUH chief executive presented the dementia care team with their Award

A SENSE OF BELONGING Business network B in Bath is running a series of workshops this month. The Belonging in Business series aims to cultivate belonging within the workplace, looking at overcoming common barriers to inclusivity in the work environment. “We are very excited to launch the Belonging in Business orkshop series, which o ers small to medium sized businesses support on their journeys to creating inclusive organisations,” says Renée Jacobs, founder of B in Bath. “The

interactive workshops will give attendees a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities around diversity, equality and inclusion, and actionable takeaways that they can implement within their own organisations.” he event includes topics such as inclusive marketing, an introduction to equality, diversity and inclusion, and how individuals can impact belonging in our work and personal lives. For more: www.bib-network.org

Wiltshire-based beauty brand Maysama harnesses the power of Rooibos tea leaves

BEAU-TEA-FUL! Edington-based green rooibos infused skincare brand MAYSAMA has gone from strength to strength since launching in the lockdown of 2020. The brand from founder Bev May Sanderson has achieved global recognition and won industry awards, with her Green Rooibos Pressed Serum winning silver at the Pure Beauty Awards and making the Editor’s Choice Beauty shortlist. “I have long been a devotee of rooibos tea,” says Bev. Its anti-in ammatory properties have helped manage my rosacea. The tea comes from fresh leaves, which have not been oxidised and so have a higher antio idant potential than traditional rooibos. For more: www.maysama.com

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BATHWORKS Rosamund McCarthy Etherington

A postgraduate course in football medicine is launching at University of Bath in September

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC

KICKING OFF

STAR RECRUIT

A brand-new postgraduate course in football medicine is launching this September at the University of Bath. The applied MSc in Football Medicine is a part-time distance learning course aimed at ualified doctors and will be run in association with FIFA. “This is a really exciting course to launch, which aims to significantly improve access to high-quality, postgraduate education for football medicine internationally,” says

Top ranked charity lawyer Rosamund McCarthy Etherington has joined the charity team at Stone King. Rosamund is included in the Hall of Fame category by the Legal 500 directory and top ranked by Chambers and Partners. She joins Stone King’s 50-strong team of charity lawyers. “It has always been a great privilege to support the incredible work of charities, trustees and philanthropists both nationally and internationally. I’m e cited to continue assisting not-for-profit organisations to grow and thrive in what are very challenging times, alongside my new colleagues at Stone King,” says Rosamund of her new role. www.stoneking.co.uk

BOULE’D OVER

BRIGHT FUTURES

outh est accountancy firm onahans has a new look. The multi-award-winning firm’s complete rebrand demonstrates a fresh approach to innovation and adaptability to meet the evolving needs of its existing and potential clients in a post-Covid, digitally transformative time. “Today’s rebrand marks the start of an exciting new era for Monahans,” says Simon Tombs, managing partner at the accountancy firm. As the country, and the rest of the world, grapples with continual changes and challenges, Monahans’ ambition is to guide businesses and individuals through the ne t potential hurdles with confidence, clarity, and commitment. Our new brand signifies, for both Monahans and our clients, an invigorated sense of looking forward. While the past two years have been incredibly turbulent, now is the time to bravely take strides towards a brighter future.” www.monahans.co.uk

director of studies for the course, Dr Carly McKay from the University’s Department for Health. “Through Bath’s world-leading e perts and FIFA’s industry insights, students on the course will learn from the latest research and developments within football medicine, building key skills that will enable them to apply their learning to pitchside clinical practice.” For more: www.bath.ac.uk

John Salter at the 2021 Bath Boules

On 20 May the Bath Boules 2022 is launching with a breakfast event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bath. Meet some of this year’s competing teams, hear all the latest updates from the organisers and learn more about how to get involved. The Bath Boules takes place 22 – 24 July in Queen Square, where it takes over for a weekend bringing with it food, drink, live entertainment and – hopefully – bright sunshine. Team tickets are selling fast – availability for Friday especially is very limited. The best way to guarantee a spot for your team is to become a Boules sponsor. There are various levels of sponsorship, and come with benefits like your logos on Boules advertising, the chance to have a banner in Queen Square during the event and team entry on the day of your choice. You can hear more about sponsorship at the launch breakfast on 20 May, starting at 8am. For more: www.bathboules.com

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SPONSORED BY:

BATHWORKS

LEFT: Rose Dedman; BELOW: Rose focuses on capturing

everyday family moments in her photography

BIZ Q&A

Rose Dedman The family photographer with a different approach

ose Dedman is an awardwinning documentary photographer whose work has featured in Vogue Italia and RISE. She specialises in documenting everyday family life, capturing the eeting moments of early childhood, as well as documenting weddings and brands with a natural, pose-free approach. Have you always loved photography, Rose? I have been using a camera as far back as I can remember in some form or another – snapping memories and storing up boxes and boxes of prints under my bed to look back on. This has now graduated to digital imagery (thank goodness ) and fine art frames of all colours across my walls. And why family photography? My passion for photography was renewed when I had my children – I fell in love with unposed, natural

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family photography during this time. I found that the most beautiful images were usually when children were not trying to perform or smile for the camera, but simply being themselves and forgetting about the camera all together. As well as my own children, I started photographing children of friends, people started recommending me to others – and the business grew from there. How would you describe your work, and its aims? I love to celebrate the beauty of every life, individuality, connections between family members and to highlight particularly the dependency that children have on their parents in the short years when they are small. The aim is to create a keepsake – a story all about their unique family life together. Has the business changed much over the years? I have added personal branding photography to my portfolio, using storytelling imagery to bring brands to life in a very authentic light, giving

entrepreneurs and small business owners confidence in their presence online. I have also ventured into documentary wedding photography, which is perfect for those relaxed couples who are more interested in celebrating and creating memories with their loved ones than posing for hundreds of group shots.

things they love to do together, in places that mean something to them, where they feel most comfortable. This means that I am able to capture real moments, real emotions, and create a beautifully meaningful and unique family story.

What exactly is documentary photography? he main di erence between the documentary photography I do, and the more traditional studio or lifestyle photography, is that I do not pose people or give them directions.

What’s your favourite shoot you’ve ever done? It’s so hard to choose a favourite shoot because I get to meet so many amazing and di erent families all the time. I love the energy and dynamics of children and the facial expressions are often priceless. The range of emotions on display is wonderful – children certainly wear their emotions on their sleeves. I often find that the families with very energetic children make the best shoots though, as they keep me on my toes and present me with many di erent situations to capture on camera.

What can people expect during a session with you? I just spend time with a family and photograph what they get up to –

For more: www.rosededmanphotography.com

“I FELL IN LOVE WITH UNPOSED, NATURAL FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY”

SPONSORED BY:

BATHWORKS

Qualifed nurse Jessica Harvey and Tony Harvey, who is ex-armed forces founded Retail Award winner SUAVE OWL five years ago

“WE HAD A SHARED VISION AND THE TENACITY TO MAKE IT WORK”

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2022 Jessica Harvey, owner of SUAVE OWL on the growing brand’s Bath Life Awards win

What’s been difficult lately?

RETAIL WINNER uave Owl is an independent menswear retailer founded five years ago by husband and wife team Jessica and Tony Harvey. The Bath shop and its online o ering provides formal and casual wear for men across various brands, including its own. Well done on the winning a Bath Life Award! How did it feel?

Amazing. We were hopeful, knowing how the business has ourished, but it still took us by surprise. It’s really nice to be recognised and celebrated. It’s a great boost for the team.

How were you both on the night?

We just came to enjoy the evening. No thought crossed our minds of going up to collect an Award, so when that time arrived, we were completely lost for words. I’m sure video footage will just show two deer caught in the headlights! 70 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Where do you keep the Award?

It’s basking in our shop window, but we’ll probably move it somewhere a little more humble soon… Why was this your year?

Suave Owl has really come into its own. The pandemic slowed things down, but we resolved to come through stronger. Relocating to Milsom Street during the second lockdown has given us a great platform to grow from. We are fast becoming a favourite shop for many. In a nutshell, what made you stand out to this year’s judges?

Probably the great experience that we give and the fantastic customer feedback we receive as a result. The support of our customers and the subse uent referrals are re ected in our recent footfall and sales. Are you and Tony from a retail background?

hen ony and I first started uave Owl, nearly five years ago,

neither of us had a clue what we were doing, or what we were getting ourselves into. We just had a shared vision and the tenacity to make it so. I was a ualified nurse, ony ex-Forces; people thought we were mad. I guess we must have been to an extent. But here we are – Bath Life Awards 2022 Retail Winners. Was there one moment when you both thought: we are onto something here?

It’s made up from lots of little moments. Usually, they come from customers. Those who might step in with no real expectations, but leave on a high. That’s when we are achieving our goal. What do you really love about working on Suave Owl?

Not only achieving the goals that we set out to, but exceeding others that we had not even envisioned at the beginning. I love that because it is ours, we can take it wherever we want to. The sky’s the limit.

Most recently, supply chain disruption has been very frustrating because we cannot confidently guarantee stock replenishment within specific time frames. However, we have managed to maintain a smooth front of house service with no disappointments. And what’s has got you excited about work right now?

I’m so excited about further growing our own brand. I can’t wait to really get out there in front of people with our clothing lines and see more people fall in love with them. What’s the best part about working in this city?

Of course Bath is such a beautiful city – we just need to find the time to explore more. However all work and no play, has mean connecting with the local business community comes easy. We’ve experienced such a supportive network, and it’s great to be a part of that. For more: Suave Owl, 33 Milsom Street, Bath; www.suaveowl.co.uk

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

LEFT: Councillor Kevin Guy, Charles Gerrish, Councillor Tom Davies, and Councillor Richard Samuel; BELOW: The kitchen and dining area of one of the Joseph’s Court properties

New builds

SUSTAINED EFFORT New sustainable homes acquired for shared ownership in Bath ew residents of two energy-e cient, a ordable houses in Bath are set to move in after the properties were formally ac uired by Bath orth ast omerset Council for shared ownership. he scheme o ers people who are unable to a ord a mortgage on per cent of their home to buy a share of a property and pay subsidised rent on the remaining share, making the total cost less than the market value. t oseph’s Court on ladebrook oad leads the way in sustainability by incorporating energy e ciency measures such as air source heat pumps and solar panels, which will save residents more than per cent on energy bills. he homes emit no net carbon in use, helping Bath orth ast omerset reach its target of net carbon zero by . All

properties benefit from electric vehicle charging points. Charles errish, chairperson of Ae uus, the council’s construction and development company, says, his e emplar development of low energy homes has demonstrated what can be achieved by developers and the important role housing has to play in meeting the climate emergency challenge. All the homes on the development are now sold and we are pleased that two of these will be supporting the council to provide more a ordable homes for our communities. For more: www.aequusdevelopments.co.uk

PROPERTY NEWS Garden landscaping

TAKE IT OUTSIDE The lockdown trend for enhancing our Bath outdoor spaces shows no sign of abating. Data shows that the number of people working from home more than doubled during the first lockdown and the shift away from commuting and the 9-5 in the o ce is set to continue as many leading businesses look to a future where employees spend more of their working hours at home. For garden designer Eliza Gray this has meant a series of landscape outdoor projects including a recent Holburne Park Eliza Gray garden. She explains, “It was to help life and styling coach Suzanne Prichard make the most of her new build town house in Holburne Park. Faced with an empty and bleak 6 x 10 metre building plot, Suzanne needed a warm and inviting space for her family and friends to enjoy and an attractive location for business meetings. After a series of consultations, she now opens her doors onto a tran uil oasis o ering both dining and relaxation areas.” For more: www.elizagraygardens.co.uk

Eliza helps design a tranquil oasis offering both dining and relaxation areas

Milestones

THIRTY YEARS AND COUNTING The HomeLets team celebrate turning 30

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Bath’s leading independent lettings agent, HomeLets, is set to celebrate a milestone birthday in May, as the company turns 30. HomeLets was established in 1992 and has grown organically over the past three decades as an independent family business. It is now a 13-strong team managing hundreds of residential properties spanning Bath and the surrounding area. For their first years in operation, HomeLets was based at 1 Edgar Buildings, before upsizing to their current o ces at eorge treet in to accommodate the firm’s growth. HomeLets has also supported a host of charities and organisations over the years including Agents Giving; Bath Bach Choir; Bath Boules; and the Bath Rugby Foundation. It is also the charity partner of the Forever Friends Appeal, the o cial charity of the oyal nited ospital Bath Foundation rust, which is spearheading the development of the RUH’s all-new Dyson Cancer Centre. The company’s managing director, Marcus Arundell, has been at the helm for more than eight years since the passing of his mother, HomeLets founder, Caroline Arundell. He says, “It has been a joy to see the team and business grow and develop, becoming a leading local player in our market. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and the true measure of success is to be able to grow and thrive as a business whilst being able to give something back.” For more: www.homeletsbath.co.uk

PROPERTY

HIGHMERE Matilda Walton explores a home ripe for reinvention

“The unusual bowed façade to the rear lends the property an imposing appearance”

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PROPERTY

ighmere at 32 Upper East Hayes in Camden is the perfect example of modern rustic living. From the exterior it has a pleasingly mysterious feel – tucked away from the road, it peeks out behind fine stone walls and a discreet latched door. he unusual bowed façade to the rear lends the property an imposing appearance – it inspires a sense of intrigue that only grows with each step over the threshold. Inside, it is as though you have slipped into another time – but somehow all the modern luxuries made it there with you (don’t question it). The décor bears all the hallmarks of cosy, peaceful rusticity. Chunky wooden furnishings, a natural, earthy colour palette and a stylish roughness characterise the interiors, with clever contemporary contrasts in the lighting choices, and the odd gold-accented co ee table to bring it all bang up to date. It’s gorgeously Georgian – think high ceilings and huge windows. Built in the early 18th century then remodelled in 1794 by John Palmer (whose notable works include St James’s Square and Theatre Royal Bath), the wellproportioned house is built of a pleasing mix of high Georgian and later Regency styles – it’s all elegant sash windows, tall ceilings and huge rooms. Highmere is a beautiful home, and it has room to

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grow. Currently, there is planning permission granted for the creation of an en-suite shower room for the master bedroom, and a pre-app planning application made for a contemporary glass box extension to the side of the property – an addition that would make the most of the exquisite views across the city and the south-facing gardens. With so many of us looking for a fresh beginning after two years of pandemic, a property such as this ripe for reinvention and innovation – and with some planning permission already in place – is an opportunity indeed. The garden is lovely – not only making the most of that amazing segmental bow on the southerly façade – but the views surrounding it. Peaceful and sheltered, the gardens are established and generous, with equal parts space for invention and to sit back and enjoy it all if you choose. An unusual – and remarkable – touch is the screened path at the end of the garden that leads to a shared parking area with allocated o -road parking accessed from Middle Lane below. A charming home with a convenient position – the city centre is a short walk in one direction and Larkhall a short walk in the other – with a strong Georgian look and exciting possibilities for remodelling, Highmere’s future is bright.

HOUSE NUMBERS Price

£1.55m

Bedrooms For more: Tim Bennett and Associates, Regency House, 3 Princes Street, Bath; www.timbennett andassociates.co.uk

FRESH OUTLOOK John Mather explores some of the new builds happening in and around Bath

here’s a lot to be said for buying a just-been-built, and not just because newness usually translates as no hidden horrifying refurbishment costs, and not just because the warranties and guarantees bring peace of mind. But also, along with high-end lu e and beautiful finishes, comes e orts towards sustainability and environmentally friendly buildings. ere we find out more...

SULIS DOWN, Combe Hay Lane, Bath; www.countrysidepartnerships.com

Countryside’s first scheme in the outh est is located on the southern edge of Bath. he development will bring homes to the . acre ulis Down site, of which per cent will be a ordable. Darren Dancey, managing director of Countryside artnerships outh est, tells us more… At what stage is the Sulis development?

e are launching our stunning new show home and marketing suite in ay and looking forward to showcasing ulis Down to future residents. he scheme has a lot to o er, with a range of two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom ats over garages (some with a separate study area), and two, three, four and five-bedroom homes for sale. rices range between , to , , and the elp to Buy scheme is available on a number of the properties. Tell us a little about the design

ulis Down is e emplar in terms of architecture, material uality and placemaking attributes. Designed in the Arts and Crafts vernacular by renowned architect Ben entreath, the development incorporates outstanding craftsmanship. There will be a mixture of render exteriors along with homes built in local Bath stone – its beautiful, warm honey colouring in-keeping with the city’s character and distinctive appearance.

The Sulis Down homes have been designed by renowned architect Ben Pentreath

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NEW BUILDS

“Creating sustainable communities is at the heart of what we do”

The Old Printworks homes have been built using Ecostock bricks

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NEW BUILDS In what ways have you looked at sustainability in this new build?

Creating sustainable communities is at the heart of what we do and it was important to us that the local environment was put at the forefront of this scheme. Therefore, we prioritised the ecological measures before starting the main construction on site. e are proud that the first home to be built at Sulis Down was our beautiful bat barn. ...and tell us a little about the interiors.

We are committed to delivering forever homes that excel in quality whilst also being sustainable and eco-friendly. We o er a range of homes with a lower environmental impact, lower running costs, and reduced maintenance. Each and every home we build provides e cient, modern heating systems and a brand-new boiler, saving homeowners money and energy.

FOXFIELDS, Hallatrow, Somerset; www.carterjonas.co.uk

The rural hamlet of Hallatrow is almost equal distant of Wells, Bath and Bristol, with the local town of Midsomer orton o ering a comprehensive range of amenities, as well as a number of festivals and events. Along with state and independent schools nearby, there are local leisure amenities with golf at Farrington Gurney and Mendip, and sailing on the Chew Valley lakes. We ask David Mackenzie, partner and head of the Bath o ce for a little more background What are the numbers of properties, and the range of prices?

There are ten properties ranging in value from £475,000 The Foxfields new development in Hallatrow was built on a brownfield site – £725,000. The properties are due to be completed this summer, and we have been marketing them o plan. e have had a wide range of interest from first time buyers through to downsizers. We’re guessing the site used to be a printworks... One of the key things that can help in this current market is that there is es, it’s the former Butler, anner Dennis site, one of Britain’s no onward chain. foremost colour printers, and established in 1845, and continued until 2014. It was where The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis was published, and also Ariel, a biography of the English Romantic poet What is the history of the site? ercy Bysshe helley, which was the first ever enguin book. It was a brownfield site, originally part of a larger farm. he disused railway line between Shepton Mallet and Bath ran through the land. Tell us more about the development The site has been designed with a focus on sustainability and biodiversity, with 1.5 acres of green How have you incorporated this into the building today? space across the development, new bat and bird boxes to provide additional habitat and 81 new trees The layout was determined by the arrangement of planted. Phases two and three will have hedgehog previous farm buildings and by giving the orientation highways, this is where a small hole is cut in the of the views to the rear. garden fence, creating a safe way for hedgehogs to pass through the garden and back to the wild. Any particular special features? he real selling point is the modern finish with the mature rural outlook to the back and the extensive communally owned What about the homes themselves? landscaped open spaces. The properties themselves have luxurious very home has a high- uality specification as well as designed to be kitchens with Bosch appliances high-end finish bathroom with energy e cient. hey are built using costock bricks that re uire under oor heating, plus utility areas, cloakrooms, en-suites and garages. per cent less carbon to manufacture than standard bricks. Features include triple-glazed windows and doors, smart meters, EPC rating B and infrastructure to aid future installation of electric car charging, THE OLD PRINTWORKS, Caxton Road, Frome; battery storage and solar panels to three and four-bedroom houses. www.acornpropertygroup.org Located in Frome, which was named The Best Place to Live in the South West by the Sunday Times in 2021, The Old Printworks is a collection of Are all the houses on the market now? one, two, three and four-bedroom homes. Winner of Best Residential here are three phases of the scheme, with the first phase all occupied. development at the 2021 Bath Property Awards, the homes are built Homes in the second phase are now for sale and we have seen high with energy e cient features, access to open green space, a children’s demand with 23 reservations in the last three months alone, and four play area and links to riverside walks along the River Frome. Delivering ‘early bird’ reservations taken on our latest apartment release. here an exciting new neighbourhood, there will also be a convenience shop is a range of properties on o er including one and two-bedroom on site as well as two other commercial units. To learn more, we put our apartments, with prices from £175,000, and three and four-bedroom questions to regional sales manager Bernice McKenna houses which start from £405,000. n

“One of the key things is that there is no onward chain”

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We happily take on domestic, commercial and industrial contracts; from a simple home redecoration through to a large scale business renovation. It is our company policy to ensure that every project is dealt with in a high quality professional manner and we are happy to make recommendations regarding materials to suit your needs and budget. We use all varieties of paint and wallpaper from all of the major brands, including; Farrow & Ball | Dulux Trade Crown Trade | Neptune | Little Greene

T: 01761 431354 E: enquiries@ashleycollinspainting.co.uk

www.ashleycollinspainting.co.uk

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

NORTON MASONRY LTD Stonework Specialists & General Builders

8 PICKFORD FIELDS, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4XU

Tel: 01761 232906 Mobile: 07901 712232

Email: nortonmasonryltd@hotmail.co.uk

www.nortonmasonryltd.co.uk Over 30 Years Experience

INTERIORS

MOODBOARD

Kim Marcer of Ripples looks to nature to help create the perfect calming bathroom

im Marcer of Ripples, the luxury bathroom specialists based on the London Road, draws inspiration from the calm and tranquillity of nature to help moodboard a design of a heavenly sanctuary in the home. “During the pandemic, and also post-pandemic, our homes have become even more precious,” says Kim. “By using nature to inspire a bathroom design, we can recreate the feeling of rest and retreat that we get when we spend time outdoors. The key to this look is to mix natural and tactile textures with earthy colours to create a scheme as eclectic, yet also as harmonious, as nature itself.” For more: www.ripplesbathrooms.com

KIND by Ripples organic shampoo and body bar is made with the finest natural ingredients and has a fresh, invigorating orange and turmeric scent.

Curved clean lines give this tap a minimalist look while the unique spout shape creates a water flow reminiscent of a waterfall. The range is available in over 20 finishes, including matte black, polished nickel, and even 24k gold plate.

This shower tray is available in three textured finishes; a cosy wooden look, a concrete effect, and a smooth micro-texture.

Made for discerning wellness lovers, the Rainfinity shower features a huge shower head which gives a unique sensory shower experience worthy of a high-end spa.

This sleek asymmetric bath has a soft texture and is ergonomically designed to cocoon the body and aid relaxation. Its shape is inspired by the fluidity of water.

The world’s first hexagon shaped basin continues the geometric trend for a shape prevalent in nature for its efficiency, and comes in a range of pastel hues.

Influenced by seasonal flora and fauna, the Woodland Glade tile, which is from the National Trust Tile Collection by Sarsen Stone Group, features a botanical print in an on-trend hexagonal design, and can be used on both walls and floors.

The Wabi Sabi tile collection features a range of complementing porcelain tiles which replicate textures found in the environment.

Inspired by Japanese plant forms, these accessories will bloom in your new bathroom. This collection of mirrors, soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and toilet brushes is ideal for creating a minimalist, Japandi look.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

MEET THE INTERIOR DESIGNER We get the inside story on the art of home décor

VANESSA SAYCE

THE MARMALADE HOUSE tel: 01225 445855; www.themarmaladehouse.co.uk Why hire an interior designer? Interior designers, are the link between your own ideas and what needs to happen functionally. They can be that energy that reads the brief and interprets it with practicality, budget and style in mind. They are that vision that sees the whole project objectively and presents how it can work. They needn’t be an luxurious extravagance, but a cost and time saving resource of creativity that shows you what’s possible. Our aim is always to add creative joy to a project, and make developing a home a happy experience. Where do you get your inspiration from? Everywhere! Working in the field of interiors is

JOHN LAW

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, WOODHOUSE AND LAW tel: 01225 428072; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk What do you love about working in interiors? We have a very talented team and I love to work with them and our clients to produce unique, personal schemes. Whether that involves sourcing new and exciting products or designing a scheme around an unusual collection of art, it’s lovely to see people so excited and pleased to spend time in a space that you’ve designed. How would you describe your signature style? We don’t necessarily have a signature style. We try to approach every brief differently and with fresh eyes; this ensures that our designs reflect the style

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a very visual job, and the joy of it is that there is new inspiration from some of the most unexpected sources everyday. If you have a particular style, which I like to think Marmalade House does, then you lean towards what brings you energy. Mine is creative and eclectic mixes that combine texture with colour and style. If I need inspiration for a particular piece to paint, then I look at images and photos I’ve taken from wherever I’ve travelled. All you need is a curious mind and a sense of what you like. What do you specialise in? My first love is French and Gustavian-style furniture painting - using paints and patinas to bring beauty and elegance to old pieces of furniture that have history and sentimental value, but need updating. It is a specific skill from which the rest of my interiors business works around.

and individuality of our clients, as well as measuring up to their lifestyle. This makes our role much more varied and exciting, as we have worked on everything from contemporary Scandinavian schemes to off-beat English country houses. How did you get involved in homes and interiors? My partner, Nick, is a garden designer and we wanted to create a design company that would work alongside clients to create schemes with a strong cohesion between indoor and outdoor spaces.

SPONSORED CONTENT ALEXANDRA HENRY I LOVE COLOURS STUDIO tel: 07484268727; www.ilovecolours.co.uk

What do you specialise in? My projects include private residences as well as commercial spaces, and my aim is to create beautiful interiors tailored to each individual or brand.

LOLA SWIFT

LOLA SWIFT INTERIOR DESIGN tel: 07971 106546; www.lolaswift.co.uk What is it that you love about working in interiors? I am passionate about designing beautiful homes, creating the perfect balance between space, colour, texture, and pattern. I enjoy getting to know my clients, listening to their ideas and requests, and ensuring I design a scheme that tells the story of the people who live there. How would you describe your signature style? I love colour as well as mixing interior styles, seamlessly connecting old and new with charm and sophistication. I come from a Scandinavian family where our home is a place to be together in a relaxed, cosy environment, so I naturally lean towards designing comfortable spaces. How does your design process work? After an initial meeting, my clients complete a detailed questionnaire, providing me with their requirements, lifestyle, and budget. We cover design styles, colour combinations, fabrics, and room layout, helping me build the story and create an inspirational moodboard. Whether for one room or the whole house, I make sure my clients feel part of the process culminating in a thorough plan to implement the scheme.

How would you describe your signature style? Through my projects I tell a visual story, while adding emotion and meaning to each interior. I like to focus on outlining something that is perhaps individual or unique, in order to create something new that is not off-the-shelf and is personal to each client. How does your design process work? I offer comprehensive interior architecture and design services, from concept and space planning through to colour schemes, visuals, and styling. Starting with a moodboard to illustrate the concept and working my way step-by-step through to the tiniest details, I am with the client until everything is in place and, more often than not, I advise on finishing touches like art, crockery, and flower arrangements. I also incorporate bespoke work for each project – I find it interesting and challenging to experiment with new materials in order to achieve an original piece.

CLAIR STRONG

DIRECTOR, CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN tel: 07855 797311; www.clairstrong.co.uk What’s on trend for 2022/23? The pandemic has fundamentally changed how we use our homes. We are looking for multifunctional spaces, a sense of wellbeing, and a connection to nature. Broken-plan living is revolutionising open-plan living, separating, and zoning spaces with room dividers, lighting and partitions to create homes that provide space for work, rest and play. In 2022, we are looking to bring nature into the home with natural materials in calming neutral shades being used on everything from decorative elements to furniture itself. Look for rattan, jute, terracotta, marble, wood, stone, and clay to bring life to a space. We are also having fun with painting our homes this year and colour blocking walls

LIBBY CARTER

LIBBY CARTER & CO tel: 07743 393022; www.libbycarterandco.com Which types of properties do you work on? It varies, and I love that. Every property has its own unique needs, look and feel. Whether it’s a period home or a new build, a holiday rental or a forever home, a one-bedroom design or an entire residence, we collaborate with our clients throughout the design process to bring their desired vision in alignment with their lifestyle, making the most of every space whilst being sympathetic to the original features of the property. What do you specialise in? Creating beautiful spaces for you to live in, love and enjoy. We provide everything from the overall design concept and creation, to all the details that take your room to a new level of luxury. Our in-house makers carefully hand-finish all your soft furnishings to exacting standards, so they can be cherished for years to come. How do you balance style with functionality? It all comes down to the visual flow when I am designing a space, with every element of the brief working in harmony. Each piece of artwork, texture and soft furnishing adds depth whilst layering, ensuring we maximise the vertical and horizontal space for its intended use. Take window treatments, as an example. Functional and decorative, the made-to-measure curtains, blinds, and pelmets we create are designed to blend with all the other details in the room.

in contrasting shades or colour drenching entire rooms in the same colour from ceiling to skirting boards are popular trends. Texture in the form of wood panelling is also having a moment. It is something you can easily do yourself to add depth and sophistication to any room. In the bathroom, geometric tiles in pretty pastels are taking over from more utilitarian looks. How important is sustainability in interior design? Sustainability is becoming a major consideration in all industries, including interior design. In future we will see more of us using sustainable and organic materials, being aware of responsible manufacturing, and reusing and reselling furniture and homeware. We will be looking for reclaimed woods and recycled glass and making conscious choices, whether that’s in our choice of materials or by extending the life of items around the home rather than buying more things.

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Annalise’s style is all about getting right down to the details

KEEPING IT IN-HOUSE Annalise Holasz on how sourcing locally helps ensure her Bath city centre home stays beautiful Words Lydia Tewkesbury Pictures Annalise Holasz

RESIDENCE

“I like to see a room coming together in person, to let it evolve organically”

nnalise Holasz is a recent transplant to Bath. After moving to the city from London a few years ago to be with her now husband – they were introduced by a friend at Bath Racecourse – Annalise started designing her home in a whirlwind of wedding planning (two events – the big day itself at Guildhall and then a party later on) and launching her own business, Wall Flower Art allery ( wall owerartgallery on Instagram), through which she sells original, a ordable vintage and contemporary art via Etsy. How long have you lived in the house?

We moved into our home near the city centre in autumn 2020. We were hoping to move house just before Covid hit so that delayed things for us, and we jumped at the chance to move post the first lockdown. e were lucky – the house was in good condition, and the previous owner not only had invested in modernising but they had really nice taste, so it was completely liveable. his was definitely part if the appeal – we had just gotten engaged at that point and didn’t want a massive project. We had lived through big projects before and it wasn’t the right time. What made you decide this was the property for you?

e loved the feel of the house. It strikes the right balance of character and practical for us. My dream has always been to have a house with an open fire – I grew up with one and have wanted one ever since. This has two, which pretty much sealed the deal for me! We loved the bay windows, stained glass, and spacious rooms. The location is perfect for us as we have the shops of Larkhall nearby, which has such a lovely village feel to it, and we can walk into the centre of Bath along the canal. e love talking our paddleboards out on the canal over the summer. Why did you decide to document your home on Instagram?

I started my Instagram account just before we moved in. I wanted to use my account as a source of inspiration for making changes to our home and then documenting our progress. I’ve been able to share some useful hacks along the way – rattan radiator covers, furniture upcycles, etc. I have learnt so much from the community on Instagram, so it’s great to share back and help others where I can. What was your vision for the décor?

Annalise designed her home amid a whirlwind of wedding plans and launching her own business

I decorate each room based on the light the room gets and what it will be used for. That is more important to me than having a common thread, or using the same types of colours in the house. It’s not as cohesive, but I feel I get the most out of each room that way. I will often see a colour and think – I would love to use that somewhere. I’m itching to use a light blue and red together next.

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RESIDENCE

Or you a planner or a fly-by-the-seat-of-yourpants type?

I am absolutely a planner, but I also get to a point where I decide I just need to get on with it and try something out. I like to see a room coming together in person, to let it evolve organically. A mood board only gets you so far, I think.

“I would like people to feel that it is a calm and joyful space”

Did you ever worry it wasn’t coming together?

I think it’s really common to doubt your choices whilst in the design or early doing phase, particularly around colour. Colours can di er so much in di erent lights and times of the day so it’s really hard to know if it truly works until you’ve done it. I always try paint samples on little boards to narrow down the colours, and then I’ll try patches on the wall before committing. You can then see how it looks at di erent times of the day, and with your soft furnishings and accessories. There was a green paint for the lounge that I really loved, but in the evenings it was far too dark, so I’m glad I tested it out properly. Who or what are your décor inspirations?

Instagram is my main source for inspiration. Once I find an idea I really like on Instagram, I might use Pinterest to drill down further and create boards. Interior books and magazines can also be really helpful. Have you had any training in interior design?

I think the Create Academy online courses are brilliant and so far, I have managed to do three – I would recommend giving them a go to anyone who is interested. I’ve completed an interior design, gardening and oristry course so far. I’m not planning to become a orist but styling our house always includes owers, so I wanted to learn more about arranging them. What are your favourite local shops for interiors?

I love Edward Bulmer paint, available in Berdoulat. e’ve used it in several rooms and it’s definitely my go-to colour chart. Our sofas are from sofadotcom and we spent ages trying them out in the Bath showroom – it was really valuable to do in person. A lot of our furniture is from Facebook Marketplace and Dorothy House charity furniture shop – these are great sources for vintage and antique pieces. I love to use a little dark wood to ground a room, and I also love the texture rattan brings too. Lighting is so important and we used Jim Lawrence wall lights with Fermoie shades in our bedroom. I have used Oka and Neptune too, for decorative accessories such as cushions, mirrors, vases, etc. I think a lot of their products have quite a timeless look and I can use them throughout the house. What’s your favourite shop?

It has to be House of Brunswick. Felicia sells vintage homeware through her website and o ers free delivery in Bath. She has a wonderful eye for vintage treasures and I have made several purchases; too many vases to count, observer books, brass candle stickers, copper moulds, etc. The Small Shop on London Road also stocks some really unique and unusual bits and pieces. I always keep an eye on what they get in.

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Jim Lawrence wall lights with Fermoie shades decorate the bedroom

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Use

of rattan brings texture to a room; the house is filled with unique art prints; Annalise took a floristry course to take her flower arranging up a notch

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What’s your favourite room – if you have one?

The lounge is the most ‘done’ so I think this has to be my favourite. We painted it in Calke Green and added alcove shelves and cupboards either side of the fireplace. hese are all painted in the same green. I love playing around with styling the shelves, and the cupboards are great for storage. e painted the fireplace surround in on uil – a yellow pink which really subtly elevates the room I think. We kept the sofas neutral and timeless, opting for a cream linen and a pink ottoman. We’ve used prints on the cushions and lamps to bring pattern into the room. e added a gallery wall using a mi of anti ue, vintage and contemporary oil paintings. These are all in original frames, which I think makes them look more interesting than a uniformed look. The most contemporary painting is by Bath artist Valerie Pirlot ( valeriepirlot) – it’s a landscape of the view of the Mendip hills from Kelston. Any more big plans coming up?

We plan on extending the house, which would involve completely changing the downstairs open plan layout to include a new kitchen and utility room. This is going to be a really big project for us so we are going to take our time to plan it, working through all the various options.

Dark wood pieces sourced second hand from Facebook Marketplace and Dorothy House ground the rooms

RESIDENCE The lounge is painted in Calke Green from Farrow & Ball

How do you want guests to feel when they are in your home?

I would like people to feel that it is a calm and joyful space. I love using colour, prints, patterns and mixing the old and the new. I love objects that come with history, a story, sentiment. I would like people to think that our home has soul. I would like our home to feel somewhat timeless. I like to keep most of the room classic and use accessories to be a bit more daring as these are the things which are easier to change. What have you learned from working on your home?

We have learnt a lot during the design process. We have done a lot of things ourselves – we have had help with the alcove shelving and some of the painting but generally we try to do what we can before seeking help. I have learnt so much about interior design such as scale and proportion. For example, when I was first styling our shelves they looked awful because the scale was wrong. Once I played around with heights and textures it started looking much more considered. I think the eye is often drawn to the negative empty space and not the busier places, so I’m working on filling these spaces such as a basket under a desk or table. I don’t think you can ever have too many baskets or vases! Whose house, (famous, not famous, dead or alive – your choice!) would you like to have a snoop around?

Louise Roe on Instagram (@Louiseroehome). Every detail is just perfect. I spotted some vintage oyster plates hanging in her kitchen and had to immediately source some for my own home. I think hanging things on the walls that are not just pictures is so fun and interesting – plate walls are brilliant. I think Louise has a beautiful eye for interiors and she seems like a lovely lady too. Would you say your home reflects your personality?

Yes, I think it does. It’s considered, and every angle and corner thought through. I am a very detail orientated person so I think that’s also why I often like to show vignettes on my Instagram page; I love seeing all the textures, details and colours up close as so much thought goes into styling them. Finally, what’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about your home?

A recent comment from one of my lovely Instagram friends said I have ‘magic fingers in selecting the best colours and décor’ – I thought that was lovely. For more: Follow Instagram @annalise.at.number.9 for the latest updates on Annalise’s home

“I love objects that come with a history, a story, sentiment”

Got an amazing local home? Want it to feature in Residence? Contact lydia.tewkesbury@mediaclash.co.uk

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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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Clair Strong Interior Design is a boutique, creative company based in Bath, providing a wide range of services for both residential and commercial clients. er portfolio of projects includes the design, project coordination and sourcing for some of Bath’s most beautiful residences, as well as hotels, sports clubs, o ces and other commercial venues. Contact Clair on 07855 797311 or 01225 426905;

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Providing bespoke kitchens and made-to-measure interiors across the Bath area for more than 35 years, chmidt Bath o ers lu ury solutions for the home at a ordable prices. ith 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 o er. 1 Park Road, Bath BA1 3EE; Tel: 01225 337276; www.schmidt-bath.com

A bespoke, tailor-made, client-focused interior design consultancy service based in Bath. Specialising in residential interior design and providing a truly personal service adapted to each client’s needs, ennifer’s uni ue style blends seamlessly between period and contemporary homes. The aim is simple – to create spaces that bring joy, re ecting her clients’ lifestyles and personalities. Tel: 07738289189; www.jennifermosse.com

Coopers ome 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 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 97

BATH LIVES

“I love the heritage and architecture of Bath and its developing art scene”

SANDRA HIGGINS The independent art advisor and curator from Chicago on meeting Prince Charles and Bath’s rapidly expanding arts scene An art advisor to private clients and public collections with an online gallery, Sandra Higgins also has a pop-up space at The Drawing Rooms in Bath. In addition, she is curator for selected exhibitions internationally, the most recent being the Shades of Green exhibition which opens 12 May at the Royal United Hospital, and runs until 24 July. My upbringing near Chicago was a traditional one –

playing in the school marching band as a youngster, joining the Brownies, becoming a cheerleader in high school, and serving on student committees.

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I wanted to be a practising artist from a very early age,

but my father was dead set against it and so while I studied art, I became an art teacher instead. I then studied art history for my A and became an advisor and curator. My biggest inspiration has probably been my father Harold who never complained

even though he had polio as a young man and was disabled. I am sure I get my tenacity and adventurous spirit from him. The first piece of art I purchased was a serigraph by the artist Ruth Miller, bought

at the Old own Art Fair in

Chicago. It is a lovely print of a recian type woman, a portrait very abstracted and enchanting and still hangs in a place of honour in my home.

presses and first editions and book bindings. e is a fantastic amateur chef and we often cook together, which is also one of my great passions.

My first gallery was in Mayfair some years ago and I worked

I met Prince Charles and Camilla in Colombia at a party

freelance in London in the art world for the past years. I moved to Bath three years ago to establish myself here.

Highlights of my career so far have been… Delfina tudios

administrator, curator at the useum of odern Art in Bogota, Colombia and gallery advisor to Annie artavarian at the Letitia allery in Beirut.

My lowest point professionally was the closure

of my ayfair gallery in . It was during a recession, and the whole of the art world fell at on its face so it wasn’t just me, but it still really hurt.

I always advise to buy what you love. erhaps this may

become a good investment to impress your friends, but art you love will give you pleasure everyday, no matter what they cost or who created them.

I have one son, Benjamin Maggs. e is a very talented

bookseller and specialises in the modern collection of private

given by the British Ambassador at his residence. Charles grabbed my colourful scarf to say how beautiful it was and I nearly fainted. hey were both lovely.

I believe the South West art scene is growing rapidly and

it is very e citing to be a part of it, and pursue my business here. There are several local artists I work with who live near Bath – painter oy Osborne, whose

work is on view at my pop-up space and also on my website. ainter Day Bowman in Dorset painter Fiona cIntyre in Cirencester sculptor Iain Cotton in adstock painter David alsh in iltshire and painter ete oida in troud. I love the heritage and architecture of Bath.

Living in nglishcombe has also enabled me to enjoy the beautiful countryside and reconnect with nature, especially during lockdown. n For more: www.sandrahiggins.art