Bath Life – Issue 478 by MediaClash

ISSUE 478 / 9 – 22 SEPTEMBER 2022 / £3 EXPLORE A GORGEOUS GEORGIAN BATH HOME + NO 15 CHARLIEWALKERCLAIREBATHHIDES LIFE ON THE (I DO WANT TO GO TO) CHELSEA ANDROADTHE WONDERFUL WESTON TOO J UP SCHOOLSMOSTFROMREPORTINGGRADEBATH’SEXCELLENTFROM DAWN TIL BUSK THE COLOURFUL LIFE OF ONE OF BATH’S BEST KNOWN BUSKERS JUST KIDDING! THE LITERATUREBATHBRILLIANTCHILDREN’SFESTIVAL GRADE(I DO WANT TO GO TO) CHELSEA ANDROADTHE WONDERFUL WESTON TOO J UP SCHOOLSMOSTFROMREPORTINGGRADEBATH’SEXCELLENTFROM DAWN TIL BUSK THE COLOURFUL LIFE OF ONE OF BATH’S BEST KNOWN BUSKER JUST KIDDING! THE FESTIVALBATHBRILLIANTCHILDREN’SRETURNS GRADE GO WHOLETHE HOG THE THESUPPERDISTINGUISHEDCLUBSOFPIG&FIDDLE 5 HAVEWINESLOCALYOUTOTRYNOW! UPPER EAST SIDE

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It’s with absolute awe and admiration I look at any teen now and all they have managed to achieve despite these unprecedented and unwelcome setbacks. Over on page 18 we celebrate just some of these achievements in our local schools. A*, and then some, for the lot of them!

Elsewhere, as seen on our cover, we explore a truly stunning Upper East Hayes property (page 100); we mark the return of the brilliant Bath Children’s Literature Festival (page 54); dine at the distinguished Pig & Fiddle supper club (page 64); and we also have the privilege of spending time with the ama ing Nik Jovčić-Sas musician, advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, drag artist and theologian. Turn to page 40 to read his remarkable story and look out for this talented musician busking in Bath city centre.

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ABOVE: Nik Jovcic-Sas on busking, activism, drag and more (page 40);

Another star crowd are the lovely traders and retailers of Chelsea Road in Weston (page 72) – this is a proper high street – traditional in look with staples like a greengrocer and a hardware store, and yet managing to keep evolving with the times with the recent additions of a gorgeous veggie café and an eco-friendly gift and home products store.

BELOW: We’re feeling a little blue, and that’s a good thing (page 70)

I BATH LIFE I 3

’ve been thinking a lot recently about that old adage bandied about that school days are the best days of your life. That may be true but what about results day? Let’s be honest that particular hellscape can go either way. My house has just emerged from a double whammy of A level and GCSE results – yes two in seven days. And I’m not sure the ‘best days of your lives’ platitude can apply to this current generation. The last three years have not been easy on them – the disruption, the stress, the gaps, the homeschooling (oh my god, the absolute horrors of homeschooling – and yes, I am talking about myself here).

SARAH MOOLLA

Q&A

FOOD&DRINK Pig

& Fiddle supper club

EDUCATION GRADE A SCHOOLS Local schools share their success stories

THE ARTS BIG INTERVIEW Busker, LGBTQ+ rights activist, drag queen and theologian Nik Jovčić-Sas ARTS INTRO Dame Elisabeth Frink’s bronzes and works on paper depict her unique take on classic tales WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, comedy and art in the city KIDS LIT FEST Our top picks from the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, returning 23 September BOOKS

Style

own way 81 BEAUTY The GuestHouse Spa is Bath’s best kept secret 106 BATH LIVES Wiltshire Council climate officer Sarah Grimes Issue

with

Hayes DEPARTMENTS 10 SPOTLIGHT What’s coming up this season at Theatre Royal 13 INSTAS A final farewell to Carter’s Steam Fair 15 FLATLINE Experts? What experts? When

shades

views, and interviews 83 BIZ

SHOPPING INTRO inspired by the Japanese art of Aizome from Mind The CHOICE your home in of LIFE Chelsea Road, the vibrant little street with community spirit by the bucket business news, Q&A Claire Walker of Lumiar UK shares her thoughts on benefits of a progressive education LIFE AWARDS House of Frankenstein’s Awardfirst year Bath Property on from the market glamour at East it comes is going his 478 / 9 – 22 September 2022

Upper

61 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Feast Brothers have a new pasta pitch on Queen Square 62 TRY 5 Our favourite local wines and the best spots to buy them 64 RESTAURANT REVIEW Inventive dining at the

Reads for gamers

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 Sarah Baker, Betty Bhandari, Matt Bielby, 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 and 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. tel: 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 1854100 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 9

Wallpaper

15 September 96 PROPERTY NEWS Updates

blue 72 STREET

PROPERTY 95 PROPERTY LEAD Nominations for the

Awards are closing

87 BATH

load BUSINESS 82 BATHWORKS Local

the

to home renovation, Flats

Gap 70 EDITOR’S

winning

100 SHOWCASE Chic, unfussy

COVER 36 Upper East Hayes, currently on the market Knight Frank for £2.95m

69 SHOPPING

Theatre Royal have announced the details of its thrilling autumn and winter season t all kicks o on the 13th with Juliet Stevenson, who is coming to Bath to reprise her leading role in obert cke’s five-star London production of The Doctor, which is described as ‘very freely’ adapted from Professor Bernhardi by Arthur Schnitzler. Following that comes the 40th anniversary production of Michael Frayn’s beloved farce oises , featuring Theatre Royal favourite Felicity endal from 22 September until 1 ctober, about the hapless cast of fictional play Nothing On and their rapidly deteriorating relationships.

Come Christmas, panto will return to the main house with Aladdin, starring Bath favourite Jon Monie as Wishee Washee and Eastenders’ Nick Wilton as ame Widow Twankey, and Snow Mouse will play again at the egg, back after popular demand.

n ctober, ouble livier and Tony Award-winning West End and Broadway hit Girl from the North Country comes to Bath. The acclaimed musical reimagines the legendary songs of Bob ylan to tell a heart-breaking and uplifting story set in the S during the Great epression ounding out ctober is a serious drama starring Anton Lesser The Two Popes 25 2 ctober is a gripping piece by Anthony McCarten and shines a light on one of the world’s most Ininstitutions.secretiveNovember,

Meanwhile eborah Warner’s debut season at the Ustinov continues in powerful fashion, bringing opera to the theatre for the first time with a new production of Dido and Aaneas and a unique piece performed by ickie Beau – the captivating Ariel from the recent The Tempest – iSHOWMANISM!, which dives into the concept of performance itself.

SPOTLIGHT

Tickets for these shows and many more are on sale now. For more: Theatre Royal Bath, Saw Close, Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Theatre CURTAIN UP

10 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk MCCARTENANTHONY©PERSSONJOHAN©

a brand-new production of Mrs ProfessionWarren’swill open at Theatre Royal. This special production stars real-life motherdaughter pair Caroline Quentin and Rose Quentin starring opposite one another as Mrs Warren and Vivie in the George Bernard Shaw play about a young woman getting to know her mother –who she learns is a former sex worker and brothel owner for the first time

CLOCKWISE: Bob Dylan musical Girl from the North Country; the return of Snow Mouse; The Two Popes starring Anton Lesser; Theatre Royal favourite Felicity Kendal will star in Noises Off; Mother-daughter duo Caroline Quentin and Rose Quentin star in Mrs Warren’s Profession

@carterssteamfair @richlucking @maxineinbathALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR @cleclenj@valeriepirlotart@mrgrunshaw @colinwebb47 @mama_san13 @scorpio2london SPOTLIGHT In August Carter’s Steam Fair made its ﬁnal visit to Victoria Park. After 45 years on tour, the owners have made the decision to look for a permanent home for the preservation of this vintage fairground and its traditionalwww.mediaclash.co.ukrides. I BATH LIFE I 13

Being able to prepare your MTD returns, accounts and tax returns is a given for a professional rm. But can your accountant help you make more money? Does your accountant have experience working in your specialist eld? Does your accountant give you answers or just more Wequestions?aremore than just your accountants; we are your complete business partners. Seven Reasons why hundreds return to PG Owen Ltd each year. ✔ Clear xed and guaranteed fees. When we say xed we mean it ✔ Free advice sheets and newsle ers to help your business grow ✔ Advice from experienced quali ed professionals ✔ We speak to you in plain English ✔ In house mortgages, life, pensions and investment advice. ✔ Full range of legal and probate services through our sister company ✔ A unique one stop advice service for all businesses and individuals from cradle to grave and beyond! Contact us now: 7 Northumberland Buildings, Wood Street, Bath BA1 2JB T: 01225 422183 E: www.pgtax.co.ukbath@pgtax.co.uk A ention Business Owners and Directors Do you need more than just accounts and tax returns from your accountant? Red House Farm, Broughton Gifford A collection of six beautifully designed homes ranging from two to four bedrooms, including ﬁve bungalows and one detached house. 01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk

ike most of you, e pect, ’ve seen every episode of Grand Designs ’ve watched Clever Kevin age in style, and ’ve seen his it’s-worked’never-work-oh-look-‘this-simply-will-approach to formatting the show mellow somewhat, not that we didn’t love his educated frankness. Sarah Beeny’s Property Ladder was a firm favourite, too, dishing out large portions of plainly obvious advice to home owners seemingly hellbent on ignoring the expert, disproving logic and denying weather. We all wanted them to succeed and to end up with stunning homes at which we could all gawp from our shabby chic (worn out) sofas, but we didn’t mind them coming a cropper now and then, with our adored and revered presenters proven omniscient time and again.

We ustified it thus we always go to evon for a stretch in summer because we really like it, and that’s a good enough reason. That was it: we wanted to. Clearing out of the way certainly made it easier for the workers to crack on, but our voluntary non-attendance has amazed one or two friends over the last few weeks n fairness did go back once had a meeting in Bath so popped in for a quick tour All seemed well enough so left and went for a Wesandwich.haveaWhatsApp group on the go and we have FaceTime for the big stu , so what’s the worry t’s only really as type these words that our chosen approach truly crystallises in my mind: all the work has been done without us there Are we insane aybe, but feel very relaxed about it all. This is primarily down to who’s doing the work. As mentioned before on this page, Guy Mercer of Camden Mews Construction is running the show, and in him we have a lot of confidence Any issues have been clearly communicated along the way, lots of photos have been zapped over, lots of multiple-choice emails surrounding taps and coat hooks and sympathetic bannister finishes ndeed as type, the big evon de-rig is going on around me. We’re packing up the Land Rover and heading back east to Bath. This very afternoon is when we’ll know for sure if our confidence was well-founded or misplaced Somehow, can’t see it being anything other than a grand reveal, a joyous homecoming t turns out we’re in the antiexpert age. Who knew?

FLATMANDAVIDLINE

FLAT

Escape to the country

Beeny would advise all would-be developers to keep it neutral by deleting all emotion and ‘personal taste’ from a space, our Kevin (he is ours, isn’t he?) would delight in the ways in which people created bespoke homes that suited them as would a Saville Row suit. ne way in which the shows didn’t di er at all was in the advice they gave to those having the work done. This advice was simple: be on site as much as you possibly can. No holidays. No can’t-be-bothered days. Full attendance wherever possible. So what we did, with the bulk of the renovation work about to begin on our home in Bath, was go to evon for five weeks ’m not a personal acquaintance of evin cCloud, but if were strongly suspect he’d have seen this move as a slap in the face t’s a bit like when my best mate bought a family car without at any point running his shortlist past me (the vehicle obsessive), and ended up in a four-year contract, paying for a car he doesn’t like. Now, not living on site during a renovation

The shows di ered in the sense that while

“Are we insane? Maybe, but I feel very relaxed about it”

is fine and often very helpful for all involved, but that’s usually on the understanding that you’ll stay nearby and get there as often as you can. We went on holiday and said we wouldn’t be back, which is a risk.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 15 WWW.BETTYBHANDARIBRANDPHOTOGRAPHY.COMPHOTOGRAPHY;BRANDBHANDARIBETTY©

Flats is taking a hands-off approach to home renovation

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

WINNING GOALS

By John Mather

s a new term comes round and students from Bath and surrounds prepare for another academic year, we find out how the local education organisations have been going from strength to strength. From primary schools right through to the further education colleges, these establishments are not just overcoming the stresses and pressures that the pandemic caused, but are actually helping their students achieve amazing things – from sporting wins and Glastonbury sets, and from winning science competitions to record exam results. Here we round up and celebrate just a few of these local attainments…

The final took place in ay 2 22 at the Hawthorns in West Brom, and presented a wonderful opportunity for the team, who are coached by teachers r ac onald, r Quintin and r ann, to play at a professional team’s stadium.

GLASTONBURY PERFORMANCE ells thedr l School, he i ert , ells; www.wells.c thedr l.school

EDUCATIONwww.mediaclash.co.uk

eeche li School, le dr r , i li e e, th; www. eeche cli .or . Beechen Cli football team were finalists in the 1 nglish Schools Football Association National Cup. The cup run saw the team narrowly losing to Calday Grange School in the final after playing nine rounds to get there This included an e citing home semi final win on penalties against Samuel Whitbread Academy watched by the whole school

Wells Cathedral School pupil Hetta Fal on is a star in the making and in June this year, played Glastonbury’s Avalon Caf Stage

LEVELANOTHERON

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Beechen Cliff football team were ﬁnalists in the U14 English Schools Football Association National Cup

Hetta secured her place at the world-renowned festival after winning the ilton Stage Competition, competing against an astonishing artists. Both of her Glastonbury sets were an absolute triumph, with r Leaker, coordinator of a popular music studies, saying, am

In praise of the outstanding schools and colleges in Bath and the surrounds

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“Local organisationseducationhave been goingfrom strength to strength”

illfield had an impressive 23 selections for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with ten athletes selected to compete in the pool alongside two coaches.

There were 1 , people viewing the ceremony online and we were told that over 300 teams had entered the competition.

The King Edward’s Junior School team of seven Year 5 children developed and coded a system that helps to educate pupils about environmental and sustainability issues art of the team’s initiative is a recycling station that tells pupils which bin they need to put their recycling in and then rewards them with house points.

ld illfieldian and former illfield rep pupil James Guy topped up his lympic medal haul, picking up one gold, three silvers and two bronze medals in various events at the Games. Somerset-boy Brodie

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absolutely delighted for Hetta. To perform at one of the world’s best known music festivals to such a large audience is a dream come true for her. We will miss her hugely and hope that she will come back to visit and inspire the next generation of songwriters.”

King Edward’s Junior School, North Road, Bath; www.kesbath.com

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More than 300 schools across the UK competed for a spot in the final of the annual aspberry i Competition earlier this year, which promotes STEM education by challenging schoolchildren aged between -1 years to invent systems that could benefit society using their engineering and coding skills, and a aspberry i microcomputer

After a nerve-racking wait the final three teams in the ear - age category were called out and the S aspberry Turtles were crowned the winners!”

The awards ceremony was presented by rtis eley, from The Gadget Show, and, as the school’s CT co-ordinator rs Sam Cook, e plains,

“Helping their studentsachieve amazing things”

STEM CHALLENGE

ABOVE: Wells Cathedral School pupil Hetta Falzon playing Glastonbury’s Avalon Café Stage; BELOW: King Edward’s Junior School team won the Raspberry Pi Competition

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Millfield School, Millfield, Street; www.millfieldschool.com

Williams picked up his first international senior medal, coming second in the 1 m backstroke before getting Commonwealth gold in the 2 m backstroke ecent leavers, van Jones made his Commonwealth debut, coming home with two bron e medals in medley events and eighteen-year-old Tamryn an Selm also marked her first Games with a bron e medal for the Women’s 2 m freestyle

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ABOVE: St Margaret’s Prep pupils participated in the IAPS National Swimming Finals; BELOW: Millﬁeld had an impressive 23 selections for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

St Margaret’s Prep, Curzon Street, Calne; www.stmargaretsprep.org.uk n June, a group of St argaret’s rep pupils participated in the A S National Swimming Finals at the London Aquatics Centre After fantastic performances in the regional qualifying gala, which was hosted at St argaret’s back in arch, both St argaret’s boys and girls 11 25m relay teams were invited to compete in the gala Both teams, led by the school’s r ury and rs White, came away with silver medals ver prep schools enter this competition and competed in regional qualifiers before the fastest teams made it into the National Finals

SWIMMING SUCCESS

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Charlotte joined the Level 3 Early Years course when she was 25 years old with a young child of her own to take care of. The College reports Charlotte has excelled in all aspects of her studies, both knowledge and practice, and has always gone above and beyond when completing her assignments and practical evidence portfolio.

ABOVE: Charlotte Holley completed her Level 3 Early Years at Bath College; BELOW: Luke Hazeltine of Year 13 played violin in the National Youth Orchestra at the Proms

“Has always goneabove and beyond”

Bath College, Avon Street, Bath; www.bathcollege.ac.uk Charlotte Holley completed her Level 3 Early Years in June, juggling motherhood and lockdowns, to achieve her goal of working with young children. She also scooped the Early Years Student of the Year at Bath College’s Celebrating Success Awards.

Along with five students reaching the nglish Schools Track and Field Championships held in Manchester this July, Luke Hazeltine of Year 13 played violin in the National Youth Orchestra at the Proms, which was shown on BBC4, as well as achieving straight A*s at A level and is o to study edicine at Cambridge niversity

HIGH ACHIEVING

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

Sheldon School, Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham; www.sheldonschool.co.uk

The Spanish school Todo el Mundo based in Bath and delivering courses all over the South West, has just celebrated ten years of teaching. Founder Katherine Mallia explains, “For a decade now we have specialised in group classes for adults at all levels, clubs for kids, early years classes and private tuition for all ages. We also provide specialist teachers and courses for primary schools to cover their curriculum language for Key Stage 2. Our in-person events include tapas and conversation evenings, and lessons on the history of Spain.

FUNDRAISING

All Hallows Preparatory School, Cranmore Hall, East Cranmore, Shepton Mallet; www.allhallowsschool.co.uk

This summer, All Hallows hosted a unique event combining the fun of a colour run, the thrill of an obstacle course, and the atmosphere of a music festival, with the goal of raising money in support of the pupils’ chosen charities. The event was organised by the Year 8 Charity Prefects, who have been responsible for fundraising throughout thePupilsyear. and teachers alike were splattered by parent volunteers using rainbow paint as they ran, crawled, and climbed through a series of obstacles. The All Hallows Colour Run raised £3,412.66 for the charities; Bibic, a Somerset charity which supports children and young adults with developmental and neurological difficulties the ink ibbon Foundation, a trust providing financial support for people who have been a ected by breast cancer and the S CA

24 I BATH LIFE I

Todo el Mundo; www.todoelmundo.co.uk

EDUCATIONwww.mediaclash.co.uk

ABOVE: The Spanish school Todo el Mundo is celebrating ten years of teaching; BELOW: The All Hallows Colour Run helped raise £3,412.66 for charity

“Our anniversary coincided with one pupil’s completion of our Spanish club all the way from reception to Year 6.”

LANGUAGE SKILLS

ABOVE: Kingswood School students with their Stantec Developing Future Communities Award; BELOW: Royal High School Bath student Ruby Butterﬁeld made her ofﬁcial debut for the England U16’s hockey team in June

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

Kingswood School students Alberta, Phoebe, Florence, Sophie and Manaka recently received the Stantec Developing Future Communities Award at the Big Bang Science Competition, held in Birmingham’s N C arena They were awarded first pri e for their pro ect Girls into School Leak-free for you and me reusable sanitary pads’, in which they designed and created reusable sanitary products for girls living in poor conditions in developing nations, without access to period care. The team collaborated with a teacher in Kibera, a slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, in order to gain insight into life for menstruating people living there, which ultimately sparked the team’s idea and design The fact that an estimated per cent of women and girls are not able to access disposable sanitary pads in Kibera motivated the team to use their skills and knowledge to propose a real-world solution to provoke change Their pro ect aims to close the inequality gap between men and women in developing nations, by helping girls move out of poverty and into higher education

Royal High School Bath, Lansdown Road, Bath; www.royalhighbath.gdst.net

oyal High School Bath student uby Butterfield made her official debut for the ngland 1 ’s hockey team in June ear 1 student uby plays goalkeeper, and was part of the Test Series team who took on the Scotland 1 ’s at dinburgh niversity and won the first game - , and the second game -2 uby, who is also a member of the first team squad for TeamBath Buccaneers which is based at the niversity of Bath, says, t was ama ing to be playing for my country and singing the national anthem felt surreal was nervous beforehand, but the feeling soon wore o t was such an ama ing e perience

Kingswood School, Lansdown Road, Bath; www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk

ENGLAND DEBUT

FIRST PRIZE

“The team used their skills and knowledge to propose a real-worldsolution to provoke change”

Ralph Allen’s A level results exemplify a high achieving culture

King Edward’s School, North Road, Bath; www.kesbath.com

The Paragon School, Lyncombe Vale, Bath; www.paragonschool.co.uk

TEST RESULTS

At the end of August, Year 11 pupils at King Edward’s celebrated some outstanding GCSE results, with 90 per cent of entries at grades 9-7. Almost three quarters (74.2 per cent) of entries were at 9 or 8, with close to half being at the coveted top grade 9 (47 per Thesecent).successes were celebrated across all the subject departments, with notable achievements including two thirds of the 227 entries taken in English (Language and Literature) being awarded a grade 9, a ﬁgure almost matched by the 32 pupils who took Drama. 80 per cent of the 54 Latin and Greek entries were at grades 9 or 8, whilst for the Biology, Chemistry and Physics departments the tally at those levels for the 261 Triple Science entries was a remarkable 85 per cent.

Bath Academy students have done extremely well this year in their A level exams, surpassing the national average by scoring 72 per cent A* to B. Re-sit students did exceptionally well with their valueadded achievements, with two students improving six grades: one going on to read Mathematics at Durham University and the other to Kings College London to study Nutritional Sciences.

The many success stories include Tatyana Wakeﬁeld who achieved A* A* A* and is going to the University of Edinburgh to read Philosophy & English Literature.

EDUCATIONwww.mediaclash.co.uk

Bath Academy, 27 Queen Square, Bath; www.bathacademy.co.uk

Ralph Allen, Claverton Down Road, Bath; www.ralphallenschool.com

The Paragon students are embracing a greener way of life. Along with refuse collection and recycling, initiatives include the launch of a switch o fortnight’ which encourages the school community to turn o lights and devices at home, and campaigning for the school to be waste-free with the introduction of G Neco’s Bio Bee truck, which collects leftover food and recycles it in a sustainable way.

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King Edward’s Year 11 pupils celebrated some outstanding GCSE results

The Eco Club pupils also recorded messages about what they loved in the planet, which were played with the voices of other children from across the globe, to the world leaders to hear as they walked through the corridors of the Climate Change Conference.

ECO MINDED

Ralph Allen’s 2022 A level results exemplify a high achieving culture, with many students receiving impressive results across all of their chosen subjects. A particularly inspiring student, Oliver, received an A* A A despite his severe dyslexia. When analysing the results from the sixth form, 48 per cent of all grades were A*- A. 75 per cent of all grades were A*- B, and 91 per cent of grades were A*- C. In addition, 89 per cent of students achieved A*- C grades in 3 or more subjects. Nearly a quarter, 24 per cent of sixth form students, achieved A*- A grades in 3 or more subjects.

Bath Academy’s A level results surpassed the national average

Pupils also organised a Walk to School Week which was hugely successful, with many groups of parents and children also instigating ‘walking buses’ as well as litter picking on their way to and from school.

The Paragon students are embracing a greener way of life

Photo: The Bath & Wiltshire Parent / Anna Barclay’

LIFE LESSONS

Open Morning

We were visited by both Ofsted and SIAMS in the 2021/2022 academic year and both of these inspections resulted in a ‘Good’ grading in the new challenging frameworks. If you would like to see why the inspectors were so impressed, come and visit us to experience our positive learning environment full of young people who are

part of the Bath Hub. Schools in the Bath Hub share good practice so that students achieve their aspirations and grow through a high quality curriculum offer and a wide range of exciting and engaging learning opportunities. All three schools share a common goal: ensuring students have an excellent experience of secondary education.

We have experienced a period of rapid improvement since becoming involved with the trust, and through our close association with Hayesﬁeld Girls’ School and Beechen Cliff as

21 and 30 September 2022, 9:00 – 11:00am. Welcome at 9am

Young people at St Mark’s School are able to quickly establish themselves and develop their true identities in a setting where the staff know every child, and their contributions to the school and wider community are valued. This helps ensure that our students develop a strong sense of belief in themselves and encourages them to be masters of their own destiny.

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A s an experienced school leader, Mr Thomas Brewer knows what schools need in order to thrive, and also what barriers present themselves to schools prohibiting them to accelerate improvement and provision for pupils. Looking after staff is paramount to the outcomes for pupils and balancing the two are expertly managed by school leaders. Ensuring your staff feel valued and supported whilst providing the best education possible is every leader’s goal. However, this balancing act isn’t easy and often compromises mean headteachers can burn out and headteacher support to stop this happening is sparce. A strong network of colleagues can help but this is not a replacement for quality external dedicated help that can reduce workload and enhance outcomes for pupils. Often, deputy headteachers step up to interim roles without the support in place and whilst this

School priority work – in school or strategically Teacher performance management

– Donna Tandy, CEO, Palladian Academy Trust 2022

Experienced headteachers ready and available for interim posts, and ready to support schools with the following:

offer to work with local schools is not limited to interim posts. They have a selection of experienced headteachers ready to work with headteachers and trusts on school development plans, stafﬁng structures, key priorities and long-term strategic plans. We

“Thomas Brewer has been a real asset to Winsley Primary in the interim role of head of school. He quickly established himself as part of the school team and also the wider Palladian Extended Leadership Team. He developed the curriculum, looking at a progressive model of knowledge and skills while ensuring the pastoral needs of pupils were well met.

School development plan writing School self-evaluation writing

In school coaching for ECT’s or teachers looking to develop certain skills Behaviour management

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WHICH

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

You can catch Nik busking

around town most days of the week

By Lydia Tewkesbury

STRIKE CHORDA

Meet the Bath-based busker with manystrings to his bow

Main photos by Betty Bhandari

What love about busking is the way it changes public spaces, Nik says think very often these days we allow our high streets and public squares ust to be places to shop but having things like musicians and circus performers in the streets takes people out of their daily routine They feel connected with a piece of art and it adds electricity to a space t’ll be a quiet day and then ’ll start playing an rish ig and suddenly there’ll be a group of tourists all dancing around me and some kids running around t transforms the space and think it is one of the strongest assets of the city, our performers

When he’s not performing, the theologian and activist is giving talks about LGBTQ issues in local schools, using social media to promote LGBTQ rights in astern urope, and hosting drag night, W G in oles which he also founded where he performs as other He was also the founder of idsomer Norton ride and led Bath’s first ride march in 2 1 ost recently, he’s been announced as one of the speakers at T Bath on 15 ctober, where he’s giving a talk on queer ritual

FINDING HOME THROUGH RITUAL

f you’ve spent time in Bath, you’ve spotted Nik Jovčić-Sas ne of the city’s most recognisable and popular buskers, you’ll find him performing in the city centre most days, or around venues in Bath and beyond with his band Ninotchka A talented violinist since childhood, he started busking in Bath back in 2 1 when he moved back home after university His unique style quickly got him noticed, and soon opportunities started ooding his way to play gigs he’s performed at The Newt in Somerset before weddings and even the chance to go to Glastonbury with Ninotchka stemmed from a Bo ing ay performance on the streets of Bath

THE BIG www.mediaclash.co.ukINTERVIEW I BATH LIFE I 41

am a very ritualistic person, Nik says bviously ’ve got my faith, so there’s a whole lot of ritual there, and little things, like ’ve gone to Society Caf for about seven years now and always get the same thing make my own co ee the traditional way of South astern urope think Turkish co ee, Greek co ee ou make it on the stove in a little copper pot, and they’ve been making it that way in Serbia for over years was taught by my grandmother and she was taught by her mother love doing it every morning t’s a good co ee and it makes me feel this connection with my ancestors

As he got deeper into his own activism, Nik found there was a role for ritual in that space, too at idsomer Norton ride, for instance, founded when he was only 2 , he included familiar elements you might see at any smalltown f te, like a bake-o competition

Nik was born here in Bath, but his background is astern uropean his family were originally from Serbia before moving to Bath 35 years ago and the little traditions that connected them to home were a vital part of everyday life Connection to his heritage has always been important, but became more difficult when Nik realised in his early teens that he was gay econciling a culture steeped in the tradition of the astern uropean rthodo church a deeply homophobic institution with his own identity became a huge hurdle t’s one he’s still working on today As one of the most well-known pro-gay astern rthodo Christians regularly speaking out on the topic of inclusivity in the church, he has found his own way of e pressing his culture and identity as symbiotic aspects of himself

“It was something that felt very traditional, and allowed people to come together in a way that felt less daunting,” says Nik. Picture grannies with painstakingly baked Victoria sponges alongside their gay grandkids, and you’ve got the building blocks of a more inclusive community. “Ritual is a great way for communities to come together There’s a lot of con ict about the idea of Pride and what it should mean today, and I think one way we can find meaning from it is by embracing the ritual aspect as the thing that ties us to the generations who have fought for LGBT rights before us. It’s about the importance of coming together as a community and manifesting the ways we want to see it – being loud and proud in the towns and villages we call home.”

As a kid whose first taste of ride was watching a violent anti-gay protest at Belgrade Pride on TV in 2001, being loud and proud has been hard won.

He continues, “I’m called Mother because I run everything. It’s my show. There’s a tradition of queer

“I think watching the violence at Belgrade Pride was the first time realised homophobia e isted and not only that, but how e treme and violent it could be eople were saying gay people are sinful, there’s something wrong with them – there were priests and nuns in the protests. That was really scary for me – I thought I was going to hell when I was 11 years old.

ABOVE: Nik started Midsomer Norton Pride when he was 24; BELOW: As Mother, hosting WIG! in Moles

economic problems, tensions with Kosovo and anti-gay protesters as reasons for the decision – activists, including Nik, have vowed it will go ahead.

MAESODIEGO©

It feels a bit like leading a double life. Being queer in Serbia is still seen as scandalous and shocking whereas here – Nik notes, particularly in Bristol – he can be out and proud and safe, relatively speaking. It’s an interesting perspective to take to activism, splitting time between Serbia and the UK, a country that shows things can get better – albeit with a long way to go, particularly as far as trans rights are concerned. Better or not though, he’s never complacent, and is filled with ideas for making Bath a city more inclusive of everyone – from the 2017 Pride march at Bath Carnival to his work in local schools, and WIG!, the drag night at Moles, which has developed a cult following. On 13 October, the show is making a big move to Komedia, with headliner Ginny Lemon of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame.

THE BIG INTERVIEW 42 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

“My drag name is Mother and my tag line is – ‘why do they call me other Because ’m having se with your dad’.” Pause for laughs.

Those are ongoing – as are the death threats and the opposition to Pride in Serbia, where, as of going to press, the president of the country has just cancelled the upcoming EuroPride celebrations in Belgrade, citing

TAKING PRIDE

I’LL BE MOTHER

“When I went to Belgrade Pride myself in 2019, I wanted to do something that everyday people would see, that said: God loves gay people, LGBTQ+ people, trans people. I made this image with the rainbow halo on the Virgin Mary and I walked in Belgrade Pride, and people were really moved by it. I woke up the morning after the Pride march with loads of messages from my friends, who are activists in Serbia, saying that I needed to hide because a neo-Nazi group were looking for me. There were then two law suits filed against me in Serbia for inciting hatred against the church.”

Beginning from his religious upbringing, Nik finds a lot of comfort in ritual

“This is still a political act,for us to come together andbe openly queer”

ABOVE: Nik hosts a drag night, WIG! where new performers are invited on stage to compete; RIGHT: Nik at Belgrade Pride in 2019

families in the queer community, especially with drag – it does feel like being the head of this very weird, dysfunctional family.”

For more: @nikjovcicsas on Instagram

“Doing drag and doing queer nightlife is a lot of fun, but we do sometimes have serious moments for us to remember that this is still a political act, for us to come together and be openly queer and pansexual and nonbinary and trans and have gender-neutral toilets – and all theseHe’sthings.”aworkaholic – with WIG! and the fun new challenge of filling Komedia’s huge stage, five days a week busking, activism, Ninotchka, his band who have a new EP coming out soon… how does he manage it all?

THE BIG INTERVIEW

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

“I think it is one of thestrongest assets of ourcity, the performers”

Like everything Nik does, community was built into WIG!’s design, and many Bath-based performers have started their careers there. At the end of every show, performers are invited to enter the Miss WIG competition – a fashion runway and a chance to lip-sync for their lives à la Drag Race – and the winner, as chosen by the night’s headliner and Nik, gets to perform at the next show. This year WIG! also ran the first Bath Drag Performer of the Year competition, won by drag artist BooHoo Man, who went on to perform at its Pride show in June.

“I don’t know if this is good,” he says. “But I always think to myself, if I was to die tomorrow would I feel happy with everything I’ve done with my life? And at this point I can say to myself – yeah. I’ve pretty much lived every inch I could so far.

“It’s been hard and it’s been good, but I think the good stuff always outweighs the bad. You’ve just got to keep going really. That’s all there is.”

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SNAPSHOTS OF BATH’S CULTURAL LIFE

Featuring themes such as storytelling, animals, humour and violence, Elisabeth Frink: Strength & Sensuality is the Holburne’s first opportunity to show a selection of ame lisabeth Frink’s bron es and works on paper n her Children of the Gods series of etchings, the 11 works featured depict her unique take on some of the tales from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales and classical Greek mythology Together, they e amine an almost unknown, or indeed forgotten, but important aspect of Frink’s career, as both a storyteller and irectorprintmakerofthe Holburne useum Chris Stephens believes this focused e hibition represents an opportunity for art-lovers to en oy a rarely shown display of ame lisabeth Frink’s e traordinary prints He says, isitors will encounter the dynamic energy and e perimental details in her printmaking, while also having the chance to discover a lesser-known side of one of Britain’s most important women artists of the 2 th century Elisabeth Frink: Strength & Sensuality is on display at the Holburne Museum starting 22 September and runs until 8 January 2023; www.holburne.org

ST L N S

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

THE ARTS

ELISABETH FRINK: STRENGTH & SENSUALITY

Nancy Sheung’s 1 1 -1 work is often focused on the female, with a strong emphasis on patterns and lines, and still remains relevant and contemporary to viewers today. Events surrounding the exhibition include a talk from Dr Michael Pritchard of the Royal Photographic Society on 21 September, a Japanese tea ceremony demo on 22 September, and on 5 October, Nancy’s granddaughter Ti any Wai- ing Beres on the significance of her grandmother’s work. The Museum of East Asian Art; www.meaa.org.uk

HATCHING THE PAST: AMERICAN EXPLORERSDINOSAUR

WHAT’SON

Until 16 October MARY SIMPLEFEDDEN:PLEASURES

48 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk 10 September –6 October

Komedia Bath is hosting the Ocean Film Festival on 28 September

The Cardi -based ceramicist, originally from Korea, has garnered a loyal and burgeoning following. In this Beaux Arts exhibition he adds to his signature moon jars and nesting bowls, with new forms adorned with delicious drips of celadon glaze. Also on display are new paintings from Mark Johnston and new works from the sculptor Simon Allen. www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

Until 8 October LINE AND TEXTURE: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF NANCY SHEUNG

Until 1 October

LOVE LIFE: DAVID HOCKNEY DRAWINGS 1963-1977

JAEJUN LEE

The exhibition of 110 paintings and works on paper sheds new light on the working practices of Mary Fedden 1 15-2 12 , by including her easel in the installation, as well

EXHIBITIONS

Featuring themes such as storytelling, animals, humour and violence, this Holburne exhibition displays a selection of Dame Elisabeth Frink’s bronzes and works on paper. Turn to page 47 for more information. www.holburne.org

Until 31 December

There’s still time to catch this beautiful exhibition with more than 40 of David Hockney’s drawings, each demonstrating the artist’s incredible and varied talent. Works on display, taken from the book of the same name, include Ossie Wearing a Fairisle Sweater, and Celia in Black, drawn in Marrakesh in 1971. Holburne Museum; www.holburne.org

some of the still life objects she found inspirational. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 30 October YOU CHOOSE

on the importance of American fossil sites in our understanding of dinosaurs. www.americanmuseum.org

Until 31 December

HERSCHEL 200 EXHIBITION

To commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Bath-based astronomer William Herschel 1 3 -1 22 , this ma or e hibition at his former home on New King Street, highlights the hugely important contributions both he and his sister Caroline made to the world’s understanding of space, including the discovery of Uranus. www.herschelmuseum.org.uk

This remarkable hands-on exhibition at the American Museum o ers an astounding array of dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe, with focus

This is a community-led e hibition with the pieces selected by seven local residents, Bath Spa University fashion design students, and children from ldfield ark Junior School. The 11 displays tell the stories of their personal appreciation and interpretation of the fashion works, and include a 1750s man’s worsted wool banyan and an 1881 beetle wing embroidered day dress. Fashion Museum www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

Until 18 September

22 September –8 January 2023

BELOW: The Michael Rosen classic We’re Going On A Bear Hunt performs at the egg 27 September –1 October

A special participatory singing event where anyone can oin in, held in the open space of Bath Abbey and led by Jane Harris, the director of the local choir groups Songways www.songways.co.uk

THE DOCTOR

IF OPERA

24 September

CROCKETTMATT©

NOISES OFF

SOUL SOUNDINGS AT THE ABBEY

21 September – 1 October

WOODLAND TALES WITH GRANDAD

THEATRE / CINEMA

A family go on an e pedition of a lifetime in this adaptation of the ichael osen classic they go looking for a bear and end up running down the grassy bank, wading through the cold river, squelching over the oo y mud, stumbling into the dark forest, and finally peering into a cave the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

RODIN –IMPRESSIONISTDEGAS:SCULPTURE

Bringing together two towering figures of modern uropean art Auguste odin 1 1 1 and dgar egas 1 3 1 1 , the Holburne useum’s brand new e hibition focuses on the artists’ equally radical representations of the human body www.holburne.org

From big wave surfing to tiger shark conservation, the cean Film Festival is a far-reaching cinematic celebration of the planet’s oceans Komedia Bath; www.komedia.co.uk

WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT

24 September

ROSIE BROWN BAND

Weaving folk, a and blues in uences, with glimpses of Joni itchell, Nick rake, and vintage John artyn, the osie Brown band e presses a musical sensibility all of its own rawing on country, s surf and classical, this is beguiling and intricate music, filmic and funky, full of emotion Chapel Arts; www.chapelarts.org

MUSIC

17 – 18 September

30 September

ichael Frayn’s celebrated playwithin-a-play hurtles along at breakneck speed following the on and o -stage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through the fictional farce, Nothing On Stars Theatre oyal fave Felicity endal and is directed by Lindsay osner Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

23 September – 2 October BATH

28 September

8 January 2023

LITERATURECHILDREN’SFESTIVAL

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL

Award-winning actress Juliet Stevenson reunites with criticallyacclaimed director obert cke for their latest collaboration The Doctor, based on Austrian playwright Arthur Schnit ler’s rofessor Bernhardi When decorated Jewish doctor uth Wol refuses a Catholic priest admission to her dying patient’s bedside, she unwittingly ignites a fierce debate about science, religion, and ethics Theatre Royal Bath; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

13 – 17 September

A beautiful piece of puppet theatre about a heroic grandad who tries to save the woods and its inhabitants who include Laura the ladybird, Je rey the spider, and elda the i en the egg; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

TOP: Maisie Adam brings her witty anecdotal material to Bath Forum on 29 September; MIDDLE: The work of Japanese photographer Nancy Sheung (19141979) can be seen at the Museum of Asian Art until 8 October;

WHAT’S ON

CHILDREN

Until 17 September

24 September –

Continuing the f pera season in the beautiful grounds of Belcombe Court are thrilling and emotional productions of La Rondine, Rita and Il segreto di Susanna an interactive family production of The Man in the Moon; Tales from Chez Bullier, featuring music by uccini, erdi and Lehar and ending the event on 1 September is Dido and Aaneas with guest conductor Christian Curnyn www.ifopera.com

27 September – 1 October

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

MADELEINE PEYROUX enowned a performer adeleine eyrou , often referred to as the Billie Holiday of the s’ will perform her multi awardwinning 2 Careless Love album

urope’s largest stand-alone book festival for children and young people returns with a vibrant array of talks and activities at venues all over the city and to suit all ages Turn to page 5 for our round-up feature www.bathfestivals.org.uk

Nature lovers can sign up to join a bat walk, learn about the trees in the Royal Victoria Park or wildlife at Newton Park. Plus there are rural hikes, informative historical tours, and also returning are tours exploring the LGBT+ history of Bath, and Haile Selassie’s time in the city. www.bathscape.co.uk

29 September

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. Mind you, their Boogie Night Saturdays are pretty much the bomb as well. www.facebook.com/mandalynsbath

BATH FARMERS’ MARKET

More than 70 events will be celebrating Jane Austen’s time in Bath and her representation of the city through her works. These include a summer ball, informative

Relative newcomer yet already a multi-award winner, Maisie’s anecdotal material and witty charm have won her nationwide praise. As advised by the Scottish Herald, “Go see her now, and have bragging rights for years to come.” Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

BCENTRESAINSBURY2,UEA1922,DEGAS,EDGARFOURTEEN,AGEDDANCERLITTLE© WHAT’S ON

Presenter Davina McCall is talking at the Bath Forum to tell her own menopause story and introduce her new book Menopausing that aims to explore and explain the science of the menopause, debunk the myths, and smash taboos. Joining her to share their knowledge and experiences is menopause expert Dr Naomi Potter, and the presenter Angellica Bell. www.bathforum.co.uk

KROWD KEEPERS

JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL

COMEDY

BATHSCAPE WALKING FESTIVAL

10 – 25 September

17 September DAVINA MCCALL

18 September MUSEUM OF BATH STONE OPEN DAY

Every Sunday DRAG KARAOKE AT MANDALYNS

Every Saturday

Every Friday and Saturday

MAISIE ADAM

walking tours, Regency breakfasts and picnics, along with fascinating talks and plays held at the Mission Theatre. www.janeausten.co.uk

As part of the national Heritage Open Days event, residents of Bath

Until 18 September

ABOVE: On 30 September renowned jazz performer Madeleine Peyroux will be performing at Bath Forum;

front-to-back in concert, which includes astounding cover versions of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

The two-week programme includes events to suit walkers of all abilities.

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

Between 9am and 1.30pm a whole array of foodie traders from Bath and surrounds gather together under the Green Park roof, including Bath Soft Cheese, Janifa’s Kitchen, Seven Hills Chocolate, Botanica Studios, Pullins Bakery, and the Thoroughly Wild Meat Co. www.bathfarmersmarket.co.uk

Upstairs at The Ale House on York Street every Friday and Saturday night, some of the world’s best and most innovative magicians take to the stage. The intimate 35-seat venue run by resident magician Billy Kidd promises award-winning performers who have also featured on the stages of Hollywood’s Magic Castle, including Penn & Teller’s Fool Us and Wizard Wars, among many others. www.krowdkeepers.com

RIGHT: In a new exhibition opening 24 September the Holburne Museum is bringing together two towering ﬁgures of modern European sculpture, Rodin and Degas

OTHER

Dame Charlie Hides is the Queen of Bingo, a Royal Television Society Award winner, and has appeared on season nine of RuPaul’s Drag Race. As one of ten children, Charlie began attention seeking and acting out at an early age.

The last great ﬁlm I saw Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. The two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson is brilliant as widow yearning for adventure, human connection, and good sex.

Best TV show ever Some days I think The Sopranos, and other days I think it was TheGolden Girls

CULTURE CLUB

My desert island disc The Very Best of Nile Rogers & Chic. The last gig I went to was to see Nile at Kenwood House

The ﬁrst single I bought In 1978 I saved up my paper round money and bought Dance Dance Dance by Chic.

For more: www.komedia.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

20 & 21 September

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

Dame Charlie Hides is bingo calling at Komedia Bath on 14 September

The star of BBC’s Great British Bake presents a work-in-progress show to the Rondo Theatre sharing her tales from her fascinating life including those of growing up in Africa, on becoming a Dame of the British Empire and, of course, maybe most important of all, being a judge on the world’s biggest TV baking show. www.rondotheatre.co.uk

The book that changed my life

BATH VINTAGE & ANTIQUES MARKET

On the last Sunday of every month the Bath VA visits Green Park Station, with its wide array of vintage and antiques o erings, which include decorative antiques, collectables, retro, furniture, fashion, jewellery, sculpture, curiosities, gardenalia, salvage, carpentry, art, and vinyl. www.vintageandantiques.co.uk

30 September

A ﬁlm I could watch over and over again

My karaoke go-to Grace Kelly by Mika. When I hit the high notes, dogs come running and Mariah Carey gets jealous.

…with Dame Charlie Hides

will have the opportunity to discover the artefacts saved during the city’s £154m stabilisation project and, explore the visual records created by archaeologists to preserve the heritage of the Combe Down Stone Mines. www.museumofbathstone.org

Catch Charlie at Komedia Bath in Comedy Drag Bingo on 14 September and again on 23 November.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I’ve always loved a good revenge tale.

The Hunger, made in 1983, and stars Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie and Susan Sarandon about a love triangle between a vampire, a cellist and a health care worker. It’s a horror ﬁlm and I have watched it at least a dozen times.

Currently watching Preppy Kitchen on YouTube in which John Kanell demonstrates how to make simple but delicious dishes.

The work of Jaejun Lee, the Korean ceramicist now based in Cardiff, can be seen at Beaux Arts until 1 October

PRUE LEITH

Lockdown boxset I watched Schitt’s Creek twice – there are 80 episodes in the run. Moira Rose played by Catherine O’Hara is a panacea for all ailments.

Saturday 24th September 2022 | Hangar 1, Babdown Airﬁeld, Near Tetbury, GL8 8YL Full catalogue available at www.johnrolfeauctions.com

Collection of classic cars

Over 100 lots of good vintage watches

A SALE OF WONDERFUL THINGS

18 carat cigaretteCartiercase

Gilbert Holiday collection

Silver Dunhill lighter gadget cane

1959 Hermes Kelly Bag

100 lots of good furniture 18th Century Neoclassical Marble Table

YOUNG TALENT

Our top picks from this year’s Bath Children’s Literature Festival

By Lydia Tewkesbury

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

Saturday 1 October, 2-2.45pm, The Guildhall

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 55

ARTS B

LEFTTORIGHT: Alice Oseman,Cerrie Burnell and Patrice Lawrence

The entire festival is jam-packed with a diverse range of authors for children of all ages, from fiction writers to historians and beyond Here’s a few of our top picks not to miss…

Patrice Lawrence MBE, award-winning author of Orangeboy Indigo Donut,

admission) and Monday 26 September, 11-11.45am, The Guildhall (schools only)

is a popular Bath Children’s Literature Festival regular. She’ll appear twice this year – once at The Guildhall, where she’s , her new middle grade fantasy series. Set in a magical 1764 London, the story sees heroes Marisee and Robert chasing clues across the city to take down the evil shepherdess who has cursed all of London into a magical slumber. Patrice will later take the Guildhall stage again for a storytelling event Granny Came Our Story

I AM NOT A LABEL WITH CERRIE BURNELL

ath’s annual injection of literary inspiration for young minds is almost upon us again: the Bath Children’s Literature Festival returns from 23 September to 2 October. It’s an exciting year for the festival, which will welcome the author of the smash hit graphic novel series and now beloved Net i show Heartstopper, Alice Oseman to the city as speaker and guest curator. Her Heartstopper events are long sold out of course, but you can still en oy her literary in uence with a series of her carefully selected events.

The charming author and one-time CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell is appearing at the festival in support of her fantastic brand-new nonfiction collection, I Am Not A Label, which shares the biographies of 34 artists, thinkers, athletes and activists with disabilities. Cerrie will also talk about what it takes to turn a love of reading into creating your own work, as well as re ections on her own e periences of disability

in conversation about The Elemental Detectives

The Amazing Edie Eckhart a girl term secondary even it lead in the school play. Author Rosie Jones is an awardwinning stand-up comedian who often incorporates her cerebral palsy into her work, and in this event, Rosie will talk about how Edie’s story came to be, and inspire young people in the audience to write stories about their own experiences.

WITH ROSIE JONES

and

Saturday 24 September, 12-12.45pm, The Guildhall

is a vibrant, joyful book about Edie, a young girl with cerebral palsy, and how she navigates her first term of secondary school. ‘Thrown into the deep end’ doesn’t even cover it as Edie decides to make her mark by auditioning for the

PATRICE LAWRENCE: THE ELEMENTAL DETECTIVES

THE AMAZING EDIE ECKHART

“Cerrie will also talk about what it takes to turn a love ofreading into your own work”

Robert Guildhall for local schools, this time about her debut picture book, Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush and her non-fiction picture book Starts in Africa

work,

Sunday 25 September, 4-45pm, The Guildhall (general

Dr Alex George is on a mission: to help us take care of our minds as well as we take care of our bodies. The A&E doctor is well known for his outspoken honesty and insight on mental health, and appears regularly on Lorraine to talk all things well-being. His new book for young people, A Better Day provides warm and practical advice to help children navigate stresses like school pressure, friendship problems and stories in the news.

Benjamin Dean writes children’s books that are pure joy. From Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow, a gorgeous middle grade read about 12-year-old Archie’s Pride march adventure as he seeks to understand his dad, who has just come out; to his newest middle grade read, The Secret Sunshine Project, about a little girl called Bea with a big plan to bring Pride to the countryside – Benjamin is a writer to watch, and in this talk he’ll be sharing all his top tips for the young authors in the audience as one of the events spearheaded by guest curator, Heartstopper author Alice Oseman.

“Benjaminwww.bathfestivals.org.uk

Dean writeschildren’s books that are pure joy”

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

AMY WILLIAMS IN CONVERSATION WITH LUCY STONE Saturday 1 October, 6-6.45pm, The Guildhall

LEFTTORIGHT: Rosie Jones, Benjamin Dean, Dr Alex George; and local sporting star, Olympian Amy Williams

ARTS

THE SECRET SUNSHINE PROJECT WITH BENJAMIN DEAN Sunday 25 September, The Guildhall, 12-12.45pm

A BETTER DAY WITH DR ALEX GEORGE Saturday 24 September, 11-11.45am, The Egg

Bath-based Olympic gold medal winning skeleton racer Amy Williams MBE will be chatting with local yoga and meditation teacher Lucy Stone about how to fulfil your potential n her book, Talent to Triumph, Amy o ers a guide the entire sporting ourney from beginner to pro, weaving in tales from her own career and the careers of some of Britain’s greatest athletes to help realise young sporting dreams. For more:

Reach the best in the west A uent, active and inﬂuential and just a call away

Bath Life team 475800

01225

rst an e t isis a mas oer a son andinese o ore

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor (Oneworld, £7.99) is a novel for middle-grade readers by Xiran Jay hao At first glance this is a mash-up of Percy Jackson and Chinese folklore, but

BOTTOMLEYNICBOOKS Game on

This is a thought-provoking story, full of real moral conundrums woven into a plot which explores the confusing space between the online world and the real. Like its predecessors, it proves that reading and gaming can combine brilliantly to create the most imaginative storytelling.

This is such an epic emotional rollercoaster of a novel about friendship, ambition and the joy and complexity of following your passions –be they for people, a career or the escapism of gaming.

i ottom e is t e enera mana er o r s m ori m o eadin e i ts o n treet at te www mr sem ori m om

Zachary is an American child of Chinese heritage who loves online gaming. His gaming headset though turns out to be a somewhat poisoned chalice, when the First Emperor of China attempts to possess Zachary, but manages to possess just the headset instead.

Sam becomes the face of the company and develops a persona befitting that position Through his character the novel brilliantly explores Zuckerberg-esque personality cults of tech companies. As Sam’s fame grows and Sadie feels increasingly sidelined, their friendship strains beneath their success.

The story follows two childhood best friends, Sam and Sadie, who meet by chance when they’re both at separate colleges, after several years apart. Their initial friendship was built on their love of gaming, and now that they reconvene as talented undergraduates at MIT and Harvard, they combine their skills to design and build their own games. Huge success soon comes and they set up a gaming company, move to L.A. where they start to learn how to deal with their phenomenal success.

On the art of combining video games and reading

Finally, it makes complete sense for the visual storytelling of graphic novels to connect with video games. In Real Life written by Cory Doctorow and illustrated by Jen Wang (Palgrave, £9.99) follows Anda who gains confidence and friends from playing online multi-player game, CoarseGold. One friendship takes a twist when she is asked to kill some avatars in the game. Her new Chinese friend, it turns out, is a gold-farmer within this virtual world – a player who collects valuable objects and sells them, for real money, to others. Anda’s initial outrage at this rule-breaking becomes clouded when she learns that for the goldfarmer, this is an actual job – one worked out of necessity in terrible conditions for minimal pay.

the added twist is the gaming element.

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

Cue comedy and confusion followed by a desperate mission in which Zachary must repel the ghost monk headed for China, by fi ing the seal that keeps the spirit world separate from the realThereworld.is high-paced action throughout, packed with gaming and car chases, but there’s an emotional underbelly too. For Zachary the stakes are the highest imaginable, as the emperor has stolen his mum’s soul, and he spends much of the novel questioning whether he’s doing the right thing – which makes for tense non-stop drama.

arents, and booksellers, sometimes worry about children reaching for a video game rather than a book. In my view, that worry evaporates once you’ve found them that one book that captures their imagination fully and shows them how fun and enlightening books can be. Video games might still win out plenty of times – and there’s nothing wrong with that – but books will forever be another viable choice and that child can grow up enjoying the storytelling and imagination of both gaming and reading.

And sometimes, the two combine. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Vintage, £16.99) is one of three recent books that spring to mind which put gaming front and centre.

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www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 61

ON JUICETHE

The entire e perience is driven by The Bath Townhouse’s art deco-inspired design by interior designer Gina Brennan t’s full of unique and eye-catching pieces from the bespoke bar counter and wall panelling to the 15-metre mural inspired by S nia elauney artworks

obun is hosting its first whiskey masterclass this month n 22 September, Joe rout from Nikka Whiskey Co will be taking guests on a ourney from the oral aromas of Nikka ays to the peaty and smoky Single alt oichi Nikka Whiskey has been producing whiskey in Japan for years, and the masterclass will suit both whiskey connoisseurs and beginners, with the chance to taste si e pressions from the Tokyo-based distillery, meanwhile obun head chef Jon Claro will provide a selection of ensai appetisers

SCHOFIELDED©

We are hugely e cited to announce the opening of The Bath Townhouse in August, says ishay alkov, C of Coppa Club t’s a unique and intriguing space, characterised by its art deco staircase and Georgian fa ade, right in the centre of the city and with its very own louche-lu e concept We hope it will provide an e citing new o ering for locals and tourists, a place for guests to come no matter the time of day for a fun, vibrant atmosphere

As both myself and Joey are local, we are so e cited to be home, serving the people of Bath, says Scott Wheeler, one half of the Feast Brothers team We couldn’t of asked for a better spot than Queen Square and this is something we have been dreaming about for a long time We will be providing e citing new weekly specials along with our main menu, which includes the cacio e pepe, served from the cheese wheel Come down and let us cater to all your pasta needs

For more: www.coppaclub.co.uk

Coppa Club opened The Bath Townhouse in August The two oors of the ld Bond Street location have a very di erent feel, with a bu ing, vibrant main restaurant, bar and caf space downstairs, and a more sultry feel upstairs in the all-day lounge bar n the evening, upstairs is lit by candles and the music is turned up loud to create more of an intimate bar vibe

PENNE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

The Bath Townhouse’s art deco look comes courtesy of interior designer Gina Brennan

For more: www.feastbrothers.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

You can catch the Feast Brothers every Tuesday-Saturday in Queen Square

The Feast Brothers are back in Bath The pasta loving pair will be serving up their delicious pasta dishes from their food truck in Queen Square, Tuesday to Saturday, 11am until 3pm every week

COP A LOOK

SNAPSHOTS OF BATH’S FOOD SCENE

For more: www.robun.co.uk

Sample the best Japanese whiskey at the Robun masterclass

1 2 3 4 5 62 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Minerva’s vines have yet to reach full maturity, so their first limited run of 3, bottles is available only to their vineyard members, status that comes with benefits beyond just the wine, including the chance to dine at the vineyard, to get an exclusive NFT limited edition digital artwork, and enjoy early access to the wines. www.minervawine.com

5CORKAGE

3CANNED WINE CO

Whitehall Farm has been the Self family home for five generations n 2 1 , the family, also owners of Whitehall Garden Centre decided it was time to innovate – and planted a vineyard in the rich, fertile soils of the Avon alley The wines were finally ready for sale in September of 2 2 , a collection tailor-made by hand with only the highest quality grapes and quickly picked up awards including a Silver ecanter World Wine Award and a Gold medal at the ndependent nglish Wine Awards A business with family at its heart, two of the wines, the Charlotte May Rosé and Madeline May Chardonnay are named after the family’s two daughters. www.whitehallvineyard.co.uk

inspired by the desire to enjoy a small – i.e. a ordable amount of a high quality wine, rather than an entire bottle of the cheap stu Canned Wine Co works with some of the finest wine makers in urope names like Michel Huber, Norrel Robertson MW, Thierry Boudinaud, Laurent iquel, Walter Glat er and Javier San and have perfected the canning process so you’re always guaranteed the wine at its best when you crack one open. www.cannedwine.co

Minerva Bath Sparkling Wine is the new kid on the block, founded by ddie Sauvao and mily Addicott-Sauvao inerva is named for the oman Goddess of wisdom, the arts and strategy, a purpose the company has adopted along with the name. They want not only to make the best wine, but to inspire the next generation of farmers, artists, winemakers, innovators and creators – particularly young women – as they do it.

Probably one of Bath’s coolest wine spots, Wolf Wine’s cabin and Shrine (which could ust be Bath’s smallest bar in Green ark Station is a am-packed library of the most exciting small production wines from all over the world They o er a mi of local bottles like Limeburn Hill, from the vineyard near Chew Magna, and wines from all over the world. And while we don’t advocate for udging a bottle from its label those you’ll find in Wolf Wine are certainly striking Think eye-catching artworks characteristic of brands like beat Wine and Fabien Jouves You F@ck My Wine?! and in this hand-picked selection the taste is always as good as the aesthetic. www.wolfwine.co.uk

VINEYARD

Only the best wine and only the best spots to get it

4MINERVA

When it comes to getting the best wine with dinner in Bath, it’s hard to beat Corkage. Owners, local hospitality royalty Rich and Marty spend hours painstakingly curating the hand-picked wine list and they’ll only sell

1WOLF WINE

a bottle they enjoy drinking themselves. Whether you’re after the perfectly matched food pairing or just want a spot with an exclusive feel to while away the time until the wee small hours with a bottle of the best, the little bar on Chapel Row is the place to go. They even have an online shop of their full wine catalogue so you can order that Corkage experience to your home. www.corkagebath.com

TRY FIVE

2WHITEHALL

The Canned Wine Co was founded by University of Bath alumni Simon Rollings,

L CAL W N S

RESTAURANT 64 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk Actually

By Matt Bielby

It’s also now home to The Pig & Fiddle Supper Club, which takes place on the last Thursday of each month, and is an unavoidably exclusive event: there are only 14 covers in the place, those on the right as you walk in

The supper club is the brainchild of head chef Alex Weber, who’s been here a little over a year, and sous chef Connor Pouncy. The pair have a good rapport going, and an impressive work ethic too: on Supper Club Thursdays they keep the fish and chips owing in the main pub, while simultaneously catering for the select crowd next door. enus generally consist of five dishes plus e tras, with a handful of options for the tentpole courses, and are loosely themed. The guys began with a French night –Ale ’s speciality before trying a Scandinavian-themed o ering, and then the talian feast we en oyed The ne t club on 29 September is a German menu, with dishes to include wood piegon, green soup, and grilled mackerel.

PIG & FIDDLE SUPPER CLUB at Butcombe’s Broad Street Townhouse next door, this inventive, informal supper club is one of Bath’s best-kept secrets, and the perfect payday treat

Back to Italy, we began with cocktails, a Negroni and a zesty Watermelon Sugar High which was sweet, but not too much so, and disappeared all too swiftly.

ne of the most exciting aspects of The Pig & Fiddle’s 2020 reinvention – yes, they had the bad luck to undertake a refurb right before Covid hit – was the introduction of a sister venue right next door, Broad Street Townhouse. The Pig itself – on the corner of Broad Street, with a long strip of outdoor seating – has always had a lively, inclusive vibe: something of a sports bar, yet also a place for students, and a little bohemian. But now it started upping its foodie game, with ham hock terrine and Buddha bowls alongside the burgers. And, next door, things got even fancier. The Townhouse o ers rooms for the night and a chilled-out, vaguely arisian co ee-and-cocktails caf bar on the ground oor, awash with gilt and artfully stacked books

working naturally for couples – small tables slotting into distressed alcoves like hermit crabs in their shells – while slightly larger parties can be easily accommodated on the left, in front of a giant baroque mirror.

Then, the food. Pillowy soft focaccia with pesto butter and a rapeseed oil and sherry vinegar reduction was tasty and well judged in terms of size; a good start.

Broad Street Townhouse, 32 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LP; 01225 330190; www.butcombe.com

Monday- Sunday 12pm -11pm

For mains there were three choices, and we skipped past the tomato and basil pappardelle with pea arancini, vegetarian Parmesan and roasted pine nuts – tempting though it was in favour of the confit trout with basil, fennel, tomato, panelle (a sort of chickpea fritter) and lemon gel, and a mighty lamb ragu dish, with pappardelle, smoked aubergine, yarrow oil and shimeji mushroom. This was a rich, meaty a air by far the most substantial o ering tonight and is the dish ’ll remember the longest from the evening, but the delicate and perfectly cooked trout held its own, helped no end by the individualist contributions of the lemon and fennel.

Vegetarian options With appealing vegetarian options for each course, you couldn’t really ask for more

Atmosphere Chilled and relaxed

What else? Inventive dishes in a convivial space for a good price; what’s not to like?

contrastedcourgetteslivers“Thinofwiththecrunchofthefritter” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 65 SCOTTLAUREN©PAGETHISONIMAGES

Style of food Fresh modern classics, with the inevitable twist

Covers Pig 66 (outdoor 72), Townhouse 14

Drinks 2 ciders, 5 lagers, 2 ales, 1 stout on tap, plenty of wine, spirit and gin choices, and a good value cocktail menu

Opening hours (Pig & Fiddle)

This was an imaginative, entertaining meal in a pleasing, easily accessible setting for a fair price; something of the experience of a country house hotel tasting menu, but without the need to drive for half an hour even think that the more out-there and experimental this pair of chefs become in the months ahead, the better it will get.

Owners Butcombe

A little rest, and then we took both puds, the tiramisu mille-feuille and the elder ower panna cotta The striking delicatessen window appeal of the mille-feuille was backed up by the pleasing contrast between crisp, akey pastry and decent co ee cr me, while the subtle tropical- oral taste of elder ower made the panna cotta the perfect finale

r nearly a choice of co ees came last, accompanied by inventive, almondy biscuits.

DINING DETAILS

Prices Supper club £40; otherwise starters £5.75- £10.95; mains £12.50- £25.95; desserts £6.50- £7.50

Now it was time for the starter proper, a choice between a crab and smoked salmon cappelletti, with a bisque, squid ink reduction and a tomato salad, and marinated courgette with smoked ricotta, ower fritter, port figs and chilli. Naturally we took one of each, and shared eagerly. Cappelletti, or ‘little hats’, is a large ring-shaped pasta, almost (but not quite) identical to tortellini, and this seafood version hit the spot perfectly. Meanwhile, the mi of te tures and avours in the vegan dish, the long, thick slivers of courgette contrasting with the crunch of the fritter and the rich, ammy-sweet eroticism of the figs, meant no one felt short changed.

Name of chefs Alex Weber, Connor Pouncy

Next up, Caprese cannoli, a crisp, bubbly, fried pastry tube filled with greenish goodness including, but not limited to, ricotta cheese; similar things often come awash with icing sugar and are served as desserts, but this was a decidedly savoury version, like the oversized result of an illicit liaison between a cheese straw and a brandy snap.

Disabled access Yes

Time for a break now, with a mint granita, like a tiny, shivering Mojito.

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE TODAYSUBSCRIBENevermissanissueof Bath Life – get your own copy posted to you on the Friday the magazine comes out Get yours for £40 for UK subscriptions (26 issues) www.mediaclash.co.uk/subscribe £4026ISSUESFOR

EXECUTIVE CHEF AT BYBROOK RESTAURANT 01249 782206; www.bybrookrestaurant.co.uk

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

What is your favourite part of the job?

How did you start out?

Which accomplishment has made you proudest?

Locally I have worked at Lucknam Park under Hywel Jones and Bath Priory, under Michael Nizzero at the time. Both amazing chefs who I learnt a lot from and am proud to say I worked for.

JESSE DAVIES JESSE DAVIES – PERSONAL CHEF HIRE hello@aroama.co.uk; www.jessedavieschef.com

Jesse Davies

CONTENT www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 67

Working more with our fantastic kitchen gardeners to increase our home grown produce all year round, continuing to develop our junior chefs’ creativity and career progression, not to mention a whole host of delicious new seasonal menus!

What sets you apart from others in your ﬁeld?

How did you start out?

Touring the world as a chef, and catering for backstage events in the music business. I’ve worked on stadium tours in the US and Europe with bands such as Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, George Michael and One Direction.

There’s been a big shift within hospitality following the pandemic towards sustainability. We’ve seen vegan and dairy-free diets become extremely popular, a trend we’re embracing to create delicious menus that don’t feel like an afterthought. What are your plans for the next 12 months?

We’re the ﬁrst B Corp hotel group in the UK, celebrating our passion for exceptional menus, whilst looking after people and the planet. It’s important to me to design dishes for Bybrook considering both the provenance and quality of ingredients to maintain the Michelin star we’ve held for six years. Harvesting vegetables and herbs in our kitchen garden daily, using lamb from Langley Chase, ﬁve miles away, and seafood that’s hand dived or caught on day boats. We’re also one of the only hotels offering artisan bakery standard breads and pastries.

On a daily basis we open up in our little 10ft food trailer and serve authentic Italian pasta dishes in noodle boxes. Chatting to the public and seeing their reaction to our pecorino cheese wheel is our favourite part of our daily routine. We wake up, we serve pasta, we go home and prep for the next day. What sets you apart from the rest?

I like cooking food from around the world and I’m particularly interested in ﬂavour proﬁles from different countries and cultures, so you could say my style is ‘international’ if there is such a thing. I love cooking Persian meatballs with sour cherries – that is on my menu at the moment.

To develop the menu at Forage. It’s a new challenge for me. Once my wife, who is GM at Forage is back from maternity leave, I’m looking forward to continuing to push the menu forward further and run some exciting function evenings with seasonal menus. Where do your source your ingredients from?

Describe your offering...

When I was 17 I started as a trainee chef at the Michelin star hotel and restaurant Lucknam Park.

I try to stay as local as possible. Here at Forage we have a huge polytunnel where our fabulous resident gardener grows seasonal goodies ready for me to put on the menu the very same day.

There’s lots of great street vendors out there doing really interesting, good work, especially around Bath. We think that what gives us the edge is our speed and consistency. We can do four pastas in 90 seconds and offer a fast food-style way of eating classic Italian pasta dishes. We also combine great local produce with authentic ingredients imported straight from Italy.

Rob Potter

FORAGE AT WADSWICK 01225 636096; www.foragewadswick.co.uk

Scott Wheeler & Joey Ashton

I offer a dinning experience packed with ﬂavour, exploring different, interesting ﬂavours from around the world. I help make special occasions even more special and stress-free.

Ben McCubbin

What do you hope to achieve in the next year? Our plans are to build a following at our food truck in Queen Square, as well as taking our passion for pasta to people at markets and festivals all over. We are really looking forward to being part of the Bath Christmas Market this year, also for the ﬁrst time.

BEN MCCUBBIN

SCOTT WHEELER & JOEY ASHTON FEAST info@feastbrothers.co.uk;07541247811;BROTHERS07498813898www.feastbrothers.co.uk

Cooking up a storm with the best local produce aroundSPONSORED

When everybody is talking round the table and they take the ﬁrst few bites of food and everybody goes quiet, and you can hear the enjoyment in them eating. I love being creative, meeting the customer, giving them a great meal to enjoy with friends and family.

What’s on the menu?

I love to make a good breakfast, whether it’s a full English, some tasty sweet pancakes or a good old eggs benedict. I think a hearty breakfast is the start of a good day ahead. Which other chefs do you admire?

What dish do you love cooking the most?

I started out as most chefs do, working as a kitchen porter at the pub local to home, the Seven Stars at Winsley. I then left school and went to work at The Royal Crescent Hotel as a kitchen porter, moving my way up the ranks under Steven Blake, my ﬁrst head chef. What dish do you love cooking the most?

ROB POTTER

What are the latest trends in the industry?

MEET THE CHEF

Honey Willow handcrafts meaningful jewellery for loved ones and life’s milestones. All jewellery is handmade to order in central Bath. www.honeywillow.com @honeywillowjewellery 8 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AX jewellery@honeywillow.com 01225 422 339 Opening Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm. Sunday, 11am–4pm Going Away Gift for Daughter Visit the website to see the full range, or visit our shop on Pulteney Bridge. • Roof Replacement • Detailed Lead Work • Repairs • Flat roofing • UPVC Fascias and soffits 01225 251458 | 07540 JACKSON-DIXROOFING@OUTLOOK.COM700908

OUT OF THE BLUE

LIVE WELL, BUY SHOPPINGBETTER

It’s nearly the end of summer and it’s all eyes back on indoors. A little birdie tells us, a little blue birdie in fact, that blue is the colour trend on the horizon. This wallpaper by Mind The Gap is an original mural style design inspired by the Japanese art of Aizome, which is the Japanese word for indigo dying, and depicts ancient hand paintings made on di erent substrates The Indigo Addiction collection is by Mind The Gap and costs £195 for 3 rolls and is available to order through stockists Woodhouse & Law, 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 69

ARNDEAN LUXURY VINYL TILES, POA arndean ooring is renowned, not just for its durability and ease of maintenance, but also its unique and gorgeous designs inspired by nature From Virtuoso Flooring, 10 Moorland Road, Bath; www virt osofloorin o

APEX RUG, PRICES

Home accessories are feeling a little blue right now, which is making us happy

Woodhouse and Law have recently collaborated with textile designer Hannah Carson to create their own exclusive range of fabrics and cushions available online only, including this beauty on habotai silk From Woodhouse & Law, 4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

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

JOURNEY CUSHION, £259

IKAT CIRQUE GREY SIDE LAMP, £285

A large metal table lamp with a uniquely detailed hand painted Ikat pattern on the base in a two-tone grey on an ivory ground From French www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.ukBedroom;

BOLT FROM THE BLUE

An imaginative collaborative piece featuring Puddin’head's whimsical design and Avenida Home creation, this hand-glazed, ceramic octopus mug will brighten up your tea, co ee, or hot choc breaks From Avenida Home; www.avenidahome.com

OCTOPUS MUG, £20

START AT £388

A super-fine hand tufted wool with a short and dense pile, and space dyed lines From India Jane, 20 Milsom Street, www.indiajane.co.ukBath;

CHIDDINGFOLD CHAIR, PRICES START AT £1,672

Crafted from pure new wool in a deep shade of navy, this soft wool throw with elegant cream fringing is handwoven in the UK. Looks equally beautiful draped around the home, or around your shoulders.

The attractive asymmetric shape of these handblown Zaani glass vases made from recycled glass gives them a charming and individual feel, and the mixed sizes and shapes make for a striking display.

I BATH LIFE I 71

EDITOR’S

From Julia Davey, 20 Wellsway, Bear Flat, www.juliadavey.comBath;

BLUE URCHIN JUG, £39.95

From Graham & Green, 92 Walcot Street, www.grahamandgreen.co.ukBath;

SILVER DESIGN BLUE DRAWER KNOB, £3.95

www.mediaclash.co.ukCHOICE

A pretty light blue ceramic cupboard knob with unique silver design in a classic round shape, perfect for perking up an old chest of drawers, dresser or cabinet.

ZAANI GLASS VASE BY NKUKU, PRICES START AT £30

This bold blue jug features a uniquely textured exterior which is inspired by sea urchins. Perfect for displaying your favourite owers or to serve water, wine or juice at your dining table.

From French Grey Interiors,1 Burton Street, Bath, www.frenchgreyinteriors.co.uk

Inspired by a 19th century chair, purchased in a Petworth antique shop, the Chiddingfold, seen here in matt velvet dark blue, takes the Howard arm and combines it with a beautiful deep buttoned back. rom o as t 7 New Canal, Salisbury, www so asandst om

SOFT WOOL THROW, £80

From Cox & Cox, www.coxandcox.co.uk

The street in Bath that would give its London namesake a run for its money

72 I BATH LIFE I

Ann Perry, owner of Consciously You, the store that specialises in mindful living and gifting, 1 Kennington Road, Bath; www.consciouslyyou.co.uk

Here we catch up with a few more of those Chelsea names helping put their area on the map

Chelsea oad The latter in particular with its caf s and restaurants o ers the community a taste of cosmopolitan living and brings people from all areas of the community and further afield together t also saves the need for trekking into the city centre everything is on your doorstep, even a Lidl, and arks and Spencer’s

Consciously ou has ust turned three years old and am so pleased that was able to open on the Chelsea oad Having grown up and always lived in Weston, have great memories of shopping here with my mum and always knew if one day opened my own business, it would on the Chelsea oad uring my time here see more and more families wanting to shop local, which is reassuring and appreciated And it is children that are driving the change for sustainability they are the ones making their parentsostrefilltraders on Chelsea oad have very small teams if any sta at all and so, as a street, we are one team There are lots of pavement co ee chats, which is great because even as a sole trader you never feel like you’re working alone Those of us who o er a delivery service will always check to see if we can combine a trip We all helped one another before lockdown, during it, and will continue to so in the future

Duncan Nash, director of the estate agents Nash & Co, 17 Chelsea Road, Bath; www.nashandcobath.co.uk

By Sarah Moolla

MADE CHELSEAINROAD

Duncan Nash of Nash & Co says the area has heart and soul

itting ust o the long, wide, and pretty uneventful Newbridge oad, is an e clamation point of colour, innovation, and indie retailers Chelsea oad boasts its own art gallery, greengrocers, hardware store, a hip veggie restaurant, a deli, a barbers, hairdressers plus a whole raft of other thriving indies As Anne Anderson, owner of aprika, the home and gift store found on Chelsea oad, says, There’s a great sense of local community here and its both brilliant and useful that we have such an eclectic mi of businesses right in the midst of such a residential area

STREETwww.mediaclash.co.ukLIFE

The balance between the shopping hub and easy access to recreational facilities such as great walks, cycle paths and open green spaces is ideal Good local schools mean it’s a great place for families to settle as well From an estate agent’s point of view, the area has character, with many fine period homes of all si es, interspersed with a more modern stock of properties giving it a nice balance y family and have lived in Newbridge for the last 25 years and am fortunate to say that my home is within walking distance of my office, so naturally am passionate about the area and have a vested interest in seeing it ourish

This whole area is easy to sell it has a heart and soul At its centre there are two popular shopping precincts in Weston High Street and

Ann Perry of Consciously You always wanted to open her store on the Chelsea Road

“Even as a sole trader you never feel likeyou’re working alone”

Louis Mullane of Gregorys Estate Agents which opened on Chelsea Road in October 2021

“I’ve lived in Newbridge for a really long time, since leaving university. It’s was a great place to live when we were younger and commuting to work as it’s easy to get to Bristol, and easy access to the motorway. Now with a family, we love the excellent local schools, the community spirit and the range of amenities.

“I think what sets Weston apart from other areas of Bath is that it blends the best bits of our city into one small pocket. We have Chelsea Road acting as the hub of our community, with a heap of independents showing o their personalities We also bask in picturesque greenery, surrounded by rolling countryside, riverside walks, and peaceful woodland. The area boasts some stunning architecture, sought after schools, and proactive neighbourhoods. It has all of this, whilst being on the doorstep to the vibrant city centre and scenic neighbouring villages. There’s also an array of excellent schools, it’s a short stroll to Royal Victoria Park, and the Cotswold Way nature trail is just on the doorstep.

Emma D’Aubyn, director of Mutu Accountancy, 7 Chelsea Road, Bath, www.mutu.uk

if you can get an outdoor spot! And when I need to buy a gift my first stop is aprika

Leroy McKenzie, owner and manager of Schmidt Bath, 1 Park Road, Bath; www.schmidt-bath.com

“I’m addicted to Rooted’s Indian breakfast – and extra specially nice

“Schmidt Bath, formerly known as Interior Harmony, has been based in ust o Chelsea Road for nearly 40 years, providing bespoke made-to-measure kitchens and interior solutions to customers across Bath and the surrounding area in all that time.

“I also live locally, so being able to share in the sense of community in Chelsea Road and the Weston area has been beneficial both personally and professionally. We’ve formed close relationships through our business, and this has led to many great friendships.”

“We opened our Gregorys doors here on 1 October just last year, and along with many other factors, it was the sense of being part of a traditional high street alongside lots of other independent businesses that really appealed. I live just up the road and having been in Weston now for six years –I just can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

ABOVE: Emma D’Aubyn of Mutu Accountants loves Rooted’s Indian breakfast; LEFT: Ed Vincent, Leroy McKenzie, and Trenton Scantlebury of Schmidt Bath which has been a part of Chelsea Road for nearly 40 years

“As part of our environmental policies for the company we regularly use refillable soap and sanitiser from Consciously You. Debbie and team at Naughty but Nice hairdressers every time, the charity shops are excellent, the Deli serves the most perfect co ee honestly I think I use almost every business in the street and couldn’t do without them. In fact, I rarely need to go into town now.”

“There’s a heapof independentss owin o t eir personalities”

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 75 STREET LIFE

Louis Mullane, senior associate Gregorys Estate Agents, 12 Chelsea Road, Bath; www.gregorysestateagent.co.uk

“This is a brilliant spot overlooking Newbridge Road, with a melting pot of families, students and tourists using Airbnb’s, plus it’s not that far from Saltford and Bristol.

“My uncle took over the shop about 35 years ago, and hopefully he will be about for the ne t 35 years t is a great place to be we are on first name terms with the ma ority of our customers and they are great people who you can always have a good conversation with.

ABOVE: Giuseppe Brucculeri took over as owner of the Chelsea Road Deli in January 2020;

Luke James Charity of Homecharmer, 7a Chelsea Road, Bath; tel: 01225 314008

Like us, most of the shops here go the e tra mile, and the eli’s bacon sandwiches are ust the ob on hangover days

ur family has lived in Chelsea oad for over 3 years, and grew up here, returning about five years ago We opened ooted in 2 1 my dad would drive past the old Dorothy House charity shop, which was derelict, and said he wanted to create a forward thinking vegetarian/ vegan restaurant, which had not been done in the area before.

“We took over the Deli at the start of 2020 in January, just before Covid hit, but were fortunate that, with the support of the locals, we were able to keep going Chelsea oad is one of few streets in Bath that o ers that strong sense of community and genuine interaction between shop keepers and customers.

76 I BATH LIFE I

BELOW: Manager of Rooted Georgina Read-Peter whose family have lived in the area for over 30 years

STREETwww.mediaclash.co.ukLIFE

Giuseppe Brucculeri is owner of the Chelsea Road Deli, 8 Chelsea Road, Bath; www.chelseadeli.co.uk

Georgina Read-Peter, manager of Rooted, 20 Newbridge Road, Bath; www.rootedcafe.co.uk

Chelsea oad has its own unique vibe and is ourishing We have everything we need in the area on our own mini high street love going to see Ann at Consciously You; the greengrocers for all my fruit and veg get my owers from iane of Garden oom Flowers of Bath who is based in the grocers and like to walk down to Basil Bakery for bread

“We do feel like we are part of something special in this area –unique shops o ering great shopping and dining e periences

“Most of the shopshere go the extra mile”

Luke James of Charity of Homecharmer is on ﬁrst name terms with most of the hardware store’s customers

Repairs, Restoration • Alteration of Stone Buildings New Build • Stone Cleaning • Stone Carving • Fireplaces Nigel Dando WE BUY Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition. Nigel Dando 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY Tel/Fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk Consciously You Sustainable Mindful Living HOMEWARE, LIFESTYLE & GIFT SHOP 1 KENNINGTON ROAD, BATH BA1 3EA Let's Connect: f REFILLHELLO@CONSCIOUSLYYOU.CO.UKCONSCIOUSLYYOUBATHCONSCIOUSLYYOUBATHSTATION•HOUSEHOLD CLEANING BEAUTY • SKINCARE • CANDLES SOAPS • WWW.CONSCIOUSLYYOU.CO.UKACCESSORIES Something special for you, your family & friends GIFTS | CLOTHING | ACCESSORIES 8d Chelsea Road, Bath BA1 3DU 01225 443246 | sales@paprikagifts.co.uk www.paprikagifts.co.uk

REBECCA O’REILLY is a certified holistic nutritionist and naturopath specialising in helping people overcome chronic and mystery illness, using food as medicine. With food and nature at the core of her practice, Rebecca is passionate about supporting those who have struggled to find answers to their health issues. She works with clients both locally and internationally through her online and in-person practice in Bath. info@rebecca-oreilly.com; www.rebecca-oreilly.com

REVITALISE SKIN CARE is an exclusive medical clinic with an ability to deliver great aesthetic results, whilst maintaining the highest standards of patient care, based on the team’s exacting levels of knowledge, professionalism and training. Prior to every treatment full consultations with patients are offered to discuss options. Key treatments include: wrinkle reduction injections, dermal fillers, nonsurgical face lifts and advanced laser hair removal. 01225 760556; www.revitaliseskincareclinic.co.uk

The newly designed Hot Tub Junior Suites are just one of the latest additions to Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa. Each suite sits on a private terrace surrounded by hedges, adorned with unique art pieces, underfloor-heated, and offers a walk-in rainforest shower experience. What better way to connect body and mind than a private countryside retreat? Boreham Rd, Warminster BA12 9HH; 01985 804680; www.bishopstrowhotel.com

LIVELIFE HEALTH & FITNESS brings health and fitness to your front door. Personalised, habit forming long lasting changes, in the comfort and security of your home and garden. LiveLife takes the stress from busy professionals looking to make meaningful changes, in order to live a more balanced, confident and healthy lifestyle for themselves and their family. 07858 022228; www.golivelife.co.uk/bathlife

BISHOPSTROW HOTEL & SPA

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VERVE FESTIVAL is this month! Escape the everyday with goddess workshops, Gaia meditations, breathwork, gong baths and yoga. Relax in the Zest Spa, listen to expert talks then dance to DJ sets by Huey Morgan, Will Streetwise & DJ Emma. VERVE is the ultimate sanctuary for your soul. Hatch House, West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6PA; www.feeltheverve.com

THE TEAM BATH GYM & FITNESS CENTRE. Even modest physical activity is known to energise our mental as well as physical health, boosting our well-being and helping us get more from every day. Team Bath are ready to help you start or restart activity - often the hardest step. Our expert and welcoming staff and trainers will be there to support you. Everyone welcome. 01225 383597; teambath-memberships@bath.ac.uk; www.teambath.com/ﬁtness

APPLETON NUTRITION is founded by Nicolle Appleton, a fully-qualified Nutritionist with 15 years-experience in Alzheimer’s disease research. She is a specialist in optimising the health and wellbeing of those affected by Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Our diet can deeply affects our minds and our lives – get the knowhow on nourishing your brain with the choice of strategy sessions and 6-months programmes. 07894086663;nicolle.appletonnutrition@gmail.com; www.appletonnutrition.co.uk

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

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

Take care of yourself inside and out FOR THE BODY & MIND

The room itself was a dreamy scene of muted taupe with a single and warming pink neon strip of light that edged the room. Everything about this room (and the previous waiting room and entrance lobby) was gorgeously finished, again, as you’d e pect

I was having the excellently named ‘Lessen the Stress’ – hell yeah –60 minutes of massage designed to target the tensions in your neck, shoulders and back; a cortisol lowering, mood boosting hour, ending in an organic facial. The Spa uses Britain by Pinks Boutique formulations and blends, eco luxury products that are vegan, organic, sustainable, and ethical, and accredited by the Soil Association. All the ticks.

The Spa is situated at the rear of the main hotel, accessible through the main entrance for the most chichi of arrivals but you can also access via a dedicated entrance from Henrietta Gardens. Top tip, go through the hotel and marvel at the beautiful, amusing, and clever curated collections that adorn the corridors and walls.

It’s important to state very clearly that The Spa is most definitely open to non-residents a fact that had somehow passed me by – making this delicious corner of Georgian Bath one of the city’s best kept secrets, which, absolutely must stay that way and I insist that you tell no one, it was that good.

I was greeted by Charlotte, my therapist, who asked me to complete the usual type of form you’d expect as a client in a new salon. It is used to check all is good and well and helps

HEALTH & BEAUTY

ave you ever wished that you could take your blissedout post-massage state home with you? Well, the Guest House Spa at No.15 by GuestHouse are working on just that.

ers anopportunity toreplay the wholetreatment againat home”

THE GUEST HOUSE SPA

CLOCKWISEFROMTOPLEFT: No.15 by GuestHouse houses a gorgeous spa; the massage room is a dreamy scene of muted taupe; take time to explore the nooks and crannies at the Guest House Spa

to highlight any specific concerns or health conditions that your therapist should be aware of. However, this check also provided a clever and slick extra that made this treatment stand out from the rest – more on that later.

How the spa team at No.15 by GuestHouse have literally managed to ‘bottle that feeling’

By Sarah Baker

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Here’s the clever bit. After the inevitable grief of such a luxurious hour being over, you learn that the form you completed earlier where you’d picked a feeling that you would like to experience at the end of your treatment had a greater purpose. The playlist and oil blend had been selected to re ect that choice, and I was handed a small bottle of the same oil and a Spotify link to the music that had been playing during my treatment. I mean, that’s brilliant right? Essentially, an opportunity to replay the whole thing again at home and tap into my new re uvenated state But definitely don’t tell anyone.

The website refers to ‘soothing vibes’ and I concur; it was indeed soothing and with a mellow hum of music in the background.

The treatment itself, which costs £105, was equally delicious with delicate and thoughtful attention to detail that made the massage seamless and bespoke. Charlotte clearly knows bodies and tuned in to mine to find those areas of stress that needed lessening and worked on those with a pressure that suited me whilst also being relaxing. The oil fragrance was divine, and the facial products were calming and cooling. I absolutely had my stress lessened.

For more: The Guest House Spa at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath, 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath; tel: 01225 807015; www.guesthousehotels.co.uk

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The talks and interactive sessions that make up the conference come after months of

Allison Herbert, chiefofexecutiveBathBID

THIS ISSUE >>BIZ CLUB CLEARLY PR (85) >>BIZ Q&A CLAIRE WALKER (83) >>BATH LIFE AWARDS HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (87)

Bath adio and Labyrinth night club, we are also incorporating video and audio clips so that businesses and young people who aren’t in the room can be heard

BATH WORKS

It’s the city’s business

From our perspective at the Bath B , developing the conference has felt like a very natural step in the rapidly changing post-Covid economic world our business members are facing t links to our commitment to both a Connected and a Successful City which we put forward as part of our five-year plan, published in 2 21 ore than ever, businesses have had to e and respond to challenges like the pandemic, Bre it, the subsequent recruitment challenges and the Clean Air one, and now the cost-of-living crisis We were hearing from local businesses that they wanted to be part of the conversation about how the future of Bath could look and so the conference came about as a platform where discussions can begin, people can share their brilliant ideas and inspiration can be turned into action We can’t change the global situation, but the collective entrepreneurial spirit of Bath’s business community is a force to be reckoned with, and we believe that we can make an impact locally ur keynote breakfast speaker will be Steve Scott from GH We have been working with GH for several years as they provide us and other cities with essential data about who is visiting the city and patterns of spending Steve will bring an e ternal perspective re ecting on Bath’s relative position in comparison to other cities and the general outlook as we look forward over the ne t five, 1 or 5 years

We’ve collaborated with partners on an interactive e hibition area, and we have even arranged a booth think Big Brother Diary Room) for people to share their brilliant ideas privately

he Bath Business Conference is a morning-long event filled with insights into the city, where it’s been, and where we can go ne t A combination of networking sessions and talks from spokespeople from the local business community, it will o er a chance to celebrate all that we are, identify areas for improvement and work together on finding solutions all hosted by Buro Happold, from its beautiful central Bath location over the river

Allison Herbert shares what’s coming up at the Bath Business Conference

There are only a handful of tickets left for the event, but all the feedback will be gathered and published, and the real work will begin after the conference, when we will oin forces with our partners across the region to assess, prioritise and progress the ideas

The BID means business

For more: www.bathbid.co.uk

development in collaboration with di erent organisations and voices, in particular our steering group, which includes Buro Happold, isit West, St Johns, BAN S nitiative, BAN S Council and Bath Spa niversity Together, we have formulated a programme which can appeal to the wide range of businesses in the city and will include panel discussions on Net ero, the State of the City, mployment and Skills and eveloping the estination We have recruited speakers and facilitators for each topic, but the real purpose of the panel discussions is to hear from businesses Working with Bath College,

We are based on a farm, we do farm school activities and love to learn in nature. Our beautiful site means the students get to work with the animals one morning a week and have access to the woods and river – but we are all about teaching 21st-century skills to equip our students with skills for life.

As headteacher and director of education, I am responsible for both the operational running of the school and creating an exciting, inspiring, and genuinely progressive education for our students.

Are there other Lumiar schools?

Masters are subject matter experts who come into the school to share knowledge in a particular area. Often, masters are not ‘teachers’ in a formal sense, but individuals from business and industry, or people who can share their interests, knowledge, passions, or life experiences with the students.

Would you say its a more practical approach to education?

BATHWORKS

The Lumiar education model was devised in Brazil 15 years ago by a group of pioneering educators. Their intention was to transform

What appealed to you about working in this particular style of education?

Every Friday, we have a weekly meeting, led completely by the children, where issues are raised and discussed, and decisions are made. This allows the students to be recognised and participate in decision-making structures as equals, which means the students know that their voice matters and counts now, not just in the future.

The teachers are divided into tutors (class teachers) and masters (visiting project experts). The tutor provides day-to-day support and knows each child, their strengths, and challenges. They support their social and emotional development

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Do you have any examples of this?

What’s the Lumiar school like?

For more: Lumiar School, Stowford anor arm in e d i ts ire www.lumiar.co.uk

how and what children learn to empower them to create the future, rather than just keep up with it. It is recognised by UNESCO, Stanford University, and Microsoft as one of the 12 most innovative education systems in the world. Although other schools use Lumiar’s Mosaic online platform, we are the only one outside of Brazil.

What about teachers – how is their role different?

What were some of your frustrations with these traditional education methods?

and keep track of each child’s academic progress. They are also responsible for identifying the interests and abilities of their students and then supporting them to devise projects that help them to practice their skills and grow new ones.

BIZ Q&A

Lumiar UK is in an old barn set within a cluster of historic 15th-century medieval buildings on Stowford anor Farm in Wingfield, just outside Bradford on Avon. It is a working farm with a campsite and a number of workshops and studios on site including an art school, glassworks, a stonemason, and many other small businesses.

what education can be.

“EVERY CHILD MAKING”INISOPINIONSTOENCOURAGEDISSHARETHEIRANDINVOLVEDDECISION-

Our approach is focused on giving every learner a sense of agency –knowing they can in uence their own lives and the world in which they live. That’s why every child is encouraged to share their opinions and is involved in decision-making around what projects they will be working on.

We fall into the progressive education sector, which gives more value to experience than formal learning and focuses on the whole child – but we are not just for students who struggle with the mainstream. We place more value on transferable skills and competencies than the mainstream system but we do also value knowledge. We do teach maths and literacy but in a more engaging and real way, linking them to projects and workshops.

There was no real time to explore creative thinking or the richer concept of human creativity, and I longed to work in an environment where children were free to learn, where young people felt engaged and empowered, where curiosity is celebrated and where asking difficult questions is encouraged.

As an example, over the last academic year, our students have learned from an architect, a chef, an astronomer, a refugee, a photographer, an aquatic expert, an inventor, and an actor.

Claire shares a progressive alternative to mainstream education Claire Walker

What is your role in the school?

I am passionate about transforming education and rethinking our current system. After working in mainstream education for 13 years, I started to really struggle in a system so focused on testing, with a narrow, prescribed curriculum, and no room to follow the students’ interests.

Talk us through some of the differences with Lumiar

Are there any schoolmisconceptionscommonaboutyouryou’dliketoaddress?

laire Walker is the headteacher of Lumiar UK, a reimaginingschoolprimaryprogressivethatis

And the masters?

BORN TO WIN

“I have the set now, so I’m pretty pleased,” says Joe, who won Silver when Britain last contested the World Championships in 2019.

Bath Spa University presented more than 740 teaching alumni with honorary degrees

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa has launched a new partnership with leading global brand 111SKIN and local favourite Natural Spa Factory to give its spa facilities a refresh.

“This is an exciting new chapter for the Spa at Lucknam Park,” says Sakus Dinas, general manager at the hotel. “Our mission is to cater for all wellness desires and preferences by o ering an amalgamation of the high-end, results driven 111S N treatments and quality, plant-based products from Natural Spa Factory. This is a unique and e ceptional spa concept and we are looking forward to welcoming our guests and members and introducing them to our new range of products and treatments.”

HIT REFRESH

“I took a lot of time out after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which I needed mentally, and this was the first competition where have felt anywhere close to the level I had at Tokyo. I’ve been super-focused and it’s been a nice competition.”

Sue continues, “Together we are celebrating Bath Spa University, the colleges that came before, and all the lives that have been touched through teaching. The impact of education and teaching has been and will continue to be one of the most defining areas of growth throughout our communities and we thank them for all they have done during their careers.”

For more: www.bathspa.ac.uk

111SKIN was developed by one top cosmetic surgeon and Harley Street resident Dr Yannis Alexandrides MD FACS, while Natural Spa Factory boasts homegrown, locally sourced luxury treatments derived from herbs, plants and owers

University of Bath-based athlete Joe Choong has won gold at the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships in Alexandria, Egypt. Fellow Team Bath athletes Olivia Green, Jess Varley and Charlie Follett also recorded top ten finishes for the GB women’s team

For more: www.teambath.com

“I am delighted to extend my warmest congratulations to all our alumni who have received an Honorary Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree,” says vice chancellor, Professor Sue Rigby. “The award was given in recognition of the academic rigour demanded by the Certificate in ducation and for subsequent services to education they have all given.”

Joe Choong (centre) is now a World Champion pentathlete

“Ever since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to say I was the best in

the world at something. I won the Olympics, and that’s the biggest thing you can do, but World Champion means you are literally number one in the world.

Bath Spa University celebrated more than 740 teachers with honorary degrees. The Honorary BA Education Degrees were presented to alumni who previously studied for a Certificate of Education at one of the University’s predecessor colleges between 1948 and 1981.

Due to an overhaul of the education system in the 1940s, and a shortage of teachers after the Second World War, Bath Spa is made up of three predecessor institutions – Bath Academy of Art, Bath College of Domestic Science, and Newton Park Teacher Training College.

For more: www.lucknampark.co.uk

BATHWORKS 84 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BEST IN CLASS

Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa has a new partnership with 111SKIN and Natural Spa Factory

“I am delighted to learn that Dorothy House has retained its ‘Outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission, says Stephen Taylor, chair of trustees for orothy House To be placed in the top three per cent of healthcare providers after more than two years of a pandemic, is a remarkable achievement. I am so pleased for the hardworking sta and volunteers at the hospice www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

We made some changes within the business, introduced more policies it’s even things like changing maternity pay to three months full pay, turning paternity pay into three months full pay, etc That put our score up, a lot of the initiatives put our score up We resubmitted and that application went through, but that was only the beginning of the process.

11 months and 11 days to go through of documentationprovidingtocompanies

For more: Clearly PR, 1 Saville Row, Bath; www.clearlypr.co.uk

You’ve achieved your B-Corp status. Now what?

Why the big career change?

We applied for it two years ago purely because we’d already put a lot of initiatives into place to be more sustainable and to reduce things like paper wastage, how we pay suppliers, sta , conditions in the office, even the kind of clients we work with checking them out first and saying well what are they doing for sustainability and social impact Because of what we were doing communitywise as well, we thought we were doing okay was getting increasingly frustrated that I didn’t know if okay was enough or if it was classed as good B-Corp o ered a benchmark

t’s the people who make a theatre, and theatre thrives on those people going above and beyond the call of duty, says Christopher Luscombe, the West nd theatre director, who has been responsible for 25 shows at Theatre oyal over the years, including The Rocky Horror Show and Private Lives Ann epitomises that n a sense, she created a role for herself at Bath and then became utterly indispensable very theatre needs an Ann eddings www.theatreroyal.org.uk

What was the turning point? thought sod it ’m going to do it for myself. I did a post grad in and set up on my own vowed at that point if was going to turn it from freelancing into a business, wouldn’t disadvantage those people who didn’t have e perience, who were looking to make a switch from one industry into another. wouldn’t disadvantage them because of their age either kept being told was too old and thought ’m 33 for god’s sake ’m old now, but then certainly didn’t feel it.

Ann Meddings and Theatre Royal director Danny Moar cut the cake together at Ann’s retirement party

Paul MacKenzie-Cummins

t was boring ’d ust turned 33 and realised that wanted to move away from doing the ad sales. I loved the idea of PR. I wanted to stay in media loved writing, loved newspapers, loved T and radio stu and maga ines, and how it felt to get my clients featured But when was applying for obs, was just getting told no no no all the time eople were saying well, you’ve been working in media sales for the last 1 or 11 years, you’ve got golden handcu s, you can’t possibly change into a di erent career think must have applied for over 100 di erent agencies

of Clearly switched out a career in media sales to launch his own business At the Bath Life Business Club at Hilton by oubleTree this summer, he shared the journey from his beginnings from launching on his own to becoming the multiaward-winning, B-Corp certified agency Clearly is today.

Theatre Royal Bath’s customer services manager Ann Meddings has retired after a 41-year career. Ann joined the theatre sta in 1 1, where she was secretary to the administrator Crispin Raymond during a time when there were only five full time sta , and the theatre was closed to the public She has since been assistant to the theatre director, friends secretary, sponsorship manager, acting bo office manager, operations director, membership and special events director before taking up her role in customer services

How did you change things for the second one?

Running a business with purpose with Clearly PR

When we were certified last year, we were only the second out of , agencies in the to get certification that number has since increased. There is greater responsibility on you, but that’s a good thing, because if there’s no pressure then you’re not going to seek worst case scenario to maintain your standards. Hopefully you’ll improve on them and ultimately in uence your own supply chain, in uence your own customers This is what we’re actually doing.

Paul founderMackenzie-Cummins,ofClearlyPR

MEDIASOUL©

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The Bath Life Business Club is a regular networking lunch featuring a ive interview wit a rominent re in the local business community. Keep an eye on our social media @bathlifemag for future Clubs and tickets.

CRYSTALCLEAR

house, to finding all the accounts information and then being interviewed quite e tensively remember the week that we got certified we had the final interview and they asked what will this mean to you ’ and said, don’t really mind if we get it or not She was kind of taken aback she said but why ’ said because we didn’t come into this to get a badge, it’s not a marketing thing, we came into it because we knew we could be doing better but we didn’t know what better looked like

THE BEST CARE

What went wrong with the ﬁrst application?

Then what happens?

MOVERS BOWINGSHAKERSANDETCOUT

Dorothy House Hospice Care has retained its ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC. Ratings are based on unannounced visits that assess a combination of what was found during the visit and ongoing monitoring of Dorothy House’s services.

You’re a B-Corp… B-Corp is a company that makes a commitment to environmental and social impact a bit higher than most others. The process itself is probably one of the most intrusive, intensive, interrogatory kind of process you’ll go through ur first application failed miserably because you have to hit a point score of think 5 points we were 1

Aside from it being a beautiful place to live, a real appreciation of the positive relationships and mutually beneficial collaborations within the business community. We really enjoy working closely with other companies and are keen to forge even more relationships.

How did it feel being at the Awards ceremony on the night?

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2022

Leisure and tourism, like so many other industries, are still feeling the e ects of the Covid-19 pandemic, with visitor numbers currently only at 50 per cent their pre-Covid levels. The industry is working tirelessly to address this, but until UK domestic and international visitors feel sufficiently confident, or are able to travel again unrestricted, there’ll continue to be a negative impact on tourism.

Why do you think the judges chose you as this year’s Leisure and Tourism winner?

Jon Ducker, general manager of Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein shares what a Bath Life Award means to the new attraction

Where do you keep the Award?

The whole team are overwhelmed. We had intended to win the hearts and minds of our guests, since opening in July 2021 but didn’t anticipate our new attraction would win the Leisure and Tourism Award so soon in our journey. We are all extremely proud of what we have managed to achieve so far and so grateful for the recognition.

ride of place in our ticket office and gift shop with the winner’s logo proudly across our marketing materials.

How did it feel to win a Bath Life award?

LEISURE & TOURISM WINNER

BATHWORKS