Bath Life – Issue 489

BALANCING ACT

BATH’S NEW WELLNESS FESTIVAL ON LOCATION GOING BEHIND THE SCENES WITH BRIDGERTON

BELLA CHOW

THE ITALIAN LA TERRA IS SIMPLY DELIZIOSO

EXPLORE A COUNTRY PAD IN THE HEART OF BATHFORD

ESTATE OF LUXE

BATH LIFE AWARDS 2023 FINALISTS REVEALED!

RESTORATION

DRAMA REAL LIFE

RENOVATION STORIES

IF YOU START ME UP THE SMALL COMPANIES AIMING BIG THE FOOD OF LOVE V-DAY DINING IN CITY

© LUCY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

EDITOR’S LETTER ABOVE: Explore a beautiful Bothy home (page 80); BELOW: Where to date and dine (page 58)

On page 70 we’re lending our support to some of the new businesses who have set their sights on making it big in Bath, and on page 16 we applaud those who already have succeeded and are continuing to grow.

And who amongst us doesn’t need a little selflove? Over on page 46, there’s a round-up of the ReBalance festival which is dedicated to wellness, health, and happiness with a myriad of events happening in and around the city.

Follow us on Twitter @BathLifeMag

Instagram @bathlifemag

© LOUIS SMITH;

W

Issue 489 / 10 - 23 February 2023 COVER

THE ARTS

16 MADE IN BATH Documenting creativity and innovation in

FOOD &

PROPERTY

Editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy editor Lydia Tewkesbury lydia.tewkesbury@mediaclash.co.uk

Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash. co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Nic Bottomley, David Flatman, John Mather and Matilda Walton Group commercial manager Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Annabel North annabel.north@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Dan Nichols dan.nichols@mediaclash.co.uk 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 Instagram @TheMediaClash ©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

JAMIE BELLINGER

Bridgerton ROMPING BACK!

Bridgerton came back to town in January for a week of filming for its upcoming third et ix season and the town is all a utter. Once again the Holburne Museum, oyal Crescent and the surrounding streets were transformed into a vision of the show’s particular take on Georgian glamour. A few lucky onlookers caught sight of members of the Featherington family including family matriarch ortia olly Walker and youngest daughter enelope icola Coughlan aka the secret Lady Whistledown filming outside of o.1 oyal Crescent, which has a starring role as their home in the show.

ALL PHOTOS BY JAMIE BELLINGER; INSTAGRAM @JAMIEBELLINGER

Photos by Jamie Bellinger o mo e www.net i .com

Bridgerton came back to town for a week of filming around No. 1 Royal Crescent. Lucky crowds caught sight of actors Polly Walker (top right) and Nicola Coughlan (centre left), who play Portia and Penelope Featherington on the Netflix series

HAND MADE TALES

A project showcasing the vibrance and creativity in Bath

By Lydia Tewkesbury

Made in Bath is a book and podcast series about the dynamic spirit of makers in Bath created by independent brand and design studio Mytton Williams. Made in Bath shares the stories of the modern-day creatives, craftspeople, engineers and innovators, pushing boundaries around the world – right here in our city. Since publication of the book in 2018, the project has expanded to become a podcast now in its second series, featuring designers and makers in conversation sharing their insights on their artistic lives, covering topics like creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration. Here, Bob Mytton, co-founder and creative director of Mytton Williams, tells us more about the project’s evolution, and we meet a few of the creatives who have featured in

Made In Bath

What inspired you to create

Made in Bath?

It all started as a book, which was the result of a collaboration between two local makers, Mytton Williams, a brand and design studio and Opal, a printers, both based in the area for over 20 years. After working together on projects for clients for many years, this was an opportunity to do something completely di erent. And as seasoned makers ourselves, we thought the project would make an interesting investigation into the nature of making things.

What sort of people does Made In Bath feature?

We spoke to 1st-century craftsmen and women to find out what makes them tick. Whatever they were making – enormous structures or small ceramics, music, or sourdough, sleek interiors or towering gardens –we wanted to meet people who believe in quality, and bring joy and genuine passion to their work and their customers.

What story does the project tell?

Made in Bath is a snapshot of Bath today – not just a heritage site, but a hotbed of ideas and ceaseless energy, with a culture of creativity and craftsmanship. The book celebrates Bath-based makers who share a philosophy of doing things well, and take great pride in their work. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at Bath – what goes on behind the Georgian fa ades that find really fascinating.

How do you think Bath’s creatives impact the personality of the city?

I believe creativity and design is fundamental to the community – it can make the world a better place. It has the power to shift perceptions and change behaviours, to help society and transform organisations. It can bring more joy, more clarity and more beauty. The local creative community impacts on everything from encouraging di erent, more innovative ways of looking at problems to more art and inspiration around the city.

Why do you think so many creative people are drawn to live in Bath?

It’s a beautiful, inventive city and has been for many years. The architecture, size of the city and easy access to nature all help create a great place to live and work. The fact that there is already a creative community down here is also a big draw –collaboration is often an important aspect of creativity. Plus, we have easy access to bigger cities such as Bristol and London.

What’s coming up next for Made In Bath?

We’re planning more podcasts and will add to the website when we can. Being a side project there is only so much we can do in our spare time. But Bath is such a lovely place to live and work – so it’s a great way of sharing the stories. n

You can find the Made in Bath book and listen to the podcast at www.madeinbath.com

MARIA WODJAT

Inspiration comes from many and varied sources – I particularly love modernist design and architecture and in contrast, the spontaneity in abstract expressionist painting, particularly Robert Motherwell, also minimalist sculpture, such as Donald Judd and Richard Serra. My training and work as a graphic designer is also a major influence – the precision I learned when creating artwork on a drawing board, combined with the organic nature of clay is the basis of my ceramic work.

“It’s a inventivebeautiful, city”

Maria Wodjat at work in her studio; OPPOSITE: Maria creates bold and bright ceramics

MOULTON BICYCLES

The Moulton Bicycle Company design, manufacture and sell the unique and iconic small-wheeled full-suspension Moulton bicycle; first designed by Alex Moulton in the late 1950s. We have an interest in the automotive work that Alex Moulton did as well – he designed rubber cone springs for the original Mini. What drove Alex Moulton, and what I’d like to think drives most people, is he wanted to make the world a better place. He was prompted by the fuel rationing during the Suez Crisis to ride a bicycle “as a serious alternative means of locomotion”.

GEORGE BAYNTUN BINDERY

At the bindery, we rebind, refurbish, repair and re-back books. Most of the work tends to be specific commissions for restoration or fine binding for private customers, but sometimes books are bought in to stock the shop or sell on to clients. Sourced books from book fairs tend to be classic pieces of literature – often first editions in poor condition – that we restore. Sometimes people bring in entire collections for valuation or sale. We are now the last of the great Victorian trade binderies still in family ownership and we pride ourselves on continuing to bind entirely by hand.

ABOVE: George Bayntun rebinds, refurbishes, repairs and re-backs old books; INSET: It’s one of the last Victorian trade bineries still in family ownership

ABOVE: Moulton make unique small-wheeled full-suspension bicycles; RIGHT: Moulton design and make the bikes themselves

“We pride ourselves on continuing to bind entirely by hand”

© ALL GEORGE BAYNTUN IMAGES ARE CREDIT LUCY SAUNDERS PHOTOGRAPHY

MEET THE MAKERS

ELECTRIC BEAR BREWERY

We make craft beer. Our ranges are eclectic and diverse –drinkability, flavour and experiencing different types of beer are what it’s about. We’re always trying to innovate and create something new, but we’ve also developed a small number of beers that we do all the time – such as our Livewire IPA and Werrrd! APA. We’re not a factory brewery – what we do is a craft. So every time we brew a beer there will be slight variances from the previous brew. Humour and fun are important too. For example, we’ve created a beer – a blueberry and blackcurrant fruited sour which we called ‘Of Course Aliens Built The Pyramids’. The names can come from anyone and anywhere.

Electric Bear offer craft, not brewery; INSET: They have a range of specials and menu staples

“We’re always trying to innovate and create something new”

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FLAT LINE DAVID FLATMAN

hallway is like a wind tunnel”

you it was horrendous. But for the brutally loud rattling, you wouldn’t have known there was a window in place at all, so low was the temperature and so aggressive was the breeze. I decided then that they wouldn’t sleep up there again until we had something done.

So last summer we had them draught proofed and restored as best we could, and the oiner did a fine ob. However, he warned us that he could only do so much with these thin old windows, and now it’s winter again. And now we’re freezing again. Money wasted? No, it’s better, but my kids won’t sleep in their bedrooms and I don’t blame them. They’re bloody Baltic. We’re living like Georgians in this sense, and all because we’re not allowed to replace the windows. The house is listed so this is strictly not allowed and that, I’m afraid, is that.

Window pain

Pretty much all of my friends now inch when someone mentions either being a bit chilly or windows. These inches are a bit like the inches they did in the year or so after got my first dog, Gus. They come about because my friends know that as soon as certain words tumble naively from a person’s mouth, my brain will recognise them and engage overdrive. At this stage a monologue will begin which I am absolutely certain fascinates everyone in the room, but which sadly does not. I presumed that everybody wanted to hear all about my amazing (terrible) new dog, but they didn’t. I have also been presuming a lot lately that everyone wants to hear about my windows, and guess what? They do! They actually do! And you do! And you’re going to!

My windows are lovely. They are beautiful and proper and they look right and they’re

exactly the windows that made me fall in love with Georgian houses when first arrived in Bath 20 years ago. When we bought the house it was summer and said windows were just a delight to behold, as the sun whacked through them as if almost being inhaled, hoarded by our house alone. Then winter came and, as is the case with countless homes of a similarish age, it quickly became apparent that they were a touch draughty. Then we had a baby and realised that even with the heating on – I kid you not – her little room was dangerously cold so she couldn’t actually sleep in there. Reminder: this was with the heating on. Her baby monitor would beep to warn us of the drop in temperature, all the while our heating was on 25 degrees. 25!

At times it was unbearable. The older kids had to sleep in our bed with the electric blanket on while I went up to sleep in my eldest’s room next door to the nursery and I promise

Councils everywhere can shout ‘Environment!’ as much as they want, but I’m afraid such cries ring hollow in these cauli ower ears as have no option but to risk financial oblivion by using my gas central heating a hundred times more than I want to in order to make the place almost habitable in winter (we run upstairs whenever we go as the hallway is like a wind tunnel). Most of the colossal amount of energy ’m using ies out the same way the cold air ies in anyway, so I’m mainly heating up the pavement outside. I would love to use less energy, but we would all freeze.

The (beautiful) front door whistles so loudly that we can’t hear the television, and I’ve had that draught proofed, too!

Please do not perpetuate either the ‘if you can a ord to buy one of those houses then you’re rich enough to heat it’ or the ‘well they knew what they were buying’ tropes as they are often miles o reality. one of us wants to ruin these wonderful old buildings. We love them, that’s why we bought them! That’s why we spend our wages maintaining them. Soon enough, though, these buildings will be so undesirable that nobody will buy them. They will die, and somebody, somewhere, will look back and wish they’d let us pay to put in some locally hand made, identical, modern windows that actually fit. And that day isn’t far o .

Now, about my old dog…

David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on witte da id atman and nsta d atman

“The

Looking out an Georgian old window, Flats sees all the heat from his home go rushing by

SCENE

THE LATEST ADVENTURES IN PARTY-GOING ACROSS BATH

PERFECT SYNERGY

Synergy Construction and Property Consultants LLP hosted their annual networking event for 2022 at Walcot House. The yearly meet up gives likeminded folks in the construction industry the chance to make connections, find new opportunities and catch up with familiar faces. Duncan Ball, managing partner of Synergy and partner in the Bath O ce was on hand to welcome guests to the vibrant event with a speech, and a delicious range of canapés were served throughout the evening.

John Colvin and Alan Tate

Jenny Howard and Maddie Difazio

Simon Candlin, Tommy Thompson and Steve Bonser

Photos by Vranch Visuals; www.vranchvisuals.co.uk

Andy Batty, Andy Ross, Marion Harney and Andrew Heath

Craig Underdown and Fiona Smith

Theo Scaramanga, Matt Gower and Erin Christofidou

Olivia Muse and Jules Davies

James Cottle and Ben Lang

David Hutson and Peter Baker

TAKING CARE

The Young Carers Development Trust (YCDT) hosted a gala at the Royal Marriott Hotel, Bristol at the end of last year. The glam event was to raise the profile of the Bath-based charity, which supports young people with caring responsibilities to access greater opportunities and unlock their ambitions. The night kicked o with a performance from the Natural Theatre Company playing paparazzi before guests were seated for dinner, during which they heard from the YCDT team and young carers, and enjoyed further funny theatrics.

Jessica Otterwell, Abena Poku, Ed Ashford and Libby Campion

Tom Neale and Andy Carter

James Bright, Tom Neale, Matt Buxton, Tom Marron, Andy Carter, James Cowell, Dave Trump, Josh Lockett and Rhianna Tubb

Photos by Adèle Williams; www.superfunkypenguin.co.uk

Marta Budzikowska, Paul Stanley, Kath Daly, Paul Daly, Sam Briggs, Katie Daly, Paul Coppen, Eileen Gentles, Sarah Bakers-Faulkner and Sam Riley

Fiona Pitt, William Close, Rosemarie Palmer, Andrew Pitt, Frances-Ann King, Adrian Palmer, Caroline Pitt, William Stockley and Fiona Close

Amy Riley, Claire Pringle, Matt Hanley, Katie Pringle, Annabelle Hanley, Adam Pringle, Ben Hanley, Jo Hanley and Tony Pringle

Lin Harris, Kay Clements, Maisie Dew, Sarah Winter and Dan Blewitt

Tom Sallis, Alice Thornton, Andrew Simmonds, Jenny Bower, Anton Lane, Luke Goode and Rod Albright

TURN THE PAGE

Garry Pratt celebrated the launch of his new book, The Creativity Factor: using the power of the outdoors to spark successful innovation with a packed November event at Topping and Company Booksellers of Bath. Hosted by Bloomsbury publishing and Garry, a local entrepreneur, walking leader and former University of Bath teaching fellow, the night saw Garry interviewed by Bloomsbury’s Ian Hallsworth. Garry then gave a short reading of the book, which uncovers the importance of creativity in business success and clarifies how you can use time spent outdoors to fully harness your creative potential.

JOIN THE CLUB

At the end of last year, professional golfer Laurie Canter entertained a group of lucky players at The Manor House, Castle Combe for a round organized by Stonewood. Laurie is a professionalgolfer who currently plays on the European Tour and the LIV Golf Invitational Series, and for the past three years has been ranked in the top 150 golfers in the world. Laurie played all his junior golf in Bath and went to Kingswood School.

The day out came after Stonewood organised a cheese and wine evening raising over £40k for the Toti Worboys Fund, at which the opportunity to play a round with Laurie was one of the auction lots. www.stonewoodgroup.co.uk

Jack King Luke Brady, Simon Wear, Laurie Canter, Matt Powell, Rebecca Wear, Jack King and Debbie Still

Rebecca Wear

Becky Rogers, Marjan Van Gelderen and Jenny Reynolds

Geraint Barton and Helen MacMillan

James Binns and Garry Pratt

Clare Buckee Ronay, Storme Milton, Peter Griffin and Tony Hickman

Marisa Dalton, Karen Proudman, Carol Foster, Damien Enright, David George, Sally Enright and Steve George

Simon Wear

Photos by Amy Wait; Instagram @awaitphotography

Debbie Still

THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE HOSPITAL CARE IS HERE

The NEW NORTH BRISTOL PRIVATE HOSPITAL is passionate about patient care

This new facility of medical excellence is set to become the private treatment epicentre for patients in Bristol and the south west of England and Wales. The North Bristol Private Hospital (NBPH) has individualised, bespoke treatments at the heart of its offering, with expert care within exemplary facilities locally. With an eye on the detail and patient welfare at its core, your stay at NBPH promises to provide the best possible recovery experience. Plus, it’s located only a 30-minute drive from Bristol Airport and very close to both the M4 and M5 motorway junctions, and Bristol Parkway Train Station.

MEET OUR VIBRANT SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Kelly Cavallo (back centre) is hospital operations manager, in charge of running our facility and staff to the highest standards. Ms Elena Prousskaia, a consultant plastic surgeon (front centre), is our medical director. Maria Porter (right) the theatre manager is in charge of running our theatres safely and efficiently. Lynn Cottle (left) is our administration lead and patient coordinator, and is always there for our patients to make every step of their journey with us a wonderful experience.

A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE

Specialist care governed by safety will be the hallmark of your hospital treatment. You can expect best-in-class nursing support and clinical facilities delivered in luxurious surroundings and supreme comfort.

YOUR TREATMENT, OUR SPECIALITY

Whether you are visiting us for cosmetic surgery, a routine operation or medical treatment, our facilities are designed to make your entire journey smooth, safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

AT NORTH BRISTOL PRIVATE HOSPITAL, WE PROMISE:

• Meticulously trained administrative and front of house staff

• Exceptional management staff who take pride in making your treatment journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible

• Friendly specialist consultation provided in the privacy of comfortable chaperoned consultation rooms

• Excellent and spacious operating theatres and treatment rooms

• Round-the-clock nursing staff, with femaleonly team available on request

• Ultimate in luxury and comfortable surroundings for the perfect post-operative overnight stay – a home from home experience

• A variety of restaurant options and comfortable hotel accommodation facilities for your family and visitors within walking distance

• Free onsite parking

Come and see why we are different and contact us for a consultation. n

150 Aztec West, Bristol, BS32 4UB; www.northbristolprivatehospital.co.uk; info@NBPH.co.uk;

OPENING OFFER

The North Bristol Private Hospital is offering an introductory opening promotion to the first 20 patients who contact us for a free 15-minute mini-cosmetic consultation with our expert patient advisor. To book your free consultation appointment, please email us at info@NBPH.co.uk quoting ‘Bath Life Magazine’ offer.

The Senior Management Team

SNAPSHOTS OF BATH’S CULTURAL LIFE

THE ARTS TALK SHOW

The Beaux Arts winter exhibition, which ends on 18 February, features gallery favourites along with upcoming new talent. Look out for works by Simon Allen, Akash Bhatt, Beth Carter, Jack Doherty, Mark Entwisle, Atsuko Fujii, Anthony Scullion, Anna Gillespie, Mark Johnston, Janette Kerr, Paul Mount, Rob Pittam, and Helen Simmonds. Pictured here is Conversation by the London-based artist Bobbie Russon. It demonstrates the artist’s talent for unusual beauties and harmonies, and her ability to convey the complexities of heartache and contemplation in young people yet still retain a humour and joy in the work.

For more: www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

EXHIBITIONS

Until 19 March THREADS THROUGH CREATION

Inspired by the poetic verses of Genesis, this Bath Abbey exhibition by textile artist Jacqui Parkinson re-imagines this ancient story in a vibrant combination of layers of silk, hand-dyed materials, metallic leathers, gold leaf and eight million stitches. www.bathabbey.org

Until 28 March

PERRY HARRIS

Having worked as a punk fanzine cartoonist, a stage scenery painter, an architectural illustrator, and an art technician, Perry Harris’s exhibition at Widcombe Social Club demonstrates his talent and range. www.widcombesocialclub.co.uk

Until 30 March

MAISIE WALKER

Society Café in Kingsmead Square hosts a beautiful, beach-churning exhibition depicting the Pendine Sands Hot Races in Wales by Bath photographer and Instagram fave Maisie Walker. www.maisiewalker.co.uk | www.society-cafe.com

Until 11 April

CAPTURING LIFE: A CENTURY OF THE NEW ENGLISH ART CLUB

The NEAC was founded in 1886 by a group of rebellious young artists protesting against their repeated rejection by the Royal Academy, and this Victoria Art Gallery exhibition showcases work by members past and present, including Gwen John, Winifred Nicholson, John Singer Sargent, Walter Sickert, Augustus John, and Paul Nash. www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 11 April

JESSICA PALMER: WETLAND SPRING

Jessica is in-house illustrator for English Heritage and her current Victoria Art Gallery exhibition displays collages of meadows, meadow plants and the ora from around Bath. The exhibits are for sale, with the proceeds of one piece to be donated to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 23 April

ILLUSTRATING THE WORLD: WOODCUTS IN THE AGE OF DÜRER

This is a rare opportunity to view the complete set of woodcuts known as The Great Passion, produced by the most famed artist of the German Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (14711528). www.holburne.org

Until 30 April

BATH MIND: ART AS THERAPY

Jason Dorley-Brown, artist and Bath Mind ambassador, has curated this extensive RUH exhibition featuring 52 artists, many local, with the purpose of raising awareness and much-needed funds for the important community work done by Bath Mind. On display is an eclectic mix of mediums including sculpture, illustration, photography and even the written word. www.artatruh.org

Until 8 May

ALBERTA WHITTLE

Alberta Whittle, who recently represented Scotland at the Venice Biennale, presents a suite of newly commissioned sculptures across the Holburne Museum’s site and grounds, as well as a series of new text-based works across Bath. The exhibition, Dipping below a waxing moon, the dance claims us for release, include the themes of pleasure,

relaxation, and health, as well as directly addressing 18th-century histories; especially those of the Ball’s Plantation in her native Barbados, which was owned by Guy Ball, the great-grandfather of Holburne Museum founder Sir Thomas William Holburne. www.holburne.org

Until 3 June

REVOLUTION, PROPAGANDA, ART: PRINTMAKING IN MODERN CHINA

This striking, informative exhibition at the Museum of East Asian Art showcases a series of prints selected from the Muban Educational Trust’s collection of over 6,000 works. It explores artistic trends, political movements and technical developments in modern Chinese printmaking. www.meaa.org.uk

11 – 18 February

ENGINEERED IN BATH

This free exhibition at The Bath oyal Literary and Scientific Institution features Bath’s world renowned work in aerospace, automotive, energy, defence, security, digital technology and medicine. Exhibitors include

The intense loud sound machine Mogwai are coming to Bath Forum 15 February

ABOVE: The National Theatre’s sell-out hit Home, I’m Darling comes to the Theatre Royal Bath on 21 February;

MIDDLE: Capturing Life: A Century Of The New English Art Club is on at the Victoria Art Gallery until 11 April; BOTTOM: Jessica Palmer’s current exhibition depicts meadows, plants, flora and the wildlife from in and around Bath

Rocketmakers, Cross Engineering, Rotork, Buro Happold, Whiley and Co, Creo Medical, and the engineering and design consultancy, BMT. www.brlsi.org

THEATRE / CINEMA

14 – 18 February

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Best known these days for the Julia Roberts/Sally Field all-star movie adaptation, but originally a heartwarming o -Broadway play, this is the warm and funny tale of six sassy lasses putting the world to rights at their bustling beauty salon. It’s got a top cast too, including the likes of Laura Main from Call the Midwife and X-Factor’s Diana Vickers. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

16 February – 19 March

CHARLOTTE & THEODORE

Familiar local face Kris Marshall (of Love Actually, Death in Paradise and My Family fame) stars in a timely new play about keeping long-term romance alive in the face of a whole range of contemporary issues and obstacles, not least modern gender politics and supposed cancel culture. Ustinov; www.theatreroyal.org.uk

19 February

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

The Little Theatre is doing a special series of screenings designed to be Autism Friendly, by eliminating overstimulation and anything anxiety-inducing: so the lights are left on low, the sound is muted, there are no trailers or ads, and you can

move around as you wish. Next up, this well-liked Despicable Me spin-o . www.picturehouses.com

21 – 25 February

HOME, I’M DARLING

The National Theatre’s sell-out hit is visiting Bath on its first tour. The thought provoking new comedy about a woman’s quest to become the perfect 1950s housewife stars BAFTA-winner Jessica Ransom (Doc Marten) and 1970s icon Diane Keen. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

24 February

THE MINISTRY OF BURLESQUE

A myriad of musical comedy masters, provocative prima donnas, enigmatic exotic dancers are fused with the traditions of circus, cabaret and burlesque. This performance is accompanied by an on-stage BSL interpreter. www.komedia.co.uk

28 February – 4 March

NOUGHTS AND CROSSES

This gripping Romeo and Juliet story by acclaimed writer Malorie Blackman and adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz is a captivating drama of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world. Adapted from the story which inspired the hit BBC TV drama series. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Every Friday and Saturday

KROWD KEEPERS

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

MUSIC

15 February

MOGWAI

Mogwai, the Scottish band formed in 1995 with little time for lyrics, but a great love of slipping from the bleakly tranquil into sledgehammer white noise, are made up of Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals), Barry Burns (guitar, piano, synthesizer, vocals), Dominic Aitchison (bass guitar), and Martin Bulloch(drums). www.bathforum.co.uk

18 February

CLARE HAMMOND

In this wide-ranging programme at the Wiltshire Music Centre, acclaimed pianist Clare Hammond revels in the folk-inspired musings of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Isaac Albéniz’s timeless Iberian portraits. www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk

20 February

THE LORD OF THE RINGS

IN CONCERT

Enjoy two hours of Howard Shore’s classic music from the movies performed at Bath Forum, taking you from The Prancing Pony to Rivendell, Gondor, Mordor and back again. www.bathforum.co.uk

25 February

VINTAGE DANCE COLLECTIVE

Vintage Dance Collective are back at Burdall’s Yard to get us all dancing and raising funds for three great local Bathwick community charities. Cool covers from the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond, and it’s all in aid of Bath-based charities Mentoring Plus, Designability and AmorEurope. www.burdallsyard.co.uk

3 March

SUEDE

One of those bands there at the start of Britpop in 1993, and still going strong thanks to their preference for the artier, more cerebral styles of proto- and post-punk. And proving the point, their new album utofiction has just debuted at number two. Bath Forum; www.bathforum.co.uk

COMEDY

15 February

HAL CRUTTENDEN

Hal’s It’s Best You Hear It From Me tour has a clear focus: his recent divorce after 21 years (and 244 days) of marriage. Instead of getting therapy, Hal’s made a show all about it. www.komedia.co.uk

19 February

ALAN CARR

Why be a National Treasure, says Alan, when you can simply be a e ional inket? That’s the name of his new show, up on the big stage at the Theatre Royal Bath but all about celebrating the smaller things in life. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

1 March

CHLOE PETTS: TRANSIENCE

The comedian described as ‘very funny’ by he ua dian comes to

the Rondo and uses her trademark cerebral laddishness to examine her desperate attempts at living in the moment, the darts, and her (strictly non-romantic) love for men. www. ondotheat e.co.uk

3 March

ESHAAN AKBAR: THE PRETENDER

Whether it’s you, the person you go on a date with, your boss, or the opinion-makers on TV, we’re all pretending we know what we’re doing. We don’t. And it’s about time we all had a proper laugh about it. And here to help us is Eshaan Akbar. www. ondotheat e.co.uk

Last Monday of the month

THE ELECTRIC COMEDY CLUB

The Electric Comedy Club is Komedia Bath’s monthly showcase hosted by the brilliantly witty Morgan Rees. Each show features a pro headliner as well as four rising stars of stand-up of the finest up-and-coming comedy talent the U has to o er. www.komedia.co.uk

CHILDREN

13 – 14 February

HERMIT

There’s a teeny tiny house, but who’s inside? An imaginative, hilarious, and interactive show at The Egg for ages two to six about

TOP: Textile artist Jacqui Parkinson re-imagines the story of the book of Genesis in the current Bath Abbey exhibition, Threads Through Creation;

ABOVE: Alan Carr comes to Bath on 19 February to celebrate the smaller things in life;

LEFT: The Museum of East Asian Art is showcasing a series of prints that explore the field of modern Chinese printmaking

being alone and coming home. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Until 18 February

LUNAR NEW YEAR – THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at The Museum of East Asian Art with family workshops, origami sessions and by exploring the museum’s informative and fascinating collection marked out with special trails. www.meaa.org.uk

SPORT

18 & 24 February

BATH RUGBY FC

Bath play two fellow strugglers in the Gallagher Premiership this month first London rish on 1 Feb, and then the old enemy, Bristol Bears, on 24 Feb. www.bathrugby.com

21 & 25 February /

7 March

BATH CITY FC

The Romans upcoming National League South Table home games include Havant & Waterlooville, Tonbridge Angels, and Hemel Hempstead Town. www.bathcityfc.com

OTHER

Until 26 February

REBALANCE BATH –A FESTIVAL OF WELL-BEING

This festival of well-being o ers the perfect opportunity to reset our health for 3. Hosted by di erent venues and covering di erent aspects of well-being, over three weeks. Turn to page 46 for just a few of the wellness activities on o er. www.welcometobath.co.uk

16 February

JASON FOX

TV presenter, author and adventurer ‘Foxy’ is an ex-UK Special Forces soldier who now writes books about his exploits and subsequent mental health issues. His Life At The Limit show at the Bath Pavilion promises to be typically ‘no holds barred’. www.bathbo o ce.o .uk

22 February

PRUE LEITH

The Bath Forum hosts Prue as she talks us through everything from cooking for royalty to running restaurants, and writing historical novels to eat B itish Bake TV stardom, plus a Q&A session. www.bathforum.co.uk

1 March

THIRTY YEARS IN A HIRE CAR: JEREMY WHITTLE’S TRUE TALES OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE

The Guardian’s Tour de France correspondent Jeremy Whittle, who has more than 30 years experience of covering major cycling stories, is at Burdall’s Yard in conversation with Duncan Steer, host of the Bath Cycling Night series. www.burdallsyard.co.uk

8 March

TIM PEAKE: MY JOURNEY TO SPACE

Join astronaut Tim Peake at Bath Forum for an epic and thrilling ourney to the nternational Space Station as he shares the secrets and the science of how and why humans journey into space. www.bathforum.co.uk

CULTURE CLUB

…with Dani Johns

Dani Johns is a comedian, compère, and alumni of Bath Spa University. She runs multiple comedy gigs (including the only fully wheelchair accessible comedy night in Bristol) and strives for diversity on all her line ups. She is next appearing at Komedia Bath on 11 March where she is a regular act.

A film I could watch over and over again…

The Goonies. A feel good 80s classic that everyone should watch. The scene with Chunk talking about the movie theatre never fails to make me laugh.

A painting that means something to me

I’m choosing the caricature I had drawn at Weston Super Mare when I was nine. The artist depicted my rather large adult front teeth, which you’ll be glad to know I’ve since grown into.

My lockdown boxset

Only Fools & Horses. My partner and I literally bought the box set during the first lockdown and binged it all. Around the same time we adopted a dog from Romania and, in honour of the show, named her Cassandra.

Best TV show ever…

Gimme Gimme Gimme. No question. It’s the best, most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen and Kathy Burke is brilliant.

The book I would re-read

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. It perfectly transports you to a different place and time, while still being hugely relevant in today’s world. There’s a reason it’s a classic.

My favourite arts place in Bath

The Roman Baths. I remember my dad taking me to see them as a child. We visited the gift shop and I was very pleased to add The Rotten Romans to my Horrible Histories collection.

The first single I bought Dr Jones by Aqua on CD and listening to it on repeat, dancing around my living room. It’s the sound of my 90s childhood.

My karaoke go-to and dance floor banger?

Karaoke choice is Anaconda by Nicki Minaj, and to dance to it’s Dirrty by Christina Aguilera.

For more: www.komedia.co.uk / www.danijohnscomedy.com

Catch Dani Johns at Komedia on 11 March

The gripping Romeo and Juliet story, Noughts And Crosses, from the BBC1 TV series of the same name plays at the Theatre Royal Bath

© ROBERT DAY

REACH YOUR GOALS

Find out how DR HELEN CURRAN COACHING & CONSULTANCY can help you with your career

Are you unsure of where to go next in your career? Perhaps you're looking to progress from your current role? Or even build your confidence and become more effective in your current position? If so, career coaching may be the next step for you. The reasons for undertaking career coaching are many and varied. Individuals often have exhausted their own thinking, and need to gain clarity to understand where they go next, or how they can progress. Coaching can help in many career related areas, including:

• Considering and planning for a career change

• Development of leadership skills pre or post promotion

• Time management and productivity

• Increased job satisfaction

• Confidence

• Achievable work-life balance

• Interview skills

Through carefully structured sessions I work with clients to explore what they want to change in their career and why. We look at what a good outcome would be and identify what might be preventing, or limiting, progress. This leads us to creating a plan together, to move forward, which is realistic and effective. I work with clients from varied professional backgrounds. Many of my clients come to coaching because they feel that something needs to change to progress their career, but equally they feel that they need structured space and support to plan effectively. Coaching sessions can take place online or in person; I have a consulting room in Bath, with easy access to the M4 and Bristol with onsite parking for clients.

It is important that the coaching relationship is comfortable and productive. I encourage individuals to contact me for an initial, informal discussion, with no obligation, to find out how we can work together. n

Coaching & Consultancy

01225 560 844; @drhelcurran

helen@helencurran.net

www.helencurran.net

Dr Helen Curran

Dr Helen Curran

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Teen spirit

Mulling over what books to write about, I came across my colleague Hannah who was raving about a stack of novels for younger readers that she had ust finished. ’ve decided to channel her this week and give you some early recommendations for half-term reading.

First on Hannah’s tip-list is All Four Quarters of the Moon by Shirley Marr Usborne, £ . , which is a middle-grade novel ages about a Chinese family who move to Australia for a somewhat calmer life. ei ing hopes that their move will mean that her father works less, but instead it proves a tricky ad ustment for everyone. Her grandma’s dementia worsens, her dad spends as little time with the kids as before and her mum is just as stern as ever and ust as focused on traditional Chinese cultural values of honour and respect.

This heart-warming story takes place over a full year, beginning and ending with the family making mooncakes for the midautumn festival, and looks at how switching between two di erent cultures can mean having to grow up far too uickly. ei ing is such a big-hearted character, who steps up to take care of her little sister Bi u, helps her adapt to her new home and makes sure she’s not too saddened when she sees the kids at school being showered with far more parental a ection than she’s used to experiencing. As their grandma gets more ill, the family are forced to change their roles and learn together how to become happier and more functional.

Laura Wood’s The Agency for Scandal Scholastic, £ . is a historical novel for teen and adult readers, set in late 1 th-century ngland. sobel Stanhope has lost her father and he has left his previously wealthy and privileged family, severely in debt. To protect her family, keep the secret of their poverty and ensure her brother can stay in school, Isobel joins the Aviary, a secret agency of female

detectives with a penchant for undermining powerful men. n a time and place where women are undervalued, the members of the Aviary skip around the edges of the law trying to empower women and extricating them from compromising situations.

And as if her own situation weren’t complicated enough, sobel has fallen in love with a duke who barely knows she exists, until her clandestine work sees their paths cross, and the pair are drawn into two unexpectedly linked missions. This is Bridgerton meets Enola Holmes, with a fiercely feminist, romantic and witty lead character and an action-packed story line.

Lastly A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar Hachette, £ . is another historical novel for A readers ages 1 . Four female lead characters – a thief, an artist, an acrobat and an actress all from very di erent backgrounds, come together in a women’s boarding house. The mastermind thief, Josefa, reveals a plan to steal a ewel encrusted edition of the Rubaiyat from the Titanic, a heist that would set all four of them up for life. With forged tickets they sneak their way on board, but soon find their preparations hampered by interfering crew members and the fact that Josefa hasn’t revealed the full extent of her motives not only does she have larceny on her mind, but also revenge on her former partner in crime.

This is an atmospheric novel with fastpaced short chapters that move swiftly through the goals and back stories of the characters. And then there’s the inevitably tragic and dramatic endgame that looms over the narrative from the o . Based on this gripping trio, drama’ seems to be Hannah’s reading watchword of the moment.

“This is Bridgerton meets Enola Holmes”

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

Three young adult books with big hearts and ambitious stories

A GOOD SENSE OF BALANCE

A new city festival of well-being, ReBalance, promises to help reset the mind, body, and spirit

There’s more to love than a oneday-only alentine a air this February is bringing with it the chance to love yourself just a little bit more, for three self-care weeks in fact, with ReBalance Bath, a well-being festival organised by Bath BID. There’s a whole host of events happening right now in the city, many of which are free, and all of them celebrating wellness. Drawing on Bath’s historical reputation as a place to heal and enjoy good health, there’s an extensive programme and a wealth of wellness to be enjoyed, from specially designed hotel packages to inspirational talks, from free hand massages to free garden kitchen tours. Here’s just a few of the upcoming highlights...

TAKE THE WATERS

Thermae Bath Spa is o ering the chance to enjoy an early morning dip in its rooftop pool on 15 and 22 February. This includes a 45-minute Aquasana session. The therapy involves classic yoga postures combined

with gentle tai chi and invigorating karate moves in the spa’s mineral-rich waters. The sessions, which cost £50, will be held before normal opening hours, at 8am, so attendees will experience exclusive use of the rooftop pool before other guests arrive, and then can go on to enjoy a two-hour spa session from am 11am.

STRAIGHT TALKING

The ReBalance ambassador is the gold medal Olympic champion, Bath’s own Amy Williams. Amy is hosting a series of events including a business breakfast at Rengen House on Argyle Street, on 22 February. Ticketed at £7 and starting at 9am, this is a power-up posture workshop with co ee and pastries to kick start your day.

On 20 February Amy will also be at Toppings to talk about her book Talent to Triumph: How Athletes Turn Potential into High Performance, and then at The Elder on 24 February for an in-conversation session over a two-course dinner.

Amy Williams is the festival’s ambassador

Enjoy exclusive pool use at Thermae Bath Spa

SECRET GARDENS

During the feel-good festival activities, the Kitchen Garden Team at THE PIG Near Bath will welcome visitors for free tours of the grounds every Tuesday and Thursday of February at 11am, lasting around 30-45 minutes. Learn about the delicious produce growing throughout the raised beds, greenhouses, and fruit cages, all which directly make up THE PIG’s renowned menus.

PERFUMED PAMPERED PERFECTION

Using a Molton Brown fragrance of your choice, be indulged in a personalised 20 minute hand and arm massage at their Union Street store. The treatment is free, with lots of options for appointment times, but booking ahead is essential.

CARETAKING

On the 23 February at the stylish Elder restaurant, the personal trainer, qigong instructor and breathing coach Arron CollinsThomas will hold an evening talk and Q&A session focused on men’s mental health. The aim is to encourage a relaxed and open conversation about how people can support their own health and well-being and learn ways to help those around them who may be su ering. The ticket price of £3 also includes a beer and a burger.

LAUGH A MINUTE

Bruni Walker, a yoga and massage tutor, is holding Laughing Choir morning sessions costing £5 at the oman Baths on 1 and February. Bruni is confident that her workshop participants en oy the immediate benefits of laughter. Just a few of these mirth-filled upsides are said to be decreased anxiety, depression and insomnia; reduced anger; a boost to the immune system; and reduced in ammation in the body.

WORK IT OUT

Throughout the eBalance festival, Fitness First on James Street West, are inviting you to try out their club with a free three-day guest pass. Bring your kit and take part in a class, have a gym workout, enjoy the swimming pool, or just relax in a steam room.

LUCK OF THE DRAW

The Grapes on Westgate Street is hosting a life drawing class the evening of 14 February in partnership with Bath Drawing. Costing £1 for an hour and half session with model and materials provided, this is a chance, whatever your skill level, to try your hand at life drawing in the historic and beautiful ococks oom, and then enjoy a drink at the bar as a reward! n

For the full programme of events and details on how to book please visit www.welcometobath.co.uk

Enjoy a free hand and arm massage at Molton Brown

A three-day free membership at Fitness First also grants access to the classes

Try your hand at life drawing on 14 February

Arron Collins-Thomas will be talking about men’s health at The Elder

Have a laugh at the Roman Baths

Visit the kitchen gardens of THE PIG Near Bath

2023 NEW YEAR BIKE SALE ON ALL IN STOCK EBIKES!

Silk Road Rugs

SHOPPING

ART HOUSE

The Bath Art Fair, organised by artist Alce Harfield, was first held in a field ust outside Bath in 1 . ow in its sixth year at the Bath avilion, it features more than creatives in all manner of mediums who will be gathered at the ticketed event to display, talk about and sell their uni ue, multi-media, work February.

Seen here is Floozy by Hemali Modha framed £3 5, unframed £ who can be found at stand during the Art Fair. For more: www.bathartfair.co.uk

TEENAGE

KICKS BY ALCE HARFIELD, £1,300

Alce says, “My atmospheric paintings create the feeling of the place, those spine tingling goose bump moments of the best festival in the world.”

Located stand 17; www.alceha field.com

BATH ABBEY FROM THE EAST BY STEVE HALL, £1,250

Painting in pastel, Steve is a master of the subtleties of light and shade. This painting is typical of his work and captures the fading light of Bath city centre with the silhouette of the Abbey set against an evening sky.

Located stand 34; www.stevehallartist.co.uk

PAINT WORK

The Bath Art Fair coming to Bath Pavilion 24 – 26 February includes many local celebrated artists. Here are just a few…

THE PADLOCK BY SOPHIE PENSTONE, £600

On the cli s at russia Cove in Cornwall you will find an abandoned fisherman’s hut that walk past nearly everyday in the summer,” says Sophie. “To me, it is a thing of beauty in its derelict state, but also an important part of Cornish history. Located stand 40; www.penstoneart.com

SPRING #1 ABSTRACT BY WENDY GOLDING, £180

‘‘As a contemporary artist I emotively interpret the world around me, using intuitive marks and lines to illustrate movement, light, and texture,” says Wendy. Located stand 52; www. wendygoldingart.co.uk

PRISTIONE

SANDS BY DAWN

READER, £950

Dawn says, “Because of the movement of light and shadow, I rely on memory and sketches to paint something peaceful and unashamedly beautiful that will never stale or tarnish with fashion.”

Located stand 8; www.dawnreader.com

GOLDEN BY CAT

RANDAL, £2,900

“Golden is part of the Honey series of paintings where I explore the fragility of femininity with the use of honey to represent the power of sexuality,” says Cat. Located stand 21; www.hangmanarts.com

WAX AND WANE BY EMMA WHARTON LOVE, £550

Emma’s process walks the tightrope of control and chance. It explores the concept of what is not here being as important to how we each experience life as what is here in front of us today.

Located stand 41; www.emmawhartonlove.com

SUMMER’S LEASE BY NANCY CHAMBERS, £1,250

Nancy creates contemporary stilllife paintings with a pared-back style and contemporary elegance. She is known for her colourful poppies, painted using her own ‘palette knives’ made from recycled milk cartons.

Located stand 23; www. nancychambersart.co.uk

GLASTONBURY TOR BY ANDY WALKER, £450

“Glastonbury Tor is steeped in legend and mystery, says Andy. “The day I visited I caught this mysterious and evocative cloud formation above St. Michael’s Tower, atop the Tor, lit moodily by the setting sun.”

Located stand 42; www.andywalkerartist.com

THE FOREST SOUGHT MY SOUL BY SERENA PUGH, £600

Taking creativity from the myriad of colours and shapes surrounding her, artist Serena Pugh is inspired by all forms of nature. She says “There is an enormous joy capturing the essence of nature, and leaving room for the viewers own take in my picture.”

Located stand 34; www.serenarts.com

THRINGS MEETS…THE CURATED PROPERTY COMPANY

THRINGS partner Alice Altounyan meets James Cornwell, managing director of THE CURATED PROPERTY COMPANY

Alice Altounyan: The Curated Property Company is quite a new business in Bath, how did it all start?

James Cornwell: I’ve always loved property, having come from a family of developers and spent most of my life, in one way or another, on a building site. Starting my professional career as an estate agent in South Kensington, I went on to work in private aviation, chartering jets for the rich and famous, which helped me understand the demands of the affluent traveller. I saw a clear gap in the market for the kind of service we bring, and the houses we represent, and set up the company in London in 2021 before coming to Bath in 2022.

AA: What attracted you to Bath?

JC: My wife and I had always dreamed of moving out of London and, having taken on a couple of properties in and around the city, this was a natural place to gravitate to. We loved Bath from the word go. It has everything you could want and is such a friendly, beautiful place, and what started out as a couple of visits became more and more regular trips with the family until it finally became home.

AA: What services does Curated Property offer and what sets you apart from other holiday let management companies?

JC: We manage over 50 of the UK’s most unique properties, many of which have been featured in the likes of Tatler, Country Life, the Independent and The Daily Mail. Our high-tech, high-touch approach helps us to be more competitive than the average management company whilst our personable side sees us often host our owners for dinners, events

and drinks. We ensure the highest potential returns for our owners through advanced algorithm-led dynamic pricing, coupled with mid-week gap filling technology and global exposure. We use the industry’s most powerful property management software to market our properties to over 30 individually API-connected platforms, including private members clubs in both London and Bath.

The norm for many short-term holiday lets is a key box outside the property, with the visitor then left to their own devices. This is not how we work. Our seamless service ensures guests have a carefree and luxurious experience when staying in one of our properties. This includes in-person check ins, welcome hampers, and an in-house guest services team armed with as much information about the house so that there is always someone to call on should there be any issues or questions.

AA: Where are we today and where else do you manage holiday homes?

JC: Today we’re at ‘The Ridge’, a beautiful eco-friendly home

with incredible panoramic views of Solsbury Hill and the hilltops overlooking Bath. As well as Bath, we are also in London, Norfolk, Suffolk and the South of France with our portfolio featuring Georgian townhouses, London apartments and even a historic Tudor estate.

We’ve had many clients ask us whether we have anything abroad and so have recently extended to the South of France and manage an additional property in Lanzarote. The beauty of this industry is that we can manage properties, while still delivering a high-quality service, virtually from anywhere, regardless of location.

AA: What are the biggest challenges for this industry?

JC: As you can imagine, the main challenge in the holiday let business is ensuring the quality of accommodation and service. Whilst holiday lets are a secure multi-billion-pound industry, we don’t believe a laid back approach is acceptable; there needs to be a regulated minimum standard that protects guests and an overarching UK-wide body that keeps the industry in check.

AA: What does 2023 hold in store for Curated Property?

JC: We are continuing our work in France, having seen a great jump in demand for the properties we already manage, and are excited to see how this develops. We are also exploring the emerging market of glamping and pods here in the UK and how that can feed into the luxury experience we provide clients.

In Bath, as the number of properties we work with continues to grow, we want to create a concierge service, enabling our guests to get the most out of their trip, by getting to know them, their likes and dislikes, and tailoring their stay to what is on offer in this incredible city. For more information, visit www.curated-property.com n

LA TERRA

Pizza, pasta, even gnocchi – they’ve become the easiest of the eat-at-home staples for even the most Deliveroo of students. So when the old Firehouse Rotisserie on John Street became an Italian a year ago, I was slightly indi erent. Great that it wasn’t going to remain an empty unit, or become another frontline shop such as an estate agent, but being honest, the thought of going for an Italian was a little underwhelming. It’s a genre of food that got rinsed out, wrung out, and then totally Anglicised from the late 80s to the early 90s. I think my happy high-time with Italian food was when city centre trattorias pushed the tables and chairs back after 10pm and the cheesy lasagne made room for a cheesy disco.

Now, after visiting La Terra, I’m dancing to a whole new tune and it’s definitely bella chow, bella chow But then this is no ordinary stir-in-the-pesto Italian. La Terra is owned and run by business partners Vito Scaduto and Alessandro Scola. Vito, who has more than 30 years experience managing some of the most renowned restaurants and hotels including The Bath

riory, the Three Gables in Bradford on Avon, and the Royal Crescent, heads front of house. Alessandro runs the kitchen and, thanks to his northern Italy upbringing surrounded by family cooking real Italian food, and his time as a chef as Clayton’s Kitchen, The Chequers and Sotto Sotto, he really knows his stu .

We visit on a cold January, mid-week evening and, from the street, the Georgian three storey emits a welcoming glow, which is matched by the team inside. All are charming with just the right amount of attentiveness. The restaurant has a simple, light, airy open plan layout with an exposed kitchen at the back, and despite the place being packed out at 7pm, the chefs seem calm and collected. We’ve watched The Bear – we know even sandwich making involves swearing, guns, and frantic people bellowing es chef ’ so how can this be

As we sip our delicious signature La Terra cocktails (rum, green apple, lime and almond) and scan the menu, we can see why the kitchen has this under control. The choices are pared down, with one or two overlapping ingredients. My plus one is a cook and owner of an indie Bath restaurant and talks me through how smart this is as it helps with costings, time, and prep.

Since visiting the John Street Italian, Sarah Moolla is happy living in the past-a

Also it turns out it doesn’t mean any compromise on taste. First up is a roasted onion and chestnut soup. The musky sweetness of the onion blends perfectly with the nutty earthiness of the chestnuts, and radiator-warms your insides like a good soup should. At just £8.50 and served with crusty Tuscan bread, this is my new budget pit-stop while you shop recommendation.

We follow with small fried croquettes balls of braised beef shin accompanied by juicy little raspberries sat in a rich, beefy jus. Not an obvious pairing but a winner – the oral sweet pop of the fruit working beautifully with the unctuous, depth of the meat.

For main my companion goes for the Brixham catch of the day fresh fish is hugely important to La Terra a eshy, firm, sweet, brill scattered with chives, served with cubes of sautéed new potatoes, chunky discs of charred leeks, atop a generous pool of crab and shellfish sauce and dotted with glossy globules of Jerusalem artichoke purée. It scores a solid ten from my culinary learned friend, but o the scoring scale for both of us is my s uid ink linguine pasta. Each silky strand of the briny, sea salted, almost umami, linguine has the requisite bite and slipperiness, slicked with the crab and shellfish sauce that was an element in the brill dish. The pasta comes with a hefty heap of aked Devon crab meat speckled with fresh red chilli, snips of chive and a zing of lemon. The avours are so perfect, so in synch this is proper, unpretentious Italian home cooking you’d move house for.

To finish it’s a tiramisu of course served in a glass cappuccino cup. Dense with co ee and marsala soaked sponge, thick with mascarpone cream – it’s decadent and dreamy. It’s a house favourite, and with good reason.

The whole ambience and conviviality of La Terra lends itself to that unhurried Mediterranean way of eating – the service and dish knowledge is impeccable and they have that uncanny knack of knowing just when to whisk in with the next course. Since visiting I haven’t stopped raving and recommending, and recounting the story of my squid ink linguine. No longer to do I think pasta a thing of the past a . La Terra is here to stay and deserves all the love. n

DINING DETAILS

La Terra, 2 John Street, Bath BA1 2JL. tel: 01225 482070; www.laterra.co.uk

Opening hours Tuesday – Thursday 12pm –last order 2.30pm, 6pm - last order 9.30pm. Friday – Saturday 12pm – last order 2.30pm, 5.30pm – last order 9.45pm

Owners Vito Scaduto and Alessandro Scola

Chef Alessandro Scola

Established December 2021

Food served Modern Italian Covers 50

Recommendations The artisan cured

meats and stracchino cheese served with fig purée and toasted tuscan bread. Traditional Roman gnocchi, butternut squash wild mushroom, and crispy guanciale.

Prices Starters £8.50 - £18.50, mains £20£30, desserts £8 - £11

Drinks Extensive Italian wine list wide selection by the glass and delicious, house cocktails

Vegetarian and vegan options As dishes are freshly made, some can be adapted to suit Disability access Ramp to enter on request but toilets are on the third floor Atmosphere A welcoming, laid back, and convivial vibe.

“Eachstrandsilky of the briny, sea salted, almost umami, linguine has the requisite bite and slipperiness”

Margarets Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP

T: 01225 310 064 E: info@crescent-restaurant-bath.co.uk

crescent-restaurant-bath.co.uk

Crescent Restaurant & Bar is nestled in one of the beautiful side streets of Bath, just a stone’s throw away from the famous Royal Crescent landmark. With a huge passion for food and service, you are certain to receive a warm welcome here. Whether it’s that first coffee of the day with breakfast, a working lunch, tapas and cocktails after work, celebrating an occasion with friends and family or the last glass of wine in the evening, we are your home from home.

We have recently partnered with local charity Bath Mind. We are donating 10p for every hot drink sold to local charity Bath Mind - which provides mental health and well-being support to the local area.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON

FOOD & DRINK

SNAPSHOTS OF BATH’S FOOD SCENE

LOVE YOUR FOOD

A few Valentine’s Day foodie highlights to capture your heart (and fill your belly)

GREEN PARK BRASSERIE, GREEN PARK STATION, BATH

This Valentine’s season, Green Park Brasserie is celebrating being named one of The Times’s Sexiest Restaurants in the UK. The vibe is sultry live music, the icker of candles and the historic 1800s old railway station ticket hall are the backdrop for an evening to remember. The -day menu is filled with lighter options – and, for any last-minute walk-ups, the cosy heated terraces are available for drinks only, or head next door for a more casual Valentine’s Day experience at Bath Pizza Co. www.greenparkbrasserie.com

IFORD MANOR, NR BRADFORD ON AVON

There is something synonymous about romance and jazz, and Iford Manor brings both in spades. Their popular Sunday jazz lunches are a great post- or pre-Valentine’s Day celebration – on 12 February saxophonist

Joe Northwood will play with a guest, while on 19February a gypsy jazz duo led by Tim Petherick will wow with intricately realised guitar tunes. Completing the experience is award-winning head chef Matthew Briddon’s menu of seasonal dishes, with many ingredients grown in the Manor’s extensive grounds. www.ifordmanor.co.uk

THE BOTANIST, MILSOM PLACE, BATH

At The Botanist, romance means shared plates – either the perfect meal or a test of relationship metal. The Valentine’s Day set menu features two of the restaurant’s biggest crowd pleasing dishes to share – the oozy baked tru e camembert starter and the signature warm cookie dough dessert, complete with two spoons. There’s a menu of Valentine’s special cocktails too, with Candy oss oyale, Love Potion, Confetti Martini, and the Mojito Kissall available until the end of the month.

www.thebotanist.uk.com

©

WILLIAM

CARTWRIGHT-HIGNETT

CLOCKWISEFROMLEFT:

Dessert to share at The Botanist; luxury wine pairings from Corkage; Valentine’s tasting menu at No.15; enjoy sweetheart maki at Robun; locally infused brunch at Iford Manor; sexy vibes at Green Park Brasserie

CORKAGE, 5 CHAPEL ROW, BATH

Head Chef Vincent Gatay has conjured some swoon-worthy seasonal dishes, just in time for the sweetest day of the year. ou’ll find the likes of oysters from Porthilly with Furleigh Classic Cuvée 2018 to tickle your fancy to start, followed by roast mallard breast with blackcurrant purée, braised daikon and freekeh or whole roast plaice meunière with lemon sabayon. As known for their wines as their convivial food, the team have picked out some special sips to serve alongside, whether you’re in the mood for a bottle or a glass.

www.corkagebath.com

NO.15 BY GUESTHOUSE, 15 GREAT PULTENEY STREET, BATH

No.15 by Guesthouse have a special take-yourtime deal with its ‘Loved Up’ special. From 10 – 15 February you can book a leisurely stay with a noon check out, and enjoy a whole host of Valentine’s treats including a 90-minute signature ritual for two in The Spa, a fivecourse Valentine’s tasting menu dinner, a round of cocktails from the bar (Valentine’s themed, of course) and a bottle of English sparkling wine waiting for you in your room.

www.guesthousehotels.co.uk

ROBUN, 4 PRINCES BUILDINGS, GEORGE STREET, BATH

Take a trip to Japan this Valentine’s day –without even leaving Bath. Japanese-style restaurant Robun has an exclusive Valentine’s Day set menu featuring beautifully presented sweetheart maki, rose-shaped sashimi and a bowl of miso soup, before a choice of pork belly, fried sea bass or wagyu beef (and a veggie option on request), served with a delicious selection of sides. To finish it all obun’s decadent chocolate mousse dessert.

www.robun.co.uk

© LUCY JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

BATH WORKS

Go (South) West

Visit West’s plan to promote the region internationally

Visit West and Visit Britain have joined forces to promote the region to an international audience. The Destination Management Organisation for Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is working with the national tourism agency to host travel trade buyers and tour operators from Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Over 30 buyers were invited to the area to experience local highlights and key attractions including The Roman Baths, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Aerospace Bristol and Cheddar Gorge and Caves.

“We are delighted to be working with Visit Britain, bringing representatives from several countries to the region,” says Kathryn Davis, managing director and CEO of Visit West. “This gives us an incredible opportunity to show why this area is worth visiting as we rebuild our international profile following the devastating impact of the pandemic on our inbound visitor market. Working with the travel trade is critical in this, as they provide an essential link to future visitors. Both Bristol and Bath feature in the top inbound destinations according to the International Passenger Survey, welcoming more that one million international visitors in 2019.”

In 2019, international staying visitors spent more than £400m in the Visit West region in 1, that figure dropped to £87m, with spending decreasing across retail, food and drink, accommodation, travel and entertainment. According to projections from Visit Britain, UK visits will increase this year to 86 per cent of 2019 levels with 35.1 million inbound visits to the UK – and a predicted spend of £29.5 billion countrywide.

For more: www.visitwest.co.uk

THIS ISSUE >>KENYA HUNT DRESS OF THE YEAR (64) >>ENSILITECH SEED FUND SUCCESS (64) >>BIZ Q&A SIMON MILNER (67)

Visit West is showcasing Bath on an international scale

©PHOTOO_TOM ON INSTAGRAM

BATHWORKS

ERA DEFINING

enya Hunt, editor-inchief of Elle UK will select the Fashion Museum

Bath’s Dress of . ach year, the Fashion Museum invites a respected expert from the fashion industry to select a Dress of the ear that encapsulates the prevailing mood of fashion, represents the past year, and captures the imagination, with the chosen design then displayed as part of the museum’s world-class collection. revious selectors have included Hamish Bowles US Vogue , Susanna Lau

susiebubble , Grace Coddington Vogue , Suzy Menkes The Times all industry leaders.

t’s an honour to oin a long list of admired editors and image-makers in selecting the Dress of the ear, says enya. And what a year to be asked to do it proved to be a particularly pivotal one for all of us culturally, socially and politically. t’s been a year in which fashion spoke volumes.

The Dress of the ear will be revealed this spring in an exciting digital announcement, and the chosen ensemble will be available to view online via the Fashion Museum website and social media channels.

The Fashion Museum recently left its home of years in Bath’s Assembly ooms, and will be reopening in the Old ost O ce in the centre of Bath. For more: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk

GO WILD

The Victoria Art Gallery is taking part in a nationwide pro ect to find nature in museums. Until July 3, The Wild scape invites children to find a favourite animal in their local museum and create an artwork imagining its escape’ back to its natural habitat. The pictures and stories children create will be brought together by the Art Fund in a collective work of art that imagines a better future for the wildlife on our doorstep, launching online and in museums on arth Day 3 Saturday April .

We’re delighted to be oining museums and galleries across the country in this exciting pro ect, says councillor evin Guy, leader of Bath and orth ast Somerset Council. hope young visitors to the Gallery will en oy exploring the collections and learning about our amazing wildlife and the importance of protecting it for the future.

The Wild scape is inspired by Wild Isles, a landmark BBC series presented by Sir David Attenborough exploring the ora and fauna of the U .

For more: www.thewildescape.org.uk

PLANT A SEED

University of Bath-based company nsilicated Technologies

Limited nsilitech has raised £1. million seed funding to refine technology that allows vaccines and other biological materials to be transported and stored without the use of refrigeration, and to bring their award-winning tech to market. The patented platform ensilication preserves the integrity of vaccines and other biological materials at temperatures that range from - C to C. Currently, most vaccines need to be stored at sub-zero temperatures, and some must be kept at ultra-low temperatures, a factor that hampered distribution of the new m A Covid-1 vaccine.

Our goal is to make the transportation of vaccines and other life-saving biological materials more e cient and cost-e ective, while also reducing the carbon footprint of this critical supply chain, says Dr Asel Sartbaeva, co-founder of nsilitech. We are thrilled to have the support of our investors as we work towards this mission.

For more: www.bath.ac.uk

Take part in a nationwide nature project at the Victoria Art Gallery

Kenya Hunt will select the Dress of the Year

Dr Asel Sartbaeva’s company has raised over £1 million

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC

ONTO A WINNER

University of Bath Mechanical Engineering graduate Waleed Lattouf has won an Innovate UK Award. Waleed was awarded in recognition of the web-based platform he created, called Flinke, which allows online companies to streamline their supply chains.

Flinke was inspired by Waleed’s own experience of watching his family’s business struggle with supply chain issues during the pandemic, he explains, “I saw how my family’s business struggled with supply chain issues and resolved to help them, and other businesses facing these challenges. We have launched our first product, which helps e-commerce businesses get funding from financial institutions. We are now looking at the second stage, helping businesses streamline their operations and scale up easily and e ciently.

Waleed is one of 22 winners who will receive a share of a £1.25 million prize fund and support to take their business idea forward. www.bath.ac.uk

HOWDY PARTNER

Cherry Stucky has joined RWK Goodman as a partner in the private client team. Cherry brings over 15 years’ private client experience to the Bath o ce, where she will advise a broad range of clients, predominantly UK resident and domiciled. Cherry will assist in the areas of personal wealth and estate planning, as well as supporting clients with complex family inheritance and succession issues.

“I am extremely excited to have joined the Estate lanning Team at W Goodman given the firm’s culture, client base and the opportunity to help grow its private client o ering, says Cherry. t is always a pleasure getting to know my clients and their families and supporting them through the various stages of their life. My goal is always to find the right solution for my client’s particular issues and this role is a great fit for my skills.

www.rwkgoodman.com

WILL AWARE

Goughs Solicitors are supporting a new initiative set up by Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) called Update Your Will Week. The focus of this year’s appeal is legal guardianship for children of deceased parents, after SFE research found that eight out of 10 parents in the region have no legal plans in place for their children in the event the parent dies.

“It’s shocking how many parents don’t have a will in place or haven’t appointed a legal guardian for their children, says Trish Watkins, senior associate at Goughs. “Godparents don’t count as legal guardians, so to avoid the risk of the courts deciding what happens to your children, you really should make a will and update it every five years.

www.goughs.co.uk

GLAM TIME

t’s o cial awards season is here. The Bath Life Awards will return on 23 March with a fresh crop of exciting finalists you can read all about on the website, and over on page 14. This year the glitzy ceremony will take place at the Bath Pavilion with fab host David Flatman on hand to guide us through the proceedings – followed by the legendary afterparty at Sub 13.

If you’re feeling the FOMO, there is still time to get involved in the Awards via sponsorship, with a handful of options remaining, for example category sponsorship – perks include getting to present an Award live on stage – or your company name and branding pride of place in the show guide for the night. For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk

NET GROWTH

Bath Spa University and voluntary sector network 3SG have launched a new Social Impact Network dedicated to growing social enterprises and economy. The etwork is the first of its kind in Bath and orth ast Somerset, and will bring together groups and individuals specifically from social enterprises with a shared purpose of improving and growing the social economy in BANES.

“We aim to bring together those working for good in the region because we are stronger as one, says rofessor Andy Salmon, pro-vice chancellor of Bath Spa. “Contemporary challenges are complex, and opportunities will only be unlocked by collaboration across traditional borders. Our message is clear – we’re here for you, in mutually supportive environments, ourneying together, one idea at a time. For more: www.bathspa.ac.uk

Uni of Bath grad Waleed Lattouf won an Innovate UK Award

The Bath Life Awards return 23 March

The Social Impact Network will bring together people running social enterprises

© SOUL MEDIA

BIZ Q&A

Simon Milner

Sulis Hospital is an award-winning hospital designed by worldrenowned architects Foster + Partners, and its founding doctors, who combined their NHS and private practice experience to create an innovative and healing environment. Hospital director Simon Milner tells us more…

What does it mean to be a private hospital owned by the NHS Trust?

This new model of care allows us to integrate the best practices of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust with our own, enhancing the services at both hospitals. This provides the opportunity to work more closely and in a synchronised manner where we understand the dynamics of both private and NHS demand to deliver coherent, high-quality services aligned to the local healthcare needs.

In what ways is it different from a regular hospital?

Our operating model di ers in that we retain our independence in the delivery of high-quality private patient care, but have a much stronger relationship with our NHS partners.

What are some of the key benefits of treatment at Sulis?

One of the finest hospital facilities in Britain,” was how the hospital was described by The Guardian shortly after it opened. Sulis Hospital has become a superb facility with enviable clinical outcomes providing rapid access to specialist expertise aiming to improve people’s lives through good health and great care.

How would you describe your relationship to the NHS?

As a private hospital owned by our local HS Trust, the model benefits all – additional revenue generated through private care goes back into the NHS Trust. Choosing private

healthcare gives patients rapid access to treatment and at the same time, by coming o an HS waiting list, reduces the time others unable to go private have to wait.

Talk to us about the hospital’s innovative design...

Internationally renowned architects Foster + Partners were asked to create a calm yet e cient atmosphere, combining the simplicity and beauty of architecture with a relaxed environment so that our patients would feel at ease. The compact design encourages a sense of community and well-being more comparable to a luxury hotel rather than a traditional hospital.

What was the role of clinicians in creating the design?

Sulis Hospital was purpose-designed by our doctors who combined their years of NHS and private practice to create an environment ideal for patient care and recovery.

What impact has this had on the final layout of the hospital?

Clinician involvement in the design process has ensured wide and wellfunctioning corridors in theatres that provide for safe and e ective services, theatres with large windows and natural light, and stunning views over the countryside from a number of en-suite rooms. The hospital was built to meet the clinical needs of patients in both texture, ow and colour to promote well-being and a return to normal life.

How is the current healthcare crisis impacting Sulis?

Balancing increasing demand from private patients whilst at the same time accommodating long-waiting NHS patients is a challenge. As an independent hospital, we’re proud to be expanding both our capacity for private and NHS patients. This is done while maintaining high standards of patient care and patient outcomes without compromising patient safety.

What else are you proud of?

Our care is rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, and we were recently recognised by the National Joint Registry for our high standards of care. The new Sulis Diagnostic Centre is due to open in March 3, too, o ering advanced MRI, CT and other imaging services.

What has been one of your most memorable moments so far?

Seeing a growing number of consultants wanting to work with us because of our private patient model. They want to give something back whilst at the same time growing their private practice – we’re a private hospital reinvesting back into the NHS through NHS ownership. Alongside this, seeing over 1,100 NHS patients from other NHS Trusts who were waiting over two years for hospital treatment has been a highlight in the last 15 months. This has really made a di erence in people’s lives.

For more: Sulis Hospital Bath, Foxcote Avenue, Peasedown St John, Bath; www.sulishospital.com

Director of the pioneering private hospital giving back to the NHS every step of the way

“THIS HAS REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES”

GOVERNMENT DELAYS MTD FOR INCOME TAX

Matthew Rutter from Bath-based chartered accountants and tax advisers

PEARSON MAY on the Treasury’s decision to delay Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment to April 2026

The Treasury has confirmed that Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (“MTD for ITSA”) will be delayed by a further two years until April 2026. It will now be introduced in phases from 6 April 2026, rather than 6 April 2024. The original start date for MTD for ITSA was planned for April 2018 and this is the fifth deferral of the start date.

According to the First Secretary to the Treasury, this delayed phased approach will give businesses more time to prepare and adapt to new ways of working.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) stated that the UK government understands businesses and self-employed individuals are currently facing a challenging economic environment, and that the transition to MTD for ITSA for the self-employed and small landlords represents a significant change for taxpayers, agents, and for HMRC itself.

Not only is the start date being deferred but as mentioned above, it will now be introduced in phases. The minimum reporting level for self-employed individuals and landlords will be increased from £10,000 to £50,000, meaning that those self-employed individuals and landlords with turnover/gross rental income

over £50,000 will be mandated to join first, from April 2026. HMRC estimates this will apply to 700,000 taxpayers.

Those with turnover/rental income over £30,000 will be mandated to join MTD for ITSA from April 2027. HMRC estimates this will apply to a further 900,000 taxpayers.

The government is now reviewing whether smaller businesses/landlords with an income below £30,000 will be mandated to join MTD for ITSA. It is estimated that 2.6m taxpayers are within this group.

requirements among taxpayers – particularly those with a single source of property income.

The lack of functionality to allow taxpayers to appoint more than one agent (e.g. a bookkeeper to handle quarterly updates and an agent that completes the year-end processes).

The lack of adequate solutions for the complexity associated with jointly-held property.

The lack of a design solution for non-tax year accounting periods.

The design around amendments and corrections and how they are made.

Taxpayers being resistant to using commercial software. This is partly due to its cost, but also because many taxpayers use their mobile phone for simple record keeping.

The capacity of HMRC, software developers, agents and taxpayers to deliver the change.

In the light of these fundamental issues, our Institute (the ICAEW) is urging HMRC and the government to reconsider some of the key policy and design decisions and return the focus to businesses keeping good quality digital accounting records. Otherwise, they say, there is a risk that this further deferral will not be the final one and it will be difficult to persuade taxpayers to prepare.

Partnerships will not be brought into MTD for ITSA in 2025 as previously planned and while no date has been set for extending MTD for ITSA to partnerships, the government has stated that it remains committed to introducing MTD for ITSA to partnerships at a future date.

Furthermore, a points-based system aimed at making penalties fairer and simpler will come into effect for taxpayers when they join MTD for ITSA.

Over the last few months there had been increasing speculation that a deferral was inevitable, given the very small numbers of taxpayers in the restricted pilot scheme and a long list of problems with digitalising tax reporting of trading and property income. These problems include the following:

A lack of awareness of the MTD for ITSA

*The above is for general guidance only and no action should be taken without obtaining specific advice.

Matthew Rutter BSc(Hons) FCA CTA Pearson May Chartered Accountants & Chartered Tax Advisers Bath, Chippenham and Trowbridge

37 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DA 01225 460491; mail@pearsonmay.co.uk

www.pearsonmay.co.uk

Matthew Rutter, a partner at Pearson May

“ OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS THERE HAD BEEN INCREASING SPECULATION THAT A DEFERRAL WAS INEVITABLE, GIVEN THE VERY SMALL NUMBERS OF TAXPAYERS IN THE RESTRICTED PILOT SCHEME”

GOOD AS NEW

Rebecca Morgan has turned her hand to interior design after a career in the music industry

Every year a fresh crop of businesses arrive in Bath. All of them bring vibrance and creativity to the city – not to mention a great new service we can enjoy. Here, we meet a few of the brave founders ready to take the city by storm in 2023.

Rebecca Morgan, Rebecca Morgan Designs; www.rebeccamorgandesigns.com

What do you do?

After taking time away, I relaunched my full-service interior design business for homes and small businesses in 2022.

Tell us a bit about your career history

I spent my twenties and early thirties in the music industry. Then in 2009, after two years living in New York, I came back to the UK and retrained at the KLC Design School in Chelsea, London, then began my career in interior design, working in London on high-end residential and small commercial projects.

What’s one of the biggest lessons of starting a business?

Being organised and laser-focused pays o .

What’s your goal for the year?

To get extremely organised, have three or more very happy clients and develop a beautiful portfolio I’m really proud of.

Do you have plans to expand?

I hope by the end of the year to have a small in-house team so I can focus solely on the creative side of the business.

What would be your dream project?

Someone who gives me the keys and tells me to go for it!

Sophie Hunt, Little Dots Photography; Instagram @little.dots.photography

What’s your offering?

I’m a photographer specialising in capturing timeless and emotive images of newborns, maternity, motherhood and babies. I use natural light to create beautiful shadows and neutral tones. My style is very relaxed and natural – above all we have a lot of fun and laughs.

Why did you start the business?

I started Little Dots after the birth of my daughter, when I started documenting every phase of her new life. I had studied photography as a teen and have always had an obsession with making things look beautiful, so I gave up my career at the time doing visuals for a high-end fashion brand to go back to college and pursue my love of photography. I became fascinated by newborn photography and started taking photos for family and friends, from there the birth of Little Dots was a natural process.

What’s your ‘why’?

I started Little Dots to show my daughter that you can be anything you want to be and empower her to work hard and believe in herself, and to have the confidence and courage to achieve anything she sets out to do.

“I started Little Dots to show my daughter you can be anything you want”

ABOVE: Sophie Hunt started Little Dots Photography to document motherhood; LEFT: Rebecca Morgan offers full service interior design

© LITTLE DOTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Hetal Taylor, Kaskazi Back to Nature; www.kaskazi.shop

What’s on the shelves?

We import and sell sustainably farmed and ethically produced organic superfoods, spices and tea infusions from Tanzania. We have a retail concept store in Bath and we also supply other retailers in the Bath and NE Somerset area, as well as in Bristol.

What’s the best advice you’ve had?

One of the best pieces of advice given to me by one of my very first customers was to participate in farmer’s markets, especially the weekly market at Green Park Station. This has really helped create local awareness of our shop and products. Some of my best customers look for me at the Saturday markets and I’ve met lots of other small business people and made many new friends.

Do you have plans to grow?

We’re planning to open another store in Bristol, and possibly a pop-up or shop-share in London – this is where we would share space with a business who has complementary products to save on overheads as well as cross sell our products. We’re also launching a new avoured cashew snack, using our signature jumbo organic cashew nuts from Tanzania. We’re going to start with a few avours caramel, chilli-lime, and plain salted), slowly expanding the range depending on customer response and feedback.

“I’ve met lots of other small business people and made many new friends”

Kaskazi Back to Nature sources high quality products from Tanzania

Daniel Saunders, The Gaff;

What’s the restaurant like?

www.thegaffrestaurant.co.uk

The Ga is a small plate restaurant focusing on the best produce with a weekly changing menu. We love to create dishes based on where we have been, memories and inspirations.

Give us the origin story

have been working in hospitality since school my first ob was pot washing in a nursing home. have always loved to cook and always known wanted to be a chef. did not go to culinary school, ust worked hard, listened and learnt, and worked my way up until was head chef at a Michelin-star restaurant.

How did it all come together?

felt like could do more, push myself more. Together with my partner who is front of house manager we had the experience and knowledge to run our own restaurant.

We created a business plan and sent it to a few people we know to see if they would be interested in helping us start up our own restaurant, and our business investors Charles Stemp and Trevor Dartford believed in us and what we do, and helped us achieve our vision.

Dr Helen Curran Coaching and Consultancy; www.helencurran.net

Tell us about the business

am a career and leadership coach. work with individuals to help them move forward in their careers. also provide training and consultancy related to inclusive leadership.

What are your credentials?

am a member of the nternational Coaching Federation CF and have completed CF Accredited Coach training. also have completed postgraduate degrees in the fields of change management, inclusion, neuro-diversity specifically dyslexia and autism and professional practice. More recently have trained in transactional analysis, which brings a further dimension to my work. My hD focused on leadership and implementing change.

ABOVE: Dan and Dan, the power couple behind The Gaff; The Gaff offers delicious small plates; BELOW: Career coach Dr Helen Curran has learned how to shout about her talents

START UPS

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Get a ring-light for social media posts – from my daughter! Seriously though, I launched my website a while ago and I asked friends and family for feedback. A good friend, Dr Jo Keightley, immediately responded with ‘love it, but you are underselling yourself’ and, as usual, she was right! I had omitted key information, my research, my books, my speaking. It really resonated with me as I think, particularly as women, this is something we so often struggle with. I work with a lot of clients who talk about imposter syndrome and I can understand that.

What’s your goal for 2023?

The focus is on growing my business in Bath. I have wonderful clients all over the UK who I work with online, but I want to become the go-to coach for career development in Bath, focusing on career changes and progression. I also work from the Apthorp Centre, which is such a beautiful, tranquil space, and I really enjoy coaching in person.

Olivia Poole, Olivia’s Boutique; Instagram @oliviasboutiquekeynsham

Tell us about the brand

Olivia’s Boutique is a ladies clothing store. I wanted to create a store that has something for everyone, to make shopping more fun, to have a beautifully designed space to come to and try on nice clothes as opposed to sitting and scrolling through the internet for hours to find something that you may or may not like when it arrives.

What’s the origin story?

I have always worked in fashion and retail, I grew up with it. My mum opened a boutique 20 years ago back up north where I am originally

from. When I turned 13, I started helping her out on a Saturday so from an early age was invested. Once finished my A-levels tried a few di erent things but was always drawn back to fashion. then made the decision to commit to the boutique fully and took on the role as manager, working with a team of 10, learning to run a business. Taking over the buying of all the stock was an amazing experience at a young age but I absolutely loved the challenge and knew I wanted to work for myself.

And what brought you to Bath?

I took a six-week break to go travelling across Thailand in 2018 and this is where met my now fianc , who is from Bristol and the reason moved down south. t was a very di cult decision as not only was I leaving my friends and family but a business I had successfully built up. I then worked in Bath for three years as a retail manager before taking the plunge to set up doing what I loved.

Who is your business role model?

My mum is my inspiration. She opened her boutique 20 years ago and it’s been such a huge success. I’ve seen the hard work that has been put into it and I’ve been a big part of that. It’s so rewarding when you can take a step back and see you have been successful and I want that for myself. I aspire to be an independent young businesswoman, I want to create something that I can pass down to my children, to show them that you have to work hard in life if you want something – just like my mum did. n

ABOVE: Olivia’s Boutique offers a range of women’s clothing; BELOW: After working in her mum’s boutique, Olivia went into business for herself

We make sure we only work with partners who do all processing and packaging locally, making sure they support their communities by creating jobs and skills.

Using completely biodegradable materials when possible, our packaging is eco friendly and contains no harmful toxins.

We pride ourselves and products on being ETHICAL, ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLE.

Lemongrass Moringa Tea

Baobab Powder Moringa Powder

Zanzibar Purple Sea Moss

Turmeric Latte & Chai Latte

PROPERTY

PLACES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

For sale

HIGH IMPACT

A remarkable duplex penthouse is for sale on Stall Street. The striking new development is located on the second and third oors of an attractive building at the corner of Beau Street and Stall Street. The three-bed home has been extensively redeveloped, resulting in a stylish, contemporary haven that is also in keeping with its Georgian surrounds.

“The vibrant central location and luxurious character accommodation on o er makes this development a compelling investment opportunity in the destination city of Bath,” says Hunter Harling at Savills, the agent marketing the property.

With a kitchen designed by Bath-based practice Woodhouse & Law with a quartz stone worktop and full suite of Bosch appliances, full restored timber sash windows and Bath stone elevations, and a magnificent vaulted ceiling, it’s a high impact open-plan space. The guide price starts at £700,000. For more: www.savills.com

The kitchen is by acclaimed Bath designers Woodhouse & Law

Luxurious living in a central location

Renewal NEW GROWTH

Bath-based architecture practice Grant Associates are leading on the full renewal of the historic gardens of Mountbatten House in Basingstoke. The property is cited as one of the 15 most important listed buildings in the U , and is set for extensive refurbishment.

The landscape proposals by Grant Associates will enable increased usage and access to the garden spaces, enhance the richness and areas of current planting by building on the original layouts and principles, and promote urban biodiversity.

This pro ect is a heritage-led redevelopment scheme, involving the updating, repair and reuse of the listed building and the gardens, says eith French, director at Grant Associates. The proposals set out the redevelopment of a high- uality and sensitive landscape scheme that fully re ects the original vision and sensitive context and provides a new 1st century landscape layer for its future users which respond to contemporary issues of o ce workers and visitors.

For more: www.grant-associates.uk.com

Community FULL POWER

Wera Hobhouse MP visited a rooftop solar system installed by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) at Beechen Cli School recently. The installation is the nonprofit, community-owned renewable energy business’s largest pro ect to date, comprising over solar panels and providing kilowatts of power to the school.

am so proud that Beechen Cli School and Bath & West Community Energy have come together on this vital pro ect, helping both the planet and the wider school community, says Wera. Community energy schemes such as this are vital to achieving net zero, and have my wholehearted support. Bath has long been a pioneer in this field and once again our area is leading the way. Seeing how the solar panels help raise money for school sets an exciting example for how other public services may benefit from similar pro ects.

For more: www.bwce.coop

Schools CHILD’S PLAY

B CT, the company overseeing construction at Bath’s new Holburne ark development has given the playground at Bathwick St Mary Church School a new lease of life. The work to expand the space for the schoolchildren was a voluntary endeavour by B CT’s construction team, with the backing of Hadrock Developments – the developers behind Holburne ark plus donations from landscapers, Afan, and groundworkers, enelec.

“We are so grateful for the generosity and support of B CT and the Holburne ark Team as we

have overhauled the play space for our children, says evin urkiss, headteacher at the school. A significant proportion of the school grounds have been completely redeveloped which has enabled all year round access to our play garden and woodland area. The new surfacing and overhaul of the site has made a fantastic di erence to the play experiences and learning opportunities for all of our children. Without their generous support we would still be in the early stages of fundraising for this pro ect.

For more: www.bect.co.uk

Mountbatten House is set for regeneration

Nick Bird, Tim Markell, Wera Hobhouse and John Rawlins

Holburne Park school council pupils have a new playground thanks to BECT

THE BOTHY

Matilda Walton explores a rural paradise

The Bothy at Warleigh Manor takes ‘live like royalty’ to a whole new level. The threebedroom semi-detached property forms part of the magnificent Grade listed Warleigh Manor, one of the finest buildings in the local area that has the look of a castle. t may not have housed any royals, but the castellated front complete with battlements and even its own turret, o ers an absolutely regal sight to come home to. The place is packed with history too – built in the 1800s, the property was home to seven generations of the Skrine family who built it, until the mid-1 5 s, when it was sold o to a series of schools – Rodbourne College, Bathford College and Warleigh Manor School. When it came back into private hands again, the Manor went through an extensive renovation to create the exclusive collection of country homes it houses today.

The Bothy sits to the south east corner of the Manor and enjoys a separate-but-together arrangement with the rest of the properties that includes both private and communal gardens, and, importantly, its own private entrance via a secluded courtyard.

Outside the vibe tends Tudor gothic, but inside The Bothy is a clean, contemporary and versatile space. The ground oor ows with ease. The gorgeous modernity of the kitchen/breakfast room – complete with must-have marble-topped central island – leads through to the equally stylish drawing room. The current owners have an eye for design, and it shows in the space, carefully curated to make the most of its tall vaulted ceilings and dual aspect. There’s a cosy stone fireplace for the winter months too, while in the

“An absolutely regal sight to come home to”

summer, French doors can be thrown open for easy access to the tranquil private garden. Adjacent to the drawing room is a study, which has the added charm of being located inside a turret of the Manor – it may not be the 21st century way, but in here, letter-writing by candlelight is strongly encouraged. There’s one more downstairs living space, which currently serves as a library, a choice that appeals directly to the entire property’s stately aesthetic, but if this isn’t so much to a new owner’s tastes, it could be quite simply converted into a formal dining room, or even impressive entrance hall, as required.

Outside is a total dream. From its secluded location and commanding position in the valley – complete with the most beautiful countryside views – to its pretty little ornamental garden with mature rockery

and pond serving as backdrop to a terrace just made for sunbathing, it’s a first-class example of the perks of rural life. Not only that, but from the house, communally-owned fields lead down to the banks of the River Avon, so residents can take advantage of the wild swimming and riparian fishing rights all in relative seclusion.

All that, and it’s only five-miles from Bath so when city life calls, you can still answer.

HOUSE NUMBERS

Price £1.35m

Square foot 2,516

Bedrooms 3

Reception rooms 2

Savills, Bath, Edgar House, 17 George Street, Bath; www.savills.co.uk

“When city life calls, you can still answer”

EXPECT

UNEXPECTED

The secrets and challenges a renovation can unearth

By John Mather

THE

UNEXPECTED

When renovating a period property any number of challenges can be hiding just under the surface says Charlotte Wright of Hobson’s Choice

Between ordinary obstacles and the expected woes, home remodelling of older properties can unearth a whole trove of unexpected problems and discoveries. From unearthing old letters under the oorboards to discovering the acoustics need a 21st century tweak. Here four local experts share their restoration dramas…

BIG SCREED DRAMA

“Our clients are the proud owners of a 400-year-old listed Jacobean manor house on the outskirts of Bath,” says Charlotte Wright senior design consultant of Hobson’s Choice who specialise in design and installation of premium bulthaup kitchens, luxury bathrooms, and Rimadesio living space solutions. “They desired to improve their home to re ect their love of Scandi design and improve the functionality and social aspects of the kitchen, dining and utility areas.

“The disjointed nature of the original kitchen was to be addressed in order to create a more cohesive space for cooking, dining, working and socialising. The ad acent utility space was to be reconfigured to create separate rooms for laundry, storage, water tanks, and dog-drying.

“When renovating a period property any number of challenges can be hiding ust under the surface, almost impossible to see before oors are lifted or wall coverings are removed. A particularly challenging aspect of this pro ect related to the oor, or indeed, the lack of screed beneath the stone tiles. It was resolved with professional guidance, a lot of hard work and a mini digger.

“The project was a great success and provided our clients with the functionality, style and complete project management service they so desired. The revised layout o ers more defined zones and the finished decor emphasises the architecture and features of the room, for

example: The vertical exposed ceiling beams remain dark to lead the eye up to the high vaulted ceiling whilst the cross members match the walls to make them less prominent.”

SOUND TRACKS

“As big fans of colour and pattern, our clients wanted their Georgian country house in Devon to be re ective of life as a young family bold, joyful, but also restful,” explains John Law, creative director of interiors at Woodhouse & Law who o er full service interior design and garden design partnership. “We were keen to work with the existing bones of the property as much as we could, sensitive to features such as the original oorboards.

This didn’t come without challenges however the dining room was a large space, with high ceilings and existing oak ooring. This made for di cult acoustics, especially when the family were entertaining. To counter this, we introduced large-scale upholstered panels along one wall combined with textured rugs and interlined curtains, this helped greatly soften the space and its acoustics. We also introduced surfacemounted spotlights in discrete positions, to highlight architectural details such as the beams.”

The acoustic problems were solved by large-scale upholstered panels along one wall in this Woodhouse & Law designed interior

“We were keen to work with the existing bones of the property but this didn’t come without challenges”

WHAT LIES BENEATH

“Across our many Georgian renovation projects over the last 15 years, it always amazes me what we find under oorboards, says Sarah Latham, founder of Etons of Bath who focus on classically inspired interiors with a uni ue specialism in period homes and hotels.

Georgian houses we work on often re uire extensive works and we’re involved from the start. This includes rewiring, electrical specifications and first fix plumbing all of which re uire oorboards to be lifted.

And what a sight you find underneath them iled between the oists are decades and sometimes centuries of people’s dust, dirt, and artefacts we find newspaper clippings, vintage cigarette packets, sketches by trades that have worked on the house in the past and in one case we found a letter.

The letter was beneath the oorboards of a bathroom. t was written by two young girls telling their story of when they used to come and stay in the house with their grandparents who owned it and how much they loved the house. They told of the games they used to play and the acting and plays they put on for the grandparents. ou might be imagining that this was a scene from Bridgerton but in fact the note was written in the 1 s and our clients were able to track the now grown-up girls down and return the letter to them.

“Piled between the joists are centuries of people’s dust, dirt, and artefacts”

Etons of Bath found a moving letter from two young girls about how much they loved the house during one renovation project

KITCHEN SINK DRAMA

“The client’s brief was to create a classic and grand kitchen to complement the home, with a large island that had a balanced and symmetrical design in a traditional English style with contemporary gadgets,” explains Kelly Marie, design director at Kelly Marie Kitchens. “The original kitchen, which was in a Great Pulteney Street property, was an L-shape with little storage or places to sit. We managed to transform this with a sash bench window seat, and opened up the space with the island design.

“To bring in a touch of Georgian into the design, we used bespoke shaker frontals, moulded plinths, and a traditional bi-fold dresser. My favourite part of the kitchen is the two-tier wall units. They give a sense of height and majesty, which emphasises the shaker-style doors.” n

“The client’s brief was to create a classic and grand kitchen”

Kelly Marie Kitchens transformed this Great Pulteney Street kitchen

WITH OVER 20 YEARS

Our commercial clientele has grown massively, with us now providing work for Galliard Homes in London, pubs, the biggest soft play in Bath and repeat custom from various estate agents and landlords, as well as hotels and businesses.

We believe this comes mainly from word of mouth, but also from our high accreditation and most importantly our all employed staff under an umbrella of a 5-star review platform. Our personal warranted work is under Simon Davis Flooring entirely, which protects our customers with full assurance.

We have grown through the pandemic and are eternally grateful, as we feel Bath and Bristol are hugely loyal to local companies – particularly family run – and we appreciate this more than I could ever put into words as it’s that fierce loyalty combined with our attention to detail that we believe kept our business alive in a time of such uncertainty for many others.

“We are so proud to be 2022 winners of the Bristol Life Awards” - Andrew Sperring, CEO

WINNER

FOR THE HOME

ASPECT WINDOW STYLING

Inspiration for windows. Based in the heart of Bath, Aspect Window Styling are suppliers of top quality shutters, blinds of all types, curtains, poles, and awnings. Visit their showroom for inspiration and advice from expert staff on how to transform your windows into something gorgeous. Full design, measuring and fitting service. Tel: 01225 469559 www.aspectwindowstyling.co.uk

WOOLF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE &

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

MENDIP FIREPLACES BATH

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

NEXUS OF BATH is a Bath based family business specialising in painting and decorating, plastering, tiling, sash window restoration and other property restoration. Nexus have built a reputation for the highest standards of workmanship with experience across a range of projects from listed buildings through to new builds, with a complete commitment to customer service and health and safety Tel: 01225 300414; www.nexusofbath.co.uk

VIRTUOSO FLOORING

Offering stylish, innovative flooring solutions to meet the needs of the savvy Bath homeowner. Virtuoso employ the largest team of experienced fitters in Bath. Their dedicated team are ready to turn your dream floor into a reality. Call now for a free consultation or visit their new show room on Moorland Road. To enquire, email info@virtuosoflooring.co.uk or call 01225 972715; www.virtuosoflooring.co.uk

JENNIFER MOSSE DESIGN STUDIO

A bespoke, tailor-made, client-focused interior design consultancy service based in Bath. Specialising in residential interior design and providing a truly personal service adapted to each client’s needs, Jennifer’s unique style blends seamlessly between period and contemporary homes. The aim is simple – to create spaces that bring joy, reflecting her clients’ lifestyles and personalities.

Tel: 07738289189; www.jennifermosse.com

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

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

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

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

SCHMIDT BATH

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

Our local businesses are poised and ready to help with all your home needs for Winter

JANE TURNER

The author on the beauty of Birmingham, and how rowing inspired her debut novel

Brought up in Birmingham, Jane read law at Oxford University and then went to work in the city in corporate finance. She lived in Toronto, Singapore, and London, before doing an MBA in France. She also did strategy consulting for a while before joining John Lewis in senior management. Now living in Bath, her debut novel The Way From Here, which released last May, is set around the city, and tells the tale of motherhood, family, female friendships, and competitive rowing.

I grew up in Birmingham, and whilst it wasn’t exactly Peaky Blinders , the city was a lot duller and greyer than it is now. Everyone always thinks of the industrial parts of the city, but dgbaston is full of magnificent Georgian buildings, which I have always loved.

I was bored a lot of the time at school. I didn’t start to go the extra mile until I had a clear goal of getting in to Oxford.

I always wanted to be a merchant banker.

Unfortunately, in the idealism of the 1960s when they were busy telling girls we could be anything we wanted, they failed to explain it was going to be a bit more complicated than that.

One of the most interesting jobs I’ve had was running a wine merchant that supplied the Queen after the John Lewis Partnership bought it. It was amazing how everyone who came to dinner after that always brought a really expensive bottle of wine with them.

My mother still has a book of terrible poems that I made her for Christmas when I was about eight.

I rowed for many years and coached, which inspired my book. I am reasonably obsessed with tennis, and also swim as often as I can. I have skied since I was a child and I raced on the first ever Oxford women’s team against Cambridge.

I wasn’t attracted to the life of a writer in fact put o becoming serious about writing precisely because I did not know if I could cope with the solitude. I am a naturally gregarious sort of person which is why I often take myself o to a public space to write.

The whole process of my novel being published was been an emotional rollercoaster. Oddly the moment that caused me the most excitement was agreeing the actor who was going to make the audio book – the lovely Charlotte Strevens. The idea that someone would sit down in a studio and spend several days reading my book out loud seemed incomprehensible.

My husband Grey is an orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal United Hospital. We have three children in their twenties, although two of them are still in full time education. We are looking forward to them all being o the payroll.

I am quite good at procrastinating, so if I am struggling to tackle something I take it on a long train journey –Bath to Durham works well. I always write well on trains.

I love my garden and two years ago started opening it to the public with the National Garden Scheme to raise money for charity.

I live in Newton St Loe, a village that most of Bath seems to have discovered since the opening of our wonderful farm shop. I love the fact that my house faces open countryside as far as the eye can see, and yet it is only ten minutes into the middle of Bath.

One of my favourite places in Bath is Walcot House. The food is so good, plus I love the atmosphere.

My idea of perfect happiness is walking the North Cornwall coastal path with my best friend and my dog.

I am the organist of last resort in my village church. That was a talent I kept extremely quiet until the Sunday we were told in church that we would have to say the hymns rather than sing them because they didn’t have an organist. n

The Way From Here by Jane Turner is published by Orion Fiction, £8.99, and can be purchased from Bath indie bookshops.

For more: www.orionbooks.co.uk

“I raced on the first ever Oxford women’s team against Cambridge”