Bath Life – Issue 516 by MediaClash

SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE AT THE SUMMER PARTY

LIVING

LIVE A LITTLE BATH IS UP FOR BEST SMALL CITY AWARD

CORSHAM’S COMMUNITY THE MARKET TOWN MASSIVE POSITIVE ENERGY BUSINESSES AND THEIR GREEN EFFORTS INFORMATION THE SECRETS OF BATH UNCOVERED

GREEN FOR GO!

LUSH COLOURS TO WEAR THIS SEASON

One of the first things that hit me watching the film The Mountain Within Me, about our cover star Ed Jackson’s life, was the mundaneness of his catastrophic accident – the simple error of diving in at the wrong end of a swimming pool. No more than that – how everyman it was. But what happened next is far from everyman – from having to be resuscitated three times in the ambulance and then being told he would never walk again and was a paraplegic, Ed has managed to not just live his life fully, but live a life that defies all expectations. From climbing mountains to TV presenting, from writing books to founding charities, Ed is truly a force of nature. In The Mountain Within Me, we can see it took, and still does take, a tremendous, superhuman, against-allodds, all-encompassing effort to achieve all he does. But as the film also reveals, it is thanks too to the efforts of those around him – his then-girlfriend, now-wife Lois, also pictured on the cover; his family; the doctors; the rehabilitation centres; the physiotherapy; the occupational therapy... The film, made by Universal Pictures, is a testament not just to the power of Ed, but the power of professionalism, friendship, perseverance and, ultimately, the power of love and of loving life. Turn to page 24 to read Ed and Lois’s story, and find out about our special screening of The Mountain Within Me at The Little Theatre, followed by a live Q&A with Ed.

SARAH MOOLLA

Issue 516 / Mid-August 2024

COVER Ed and Lois Jackson tell their story of overcoming injury, adversity and fears (page 24). Photo by Jack Goodman Photography; Instagram @jackgoodman

BIG INTERVIEW

24 ED & LOIS JACKSON Behind the scenes and up the mountains with this most remarkable of ‘power’ couples

THE ARTS

33 ARTS INTRO Four Gainsborough portraits heading to Bath

34 WHAT’S ON People to see, places to go 43 BOOKS Recommended holiday reads with Mr B 44 STORY TIME ...with Bath Children’s Festival

FOOD & DRINK

48 RESTAURANT REVIEW Bath’s new beau – Beau Brasserie

51 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Nuggets from the foodie scene

LIFESTYLE

53 SHOP LEAD A summertime beauty of an outfit

54 EDITOR’S CHOICE Travel in style with local, luxe accessories

56 FASHION Wear green to be seen

OUT OF TOWN

58 CORSHAM Marketing the market town!

GREEN THINKING

68 SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES Businesses doing their bit

NETWORK

75 NETWORK LEAD Bath is up for Best Small City award

78 NETWORK NEWS Business news, views and interviews

81 CAREER PATH Behind the camera with Darius Jéan

PROPERTY

89 PROPERTY LEAD Restoring Dyrham Park’s Parterre garden

90 PROPERTY NEWS Latest from the market

92 SHOWCASE A home with an original 1824 fresco (yes, really)

DEPARTMENTS

9 SPOTLIGHT Team Bath’s Paralympic athletes

11 STREET LIFE Buskers of Bath

13 SCENE Hello, Bath Life party people!

31 FLATLINE Flats wants to know if it’s all sustainable?

98 BATH LIVES The scientist and poet Prof. Banafshé Larijani

Editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@mediaclash.co.uk Managing editor Deri Robinsderi.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Nic Bottomley, Marianne Cantelo, Elsie Chadwick, David Flatman, Paul Marland, John Mather and Karen Warren Commercial director Pat White pat.white@ mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Annabel North annabel.north@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Dan Nichols dan.nichols@mediaclash. co.uk Business development executive Ruby Coburn ruby.coburn@mediaclash.co.uk Marketing executive Grace Goodall grace.goodall@mediaclash.co.uk Production and distribution manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Matt Gynn matt.gynn@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Gemma Bourne 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 and Bristol. Agency From the design and

PHOTO

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games TOP OF THEIR GAME

After winning a historic silver in Tokyo, para-badminton star Dan Bethell is one of five ParalympicsGB athletes who trains at the University of Bath and is headed to Paris 2024. Joining him at the Paralympic Games, which run 28 August to 8 September, is Corsham’s Suzanna Hext, who will compete in the para-swimming, along with reigning champion Piers Gilliver and fellow Tokyo medallists Dimitri Coutya and Oliver LamWatson, who will be bidding for more silverware in the wheelchair fencing.

Dan, who won ParalympicsGB’s first-ever medal in the sport three years ago, and has since climbed to the top of the world rankings in the SL3 men’s singles, says, “I took up para-badminton after watching the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. I was really inspired by seeing para-sport for the first time – people with my disability, cerebal palsy, and other disabilities doing sport at such a high level – and I just wanted to be a part of it.

“I joined the Team Bath Futures programme in 2012, right at the start of my badminton career, and working with Pete Bush, the University’s badminton coach, really gave me the tools to perform well, to get into the England squad and eventually into the Great Britain squad. It gave me those initial foundations and understanding of the game, which was huge for me to push on to the elite level.”

For more: www.teambath.com | www.paralympic.org

Suzanna Hext

Oliver Lam-Watson

Dimitri Coutya

Dan Bethell

Piers Gilliver (on the right)

PHOTO BY IMAGECOMMS

PHOTO BY PARALYMPICSGB

FROM DAWN TO BUSK

Just a few of the talented buskers who bring music to the city

Photographs by Roy Newport

SCENE

THE LATEST ADVENTURES IN PARTY-GOING ACROSS BATH

SUMMER BREEZE

In a rare guest appearance, the sunshine joined the 120 guests for an evening of catching up, networking and making new connections at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa for the Bath Life Summer Party. Canapés were served, including smoked salmon mousse blinis and cucumber bites, along with wine, beer and prosecco. MediaClash chief exec Greg Ingham and company MD Steph Dodd made speeches, in which it was announced that the Bath Forum is to be the new venue for next year’s Bath Life Awards.

by Betty Bhandari; www.bettybhandaribrandphotography.com

Chelsea Shellard and Taylor Williams

Photos

Bradley Bailey, Jasmine Barker and Bryn Williams

Ed Downing, Kirsty Lake and Daniel Warburton

Ian and Christa Taylor

Janik Yeshim, David Ghent, Angela Ghent and Nishit Chotai

Elliott Cotterell, Jake Hartley, Sophie Sage and Jamie Cope

Charles Frey and Mary Barber Frey

Fiona Morrison, Natasha Musson and Angela Ghent

Louise Hessian, James Dillon and Claire Hunton

Michelle Sames and Barry Sames

Lisa Stone, Katina Beckett, Noya Pawlyn and Victoria Smee

Kamil Zywicki, Lisa Stone and Wendy Harrison

Lea Lea Bella, Charlie Vernon, Walter Ruggiero and Zara Perry

Megan Witty, Abbie Long, Lizzie Heffer and Christina Avison

James Portman, Halena Coury and Nickie Portman

Mark Saint and Andy Allsopp-Jones

Janik Yeshim

Peter Bennett and Maki

Polly Hill, Matt Fallon and Polly Rathbone

Tom Kennedy, Clair Strong, Katherine Slater and Jamie Watkins

Simon Jones, Nick Hems, Sunjay Singh and Gary Fisher

Ruby Coburn, Elisa Soldaini-Paice, Steph Dodd and Nick Steel

Worthy selﬁe moments

Patrick Brady and Louisa Kelly

Nigel Fryatt, Penny Murphy, Poppy Murphy and Kevin Murphy

Kai Taylor, Elise Davies and Will Maslin

Louis Channer, Adriana Brake, Pete Helme and Helen Helme

Louis Bradley Greg Ingham addresses the guests

Looking good, lads!

Andrew Kelliher and Tina Marshall-Kelliher Peace out!

Steph Dodd

Raj Manil

Simon Thexton and Anna Barton

Flying high!

GOOD NATURED

Milsom Street was taken over as part of the 21st annual Festival of Nature, the largest free celebration of the natural world in the UK, which takes place across Bristol and Bath. Hosted by the Natural History Consortium, around 12,000 people came to enjoy the free activities, which included family-friendly nature stalls, special guest talks and shows, interactive activities, storytelling, crafts, music, and nature educators Queen Bee and Polly Nator performing alongside ower stilt walkers.

Photos by Jessie Myer of Soul Media; www.soul-media.co.uk | www.bnhc.org.uk

Turi King and Ali Vowles

Hugh Warwick

Thumbs up with Jon Chase, The Science Rapper

Queen Bee, a ﬂower stilt walker and Polly Nator

The tiny cinema set up on Milsom Street

Joe Mansﬁeld and the Temperance Two

Browsing the stalls Exploring nature

Catching bubbles

Yes! Cam Whitnall

50% OFF UNTIL THE 17TH AUGUSTApplies to breakfast/brunch food only

Thanks for supporting Mantra all through these years. By popular demand we are bringing to you our traditional Indian breakfast dishes such as Chole Bhature, Pav Bhaji, Vada Pav, Egg Bhurji, Chicken Tikka Naanwich, Maska Pav, Masala Omlette.

But hang on! That's not all. Now, indulge in a unique fusion of ﬂavors with our classical English breakfast, infused with the vibrant spices and aromas of India. Savor our signature dishes, where traditional English breakfast meets the bold twists of Indian cuisine. From

Break The Fast@Mantra Bath

spiced sausages to egg, and from naan bread to paratha, every bite is a delicious blend of East meets West. Come, experience the perfect union of two culinary worlds!

We have Egg Royale With Tandoori Salmon, Scrambled Egg On Toast, Avocado Benedict to name just a few.

What better way to enjoy breakfast on our roof top terrace overlooking the beautiful Bath Hills.

THE VERY FEST

It was a momentous ten days at The Bath Festival, with over 80 literature and music events across well known venues of Bath. The Guildhall played host to best-selling as well as debut authors, top thinkers and comedians. The Abbey was the perfect venue for Stile Antico while aterstones was ooded with detectives for a very special Murdle Live event. Michael Ball shared his star-studded stories with a packed room and Ruby Wax enthralled with her authentic and hilarious account of her years in the limelight. www.bathfestivals.org.uk

Sean Shibe and Ema Nikolovska at St Swithin’s

Stile Antico at Bath Abbey Michael Ball fans

Murdle Live! at Waterstones

Salena Godden

Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd

A standing ovation for the four speakers at The Great Post Ofﬁce Scandal event

Clive Myrie talks to Kit de Waal

Ruby Wax talks to Miriam Akhtar

PHOTO BY NICK SPRATLING

PHOTO BY EMMA PAINTER

PHOTO BY ANNA BARCLAY

PHOTO BY ZAC DOUGLAS

SPARKLING COMPANY

To mark 10 years of tech PA ,the not-for-profit company that works to strengthen local tech communities, the team recently held a celebratory networking evening at Newark Works. Attended by about 80 people, there were welcome drinks, sharing platters, sweet treats, speeches from chair Nick Sturge and managing director Ben Shorrock, plus a 10 years of techSPARK quiz.

by Julian Preece; www.julianpreece.com www.techspark.co

LATE STARTERS!

The Dorothy House Midnight Walk took place in Bath 15 June with an amazing 476 people taking part. Routes included the usual 5k around the city centre plus a new option of looping twice and clocking up 10k. The event, which was manned by 102 volunteers, included an exclusive Mulberry handbag ra e, welcome drinks from Great Wine Co, and a warm up from Cheryl Sprinkler of Mojo Moves. So far, the total raised for Dorothy House’s Essential Hospice @Home service stands at £60,366. www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

Celebrating at the ﬁnish lineCheryl Sprinkler

Photos

Pyjamas and onesies were the running gear of choice

Volunteers worked through the night

The team outside Newark Works

The memory wall was a poignant reminder of Dorothy House's work

Jasmine Trueman, Shona Wright, Alex Holland, Briony Phillips and Charly Patrick

Abigail Frear and Ben Shorrock

Briony Phillips and Shannon d'arcy

Lucy Paine

Aimme Skinner and Nick Sturge

THE JACKSON TWO: A MIGHTY FORCE

How the inspirational, mountain-conquering lives of Ed and Lois Jackson became a major movie

By Sarah Moolla

The Mountain Within Me by Universal Pictures follows the highs and lows of Ed and Lois Jackson’s lives, following Ed’s near-fatal accident in 2017

PHOTO BY JACK GOODMAN

The story of Ed Jackson’s journey from professional rugby player to becoming a quadriplegic following a swimming pool accident in 2017, being told he would never walk again, and then, just a few years later, climbing mountains, setting up charities, writing books, TV presenting, still partying, and becoming a motivational speaker is… well, it’s the stuff of the movies.

o it’s no wonder that filmmaker Polly teele, having read Ed’s book, Lucky, which became a Sunday Times bestseller, decided his story would make for a great documentary. The end result, The Mountain Within Me, is released in UK cinemas 23 August (see page 2 for our review of the film, plus details of a special Q&A screening at Bath’s Little Theatre . And it’s astounding. Even if you think you know this remarkable tale, which was last told in this very magazine back in October 2019, The Mountain Within Me will surprise you: it’s an authentic, raw, un inching, painful, at times funny, and always honest account of exactly what happened, not only to Ed but to those around him – his family, friends, and, not least, his then-girlfriend, Lois.

I thought it was a joke! It’s quite a daunting prospect, putting the in-depth details of your life out there for the world to see – and it wasn’t just my life either, but those of others I care deeply about too. o it definitely took some consideration. e wanted to be sure that if this was to happen, it had to have a positive impact on those that watch it and, hopefully, genuinely help some people. After spending time with director Polly teele and producer eorge hignell, though, we were confident that our visions were aligned.

Were there any doubts along the way?

At the beginning I was battling with a fair bit of imposter syndrome, but since getting started we haven’t looked back.

The Mountain Within Me isn’t just your story, but about those around you too, including, of course, Lois. Was this a deliberate direction, or did this evolve naturally in the telling?

“Nothing we’re doing now was ever part of the plan”

It is also a film about progression and hope and a in-depth look at the couple’s life now. Even to those who might already know the dynamic, determined, and very much Bath-based Ed, details of the story as bound to surprise, the film following him as he endeavours to scale such alarmingly steep, high-altitude mountains as Snowdonia and, yes, the imalayas – climbs that would test even the fittest athletes, let alone someone whose leg and hand have limited capacity, who has bladder and bowel issues, who needs continued physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and who is often in a lot of pain.

Equally uplifting is the story of the whip smart and eloquent Lois – her love for Ed, her utter belief in his spirit, and how, just like Ed, she has also evolved, both professionally and personally. ere we ask them what it feels like to look back so vividly at the story of their lives.

ED’S STORY

So, Ed, what were your ﬁrst thoughts when you heard Universal wanted to make a ﬁlm about you?

This has never been just my story; there is a huge network of people who have been instrumental in everything that I do, and also have incredible stories in their own right. ithout them, it wouldn’t be a true representation of what has happened. I’m inspired by Lois and so many others every day.

There is a lot of focus on the effort, hard work and pain that goes into keeping going, both physically and mentally, and not just during the high achieving, inspirational moments… Such is the nature of the narrow window we view each others’ lives through, I suppose. uch of the graft that goes on in the background isn’t usually seen. e have tried to show the tough times as well as the good, because that’s life.

Your honesty is as inspiring as your achievements, and you talk openly about impaired bladder control and sexual function. Was this, in some ways, an especially difﬁcult bridge to cross? There’s always a natural resistance to opening up about more ‘personal’ matters; however, I know how important it is to do so. It’s often the underlying and unseen issues that cause more psychological turmoil than

ABOVE: The Mountain Within Me follows Ed’s mountaineering quests; INSET: Lois and Ed met at a fancy dress party when she was 18 and he was 21

the outward facing ones. We want to do our bit to help normalise some of these challenges, because they’re nothing to be ashamed of and affect so many people.

What would you say you discovered about yourself, and maybe also about your loved ones, during ﬁlming?

The mountain climbing is breath-holding, nail-biting stuff – but the minutiae of your life is also captured beautifully. The scene where Ben [Ben Halms is an army sergeant left paraplegic following a parachute fail, and who joins Ed on a climb in the ﬁlm] says a ‘Jacko hug’ was just what he needed, says a lot about you and the impact of the work you do… limbing mountains in itself is almost irrelevant; it’s just a way for me to discover more about myself, and a tool to give me perspective and, I hope, to make me a better person. What really matters is day to day being true to your values, and the way you show up for others.

Tell us about your motivation in setting up the charity Millimetres 2 Mountains…

I was helped by so many through my own recovery, and to now be in a position to pay that forward to others is incredibly humbling. I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped us make the dream of 2 a reality, and so incredibly proud of all our beneficiaries. ur plans are to keep growing the charity, so we can continue to help more people – and we’ll have a few exciting announcements on this later in the year.

And what’s next for you and Lois?

I’m about to start presenting the Paralympics with Channel 4, after which I’ll be taking some time away to work on another book –and to chill out Lois has also just relaunched her personal life coaching business, so I’m very excited for her, and will enjoy watching her share her gift with even more people. Longer term, who knows? Not knowing used to terrify us, but now it’s kind of exciting. After all, nothing we’re doing now was ever part of the plan!

One of the biggest realisations, for me,was hearing other people’s interviews. uring the darker times we were definitely trying to protect each other from how di cult we were sometimes finding it, so to hear people that I love opening up about how hard they found it, too, was uite di cult.

Famously, you injured yourself by diving into the wrong end of a family friend’s swimming pool. In the ﬁlm you say you hadn’t, until you retold it on camera, ‘connected’ to the emotions of that day – despite, of course, having told the story many times… I’ve never actively avoided connecting with that day, I don’t think, but I realised – when I did it in the film – that I really hadn’t properly before. y mindset has very much shifted to one of looking forward, on building the new rather than on trying to fix the old. ow much of that is to do with my subconscious in action as a defence mechanism, I’m not really sure – but it’s certainly an approach that has seemed to benefit my life since the accident.

For more: www.edjackson8.com | www.universalpictures.co.uk

LOIS’S STORY

Did you both discuss beforehand how much you and Ed would share in the ﬁlm?

We were both in agreement that we wanted to be as honest as possible about our experiences, as the aim of the film is to give people hope about what is possible after you’ve gone through hardship. Opening up about our struggles was tough, but we wanted it to be real and demonstrate what we went through.

Were you prepared for all the emotions it might invoke, reliving the fear and shock of the day of Ed’s accident?

“I think it was actually quite healing to talk through happened”what

Your sense of humour is evident throughout the ﬁlm – even when talking about the accident and the subsequent trauma… ‘Dark humour’ is a genuinely useful tool during times of trauma and I often find solace in laughter. I still have my fears, just like anyone else, but I would like to think that I don’t shy away from them. Rather, I choose to not take life too seriously, and to look for fun where I can.

I don’t think I’d thought too much about the accident, post 2 – we’ve always tried to look forward. So, it was a bit of a shock recalling it all. I feel pretty lucky that I wasn’t there to see him dive into the pool, so I don’t have that sketched in my memory. Your brain has this amazing ability to shut things like that out, but I think now it was actually quite healing to talk through what happened.

Ed speaks of how important you are to him, and of your strength in those times. Where did you draw your resilience from? And how did you cope in your more ‘fragile’ times?

I massively fed off of Ed’s strength. I trust him with all my heart, so when he said, “I’m going to walk again”, I believed it. And that was it: we were going to try everything possible to make that happen. We totally leaned on each other in these moments, and just focused on each day as it came. We also loved to use humour to get out of the darker days, probably something we learnt from our sporting days [Lois played and coached netball at league level].

ABOVE: Lois and Ed fed off each other’s spirit and strength during the darker times; INSET: Ed played professional rugby for ten years for Bath, Wasps, London Welsh and The Gwent Dragons

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Do you share Ed’s love of climbing and physical challenges?

Yes, but not as much as Ed! We’ve always been really sporty and loved the outdoors. Ed loves to push himself physically more than I like to. I prefer to use the outdoors to help me relax. I really love climbing in the Alps, as you can be back down in a comfy bed on the same day. You could say I’m not a big fan of camping!

Tell us about your work with the charity, M2M

Of course. Ed and our good friend Olly Barkley set up M2M in 2019. Once we had charitable status in March 2020, I took on the role of running the admin of the charity. This role grew as the charity grew, and I now lead on the strategy of M2M, whilst also life coaching the beneficiaries and making sure they can all access a bespoke programme with therapy, retraining and physical support. Recently, I have gone part time with the charity, so that I can focus a lot more on my private relationship coaching.

Why did you move into coaching as well?

I really want to guide other people who are supporting those going through trauma. It can feel like such a lonely time where you give all your energy to other people, so I want to make sure the supporters out there have enough focus on themselves – and set some boundaries. I love the different dynamics between people, and trying to come up with solutions to create win-win situations for individuals.

Finally, what are your own personal goals for the future?

I’d love to write a book one day, where I can share what I’ve learnt through my experiences as a supporter and as a life coach. n

For more: www.loisjackson.com | www.millimetres2mountains.org

What were those darker days like?

The hardest moment for me was when we moved out to Ed’s dad’s house into our own home again. When we were in hospital we were in a bubble, and suddenly we were meant to be living a normal life, but it didn’t feel normal.

And what was the impact of that on you both?

There’s no doubt that the accident had a big impact on our relationship, and who we were as people. Ed changed so much: his values, his outlook, what he cared about, what he looked like. So that transition, from the Ed and Lois pre-accident to Ed and Lois post-accident, was quite slow and it took a lot of adapting.

How did you both cope when your bond was put to the test?

Due to the big changes we faced it was so important that we were open and honest with each other, but this was really difficult when we were both trying to protect each other’s feelings. I didn’t want to tell Ed that I was struggling, so I went to a relationship and sex therapist, who told me my feelings were normal. This gave me the confidence to speak to Ed about how I was feeling; we could now both be on the same page and figure out the changes together.

Tell us a little about these changes to you over the years…

Since becoming a life/relationship coach in 2020, I did some real digging on who I was as a person. This has allowed me to reassess what my goals are. Working for the charity is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done, and seeing the beneficiaries harness the opportunities we throw at them and live happy lives is nothing short of amazing. I was quite restricted with how I thought before, but now I want to go on and dream big.

FILM SPECIAL

Our film expert Ellie Hendricks has a sneak ‘peak’ at The Mountain Within Me, which will preview at The Little Theatre in collaboration with FilmBath and Bath Life on 20 August, and features a special Q&A with Ed Jackson

“Do you know how lucky you are to be alive?” That’s the question that rings throughout The Mountain Within Me, Polly Steele’s engrossing new documentary following former Bath Rugby player Ed Jackson as he takes on life’s challenges and creates a few of his own along the way.

Ed, whose outlook changed drastically after a devastating spinal injury, challenges himself to incredible levels, taking on Snowdonia, the Himalayas and the Alps. Testing his limits at nail-biting heights and sub-zero temperatures, Ed’s humour and charm inspire others to take up the hiking sticks and push themselves to their own potential.

A charity founder and motivational speaker, Ed candidly talks about the lifelong impact of his accident on his body, his career and his relationships, detailing the huge adjustment period from active rugby player to bedbound and paralysed. The strength of his support network post-accident and throughout physio is an inspiration, and he and his wife Lois now work tirelessly to provide a similar environment for others.

Both life affirming and invigorating, The Mountain Within Me is a stunning testament to the power of resilience, determination and love. The Mountain Within Me releases in UK cinemas from 23 August For more: www.filmbath.org.uk | www.picturehouses.com

above: As well as working with the M2M charity, Lois has set up a private relationship coaching practice; inset: Being honest with other was integral to growing as a couple

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FLAT LINE DAVID FLATMAN

Sustained efforts

The contradictory nature of some planet saving policies has Flats a little puzzled

It feels good to be one of the approximately 98.3 per cent of people who have ADHD because I can blame almost all of my most antisocial and unappealing behaviours on it. “Have you eaten the whole packet of biscuits I was saving for when my mum arrives?” “Yeah, but ADHD.” “Why are you being so snappy all the time? All I’ve asked is that you watch the kids for 10 minutes while I have my first shower in two days. “Not my fault. It’s my…” You get the drift. Anyway, one trait I can definitely blame on the thing that everyone seems to have is getting onto a subject of interest (to me), and banging on so hard about it that even if it is also a subject of interest to the others involved in the ‘conversation’, it soon won’t be.

They say that self-awareness is as transformational as any medication, so I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise in

“I’ll continue to do my bit with the bins and the bicycle”

our little bit for the planet.

Then I get an email from my energy company telling me how many thousands of pounds they’d like me to give them in order to keep my kids warm at night. I’d resent this large number less if my kids were actually warm in winter, but they’re not. They’re freezing because we owners of old houses aren’t permitted to embrace modern technology in order to not actually live like the Georgians did.

This large number would be significantly less large if we could fit modern windows, if we could embrace solar technology, if we were allowed to replace our rattling, whistling front door. But we’re not, so soon enough nobody will buy them anymore. I love our home, but I wouldn’t buy another listed building. They just don’t make sense when the weather ain’t great, and this is England… I note how the charge to park my car on my street nudges up and up, because, y’know, environment, but here I am effectively asking to help the planet by using less energy on a daily basis for about 10 months of the year, and being told not to be so damned silly.

advance for the bee who appears to have laid his hat in my bonnet, and also potentially for repeating myself (I can’t remember if I’ve written this before, because of my ADHD…).

Every Wednesday night there’s a passive aggressive standoff in our house surrounding who’s going to do the bins. It’s like the daily one for emptying the dishwasher, but triply intense. It’s usually me who does it, and it’s a crappy little job. The sorting, the mild anxiety brought about by the knowledge that should you make one mistake – just one – like lobbing in the scrunched up foil wrapping from an out-of-date Easter egg in with your glass and mixed paper, you may well be forced to accommodate most – or even all – of that particular box’s contents for another week. The lads won’t have it. And nor should they. Not with a thousand boxes a day to sort for us. It’s fiddly, it’s pedantic, it’s an adrenaline-fuelled gamble. But it’s worth it, because it makes us feel like we’re all doing

So the whole sustainability thing puzzles me a little. I like it. I want it. I want to help. But these frankly blatant and silly contradictions – and there are plenty more, of course – do take the edge off for me. They too often give me the feeling that sustainability is, like many other worthy movements, loved for how it sounds when you say it, for the sort of person it makes you appear to be, for how many votes it might garner. I feel like if those in power who love to tell anyone who’ll listen how driven they are to save the planet actually care as much as they say they do, then a level of common sense should be allowed to override age-old laws. Until such a time, I’ll continue to do my bit with the bins and the bicycle, but I won’t quite believe those with the loudest, hollowest voices.

David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Twitter @davidflatman and Insta @dflatman

TUGWELL (1704-1775)

THE ARTS

SNAPSHOTS OF BATH’S CULTURAL LIFE

GAIN ACCESS

Four Thomas Gainsborough portraits are coming permanently to Bath and will go on public display for the first time from 4 eptember at No. oyal rescent. Painted around , they depict clothier umphrey Tugwell pictured above , his wife, Eli abeth, and sons illiam and Thomas, who lived in Bradford on Avon. The original works, still in their carved arlo aratta frames, have remained with the sitters’ descendants and have never previously been sold.

r Amy Frost, senior curator for Bath Preservation Trust, which has been allocated the collection through the inheritance tax liability scheme, says, It is exceptionally rare for a set of four portraits of members of the same family by Thomas

ainsborough to survive together. arer still is the fact that the sitters are not aristocratic visitors to fashionable Bath, but middle-class manufacturers from a small est ountry town.

The Gainsborough collection will be celebrated in Being There, an exhibition that also features portraiture by British artists working today. It runs 4 eptember to 2 February 2 2 , and, once the exhibition closes, the paintings will be integrated into the future development of the historic house.

For more: www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk | www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

HUMPHREY

THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH, C.1763, OIL ON CANVAS.

PHOTO BY DAN WEILL

10 August –

WHAT’S ON

7 September

EXHIBITIONS

Until 1 September

MR DOODLE!

MUSEUM MAYHEM

Catch the work of internationally renowned artist and internet sensation Mr Doodle, aka Sam Cox, before the doodle-tastic exhibition ends soon. www.holburne.org

Until 8 September

HENRY MOORE

IN MINIATURE

This collection of 60 small pieces has statues from every decade of Moore’s career. On 30 August discounted tickets are available for the exhibition, thanks to the Holburne Re-Framed evening, which also features free talks, workshops, and music. www.holburne.org

Until 29 September

TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND THE MASTERS OF MONTMARTRE

The latest Victoria Art Gallery exhibition celebrates the bohemian side of Paris, with more than 100 artworks, including ToulouseLautrec’s poster work for the Moulin Rouge. www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 12 October

THE WORLD REVEALED

Celebrating 200 years of the Bath oyal Literary and cientific Institution, this fascinating

exhibition explores how items were collected and donated to the BRLSI since 1824, revealing shifts in our scientific and cultural understanding. www.brlsi.org

Until 14 December

KIMONO: THE MAKING OF A CULTURAL ICON

Museum of East Asian Art hosts a collection of 25 Japanese woodblock prints that follow the changing styles of the kimono, along with the accessories that are hung from the kimono belt. www.meaa.org.ukg

Until 5 January 2025

PHYLLIDA BARLOW

The work of the pioneering Phyllida Barlow (1944 – 2023) takes over Hauser & Wirth Somerset, both inside and out, in a celebration of her transformative approach to sculpture. In a career that spanned six decades, she took inspiration from her surroundings to create imposing installations that can be at once menacing and playful. www.hauserwirth.com

11 August / 8 September

BATH CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS FAIR

Since 2020, the BCAF has showcased more than 600 artists, many of them local, bringing the

best of contemporary art to Green Park Station once a month, running April until December. It has also recently launched the BCAF Online. www.bcaf.co.uk

6 – 8 September

FOUR PRINTMAKERS

Judith Cole, John Dyer, Tanya Reid and June agstaff will be exhibiting etchings, linocuts, screen prints, wood engravings and textiles at the riverside West Barn in Bradford on Avon. email: judithinbath@gmail.com

THEATRE / CINEMA

Until 31 August

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Jane Horrocks stars in a brand new production at the Ustinov of Harold Pinter’s classic comedy of menace when two strangers turn up to a birthday party. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

12 – 31 August

ROMEO AND JULIET

Award-winning Bath-based theatre company Antic Disposition presents Shakespeare’s ultimate love story in Bath Abbey. www.bathshakespeare.co.uk

22 – 31 August

THE HISTORY BOYS

The Alan Bennett classic follows a bright bunch of boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university,

Bath Abbey is the perfect backdrop for a new production of Romeo and Juliet, 12 – 31 August

lifting the lid on staffroom rivalries and the anarchy of adolescence. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

FESTIVALS

23 – 31 August

IF OPERA

Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor and Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, together with the popular picnic prom featuring The James Taylor Quartet (JTQ) and the children’s concert Little Red Riding Hood, will be played out on the beautiful grounds of Belcombe Court in Bradford on Avon. www.ifopera.com

29 August – 1 September

END OF THE ROAD

This gentle, gorgeous and intimate multi-award-winning four-dayer at Larmer Tree Gardens near Blandford is the sort of event that once you’ve been to, you’ll be back for more. Headliners this year include Idles, Baxter Dury, Jockstrap, Lankum and Lambrini Girls. There’s also comedy, literature, art, talks and workshops. www.endoftheroadfestival.com

21 – 22 September

VERVE WELLNESS FESTIVAL

Hatch House in Tisbury hosts the ‘Woodstock of Wellness’ now in its fifth year, with hinese medicine practitioner Katie Brindle, wellbeing coach Dr Aria, and TV

presenter Nick Ede topping the bill, alongside DJ sets, dance classes, saunas, plunge pools, yoga classes, Nook poke bowls and shamanic healing sessions. www.feeltheverve.com

MUSIC

16 August

LIVE/WIRE THE AC/DC SHOW

With over 20 years of touring under their belt, Live/Wire deliver over two hours of High Voltage rock ’n’ roll in a show critically acclaimed for its closeness in look and sound to the real thing. www.komediabath.co.uk

24 August

BATH RECITALS BANK HOLIDAY PROM

St Michael’s Without Church hosts a candlelit programme of music starring award-winning soprano Emilie Parry-Williams, to include folk-songs, anthems and opera arias. www.bathrecitals.com

24 August

SWEET CAROLINE

The ultimate Neil Diamond tribute performed by Gary Ryan at the Bath Forum demonstrates the versatility of the singer with music from all genres and many decades. www.bathforum.co.uk

5 September

ODETTE MICHELL DUO

Coming to Chapel Arts, Odette Michell is an award-winning British singer-songwriter, guitarist and bouzouki player with a rich foothold in the folk tradition, who will be accompanied by BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Finalist Charlie ild on the fiddle and harmonium. www.chapelarts.org

COMEDY

Every Saturday

KRATER COMEDY CLUB

Both up-and-coming and established talents provide the weekend laughs. Previous alumni have included Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Allen, Sarah Millican, Daliso Chaponda and Luisa Omielan. www.komedia.co.uk

CHILDREN

Until 3 September

SUMMER OF PLAY AT DYRHAM PARK

A wide range of active and creative activities for all the family in the gardens and 270-acre deer park, including a ‘Dyrham decathlon’ challenge. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Until February 2025

THE GRUFFALO PARTY TRAIL

Take a stroll through the deep dark woods of Westonbirt Arboretum and help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the award-winning picture book T e ruffa o with an activity trail. www.forestryengland.uk

Until 1 September

BATH PRESERVATION TRUST ACTIVITIES

No.1 Royal Crescent, Beckford’s Tower, the Museum of Bath Architecture and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy have a whole range of brilliant activities for all ages over the summer holidays. www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

Summer and beyond THE NEWT IN SOMERSET

The Newt in Somerset, where the gorgeous grounds make the perfect playground all year round, have created a summer programme

TOP: Michael Sutherland is just one of the many artists who exhibits as part of the Bath Contemporary Art Fair at Green Park Station; MIDDLE: Festival season continues with the wonderful End of The Road, 29 August – 1 September; BOTTOM: The Holburne Re-Framed night on 30 August will offer discounted tickets for its current Henry Moore exhibition

offering a world of fun with bespoke tours, workshops and family-friendly activities. www.thenewtinsomerset.com

OTHER

18 August

BATH PRIDE

The first all day Pride event for Bath includes a family picnic from 2pm- pm at the olburne useum with live music acts and charity stalls; a march through the city centre; and an aftershow at omedia with I cabaret. All welcome www.bathpride.org

18 August

PRIDE AT MANDALYNS

Bath’s most fabulous gay bar, andalyns, is celebrating Pride with a cabaret performed by the delicious Vicki Vivacious, star of Ru Paul’s Drag Race season . Profits are being donated to Bath Pride, with tickets available through Facebook @mandalynsbath

1 September

BIKE BATH-COTSWOLDS

The fundraising Bike Bathotswolds returns with the start and finish now at estonbirt chool in the heart of the otswolds. ptions include , , and a whooping miles.

appening alongside the cycle event, alk estonbirt is a mile walk also helping raise money for charity. www.bikebath.co.uk

6 September

TIM PEAKE

Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space will see Tim visit Bath Forum to share his own awe-inspiring adventures, as well as those of astronauts who have gone before, in a celebration of space exploration. www.bathforum.co.uk

6 – 15 September

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

Thousands of free events and experiences all across country, including local ones in Bath Abbey, American useum & ardens, the Bath Jewish Burial round, Bath Abbey and Prior Park to celebrate heritage, community and history. www.heritageopendays.org.uk

22 September

CIRCUIT OF BATH WALK

urrently in its 2 rd year, this is a 22-mile challenge but other distances are available to raise awareness and vital funds for Julian ouse. Their work supports rough sleepers, people experiencing domestic abuse, and more. ign up now and step this way for a good cause. www.julianhouse.org.uk

CULTURE CLUB with Seann Walsh

The book I could happily re-read

Award-winning comedian and actor Seann Walsh is set to star in Art, alongside Chris Harper and Aden Gillett. Playing at the Theatre Royal Bath 3 – 7 September, it was written by Yasmina Reza, and revolves around three friends whose relationship comes under strain when one of them buys a very expensive piece of modern art – a completely white canvas.

The last great ﬁlm I saw The Holdovers – director Alexander Payne is back with actor Paul Giamatti. This is American ﬁlm at its best –what’s not to love?

A painting that means something to me

Despite acting in Art, I’m more of a ﬁlm poster man myself. The image of Truman Burbank played by Jim Carrey about to leave the set where he’s lived his entire life in The Truman Show is one of my favourite images.

My favourite TV guilty pleasure I love, love, love Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr, because I love interior design and I love Alan.

Unfortunately I came to reading later in life and have yet to have found a book that has had a profound effect, so I’m not interested in re-reading one. But if I was really forced to, I would choose Post Ofﬁce by Charles Bukowski and Mr Silly from Roger Hargreaves’ Mr Men series.

Last live music gig I ﬂew all the way to Washington to see Blink-182 perform.

First single

Ant & Dec’s 1997 song, Better Watch Out

My dance ﬂoor banger I Miss You by Blink-182, which would also be my karaoke choice.

Podcast pick

Oh My Dog with Jack Dee, which is our podcast for people that own dogs, and also What’s Upset You Now? with Paul McCaffrey, which is a podcast for moaning.

For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Mandalyns is celebrating Pride on 17 August with a cabaret performed by Vicki Vivacious

Seann Walsh, who stars as Yvan in Art

PHOTO BY

MICHAEL WHARLEY

COOL AND UNUSUAL

Despite its innumerable tourist attractions, Bath still has many secrets, hidden in the most unlikely places…

By Karen Warren

For Bath-based travel writer Karen Warren, the real joys of the city exist beyond the obvious tourist sights, with the fabulous and the fascinating to be found beneath your feet, above your head, or hidden around unexpected corners. In Secret Bath: An Unusual Guide, she reveals hundreds of intriguing aspects of the city hiding in plain sight. “Oh, yeah?”, you might be thinking. “Things like what?” Well, here’s just a taster of what she means…

FOUNTAIN AT SEVEN DIALS

Where actors left their mark Inner courtyard of Seven Dials, BA1 1EN Few seem aware of the small courtyard at the centre of Seven Dials – unless they’ve eaten at one of the restaurants here, of course. Those who do may notice a rather forgotten-looking fountain with bronze handprints at the edge. Seven Dials was once a much more important area than it is now. Just outside the historic West Gate of the city, it was the point

Sixteen actors who’d appeared at the Theatre Royal were persuaded to have casts taken of their hands and to add their signatures: Penelope Keith, Derek Jacobi, Hayley Mills, Joan Collins. Once the work was completed, Seven Dials was sold. 1 2 3

where seven roads met. However, the Georgian buildings at its centre suffered wartime bomb damage, and the site became rather neglected. The renovation of the adjacent Theatre Royal Bath, however, provided an opportunity, and in 1991 the architects Aaron Evans were commissioned to design a neoclassical triangular building with a central courtyard, to be used as a mixed restaurant, shopping and o ce space. The courtyard needed a centrepiece, and a Victorian fountain was sourced from Bath firm alcot eclamation (one of the early pioneers of the architectural salvage business, founded in 1976 but sadly no longer trading), and – because of the proximity of the theatre – it was decided to emulate the example of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where hand-prints of famous actors are set into the pavement.

Unfortunately, the new owners decided that they had no interest in maintaining a water feature and replaced the running water with a owerbed. The handprints remain, however.

2KING EDGAR AND OLD KING COLE STATUES

The forgotten statues of two medieval kings Bath Street, BA1 1SJ uee ed between the ot Bath and the entrance to the Thermae Bath pa is one of the narrowest buildings in the city. Above the door are two niches, filled with battered and almost forgotten statues: King Edgar and King oel also known as ing ole .

The building itself was once the useum of Anti uities, built in by John Palmer to house artefacts discovered during th century excavations in Bath, and possibly one of the earliest archaeological museums in England.

The origins of the statues are obscure, but they’re thought to have been created in the th century and may once have stood on one of the bridges across the Avon. At one time they sat on the outside of Bath’s tuart uildhall’ of 2 , the second of the city’s three guildhalls, but they were removed in when the current uildhall was built and found their way to the useum of Anti uities.

But who were ing Edgar and ing oel, and what was their connection with Bath King Edgar is easier to understand: he is a contender for the title of first king of all England’ and ruled the country from to . hether or not Edgar was actually the first king, he certainly seems to have been the first to have been formally crowned his coronation took place in Bath’s Abbey hurch in , a ceremony is said to have set the format for all subse uent coronations. ing oel, on the other hand, is probably best known today as the subject of the nursery rhyme ld ing ole’, but who he really was is a bit of a mystery. Indeed, it’s doubtful whether he has any connection with the city at all, apart from a slightly crumbling statue

3THE

EAST GATE

A medieval gateway into the city Boat Stall Lane, BA2 4AN (behind the Guildhall)

Back in the days when Bath was a walled city, there were four entrances (or gates’ into the town. Three of these have now disappeared but, if you look hard enough, you can still see the old East Gate – though it’s not immediately obvious, visible only from a car park behind the uildhall and the market. hen you do locate it, you’ll notice that it’s a long way beneath ground level. This is because the street level was artificially raised during the th century to avoid ooding, leaving much of the medieval city underground.

The East ate was the smallest of the city gates and the only one that wasn’t locked at night. The other gates led to major routes out of the city and had to accommodate horses and carriages as well as large groups of people. The East ate, on the other hand, was close to the river, with a narrow path between the gate and the water. Like other remnants of the city walls, the East ate is not built from the local Bath stone; darker – and harder – stone had to be brought into the city, as the local stuff was considered too soft for fortifications.

4JOLLY’SHERITAGE ROOM

with a long and fascinating history; the building has retained many of its ornamental features, and visitors can learn more about the shop, and its place in the city’s history, in a small heritage room crammed full of interesting artefacts.

“Queen Mary became a regular shopper here”

Discover the history of one of Europe’s oldest department stores

Jollys, House of Fraser, 13 Milsom Street, BA1 1DD; Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 11am–5pm Jolly’s on ilsom treet is one of the oldest, and grandest, department stores in Europe,

James Jolly opened his first shop in Bath having previously traded in ent in 2 , a time when the city had become very fashionable. By Jolly and his son Thomas had opened the Bath Emporium’ on ilsom Street, selling a range of household, luxury and novelty goods, and the shop gradually expanded to take over neighbouring buildings. ver the years it was patronised by many eminent customers, including Queen ary, wife of eorge V, who became a regular shopper here.

Jolly’s remained a family business until it was sold in . It is now owned by ouse of Fraser but it still has the feel of a stately, upmarket emporium. ou can find the heritage room at the top of the stairs behind the Flannels department. It has a range of artefacts covering the period during which the shop has traded. There are shelves lined with books, and display cases with letters, photos and sale notices. ld labels give an idea of the range of goods sold and the prices charged.

5WILLIAM BURGES WINDOW

A rare piece of stained glass

Bath Aqua Studio, 105–107 Walcot Street, BA1 5BW; bathaquaglass.com Shop: Mon–Sat 9.30am–5pm, Sun 10am–5pm

Bath A ua on alcot treet is a glass-blowing studio that creates a range of jewellery, gifts and glass homeware. It’s also home to a rare and ex uisite piece of stained glass by the Victorian designer illiam Burges, which you can see at any time during opening hours if you

walk through the cafe at the front of Bath Aqua to the glass-blowing studio – the window is on the wall on your right.

The window was discovered by accident in 2009 during renovation work in the vaults beneath the Bath Abbey Chambers. In fact it might still be there, unnoticed, if a glass expert from Bath Aqua had not been present when what appeared to be no more than a rather grubby window was first spotted. By a stroke of good fortune, the Antiques Roadshow TV show arrived in Bath in 2010 and the glass window was physically taken to the Assembly Rooms for examination.

Milsom Street to Lansdown Cemetery

“No-one now seems to remember whose idea it was”

Experts there confirmed that this was an original design by William Burges, an architect who designed everything from buildings to windows to furniture and jewellery. It’s very similar to one in ardiff astle, known to be by Burges, but few other of his glass pieces seem to have survived. Further research suggest that the window had been commissioned in the 1880s by Bath jewellers Mallet & Son for their shop in Milsom Street. It was created by a company called Saunders, who worked from Burges’s design, but how it later got from Milsom Street to the Abbey Chambers is a bit of a mystery.

6WILLIAMBECKFORD’S TOMB

Last resting place of an eccentric Lansdown Cemetery, BA1 9BH; open daily until dusk. Bus 31 (park-and-ride) from

Beckford’s Tower is a well-known feature of the Bath skyline, clearly visible at the top of Lansdown Hill. Less well known is the adjacent Lansdown Cemetery, once part of a pleasure garden and the final resting place of illiam Beckford. Born in 1760, he was very wealthy, having inherited a fortune derived from his family’s sugar-producing slave plantations in Jamaica. This allowed him to indulge his many interests, including writing (his most famous work was the Gothic novel Vathek), collecting and architecture. Unfortunately, he became notorious in his private life, and was eventually ostracised due to numerous relationships with both men and women, including – allegedly –one with a 10-year-old boy.

Beckford lived his final years in Bath and constructed the folly now known as Beckford’s Tower as a home for his art collection. He also designed his own tomb – a large pink granite sarcophagus with bronze plates on either end. As a commoner – and a disgraced one at that –Beckford was not technically entitled to arms, but that did not deter him.

During Beckford’s lifetime, the sarcophagus was placed in the pleasure ground next to the tower. However, after his death it had to be moved to the Bath Abbey Cemetery, as the land was not consecrated. It only returned when Beckford’s daughter offered the pleasure ground as a new cemetery for the parish of Walcot on the understanding that her father’s tomb would be restored to its original position.

7THE

HOLY WELL OF CHARLCOMBE

An ancient well with healing properties for the eyes

In the grounds of St Mary’s Church, Charlcombe Lane. Bus 6 to Solsbury Way, then a 12-minute walk Bath is known for its many wells and springs. One of the oldest is the Holy Well, in the grounds of the hidden church of St Mary in Charlcombe. It is also one of the most sacred, its water reputed to have healing properties.

St Mary’s is the oldest church in Bath, predating even the Abbey. The current building has Norman origins, but there is evidence of a religious community on this site as far back as the 7th century. Since early times, people would take water from the well as it was reputed to be good for the eyes, and as late as the 20th century people were still bringing bottles to use the water for the same purpose or as holy water in baptisms.

The well was originally in the grounds of the rectory but its future was threatened when the building was put up for sale in the 1980s. Protesters included a ‘hermit’ – a

local artist who took up residence beneath a tree in the garden – but by 1986 the church had obtained a court order to evict him. The protests continued, however, and eventually a compromise was reached and the water was redirected to the well’s current location at the bottom of a slope beneath the church.

8LITTLE SOLSBURY HILL MAZE

A labyrinth built during a roadbuilding protest

Little Solsbury Hill, Batheaston, BA1 7JQ. Bus 231 from Guildhall to Vale View Terrace, then 25-minute walk Little Solsbury Hill is one of the seven hills surrounding Bath. It was once topped by an Iron Age fort, but in more recent times it has been prized as a beauty spot with spectacular views; it was also the subject of Solsbury Hill the well-known debut single by Peter Gabriel released in 1977, who lived in the area for years. This peaceful landscape was threatened in the 1990s when a bypass to the nearby A46 was being planned. Alarmed at the news that the new road would run along the side of the hill, protesters immediately set up camp and tried to disrupt the construction. Supporters of the protest arrived from across the country, followed by alarming reports of people being beaten by security guards, resulting in a number of hospitalisations.

Despite the violence, the protesters stayed in their camp for some months. During this time they managed to carve a seven-circuit labyrinth in the grass, in a spot overlooking the roadbuilding site. Curiously, no one now seems to remember whose idea it was or why they actually chose a labyrinth as their symbol… n

Secret Bath: An Unusual Guide by Karen Warren; £15.99 from Jonglez Publishing; email: info@jonglezpublishing.com; www.jonglezpublishing.com

Our

1 Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG 01225 465300 www.toniandguybath.com

BOOKS NIC BOTTOMLEY

Riding the wave of thrilling holiday reads

“Everyone wants somethingdifferent or t e sun lounger”

These are the finest of bookselling days. These are the days where the incoming browsers and en uirers are so often carried in on the optimistic tide of their forthcoming holiday. And, particularly, all the reading time that holiday promises to give them.

This is when we ex our recommendation muscles the hardest, because everyone wants something different for the sun lounger in their near future. I asked three different colleagues to tell me about the last book they’d recommended for a customer’s holiday reading pile.

Tom’s customer wanted a novel that was uirky and different. e showed her Goodnight Tokyo by Atsuhiro oshida Europa, 4. , which follows taxi driver atsui on ever more peculiar night shifts in Tokyo. e collects customers who spill out their oddball stories to him. Take the woman who wants to give a good send-off to her old telephone after its sudden demise or the ea market where you seek items that, theoretically, don’t exist.

oon atsui realises that if he could connect his customers to one another, then the challenges they’re facing might get easier to resolve. Like the fiction of aruki urakami or recent Japanese literary successes such as Toshika u awaguchi’s e ore t e offee ets o d, this is gentle, philosophical fiction at its best. It’s sparse in style, highly unpredictable and somehow generates both a warm bu and a creeping sense of unease.

am’s customer wanted something thought-provoking about the state of the world. e was shown Ed onway’s Material World Ebury, . , a history of the planet from the perspective of the materials that have built it.

alt, sand, iron, copper, oil and lithium are the materials at the book’s core as onway

travels the globe looking at where they come from, how we extract them, and the dangers and geopolitical tensions that often surround converting these ingredients into the sleek shiny modern world that we occupy.

In its exploration of the essential but complex green energy transition, the book becomes at times uncomfortable – as we see the paradox of the ocean-scraping, mountainexploding, deep mining journey that is re uired to take us to a world of electric cars and other long-term benefits. But the book is also often surprisingly fun and peppered with mind-blowing facts about the things we carry around, how they’re made and about how often that process is fragile, depending on our ability to source and exploit one particular remote resource.

Lastly, Emma had been helping someone who’d recently enjoyed the vibe of Amor Towles’ u es o ivi it set in ja age New ork. Very different in tone, but sharing the setting, she’d pointed to a newly rediscovered 2 s classic The Ex Wife by Ursula Parrott Faber, . . espite having been written nearly years ago, this dark and witty novel is actually very contemporary and conversational in tone.

It focuses on the life of Patricia, a young married woman living an upscale anhattan life whose very open marriage turns out to be a lot less open than had been agreed, when her husband discovers she’s been with someone else and promptly files for divorce.

hat follows is a deep dive into the di culties of life as a young divorcee in anhattan society, told with irreverent humour despite some repeatedly dark turns in the plot.

Those dark turns weren’t enough to put Emma’s customer off – everyone’s looking for something different from their holiday read. And besides, nothing seems uite as dark when you’re reading it by a pool

i ottom e is t e enera mana er o r s m orium o eadin e i ts o n Street Bath; www.mrbsemporium.com

STORY TIME

The Bath Children’s Literature Festival returns with Laureates, silliness, doodles, and kindness

We’re going on a book hunt. We’re going to read some big ones. What a beautiful day! Well, a beautiful ten days, to be exact, when Bath Children’s Literature Festival returns to the city 27 September – 6 October, bringing with it a kaleidoscope of authors, illustrators, storytellers and poets. This autumn’s magical reading festival hub, now in its 17th year, will be at the National Trust owned Assembly ooms, where the o cial booksellers, Waterstones, are setting up a pop-up bookshop. Here are just a few of the booktastic highlights heading our way, including the work of three Children’s Laureates…

1MICHAEL

ROSEN

28 September, 3pm – 4pm, Bath Forum

Join the nation’s best-loved author and poet and former hildren’s Laureate for a fun-filled event full of stories, poetry and humour. As well as performing many of his old favourites, Michael will be celebrating the release of his newest poetry collection, Out of This World: The Weirdest Poems Of All Time

2MEET

CRESSIDA COWELL

5 October, 10am – 11am, Assembly Rooms

Plunge into the imagination of the multimillion-selling author and illustrator of How to Train Your Dragon as she introduces her latest fantasy adventure, Which Way Round the Galaxy. She’ll help the audience create their own magical world and characters, all while illustrating live on stage.

3LIZ

5 October, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Assembly Rooms

PICHON IS HA! HA! HILARIOUS

The author-illustrator of the multi-million bestselling Tom Gates books is hosting an hour of storytelling, games and doodling to celebrate Tom Gates is Ha! Ha! Hilarious. Draw along with Liz, and bring your best Tom Gates uestions to find out secrets behind the hugely loved books.

4JACQUELINE

WILSON –STAR OF THE SHOW!

5 October, 3pm – 4pm, Assembly Rooms Born in Bath, former Children’s Laureate and 1 2

6 7 5

author of over 100 books, Dame Jacqueline Wilson is one of Britain’s bestselling children’s authors and always charming and entertaining, to boot. Best known for characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather, she has legions of loyal fans throughout the world. Discover how the author created some of her best-loved characters and hear all about her new book, Star of the Show – a captivating Victorian adventure about family, dancing, and big dreams.

5HAMZA’S

WILD WORLD!

“Ever drawn a moustache on a potato?”

7MEET DINO DAD! WITH ANDY DAY & STEVEN LENTON

6 October, 2pm – 2.45pm, Assembly Rooms

5 October, 5pm – 5.45pm, Assembly Rooms

Join author, conservationist, cameraman and CBeebies star Hamza Yassin as he introduces his new book, Hamza’s Wild World. In a fun session peppered with fascinating facts about the world around us – such as, did you know golden eagles can see forward and to the side at the same time? – Hamza will share stories about his own adventures in nature.

6MEET AXEL SCHEFFLER

6 October, 10am – 10.45am, Assembly Rooms

Get ready for drawing and storytelling with the U ’s No. illustrator, Axel che er, and meet the characters from his new book, Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin, and old distinctive favourites like Zog and T e ruffa o. And together celebrate all the different ways to be nice from his new picture book, Kind

Join children’s TV superstar Andy Day and illustrator Steven Lenton, who has illustrated for many authors including Frank CottrellBoyce and David Baddiel. This promises to be a fun-filled show celebrating the release of their new book, Dino Dad. With music, quizzes and a live draw-along, the Dino Dad show is a must for any dino-lover.

8HOW TO BE SILLY WITH HARRY HILL

6 October, 4pm – 4.45pm, Assembly Rooms

Get ready for cheeky antics galore in this laugh-out-loud, slightly silly event with TV comedian and author, Harry Hill. Ever drawn a moustache on a potato? Put stick-on eyes on a postbox? Walked backwards for the day? No? Don’t worry, help is on hand from Harry’s new book – containing everything you need to know to be as silly as you like. n

For more: www.bathfestivals.org.uk

We at Bikano’s take pride in serving authentic Indian cuisine. Our chefs have deep roots with India (Rajasthan especially) and its culinary heritage. Bikano’s is our humble attempt to bring flavours from different parts of India to Bath. Indian food served at Bikano’s are honest inspirations from recipes and flavours experienced in several parts of India.

The restaurant offers a mix of North & South Indian cuisine, both vegetarian & delicious meat dishes with a full bar We welcome you to our restaurant and our sincere effort in bringing authentic Indian cuisine to Bath.

25 Claverton Buildings, Bath BA2 4LD 01225 533591 | info@bikanos.co.uk www.bikanos.co.uk

BRASSERIE BEAU

All of a ﬂutter with the prospect of giddy gossip, Rachel Ifans discovers Bath has a new beau

I’m at the new Brasserie Beau – a baby on the Georgian café scene of Bath having just opened in May, and I’m with a pal whose capacity for gossip would astound Lady Whistledown. We settle into our seats in one of the newly decorated dining areas, where dado rails slice richly coloured paints and patterned wallpapers in half, and where velvet banquettes and white tablecloths combine touches of French brasserie with a definite Bathonian elegance. It’s perfect for our ‘inside track’ catch up as there’s a real feeling of secrecy and whispers in Beau’s smaller dining areas with its tables hidden in nooks and corners.

to the ever-faithful combination of salami, terrine and cornichon served with a thin slice of toast, but then there’s the refreshing avour of the celeriac remoulade, a surprisingly successful alternative to coleslaw.

DINING DETAILS

Brasserie Beau, South Parade, Bath; www.brasseriebeau.co.uk

Opening hours Open seven days a week from 12pm to 9.30pm

Chef Liam Goldstone, who has previously worked as the head chef at Morston Hall in Norfolk, where he held a Michelin star throughout his tenure

Covers 100 with an outdoor terrace

Prices Starters range from £8 to £25, mains from £18 to £29, desserts from £9

In a nutshell The best of British cuisine in a cosy chic setting

Brasserie Beau is the sister restaurant to The Elder, both of which are independently run and owned by multi-award winning restaurateur Mike Robinson. While The Elder (named after John Wood The Elder, who built South Parade in 1 43 o ers fine dining, Brasserie Beau named after Beau ash celebrates the best of Britain, using only the finest British ingredients. The menu includes oysters, and Cornish mackerel rillettes, for starters, and venison sausage cassoulet, confit crisp Barbary duck leg, and aubergine, courgette and confit garlic ratatouille for mains.

“A roasted half lemon adds a squeeze of zing”

Each dish has a well-judged twist that consistently elevates the e perience. The charcuterie board seems on first glance to have stuck

Likewise, with my companion’s main course, the chef’s choice to add a mild but nutty Berkswell cheese gives e tra depth to the light, u y and nicely toasty pillows of gnocchi. It comes dressed in an umami-rich sauce tangled with wild mushrooms and went well alongside the grilled broccoli and hazelnut side dish.

My plaice meunière is dressed with a generous serving of tiny shrimps and capers but I particularly love the subtle addition of a roasted half lemon, which adds a squeeze of zing. It comes with perfect French fries: crispy, tasty, perfectly cooked and très moreish, especially when dipped in the accompanying pungent garlic aioli.

ow on to the Burnt Basque cheesecake. If this pud had a tog rating, it would be high; if it was a carpet, it would be shagpile; if it was a dressing gown, it would be velvet. What I mean is that it was rich and pleasingly dense; the creamy cake married with the fruity sauce and the twist came via the crispy crèmecaramel inspired top. My one sadness is that there is no biscuity bottom. But sad bottoms aside, Brasserie Beau is a lovely addition to the casual dining scene in the city. The food is lip-smackingly smart, the décor is chic, and the sta ell, as for the sta , we could tell you what they told us, but we aren’t ones to gossip

CLOCKWISEFROMABOVE: Locally sourced light bites; The View@Wraxall; the vineyard produces 10,000 bottles of wine per year

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS

Wraxall Vineyard, located just south of the Mendips and run by husband and wife team David and Lexa, is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. To mark the occasion the team have opened up the previously private hire only The View@ raxall to the public. As well as offering light bites, most of which is sourced within 15 miles of the vineyard, the space will host Sundays on the Vineyard twice a month with live music, DJs, food trucks, wines from the 2023 harvest, and the new 2021 sparkling rosé.

Wraxall Vineyard is one of the oldest in Somerset and spans 15 acres which currently produce 10,000 bottles of wine per year. The range includes pinot noir, early pinot noir and Bacchus, with additional plantings of pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay during 2022 and plans to plant more vines in the old orchard in 2025.

For more: www.wraxallvineyard.co.uk

BRIAR TUCK

The Great British Menu alumnus Sam Lomas has partnered with husband-and-wife team Claudia and Aled Rees, owners of Number ne Bruton, to open his first restaurant in the former home of Osip.

Briar, which launches in September, will see a menu that celebrates hyper-local produce and foraged ingredients with a daily changing blackboard menu of small plates, snacks and sharing dishes, such as trout crudo with parsley, whitecurrants and chilli; Bruton dairy curds, grilled courgettes and sourdough crumbs; Berkshire pork chop, Swiss chard and cider sauce; and blackcurrant leaf ice cream.

Sam, a former River Cottage ‘Rising Star’and Roux cholarship finalist, says, I am fi ing with ideas for Briar and can’t wait to share more details soon – we’re hoping to do regular weekend feasts in our ancient orchard, and host dinners and celebrations with our cherished suppliers.

For more: www.numberonebruton.com

GOOD

TO GO

Bistro Chef, the Bath-based creator of hand-made French ready meals, has collaborated with Graddon Vending to create a new food machine at the RUH. It combines a display free er with a built in microwave to offer the facility to buy and eat healthy tasty food straight away and 24/7. Options include beef bourguignon, Caribbean curry, and lentil and sweet potato bake, plus dairy and gluten free options, all created by Bistro Chef’s Christophe Lacroix.

The machine is one of the first of its kind in the UK, all cashless and with touch screen purchasing. “We are hearing that there is quite a buzz at the hospital as staff and visitors find out about it, says Christophe. “It is part of a slow but steady shift whereby hospitals and other large organisations include healthy food options in their offering, and source product locally, and we are delighted to be a part of that.

For more: www.bistrochef.co.uk

Smoked haddock linguine is just one of the ready meal options

Bistro Chef’s Jackie Phillips and Christophe Lacroix with the new RUH smart freezer

Claudia, Sam and Aled are teaming up to launch Briar

SHOPPING

LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

IN THE GROOVE

We’re totally digging the distinct Seventies vibe of this groovy orange Mirage print by Melissa Odabash with its swirling paisley motifs and loose fit, slightly Bohemian cut. The versatile threepiece design makes it ideal for pool side lounging, sunshine dining, or tourist trail exploring. Just add a Fab ice lolly to really nail that summer of ’ spirit.

A selection of the Mirage range by Melissa Odabash is available from The Dressing Room, 7 Quiet Street, Bath; www.dressingroombath.com

SCARF-TRIMMED RANCHER HAT, £58

Part fedora, part cowboy, part annes, and whole part instant chic.

From Anthropologie, 1 – 4 New Bond Street, Bath; www.anthropologie.com

BUSINESS CLASS

Home or abroad, travel in style this summer

THE WIND, £135

FALIERO SARTI AZZURRA U SCARF, WAS £150, NOW £105

ade in a modal and cashmere blend with a soft and fine touch, this is a versatile, musthave shawl blanket scarf for all season travel.

From Square, 12 New Bond Street. Bath; www.squarebath.uk

Timeless, retro, and oversized, these sunnies are a classic which work well with most shapes and si es of faces.

From Jimmy Fairly Opticians, 4 Burton Street, Bath; www.jimmyfairly.co.uk

UGG GOLDENSTAR STRAP

SANDAL, WAS £120, NOW £96

GRAPE WATER HYDRATING FACE MIST 75ML, £10

Crafted from velvety suede, this minimalist platform sandal offers wear-with-everything style, and the ultra-lightweight outsole provides all-day support.

From Grace & Mabel, 3 George Street, Bath; www.graceandmabel.co.uk

Formulated for even the most sensitive skin types, this spray intensely hydrates and soothes and helps rebalance the skin’s microbiota.

From Lifestyle Pharmacy, 15 Westgate Street, Bath; www.lifestylepharmacybath.co.uk

WHITE MOTHER OF PEARL PENDANT, £34

The perfect accessory to complement every outfit under the sun. From Portman, 28 Milsom Street, Bath; www.nickieportman.co.uk

THE PATRICIA-MAY BY BULLFROG, £20

Stay hydrated on-the-go with this stainless steel, vacuum insulated, double walled reusable water bottle.

From Bullfrog, 10 Kingsmead Square, Bath; www.bullfrogbottles.com

£8.49

HERITAGE SCOTCHGRAIN IN CLIPPER MOLE AND COGNAC, £995

Classic Mulberry design from the Scotchgrain luggage collection, this medium clipper has a beautifully textured surface accented by smooth leather trim. From Mulberry, 38 Milsom Street, Bath; www.mulberry.com

The International Booker Prize winner of 2024 follows a destructive affair between a young woman and an older man in 1980s East Berlin, with the two lovers seemingly embodying East Germany’s crushed idealism. rom T e d e d ar oo s o 43 Moorland Road, Bath; www t eo d e d ar oo s o o u

WANDERBALM IN A TRAVEL-SIZE SET OF THREE, £26

A pocket-sized superpower that retains the moisture content of the skin as well as hair and lips, and contains antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals.

From Natural Spa Factory, Bath Business Park, Foxcote Avenue, Bath; www.naturalspafactory.com

KAIROS BY JENNY ERPENBECK, TRANSLATED BY MICHAEL HOFMANN,

VOTE GREEN

From classic weddings to country hikes, this is the colour you can rely on

By Marianne Cantelo

The striking and unforgettable beauty of Bath is that its neo-classically elegant limbs nestle in the folds and fabric of the fields and hills. An architecture that might otherwise be too harsh and unforgiving in its uniformity is enlivened and brightened by all the shades of green you can think of, all year round.

This is the magic of green in your closet too, whether sage, forest or lime, emerald, avocado or chartreuse, there exists a shade to energise every wardrobe and to match every skin tone. It’s a colour that is both fertile and grounding and can be equally modern or vintage, minimal or opulent.

Take classic khaki, for example – a trench

is a great nod to the heroines of the French resistance while remaining contemporary and chic. orn over a simple well cut top, straight leg jeans and loafers, this is camou age that’s meant to be seen in the city. imilarly, for a versatile day to night look choose khaki cargo trousers, jumpsuits or boilers worn with slingbacks, T-bar shoes or kitten heels – timeless season to season and fighting fit for the career, romance, or passion you’re waging war for.

grown up’ but friendly. If you are looking for a wedding guest dress, this colour will get you just the right amount of green goddess attention, without leaving the bride seething with envy.

“Emerald green, jade or teal inspire jealousy”

Olive green is khaki’s richer, more lavish sister and its depth works well with shirt dresses and trapeze shapes, an alternative to black which is more forgiving to all. ilk and satin in olive, cut on the bias, adds earthier sophistication to classic evening dresses, skirts and trousers,

As close as we are to the otswolds, it feels wrong not to refer to the quintessentially English green of the waxed jacket – the clothing equivalent of the Land Rover Defender, this most ‘country’ of items is an investment that the next generation will nab from you. It’s an always trending classic, which is brilliant juxtaposed with denim cut off shorts at festivals and also perfectly appropriate layered over imsy chiffon garden party dresses and high heels.

SHOPPING LIST

1. The Darren, £135, from Jimmy Fairly Opticians, 4 Burton Street, Bath; www.jimmyfairly.co.uk

3. Celestial Dress, £2,300, by Alice Temperley; www.temperleylondon.com

2. Pailette Kelly Green high heel shoe, £259, from Chanii B, 9 Milsom Place, Bath; www.chaniibshoes.com

If you veer towards more of a femme fatale goes foraging vibe, then moss and sage green are your shades. These greens are wildly tactile, demanding to be touched and snuggled up to. High waisted wide legged trousers, or strokeably soft cashmere cardigans, in these colours will ensure that you outshine all the mushrooms while appearing suitably edible.

ith grey skies an ever present threat in our verdant lands, Kelly green is well borrowed from the Irish to inject much needed vim into drabber days. A neutral outfit with a elly green bag, or a ash of elly on a pair of sneakers, has the minimal freshness of blades of grass waving in the wind.

On those sorts of days with thunderous downpours following heatwaves and where our city seems almost sub-tropical, wear green and it will be water off a teal duck’s back. Emerald green, jade or teal inspire jealousy, adding drama to printed and colour blocked ensembles alike, all eyes on you, rain forgotten, rich colours creating light after the storm.

Marianne Cantelo is the business development project manager for Dorothy House Hospice Care. The charity has 25 high street shops across the region selling fantastic pre-loved items, which provide a large part of its income, plus it also has an online shop. For more: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

Photographer Egle Vasi; www.eglevasi.com

Venue Curfew, 11 Cleveland Place West, Bath; Instagram @thecurfewbath

Model Tash Kings

Makeup and hair Chantelle Moody

Styling Eleanor Tasker and Marianne Cantelo

Clothes Dorothy House donations

CORSHAM VALUES

Words by Elsie Chadwick

Pictures by Ellie McCallum;

For visitors to Corsham, this place certainly ticks all the boxes for a ‘Wiltshire hidden gem’. It boasts an elegant, characterful, indie-centric town centre which includes the much-loved neighbourhood café Mother & Wild, and everybody’s favourite watering hole, The Methuen Arms. It’s even adorned with pretty ‘village fête’ bunting. There’s the wealth of golden stone and Cotswold original historical buildings, with swathes of patchwork green countryside surrounding it, and Corsham Court park and lake. And then there are the peacocks – beautiful, full-plumaged, superstar peacocks, who parade the streets like royalty. For outsiders seeing them it’s a photo-worthy moment, but to those who live there – well, the peacocks are simply another local. So, going beyond the pretty obvious, what else do residents and business owners alike think it is that makes orsham so special ere we find out...

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Community is a word you’ll hear a lot in relation to Corsham, as Luchia Hirst, associate solicitor at Goughs Solicitors,explains. “As a iltshire-based business, having our o ce in orsham ensures that we help build and retain a strong local community connection. We get to know our clients and their families well, and we also get to know the goings on of the town and its various social activities and events. We feel being actively involved in the local community is vital in helping to sustain a vibrant town centre.

For example, our o ce has also recently started hosting a breakfast networking event at the Methuen Arms, which is a chance for local business owners to come together for an informal meeting to discuss all things Corsham. We also sponsor (and participate in!) the Corsham 10k –something we have been taking part in for over a decade now.

“Despite there being ‘bigger’ towns nearby, which are easily accessible from Corsham, people still want to shop and socialise in the town itself. Over the decade I have worked in and known Corsham, a lot has changed on the high street, but the support being shown by locals has never wavered. The sense of community, and the backing of both new and old ventures, always seems to be there.”

LEFT: Indie retailers thrive in Corsham; ABOVE: Country walks are just a stone’s throw away; INSET: The homes have a historical charm all their own

“The backing of both new and old ventures always seems to be there”

SCENIC SPOTS

“Any town that hosts an annual walking festival (Corsham’s takes place in June) knows the value of quieter scenic spots,” says Abbie Long, co-founder of Otters Home Search. “Corsham Park’s expansive parkland, and its proximity to the Cotswolds AONB, makes it ideal for hiking and cycling. A National Trust membership is well worth investing in, with Lacock Abbey and several other NT sites nearby.

“I love the regular markets, like the Corsham Town Market; the thriving arts scene; and seasonal events that add so much vibrancy and energy to the town – there’s the reative arket on the first aturday of every month, and Pound Arts offers a packed schedule of film, music, comedy, theatre, talks and art exhibitions. There’s also the Corsham Food Festival and the hristmas Lights witch- n.

“We are home to excellent educational facilities, like Corsham Primary chool, rated outstanding by fsted in 2 , and eywood Prep, featured in the Good Schools Guide. And, recreationally, for younger people there’s also pringfield ommunity ampus, which offers amenities such as a swimming pool, climbing wall, skate park and a BMX track.”

ARTY SCENE

Jane Scott, who specialises in pottery classes, workshops, private tuition and pottery supplies, says, orsham has a thriving, wellsupported arty scene, and it seems the people here are up for learning new things. The wonderful Peacock Art Trail is a fantastic example of the whole town and surrounding area coming together and sharing their amazing skills and talents.

“Word of mouth is so powerful here – I love it that people share their favourite experiences and are happy to shout about how wonderful Corsham is. Many a time I have been recommended a shop, a meal, an experience, and then booked the very same myself.”

ABOVE: The impressive Corsham Court; BELOW: Relaxing in the picturesque gardens of The Methuen Arms; INSET: Bunting adds a celebratory village fête feel to the area

OUT OF TOWN

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES

There’s also the beauty of Corsham being part of the tapestry of life here, as Chloe Stainton-Giles, operations manager of the luxury retirement village Wadswick Green, explains. “Being in Corsham is great for our business, as not only are there lots of beautiful landscapes, which really makes our village feel like it is our own little secluded area, but you are never too far away from the centre of the town. And, despite being small, there are great transport links to Chippenham, Bath, Bristol and even London.

“We regularly collaborate with traders in the area – just recently, The Corsham Gallery held an exhibition of some of its works in our Wadswick restaurant, The Greenhouse. We also are part of the Peacock Art Trail every year, during which a local artist holds residency here and paints on-site as part of the route.

“We also often have pop-up shops from local traders, including our own Christmas Market. For the people that live here, the traders who participate are people they get to know over many years, and there is a real sense of family.”

VALUING LOCAL

Talking to those who know the town and live in and around Corsham, there’s a real sense of valuing local. Highlighting this is estate agent owner-director Jaine Whitfield: “Since Covid lockdowns, I think the sense of valuing our local businesses has really grown. The fact that most people try to shop local as much as they can, and regularly share experiences on Facebook groups, helps keep the positivity going. And the fact that a huge number of our local businesses have won awards is testament to their local support. Corsham people have proven to be amazing at supporting local businesses, and have embraced our new style of estate agency with open arms.

“With so many excellent schools, clubs and activities, we can get involved with sponsorship and support, which we love doing and which

helps break down barriers, especially for those who say they don’t usually like estate agents!

“We also have a great working relationship with everyone from financial advisors and solicitors through to shop owners, such as aro at Ampersand, who has used our services and now heartily recommends us to all her clients. We even enjoy a chat with other estate agents when we are passing, and the various o ce dogs have been able to make friends.

PRIME LOCATION

“Corsham is a prime location for Wild Thyme, as we have access to prestigious estates and gardens in and around Bath, as well as the residential houses in the Corsham, Chippenham and Melksham area,” says Becky Sibley, garden designer and director of Wild Thyme Designs, which specialises in garden maintenance and gardening services. “We gain a lot of work through word of mouth and recommendations. Corsham is such a close knit community, we all help and support each other. For example, we work closely with local traders such as Corsham Hardware to supply our compost and tool requirements, and always recommend that our clients to go there too.”

HOME GROUND

It would seem, as well, that once settled in Corsham no-one is looking to move, as the construction consultancy practice CMS Group’s managing director, Peter Blake, explains. “Corsham has been our home for the last 30 years. Being located here has attracted a number of employees to CMS, some of whom have chosen to reside in the town, making it home for themselves and their families. orsham benefits from a number of education establishments with links to the surrounding Wiltshire colleges, including Lackham College, and ease of connection to nearby private schools.

e enjoy the benefits of being in orsham, due to the amenities that our staff can enjoy on their breaks or after work. The location has also

“Corsham Town Market is a perfect example of the local community spirit”

The local post ofﬁce is a class above; INSET: The community spirit is strong here

“Corsham has been our home for the past 30 years”

served us well, due to its close proximity to the M4 and M5 providing ease of transport to our projects in the southwest, and the rail network giving us easy access to our London projects.

“Also, in recent years, Business West and Corsham Town Council have promoted engagement, with events held at the Digital Mansion in Corsham, promoting collaboration and relationship development within the local business community.”

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

“Being in the heart of Corsham is truly wonderful,” says Tim O’Connell, head of Heywood Prep, “and community outreach is a significant part of our ethos. e are developing strong ties with orsham Regis Primary School, inviting them for music workshops, including African drumming and music technology sessions, where the children create their own music using computers.

“Our choirs visit Hungerford House care home at Christmas, and our reception classes participate in ‘Acorns to Oaks’ music sessions three times a year. We also sing carols at Wadswick Retirement Village and invite residents from Hungerford House [an Orders of St John Care Trust care home] and Home Instead [a care professionals service] to attend dress rehearsals of our school shows. Additionally, we support the Corsham Food Bank during harvest festival and organised an emergency appeal when the food bank was running low.

“In addition, we have a fantastic relationship with the local cricket club, which generously allows us to use their grounds for cricket and rugby matches. Playing in such a picturesque setting is a privilege. We also utilise the facilities at Corsham FC on Leafy Lane for hockey and football. We are grateful to use St Bartholomew’s Church twice a year, and provide collections towards the upkeep of the church. We actively encourage our pupils to be involved in local rugby, football, cricket and swimming teams, and we are pleased that so many of them support Corsham in this way.”

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Rachel Staines, community host at the 50-acre Hartham Park Estate, says, “Being based in Corsham provides our business with a warm and welcoming community, rich cultural heritage, and a supportive network of fellow traders. The town’s central location and excellent transport links make it accessible and attractive for clients and collaborators both.

“The sense of community among traders in Corsham is strong. We regularly collaborate on local events like the Hartham Summer and Christmas Markets, which showcase local artisans and producers. The Pound Arts Centre also provides a fantastic venue for joint events and networking opportunities.” n

YOU HAVE BEEN READING

CMS Group, 26 Martingate, Corsham; www.cms-group.co

Goughs Solicitors, 23 Pickwick Road, Corsham; www.goughs.co.uk

Hartham Park Estate, Hartham Park, Corsham; www.harthamparkestate.co.uk

Heywood Prep, The Priory, Priory Street, Corsham; www.heywoodprep.com

Jaine Whitﬁeld Bespoke Estate Agents, Digital Mansion House, Pickwick Road, Corsham; www.jainewhitﬁeld.co.uk

Jane Scott Ceramics, Lanceﬁeld Studios, Lanceﬁeld Place, Pickwick, Corsham; www.janescottceramics.com

Otters Home Search; www.ottershomesearch.com

Wadswick Green, Roundwood Way, Corsham; www.rangefordvillages.co.uk Wild Thyme Designs; www.wildthymedesigns.com

This Corsham local is as proud as a peacock of his home town; INSET: The town is surrounded by swathes of countryside

PHOTO BY CHRIS DAW;

FRESH CHOICES

Organic, healthy and sustainable dining at THE GREENHOUSE

The Greenhouse is a wonderful destination for celebrating a special occasion with a bottle of champagne, unwinding with friends and family on the beautiful sun terrace, settling down for a three-course lunch, or just stealing an indulgent moment with the papers.

The stylish restaurant mixes mismatched shabby-chic furniture with handsome wooden tables and striking, specially commissioned, artworks. It’s a place where you can relax, knowing our friendly and attentive staff will always ensure you have just what you need.

Green by name, green by nature certainly seems to be both the literal and figurative ethos of Corsham’s The Greenhouse restaurant when it comes to sustainable dining.

Set amid the beautiful, leafy 25 acres of Wadswick Green’s award-winning grounds, The Greenhouse benefits from receiving fresh vegetables from the Wadswick kitchen gardens, herbs harvested from the village grounds, and honey collected from on-site beehives. Altogether, the supply of these items combines to a proud

CHILDREN’S CLASSES DESIGNED TO ENGAGE TINY MINDS

TINY MINDS MUSIC AND MASSAGE COURSE

A 5-week course. A time to bond with your baby through nurturing touch and soothing massage strokes and techniques. Find out about the magic behind baby massage, meet other mums and learn strokes that can be used at home to help soothe and relieve discomfort too.Suitable from 8 weeks – pre crawling. Location – Corsham

TINY MINDS BONDING WITH BABY CLASSES

A small group of parents exploring songs, sensory activities, tummy time techniques, in a welcoming space. Both block booking and PAYG available.

Locations – Melksham and Chippenham

TINY MINDS MIXED AGE CLASSES

-SENSORY, SMALL WORLD PLAY CLASSES

Each week, set ups are based on a different theme. Suitable for 1-4 year olds, these classes are designed to engage tiny minds using creative small world set ups and high quality resources. Classes are set up to promote learning through play and include a short singalong and free flow play. Block booking and PAYG available.

Locations – Melksham, Chippenham and Corsham

total of 0 food miles (or 250 feet to be exact).

When choosing where to dine, sustainability is a factor valued ever more highly by restaurant clientele. Considering that one third of the world’s food goes to waste, which in turn contributes to 8 per cent per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, this is not surprising. Couple this with the rising demand for top quality fruit and vegetables from society’s many organic and health obsessed individuals, and we have to conclude that fresh is best.

The Greenhouse restaurant offers a solution in that you can enjoy a delicious meal safe in the knowledge that your dinner’s ingredients were grown, harvested and produced as ecoconsciously as possible. Menus are a true collaboration between the creatives in The Greenhouse’s kitchen and the multi award-winning Wadswick Green gardening team, led by head gardener Chris Liversidge.

To complement the restaurant’s lunch and dinner menus, The Coffee Shop at The Greenhouse is open daily with a range of delicious cakes, pastries and local Cotswold coffee ‘Fire & Flow’ n

The Greenhouse Restaurant, The Pavilion, Roundwood Way, Corsham, SN13 9RD; 01225 585880; thegreenhouse@wadswickgreen.co.uk www.thegreenhouseatwadswickgreen.co.uk f thegreenhouseatwg  thegreenhosueatwadswick

EMBRACE NATURE

WILD

THYME DESIGNS

wins prestigious gardening award

Local award-winning garden design and garden maintenance business Wild Thyme Designs based in Corsham has won a Silver Merit award at BBC Gardeners' World Live show at the NEC in June. The team have also won Muddy Stilettos Garden Designer of the Year in 2021 as well as another Silver Merit at an earlier Gardeners' World show in 2022.

The business celebrated its sixth birthday by winning the prestigious award, which sits between Gold and Silver in June with their showcase woodland garden called Nature's Embrace, which was designed to encourage children to get outdoors and play in nature.

“It is so important we get our children playing with nature so that they can learn to love all things wild and look after it as they grow older into adulthood. Too many children are out of touch with their natural environment, and it is imperative that we recognise this and get them back outside. Playing in the woods; watching insects and picking

ﬂowers… simple things that are so beneﬁcial to our children’s positive mental and physical health.”

Garden designer and director Becky Sibley set up Wild Thyme Designs following a career change in 2018. Having worked as a complaints manager for the NHS and National Trust for over ten years, she followed her passion for gardening to offer gardening services for local residents in and around Corsham, Bath and neighbouring areas. The business has gone from strength to strength and grown to now employ nine people.

“We offer something a bit different. We are plants people and creative people, and we make achievable gardens for everyone’s budget and taste but don’t charge excessive prices. There’s a clear need for trained gardeners who get their hands dirty, know their plants, and do the hard graft to create a beautiful space with plant knowledge and creative ideas. We can do 1 to 2 day makeovers where a garden is transformed, or slowly improve gardens as we come on our weekly or monthly visits. n

For all your gardening needs, from makeovers and design to weeding; mowing and planting on our regular maintenance schedules contact by calling 01225 962779 or email customercare@wildthymedesigns.com www.wildthymedesigns.com

SICK OF BEING SUSTAINABLE?

Don’t be! Yes, it can seem too much. Yes, there’s a definite burnout that can follow once you realise you’re not going to single-handedly save the world. But together, we might just have a chance. And in big and small ways, these local companies are showing the way…

By Paul Marland

What’s oogle in your life ero Villain

A bit of both It’s led the way in many aspects of our lives – for good or ill – but one thing is une uivocally to be cheered its commitment to becoming the first major company to operate entirely on carbon free energy by 2 .

Not many – any – companies operate on the scale of oogle, of course, but each of us, in our own small ways, can do our bits to be more sustainable. e caught up with a small crosssection of Bath firms – some in the energy game, some not – to find out what they’re doing to reduce everything from waste to carbon footprints, and how they’re doing it. And, just as importantly, how what they do can help us all do it too

BATH & WEST COMMUNITY ENERGY

Creating a more sustainable and fair energy system for local people

Universal House, Queen’s Parade Place, Bath; www.bwce.coop

This not-for-profit community-owned business, established back in 2 , is now one of the largest community energy suppliers in the country, with over , members.

ollectively we help minimise our environmental footprint by increasing the generation of clean renewable energy through five solar farms and free – yes, free – rooftop solar installations on schools and community buildings across Bath & North East omerset and around, says marketing and communications co-ordinator Julia ’ onnor. ith education budgets stretched, and a keen eye on sustainability, schools are delighted to benefit from a solar rooftop re uiring no capital investment or maintenance costs. The school then purchases the solar electricity generated at much lower rates than is available from the grid, reducing their energy bills and carbon emissions.

The guys work closely with community partners across B&NE to support, educate and inform us all on ways to save money, lower carbon footprints and make our homes more energy e cient. ur latest

offering – B E ome Energy – provides local people with home energy assessments even for listed buildings , which include impartial expert advice on how to enhance comfort and energy e ciency, Julia says. ur retrofit experts are ready to help residents reduce their energy bills and lower carbon emissions, through tailor-made support that can make a real impact.

Another project we collaborate on is reen pen omes – visitors can learn how to improve the e ciency of their homes, and hopefully save money in the process, by visiting our open homes and speaking directly with the owners about everything from insulating your windows to installing air source heat pumps.

onsidering how we source and use energy is essential, because the old system is no longer fit to meet the challenges of climate change, embed energy security, and create an approach that doesn’t regard high levels of fuel poverty as an inevitable conse uence of normal business practice. Julia explains, There’s a need to move away from large-scale, centralised, carbon intensive energy generation which drains economic value away from where it’s created. B E’s vision is for an energy system where local people can buy low-cost, clean energy direct from local energy projects owned and shaped by their communities. ince 2 , B E has invested , of surplus income into the B E Fund, which has benefitted local community groups, and by 2 22 was generating 4 per cent of the renewable energy capacity in Bath & North East omerset, enough to power the e uivalent of , homes.

To join them, or find out more about investing with them from to , for a fair return currently per cent, but, as with all investments, your capital is at risk , just visit their website. And find out about the Bath reen pen omes weekend, running 2 – ctober, pop on over to www.greenopenhomesbanes.org.

The more those clouds get out of the way, the better this day will be

“The old system is no on er t to meet t e climate change challenge”

GREEN THINKING

CITY TAILORS

The eco-friendly alterations service keen to reinvent the best of your old clothing 25 Milsom Street, Bath; www.citytailors.co.uk

Fashion has a famously shameful eco-footprint, but the easiest way to make your clothing sustainable is to keep it – and if that means shortening it or lengthening it, letting it out or letting it in, and patching up all the inevitable wear-and-tear, then so be it. At City Tailors in the middle of Bath they can handle everything from custom-made suits and dresses to expert alterations to everything from a knackered old pair of jeans to the poshest bridal-wear.

“We’re passionate about reducing our environmental footprint, even as a small business,” says owner Ben Burhan Aydin, “so we recycle as much as we can. Fabric scraps are used for repairs or donated to local schools and craft groups, while our focus on made-to-measure and bespoke garments helps avoid overproduction; and by offering alterations, repair, and re-styling services, we help our customers extend the life of their existing clothing too.”

LED lighting throughout the shop helps save energy; local suppliers are prioritised where possible; and the use of high-quality materials (almost always eco-friendly, biodegradable natural fabrics) ensures that each garment is built to last. “We believe the most sustainable garment is the one you already own,” Ben says. “If you can keep wearing it, this keeps you from buying a replacement, and keeps the old one out of landfill. e can even transform older garments into new, stylish pieces, giving them a second life.”

And sewn-from-scratch custom-made clothing, which generally fits better (so gets more wear), lasts longer, and reduces the problems of overproduction or excess inventory to virtually nil, is arguably even better. “When customers invest in custom-made pieces, they’re more likely to care for and maintain them too,” says Ben. “Even small steps towards sustainability can make a big difference, and by promoting the reusing, altering, repairing, and re-styling of clothing, we’re committed to reducing waste and conserving resources.”

ABOVE: Looking sharp: Ben of City Tailors; BELOW: Good Energy’s

GOOD ENERGY

The clean energy company supplying truly renewable power Monkton Park Offices, Monkton Park, Chippenham; www.goodenergy.co.uk

“We’ve been at the forefront of innovation in sustainable technologies for 25 years,” says Good Energy’s sustainability manager, Cherish Jackson. “And the next 25 are going to be even more crucial, as the country moves towards net zero. Our next areas of innovation will be in micro renewable generation, helping customers use energy exibly as our energy grid changes, and moving completely away from fossil fuel heating.

“Our vision is to cement our place as the go-to company for renewable micro generation. We already help a quarter of a million customers generate and use clean energy, so our plan is to grow this, and expand the side of our business which is helping install the technology too.”

Blimey! So how is this impacting Bath on the day-to-day?

“We currently supply around half a gigawatt hour per year of fully renewable power to homes and businesses, sourced from the more than 2,500 renewable generators we work with up and down the country; we’re helping more than 180,000 homes with solar generate clean power, too. And, of course, we use renewable power in our o ces, which we lease from Wiltshire Council; we work closely with them on energy e ciency and the use of renewables, including the adoption of a per cent green gas supply for our heating.”

So they talk the talk, but it sounds like they walk the walk too.

“We set a near term Science Based Target to reduce our carbon emissions by 50 per cent before 2030 from a 2018 baseline,” says Cherish, “and, in fact, achieved that by 2022, largely through remote working drastically reducing commuting emissions. We’re also ISO 14001 certified for environmental management systems, and have been since 2017. We have a stringent environmental procurement policy, track data on commuting and home-working emissions, and our staff are really engaged with greener living; all suppliers of significant si e are re uired

Cherish Jackson

to disclose both data on their emissions and on their social impact too.”

Naturally, the products they supply – solar panels, heat pumps and EV chargers – are all designed with sustainability in mind. “The lifecycle of solar panels, for example, is expected to be over 20 years,” explains herish, and we’ve recently completed our first solar panel recycling as part of a decommissioning and replacement project. Some of the components in clean energy technologies have historically not been recyclable, but this is now changing and it’s possible to reuse around 95 per cent of them.”

JOHNNY SZYMANSKI

The one-man-band fashion brand with a very good use for very bad plastics

21 Cheap Street, Frome; www.johnnyszymanski.com

“We don’t use a great deal of energy, just lighting and sewing machines,” says Johnny Szymanski, founde and designer of the Frome-based menswear label, where both ready to wear and made to measure is available in-store and online, “so one of the main ways we work to reduce our impact on the environment is through waste management. Not only do we have a lot of packaging that we need to deal with, but we also have fabric waste from our made to measure products, which are created in-store. We recycle all packaging that can be recycled, which is about per cent – mainly cardboard – while fabric off-cuts and scraps are all saved and then used by a local collective as part of their projects, either as stu ng or larger bits are turned into garments and other items.

“We’ve also been able to use 100 per cent recycled plastic fabric in some of our products. All of our swim shorts are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, for instance, 70 per cent of which is marine plastic. Even the drawstring and the netting on the inside is recycled. The product also comes in a zip lock bag, which is not to be thrown away, but instead used to keep your wet shorts separate from everything else in your bag.”

Fashion doesn’t have the best of green reputations, but the longer clothes last – and the more worthwhile it is repairing them – the better. “Quality materials and construction are two things we’re known for as a brand,” Johnny says. “We know that our products are going to last years, rather than months, and still have customers wearing the very first t-shirts we ever made. They’re in great condition and still going strong.”

“Our zero plastic policyplasticeliminates waste”

And what’s next? Well, would you believe, mushroom-based packaging for products that need protection during shipping. “It’s a really great alternative to polystyrene,” says Johnny, “and can be thrown into a domestic compost heap once finished with.

PEBBLE

Cool plastic-free alternatives to your personal care products 4 Rivers Street Place, Bath, BA1 2RS; www.missionpebble.com “We’re dedicated to minimising our environmental footprint through various innovative and sustainable practices, all centred around our pebble-shaped skin and hair bars,” says Pebble’s head of product development, Robert Sumner. “Our bold zero plastic policy eliminates plastic waste, with our packaging being made from 100 per cent recyclable and recycled materials, certified under the F system to promote responsible forest management, while the products themselves are virtually water-free, unlike traditional li uid alternatives, significantly reducing water usage.

“Eco-friendly printing utilises waterless printing presses, further preventing pollution, while all materials are sourced responsibly and sustainably, and no animal testing or animal-derived ingredients are used, making everything cruelty-free and vegan. Local manufacturing in the UK reduces long-distance transportation emissions too.”

All Pebble’s moisturising, conditioning and skin and hair cleaning bars (a pack of 12 for £24, though there are lots of ways to buy) are made and designed locally in Britain for durability, recyclability, and biodegradability. Their make-up minimises water content to prevent bacterial build-up, while packaging is made from 100 per cent recyclable materials sourced from recycled sources.

“Our long-term strategy, encapsulated in #MissionPebble, aims to eliminate plastics from bathrooms without compromising on function, convenience or luxury, says obert. e aspire to make a significant impact on sustainability, one Pebble at a time.” n

ABOVE: Plastic reborn at Johnny Szymanski; BELOW: Pebbles come in a range of packs

A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

GREENSMART PROPERTY SERVICES prides itself on not only on providing an exceptionally high standard of work, but also delivering excellent customer service

Despite only being four years old this year, GreenSmart Property Services is revolutionising the plumbing and heating space with its refreshing customer-first approach. During the turbulent times of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, Damian Bush and Luke Fisher stayed focussed on their ambition to set up GreenSmart Property Services – a plumbing and heating services company with a difference. The GreenSmart mission is to improve the efficiency of plumbing and heating services within homes and properties, whilst delivering a best-in-

class customer experience. Both Damian and Luke are seasoned professionals and have worked within the construction industry since they were teenagers – together they saw an opportunity to redefine industry standards whilst providing essential property services.

GreenSmart Property Services quickly distinguished itself with a comprehensive range of services that cater to the diverse needs of homeowners. From routine gas safety checks to the installation of stateof-the-art boilers, GreenSmart ensures that every home operates at peak efficiency. With a focus on saving the planet (and

their customers’ pennies), Damian, Luke and the GreenSmart team put efficiency at the forefront of every job they do.

And not only do GreenSmart provide essential home solutions such as boiler/ heating installations, repairs and services, its expertise extends to creating high-end, aesthetically pleasing bathrooms that combine functionality with luxury.

A key factor in GreenSmart’s rapid success is its strategic partnerships with leading letting agencies in Bath. These collaborations have not only expanded their reach, but have also cemented their reputation as a

Damian Bush – Managing director

trusted service provider. Letting agencies and landlords rely on GreenSmart for its reliability, professionalism, and customer service, making it hugely trusted and widely recommended in the Bath area.

At the heart of Greensmart Property Services is its commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience. From the initia consu tation to the fina resu t every interaction is characterised by transparency, efficiency and a persona ised approach. he team at GreenSmart know that every home is different, which is why they don’t ever take a one si e fits a approach. owever amian and Luke have cultivated a team that ensures every project, no matter how big or small, receives the same level of care and attention.

he future of GreenSmart roperty Services is bright. As the business continues to grow amian and uke s vision remains the same – to deliver an exceptional customer experience to everyone, regardless of the service they book. GreenSmart is committed to expanding its service offerings and service area while maintaining the core principles that have driven their success.

When asked what GreenSmart’s future ooks ike amian says. he ong-term plan for the business is to build and evolve into the company we know it can be, and to continue offering genuine solutions to pro ems not short-term fi es. want the business to stand as a beacon for the industry, to educate youth and help them develop their skills, to help reform some of the lesser preconceptions that still exist about the construction industry, and to do it all with a solid structure of honesty and integrity.”

s they ook to the future amian and uke along with their talented team, are ready to continue making homes smarter, greener, and more comfortable, one service call at a time. n

CHECK OUT WHAT THESE HAPPY GREENSMART CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY...

From initial web enquiry, to quote and completion of works, this company have been fantastic. The workmen took such care of our home, texting when on their way, supplying dust sheets and cleaning up at the end of each day. We could not have asked for better service, they even registered all new equipment with suppliers for us and amused the dog! We had a new boiler, hot water tank and Nest control system installed and it has had such a tremendously positive impact on our life. I would strongly recommend this company.

An all round perfect experience. The team arrived on time, communicated clearly, finished installing the boiler per the plan, tidied up and helped us programme the thermostat. I would definitely recommend this company.

GreenSmart Services – professional and friendly – have persevered with a really frustrating problem and got it sorted with a methodical approach. A great team who cleared up like they had never been in my house – just love their customer service. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

The team at GreenSmart Services

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

HOMESTAY HOSTS IN BATH

to host both short-term and long-term students.

We teach adults and teenagers, and need both single and twin-room accommodation.

For further details, including rates of payment, please contact our Accommodation Manager:

Sarah Wringer, Kaplan International Languages Bath, 5 Trim Street, Bath, BA1 1HB Direct Line (01225) 473502, Email: sarah.wringer@kaplan.com

THE DIVINE IS IN THE DETAIL

BATH IS SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS BEST SMALL CITY AWARD

LEAD

THE JOY OF SMALL THINGS

Bath is up for best small city award

Bath is in the running for a prestigious national award for being the best small city in the U . The city

has been selected as one of three national finalists in the reat Town or mall ity category of the 2 24Urbanism Awards, which recognise the best, most enduring, or most improved urban environments.

Bath was chosen as a finalist by a panel for the Academy of Urbanism, which is a not-for-

“IT’S FANTASTIC THAT OUR PROJECTS ARE GETTING NATIONAL RECOGNITION”

profit organisation committed to creating, sustaining, and learning from great cities, towns, and neighbourhoods. Bath’s selection was due to projects such as the ilsom Quarter asterplan proposals, which are to reimagine the northern part of the city centre by positioning the area as a fashion destination for the outh est, including a new Fashion useum in the ld Post ce building that will be the only museum in the U dedicated to fashion heritage. The panel also mentioned the city’s ambitious approach to tackling the climate and nature emergencies.

Bath and the other finalists, Lewes and hrewsbury, will be visited by the Academy of Urbanism later this year, ahead of the winners’ awards ceremony on November in London. ouncillor Paul oper, cabinet member for Economic and ultural ustainable evelopment, says, It’s fantastic that our projects to improve the urban landscape and environment of our communities are getting national recognition. To become a finalist for this award is a great achievement in itself. The recognition for our egeneration Team at the council is well deserved. They have been working tirelessly on reshaping our high streets and town centres in adstock, eynsham, idsomer Norton and Bath, securing invaluable grant funding and making a real difference to our communities.

The Urbanism Awards have run every year since 2 and the most recent winners in the reat Town or mall ity category include tromness in cotland, n Laoghaire in Ireland, and Pen ance in ornwall.

For more: www.bathnes.gov.uk | www.theaou.org

We may be small, but we are perfectly formed

NEW VENTURE

Joe ussens, who spent eventful years cofounding and running The Bath Pub ompany, is now drawing on all that experience to help others through his new business, ardstick onsulting. hat started out as one pub became a multisite operation turning over million before being sold to t Austell last year. ver the years, I made plenty of mistakes and learnt many valuable lessons, says Joe. y mission now is to draw on that experience to help other business leaders –whether that be creating strategies for growth and exit, brand and marketing strategy, helping to build high performing teams, or showing how to create a fantastic company culture.

For more: www.yardstick-consulting.co.uk

ON THE UP

EDDIE ILLIC, founder of Eddie’s Street Cuts, is raising funds for and awareness of the charities Eddie’s Community Project, Off The Record and BOSH by cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End in September. His Just Giving crowdfunder was recently boosted by nearly £2,000 at Boston Tea Party on Alfred Street, which held a social night with a rafﬂe, speeches and food. To donate, search for Eddie’s Street Cuts at www.justgiving.com

HEADLINE WIN!

Bath publishing firm Anthem recently won Newsstand aga ine of The ear at The A E Newspaper and aga ine Awards with its Healthy Eating publication. espite only launching in April 2 2 , it went head to head with fellow category finalists Radio Times, National Geographic Traveller, New Scientist and Eclipse Mega Monthly Wordsearch omething we pride ourselves on at Anthem is our ability to react uickly to trends

and launch new maga ines and booka ines that make the most of that moment, says ally Fit erald, Anthem deputy . e have a strong history of doing this in the food sector, and our Healthy Eating series definitely proves how successful this strategy can be.

The winning series comprises AirFryer Cookbook, Menopause Cookbook, nti inflammator Cookbook and Gluten-Free Cookbook

For more: www.anthem.co.uk

SULIS HOSPITAL is recruiting for more than 100 new jobs ahead of its new Sulis Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SEOC) launching. SEOC will expand the existing hospital site just south of Bath and is set to open December 2024. Roles range from clinical to support staff in departments from radiology to in-patients, hospitality to hospital administration. www.sulishospital.com

PROFESSOR MARION HARNEY has been appointed as the new chair of the City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Site Advisory Board and Enhancement Fund. She has been a member of Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Group since 2007 and shares responsibility for overseeing the development, production and implementation of the World Heritage Site Management Plan. www.bathworldheritage.org.uk

GOING GREEN

Bath-based Lexington orporate Finance has partnered with reen Ibex to provide its clients with environmental, social and governance E advisory services to help with their carbon reduction goals. arren Lewis, senior advisor at Lexington, says, ithin the investment community, there is a huge focus on environmental and social responsibility together with strong governance policies.

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that businesses that prioritise this will make themselves more attractive to investors together with prospective employees and external stakeholders. All of this is being driven by customers who can vote with their feet and want to support organisations that do the right thing’.

For more: www.lexingtoncf.co.uk | www.greenibex.org

Staff nurse at Sulis Hospital

Professor Marion Harney

Eddie Illic

Joe Cussens has founded Yardstick Consulting

Headline win! Left to right: Head of newstrade marketing at Frontline Susan Pinnock, Anthem’s Rosie Pankhurst, and event host Tom Evans

Lexington partners with Green Ibex. Left to right: Warren Lewis and Jonathan Jones

GA ENERGY BATH LIFE AWARDS 2024

LEGAL WINNER

SPONSORED BY

Of course you should consider entering the Bath Life Awards, which returns 27 March 2025 at the new venue of Bath Forum.

And if you don’t want to take our word for it, here’s elen umford and annah Bearman of A Energy, which was a finalist in both the Legal and the Sustainability categories, taking home the award for the Legal category.

The A Energy team can get so very busy and immersed helping our clients with their energy projects that we forget to celebrate our own success, and so the Bath Life Awards gives us the chance to do this. e’re a small team making

a big impact and it’s great for us to be recognised for the hard work we do and for our enthusiasm to stand out and make a difference. Plus, we had a great night, with a fun table!”

For more: www.bathlifeawards.co.uk | www.gasolicitors.com

Bath Life Network Lunch with Laurence Beere of The Queensberry Hotel; www.mediaclash.co.uk

Awards; www.entreconf.com

Property Awards; www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk 12

Bath Life Network Lunch with Tom Ross of The Pig Hotel; www.mediaclash.co.uk

19 NOVEMBER EntreConf GO; www.entreconf.com

BRANCHING OUT

A 100,000-tree woodland is set to be established between Bristol and Bath, in a deal advised by Thrings olicitors. The firm has been advising charity Avon Needs Trees on the creation of their new 422-acre Lower Chew Forest which, once complete, will be the biggest new woodland in the South West for a generation and a major local effort in response to the climate and ecological emergencies.

Dave Wood, CEO of Avon Needs Trees, says, “Our plans to create a forest-si ed woodland and complementary habitats over 422 acres will bring a huge range of benefits to nature and our communities, including helping to tackle the climate emergency, improving biodiversity connectivity and providing a place for people to volunteer, learn and connect with nature.”

For more: www.thrings.com | www.avonneedstrees.org.uk

Hannah Bearman and Helen Rumford celebrate their team’s recognition

The Queensberry Hotel proprietor, Laurence Beere

Avon Needs Trees

CAREER PATH

DARIUS JÉAN

The freelance photographer on how he has always wanted to live his life through a lens…

Immediately after Darius Jéan left school, he started working for a central London darkroom, processing, developing and printing photos for the likes of Lord Snowdon, Thames Television and many of the Fleet Street newspapers. Later he worked as a photographer’s assistant, before eventually going freelance and, more recently, setting up his own studio. Here we learn more about Darius’s journey behind the camera.

What’s your background?

Born in St. Lucia, grew up in the East End of London. Relocated

to Bath to escape the hustle and bustle of Shoreditch. I’ve been in the city for almost 20 years now and consider it home. I absolutely love the place.

Did you always know you’d be a photographer?

I remember the school careers o cer asking me what I wanted to be and my immediate reply was a professional photographer. Over the years, I occasionally tried my hand at a few different jobs, but have never felt quite at home doing anything else.

What was your ﬁrst job?

On leaving school, I worked at London Darkrooms in Hatton Garden – it was a high-end black

and white printing and processing laboratory. We worked with clients such as Lord Snowdon, Beverly Goodway and many of the Fleet Street photographers.

What were your next steps?

I then worked as a studio assistant at Holborn Studios, which is renowned for being the one of the best film and photo spaces in the world. Next stage was a freelance photographer’s assistant, and then finally I became a freelance photographer.

What were those early days like setting up on your own?

Scary! Initially it was no clients, no one knew who I was, and I was having to invest in high quality equipment with no absolute guarantee the expense would be recouped. I’ll admit it was a daunting time.

How was this overcome? Whilst it was scary and nerve racking, I have actually never been happier! I overcame those low points with hope. Somehow I knew it would all work out, because I was going to make it happen. Nothing beats the feeling of working with clients in front of my camera.

How has your freelance career developed?

I initially started out as a generic photographer – shooting weddings, events, fashion, editorials and portraiture. Just before the pandemic, I was moving into corporate portraiture, and as finding spaces for hire was getting harder, I decided to build my own studio –which is now my HQ.

What is it about specialising in corporate portraiture that appeals?

I enjoy working in close proximity with clients and having the opportunity to connect with their fears, to turn those around, and make the experience a positive one. My work is suited to creating team photos – it is important the images are meticulously crafted to capture the very essence of the company, their leaders, and

“I OVERCAME THE LOW POINTS WITH HOPE”

their teams. It’s about ensuring company brand impact.

What other types of photography do you enjoy?

I love shooting weddings. It’s such a big day for the couple, and there’s so much emotion and excitement to capture.

Any moment you’ve been particularly proud of?

I think that would be going to The Royal Albert Hall and photographing headshots of many talented musicians, including Shola Ama, Elisabeth Troy and DJ Spoony.

Time over, anything you might approach differently? I would invest more in marketing and less in equipment.

What have you found to be the best tools for growth in your business?

LinkedIn and real life networking have both given me the platform to showcase my work and become known to a community who appreciate what I do and how I work.

How does being Bath-based help your business?

There so many incredible companies and establishments locally. It’s also 15 minutes by train from Bristol and just an hour and half from London, which makes it easy for my clients to get to me.

What’s in the pipeline?

I’m about embark on a journey with a business coach, Steve Fuller. I am very excited about this next phase of my business development.

For more: www.dariusjean.com

FRESH THINKING OVER A FINE LUNCH

Unique social business lunch with live interview: hear Good Energy’s bold plans with Fran Woodward

JOIN US Monday 14 October at Walcot House from 12pm

SPONSORS AND TABLES

• Connect with leading Bath property businesses, across all sectors

• Bene t from a multiple channel marketing campaign, reaching thousands

• Stand out amongst your peers at this prestigious, unique event For details: bathlife@mediaclash.co.uk CURRENT SPONSORS:

WINNER OF WINNERS SPONSOR:

MEET THE ARCHITECT

Building connections with the city’s property and project designers

KATY MORRISON

MORRISON STUDIOS CHARTERED ARCHITECTS LTD

info@morrisonstudios.co.uk; www.morrisonstudios.co.uk

What areas of architecture do you specialise in?

My passion and expertise is in sensitively adapting and extending heritage homes in and around Bath. They can often be challenging but all the more rewarding when a project is completed and all stakeholders are happy.

What is your design process?

Each project starts by getting a deep understanding of my clients motivations and lifestyle, from there I produce environmentally conscious design solutions that suit both the building and the homeowners. My designs are site speciﬁc and make the most of orientation and natural daylighting whilst preserving the building’s historic character. I always specify natural materials which are compatible with traditional properties, are better for the environment and create a healthy home for the occupants.

What are the biggest challenges facing your profession over the next few years?

Climate change - Adapting our existing housing stock to become more energy efﬁcient with the increasingly extreme weather systems. With heritage buildings, the challenge is ﬁnding a way to do this sensitively without harming their historic fabric and character.

MICHAEL STINSON

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT, STRIDE TREGLOWN 01225 342109; www.stridetreglown.com

What do you do for your local communities?

As an ofﬁce we are actively involved in several community activities in and around Bath. We recently spent a few days planting trees in a nursery with More Trees BANES. This was a fantastic opportunity to get stuck into something different and get out of the ofﬁce. These trees will eventually be planted in and around the city, helping to make Bath a nicer place to live and work.

What is your proudest professional moment?

In 2020 Eagle House in Bristol was a regional award winner for Refurbished/Recycled Workplace. This was the ﬁrst project I had a larger role in and was the focus of my Part 3 Case Study. I was incredibly proud that a project I had contributed to had achieved this level of acclaim.

What areas of architecture do you specialise in?

My experience at Stride Treglown has been varied across several sectors, many of the projects I have worked on sit within the commercial and residential sectors. Our Bath studio has a wide array of experience in multiple sectors and specialist teams that have contributed to projects across Bath in recent years.

JONATHAN HETREED

HETREED ROSS ARCHITECTS

01225 851860; www.hetreedross.com

What areas of architecture do you specialise in?

We concentrate on bespoke environmental design of smaller projects in residential, community and commercial architecture: we relish the demanding brief realised through intense listening, inspired creativity, contextual awareness and enlightened teamwork. Regardless of scale, when we achieve these objectives and exceed our clients’ expectations, we’re content.

How many people work in your practice?

We are seven - senior and junior – female and male –all of us positively part time for the fuller enjoyment of life’s rich pattern, believing that work ﬁtting around us makes for the best outcomes for our clients, our co-consultants, our contractors – and ourselves.

Name the building which inspires you most? ? At risk of hubris, I name one of our own – Straw Bale Studio – since it has met so many of the world’s aspirations in terms of sustainability, delight, simplicity and economy – successfully nurturing the art within its walls, summer and winter – foundry foundations, two days of bale building, ten years of operation: we should all be building in straw and never mind the wolves!

AARON EVANS ARCHITECTS

01225 466234; www.aaronevans.com

How long have you been an architect?

Having studied architecture at the University of the Witwatersrand, I joined a small practice in Johannesburg in 2003, becoming a partner in 2014. We moved to Bath to be close to my wife’s family in 2018, and I joined Aaron Evans Architects the same year.

What areas of architecture do you enjoy most?

I really enjoy the craft of making space and putting buildings together. Part-time lecturing at the University of the Witwatersrand from 2013-2018 enriched this passion. I currently tutor at the University of Bath.

What are the misconceptions about being an architect?

Thanks to Peppa Pig my children think I spend the day drawing pretty pictures … (admittedly sometimes I do –but seldom)

What are the hallmarks of a good building?

Good buildings and carefully considered design can fundamentally improve people’s lives (unfortunately the converse of this is true too). Not all good architecture is noticeable, but it can still enhance a space and the way it works.

Katy Morrison

Jonathan Hetreed

Michael Stinson

MICHAEL RAYNE

Michael Rayne

PAUL ROGERS

CMS GROUP

01249 701333; www.cms-group.co

What sets you apart from other architects?

As a multi-disciplinary practice, we have the beneﬁt of shared knowledge across our diverse team of architects, project managers, surveyors and interior designers. Whilst design-focused, we are also highly practical and pride ourselves on our technical knowledge of current building regulations and legislation. With experience across all sectors from heritage to commercial to everything in between, we relish taking on a new challenge!

How does your organisation practice sustainability?

We are ISO 14001 certiﬁed, aiming to become carbon neutral by 2030. We have delivered several successful BREEAM projects and net-zero carbon in use education projects, prioritising sustainability from the outset. Currently, we are working on restoring Corsham’s former Lloyds bank building into a boutique hotel, restaurant and wine bar, utilising MMC technologies to maximise energy efﬁciency.

Which project have you most enjoyed working on?

Corsham Primary School was a stand-out project for me, as we’ve seen its lasting impact on pupils. Our design created an excellent learning environment for teachers and pupils, and revisiting years later, it still looks brand new. This project exemplifies of our ‘fabric first’ approach, designed with energy efficiency in mind to minimise running costs.

SUZANNE O’DONOVAN

SRA ARCHITECTS LTD

01225 827444; www.sra-architects.co.uk

What areas of architecture do you specialise in?

SRA work across a number of sectors including retail, workplace, R&D, automotive, community, education, and residential. We nurture long standing relationships with our clients and a signiﬁcant amount of our work is repeat business.

What does it take to be a successful architect?

Having an open mind: architecture training is very broad and covers a lot of big subjects from physics to psychology, as well as all of the statutory regulations that we need to know. We’re trained and equipped to balance many conﬂicting requirements so we must be good listeners – to what our client wants, what the regulations are, what our research and site analysis tells us, expert advice from other members of the project team and good ideas from anyone and anywhere.

What is your practice’s ethos and philosophy?

Listen – Challenge – Refine – Enjoy. The briefing process is a hugely important stage at the start of the project – where we try to understand the project objectives. We are service focused and by working very closely with our clients – particularly in the early design stage – we will challenge the brief, test out ideas by drawing, modelling, sketching to find the best solution and refine it. Hopefully the enjoy bit speaks for itself!

Lord

MARK LORD LORD ARCHITECTURE LTD info@lordarchitecture.co.uk; www.lordarchitecture.co.uk

When did you establish your practice?

Having gained a wealth of experience across more than a decade for award winning practices in London and the West Country, I established Lord Architecture in early 2017 to focus on the heritage and prime residential sectors.

Talk us through what you specialise in Our specialism lies in the re-imagining of historic buildings through contemporary architecture. A large portion of our work is in the high-end residential sector in Bath, London and across the south of England however we have a strong commercial and mixed use background and are working on projects in this sector in London and the south-west.

What are you currently working on?

There are a number of exciting live commissions including works to Grade I and Grade II Listed buildings, grand designs, commercial conversions and new build projects here in Bath and across the south of England. On the drawing board and of particular note we are thrilled to be working with The Walcot Group on their latest culinary venture, and with a private client to transform their impressive country estate back to its former glory.

HELEN CAREY

HAPTICITY ARCHITECTS LTD

01225 443679; www.hapticity.co.uk

What element of the process most interests you?

Every client is unique – I love to understand their idiosyncrasies as well as their practical needs, developing this into a scheme that ﬁts them perfectly. Equally important is understanding the site context or an existing property’s evolution throughout time. Focusing on these elements at the start of a project provides the necessary foundation for the later stages, where we navigate the challenges of meeting the client’s brief within the constraints of planning, budget and time restrictions.

Is there a particular highlight?

We recently completed one of our largest projects to date, which was a highlight in itself, however our client’s love of their new home steals the show. They had written down some aspirations before embarking on the project, which looking back, they felt we had fulfilled brilliantly. We’re very proud of the final outcome, but the journey can be just as rewarding; working in a studio alongside Architects, Interior Architects and Sustainability experts means there is a flux of expertise and energy on a daily basis.

What lies in store for the year ahead?

Projects that stand out at the moment are an artist’s studio and natural pool, as well as a furniture designer’s home and workshop. We are working on a tight development site for 5-7 houses in a sensitive conservation area and adjacent to a listed building. I am looking forward to developing the local RIBA presence in my new role as RIBA chair for Bath and Bristol.

Paul Rogers

Mark

Suzanne O’Donovan

Helen Carey

enquiries@sandjbath.co.uk

AND PLAY

GARDEN DISPLAY

An amazing 17th-century style garden parterre has been completed at Dyrham Park

A brand-new garden parterre has been laid at Dyrham Park echoing one that stood in the original 17th-century grounds of the estate. In recent years, the area was plain lawn but, thanks to a gift in a will, the garden team was able to create a design based on historic drawings of the site.

After the surface was levelled, sections of steel frame, made by local metalworkers and weighing just over four tonnes, were laid into place and then welded together. The frame was first filled with soil, then turf was cut by hand to fit the design, followed by the planting of 850 evergreen hedging plants plus 24 large yew plants shaped into topiary.

Hundreds of bedding plants are added for seasonal display, starting with spring tulips and

now marigolds for the summer. Paving and decoration followed with seashells and a variety of coloured stone such as black calico, used in the 17th century to demonstrate wealth with intricate and detailed decoration. Large plantfilled pots surround the perimeter.

The work was made possible thanks to garden enthusiasts Stella and Jack Satchell from Bath who were lifetime National Trust members and left money to the National Trust in their will. Their daughter, Pat Martin, says, “Their garden was my parents’ pride and joy and I think they would be thrilled with what’s been achieved at Dyrham. It’s great to think that mum and dad’s support will provide enjoyment for so many.”

For more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The completed parterre at Dyrham Park

The steel frame goes down

The frames on a trailer, ready to be craned in

PHOTO BY HELEN ROBERTS

PHOTO BY PIERS HORRY

PHOTO BY STEVE HAYWOOD

Self storage facility WHAT’S IN STORE

A new self-storage facility is due to open in November on the Lower Bristol Road, Bath. The property, Vanguard Self Storage, which was previously a purpose-built laundry dating back to the 1880s, has been designed by Bath architects Designscape using a combination of Bath stone, glazing and bronze cladding. Key features include a 75kWp solar array on the roof, electric vehicle charging bays, and a new stream landscape that re-naturalises the existing waterway running across the site. The reception area will house a restored de Haviland Vampire aircraft. Ben Thilthorpe, head of operations at Vanguard, says,“We anticipate that our new Bath branch will be very attractive to business customers, so we’ll have units ideal for micro and small companies and a drop-in business lounge.” For more: www.vanguardstorage.co.uk

New development SHARE PRICE

Abri omes is bringing affordable homes near the city with its new collection of shared ownership apartments and townhouses at Meryton Walk, on the Bath Road, Keynsham. Starting from £112,000 based on a 40 per share (other shares are available), the modern one-, twoand three-bedroom homes mean a foot on the housing ladder with a minimum deposit of £5,600. All homes on the development have outdoor space, including either a spacious private patio, balcony or terrace, and some with parking or garages. The show home opened to visitors in July and has been designed by interior design studio Focus Agency Group, who were inspired by the architectural shapes of Bath and by Jane Austen’s literary work.

For more: www.abri.co.uk

Exhibition

TRUE TO NATURE

The Museum of Bath Architecture is currently hosting Biophilic Bath – The Green City You See. The exhibition features designs by architects, engineers and designers, and shows future ‘biophilic’ visions of the city – design that focuses on those aspects of the natural world that inspire future sustainability and climate resilience of a city.

Joanna Robinson, sustainability and design manager at BPT, says Each of these imaginative site-specific biophilic design responses includes direct or indirect experiences of nature, incorporates low carbon materials and urban greening, and nurtures the love of Bath and its unique landscape setting.

“One of our core objectives at BPT is to promote a sustainable future for Bath. We hope that this new exhibition will get people thinking and talking about a new consciousness towards restorative, habitat-friendly urban design for people and nature.”

For more: www.museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk

The shared ownership apartments and townhouses of Meryton Walk

The Vanguard reception area will house a restored de Haviland Vampire aircraft; INSET: The building of the new self-storage facility on the Lower Bristol Road

The Museum of Bath Architecture’s current exhibition explores ‘biophilic’ visions of the city

I U E

A neo-classical gem in Sion Hill with a masterpiece within its walls

By John Mather

Do you like my painting?” you ask a visitor. “What, that one in the frame by the door?” “No.” “Oh, you mean you painted the house yourself...?”

“No. Not quite.” And then you point to a wall in your living room and show them a fresco depicting

The Massacre of the Sciotes, painted by Thomas Barker in 1825. I don’t care how handy your painter and decorator thinks they are with a brush, this is another level paint job.

Thomas Barker of Bath (1767-1847), known as ‘Barker of Bath’, was the best-known of a dynasty of artists that began with his father, Benjamin Barker. Thomas, who was a huge admirer of Gainsborough and painted many versions of his works – some of which have been mistakenly hung in galleries as a Gainsborough – bought the house in 1803. In 1805 he constructed a purpose-built gallery to sell his and his brothers’ work, which was initially a great success.

In 1818, Joseph Michael Gandy, a pupil of Sir John Soane, rebuilt Barker’s house on Sion Hill in a Greek revival style to house the growing family and aggrandise the exhibition space. But Barker’s paintings

“Barker of Bath was the bestknown of a dynasty painters”of

declined in quality and popularity, and in 1824, as a distraction project from his usual landscapes, he decided to cover the wall intended for picture display with a large fresco showing The Massacre of the Sciotes, commemorating a Turkish atrocity. The artwork was crafted with the assistance from two Italian plasterers, and took six months to complete; it was then made accessible for public viewing. The fresco, which now dominates the principal drawing room, was later restored in 1920.

So far, so incredible, an out of this world art origin story, but the neo-classical Grade II* listed mansion has a lot more to offer. Extensively renovated in the past few years, Doric House is in beautiful condition, combining abundant period features with contemporary modern living.

This distinctive house spans four oors. Visitors are greeted by a magnificent reception hall featuring an imposing cantilevered helical stone staircase and a stunning domed skylight overhead.

The drawing/gallery room, which houses the aforementioned expansive fresco, offers nearly square feet of entertaining space. The gallery opens onto a balustraded terrace that overlooks the garden

and offers views over Victoria Park, perfect for summer dining. The ground oor also includes a uni ue ovalshaped dining room that mirrors the entrance hall, as well as a study.

The lower ground oor, which is at garden level, includes a stylish modern haker-style kitchen with bespoke joinery, and leads out to the garden and adjoining pantry.

Adjacent is an additional reception room, ideal as a media room or living room. This oor also features a delightful guest bedroom suite overlooking the garden with a large en suite bathroom. There is also a utility room, separate downstairs toilet, and the original wine cellar, which has been restored.

The principal bedroom suite on the first oor is dual-aspect with views to the east over avendish rescent and to the city beyond. The suite includes an en suite bathroom and dressing room. Two further bedrooms one with en suite shower room are arranged on this level and the oor above, both with those far-reaching Bath views. utside, there are steps down to a garage and a south-facing landscaped garden. This uni ue and truly historical home is waiting for a new lucky owner to make their mark.

The original Doric House owner, artist Thomas Barker of Bath (1767-1847)

•

• Decluttering your home?

• Business paperwork?

• Sentimental items in the way?

• Expanding your business?

FOR THE HOME

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

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, re ecting her clients’ lifestyles and personalities. Tel: 07738289189; www.jennifermosse.com

TILE & FLOOR For over years, Tile & Floor has been synonymous with the supply of a range of top-tier design-led materials and professional installation services. Our commitment to quality has forged enduring relationships with discerning homeowners overseeing their personal projects, as well as with design and construction professionals serving the property industry. Exciting news! We are now also conveniently located at Chippenham M4. Tel: 01225 310561; www.tileandfloor.co.uk

BROADLEAF

Broadleaf are the UK’s leading manufacturer and retailer of beautiful wood ooring, with a uni ue and unrivalled range of solid and engineered plank and par uet. pen since 2 22 their extensive Bath showroom showcases the complete collection. Visit their expert, friendly team to find inspiration, discuss your project and pick up samples. 134 – 136 Walcot St; 01225 463464; www.broadleaftimber.com

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

WOOLF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE &

DESIGN create unique, client-focused contemporary and traditional interiors, valued for their individual, beautifully tailored characterful design. ith 2 years of expertise delivering space planning, detailed design, procurement, art curation and project management. An award-winning practice with studios in Bath & London, LF are accredited designers of historic, period, listed houses and hotels. Tel 01225 445670; woolfinterior.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. er portfolio of projects includes the design, project coordination and sourcing for some of Bath’s most beautiful residences, as well as hotels, sports clubs, o ces and other commercial venues. Contact Clair on 07855 797311 or 01225 426905; www.clairstrong.co.uk

MENDIP FIREPLACES BATH

Bath’s leading fireplace, wood burner, gas fire, chimney and ue 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, wam, tuv and Jetmaster. et in touch or visit the showroom. Mendip Fireplaces, Monkton Combe, at in o@mendi re a es at o u Tel: 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

BONITI Situated on the outskirts of Bath, Boniti presents an extensive array of top-notch interior and exterior products. fferings include natural stone and timber ooring, Everhot Range Cookers, as well as porcelain and decorative tiles. Providing exceptional installation and restoration services, Boniti pride themselves on delivering a friendly and personalised experience, with customer satisfaction at the heart of it all. Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton,Wiltshire SN14 8JA; Tel: 01225 892 200; www.boniti.com

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

PROFESSOR

BANAFSHÉ LARIJANI

Director of the Centre for Therapeutics

Innovation (CTI) at the University of Bath on her love of comparative literature and physical sciences alongside one another

Professor Banafshé Larijani studied comparative literature and physical sciences alongside one another at universities in Paris and Oxford. Her PhD at University of Massachusetts and Amherst College (USA) researched Nuclear Envelope Biogenesis. Discoveries from the PhD became the basis of her lab Cell Biophysics at Cancer Research UK at Lincoln’s Inn Fields Laboratories, Cancer Research UK.

Per tradition of Paris and Oxford, at Amherst she studied with the Kashmiri poet Agha Shahi Ali, who taught her the art of editing poetry without touching the soul within words.

The remarkable long-lasting images of my childhood are the piles of university physics exam papers that surrounded my

father and, next to him, on our long dining table, my mother’s unattended cigarette smoke, while she was translating T.S. Eliot’s The Cocktail Party

The sleepless nights of these individuals whose life was centred around academia and an infinite number of books was the milieu of my upbringing. It was a household of words, endless discussions of science, anthropology, philosophy, poetry, and all forms of Art, without the fictitious barriers of East or West.

We led a relatively nomadic life between the UK and France, until we finally settled in the Anglo-Saxon suburbs of Paris, to attend the British School of Paris. I studied in Paris and Oxford, always maintaining

“The Romans have left their scholarly footprints and their soul in this unique gem-like city”

comparative literature and physical sciences alongside of one another.

Teachers in all walks of my life have been my inspiration. It is through dedicated teachers in education and research, at all levels, that we learn to soak in knowledge and acquire the willingness to understand creation and demise of Nature.

My biggest regret is not having continued at the professional level with classical dance at the Opera House in Paris. I was trained in ballet from the age of two to 17 under the Russian and French Schools. At 17, I logically chose to pursue the trajectory of scientific research.

My current ﬁeld is precision translational therapeutics, the foundation our Centre for Therapeutic Innovation. I have spent more than 25 years in fundamental research to understand molecular communication in single cells and the various mechanisms molecules utilise to maintain regulated communication. Throughout these studies, with the use of precision in physical sciences, we uantified of these mechanisms. The translation of basic research in cancer signalling to the clinical sector is my current focus.

The best moments in my role are seeing the outcome of our results when we use real precision in understanding resistance to treatment in cancer.

I am a performance artist who was trained recitation and elocution by Alec Linstead

at the Royal Shakespeare Company. This art form lend itself to the 30 years I have worked and performed with an exceptional cellist/composer and scholar: Vernon C David. We have set my poetic imagery to his contemporary music so that these two art forms have become as one (Continuum).

Last year we performed Imprisoned Absence at Lincoln College (University of Oxford) where the Ligeti Quartet performed the world premier piece of Vernon David. This project was the initiation of our continuous work to link the language of science and art; now a collaboration with writer and essayist Siri Hustvedt, Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, Centre for Pain Research (University of Bath) and St John’s College (University of Oxford).

My ambition for the future is the international success of the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation, both in helping primary care and precise implementation of diagnostics and treatment of cancer patients.

My idea of perfect happiness is when scientific results show how a small part of Nature’s pu les fits into the global complexity of Nature’s everyday existence. And when I think I have succeeded in writing a near perfect ‘piece of words’.

My ﬁrst impressions of Bath were that the Romans had left their scholarly footprints and their soul in this unique gem-like city.

For more: www.ctibath.ac.uk | www.bath.ac.uk