The Bath Magazine September 2015

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£3.95 where sold

ISSUE 156 • SEPTEMBER 2015 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

THE GOOD EDUCATION GUIDE

BATH CITY FC BACKING THE BID

EP:

FOOD PR

THE GLORY DAYS OF THE EMPIRE (HOTEL)

THE GREAT BATH FEAST

REVIEW:

THE OLIVE TREE

D N A L N E T S U A

PARTYING LIKE IT’S 1815

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THE | CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2015

62 106 16

20

46

10 5 THINGS TO DO

48 ART EXHIBITIONS

The children’s lit fest begins

What the galleries are showing

12 MY BATH

56 THE GLORY DAYS

16 GUEST COLUMNIST

58 BAG YOUR TABLE

Spotty Herberts’ Kate Austin

Steve Bradley on the Big Bath City Bid

18 FACE THE MUSIC Sue Porto, head of St John’s Trust

20 ALTERNATIVE AUSTEN

A history of the Empire Hotel

Anticipating the Great Bath Feast

60 HOME BREW HEROES Meet the Two Thirsty Gardeners

62 RESTAURANT REVIEW

A celebration of the divine Jane

In full bloom: The Olive Tree

30 AH, GO ON, GO ON

64 SIX OF THE BEST

Talking to the real Mrs Doyle

34 BEAUTIFUL BOOKS Illustrations that speak volumes

36 WHAT’S ON

Melissa Blease’s top Indian restaurants

68 AMERICAN BEAUTIES

46 MYTHICAL BEASTS Exploring the sculptures of Beth Carter

Neill Meneer’s portrait of the month

82 GOOD SCHOOL GUIDE

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110 TRAVEL A pilgrims’ way through Tuscany

112 THE WALK Explore the architecture and history of Bradford-on-Avon

114 INTERIORS Designer Clair Strong on creating study areas at home for children

118 GARDENING A garden to fall in love with

121 PROPERTY Beautiful homes to buy or rent

ON THE COVER Miss Austen gets the pop art treatment

Our bumper local education round-up

Even more great content online: thebathmag.co.uk 4 TheBATHMagazine

Products that are man-kind

Angela Mount’s autumn wine choices

70 BATH AT WORK

Make the most of Bath’s cultural diary

106 BEAUTY

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

Like us on Facebook.com/ TheBathMagazine

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Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away and have his shoes.

STEVE MARTIN, COMEDIAN

EDITORS PICKS

from the

EDITOR

S

eptember for so many is the time to put away the sandals and shorts, the devil-may-care, come-and-go-as-you-please attitude and get back to the business of learning, or working.

“You’ve had your fun,” the year seems to say, “and now it’s time to knuckle down to the serious stuff.” As you can see from this picture, I’ve enjoyed some suitably frivolous moments this summer and am now back at my desk.

There are those who embrace the coming of autumn. They welcome a return to comforting routine, of putting on woolly jumpers and the prospect of Strictly Come Dancing returning to our small screens. September brings the chance for us to start a-fresh, to throw ourselves into a project, like learning a new language, enrolling at a gym, or finally getting round to researching our family tree.

Since we’re in back to school mode it’s only fitting that we begin with a rollcall of the talented and creative contributors to this magazine. Dr Andrew Swift, respected historian and writer, has mapped out a walk that embraces the architecture and history of Bradford-on-Avon. Fellow historian Catherine Pitt has been researching the illustrious history of the Empire, one of Bath’s most distinctive landmarks. One of Bath’s best photographers, Neill Menneer, once again, produces a breathtaking portrait for our monthly series, Bath at Work. Mick Ringham – a man who seems to know everyone – interviews Sue Porto, the new head of the historic charitable foundation St John’s for Face the Music, while food writer Melissa Blease talks to the Two Thirsty Gardeners about the alchemy of turning allotment produce into alcoholic tipples.

Our esteemed award-winning garden writer Jane Moore writes about falling in love with a garden, wine critic Angela Mount selects some American beauties and interior designer Clair Strong has ideas for setting up a child’s study area at home.

Tamsin Treverton-Jones writes beautifully about her physically gruelling but ultimately uplifting pilgrimage along the Italian Via Francigena and gallery curator Aidan Quinn brings his expert knowledge of art to the party. Janeites will want to read blogger Mary Stringer’s take on speaking Austen the modern way, while football fans should read Steve Bradley’s impassioned call for support for the city’s football club. Finally, we’re grateful to Mike Nicholson, director of student recruitment and admissions at the University of Bath for his wise words for parents and teenagers.

Thanks to all. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Georgette McCready Editor All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague.

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FREEWHEELING: I’ve just had my bike serviced, after years of leaving it languishing in storage. Nothing makes you feel more like your 12-year-old hopeful, carefree self than bowling along on two wheels. My own trusty steed is a hybrid, but not quite as swish as this Dawes Duchess classic, £314.99.

SEARCHING: my favourite flat, black Duo boots are ‘going home’ after years of loyal service, which means I have launched a quest worthy of the Knights of the Round Table – namely to find the perfect boot. Black, or brown, I don’t mind, but they’ve got to look good with skirts and trousers, keep the rainwater out and allow me to yomp for miles round the streets of Bath in utter comfort. This pair are from Aliexpress.com. Anyone else sharing this Holy Grail of a mission has my sympathy.

BROWN PAPER PACKAGING: Chloe Mayo, bookseller at Topping & Co is encouraging customers not to judge a book by its cover.

She’s wrapped volumes in paper and string, adding some reviews as clues.

Readers are welcoming this chance to uncover a new story

READING: I’m currently enthusing about Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. In a nutshell, it’s a kind of Icelandic Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. Agnes is condemned for the murder of her lover and while she awaits her beheading she’s housed with a family on their smallholding, where a priest is to spend time preparing her for repentance and death. Set in 19th century Iceland, the landscape and the weather are central to the story and life on the farmsteads is tangibly claustrophobic.

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5September

ZEITGEIST

things to do in

Party Characterful Bartlett Street, with its eclectic mix of independent shops and other businesses, has declared itself to be the Bartlett Street Quarter and is marking the launch with a street party on Saturday 12 September, from 11am till 6pm.

The new quarter has had its wrought-iron street sign restored by Ironart. Shops, cafés and salons are offering treats, such as vintage hair-dos by Artizan, food from Café Lucca, candle offers from Article, live bands, local beekeepers’ produce, Punch and Judy, face-painting giant skittles, ice creams, plant sales and a children’s drawing competition. The Tipsy Botanist will be selling wild cocktails and juices, and Bertinet bakery will have some delicious offerings.

Follow the twitter tag #BartlettStreetQuarter or visit: articlebath.com/streetparty. l And while we’re celebrating the city’s fabulous independent businesses, don’t forget to get tickets for the first Independent Bath awards which take place on Wednesday 30 September. Tickets start at £20. For details visit: komediabath.ticketsolve.com/shows/2015/9/30

Celebrate The Museum of East Asian Art in Bath is hosting a free Festival of the Moon event in the Circus on Sunday 27 September, from 11am to 3pm. Take the children and a picnic blanket and enjoy storytelling at 11.30am and 1.30pm from Cassandra Wye Step, with a little help from the Natural Theatre Company. Learn about the Eastern festivities surrounding the moon at harvet time, make puppets and meet other families. Places are limited, so although the event is free, please book by phoning the museum on: 01225 464640.

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Children’s favourite characters, Topsy and Tim, Horrible Histories, Peter Rabbit, the Gruffalo, Hetty Feather, Dr Who, Wimpy Kid, Goth Girl and many, many more, will be descending on Bath from Friday 25 September for the annual celebration of young people’s reading, The Telegraph Children’s Bath Literature Festival. There are many highlights of this ten-day festival, so make sure you go online or pick up a paper proogramme to find out how to get involved. Celebrity names visiting the city to meet their legions of readers include Jacqueline Wilson. She’ll be filling the Forum with her adoring young fans on Saturday 3 October at 2pm, where she’ll talk about how she has written some of her bestloved books and give a preview of her latest Hetty Feather book, Little Stars. The festival is overseen by John and Gill McClay, the original founders of the event, who have returned to pick their own programme.

Strands running through include a celebration

HEROINE: Bath born writer Dame Jacqueline Wilson

See

of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the beguiling, enchanting art of the children’s illustrator and the chance to hear first hand from celebrities from vlogger Joe Sugg, David Baddiel, Julian Clary and Helen Skelton.

Visit: bathfestivals.org.uk

Bake Are you ready to get baking, Bath? The second Great Bath Bake Sale is on Saturday 3 October, when Bath Abbey’s splendid interior will be turned into a giant tea room filled with hundreds of delicious cakes as part of the month-long Great Bath Feast. The challenge has gone out to the city’s home bakers. Flaunt your fairy cakes, make the most of your macaroons and sell your scones to the crowds filling the aisles. The Great Bath Bake Sale, which will run from 11am to 3pm on the day, will help local food charities and the Abbey’s fundraising appeal Footprint. Last year’s event raised more than £2,500.

Colleagues, friends and school groups are all welcome. To reserve a table or find out more, contact Katie McGill tel: 01225 303314 or email: KMcgill@bathabbey.org

Visit The Emporer Haile Selassie’s war-time Bath home, Fairfield House in Newbridge, is just one of the venues that’ll be opened up especially for the city’s annual Heritage Open Days, from Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 September. There are 19 venues across the city – many of them are places which don’t normally allow access. These include the open air swimming baths at Bathwick, the Cleveland Pools, subject to an ambitious restoration project, the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Insititution in Queen Square, a treasure trove of ancient bits and pieces, and Southcot Burial Ground in Lyncombe. For full details of venues and times visit: bathnes.gov.uk and download a leaflet.

Fairfield House

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THE CITY THE BUZZ

My BATH We asked Kate Austin half of Spotty Herberts shop for children, what she’ll be doing this month

What brought you to Bath?

I arrived in Bath in 1991 to begin a BA (Hons) in graphics up at Sion Hill. After graduating I met my husband Paul in Bath and we have since lived in London, Singapore, Milan and back to London.

Once our children arrived and grew old enough for school, thoughts returned to Bath as home.

With a fantastic choice of schools, a beautiful walkable city centre and amazing countryside, our choice was easy.

What are you reading?

Paul recently bought me Versions of Us by Laura Bennett from the lovely Mr B’s bookshop just up the road from the shop. We often ponder how chance, timing, luck and our decisions have brought us to where we are now. He knows I love stuff like that.

20% discount at Hobbs for the Dress to Impress event

Twilight zone

When we’re away on holiday we notice other cultures enjoy an early evening promenade, maybe with a browse in a boutique or a gallery, or an aperitif with friends. Bath is attempting to emulate this early evening buzz with a campaign by Bath Business Improvement District called Bath After 5. As part of this campaign it’s arranging a late shopping event, called Dress to Impress, at Milsom Place/Milsom Street from 5pm on Thursday 17 September. The shops and boutiques will be open until 8pm, including the chains Hobbs and Phase Eight as well as independents Quadri and Chanii B. There’ll be discounts, tea, cake and even a few glasses of fizz to be had. Shoppers will also be able to quiz personal stylists on what’s trending for autumn-winter fashion.

Charity baking Bathonians regularly support Ted’s Big Day Out, held each October with a different theme, to raise funds for Bath’s Royal United Hospital. This year’s fundraising week, between Monday 5 and Friday 9 October, is Ted’s Big Bake Off. Families, friends and workmates are being invited to rise to the baking challenge and help raise some serious dough. The hospital is currently raising £8.5m towards a new cancer centre. Ted’s Big Bake Off is sponsored by Mogers Drewett solicitors. To register your interest visit: tedsbigbakeoff.com and order a free baking pack with tips, tools and tasty ideas to add the icing on the cake, or tel: 01225 825823.

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What is on your MP3 player?

Music is a huge part of our lives and plays in some format pretty much constantly at home. We have a large collection of vinyl which the children love to flick through and line up albums to play. Friday Bar Night is a favourite; we sit at the kitchen table, get out the crisps and fizzy pop and take it in turns to choose our songs from the bounteous jukebox that is Spotify. Fenn, who is six, selects without fail Behind Blue Eyes by The Who. Zillah, 10, is currently loving Your Protector by the Fleet Foxes. Paul and I recently saw Slaves do a small gig and were overwhelmed by the energy, passion and charisma of these guys. Our love of music means we enjoy creating playlists for Spotty Herberts – although I think we’ll omit Slaves!

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

Our return to Bath coincided with the opening of Sam’s Kitchen on Walcot Street where we were relieved to find a top quality cappucino and a comfy sofa. Now we have a few more options I enjoy choosing between Sam’s, Colonna & Small and Society Café for my essential morning coffee and pastry on the way to work. Wild Café, just across the road from us, often delivers afternoon tea and cake too.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

I’ve sent lots of families visiting our shop on to the Small Worlds historic dolls house exhibition at No 1 Royal Crescent and I’m really looking forward to going along with our Spotty Herberts. My colleague Emily and I rescued a loved and well worn dolls house from a local charity shop and filled it with our menagerie of animals for display.

Perhaps we’ll pick up some ideas for improvements and renovations.

Your passions? What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing?

I love to visit galleries. I’m very excited about Wanderlust, the Joseph Cornell exhibition currently showing at the Royal Academy in London. He is an absolute hero of mine and I’m thrilled about the chance to see a large collection of his boxes. So, one day in September I will be sat in the RA for quite some time, perhaps with a tear in my eye, in awe of his miniature, dreamlike, fairytale worlds.

What local outdoor activity or event will you be doing or visiting?

We’ll be heading to the woods for sure; catapults at the ready, making dens, skimming stones and brewing up pots of tea. Emily and her son Kip make delicious pancakes in a tin on the fire and she’s always up for ‘something dangerous’ which the kids just love.

Film or play? What will you be going to see this month?

Film every time for me. The popcorn and the total immersion into a great story – can’t beat it! I’m looking forward to watching Pan; mermaids, giant crocodiles and a boy who can fly. Brilliant! I’m also a secret Bond fan so Spectre is definitely on my list. However, I will have to try to get through the film without laughing at Daniel Craig’s pout.

Emily and I have loved setting up Spotty Herberts in Queen Street. From meeting with our suppliers – our clothes are all British brands – learning from fellow shop-keepers, coordinating builders, solicitors and voluntary helpers, we have met some lovely, supportive and talented people. Spotty Herberts aims to provide a warm welcome, fantastic customer service and beautiful, affordable, practical clothing and pocket money priced toys for children aged from nought to 10. We look forward to becoming established within the wider community of independent businesses in Bath. We’re open Monday to Saturday 9.45am – 5pm. Check us out: Instagram: spottyherbertsshop, online: spottyherberts.com, Twitter: @shopforchildren.

We’re following @JaneCWoods, Bath-based head of Changing People and author of #RenewYou and Speak Up. If you want to see important issues of our times debated articulately and intelligently in just 140 characters, look to her tweets for inspiration and food for thought.

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The Bath Magazine and The Bristol Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd. We are an independent of all other local publications

The Bath Magazine is distributed free every month to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout Bath and the surrounding area. We also have special distribution units in the following city centre stores and coffee shops

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmag.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2015 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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CITY | BUSINESS

THE | COLUMNIST

LET’S GIVE BATH THE FOOTBALL CLUB IT DESERVES STEVE BRADLEY EXPLAINS WHY ANYONE WHO LOVES BATH, COMMUNITY OR SPORT SHOULD BACK THE BIG BATH CITY BID

B

ath has a superb sporting pedigree for a city of its size. We have one of the world’s oldest and most famous rugby clubs. Jason Gardener and Amy Williams have brought us Olympic glory, and the facilities at the University of Bath continue to develop future champions. We’ve hosted major events like the European Youth Olympics, the British Special Olympic games and the European Modern Pentathlon Championships.

And this month we’ll be host city for the Australian 2015 Rugby World Cup team.

But there is a prominent gap in our city’s sporting smile. Despite Bath’s pedigree, we barely feature on the map when it comes to football – the biggest and most popular sport in the world. A sport which was invented right here in England, and which remains our national game.

Bath City FC has proudly represented our city in the world’s most popular sport since 1889, but always at a level below the Football League (English football’s upper echelons). A look at similar towns around the country shows that there is no reason why Bath couldn’t sustain a club in the Football League. If places like Cambridge, Colchester and Carlisle can do it, why can’t we ?

Bath may be considered a rugby town, but there still exists a huge interest in football here. And the two sports are not mutually exclusive anyway.

Whether it’s in Leicester, Northampton, Coventry or Exeter, most Premiership Rugby clubs happily co-exist alongside a professional football club.

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Bath City has never played at a high level because the club has unintentionally become isolated on the fringes of daily life here

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So whether you’re a fan of football or not, Bath is clearly missing a trick by being absent from the upper tiers of the world’s most popular sport. To ensure our sporting city finally gets the football club it deserves, a group of Bath City supporters, community representatives and local business leaders have combined to launch the Big Bath City Bid. We believe Bath City has never played at a high level because the club has unintentionally become isolated on the fringes of daily life here. This has limited the club’s appeal and income, curtailing its ability to compete in and climb the footballing pyramid. To address this, the Bid seeks to completely change the structure of Bath City

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SUPPORT: retired footballer Eric Cantona and film director Ken Loach are among those who have already bought shares in Bath City Football Club football club – turning it into a community-owned cooperative that would be democratically run, financially sustainable, and which would put community at the heart of its work. In short, a community-owned Bath City FC would not only fly the flag for Bath in the world’s biggest sport, it would harness both the appeal of sport and its own facilities to help make this city an even better place.

This latter point is crucial. A community-owned Bath City would be about much more than just eleven players chasing a ball once a fortnight. It would use its own facilities, players, staff and the appeal of football to offer anything from educational and health projects through to community training, events and services. It would be a year-round community hub, run by an organisation which sought to improve life here for everyone. It would seek to involve more of the great talent and wisdom that exists in this city in its everyday operations. And it would become an integral part of Bath’s DNA. In recent times we’ve seen much to be concerned about in modern sport – from corruption in FIFA to doping in athletics and cycling. Bath is a city with a long tradition of doing things differently. A community-owned Bath City would offer an opportunity for us to show the world that there is another way to run important sporting institutions.

One which puts community, democracy and financial sustainability above money, ego and a win at all costs mentality. The kind of club that the people of Bath would feel proud to call their own.

To make this happen we need to raise £750,000 to buy Bath City FC, clear its urgent debts, and turn it into a Community Benefit Society. We hope to raise this sum through a community share offer, similar to the successful buy-out of the Bell inn in Walcot in 2013. Shares are available at £1 each, with a minimum purchase amount of 250 and an alternative crowd-funding project available to

facilitate smaller donations.

We offer a range of incentives to share purchasers, and over £210,000 has been raised already. Taxpayers who invest in our community shares also benefit from a generous 30% rebate under the government's Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Together we can fill that gap in our city’s sporting smile, and ensure that Bath finally gets the football club it deserves.

Contact: Steve Bradley, Big Bath City Bid Team at: info@BigBathCityBid.org.uk or follow on Twitter: @BigBathCityBid. n

How to buy community shares in Bath City FC

l Visit: BigBathCityBid.org.uk l Read the prospectus l Choose the level of share investment that's right for you, whether that’s as an individual fan or as a business l Buy your community shares in Bath City FC. You can do this either online through Microgenius the community shares platform, or you can download an application form, fill it in and add a cheque made out to Bath City Supporters Society. If you have a friend or relative who doesn’t use the internet you could print that form out for them.

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FACE | THE MUSIC

A POSITIVE OUTLOOK Mick Ringham talks to Sue Porto, the new head of one of Bath’s oldest benevolent institutions, St John’s

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he new head of one of Bath’s most historic institutions is a thoroughly modern person, having enjoyed a varied career which combines team leadership with compassion for those in need of a helping hand. Sue Porto was recently appointed chief executive of St John’s Hospital, a charitable organisation that has been serving the people of Bath for 841 years. She also enjoys the accolade of being the first woman to hold this prestigious post, and as well as being passionate about the current work of the trust, she admits to hoping to take the charity forward, tackling more of the social issues encountered by many local people.

Sue was born in Weymouth and attended the town’s grammar school, which she left at the age of 16 after sitting her O Levels, to a barrage of negative comments from her head teacher for her refusal to go on to university.

After a short spell as a trainee hairdresser, Sue joined the civil service and after time, went on to secure a career in the prison service. She started working in administration at HM Prison The Verne, where she became interested in the rehabilitation of offenders. Sue studied at the Open University while working at the prison and later progressed to a national role in the prison service with responsibilities for clinical supervision and the training of all staff involved in psychological interventions across the country.

After some 15 years in that position, Sue was approached by the Prince’s Trust for the role of director of the charity’s south west operation. As she says: “I was naturally delighted because it fitted my values, working with and also helping encourage youngsters to make an important change in their lives.”

Sue was based at the Prince’s Trust’s regional headquarters, originally in Bath and later Bristol, commuting from her home in Weymouth on a daily basis. She went on to become the chief executive of Beanstalk, the national children’s literacy charity, commuting daily to London, where she led a large national team of staff and volunteers, helping raise their profile through effective campaigning, fundraising and partnership development.

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its older beneficiaries, but being able to donate to and help local communities and individuals through the charity’s grants programme. She talks with genuine passion about working at St John’s and seeing the positive impact that is being made to local people’s lives.

Sue lives in Corsham with her three children Laura, Harry and Archie. And to relax from her busy work schedule, she enjoys watching Bath Rugby, riding her horse in the Wiltshire countryside, walking her two dogs and, when time permits, workouts at the gym. I asked her who she felt had been the greatest influence on her career and without any hesitation she replies: “That would be prison governor Jeannine Hendrick. She

gave me and her staff the gift of confidence and self belief. She didn’t understand the word ‘negativity’.”

Sue’s musical tastes are wide and varied. She and her brother were taught the piano and other musical instruments by their mother, who was a piano teacher. She admits, embarrassingly that the first record she bought as a teenager was Sheena Easton’s 9 to 5.

But like most people these days, Sue’s music listening is largely confined to journeys in the car. “Over the years, I’ve done quite a lot of solo driving and singing along to the radio.” As far as a dinner guest is concerned that would be Angelina Jolie, the actress, filmmaker and humanitarian. What an experience

COMPASSIONATE: Sue Porto, chief executive at St John’s Hospital, Bath

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FACE | THE MUSIC

SUE’S CHOICES: Shirley Bassey – I Will Survive This is such a powerful number. My motto has always been that it really doesn’t matter what life throws at you, it is what you do with it and how you respond to the situation that counts.

This version of the song is sung with heartfelt sincerity. She herself is a true survivor and therefore sings those lyrics with true passion. Totally inspirational.

Sister Sledge – We are Family My family means so much to me and I feel we are all very lucky to have one another. This particular song reminds me of that fact. In terms of some families, mine is quite small; however it is greater because I consider some people to be ‘family’ even though we are not related. It’s such a wonderful feeling to be very close to people.

Whitney Houston – The Greatest Love of All I can vividly remember singing this to my daughter when she was very small.

Mercifully it was behind closed doors so hopefully no one else suffered as a consequence. Michael Masser wrote such fabulous songs, but I think the combination of Whitney and his lyrics WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

on this record are incredibly beautiful and a testament to both of them.

Leona Lewis – Footprints in the Sand My Brother Rob was a huge influence in my life and was always there to help, guide and support me. It’s wonderful to feel that someone is always there at your side. Sadly he is no longer with us, but this song with its heartfelt words reminds me of him and that he is actually always there watching over us.

EMOTIONAL MOMENTS: left to right, Shirley Bassey, I Will Survive, Gavroche in Les Miserables, Little People and Whitney Houston, The Greatest Love of All Right, inspirational Angelina Jolie

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My motto has always been it really doesn’t matter what life throws at you, it is what you do with it and how you respond

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that would be around the kitchen table – for both of them!

St John’s is a historic almshouse charity, providing sheltered accommodation with care and support and assiting thousands of disadvantaged people in the city, through its community and individual grants. It also offers loans to other charities in the area, through its social lending programme.

Originally founded in 1174, by Bishop Reginald Fitzjocelyn, it has been serving the people of Bath for over eight centuries. In that time, it has never been a hospital in the medical sense, or a hospice. It has five almshouses in the city centre on the original site and at Combe Park, which was purpose built, close to the RUH in Weston. The main administrative building is in Chapel Court as is the Chapel of St Michael Within the Walls, used by residents and their families as well as trustees, staff and visitors.

Les Miserables – Little People This just has to be one of my favourite musicals and I love listening to this number. I have seen the London production and also the film many times. Little People is gutsy and fun and the chorus is great. I can relate to this particularly in relation to horse flies and the effect they have with just one bite.

Who on earth would think something so small can cause so much trouble and I’m not going to tell you where I got bitten!

The Carpenters – We’ve Only Just Begun I love The Carpenters and it was so tragic what happened to Karen Carpenter {the singer died in 1983, aged 32, from complications caused by anorexia}. However this song in many respects is about the joy of new beginnings, opportunity and hope for the future. In a way it mirrors a new beginning for me here at St John’s and the work we can achieve for this marvellous charity.

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now This record has so much energy and drive. I’ve always loved the band and their music but this number is special to me as it’s on my running play list. I don’t get the time to do as much running as I used to, but when I do get the chance this song helps to keep me going.

The Pointer Sisters – Jump for my Love This takes be back to my teenage years in Dorset, dancing in Weymouth discos with my friends and my brother and all his friends, also just having fun. This track is great to dance to and although the Pointer Sisters have been around since the early 1970s they still manage to sound fresh and full of life. I’m sure my kids have never heard of them.

Diana Ross and Lionel Richie – Endless Love I have to confess that I am an old softy when it comes to music such as this. It’s the same with certain films, I will be watching with tears in my eyes. The two voices of Ross and Richie in perfect harmony along with the lyrics, is a joy to listen to. Very romantic and obviously beautiful.

Chicken Shed – In Love with the World This is a young theatre company which Princess Diana was very involved with.

The kids come from many diverse and challenging backgrounds and abilities.

They perform and sing with such sincerity and passion and are truly inspirational to watch. There seems to be so much hatred in the world today but this record offers a little hope and optimism for people. It never fails to put a smile on my face and lift my spirits. n Find out more about the work of St John’s visit: www.stjohnsbath.org.uk, write to: St John’s Hospital, 4-5 Chapel Court Bath BA1 1SQ, or tel: 01225 486400.

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CITY | OF | FESTIVALS

ALTERNATIVE AUSTEN BRITISH FILM PROJECT LAUNCHED Jane Austen enthusiasts are being given the chance to get involved with the making of a new film about the life of the ‘divine Jane’ at an exclusive presentation event in Bath this month. British director Sue Pomeroy, who has previously adapted Austen’s work for the stage, is planning to make a film about her heroine, with part of the filming to take place in Bath.

Sue and her team made a presentation about Jane Austen: Overcoming Pride and Prejudice at BAFTA earlier this year and, as she says: “Bath and particularly the Jane Austen Festival, provides the ideal opportunity to talk about the film with some of those who love her most.”

The event is by invitation only on Wednesday, 16 September. It is aimed at those interested in participating in the film, from investors wishing to make tax deductable investment (the development stage is supported by a Government scheme) to those who’d like to play extras. The production team is also looking for owners of suitable film locations in Bath. It is anticipated that filming will begin next

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summer and while some of it will be set in Bath, scenes will also be shot at Austen’s Hampshire home Chawton.

Sue has spent more than 20 years studying Austen’s work and says: “I am committed to making a film that’s honest and faithful to her.” She is also prepared to venture that, contrary to some opinion, Austen probably enjoyed much of her time in Bath.

“Because her sister Cassandra destroyed so many of her letters it may be that some of those were from Bath. I believe that she did like Bath and would have been excited about what was going on in the city around her.”

The presentation evening begins with drinks at No1 Royal Crescent from 5.30 pm, followed by the presentation at the Bath Royal Scientific and Literary Institution in Queen Square from 7pm. Entrance to the film presentation is by invitation only.

Email: contact@janeaustenproductions.com or call 0845 548 7600 to apply for an invitation. To find out more about the film project visit: janeaustenproductions.com.

FILM PROJECT: a publicity shot for the film project, Jane Austen Overcoming Pride and Prejudice, taken at Chawton House library, with actress Vanessa Grace Buckley as Jane.

Casting has not yet been finalised for the film

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So you think Jane Austen has little relevance today? Mary Stringer offers advice on how to slip your favourite Austen quotes into everyday conversation and we pick some fun things to do during this month’s Jane Austen Festival

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s Austen specialised in pinpointing humour in everyday life in her witty dialogue and aphorisms, both in her fiction and her letter-writing. Timeless and immensely applicable, Austen’s insightful asides can be applied to almost any modern situation.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to converse wholly in Austen witticisms? Here’s a template for you to refer to…

“It’s so lovely to catch up – I haven’t seen you for months!”

JA “It’s such a happiness when good people get together. Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?”

“Well – how’s work?”

JA “Business, you know, may bring money, but friendship hardly ever does.”

“Oh yes. Work to live and all that.”

JA “A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.”

“Are you going away this year?”

JA “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.”

“I thought you were going travelling though?”

JA “None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives. If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.”

“True enough. So is everything all right with you, on the whole?”

JA “The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and everyday confirms my belief of the inconsistencies of all humans.”

“Why are you talking like that? Have you had a stroke?”

JA “I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.”

“Erm. Could you pass the sugar please?”

JA “There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.”

“Thanks. My cat got run over last week by the way” JA “Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.”

“How’s the carrot cake?”

JA “It’s been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.”

“You really are very strange.”

JA “I certainly have not the talent which some people possess of conversing easily . . .

I cannot appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”

“Well, as long as you’re happy.”

JA “I am excessively diverted.”

“Have you met Tom’s new girlfriend? She’s very. . . vocal.”

JA “I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.”

“Speaking of which, Lydia’s doing my head in on Facebook. One selfie after the other.

She changed her profile picture eight times yesterday!”

JA “Vanity working on a weak head produces every sort of mischief.”

“Yep. She never messages me back either” JA “Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure.”

“And she’s always moaning.”

JA “My sore throats are always worse than anyone’s.”

“Yes but at least you don’t go on about it.”

JA “Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.”

“Do you like my new haircut?”

JA “I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire.”

“Right… Mike says the fringe sets off my eyes” JA “I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”

“Thanks. Have you read the latest 50 Shades?”

JA “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”

“How did speed-dating go last night?”

JA “I am determined that only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony. So, I shall end an old maid, and teach your ten children to embroider cushions and play their instruments very ill.”

“Oh. I thought you were going along with Rachel?”

JA “I am not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always approachable.”

“So why bother going speed-dating then?”

JA “A girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of.”

“You should settle down like Mike and me.

Do you like the ring?”

JA “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.”

“Well, yes... I suppose you’re right. We don’t argue much though” JA “Could there be finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?”

“Oh well, I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t love him.”

JA “It is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage.”

“Oh no! Now I’ve split coffee down my cream blouse.”

JA “Badly done, Emma!”

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REGENCY ROMPS AND RITUALS A heady combination of the studiously academic and the light-hearted frivolous make up the varied programme for the 15th annual Jane Austen Festival, which runs from Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September. We’ve picked ten highlights:

READING EMMA Marking the 200th anniversary of the publication of Austen’s novel Emma, will be an episodic reading aloud of the book at Bath’s main library (over Waitrose), beginning on Sunday 13 September at 2pm, and then every day at the same time until the final pages on Sunday 20 September. Entrance is free, just turn up and listen.

COSTUME PARADE More than 600 people are expected to turn out for this annual Regency costumed promenade, which sets out from the Assembly Rooms. Meet at 10.30am on Saturday 12 September, but you’ll need a £10 ticket to take part.

Photographers of this spectacular event should note that it finishes in Parade Gardens at 12.30pm.

LESS SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Bath’s own Natural Theatre Company take liberties with the works of Ms Austen with its theatrical comedy walk through the passages and parades of Austen territory. The be-wigged players will set out from outside the Assembly Rooms every half an hour from 3pm to 5.30pm on Saturday 12 September for Austen Undone!

hand at this skill, led by experienced tutors. The two hour session is on Monday 14 September from 2pm.

Booking is required. Places are £21.50, to include use of equipment.

ROUGH JUSTICE Thomas Turlis, the hangman at Tyburn, is brought to life in this theatrical presentation of Crime and Punishment Georgian Style, at the Mission Theatre in Corn Street, Bath on Monday 14 September, 8pm. Turlis will be recounting the nature of his gruesome trade – in a time when there were more than 200 crimes which would be punished by death.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE Bath historian Dr Amy Frost is not only extremely knowledgable, but also a very engaging, entertaining speaker. She’ll be in the atmospheric Gothic Countess of Huntingdon Chapel on the Paragon, Bath on Monday 14 September, 3pm, tallking about the Gothic revival in architecture and how the Picturesque movement came to Bath.

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Follow Mary Stringer on Twitter: @merrystringles

Katharine Wall, of the gallery, will talk about the very best images of Bath in Jane Austen’s time. At the same time chef Jonathan Seymour will be serving delicious puddings from recipes of the early 19th century, while food historian Jean Seymour talks about their origins and how they would have been enjoyed. Wine and puddings are included in the £25 ticket price. This eat and talk event is from 6.45pm on Wednesday 16 September.

JANE, QUEEN OF HOLLYWOOD What is it about the works of Jane Austen that makes them so suited to modern Hollywood imaginings, such as Clueless, Bridget Jones and Bride and Prejudice? Author Lauren Nixon explores the ways in which Austen’s prose and characterisation allows her work to transcend the pages of her novels and continue to entertain new audiences. This talk is at 3pm at the Mission Theatre in Corn Street on Thursday 17 September.

THERE WILL BE DANCING SURVIVING WATERLOO Actor Richard Heffer played Captain Alexander Cavalié Mercer in the 1970 movie Waterloo starring Rod Steiger.

That was an epic film made in a joint Russian/Italian production and the crew spent months on location in the Ukraine. Now Richard is coming to Bath to give a first hand account of being part of this experience and talk about the logistics and the historic blunders that were made. He’ll be at the Mission Theatre in Corn Street, from 2pm, on Tuesday 15 September.

HAVE A GO AT ARCHERY Historical costume is not recommended for this outdoor lesson in the popular Regency sport of archery. It takes place on the Bath Archers’ field off London Road West. A rare chance to try your

BONNETS AND RETICULES: participants in the annual Jane Austen Festival relish the chance to parade the streets of Bath in historic costumes that chime with the city’s Georgian architecture

A TASTE OF AUSTEN’S BATH This is a one-off event at the publicly owned Victoria Art Gallery, set against the backdrop of the current big exhibition, Jane Austen’s Bath.

The festival provides plenty of opportunities to take to the dance floor, whether you’re a beginner or a veteran of the famously energetic Regency ballroom. The first dance evening is the Highbury country dance session at the Pavilion in North Parade Road on Saturday 12 September from 7pm. There’ll be a caller, Diana Campbell, to guide dancers to the moves, to live musical accompaniment.

Period dress is optional. On Monday 14 September there are dance workshops, with more dancing on Thursday 17 and a grand Venetian masked costume ball to round off the festival dancing on Friday 18 September, opening with a drinks reception beside the historic Roman Baths. n

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STAR | INTERVIEW

ASK A BUSY WOMAN We’ve seen her in Father Ted, Shameless and EastEnders, now Pauline McLynn is coming to Bath in the West End hit show East is East. She talked to Georgette McCready about life on tour, pottery, Cecil the lion, self-doubt and the legacy of Mrs Doyle

F

or an actor six weeks in to a national theatre tour, playing a main character in eight shows a week, fiftysomething Pauline McLynn is perhaps surprisingly full of energy and enthusiasm. She’s touring in the West End hit show East is East, which comes to the Theatre Royal Bath on Monday 14 September, and when I catch up with her on the phone she’s out and about exploring the streets of Nottingham.

This kind of touring must be exhausting, I venture, having spoken to actors in the past who were weary beyond belief between shows on such a gruelling schedule. “No, not at all,” she says. “It’s joyous and exciting – just like the reaction we’re getting to the show.”

Pauline famously came into national consciousness as the teapot wielding housekeeper Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, bringing us the immortal catchphrase: “Ah, go on, go on!”

She’s most recently graced our screens as Yvonne Cotton, the wife of the villainous Nick Cotton in EastEnders.

Will Yvonne be returning to Albert Square any time soon?

“This has become the mantra of my life, as people are always asking me that.

I’ll just say enigmatically ‘I am not dead.’ So I could come back, who knows? But I had such a blast doing EastEnders. Do you know, it’s not made me any the less of a fan from being in it?” Interviewing Pauline is like talking with an old friend you haven’t seen for a while and who’s keen to fill you in on all her news – she talks rapidly, intelligently and fluently and she’s just as funny and engaging as you’d wish.

Pauline’s current role is as mother-ofsix children Ella Khan, in what has become a modern classic, East is East.

Ella is married to George Khan, a staunch Muslim Pakistani who is constantly bewildered by his children’s view of themselves as British. The original play was written in the 1980s

by Ayub Khan Din, based on his own experiences of growing up in the 1970s in Britain, when, as Pauline points out his family were ‘the only Pakistanis in the street.’

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East is East was made into a film in the 1990s and recently revived for the West End and a whole new audience at theatres all over the country. Pauline says: “We’ve been having Q&A sessions with people who’ve seen the show and time and time again we’ve heard them say ‘that’s my story you’re telling’. It still has resonance today.

“It is a play with a lot of fun and humour in it. But it’s also got some very bad behaviour, with people being really mean to each other.”

“I got my dear old mother over from Ireland {Pauline’s family is from Sligo} to see the show in Torquay and she said Ella, who is this tough, plucky, brave

mother, is treated very much as women are treated in Ireland. Families will recognise these characters and situations.”

The play is set in the 1970s – ‘a very brown decade’ says Pauline, ‘with an awful lot of man-made fibres’. And a lot of smoking too – ‘not one of my vices, so I’m gagging every time I have to light up on stage.’

We chat about her vices, which she lists as ‘men, wine and football’ (she’s an Aston Villa supporter) and about her writing. She declared very publicly on Graham Norton’s radio show that while she was on this tour she’d knuckle down and get on with a new novel, to add to

ON TOUR: Pauline McLynn Picture: Jeff Gilbert

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STAR | INTERVIEW

STRONG WOMEN: main picture, Pauline McLynn as Ella Khan in East is East with Simon Nagra, top right, as Nick Cotton’s wife Yvonne in EastEnders, and below as Mrs Doyle in Father Ted with Father Dougal, Father Ted and Father Jack

the half dozen she’s already had published.

And has she managed to write much between venues as varied as Brighton and Stoke-on-Trent?

“Yes, I have been writing, but I think it’s rubbish. But I firmly believe that the day you feel confident you’ve nailed something is the day you fall flat on your face.”

“We have been busy, what with the acting and stuff, but we’ve also managed to get out and have some adventures. I’ll tell you Stoke was a revelation to me.

We went to the wonderful Emma Bridgewater pottery – they have the happiest workforce ever – and we painted china which is going to be sent to us while we’re in Bath. I am looking forward to being reunited with my finished piece.”

The day we spoke news of Cecil the lion being shot dead by an American tourist in Zimbabwe had shocked the world and Pauline had been moved to

❝

The 1970s were a very brown decade, with an awful lot of man-made fibres

❝

post angry comments on Twitter. Animal welfare is an issue close to her heart.

She’s patron of an Irish animal rescue centre and says the plight of battery hens particuarly upsets her. “They’re such chatty, happy social creatures, it’s wicked to see the way they’re treated.”

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She says she’s almost completely vegetarian as a reaction against the way farm animals are treated. I recommend Bath’s Acorn vegetarian restaurant to her and we talk about what else she might see and do during her week in Bath.

Like many new visitors to the city she thinks the Roman Baths is a must-see destination and thinks she might take a dip. So I quickly tell her we have a nice modern Thermae Spa to wallow in and that the waters at the old Roman Baths were closed to bathers many years ago after a swimmer contracted meningitis.

This prompts her to recall a childhood story: “When my mother was a little girl people used to go on pilgrimages to places like Lourdes. It was really the closest they got to a holiday. Well, my mother went to Lourdes with my grandfather, and didn’t she go and get into the waters – which were never changed and were filthy – and contract every disease known to man. It was a wonder she didn’t die!”

Pauline, like her fellow Father Ted colleague Graham Norton, grew up in an Irish Catholic family, attending a convent. But she says, her family weren’t particularly religious. We may spot her wandering Bath Abbey while she’s in the south west.

“I do like visiting churches. I studied history of art at university and do appreciate beautiful architecture and I love them as places of great calm and beauty.”

From her 1970s man-made clothes of Ella in East to East, the dowdy outfits she wore for EastEnders, Shameless and Father Ted, does Pauline long for a role where she gets a more glamorous

wardrobe? “I’d absolutely love that. I’d love costumes designed by Vivienne Westwood. That’s a designer who really understands a woman’s curves.”

Finally, I venture to ask her about Mrs Doyle, one of the only female characters surrounded by eccentric Catholic priests on the remote Craggy Island. Was she a blessing or a curse?

“Oh very much a blessing. The thing about Father Ted is it will never grow old, people still love watching re-runs now and there’s a new generation growing up and coming to it fresh.

“The only thing about Father Ted is it can spoil you for other comedy. You read some things and you think ‘that’s not as funny as Ted.’ And that’s a shame, but generally, Mrs Doyle has been a blessing for me.”

It was the housekeeper’s habit of forcing tea and sandwiches on visitors – a very accurate depiction of Irish hospitality in many families still – that inspired Pauline to knit and design a range of hand-made tea cosies, which can be bought on the internet under the label A Go On, Go On. She prepares to return to the Nottingham Playhouse for the Wednesday matinee and leaves me with the cheery words: “I’m looking forward to Bath – I’ll see you there and I look forward to having a good old go of the place!” n East is East, also starring Simon Nagra and a cast of young actors, and directed by rising star Sam Yates, is at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 14 – Saturday 19 September, nightly, with two matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets from £17.50 at: theatreroyal.org.uk, tel: 01225 448844.

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SHOPPING | STYLE

AUTUMN STYLE

Accessorize Geo triangle crystal ear jackets £15

Zebra stripe blouse from the Topshop Mainline collection AW15

HOT RIGHT NOW

ahead of Bristol Fashion Week, The Mall Cribbs Causeway’s stylist picks her top trends for aW15 While we can’t celebrate the weather getting colder, new season fashion is one big thing to look forward to in the autumn and this season’s styles are so fabulously flattering that there’s something for all shapes and sizes. If you can’t wait to hit the shops, here’s the lowdown of the biggest trends for autumn, which you’ll be able to see on the catwalk at Bristol Fashion Week.

Luxe, ladylike style is making a comeback this season, so expect to see lots of neat tailoring, cinched in waists and more polished looks reaching the high street. Black is also back, so bring out your darker side with leather, lace and velvet this winter.

Monochrome was big news in SS15 and it makes a return this season, so dig out those black and white pieces and look for 60s style illusion prints. These were spotted on the catwalk at Pucci and Valentino, but you can also find them on the high street at M&S, Topshop and Lipsy.

If there’s one print to invest heavily in right now, it’s leopard print. It was shown on so many of the autumn/winter catwalks (including Celine and Burberry Prorsum) and the high street loves it, so it’s sure to be a hit. Leopard print is basically the new neutral, so mix it with denims, blacks, wool and whatever else you fancy right now – it’s great for layering.

Faux fur is once again a hot ticket item; Louis Vuitton showed yeti-like coats in white, black and leopard print, while Stella McCartney showed ‘Fur Free Fur’ hooded coats. If you want to work faux fur in a hassle free way, a leather jacket with fur trim is a perfect way to pick up the trend without going head-to-toe in it.

Tea dress Lipsy AW15 Faux skin pencil skirt from the new Lipsy AW15 look

Pu faux fur jacket Michelle Keegan A/W15 at Lipsy £80

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 717 Coquelicot, £18 John Lewis

If you’re in search of a fashion-fix this autumn, head to Bristol Fashion Week from Wednesday 30 September – Sunday 4 October, where Denise Van Outen and Mark Heyes will be presenting the hottest high street styles on the catwalk this season. For tickets, visit: www.mallcribbs.com

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Dune Evita bag £69

Dune Natika belt £25 Dune - Bailey courts £79

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Indigo flare leg denim jeans from M&S £29.50

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BEAUTIFUL LEAVES

Settle down in a cosy chair and enjoy a good looking book this autumn. Georgette McCready finds some enchanting volumes

TANGLE WOOD

By Jessica Palmer Published by Search Press, paperback, £8.99 An early copy of Bath-based artist Jessica Palmer’s book landed on my desk last week. I couldn’t wait to start colouring in her beautifully drawn, detailed pictures of an idyllic English wood, complete with flowers, fruit, creatures and a sprinkling of hidden jewels. In a growing market of colouring books for adults, this one stands out for the quality of its artwork and its paper. Use coloured pencils or felt pens but, says Jessica, avoid Sharpies.

THE BAKING BOOK Honey & Co

By Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich Published by Salt Yard, £25 Honey & Co is a very popular cafe tucked away behind Warren Street tube station, run by a husband and wife team. Their first book about Middle Eastern cookery went down a storm, so they’ve followed it up with this baking cookbook. It contains mouthwatering photographs and recipes that you wouldn’t normally find in a baking book, such as orange blossom and marmalade cakes and beautiful halva dotted with dried rose petals.

Savoury dishes include shakshuka, a North African breakfast egg dish with paprika.

CABINS

by Philip Jodidio Published in hardback by Taschen, £44.99 Inspired by the American poet Henry Thoreau, who build a cabin in the wilds of Massuchussets in 1845 and lived in it for 14 months, Jodidio takes us on a world journey around 61 fascinating pods, treehouses and boathouses. It’s beautifully and lavished illustrated with detailed drawings and photographs of the exteriors and interiors. My favourite is the Texan lake house, reached by crossing a suspension bridge over a ravine at the end of a long footpath. The first floor space hangs over the water, all light and windows and with sections that swing open to create ‘impromptu’ diving platforms to the lake waters beneath. Intriguing too is the Japanese house built on a woody hillside, the trees seeming to grow up through its very core. Cabins is written

in a mixture of German, French and English and is ideal for the wannabe architect with an eye on creating something more than just a shed at the end of the garden.

MAPS

by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski Published in hardback by Big Picture Press, £20 Here’s one to sit down with, inquisitive child at your side, to explore the world. Each of the 52 maps of different countries of the world includes all kinds of visual and written tit-bits about each place. Learn about the coastlines, the mountains, some famous people from each

nation’s history, its food, wildlife and costumes. There’s even a typical boy and girl’s name for each culture. This would be a particularly good addition to a household where family have descended from other lands – as is the case in most British families. The curious child can then be left to turn the pages at will, absorbing stats in a way that’ll stand them in good stead on University Challenge one day.

A NATURAL HISTORY OF ENGLISH GARDENING 1650 – 1800

by Mark Laird Published in hardback by Yale University Press £45 This is a very thorough, well-researched exploration of the development of English gardening, inspired by the pioneering work of naturalist Gibert Scott. It’s an absorbing read, inviting us to consider all the elements, including climate changes and the people – the scientists, amateur gardeners, landowners and plantswomen – which have helped to shaped our garden culture. It’s illustrated with a wealth of visual and literary materials, including paintings, engravings, poetry, essays, and letters, as well as prosaic household accounts and nursery bills. A hefty tome that will appeal to passionate, thoughtful gardeners.

THE WONDER GARDEN By illustrator Kristjana S Williams, written

by Jenny Broom Published in hardback by Wide Eyed Editions, £20 The book takes five very different world habitats, from rainforest to desert, from woodland to ocean, and looks at each one in detail, all backed up with intricate and eye-catching illustrations. There are natural facts galore, all presented in memorable bite-size pieces, so young readers can pick out what they’re most interested in. See the creatures in their natural environment

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and all in proportion with their fellow animals. There are lessons in the book for adults and children to learn together as the book has been meticulously researched and, while charming, does not in any way descend into Disney cuteness or anthropomorphism. One to enjoy together, across the generations.

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WHAT’S ON in September EVENTS ARE LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

1984

MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS Until Saturday 5 September, times vary n Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath Bath hosts the premiere of a new musical based on the popular film which starred Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. Based on the true story of the wartime theatre that kept audiences diverted during the Blitz with shows of naked women. Tel: 01225 448844.

Also at the Theatre Royal this month FLARE PATH Monday 7 – Saturday 12 September, times vary Playwright Terence Rattigan based this play on his own experiences as a tail-gunner in the Second World War. This moving and funny production marks the 70th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the war in Europe.

1984 Tuesday 29 September – Saturday 3 October, times vary Following three sell-out West End runs and two tours George Orwell’s chilling prophesy of the future comes to Bath. The story that brought us ‘double-speak’ and Room 101 still has the power to chill.

Mrs Henderson Presents

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION Monday 21 – Saturday 26 September, times vary n Theatre Royal, Bath Master storyteller Stephen King saw his short novel developed so effectively for screen, in a memorable movie starring Morgan Freeman.

Now the tale of male prisoners, locked up and surpressed by their gaolers, is brought to the stage in what promises to be an edge of the seat exploration of the strength of the human will. Tickets: 01225 448844 Bradford-on-Avon Walking Festival BRADFORD-ON-AVON WALKING FESTIVAL Friday 4 – Sunday 6 September n Various routes around Bradford-on-Avon and Bath Festival organisers have cleverly catered for all kinds of walkers, from the moderate, with their easy grade walks of up to two miles, right through to the challenging trails, of seven miles and more and tackling hills and stiles. There are walks for dog lovers, historians, ghost hunters and one of the routes takes in Bath’s Two Tunnels. Visit: walkbradfordonavon.org, to book tel: 01225 865725.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma showing at the Little Theatre

Frome Independent Market

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TOM OWEN: LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE –TREADING THE BOARDS Friday 4 September, 7.30pm n The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham Last of the Summer Wine was the world’s longest running television comedy series. In a memorable evening, Tom tells his story and that of his father Bill Owen, who played Compo, through narrative, film, photograph and song. Tickets: £12/£11 concessions. Tel: 01249 701628 or visit: poundarts.org.uk for details of this and other events.

Also at the Pound this month MARK THOMPSON STARGAZER Saturday 19 September, 7.30pm Best known for co-presenting the BBC’s popular Stargazing LIVE, Mark Thompson takes complex scientific concepts and brings them to life in an engaging and entertaining way. Tickets: £14/£13 concessions.

WORKSHOP: SHAKER BOXES Saturday 5 September, 10am – 4.30pm n The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath Enjoy an instructive day in relaxed surroundings and take home one or two completed Shaker boxes, hand-made in cherry and maple using Shaker materials and methods. £60, tel: 01225 820868 or email: workshops@americanmuseum.org

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Also at the American Museum this month WORKSHOP: CERAMIC WALL ICON Saturday 12 September, 10am – 4pm Hand build from clay an icon, inspired by the museum’s New Mexican collections. The finished work will be wall mounted, colourful, detailed, and unique. Work will be professionally hand glazed and returned. £65 (£58.50 Museum members) Call 01225 820868 or email: workshops@americanmuseum.org SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL LECTURE Friday 25 September, 6pm reception, 6.45pm lecture Literary professor Sarah Churchwell, pictured, will deliver the third annual memorial lecture entitled: The Divine Delusion: Dreaming American Literature in Europe. Her talk will explore the role Europe played in the invention of American literature in the first decades of the 20th century, taking in the work of Henry James and Edith Wharton, F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Sir Winston Churchill delivered his first political address at Claverton Manor, now the home of the American Museum, in 1897. Tickets: £10, tel: 01225 820866.

GREG TROOPER Sunday 27 September, 2pm Recognised on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the best on the circuit, Greg Trooper continues to impress, his latest CD ending the year on the Americana Music Association’s Top 100 Albums chart. Bob Harris describes Greg as ‘one of the great, great American singersongwriters’. Included with gardens only admission.

WESTON FLOWER SHOW Saturday 5 September, 2.30pm n All Saints Centre, High Street, Weston, Bath Classes for flowers, vegetables, fruit, homecraft, handicraft, art and photography and classes for children. There’ll be cakes and a plant sale organised by the gardening club. Schedules are on sale at Weston Fruit Stores and Kit Johnson Residential in Weston High Street, for £1.50.

The deadline for entries is the Wednesday before the show. Admission on the day is £1.50. Visit: westonvillagegardeningclub.co.uk.

THE SECRET GARDEN Saturday 5 September, 7.30pm n Tyntesfield National Trust house and grounds The Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents Frances Hodgson Burnett classic tale. Alive with music, song and an array of puppet creatures that Mary Lennox meets on her exciting journey of discovery.

To book: 0844 249 1895 or visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield.

Tickets: £15, adults, £8 children, family tickets also available.

FROME INDEPENDENT MARKET Sunday 6 September, 10am – 3pm n Frome town centre Bid the summer a fond farewell with this monster of a street market, packed with wonderful hand crafted artisan products, vintage treasures and tasty morsels. Among many attractions is Martin Wade’s unique collection of taxidermy and animal skeletons for kids with curious minds to learn more about natural history and funny bones.

FOUR QUID MONDAYS Mondays in September n Little Theatre Cinema, Bath Enjoy a film for just £4. On Wednesday 9 September at 8pm it’s a premiere screening of How To Change the World (15). Set in 1971 a group of young activists set sail from Vancouver in an old fishing boat.

Their mission: to stop Nixon’s atomic bomb tests off the coast of Alaska. From these humble beginnings Greenpeace was born. This screening will be followed by a satellite Q&A hosted by Mariella Frostrup. The panel will feature fashion designer and Greenpeace supporter Vivienne Westwood and others. Tickets: 0871 902 5735 or visit: picturehouses.co.uk. On Wednesday 16 September, 8.30pm, see Gwyneth Paltrow and Alan Cumming in a screen version of Emma (U).

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Stitch in Time: one of the pieces on show at the Royal United Hospital

COWARD, BENNETT AND TOWNSEND: AN EVENING OF SHORT COMEDIES Wednesday 9 – Saturday 11 September, 7.30pm ■ Tovey Hall, Central United Reform Church, Grove Street, Bath (just off Pulteney Bridge) The 625 Company present three short comedy dramas. Noel Coward’s 1930s Fumed Oak is a dark little tale of amiable Henry Gow who finds a new courage when his complaining wife, daughter and mother-in-law get too much for him. Sue Townsend’s Womberang has irreverent, brassy Rita Onions spreading joyous anarchy amongst the waiting room of a gynaecology clinic. Alan Bennett’s Green Forms follows the chit-chat of office workers Doris and Doreen. But their daily routine is about to be interrupted . . . are they about to be fired? Tickets £10 from: bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362.

CITYSOUND, VOICES IN HARMONY, OPENING EVENING Wednesday 9 September, 7.45pm ■ St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown Rd, Bath CitySound, Voices in Harmony, is an accomplished 30 voice ensemble with a diverse experience entertaining both nationally and internationally.

The choir’s repertoire ranges from Monteverdi to Bohemian Rhapsody.

This free evening is to welcome new members, especially tenors.

Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:45pm until 9:45pm. For more details visit: citysound.org.uk.

AMUSE BOUCHE PRESENTS: A VICARAGE TEA PARTY Saturday 12 September, from 3pm ■ A‘vicarage garden’ somewhere in Bath, to be disclosed when tickets purchased Amuse Bouche (a new group made up of former members of Widcombe Players, Women on the Make and Natural Theatre Co) is putting on a spoof vicarage tea party, based around a real cream tea, with surreal interludes. The audience, of just 40, get full garden party tea, including cucumber sandwiches, scones and cakes, plus a lorra lorra laughs from Ralph Oswick and company. Tickets: ticketsource.co.uk/amusebouche, must be purchased in advance.

Arrangements have been made for an indoor version if it rains a lot.

This is a world premiere. Profits to the Send a Goat charity.

Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin at Chapel Arts

DAN REED, PLUS SUPPORT, TOBY FOWLES AND MAX HARVEY Friday 11 September, 7.30pm ■ Chapel Arts Centre, Bath Singer-songwriter Dan Reed is on tour to promote his second album, Transmission. Tickets: £12.50 (£15 on the door) Tel: 01225 461700.

Also at Chapel Arts this month THE WATERSHED BAND FEATURING PHILLIP HENRY AND HANNAH MARTIN Friday 26 September, 7.45pm The superb double act of folk musicians Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin (BBC Folk awards 2014, Best Duo) are joined by bass player Matt Downer and percussion and vibraphone player James Taylor. Support act is local singer singwriter Will Lawton. Tickets: £15 (£16 on the door).

FROME CHEESE SHOW Saturday 12 September, 8.30am – 6pm ■ West Woodlands Showground near Frome (free bus service from Frome) A traditional country fair, with masses of prize winning cheese, along with more than 350 trade stands, livestock and crafts. This year’s added attractions include celebrity chef Paul Rankin, the Bolddog Lings freestyle motorcross display team, Joseph Peace’s fire stunts, a dog and duck show and appearances by Titan the Robot. For ticket details tel: 01373 455420 or visit: fromecheeseshow.co.uk.

CONCERT IN AID OF SOLDIERS, SAILORS & AIRMEN & FAMILIES ASSOCIATION Saturday 12 September, 7.30pm ■ Bath Abbey A wonderful evening of rousing, uplifting music, given by Jennifer Bate on the organ, and The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines from Lympstone. Tickets from £10, tel: 01225 463362, with proceeds for

Stephen Faux

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SSAFA and Combat Stress, charities that care for servicemen and women and their dependants throughout their careers, and in retirement, if they face difficulty with material needs, physical problems, or, in the case of Combat Stress, with mental ill-health.

WHERE TWO MINDS COLLIDE & PARTICIPATE Until 2 October, daily 8am – 8pm n Central Corridor (Zone B) and Courtyards, Art at the Heart of the RUH, Royal United Hospitalt, Combe Park, Bath If you’ve been a visitor or a patient at the RUH you’ll have probably been pleasantly diverted by the displays of art on the walls. These are thanks to the Heart of the RUH. The latest shows are from Bath Spa University and from the last 12 months of Art at the Heart’s Participate project. A free map is available to guide you around the sites. Art at the Heart would like to thank supporters Friends of the RUH and Minuteman Press Bath for sponsoring the print material.

Image: ‘Stitch in Time textile panel SING FOR NEPAL Saturday 19 September, noon – 4pm n Oldfield Park Baptist Church, Moorland Road, Oldfield Park Bath Drop in any time and hear Bath Children’s Choir, Bath Community Welcome Choir and Bath Male Choir singing in the church to raise funds for families in Nepal whose lives were devastated by the earthquake. The church has connections to Kathmandu, where church member Liz Hearn and her husband Richard

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both worked. Donations are invited.

JAKE SHIMABUKURO Saturday 19 September, 7pm n The Forum, SouthGate, Bath Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro astounds audience with his skill on this small but versatile instrument. Check him out on YouTube. Tickets from £25. Visit: bathforum.co.uk.

Also at the Forum this month

Fisherman’s Freinds FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS Saturday 25 September, 7.30pm The fabulous voices of these men from Port Isaac in Cornwall will raise the roof at the Forum, bringing their mix of sea shanties and folk songs from different parts of the world.

Tickets from £25.75.

JESSICA PALMER: PAPER ARTIST Friday 25 September, 7.45pm n Topping & Co, the Paragon Bath-based artist Jessica Palmer launches her

beautifully illustrated new book, The Art of Papercutting. There’ll also be the chance to see her new colouring book for grown-ups, Tangle Wood. Tickets £6 in advance, refundable against the price of either book, from the bookshop or at Visit: toppingbooks.co.uk or tel: 01225 428111.

CITY OF LONDON SINFONIA Saturday 19 September, 7.30pm n Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire CLS opens its new season with dynamic principal conductor Michael Collins to bring outstanding music-making that promises to surprise and move. The programme includes arrangements of works that have been adopted for dance by Debussy and Copland alongside a new work by Colin Matthews. For this event CLS is joined by dancers to perform new choreography to Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune. Tickets: £28 / £14 u18s. Tel: 01225 860100. At 6.30pm pre-concert talk with Matthew Swan (CLS chief executive) Also at the Wiltshire Music Centre this month SAM BROOKES AND WASUREMONO Sunday 20 September, 7.30pm Two rising stars of the Brit music scene visit their Bradford roots. Sam Brookes’ intricate finger picked guitar, captivating voice and timelessly engaging, narratively rich folk songs are compelling. Likened to Wild Beasts and Arcade Fire, and with Radio 2 and BBC 6Music airplay, Wasuremono’s shows, rich in skyscraping dream-pop soundscapes, are transfixing. Tickets: £12 / £6 u18s, bring your kid for a quid.

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WHAT’S | ON YIDDISH TWIST ORCHESTRA Friday 25 September, 7.30pm Fronted by charismatic dandy Natty Bo (Ska Cubano) and featuring the nifty twanging guitar of Ben Mandelson (3 Mustaphas 3), this all-star band brings a gleefully maverick spirit to the revival of forgotten gems and bona fide classics of 1950s London East End. A heady mash of klezmer, Yiddisher wedding tunes, early rock’n’roll, Caribbean ska, calypso and Latin dance, der schvitz brings the most deliriously danceable music to the Wiltshire Music Centre.

Tickets: £17 / £8.50 u18s, bring your kid for a quid.

BATH PHILHARMONIA: Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm Bath Abbey Steven Faux is a Grammy nominated film and television composer. He was also the vicar at St Michael’s Without Bath. He has combined both sides of his professional life to produce contemporary settings of the Psalms. Presented

by Bath Philharmonia and Bath Camerata, this world premiere performance is given alongside Vaughan Williams’ response to the same texts in Flos Campi and his masterpiece Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis. Tickets £28/22/18 (£5 unreserved), Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362, visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk.

CIRCUIT OF BATH WALK Sunday 27 September n Bath Skyline route

Combine a healthy walk around Bath’s beautiful skyline footpaths while raising money for a good cause at the same time. Walkers can choose to walk between two and 20 miles and be sponsored for Bath charity Julian House, which works with vulnerable and homeless men and women. To register email: cathy@julianhouse.org.uk or tel: 01225 354656.

WATERLOO AND THE MARCH OF SCIENCE Until 14 December n The Herschel Museum, New King St, Bath An exhibition which invites us to consider 1815 and what was happening during this golden age of advancement.

SMALL WORLDS DOLLSHOUSE EXHIBITION Until 8 November n The Brownsword Gallery, No 1 Royal Crescent, Bath A collection of historic dollshouses and furniture. Free with admission to the museum.

Adults £9, concessions £7, children £4.

HANDS UP FOR JONNY WILKINSON'S RIGHT BOOT: A PLAY FOR THE RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 Wednesday 30 September – Saturday 3October Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 8pm, Saturday 5pm followed by live screening of England vs Australia

Jonny Wilkinson celebrated on stage n The Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall, Bath A new comedy for the rugby loving city of Bath, by award-winning playwright Dougie Blaxland, commissioned to coincide with The Rugby World Cup 2015. It celebrates one of those moments that rugby fans will never forget: The Rugby World Cup Final 2003; England vs Australia in Sydney and with just 26 seconds to the final whistle and with the score standing at 17-17, Jonny Wilkinson makes history as he drops a goal to win the World Cup for England.

Live Wire Theatre will be re-enacting Jonny Wilkinson’s astonishing achievement, together with other celebrated rugby memories. For tickets, visit: ticketsource.co.uk/event/94659.

Looking to have your event listed? You can now submit your What’s On events on our website. Visit: thebathmag.co.uk

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The Rondo Theatre Bath Wednesday 30th September to Saturday 3rd October (performances on Weds Thurs & Fri at 8.00pm and on Sat at 5.00pm)

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Tickets available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/94659 or www.rondotheatre.co.uk

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MUSICAL FIREWORKS One of Bath’s best loved music organisations is being re-launched under the guiding hand of its new artistic director, Marc Corbett-Weaver

W

ith a strong focus on presenting classical music’s finest young talent in some of Bath’s lovelier venues, Marc is promising a captivating series of six concerts between now and July 2016, together with a fresh look at some of the finest works in the classical music repertoire. First off the blocks on 26 September is the aptly named London Firebird Orchestra presenting a dazzling opening concert, September Surprise, in the city’s Pump Room featuring Mozart’s Overture to Idomeneo and Haydn’s Surprise Symphony under the baton of the young British conductor Jonathan Bloxham. They will also be joined by soloist Bobby Chen for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1.

This will be followed by a range of lively chamber ensembles in October, December and April leading to the return of The London Firebird Orchestra in March and Marc himself will perform in July.

Marc said: “I am delighted to have been invited to become this year’s artistic director. This is a fabulous opportunity for the people of Bath. With six concerts, we will present a feast of spectacular classical music in Bath’s world-class performing venues – the Royal Pump Room and Old Theatre Royal. We are focusing on stars of the younger generation – those who perform with vigorous passion and rapturous energy. We are sure this will capture the imaginations of Bath’s discerning concert goers.”

Marc is primarily an international concert pianist. He was trained at the Royal College of Music and is passionate about classical, French impressionist and Russian late romantic repertoire. Marc has performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 at London’s Cadogan Hall, for example. He has founded two orchestras and also works with Dame Judi Dench, Ian Hislop, Aled Jones, Joanna Lumley, Benedict Cumberbatch and Dan Stevens, among others, as artistic director of The Story of Christmas, London’s annual charity carol concert. Last year the concert raised over £425,000.

“The season is framed by two spectacular concerts by the London Firebird Orchestra who have played in venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall,” said Marc. “They last performed at the Bath Pump Room in 2012 and one of the enthusiastic reviews said ‘the young players performed with tremendous skill in this magnificent 18th century setting’.”

The September concert features a popular programme of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven. The other four concerts will see a programme of chamber recitals featuring prize-winning ensembles.

Marc said: “Our focus on the musical world’s younger generation creates excitement and that really seems to resonate with our audiences. Because we are not seasonal like a festival there is a momentum and regularity which helps the audience get closer to the organisation – and the performers.

“Bath Recitals also has a much respected, rich heritage with stars such as Renée Fleming and Thomas Gould performing as part of its past programmes. And finally, with Bath’s crown-jewel performance venues we continues the musical tradition celebrated by an encyclopaedia of luminaries who have performed in the same space, such as Handel, Haydn, the Strauss Family, Rachmaninoff, Benjamin Britten and endless others.”

Music organisations like Bath Recitals must, however, go from surviving to thriving in the current climate.

Marc said: “We strive to present the finest possible programmes for our audience with young artists of the highest possible quality. We know that this will ensure our concerts are not only enjoyed but also enthused about before and after the events. In this way we build our audiences and grow from strength to strength, together with our various supporters schemes, by embracing the local community and capturing their imagination.

“As a registered charity, playing an inspired role in Bath’s cultural life and the wider musical scene, we rely on donations and sponsorship to produce the performances. A key objective for the forthcoming season is to develop this and we seek new supporters and higher level donations to enable the concerts to prosper and grow.” n For more information visit: bathrecitals.com. Tickets: 01225 463362.

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Fun, hand-picked workshops for everyone!

A variety of Artisan and Lifestyle workshops for learning new skills, meeting with friends or acquiring new hobbies

ARTISAN

WORKSHOPS EASYCUT LINO PRINTING

PAINT NIGHT

DECORATIVE FINISHES

INTRO TO HYPNOTHERAPY

RISE & SHINE QIGONG

AMAZING SPACES

MAKE YOUR OWN CANDLE

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

WOOD SPOON CARVING

NAIL SPA PARTY

VILLAGE QIGONG

LIFESTYLE

WORKSHOPS NETWORK SPINAL ANALYSIS

Please see our website for more details about the workshops, instructors, venues and prices.

Contact: Heidi 07958 775744 or Simon 07771 644260, email: hello@theworkshopcabin.com

Keep checking back for new workshops coming soon!

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HIMAL Fashion and Accessories from the Himalayas

3RD ANNUAL AUTUMN EVENT Following the hugely successful 2014 event, we are pleased to announce the date for 2015 We invite you to come along and join us on

Friday 2nd October and Saturday 3rd October 2015 - 10.00am - 4.00pm at: 5, Old King Street, Bath

(Health & Beauty Centre and Bath Chiropody Clinic)

We will have many beautiful items, including:

Pure Cashmere Shawls • Pure Cashmere Scarves • Pure Cashmere Ponchos • Pure Silk Handprinted Scarves

Silk & Cotton Mix Dressing Gowns • Silk & Cotton Mix Pyjama Sets (beautifully presented in matching presentation bags)

Pure Wool Rugs • Handmade & Hand Printed Wrapping Paper • Handbags • Fun gifts for children & gifts for family & friends too Come along, bring a friend, enjoy a glass of Prosecco with us, shop!

All profits from the event will be donated to

The Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children Reg’d No. 1140503 (A local charity, supporting and funding the education of children throughout Nepal. The Charity has also supported those who were affected by this years earthquakes and, is continuing to do so)

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CITY | ART

SHAPE SHIFTERS West country artist Beth Carter’s striking sculptures combine human and animal forms. At the opening of her new show in Bath Aidan Quinn examines their appeal

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his head lowered he appears trapped in his own labyrinth, shorn of his power, rendered gentle. Displayed in the foyer at Beaux Arts this summer, his presence has at times stopped the traffic, human and vehicular, in York Street.

Meanwhile another minotaur has his attention fixed in concentration on a moth cupped delicately in his hands.

Beth describes how in a large chaotic family her father’s discovery of reading changed his life and helped him to be more contemplative.

In Man and Dog, though it is not the black dog of depression, the baleful figure’s closed eyes shrouded in gauze take on a pensive, introspective demeanour. Like most of her standing figures, the stance is diffident, demur even. The dog is heavy, but the man's head is bowed in acceptance of his fate as carrier, the little clown’s hat bringing

❝

Another minotaur has his attention fixed in concentration on a moth cupped delicately in his hands

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resh from recent successful shows in the US and Paris, Beth Carter’s sculptures and drawings will be gracing the walls and spaces of Beaux Arts in York Street throughout September.

Beth grew up in Wiltshire and spent many formative years in Bath, recalling fondly numerous visits to the Cross Baths as a child, and later as one of the Theatre Royal’s most devoted visitors.

She studied an art foundation course at Bath College, at the wonderful old Sydney Place buildings and vividly remembers the passion and commitment of the tutors. She says: “Simon Muller taught sculpture and had a huge impact on me. He showed me how sculpture was a language and that it could express powerful or difficult things.”

Beth’s world of sculpture and drawing features a cornucopia of dream-like, circus, or half-man half-beast shapeshifters who at their core embody the contrasts characterised in Robert Browning’s ‘dangerous edge of things’ – honest thieves, tender murderers, superstitious atheists. A wolf appears to contemplate his kill pityingly, while a fox steals into the night with a pheasant, which on closer inspection he holds delicately, in human hands, the bird appearing potentially injured rather than ripe for plucking.

Carl Jung talked about dream animals being frightening (or ‘minatory’); about how they would often appear to the subconscious engaging in strange behaviour or exaggerated in size. This he claimed was connected to how we deal with our inner nature. The instincts, Jung posited, are a far better protection than all the intellectual wisdom in the world. The human consciousness, it seems, reveals itself to be prone simultaneously to contradictory forces, accommodating the tendency to be ‘goodie’ and ‘baddie’ in this chimeric hinterland.

Some of Beth’s sculptures, despite engendering intuitive, emotional or animal responses, take as their cue her own life experience. Particularly significant is the death in recent years of her artist father, a physically imposing, larger-than- life figure who was prone to depression. Looking at her minotaur creations, the largest of these, (Minotaur Giant), is physically impressive, but with

a touch of pathos to the piece.

Like Gregor Samsa in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, Carter’s beasts appear to be at least mindful of their hybrid guises. Figures which should carry threat are often disarmed by innocence.

Standing Elephant depicts an adolescent boy’s lower body touching his pachyderm face self-consciously.

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CITY | ART

DREAMLIKE: opposite page, main picture, Man with Dog, top right, Minotaur and Moth, bottom right, Grinder’s Monkey All pieces by Beth Carter MYTHICAL CREATIONS: this page, left to right, Minotaur Giant and right, Beth Carter in her studio with some of her pieces

Grinder’s Monkey seems less trickster and more a figure being comforted by his diminutive side-kick. Both monkey and elephant stand, as with Man and Dog, awkwardly, as if embarrassed by their very presence. If not innocent, the Frink-like Boxer’s head is uncharacteristically raised (most of her figures look bashfully downward) serving only to emphasise that he may have taken a battering. His fighting days are surely numbered.

It is a notable irony that the smallest sculpture in the show wears a crown,

and looks optimistically out towards the sunny uplands. The little guy is king.

This is a typically oxymoronic trope, an elision of contrasting ideas that invites further consideration. Indeed the choice of animals is itself significant, the monkey and elephant with their highly developed intelligence calling to mind the gods Hanuman and Ganesh; or indeed the dogs, horses and bulls, which we can also in our global village spot as emissaries to the after-life, depicted on ancient walls from Lhasa or Luxor. The

animist symbolism runs deep. These messengers, amid ill-fitting hats and masks and tassels, are somehow familiar to us, and part of the fun of considering their import is figuring out why. Or as Yeats put it: ‘The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.’ ■ Beaux Arts, York Street, Bath, BA1 1NG. Beth Carter’s exhibition runs 5 September to 4 October, open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm. Tel: 01225 464850, visit: beauxartsbath.co.uk

Ibiza 2015 by Emma Rose

holiday photograph

Upstairs @ 78 Walcot Street . Bath BA1 5BD 07885 235 915 emmaroseartworks@gmail.com

www.emmaroseartworks.com

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

AUTUMN IN COLOUR

Bath’s galleries bring a splash of bold colour to September days BATH SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN Bath School of Art and Design, Sion Hill campus, Lansdown, Bath Saturday 19 – Wednesday 23 September, 10am – 5pm daily

STUDENTS’ MA DEGREE SHOW The Bath School of Art and Design at Bath Spa University is holding its annual MA Degree Show, with free entry to visitors. Enjoy a number of unique works including painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, drawing and film created by this year’s talented graduating MA students. The exhibition will show work by 27 emerging artists and designers, providing visitors the chance to encounter pieces fresh from the postgraduate studios. It is the first opportunity for the students to exhibit their exciting and diverse artworks.

For more information visit: artdesign.bathspa.ac.uk.

Silver cuff by Annie Bearsdley

Photography by April George, MA in Fine Art

ONE TWO FIVE GALLERY 4 Abbey Green, Bath Tel: 07803 033629 Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 5pm OPENING EXHIBITION September Textile artist Carole Waller is opening a city centre gallery displaying her painted clothes and glass pieces, ceramics by Gary Wood and jewellery by Annie Beardsley.

THE BATH SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS Bath Royal Literary and Science Institute (BRLSI), Queen Square, Bath THE ART OF POLLINATION: BLOOMS BUTTERFLIES AND BEES Thursday 10 – Monday 28 September The Bath Society of Botanical Artists (BSBA) is sharing its work inspired by blooms, butterflies and bees. This has been the result of two years’ work depicting plants that help our insects, which are so vital for the pollination of very many of our crops. In fact, insects are pollinators of more than 80% of crop species in Europe. BSBA is a group of botanical painters who as well as painting in watercolours also use coloured pencil, pen and ink and graphite.

Several members of the society have been awarded medals by the Royal Horticultural Society for their skills in depicting plants.

BATH CONTEMPORARY 35 Gay Street, Bath BA1 2NT Email: gallery@bathcontemporary.com Visit: bathcontemporary.com Tel: 01225 461230 Opening times: 10am – 5pm, Mon – Sat SUMMER EXHIBITION Tuesday 1 – Saturday 26 September Concluding the rolling summer season with new work from Endré Roder, whose enlivening colour palette and bold definition of form celebrate the female mystique. Roder’s figurative paintings are very distinctive and instantly recognisable, often featuring women. The artist was born in Budapest in 1933, but grew up on the island of Malta, before moving to the UK in 1943. He currently lives in Swanage in Dorset, where he is a full-time painter, following a career teaching art. His work is highly collectable and can be found in private and public collections. Also introducing Lewis Noble with his wonderfully textured abstracted landscapes inspired by the wild Northern Dales. Alongside these featured artists the gallery will be running a constantly changing mixed exhibition in the rear gallery, with a diverse and engaging range of painting, sculpture, print and ceramics.

Village Musicians by Endré Roder

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ST Pauls by Pedro Rodriguez Garrido ADAM GALLERY John Street, Bath BA1 2JL Tel: 01225 480406 Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm

THE PRINCE’S TRUST CHARITY ART AUCTION AND DINNER The Assembly Rooms, Bath Thursday 8 October Two of the south west’s best loved artists are the latest to donate their work (50 pieces so far) to the Prince’s Trust fundraising dinner and auction. Bath artist Peter Brown (Pete the Street), whose work is sought after world-wide and is a familiar friendly face in Bath, working outdoors in all weathers. He has donated Late Summer Afternoon, Cheap Street, 2013 oil on canvas, exhibited at the Victoria Art Gallery in 2014, worth in excess of £5,000. Nick Park, of Wallace and Gromit fame has also donated a highly collectable piece. The dinner and auction is raising money to support disadvantaged young people in the south west. Tickets: £1,500 for a table of 10 and £150 for individuals. For tickets, email; Katherine.morgan@princes-trust.org.uk.

CITYSCAPES BY PEDRO RODRIGUEZ GARRIDO Saturday 26 September – Friday 16 October For his second one-man show at Adam Gallery Spanish artist Pedro is exhibiting a collection of new works based around the theme of urban landscape. Pedro visited Bath and London to gather subject matter. Pedro’s paintings are frequently at street level, communicating the experience of walking or driving through a city, or they can be from an elevated viewpoint at a distance, capturing the scale and energy of the city as a living whole.

VICTORIA ART GALLERY

By Pulteney Bridge, Bath Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sundays, 1.30pm – 5pm Tel: 01225 477233

detail from Grayson Perry’s Map of Days

ROSTRA GALLERY George Street, Bath

Down the Rabbit Hole by Scott Joyce 44AD GALLERY Abbey Street, Bath, 10am – 6pm ILLUSTRATION WONDERLAND Tuesday 22 – Sunday 27 September An exhibition by 16 illustrators, artists and printmakers, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Original art will be on sale, as well as signed giclée prints, picture books and cards. The artists participating are: Anna Ildiko Popescu, Christopher Dunn, Estelle Corke, Ivana Svabic Cannon, Jan Nesbitt, Jane Veveris Callan, Julia King, Kate Davies, Laila Hills, Lisa Kelly, Nick Shewring, Mary Hall, Penny Ives, Richard Deverell, Sally Barnett and Scott Joyce. For more information, visit: swillustrators.co.uk.

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CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING 12 September – 5 October With new methods and techniques being used, printmaking has never been more exciting.

Highlights include new work from Dan Baldwin demonstrating his desire to push the boundaries of printmaking.

The Flood is an exploration of the power of nature; whereas Anomie pictured, is contradictory; the happy warm colour draws you in, but the imagery is dark and disconcerting. Lucy Farley’s screen prints are inspired by places of interest and history. Her aim is to build up a record of time, spirit and changing feelings of each place. Introducing Edy Ferguson who uses imagery from high and low culture, drawing references from film, rock music and the spirit of punk.

PORTRAITS AND IDENTITY Until October 4 A free exhibition at the council owned gallery invites the viewer to consider the messages behind the art of the portrait. A highlight is Grayson Perry’s Map of Days bought last year using grant-aid from outside bodies. This selfportrait takes the form of a map showing the inner workings of the artist’s mind. The river of imagination flows past a walled city made up of streets with names such as Intuition, Revenge and Churning Insecurity. The prints show how artists put clues into a portrait to tell the viewer about the sitter’s life. Also at the gallery this month is the Jane Austen’s Bath exhibition.

QUERCUS 1 Queen Street, Bath BA1 1HE Tel: 01225 428211. Visit: quercusgallery.co.uk Tues – Sat, 10am – 6pm, Sun, 10am – 4pm GROUP SHOW 29 August – 26 September A mixed show including new seascapes by Vanessa Gardiner, prints by Gillian Thompson, abstract drawings by Helen Booth, prints by Dean Byass, sculpture by Henrietta Corbett, new landscapes

by Georgina Allen, ceramics

by Matt Waite and jewellery collections by Adele Brereton, Grace Girvan and Emmeline Hastings. New artists to Quercus include Stewart Geddes and London-based fabric designer Flight by Rosie Moss Rosie Moss.

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nick cudworth gallery

Panorama – Oil on canvas and Signed, Limited Edition Prints

Mariusz Kaldowski (40”x32” £1300)

‘Golden Reflections’ Memb

er Gall

ery

The Art Gallery

home of ArtGallery.co.uk

Spencer House, 34 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8AQ Tues-Sat. 9.30-5pm. Tel: 01666 505152 help@artgallery.co.uk art_gallery_uk

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

artgallery.co.uk

PANORAMA 1 – 30 September – closed Mondays An exhibition of new paintings and prints of imaginary interiors with sequences of canvases exploring the differing perspectives of the Bath skyline.

5 London Street (top end of Walcot Street), Bath BA1 5BU tel 01225 445221 / 07968 047639 gallery@nickcudworth.com www.nickcudworth.com

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TAKE A STROLL

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njoy a mini art trail of your own and visit four very diverse exhibitions along Walcot Street. We suggest you set out along the Paragon from the city centre, taking in the Georgian architecture along the high pavement before crossing the road just beyond St Swithin’s Church and head right, past TR Hayes furniture store, to begin your art trail in the little parade of shops occupied by Lane House Arts studio. Then head back into the centre via Nick Cudworth’ sworking studio, the fascinating old Walcot chapel, then call into the interiors shop at No 78 to see work on the first floor by Emma Rose.

LANE HOUSE ARTS 5 Nelson Place East, Bath Tel: 07767 498403 Visit:lanehousearts.co.uk LIBBY LLOYD: EVERYTHING SHE WANTS 5 September – 31 October Iconic Renaissance female figures are reincarnated through a filter of contemporary culture.

Libby Lloyd’s recent work appropriates figures and scenes from historical paintings.

Metaphors are added or taken away from the original settings and re-assembled to create new visions of satire and symbolism.

NICK CUDWORTH GALLERY London St, top of Walcot Street, Bath.

Closed on Mondays Tel: 01225 445221, visit: nickcudworth.com PANORAMA Throughout September An exhibition of imaginary interiors with sequences of canvases exploring differing perspectives from within. Pictured is his triptych of Great Pulteney Street in the centre of Bath. The viewer’s eye is drawn along the length of this landmark street, via Laura Place.

DAVID SIMON CONTEMPORARY 3 – 4 Bartlett Street, Bath BA1 2QZ Tel: 01225 460189 Visit: davidsimoncontemporary.com Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sunday afternoons REFLECTIONS Saturday 5 September – 3 October Celebrating its first year on Bartlett Street, the gallery presents its anniversary two-person exhibition featuring paintings by Jake WoodEvans and constructions by Jemimah Patterson.

Jake Wood-Evans, who recently showed his work at the Cafe Royal in London, has created a series of paintings of the human figure and equestrian subjects inspired by Baroque painters such as Velasquez, Lawrence and Stubbs with an

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GLEN TOMNEY AND CHARLOTTE ROGERS Walcot Street Chapel, Walcot Street, Bath WYRD CREATURES Tuesday 8 – Sunday 13 September Controversial animist artist Charlotte Rodgers, who works with remnants of death and found objects, teams up with artist/filmmaker/musician Glen Tomney who constructs assemblage using bones, collage and natural materials. Her work is pictured.

Timeless Horizon

by Emma Rose

EMMA ROSE Upstairs at The Bath Sofa and Curtain Shop, 78 Walcot Street, Bath Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm Tel: 01224 424424 Visit: emmaroseartworks.com INDIAN SUMMER Throughout September Emma Rose’s compositions are woven from images of the natural world. It is the power and energy of nature that excites her. Light and movement allow the creation of the space in her work, often opening up huge vistas, where dancing light or the feel of the wind becomes the main focus. Visit her first floor gallery and see burning colours that herald autumn and remember summer. exciting, if a little dark, post-modern twist.

Evoking faded memories and figures of a past time, Jake Wood-Evans’ oil paintings often depict disintegrating and dissolving moments, creating images that are both unsettling and beautiful.

For this exhibition Jemimah Patterson has created a series of paintings, constructions and installations; Patterson works with found antique and vintage canvases, period furniture, medicine and jewellery cabinets, creating intriguing compositions.

Much of her work combines her own highly adept figurative oil painting on glass and mirrored glass, giving old objects a new existence and meaning and inviting the viewer to step into a new world of reflected imagery and ideas of duality.

Libby Loyd at Lane House Arts

Horse with dogs

by Jake Wood-Evans

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SELLING THE FAMILY SILVER? Duncan Campbell HAS BEEN DEALING IN ANTIQUE SILVER SINCE 1986.

Starting with a stall on Portobello Road while still at university, he (wisely) resigned from his job in the corporate finance department of a city merchant bank in 1993 to pursue his obsession full time.

Having served his apprenticeship in the London silver trade Duncan has been based in Bath since 2001.

Aside from the day to day business of running a shop, Duncan appears regularly as a silver specialist on BBC1’s Antiques Roadshow and is retained as a silver consultant with various institutions, museums and livery companies.

T

he expression “selling the family silver” is often used by politicians to criticise others’ choices of how to raise some cash. It is as if the family silver must be at all cost kept even in the face of starvation.

The truth is that our ancestors would not have recognised such a taboo on disposing of their silver stash. In fact the whole point of building up a stock of silver is to be in a position to sell it should the wolf decide to bite. Up until 1920 when Cupro-Nickle took over as the metal of our coinage, silver was literally money and has historically been treated as such, accumulated in the good times and sold off to fund the bad.

On the inventories of old houses, the silverware is only ever described with the briefest of detail “a cup” or “a dish” along with, as far as the owners were concerned, the most important information, the weight. Most 18th. C. silver pieces are engraved on the base with the weight in ounces and pennyweights for the convenience of the owner should the melting pot call.

Thus, selling off the family silver was a perfectly legitimate thing to do.

Only in the last 100 years or so have we been appreciative of “antique silver” to the extent that now we tend not to melt down a Georgian item to provide the metal for a new item in the latest fashion. For hundreds of years such an exchange of old style for new was routine practice.

There is an account of Henry VIII receiving New Years gifts at court from the great and the good of his kingdom and, once given, simply handing the gifts, most of which were silver or silver-gilt, to the mint to turn into coin! The thought of all that 16th century magnificence being reduced to bullion is too awful to contemplate now.

Thankfully, nobody melts good antique silver anymore selling family silver must be seen as a perfectly rational thing to do as required, as natural in fact, as buying it in the first place. n Duncan can be contacted on; duncan@beaunashbath.com, www.beaunashbath.com, 01225 334234

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GLORY DAYS OF THE EMPIRE With the recent opening of Bath’s newest luxury hotel, historian Catherine Pitt takes a look back at one of the city’s grand hotels

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The Empire was a hotel where royalty and politicians, writers and film stars would rub shoulders

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t 102 feet tall and with an extraordinary roofline depicting a cottage, house and a castle, you really can’t miss the old Empire Hotel next to Pulteney Weir. It has been described over time as everything from “elegant” and “eccentric” to a “sunken architectural soufflé”.

Today The Empire, as it is now known, houses luxury apartments, with restaurants on the ground floor; but many remember the building’s earlier incarnation as an Admiralty building during, and after, the Second World War. Yet, the period when it was actually one of the grandest hotels in Bath is largely neglected.

The Empire’s conception owes itself to the ambitions of the late 19th century city Surveyor of Works, the architect, Major Charles E Davis. A controversial character, Davis clashed with his fellow architects over city contracts.

Davis’s overriding ambition was to build a grand hotel and a new road linking the Orange Grove with Pulteney Bridge. Thwarted on a number of occasions, he eventually achieved both with The Empire Hotel and adjoining Grand Parade.

Davis’s vision was partly financed by the hotelier, Albert Holland (who before completion passed the hotel into the hands of Spiers and Pond, a hotel and catering group). The Empire became part of a portfolio that included The Metropole in Blackpool and The Empire in Buxton.

The hotel was also financed by the citizens of Bath. This form of Victorian crowdfunding did not go down well in the city, and many opposed the vast expense of such an extravagant building, built solely, it was believed, for “American millionaires”. Still, the money was raised, and building work began in 1899.

Historians are wont to describe the destruction of parts of the 18th century city in the 1960s as the Sack of Bath.

But in fact it started earlier. In erecting The Empire, Davis demolished a chunk of Georgian history. Slaughterhouses, tenements, the Withy & Co Soda Water Manufactory, and The Athenaeum Club were all swept away. Only the medieval East Gate survives. In an archaeological excavation at the hotel, in the mid1990s, parts of the old city were rediscovered beneath The Empire’s basement.

The hotel was to cost £50,000 (around £5.5m at today’s prices). The grand opening took place on 28 November 1901. Sadly Davis had little time to enjoy his achievement, for he died the following year.

On opening, The Empire was lauded as a “palace of luxury” and “the most modern and up to date hotel in the city.”

The Abbey bells rang out in honour and a special train from London was organised for invited guests, who were taken by coach from the station along a flag and bunting strewn route to the hotel. The Grand Parade and Colonnade had not yet been completed, but the scaffolding was disguised with drapes of

scarlet cloth.

After a tour of the hotel, the VIPs were treated to a “recherché dejuner” while being serenaded by the hotel’s band. A special composition entitled The Empire March had even been written for the occasion. Later in the afternoon the doors were opened to the gathering general public.

Entering under the wrought and cast iron canopy you were swept up into the entrance lobby. Ahead of you was the grand hotel staircase, made out of three types of wood – cedar, mahogany and oak. To the left were the dining rooms consisting of a private salon, main room and serving area. As you looked to the

LANDMARK: main picture, the Empire as it is today, with its distinctive cottage, manorhouse and castle roofline Inset, the Ladies Empire Luncheon Club pictured in 1921

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CITY | ARCHIVE

right there was another lounge, with “the most agreeable views”, followed by drawing, smoking and billiards rooms.

Everywhere you looked there would have been sumptuous decorations.

Velvet and marbled walls, French silk, rich tapestries, ornamental woodwork and Persian and Oriental carpets. The corridors and landings were described as large and wide to “suit the most infirm.” The hotel was said to accommodate around 200 guests in 100 rooms, including 10 private suites. It is also rather comforting to note that the lavatories were “reputed to be among the finest in Britain.”

The cost of staying at The Empire varied, but in the 1920s a bedroom with sitting room cost two guineas per night, or around £200 today. A surviving receipt from July 1934 listed what guests could expect to pay for during their stay and included everything from food and theatre tickets to cigarettes and cigars.

By the turn of the 20th century, Bath had started to see a rise in tourists visiting, but the main trade for hotels was in the long term resident who was there to take medicinal spa treatments.

Over time though, more short term guests arrived into Bath, but it took a while for the hotels to adapt. Lois Stride, a chambermaid at Pratt’s Hotel in the 1930s recalled how difficult The Empire Hotel found it. The “onenighters” arrived by coach to The

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THEN AND NOW: clockwise from top left, the glorious Edwardian staircase as it is today; the Empire bar in 1989, the Admiralty moving in 1940; the architect Major Charles Edward Davis and, bottom, from the Empire a bird’s eye view over the neighbouring Guildhall Archive pictures courtesy of Bath in Time, visit:bathintime.co.uk

Empire, but were “sent around the back . . . as (it was) so demeaning.”

The Empire was a hotel where royalty and politicians, writers and film stars would rub shoulders. Queen Mary, Lloyd George, Rudyard Kipling and Radclyffe Hall were among the hotel’s guests. Many of the local Bath societies, like the Cricket and Motoring Clubs, also used The Empire’s facilities.

In the early years, the hotel liked to keep ahead of the trends. In 1909, it became the first hotel in Bath to own its own motorbus. However by the 1930s change was not always welcomed. The last manager of The Empire, Johnny Johnson, was almost sacked for his attempts at modernisaton, especially when he “removed the ladies and gents signs which segregated the hotel’s bathrooms, and introduced a dance floor into the tea room.”

Staff who worked at The Empire included a driver for the hotel’s motorbus, the hotel’s own musicians, plus on special occasions vocalists were employed for entertainment. Valets were also available to guests who had not brought their servants.

Many members of staff at The Empire had trained at prestigious hotels. The head waiter in 1933 had trained at The

Savoy in London while Mr Paul G. Harris the new general manager in 1924 had worked at The Ritz in Paris.

At the dawn of the First World War in 1914, German, Hungarian and Austrian employees were dispensed with by Bath hotels; including ten members of staff from The Empire.

By 1939, two days before the declaration of war on 3 September, Bath’s hotels were given just 24 hours to empty. The Admiralty was moving in. At The Empire Hotel there were over 100 guests staying, including ten long-term residents. Eileen Rogers witnessed the frantic scramble: “They were mostly well to do people . . . all their suitcases and trunks were outside on the pavement and taxis were rolling up for them.” Within the space of a day the era of The Empire as a hotel had ended.

Despite Admiralty presence at The Empire, it was noted that even in the 1980s, tourists, suitcases in hand, would still arrive on the doorstep seeking accommodation. It appears the hotel’s motto: “The Sun never sets above The Empire” rings true. n There are many more stories to be told of this fascinating building. If you or your family have any memories, memorabilia or photographs of The Empire, both as a hotel and under Admiralty ownership, that you wish to share with the author, please contact catherinepitt@hotmail.com With thanks to Dr John Wroughton of The Empire Residents’ Committee, Dan Brown of Bath in Time and Stuart Burroughs of the Bath Records Office.

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GREAT | BATH | FEAST

TAKE A CHAIR AT THE FEAST Book your places now for October’s month-long celebration of food and drink in Bath as the city prepares to tuck its napkin in its collar, brandish its knife and fork and digs in to the annual Great Bath Feast

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ost of us need little excuse to eat, drink and be merry, and what better excuse than an invitation to support our local food and drink producers, pubs, cafes and restaurants with a month-long food fest.

Booking has already opened for the Great Bath Feast, which runs throughout the whole of October. We’ve had a peruse through the menu of ‘dishes’ on offer and would like to venture a few for your delectation.

FOR THOSE OF A THEATRICAL BENT To mark the 150th birthday of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a Mad Hatter’s masquerade dinner is being held in the suitably surreal surroundings of Bath Masonic Lodge on the evening of Friday 2 October. Formerly Bath’s original Old Theatre Royal in Corn Street, this is one of England’s oldest Masonic lodges. The dinner will be a five course tasting menu produced by Bath’s most celebrated chefs. Expect an evening of entertainment, and surprise – dressing up is very much encouraged. Tickets: £85 go on sale from 1 September. Tel: 0844 847 5256.

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holder, has invited his fellow chefs from other Brownsword owned hotels to cook a Chefs Lunch on Thursday 1 October in the elegant surroundings of the Bath Priory Hotel. He will be joined in the kitchen by Allister Barsby from Gidleigh Park, Will Guthrie from Buckland Manor, Nik Chappell of Lower Slaughter Manor and Robby Jenks of Amberley Castle. To book a place at this unique event contact the Priory at: 01225 478389.

FOR VEG GROWERS It’s fitting that there’s a bit of a harvest theme to some of the Great Bath Feast.

Marty Grant, owner of Gascoyne Place and self-confessed allotment novice, has issued an invitation to the city’s vegetable growers. Throughout October simply email info@gascoyneplace.co.uk with what you’ve got to offer.

Collections of everything from cabbage to fennel will then be arranged at the restaurant on Wednesdays, where the kitchen crew will then create dishes in time for Thursday evening diners. If you’ve donated produce you’ll be given a discount – or even a free meal if your contribution is great – to enjoy on Thursday evenings.

FOR PUB QUIZZERS If you know your cremini from your porcini you might like to show off your culinary know-how at one of two food themed quizzes during the GBF. The

King William on London Road is holding an immersive three course dinner quiz on 13 October and the Circus restaurant is also holding a food based quiz night on 14 October.

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT Anyone who enjoyed throwing paper planes about at the opening night of the Bath Fringe in May will want to reprise the joyful experience of watching three top chaps, aka the Hot Potato Syncopators playing their own brand of swinging top tunes from the past. Enjoy their ukelele, musical saw and banjo playing after a delightful Sunday lunch at Woods in Alfred Street on 11 October. This is one of a series of themed lunches at Woods.

FOR KITCHEN EXPLORERS We’re familiar with Mediterranean, Asian and Far Eastern cookery, but how many African dishes do you cook at home? Topping & Co bookshop is hosting three founders of the popular London Groundnut Supper Club, Duval Timothy, Folayemi Brown and Jacob Fodio Todd, on the evening of Friday 9 October. These three Londoners of African heritage have written The Groundnut Cookbook and will be introducing a Bath audience to the joys of dishes such as okra muffins and spinach, green bean and pistachio salas, and groundnut stew. For tickets call Topping: 01225 428111.

SURREAL SUPPER: main picture, the Mad Hatter’s Masquerade Dinner is being held in the historic temple of the Freemasons – once the original Theatre Royal where the likes of David Garrick entertained audiences For details of all events and how to buy tickets visit: greatbathfeast.co.uk

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LOCAL HEROES Bath has some of the nation’s best-intheir field names in food and they’ll be making star appearances at the Feast.

Look out for events with baker Richard Bertinet, queen of meat-free cuisine Rachel Demuth and doyenne of cheese Ann-Marie Dyas, whose Fine Cheese Co is the driving force behind a festival of cheese on 31 October at Bath Abbey, called Blessed are the Cheesemakers.

And make this the season that you finally get round to booking a table at

COOKING UP A STORM: celebrity chefs Gino D’Acampo, Nigella Lawson and Tom Kerridge are all taking part in the Great Bath Feast with talks, demos and tasting

Bear Flat to enjoy the sublime experience of sampling Gordon Jones’s deservedly legendary set dinners.

ICE AND A SLICE? Anyone who knows us knows we’re partial to a sparkling gin and tonic here at Bath Mag when the day’s work is done. The majestic ballroom at the Holburne Museum is the splendid setting for a gin salon on Thursday 1 October, at what we call ‘early doors’ – that’s from 5pm. So totter along from work and enjoy a whiff of the juniper berry from no less than nine different gin distillers, including the city’s own Gin Austen. Tickets are £12 for this Spirit of England event. Politely we have refrained from asking how many G&Ts your entrance price will get you . . .

FOR CRAFTY FOLK It’s not all about calorie consumption.

There are a few events that don’t revolve around eating and drinking. Bath-based

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It wouldn’t be a proper food and drink festival without a p***-up in a brewery

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CELEBRITY FOLLOWERS If you’ve been seduced by Nigella, entertained by genial Tom Kerridge and charmed by Gino d’Acampo on TV., you’ll be pleased to know you can see them at close quarters when they visit Bath. The fragrant Nigella will be at the Forum on 23 October to talk about Simply Nigella: Feel Good Food, while down-to-earth Tom Kerridge will be giving a talk and tastings at Komedia on 21 October to herald his new book Tom’s Table. Gino D’Acampo will be putting on a show at the Forum on 29 October, in which members of the audience will be invited up on stage during his cookery demonstration. He’ll be talking about his new book, Italian Escape. Tickets for all three events from Topping & Co.

Gail Tucker is a miniature food artist, who with her mother Aileen, runs Merry Gourmet Miniatures. The company researches and makes historically accurate dishes for dollshouses, all in the classic scale 1:12. Join Gail on 17 October for a talk about her art at No1 Royal Crescent museum (which currently has a historic dollshouse exhibition). Learn how to make dishes fit for a doll and create your own.

A FEAST FOR THE EYES Anyone who has enjoyed the sight of tipis set up in Queen Square, Bristol for the annual Eat, Drink Bristol festivities, will be pleased to see a similar set-up WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

introduced to Bath’s own Queen Square, courtesy of the Bowles family who run Hartley Farm Shop near Bradford-onAvon. A pair of large, inter-connecting tipis will house a series of events between 15 – 17 October. These will include the chance to have lunch in Queen Square, dine at a pop-up among the trees, learn at butchery demonstrations and browse among stalls at a food producers’ market.

UNUSUAL VENUES Bath Abbey is hosting a sit-down harvest supper on 17 October, prepared by the Surplus Supper Club (as opposed to the Surplice Supper Club) WHY COOK? LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS Make October the month you treat yourself to dining out. There are plenty of events and offers to suit every pocket.

We’re particularly pleased to see the £10 deal featured in many of Bath’s best eateries. Look out for these and other offers and while you’re at it, why not book for a treat night out at a restaurant you don’t normally visit? While Bath’s tourism season enjoys the briefest of lulls, between summer and Christmas, let the locals take the tables and enjoy the best of what our professional chefs have to offer. Enjoy a tasting menu at one of the following: Ciao Ciao, The Olive Tree, The Tasting Room, Bistro La Barrique, Bailbrook House Hotel, Le Bistrot Pierre, or a supper club at Yammo, the Foodie Bugle or Noya’s Vietnamese Kitchen at Bear Flat.

THE BEER HUNTER It wouldn’t be a proper food and drink festival without a p***-up in a brewery, now would it? Bath Ales has obliged by opening its doors for an official tour of its brewery on the evening of 15 October. Don’t worry, there will be a chance to sample. Also for afficionados of craft beers, the King William and Gascoyne Place are both hosting dinners with a beer flight for each course. n SEPTEMBER 2015

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FOOD | HEROES

PICK IT, BREW IT, DRINK IT Melissa Blease meets the duo who make gardening more fun, by turning the autumn harvest into a delicious cocktail

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“After university, we both ended up working as designers in Bath, giving us a new city packed with pubs to explore and another 15 years to hatch our plans,” says Nick. Away from their day jobs the duo made cider as a hobby, but when Rich acquired an allotment they decided to get more adventurous and see what else they could grow for alcoholic consumption. “There seemed to be a natural fit between gardening and drinks making, and turning surplus harvests into something other than chutney,” says Rich. “So in 2012, we decided to chronicle our adventures on a blog and see what happened.”

At the time, there was no other website that explored the links between gardening, foraging and homebrew in the accessible, encouraging way that the Two Thirsty Gardeners were doing it.

“The blog was a great way of sharing

TWO THIRSTY GARDENERS: Richard Hood and Nick Moyle – who will be involved in the Great Bath Feast when they plan a cider making demonstration

(and recording) our recipes, and we swiftly gained a huge, very interactive following, which was pleasantly surprising,” Rich recalls. “We thought the blog would appeal to a few people,

❝

A natural fit between gardening and drinks making . . . turning surplus harvests into something other than chutney

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he art of small-scale, domestic manufacturing of alcohol has been popular for thousands of years – oh come on, you didn’t honestly think that our most ancient ancestors didn’t enjoy a tipple before industrial distilleries were invented, did you? But having experienced a slump in popularity in the 1990s/early zeroes, homebrewing is today as hip as the earliest crop of autumnal rosehips as a young, open-minded generation of homebrewers has emerged.

Over the past few years, craft beer has become the new buzzword for what many folk used to refer to as real ale, while fruit, flower and herb wines or liqueurs from local artisan producers enjoy spotlight moments at smart supper tables across the UK and microbreweries are major news. But isn't homebrewing just a little bit . . . well, scary?

The Two Thirsty Gardeners (aka local boys Richard Hood and Nick Moyle) have recently celebrated the publication of their new book Brew It Yourself (Nourish Books; £14.55): a collection of 70 recipes set to take homebrewing to new heights – and there’s nothing scary, complicated or confusing about any of their crafty ways. So where were the little seeds for this flourishing project originally planted?

Nick says: “We both grew up during the homebrew boom of the 1970s. Our parents used to make beer and wine from the kits you used to be able to get from Boots. Rich’s gran was an expublican, and he remembers stirring vats of homemade elderberry wine for her while she took a nap.

“My parents had a decent sized vegetable patch and a good collection of demijohns, so a lot of our own, homegrown produce was turned into wine.”

Good groundwork indeed for fledgling seedlings with a penchant for propagation. Rich and Nick eventually met on a graphic design degree course at Coventry Polytechnic in the early 1990s, where they spent “quite a bit of time exploring the city’s many dives and backstreet boozers” – indispensable background research, perhaps, for the path their careers would eventually take? Nick, who grew up in orchardrich Gloucestershire, introduced Rich to locally produced cider, and eventually the pair started to discuss dreams about getting into the “booze business” if the design career didn’t work out.

but most importantly it was meant to be a way for us to have fun and possibly connect with a few like-minded homebrew fans. But suddenly – and completely out of the blue – we were

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approached by a publisher who liked the site and invited us to pitch a book idea.

We managed to convince a literary agent to represent us, and now, two years on, we’ve got a book to show for it.”

Indeed they have – and it’s a rather fabulous book, too: a gloriously tasteful publication outlining the basic approaches to each drink’s method of production, debunking myths, celebrating experimentation and taking the fear out of the science of fermentation.

“We’ve tried to mix up the recipes so there’s something for everyone, from easy infusions that require minimum effort to beers and ciders that will hopefully appeal to the craft drinks enthusiast,” says Nick.

“There’s definitely a lot of enthusiasm for drinks making at the moment, so hopefully people will be inspired to try a few new things.

Having said that, we’re still awaiting the backlash when some of the more ‘traditional’ west country cider makers read some of our more ‘left-field’ cider recipes.”

Talking of recipes, both Rich and Nick are keen cooks with more solid ingredients too: Rich cites Bill Granger’s recipes as “easy to follow and, nine times out of ten, tasting amazing” while Nick is slightly more experimental, currently keen on exploring Moroccan flavours and lacing everything with ras el hanout.

Unsurprisingly, the duo also use several of their own alcoholic concoctions to cook with too. Consider taking their lead and adding a shot of orange whisky to a rhubarb or plum crumble, adding mint wine to a risotto or slowcooking chicken or pork in farmhouse cider, and Brew It Yourself earns a place alongside the cookery books on the kitchen shelves rather than on a trestle table in your own homebrew HQ in the garage.

But will the Two Thirsty Gardeners ever allow themselves to turn into a brand? Since the success of their website, the pair have worked with major high street conglomerates such as Homebase, Dickies, Fiskars and Aldi – they’ve even been special guests on The WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

HOMEGROWN: left to right, Rich in the orchard and making cider, while Nick is at work in the allotment RAISE A GLASS: below, sloe gin and cider cup

Alan Titchmarsh Show.

“After ascertaining that the call from Alan’s producers wasn’t actually one of our friends winding us up, we leapt at the chance,” says Rich. “In our world, when Alan Titchmarsh says ‘jump’, you say ‘how high?’ It was a great experience, and Alan is a lovely, lovely man.”

Neither Rich nor Nick, however, harbour dreams about one day having their own TV series – although they do admit that, if a production company were to come knocking forcefully enough, they might just alter their ambitions accordingly.

“We’ve had approaches from producers of other TV shows, so I’m sure it won’t be long before we’re on the small screen again, but as expert guests rather than a dedicated 2TG series,” says Nick.

“But we’ve recently started producing video blogs for our own website, which is a fun way of reviewing products and sharing recipes as well as being useful for a bit of practice in front of the cameras.”

Before they strode off to gather more fruit and other fresh produce for their next batch of brewing I asked them to share their favourite thirst-quenching tipples.

Rich: “A proper west country cider is hard to beat on a summer’s evening, but there’s nothing quite like the hoppy kick of a well-made IPA after an evening down on the allotment. I’m partial to

the dark, malty pleasures of a Bock when it starts getting colder outside – ooh, and then there’s parsnip wine.”

Nick: “Despite my west country roots, I’m very much a beer man with a particular liking for porters and stouts (the book features a delicious stout flavoured with liquorice root). For hot summer days, I’ll often knock out a Mexican drink called tepache (which again features in the book): a fermented pineapple and cinnamon concoction which is really quick and easy to make and ready to drink in just a few days.

We’re also both big fans of sloe gin and have experimented with the basic recipe, infusing it with other ingredients, our favourite being grapefruit” Two Thirsty Gardeners: The Bath Magazine raises its glass to you. ■

RECIPE: CIDER CUP Cider Cup is a lively, seasonal alternative to Pimm’s, perfect for late summer/early autumn sipping Put two tablespoons of caster sugar, the rind of one unwaxed lemon and the juice of half a lemon into a large jug.

Add around 150ml brandy (or sloe gin for a fruitier kick) to the mix and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add one litre of cider and several slices of cucumber, then put the whole jug in the fridge to chill for a couple of hours.

To serve, fill a large tumbler to around two-thirds full, top up with soda water and garnish with a slice of apple.

Cheers!

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FOOD | REVIEW

THE OLIVE TREE 4 – 7 Russel Street, Bath, BA1 2QF. Tel: 01225 447928

R E V I EW

NIRVANA IN RUSSEL STREET W here do you stand on taking photos of what you’re about to eat in a restaurant? I only ask as I noticed the other evening at The Olive Tree restaurant that my fellow diners were getting their phones out and craning over their plates to capture the dish before posting it on Instagram and deconstructing its carefully constructed art into their waiting mouths.

I can see why you’d want to photograph chef Chris Cleghorn’s food, as each dish is both a culinary and an artistic masterpiece. But candlelit iPhone images taken by amateurs can scarcely do his work justice. So, apologies for any snaps I may have taken in my excitement to share with social media Mr Cleghorn’s mighty talent.

We last visited The Olive Tree a year ago and had a very enjoyable evening, but since then the restaurant has been given a designer makeover and the kitchen in this historic and listed building has been made more comfortable for Chris and his crew. And maybe that’s why his food seems to have gone from great to brilliant in those 12 months.

Certainly the presence of restaurant manager Philip Hawkins has brought a more informal, relaxed mood to the dining rooms. While the presentation and the service are as impeccable as you’d expect for fine dining at this level, there’s none of that irritating over-attentive hovering. Staff are very happy to talk to you about the food and how it’s been prepared – they really know what they’re talking about too – and they even ask if you’re happy to have the lamb served pink. So, most of the talking is done before the food arrives. Then when it arrives and you’re torn between getting your phone out as it looks so beautiful, and plunging 62 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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your knife and fork into it because it looks so damn good, they don’t really go in for that thing where they extend a little finger and introduce you to your starter, ingredient by ingredient.

Our appetites are sharpened by a shot glass of creamy, frothy intense flavours – white onion, parmesan and sage. Delightful.

The menu is simply written and presented and belies the hard work and alchemy that’s gone on behind the scenes. My starter says it’s lobster, poached, jelly and mayonnaise, carrot, fennel and caramelised orange, which of course it is. But those tiny, jewel-bright cubes of jelly pack a punch of favour as strong as a lobster’s pinch, the orange segments a gentle citric note against the creamy crustacean mayonnaise.

The Olive Tree currently holds the accolade of winning best wine list in the AA national awards, so you’re in good hands if you leave Philip to choose your accompanying wine. His choice of a flinty dry Galician Bioca Godello from Valdeorras in Spain was perfect with the seafood.

John’s choice of crab lasagne (which is also part of an impressive sounding tasting sevencourse £70 menu that the family next to ours were relishing as part of son’s A level celebrations and daughter’s birthday) is The Olive Tree’s signature starter. This exquisite little number consists of a delicate green and pink tower of subtle flavours set in a sea of bisque, flecked with basil oil.

Every dish we saw – and the restaurant was busy – was perfectly executed, each component carefully and thoughtfully prepared and paired, with a real sense of anticipating what will give the eater the most pleasure.

As my main course arrived the chap at a

nearby table, about to order his main dish, said the sight of the plate of perfectly pink, herb encrusted lamb with baby artichoke, aubergine puree and whole courgette, stuffed flower intact, had tempted him to change his mind. As you sample each part of this delicious dish an internal running commentary wonders – how the devil did he get that lamb belly fat so unctuously crispy, sticky and tasty? How did he stuff that courgette flower with a blast of pure Provençal ratatouille and yet not overcook the attached whole baby courgette?

As I marvelled, a carefully chosen glass of rioja, made a happy marriage of food and wine.

A year ago Chris Cleghorn told me that his Valrhona chocolate bomb had been his ‘audition’ piece when applying to The Olive Tree. I tried it then and because it’s one of those puddings you dream about afterwards, I’m afraid I picked it again above what all sounded like desserts you’d cross deserts to try.

Imagine a very posh dark chocolate Kinder egg, with inside, instead of a disappointing plastic toy, a beautiful purple intensely berry parfait and sorbet, studded with whole blackberries, shards of hot ginger and popping candy for contrast. A glass of equally autumnal loveliness, Japanese plum-infused sake, took me to pudding nirvana.

If you love beautifully prepared and presented food that’s different, without falling into the trap of gimmickry, or you’ve got something to celebrate – even if it’s just surviving another week at work – I recommend you get yourself down to Russel Street and see for yourself.

And rest assured, the photographs of dishes on this page were taken by a professional. n

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The Diner’s Digest SIX OF THE BEST

Indian cuisine

With the latest findings that spice really is the, well spice, of a long and healthy life Melissa Blease conjures up six great curry restaurants

THE BOOJON TANDOORI

Like all the brightest hardy perennials, the very British tradition that is ‘going for a curry’ is one of the great pleasures in life. Anyway, what could possibly be better than a properly cooked, well priced, tasty feast served up by people who actually seem to enjoy doing their job when you can’t be bothered doing yours at home? Inside this cheerful little Indian bistro, a welcoming haven awaits. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and, right from the off, you get a literal taste of what’s to come: papadoms are crispy and grease-free, the pickles that accompany them glossy and fresh. Just don’t go too mad, OK? Portions go large here. But those who believe that such quality comes at a very high price can treat themselves to a bit of hateating for supper; most mains hover around the £7 – £9 mark, and what you pay for wine is up to you as this is a BYO, no corkage charge affair – and it’s an affair that, once established, will endure at the Boojon for a very long time Boojon, 28 Charles Street, Bath BA1 1HU Tel: 01225 429529; web: boojontandoori.com

BENGAL BRASSERIE

If I suggested you’d find a good curry restaurant along Milsom Street, Bath’s version of London’s Bond Street, you might scratch your head and wonder where. But venture into a doorway that subtly (properly subtly – blink as you’re passing, and you’ll miss it) takes you off the Milsom Street strip, bearing the promise of Indian home cooking, and head downstairs to an underground charmingly characterful restaurant that’s been serving the good people of Bath since 1987. Our own Lady Editor is a regular here, confessing that like many diners, she always choose the same dishes. But, as she says, the Brasserie is: “unpretentious, great value and consistently good.” Cosy up in one of the welcoming booths and enjoy a menu that successfully delivers the favourites on the Great British Curry House Greatest Hits list.

Bengal Brasserie, 32 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DG Tel: 01225 447906; web: bengalbrasseriebath.com

THE RAJPOOT

The long-standing, multi award-winning Rajpoot exceeds all expectations of the prosaic familiarity of the curry house genre, from initial impact (a welcoming doorman bedecked in full Raj regalia; a tasty, crisp Bombay mix that you would most definitely not find in the snacks section at the supermarket; the intimate, plush little pre-dinner bar) to excellent coffee served in a silver pot at the finale. Several subtly linked, perfectly appointed spaces in this seductive subterranean haven of exotica offer flexible dining options from a range of romantic, candlelit tables for two to several spacious, bright and breezy party-on areas, with plush banquette seating along the walls of the main barrel-vaulted dining room offering the cosiest option. But wherever you choose to sit,

you get to take your pick from a menu that runs the full classic curry house gamut from mild, creamy kormas to fiery Rajistanis by way of tandooris, passandas, biryanis et al, alongside a selection of Indian sub-continent specialities and excellent seafood options that add further subtle erudition. Red carpet Indian dining? Bring it on!

Rajpoot, 4 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA Tel: 01225 466833; web: rajpoot.com

PANAHAR

Everybody needs easy access to a good neighbourhood curry house, and Panahar – on one of Bath's loveliest, liveliest ‘proper‘ high streets – is good enough to add a couple of grand to house prices in the Moorland Road area. Panahar isn’t big, posh or even trying to be clever; the food doesn’t pertain to claim the ‘contemporary Indian’ idiom, there’s no ‘Bollywood kitsch’ and not a single lecture regarding the history of the cumin seed's journey to the British dinner table anywhere on the menu. But it’s the very things that Panahar isn’t that makes it so good at what it is: incredibly friendly, massively flavoursome and refreshingly cheap, with a no corkage, BYO-only policy that leaves your total bill entirely up to you. Is the empty wine bottle indicating that you've outstayed your welcome? Panic not!

A couple of conveniently situated supermarkets nearby offer easy access to replenished supplies. Be warned, however: Panahar is very popular – unless you're a fan of ready meals from that nearby supermarket too, make your booking as soon as you realise that you don't feel like cooking tonight.

Panahar, 8 Moorland Road, Bath BA2 3PL Tel: 01225 471899/471999; web: panaharbath.co.uk

THE EASTERN EYE

The Eastern Eye, housed in elegant Georgian dining rooms, is a long-established traditional curry hotspot and a permanent fixture on Bath’s Best Curry charts among locals. The first floor dining room boasts domed ceilings, gloriously rich murals and full-on architectural flourish.

And if that doesn’t impress, the huge menus do: following a full explanation of how Indian food ‘works’, every dish is flagged up with highlighters denoting heat, sugar, nut, wheat and dairy content, while vegetarians are so well catered for that even the most carnivore-crazed

THE MINT ROOM

among us could be persuaded to take the path of meatless righteousness. Meanwhile, diners in search of exciting flavour fusions should head for the House Exclusives selection, with the King prawn kung po in particular offering an enticing perspective on the Far Eastern/South Asian border. As a result of such promising enticements, the Eastern Eye often has fans queuing all the way down the stairs at the weekend – booking is recommended.

Eastern Eye, 8a Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2JS Tel: 01225 422323; web: easterneye.com

If you go by location alone, a trip to Bath’s most modern Indian restaurant doesn’t bode particularly well. All credit to the Mint Room’s head honchos, then, for turning what’s ostensibly a breezeblock box into a subtly chic, welcoming haven of upper-crust foodie fabulousness that’s actually far more W1 than BA2 in ambience and, compared to the old style curry house experience, feels like it exists in another galaxy altogether. Starters rank amongst the most exciting prandial preludes likely to be encountered in an Indian restaurant in Bath, while mains can

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only be described as positively stellar, a sentiment aided and abetted by the kind of artful presentation that’s almost criminal to disturb. Competent, confident and audaciously inspirational, the chefs here are masters of the art of contemporary Indian cookery at its very best, leading us to conclude that this ostensibly unlikely gastro hotspot is well worthy of glorious acclaim.

The Mint Room, Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EB Tel: 01225 446656; web: themintroom.co.uk

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FOOD | NEWS

Titbits

■ Bath restaurateur and chef Laurent Couvreur, pictured, is to temporarily leave his kitchens at Casanis in Saville Row to go to sea with adventurer David Hempleman-Adams.

David, a regular at Casanis, joked that he enjoyed the French chef’s dishes so much that one day he would whisk him off on an adventure to cook for him. That joke came true with the invitation for Laurent to join the crew of Expedition vessel SY Northabout in the Arctic as chef for the seven strong crew. This trip is in preparation for the Polar Ocean Challenge Expedition, to sail the North East Passage and the North West Passage next year. Laurent is flying out to join them from September 22 to 1 October to explore the Svarlbard Archipeligo, where the crew have already spotted dolphins and seals and are on the lookout for whales, walruses, polar bears and reindeer.

Visit:polarocean.co.uk.

■ Newton Farm at Newton St Loe has been awarded a gold star rating at the 2015 Great Taste Awards for its home grown meat. The award-winning belly pork came from a native breed – a cross between British saddlebacks and Gloucester Old Spots. The judges said: “absolutely delicious flavour, a good degree of fat and melt in the mouth tenderness”. This is the third year running that the farm, whose shop and café are open seven days a week, has picked up coveted Great Taste gold stars. Bath based chai makers Henny and Joes is also celebrating achieving a Great Taste gold star for its Masala Chai Infusion. Look out for the little gold and black Great Taste logo on its bottles in cafes and restaurants in Bath, Bristol and across the south west. Founded and run by a couple, the company uses all natural ingredients and aromatic whole spices including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, all spice, vanilla, star anise, nutmeg and fennel seed.

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FEELIN’ HOT, HOT, HOT ON THE FARM

The legendary west country band, The Wurzels will be getting crowds at this month’s Upton Cheyney Chill Festival to ‘drink up thee cider’ at the country’s only chilli festival actually held on a chilli farm.

The Somerset home of chilli growing is hosting its annual weekend of fun on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, from 11am to 5pm on both days. Tickets are £8 and The Wurzels will be playing on the Sunday afternoon.

Also taking part in this year’s programme is Sicknote Steve, a Welsh Seasick Steve, along with buskers and festival

POPULAR: evergreen west country stars The Wurzels stalwart Singing Dick of Wick.

There’ll be chilli eating contests, an egg throwing competition (see how far you

can throw it unbroken) and camping is available on the Sunday night. Visit: uptonchilli.co.uk.

CELEBRITIES LOVE CITY STALWART

Loyal locals, tourists and a number of stars of stage, film and the sporting world have been enjoying the hospitality and fine Indian dining of the Rajpoot since 1980. During that time many have discovered the delights of this multi-roomed restaurant in Argyle Street in central Bath, where they can dine romantically for two, with friends, or tucked away in one of the discreet corners – perfect for the celebrity who wishes to enjoy their meal in peace.

In celebration of the Bangladeshi restaurant’s 36th anniversary owner Ahmed Chowdhury and his loyal staff are running a celebratory offer to diners ordering between 6pm and 7.30pm, Sunday through to Thursday, of a 20 per cent discount on their food bill.

While the chefs at Rajpoot constantly work towards achieving fresh, tasty dishes, some elements of the menu have remained due to

CELEBRITY HAUNT: Henry Winkler, who played the Fonz, is among well known faces who have enjoyed dining at Rajpoot, with manager Syed Haque and owner Ahmed Chowdhury popular demand, including Mr Chowdhury’s own secret recipe for spicy hot chicken Jhal Noorpuri, from his home village.

A GOOD YEAR FOR SLOE GIN

It’s going to be a great season for fans of sloe gin, as a wet August has seen that the distinctive blue berries used to make it are fast ripening in our hedgerows. Booking are now being taken for two events, part of the Great Bath Feast, in which participants will learn more about free food and the art of foraging.

On Thursday 8 October Christopher Robbins will lead

a walk on how to forage for food in the unusual urban setting of Bath, setting out from Demuths Cookery School. The next day, Friday 9 October, professional forager Chris Westgate, of Heavenly Hedgerows drinks, will lead a walk on the Duchy Estate, setting out from Newton Farm at Newton St Loe. For details of both events visit: greatbathfeast.co.uk.

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic picks some American beauties

One of the country’s leading Indian establishments, The Rajpoot was founded with great fanfare. The business prides itself on providing innovative, top class Indian cuisine in an elegant and intimate setting. Its stylish dining rooms are hung with beautiful lanterns and service is always professional and charming.

Rajpoot’s internationally acclaimed fare is fashioned through gentle layers of spicing, use of the best ingredients, and delicate but fastidious preparation.

The restaurant is a frequent haunt of celebrity diners, and boasts an equally impressive list of awards, which is a testament to the quality it has maintained over its three decades of service. The restaurant’s team of long-serving chefs, alongside owner Ahmed Chowdhury, presistently looking to improve and build on the Rajpoot’s impressive reputation, continuing their dedication to the art of fine Indian dining each and every night.

THE US DELICIO GUIDE LOOKING FOR RESTAURANT INSPIRATION? The Delicious Guide to Bath 2015 featuring all our fave eateries and foodie treateries is available online at our website www.thebathmag.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

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he vast continent of America, covers just about every style of wine imaginable. From the unctuous, nectar drops of Canadian Ice Wine in the far north, through the rich vinous glories of California’s sunshine coast, down to the deep, intense, broody reds of Argentina’s Mendoza region. Too many dismiss California as the land of big brands, and oversweet, sugary, oaky wines, yet this region produces some of the most revered wines on earth – and a kaleidoscope of styles and grape varieties. However, it’s not just about aristocratic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and rich, buttery Chardonnays, California is filled with passionate winemakers, who are perfecting their art.

Let’s start with a gloriously opulent, dry, yet spicy white from Sacramento, nestled in the foothills of the mighty Sierra Nevada, and famed for being at the heart of America’s Gold Rush. Bogle Vineyards Viognier ( GWW £13.95, down to £ 12.28, for September). The Viognier grape’s natural home is in the Rhone Valley where its fleshy warmth and voluptuous style, is responsible for most of the great Rhone white wines. This one has an exotic allure, with beguiling aromas of juicy white peaches, and the ripest of apricots, balanced with a dash of savoury herbs. Packed with ripe, alluring, bold flavours of Mediterranean fruits, yet balanced with a deliciously fresh citrus streak. I love Viognier with North African and Middle Eastern inspired dishes, such as sweetly spiced tagines.

It’s about the best match for dishes which include fruit, so roast pork with apple, or duck with plum sauce are safe bets.

Staying in California, but venturing close to the Pacific Ocean, is Monterey County, where one of the lightest, freshest, most leftfield reds is produced. It’s cooler here, with the mists rolling down from the San Francisco Bay, so the wines are lighter and fresher. J Lohr, who makes some pretty impressive Pinot Noir, has come up with a wine from the whackily-named and little-known Valdiguie grape. J Lohr Wildflower 2014 ( GWW £9.95 down to £8.76 for September) is a juicy, riotous delight of exuberant, lively summer berry fruit, packed with strawberries, raspberries and wild herbs.

Light and fruity, it’s made in the same style as Beaujolais, so if you prefer your reds on the light side, this is for you. Serve slightly chilled with charcuterie, cheeses, coq au vin or barbecued pork.

About 6,000 miles south, but still hugging the shores of the Pacific, lies the premium wine-growing region of Leyda, an area, which was discovered as a perfect grape growing region, less than 20 years ago, but is now firmly on the world stage, as one of Chile’s top wine regions. With the cooling breezes, and frequent fogs wafting in from the ocean, it has the ideal climate for elegant, restrained and fresh-as-a-daisy wines. Vina Leyda Sauvignon Gris, Kadun Vineyard 2012 ( GWW £11.95 down to £10.52), is one of these. Sauvignon Gris is a seldom seen grape on wine labels, as it’s often used in blends, but in the Leyda Valley it thrives on its own merits. It’s fuller, and riper than Sauvignon Blanc, with a mouthwatering, juicy quince and yellow plum character, with a touch of floral aromas and more than a hint of dill, nutmeg and citrus. With a bright, bone dry gooseberry and herbal tang, it will work perfectly with spicy Thai seafood, crisp, herb-based salads, and salmon with dill.

Finally, further south, is a glorious rich, aristocratic red from Argentina. La Mascota Unanime 2011 ( GWW £17.50 down to £15.40). This beauty picks up top gongs every year, most recently the trophy for the best Argentinian red in this year’s International Wine Challenge. A blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Malbec and a splash of Cabernet Franc, it’s a dark, brooding giant, simmering gently with rich, intense blackcurrant, blackberry, dark chocolate and warm spice. A glorious masterpiece, well worthy of the very best rib eye steak, roast topside, or a rich pot-roast.

All of the above, plus a mixed case can be ordered through our website. Enjoy a 10% Great Western Wine discount by entering the code on Angela’s wine column. Visit: www.thebathmag.co.uk

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BATH @ WORK

Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work. View a gallery of Bath@Work subjects at: thebathmag.co.uk

Victoria Moseley Creatrix

I

t would be fair to say I was born under a nomadic star. When my contemporaries were thinking of marriages and mortgage, I was thinking of plane tickets and the next glorious adventure to some faraway land. Having always possessed an enquiring mind and an appetite for adventure, be it explorations to sacred India, gnostic Provence or Aboriginal Australia there is something visceral about physically treading the land and directly experiencing the spiritual heritage of any world culture.

My independence felt more relevant than conventional education, which was somewhat abandoned in favour of lessons from the university of life. As a consequence, I’m a self‐taught interior designer, musician, mixed media artist and aspiring writer, but in a former incarnation would turn my hand to any casual work, if it coincided with an opportunity to follow my heart.

I was lured to the south west some 20 plus years ago by an ex flame where I took a front‐of‐house position in a design/marketing consultancy in Bristol. Thankfully I was made redundant when the firm was taken over, which coincided with the offer of a flat for rent in Cavendish Place, Bath.

Arriving in Bath was like coming home to an old friend, which for a migrating bird like me, was no small thing. The architecture, the intimacy and the history conspired to weave a captivating spell that has kept me returning.

Since living here I learned faux finishing and home styling. This later evolved into whole house interior design and the honour of working alongside Kevin McCloud (before his glory days) and muralist, Gez Taylor. Further commissions took me to other parts of Europe and the US but on returning from America, I found a property in Larkhall. Meeting my soulmate Mike changed everything and only then did the house become a real home.

We’d been travelling in Provence, having stumbled upon a collection of lovely Victorian postcards. I subsequently developed a passion for montaging pictures blending these images, other elements and my own artwork. They were perfect for art of divination and as a seasoned reader of tarot, I decided to create my own deck and guidebook called the Vintage Wisdom Oracle. It was published in November 2014 by US Games and unbeknown to me, was nominated for the COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) awards in America, winning Best Inspirational Deck 2015.

In parallel, this humble studio has also seen the evolution of an online vintage inspired greetings card shop called Miss Havisham’s Attic.com. My other-worldly designs are a heady concoction of fairytale Victoriana with a 21st century twist. Liberty of London was among my first clients and the brand now has a firm national and international following.

An opportunity to mass produce my greetings cards for the American market arose recently, but knowing the huge logistical implications involved, I declined. In the world of Miss Havisham, small is beautiful and if ‘small’ keeps this wanderlust spirit tethered to Bath – the notorious ‘ graveyard of ambition’ – I shall no doubt continue be a proud resident and a happy ghost. n

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic.

Visit: capturethespirit.co.uk, tel: 01225 483151.

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CITY | LIFE

DIAMONDS & DEVILS A sparkling ball on Halloween in the historic Roman Baths and Pump Rooms is being staged for charity

A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR: the masked ball will begin with a Champagne reception as guests gather around the famous healing waters of the candlelit Roman Baths

F

rom 1 September England will be the only country in the world to offer a nationional routine vaccination for babies to protect them from Meningitis B, the leading infectious killer of children. This news will be particularly poignant for parents in Bath who have shown support for the family of local toddler Harmonie-Rose, who has sustained life-changing affects of surviving the disease.

Harmonie-Rose’s family have not only received sympathy and support from the community following the amputation of the little girl’s limbs, but will also receive lifetime support from the country’s leading charity for meningitis sufferers, Meningitis Now, which is based in Stroud.

The charity’s director of fundraising and comunications, Amanda Oxford, who lives in Bath and is also a parent, has been moved to organise a Halloween ball in Bath with a dual purpose. Firstly the ball will be a fundraiser for the valuable work that the charity does locally and nationwide. As well as affecting babies and children, the other group of people most at risk of contracting meningitis are teenagers, which is why parents of undergraduates are encouraged to ensure their youngsters receive the meningitis ACWY vaccine, currently available.

The second – very good reason – for the Halloween date is, as Amanda says: “This is a great opportunity for people to wear their favourite sparkliest dresses and black tie and enjoy a glamorous, social occasion before the Christmas party season begins. We’ve given it the title Diamonds and Devils and the evening will begin with a Champagne reception round the renowned Roman Baths, by torchlight. This will be followed by a sumptuous dinner, burlesque cabaret, featuring international artist Immodesty Blaize, and dancing in the Pump Rooms.”

The Halloween ball, on Saturday 31 October, is for just 160 guests and Amanda hopes it will become an annual fixture on the Bath social calendar. She’s already got some big sponsors to support Diamonds and Devils including Crest Nicholson Regeneration.

Tickets for Diamonds and Devils are £110 per person, to include the Champagne reception, four course dinner with wine, live entertainment and dancing. Tables for ten people are available at a discount rate of £1,000. To book email: amanda@diamondsanddevils.co.uk. n

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WANTED: MEN WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES For a research study on the health benefits of HIT exercise (as featured on the BBC Horizon Documentary ‘The Truth about Exercise’).

What is HIT? High-intensity training is a time-efficient exercise programme involving short cycle sprints.

Who can volunteer? Men (aged 40-60) with Type 2 diabetes who are NOT on insulin therapy or more than two anti-diabetic drugs.

What is involved? You will participate in two 8-week fully super-

vised exercise programmes at the University of Bath, separated by 8 weeks, with health and fitness tests before and after each exercise programme.

For further information or to participate,

contact José Ruffino (J.S.Ruffino@bath.ac.uk/07764999740) or text STUDY to 07764999740 and we will contact you.

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THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

T

ax breaks for the British film industry (and those who invest in film production) have been around for a while, but more recently the Government has been keen to broaden the scope and appeal of these generous tax reliefs not only to boost companies operating in the creative arena, but to help fulfil the Government’s objective of making the UK the technological hub of Europe. It’s not just about film production though, because these reliefs now comprise:

What sorts of video games qualify?

All video games that are intended for release to the general public qualify (except those produced for advertising, promotion, teaching or gambling).

These include not only traditional boxed games but also downloaded games.

Example:

• • • • • •

Film tax relief (since 1 January 2007) Animation tax relief (from 1 April 2013) High-end TV and children’s programming (since 1 April 2013) Video Games Production tax relief (since 1 April 2014) Theatre tax relief (since 1 September 2014), and finally Orchestra tax relief (available to companies after 1 April 2016)

Is your company involved in any of these fields? If so, could it pay less corporation tax or even claim back money from the Government?

The broad aim is to promote “Britishness” within the creative sector so while the rules for each relief differ slightly, there is a common requirement that they must be certified as “culturally British” and be subject to a minimum UK spend requirement – that at least 25% of the expenditure must be UK/EEA expenditure. This basic cultural test is undertaken by the British Film Institute on behalf of the Government using a points system, considering such things as the percentage of dialogue that is recorded in English, its setting, whether a British story or a story that relates to an EEA state is depicted, where the work was actually carried out etc. There are 35 available points but depending on the relief being claimed, 16-18 points are needed.

Once certification is achieved, an additional deduction is available equal to 100% of “enhanceable expenditure”. This has its own meaning, being the lesser of: • UK/EEA qualifying expenditure and • 80% of total qualifying “core” expenditure – which broadly means (using video games as an example) the cost of designing, producing and testing the video game but excludes certain finance, marketing and other cost categories.

Like the more familiar Research & Development tax scheme, a loss that results from making the enhanced deduction can be surrendered in return for cash from the Government. The refund will be 25% of the loss surrendered. As the UK now has a 20% corporation tax rate, it is actually more advantageous to surrender a loss that results from this relief than to use it in any other way.

For many companies operating within the Bath area, it is the fourth of these categories – Video Games Tax Relief that is potentially the most relevant and exciting. It is already being said that the impact of this relief across the British video games sector could be “massive”, because there is no cap on the amount that can be claimed.

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

A video game that has been certified as “Culturally British” costs £850,000 and 90% of the costs (£765,000) meet the definition of being “core expenditure” all of which are incurred in the UK or EEA. Hence the additional deduction is the lower of: • UK/EEA qualifying expenditure (90% x £850,000) = £765,000 or • 80% x total core costs of £765,000 = £612,000 Therefore in this example, the additional deduction is £612,000 which could reduce the tax bill of the video production company by over £120,000. If a loss results from making the claim then it can be surrendered for a cash refund.

If your company is considering making a claim then a review that the game passes the cultural test is the first step, but you will also need to consider whether it is possible to make a claim under the existing R&D scheme instead (we have successfully advised many companies in this area), because you can only claim under one scheme in relation to the same expenditure. Either way, a valuable tax break could be yours.

Richardson Swift would be delighted to Geoff Don meet with you to discuss whether your company can benefit, and if so, to formulate the claim for inclusion on your company’s tax return.

Geoff Don can be contacted on 01225 325580.

www.richardsonswift.co.uk 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL • 01225 325 580 SEPTEMBER 2015

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CITY | BUZZ

News in brief

■ Peter Gains from Wellow has been appointed chairman of the youth hostelling charity YHA (England and Wales). Peter, 61, was previously the charity’s vice chair and replaces Chris Darmon who retired as chairman earlier this year. Peter’s appointment follows the charity’s £31m investment in the 140-strong network of properties during the last five years.

The investment has contributed to YHA achieving its most successful financial year ever in 2014 and it is already on target to exceed financial targets again in 2015. Peter, a keen walker, wants the organisation to make faster progress on finding and engaging the next generation of YHA users. He wants the work being done by YHA to improve the lives of young people.

■ Jonathan O’Shea is the interim chief executive for the Bath Business Improvement District. Jonathan has been working alongside the departing chief executive Andrew Cooper to provide continuity and strategic direction to the BID team. Andrew Cooper leaves Bath at the end of September.

Jonathan was previously the chief executive of St John’s Hospital in Bath has been an active board director of the Bath Business Improvement District (BID) since 2010. He held the position of vice chair and finance director.

■ Mowbray Woodwards is running a free commercial property seminar on Friday 6 November at Bailbrook House on the outskirts of Bath, from 8am, aimed at business owners or managers considering moving into new business premises. Practical tips will be shared, including considerations such as service charges, maintenance and repair to lease renewals. For further information or to book a place, contact Jenna Larcombe, email: jkl@mowbraywoodwards.co.uk or telephone: 01225 485700

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LIFE PASSIONS SHARED A new series of talks is launched this month in Bath with the theme PIE – passionate, intelligent, engaging – aimed at inspiring conversation and connections. The first pair of speakers are Penny Hay, director of research at 5x5x5=creativity, and one of the leading lights behind the Forest of Imagination event held in Queen Square earlier this year, and architect Piers Taylor, who presents the BBC’s The House that 100k Built. The talks are organised by Mea Fabula Films to raise funds for the Royal United Hospital. The first PIE is from 4pm on Sunday 13 September at the Oriel Hall, Larkhall. Tickets: £8, visit: pietalks/eventsbrite.co.uk.

ENGAGING SPEAKERS: Penny Hay and Piers Taylor

HAVE YOUR SAY ON PARK AND RIDE

Drivers who commute from the east of Bath, will be interested to hear that a Park and Ride scheme at the eastern gateway to the city is one step nearer. Bath & North East Somerset Council is holding a public consultation process, which begins this month with two exhibitions.

Cllr Tim Warren, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “One of our new administration’s top priorities is to improve local transport – making it easier for residents, businesses and visitors to get around our area.

Therefore we’re taking action to meet people’s needs for an east of Bath Park and Ride. We’re keen for people to take a look at the potential sites and give us their views to help us to choose the preferred location.”

The consultation will run until early October.

At the end, officers will analyse the results, which will be put before councillors in November for a decision. Once a preferred site has been chosen it will be included in the Placemaking Plan later this year. Supporters believe the Park and Ride could help make London Road less congested.

The three sites under consideration are: land east of A4/A46 junction, land west of Mill Lane and land east of Mill Lane. The exhibitions are in Bathampton Village Hall, on Saturday 19 September, 2pm – 6pm and at the Guildhall on Tuesday 22 September, 4pm – 8pm.

More exhibitions are planned, along with meetings with parish councils and other interested local organisations.

There are currently three Park and Rides, at Newbridge, Lansdown and Odd Down.

SOCIABLE WAY TO LEARN A NEW SKILL Photographer Heidi Laughton, who recently finished organising workshops for the American Museum as part of her Spirit Hawk Eye: A Celebration of American Native Culture photography exhibition, is launching The Workshop Cabin, a new series of fun and informative sessions for adults in Bath.

Courses will cover arts and crafts, wellbeing and general lifestyle. Examples include: candle-making; lino-cutting; life drawing; decorative finishes; introduction to hypnotherapy; spinal

MAKING THINGS: Heidi Laughton, who has set up The Workshop Cabin network analysis and cider making.

Paint Night: Palettes and Pinot will be held at the Bath

Brew House, and is two hours of having a go at acrylic painting while enjoying a glass of wine, while The Amazing Spaces workshop is the chance to have a look around a small space being featured on the forthcoming TV series Amazing Spaces with George Clarke. If anyone is contemplating creating their own tiny, liveable space, it’s a chance to see an example, ask questions and get tips for space-saving techniques.

Workshops can be booked at: WorkshopCabin.com

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ocl A C C O U N TA N C Y

141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL Tel: 01225 445507

www.oclaccountancy.com

Your company and the new dividend taxation rules A major change to the taxation of dividend income, from 5th April 2016, was announced in the recent budget and this will affect all owner managed businesses: • The notional tax credit is being abolished • A new £5,000 dividend allowance will be introduced i.e. the first £5,000 of dividend income will be “tax free” regardless of other income • Over £5,000, new tax rates apply to all dividends e.g. 7.5% for basic rate taxpayers and 32.5% for higher rate taxpayers Under the existing system, dividend income is effectively free of tax for basic rate taxpayers. That has changed but the new system: • Provides new opportunities for tax planning • Means that drawing income from your own company by a combination of salary and dividend still returns the lowest effective tax rate when compared to alternatives such as salary / bonus or self employment.

The amount of additional tax payable will of course depend on a number of circumstances, but tax planning remains essential.

For tax saving tips contact us – call Marie Maggs, Mike Wilcox or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 for a no-obligation meeting.

We look forward to meeting you - and see our website for more, including FREE download guides.

What our clients say:

“Thank you for your excellent customer service, OCL has been one of the best things we have done as a business” “For us, in our 30 years experience OCL Accountancy is the best fit we have found”"

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IN PRINT, ONLINE & SOCIAL NOBODY DOES BATH BETTER Call Marie Maggs, Mike Wilcox or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting 76 TheBATHMagazine

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Bath’s Biggest Magazine

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Recreational courses for members of the public.

Enrolling Now!

Foreign Languages Centre Daytime, lunchtime and evening foreign language classes

Arabic • French • German • Greek • Italian • Japanese Korean • Mandarin • Chinese • Portuguese • Russian • Spanish We offer a wide range of foreign languages at beginner through to advanced level.

To find out more about the courses available, or to enrol, visit our website www.bath.ac.uk/flc and apply online or call 01225 383991.

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A DV E RTO R I A L F E AT U R E

“Consciously Uncoupling - 10 tips to help you do so Successfully”

By Richard Sharp, Sharp Family Law - Bath Divorce Solicitors.

Producing Resolution not Prolonging Conflict

M

ost marriages don’t break up in a single identifiable moment. Nor is sexual infidelity the leading cause of divorce. More often it’s a combination of the separation of lives, a lack of commitment, preparation or equality, incessant arguments or persistent abuse, or unrealistic expectations not met that lead to their demise.

But whatever their reason for doing so, about 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce and: 34% before their 20th wedding anniversary. It happens to people we’ve heard about or know, our work colleagues, friends, family members and even ourselves.

Whilst horror stories abound, many wish and succeed at breaking up and “consciously uncoupling”, as termed by Gwyneth Paltow and Chris Martin.

3. Think about what additional professional support will be need.

Every divorce involves three intertwined components: financial, emotional and legal. A good family lawyer should be an expert in one, possibly two and should be able to help you find the right financial expert, counsellor, divorce coach or divorce support group.

4. Think about where you want to be when you are divorced.

Do you want to stay in your home? Will you need to go back to work? Will you need training to get a new job? Spend some time contemplating your future and what it could look like. Find out what is really important to you.

5. Be honest.

Increasingly we work with couples who want the coveted Good Divorce and are committed to Good Co-parenting after parting. To help improve their chances of achieving both, we encourage them to: 1. Make sure that all the options have been considered before embarking on a divorce.

• • •

•

Would it help to meet with a marriage counselor or relationship specialist?

Might a family mediator be able to facilitate a meeting with a spouse?

How about using an approach like collaborative practice that concentrates on resolving disputes respectfully without going to court?

Is court involvement needed from the outset or as a last resort?

2. Choose a legal representative carefully.

Ask relatives, friends, and colleagues, to recommend a solicitor. Ensure that they fit your style and personality. Your Solicitor should listen carefully to your goals and educate you on your options for divorce including the consequences and costs of each. It may or may not have been your decision to separate, divorce or end a relationship, but the decision you make on the divorce process you choose can impact you and your family for the rest of your life.

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

9. Take care of yourself.

Divorce is a very stressful experience. Work out at the gym, connect with family and friends, take the class or enjoy the hobby, to release that stress 10. Be patient.

Whether it’s caused by waiting for your spouse to respond, or a delay due to a court calendar, divorce can have its own timetable. Pushing or pulling frequently escalates financial and emotional costs The decisions made during divorce can be lifelong. Make sure that you are well prepared.

For further information and advice on separation and divorce contact one of the specialist family law solicitors at Sharp family law on 01225 448955

Don’t try to hide money, over-estimate the value of your house or underestimate the value of pensions, etc. It will only delay the progress of the divorce and make it more expensive.

6. Get to know your financial situation.

You will need to know what financial resources you have, any debts, monthly income and outgoings and any financial commitments. Make sure you have the papers about them. Try and treat the financial aspects as a business decision.

7. Keep the children out of it.

Children of all ages find the break-up of their parents’ marriage painful and confusing. Don’t compound that by putting them in the middle, arguing in front of them, using them as a sounding board, bad-mouthing about the other parent to them, or making them in any way part of the divorce. They should not feel that they have to take sides 8. Look at the Big Picture.

The devil is in the detail. Arguments over kettles and toasters devour costs and cause unnecessary emotional damage. It’s easy to get caught up in the trivial that make little real difference in later life. Remember what is most important to you.

Richard Sharp

sharp F A M I LY L A W Sharp Family Law: Helping clients to reach solutions 5, Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2PH, UK email: info@sharpfamilylaw.com m: 07798 606740 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com SEPTEMBER 2015

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MUM,WHERE’S THE DISHWASHER? ater this month several hundred thousand students will head off to university, and while their parents will probably breathe a sigh of relief that their children have successfully negotiated the challenges of the application process and examinations system, they will also worry how their offspring are going to cope outside the family home.

Based upon my observations working in admissions for over 20 years, and now with a daughter at university, I believe the challenges to making a successful transition into higher education fall into two broad areas: CHOOSING A COURSE AND UNIVERSITY The most important element in having a successful time at university is identifying the appropriate subject to study. There are 37,500 full-time degree courses available at over 300 universities and colleges in the UK – students are allowed to apply for a maximum of five.

This in itself tends to create a lot of angst, but starting research early does pay off, because many of the most selective and popular courses may stipulate particular subjects that need to be studied in sixth form and also may have particular expectations at GCSE. The psychology degree at Bath (which typically has over ten applicants for every vacancy) requires that in addition to grades of A*AA at A-level, an applicant must have at least A grades in English and mathematics at GCSE. Ideally students will look in detail at the course content to ensure that their chosen course allows them to study topics that they will find interesting. Does the course allow the opportunity for students to secure placements as part of their degree? Are they funded for the internship? Can they study abroad as a component of their degree? How will they be assessed and examined? What sort of opportunities will the degree offer after graduation? These are important factors to consider – ideally the student should be trying 82 TheBATHMagazine

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Ideally the student should be trying to find a course that they would be happy to attend a 9am lecture for on a wet, miserable Tuesday in February

plan out your day using the programme – I am always astounded at how many applicants travel hundreds of miles and only begin to think about what they plan to do with the day when they arrive. Build in a bit of time at the end of the day to look at the local town or city. It also means that you don’t get stuck in traffic when there is a mass exodus around 4.30pm. On a visit, talk to staff, students, look at the accommodation and teaching facilities, and make sure that if you have any questions, you get them answered.

to find a course that they would be happy to attend a 9am lecture for on a wet, miserable, Tuesday in February. If they can find five courses that so inspire them then they are a long way down the track to making a successful application.

University choice is a secondary consideration after course choice. No matter how wonderful you think the university will be, if you hate the course then you are unlikely to have a positive experience. Things to avoid – don’t use published league tables as the sole basis for your research, as league tables alone will not give you enough information to make a nuanced and informed choice. Don’t pick a university because your friends or girlfriend/boyfriend plan to go there – there is no guarantee they will receive an offer as well, and even if you end up at the same place your social circle will quickly expand when you are surrounded by 16,000+ like-minded individuals.

It is important to research the university.

Open Days are a good place to start, and will supplement the information available in a prospectus or on the web-site. Most universities run events from Easter through to October, intended for students who are a year away from starting their degree. Parents are generally welcomed, and many universities run events at weekends now in anticipation of a visit from the entire family. You should book ahead, and

MAKING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION There is a great deal of mythology around what makes a great application. Applicants apply through UCAS (the Universities’ and Colleges’ Admissions Service) and its website is full of advice for applicants and parents (which experience suggests most people fail to read).

When assessing an application admissions tutors tend to focus on the following: l Good prior academic record: a spread of A/A* grades at GCSE is a very helpful indicator of a student’s potential. The only subject where there may be a minimum required number of A/A* GCSE grades is in some medicine degrees, and these may also specify particular subjects.

English and mathematics at particular levels at GCSE may be specified, but no university requires a student to achieve the full range of English Baccalaureate subjects as a condition for admission. l Personal statement: a student has to write a personal statement with a maximum of 4,000 characters, including spaces (about 400 words).

They should focus on their motivation to study their chosen degree, activity they have done to develop this subject-interest (preferably things they have done in addition to studying the relevant A-levels), and skills and attributes that demonstrate they will cope well with study (eg research skills, analytical skills, ability to work unsupervised and meet deadlines). Many courses publish their selection criteria, a list of

❝

❝

L

Mike Nicholson, director of student recruitment and admissions at the University of Bath, former director of undergraduate admissions at Oxford and Essex, offers advice for parents on guiding their children through the university application process

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EDUCATION | SPECIAL

FEET ON THE GROUND: parents should ensure their offspring can cope with managing the basics of every day living, such as timekeeping and budgeting

qualities and attributes they would expect to see in a strong applicant, and this may help develop the content in a personal statement. l Most selective courses will have a minimum of eight applicants for every vacancy, so even applicants who are qualified will not automatically receive an offer. This is to ensure that the university can actually teach and accommodate the students it makes offers to. l Extra-curricular activities are of some interest to an admissions tutor, however

they only add value to the application if they demonstrate how this will support transition to university. Too many applicants assume that being good at something irrelevant to their chosen course will positively influence an admissions tutor. Or to put it more succinctly, I don’t care if you are applying for a biology degree with grade eight banjo if you are a second rate biologist! A supportive school reference that predicts that you will achieve the grades is a key aspect of getting an offer.

I frequently talk to audiences of

parents and students in schools, and always ask the following questions: Could your child go to university tomorrow and survive on their own cooking skills for the next ten weeks without getting scurvy, rickets, or any other vitamin-based deficiency disorder?

How many of you have children who on a regular basis do their own laundry?

How many of you have ever given your child responsibility for doing a weekly or monthly shop for the family?

A shockingly high proportion of the audience usually are not able to answer any of these questions positively. This is one of the areas that parents can provide the greatest influence in supporting their child before they leave for university, because there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the students who struggle most at university are those who have no coping skills, and are unable to take responsibility for basic day-to-day activities such as budgeting, cooking or personal hygiene.

The advice in this article only begins to scrape the surface of the issues around admission to university.

If parents want to engage further I strongly recommend they sign up for the University of Bath’s monthly parents’ bulletin which contains advice on a range of relevant topics.

For more information visit: bath.ac.uk/study/teachers-advisersparents/parents/index. n

STUDY LANGUAGES IN BATH Evening classes starting in September and October • POLISH • GERMAN • • FRENCH • SPANISH • • ITALIAN • ENGLISH (ESOL) • St Gregory’s Catholic College, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA For information contact 07894 913322 or email: info@languagesinbath.co.uk

IN PRINT ONLINE + SOCIAL Nobody does Bath better T H E B AT H M A G . C O . U K

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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SCHOOL | REPORT ALL HALLOWS: Annie Lee, who was appointed the first woman head of All Hallows Preparatory School in the spring is enjoying getting to know the 300 pupils, meeting their parents, chatting to the boarders in the evenings and working with the staff team.

Annie joined All Hallows from Highfield Preparatory School in Maidenhead, where she was head. She is determined to treasure the Catholic ethos of All Hallows and to maintain the excellent standards of the recent inspection. After a whirlwind

first term she is excited about the new academic year. She said: “My passions are for high quality learning, for all round personal development, for enrichment beyond the classroom, for opportunities to

We’d like to congratulate all the Bath schools who have had such success in their GCSE and A Level results this year.

We’ve been inundated by news of fantastic grades achieved and well-deserved university places won. This is just one of the releases we’ve had, which reflects that positive story: Prior Park College A Level students are celebrating a 100% pass rate with the vast majority securing places at top universities. With 13.1 % of all grades at highest A*, the college maintained the excellent level from 2014 against national trends. Furthermore, over three quarters of all grades were at A*- B, with 92.5% at A*- C. Outstanding departments included mathematics where half of all candidates secured to A or A*, and almost one third of students secured A*. Further mathematics enjoyed its most successful year with all students securing A or A* and two thirds securing top A*.

Meanwhile, English literature students achieved 40% A* with almost two thirds securing top A or A*, and one third of classics students securing A*, with half securing A*/A, and 4 in 5 securing top A*- B.

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explore, investigate, for sharing excellent practice and developing individuals, pupils and staff, so that they can become the very best they can become. We are a school, academic learning lies at the heart of all we do, so it follows that we want the highest academic standards for all our pupils, whatever their starting point, but we also understand that we only achieve when we are happy. My aim is very simple really. High academic standards, in a nurturing and positive environment where the children are valued above all else.”

ST BRENDAN’S: The new term at St Brendan’s sixth form college in Brislington dawns with the opening of its new extension, housing ten new classrooms and a second cafe for the campus of 1,750 16 to 18 year-olds. There are more than 70 A level and BTEC courses to choose from.

For sports enthusiasts, there are new rugby, football, netball, basketball and cricket academies; for those interested in computing, a fourth career academy in ICT and logistics will be joining programmes in business, sport and leisure and performing arts and media. These courses offer guru lectures, workplace visits and internships.

St Brendan’s is holding an open day on Saturday 10 October. For more information visit: stbrn.ac.uk.

Monkton Combe School has appointed Christopher Wheeler as its new head, taking effect in January when exisiting head Richard Backhouse leaves to be principal of the Berkhamsted Schools Group.

Mr Wheeler, who is married with three children, is currently head and CEO of Hillcrest International School in Nairobi, Kenya. He was educated at Winchester College and has a BA (Hons) in English literature and philosophy from Durham and a PGCE from Bristol University. He began his career teaching English at St John’s, Leatherhead; then he moved to Peponi School in Kenya, as deputy head (registrar), boarding housemaster and head of English and drama.

Returning to the UK he became a housemaster at Brighton College and then head of St Christopher's, Hove.

He said: "It is very exciting to be taking on the mantle of leadership at Monkton and working with the governors, senior team, staff, parents and pupils and other stakeholders, I look forward to being part of the continuing story of Monkton, ensuring the schools’ continued improvement, growth and success.”

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Prior Park College Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH Tel: 01225 835353 Website: www.priorparkschools.com Email: admissions@priorparkschools.com Autumn term: 9 September – 16 December 2015 Spring term: 11 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 19 April – 2 July 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 595 Day fees: Boarding: Full fee, per term £9,570 per annum £28,710 International boarding: Full fee, per term £9,915, per annum £29,745 Weekly: Full fee, per term £7,890 per annum, £23,670 Day 13+: Full fee, per term £5,170, per annum, £15,510 Day 11+: Full fee, per term, £4,685, per annum, £14,055 Religious denomination: Catholic, but all faiths welcome The curriculum: The College is thriving with a roll of just under 600 going into the new academic year. Listed by the Oxford Royale Academy as the UK’s most beautiful boarding school, the College offers a broad curriculum including 24 A Level subjects, while students study 10 or 11 GCSE subjects. The College prides itself on the quality of its learning environment, supported by stateof-the-art IT systems, and very strong teacher/student partnerships based on mutual respect and commitment to learning.

Extra curricular activities: The College has outstanding facilities including a new Sports Centre, Art & Design Centre and Sixth Form Centre. An impressive number of music and drama productions are held in the magnificent Chapel, John Wood Chapel and Julian Slade Theatre each year. This year’s productions begin with an allstudent Opera, The Marriage of Figaro, which opens in September. A broad and balanced sporting curriculum helps to promote sporting excellence and sporting opportunities for all.

Pastoral Care: The Pastoral Care programme is classed as outstanding, with housemasters and housemistresses supported by a dedicated group of tutors who each address the needs of a small group of students. A vibrant and supportive culture exists within each of the houses.

Name of principal: Mr James Murphy-O’Connor, MA Oxon Outstanding characteristics: A happy, purposeful, high achieving community in which talents can blossom without censure from peers.

Monkton Prep School Church Road, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 7ET Tel: 01225 831202 www.monktonprep.com Autumn term: 8 September – 16 December 2015 Spring term: 10 January – 18 March 2016 Summer term: 10 April – 8 July 2016 Age of pupils: 2 – 13 years Number of pupils: 350

Thickwood Lane, Colerne, Wiltshire, SN14 8BN Tel: 01225 742329 www.CalderHouseSchool.co.uk Head@CalderHouseSchool.co.uk Day fees: Pre-Prep (Day age 2 – 7) £2,910 – £3,116 Prep (Day age 7 – 11) £3,660 – £3,764 Prep (Boarding age 7 – 11) £7,126 – £7,390 Prep (Day age 11 – 13) £5,328 Prep (Boarding age 11 – 13) £7,680 Fees are inclusive of costs that apply to all pupils, including all meals, text books and transport to School fixtures

Autumn term: 7 September – 18 December 2015 Spring term: 7 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 14 April – 22 July 2016 Age of pupils: 6 – 13 years Number of pupils: 48

Religious denomination: Christian

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: The Pre-Prep follows the National guidelines for teaching under fives, and then the National Curriculum. It is planned to suit the needs of each individual using a crosscurricular approach to learning to encourage the development of key skills.

In the Prep School the syllabus in each subject is aimed at the requirements of the National Curriculum up to the end of Year 6 as well as the Common Entrance and Scholarship examinations at 13+. This latter examination follows the outlines of the National Curriculum but deals with material in greater depth and extends the range of topics covered. The Prep School has subject specialist teachers to enable this greater breadth of teaching.

The curriculum: Calder House is a small, coeducational day school for pupils who, for various reasons, are out of step with their potential. The school offers a friendly, noncompetitive environment in which children with dyslexia, dyspraxia and other specific learning/language difficulties are encouraged to enjoy school while developing the skills they need to successfully return to mainstream education.

The average class size is eight with a staff to pupil ratio of one to four.

Extra curricular activities: The activity programme is one of the most exciting parts of life at Monkton Prep. The choice is extremely varied and includes cub-scout group, gymnastics, swimming, drama, choir, football and animation to name just a few.

Pastoral care: The happiness and well-being of each child is central at Monkton there is a distinct sense of family and this exceptional quality helps pupils to grow in confidence as they are introduced to a breadth of different learning experiences.

Name of Head: Mr Andrew Marshall-Taylor MA PGCE Outstanding characteristics: - Monkton stands for traditional and lasting Christian family values in a vibrant and nurturing community. The school encourages the development of every child academically, spiritually and emotionally to enabling them to go out into the world and play a part in transforming the community and society around them.

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Calder House

Day fees: £5,400 per term (£16,600 per year) includes all remedial support required to meet each pupil’s individual needs.

Name of Headteacher: Mrs Karen Parsons A specialist approach: Calder House offers a whole-school approach to specialist education – one which delivers a carefully structured programme of one-to-one support within a normal school environment.

A typical pupil: • arrives with an unmeasurable reading age or one that is more than two years behind their chonological age • spends just over two years at Calder House • leaves with a reading age appropriate for their chronological age or (in the case of one in three pupils) an adult reading age • sucessfully returns to mainstream education

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King Edward’s School

King Edward’s Senior and Junior School, North Road, Bath, BA2 6HU; Pre-Prep and Nursery School, Weston Lane, Bath, BA1 4AQ Senior School tel: 01225 464 313; Junior School tel: 01225 463 218; Pre-Prep tel: 01225 421 681 www.kesbath.com Autumn term: 3 September – 11 December 2015 Spring term: 5 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 11 April – 6 July 2016 Age of pupils: 3 – 18 across Senior School, Junior School and Pre-Prep & Nursery Number of pupils: Senior School 760, Junior School 180 & Pre-Prep & Nursery 90 Day Fees (Per Term): Sixth Form £4,360; Senior School £4,290; Junior School £3,390; Pre-Prep £3,060; Nursery £2,520 Religious denomination: Non-denominational.

Spiritual development is nurtured through the School’s strong ethos, its well-developed sense of community, supportive pastoral care and the vital contribution of tutors and the School chaplain.

The curriculum: Every individual is encouraged to strive for excellence and to acquire a life-long passion for knowledge, discovery, adventure, creativity and culture. There is a wide breadth of offering in the academic curriculum at both GCSE and A Level.

Extra curricular activities: Pupils’ educational experience is enhanced by an extensive programme of activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh award, Ten Tors, Combined Cadet Force, sports, drama, and music which has links with Bath Abbey and Bath Philharmonia Orchestra. In addition, there are over 50 lunchtime and after-school recreational clubs, including creative writing, the environmental group and the Model United Nations.

Pastoral care: The recent ISI report found the quality of pastoral care, support and guidance to be ‘excellent’. The School offers a strong, caring and supportive pastoral framework, working closely with parents to ensure that all members of the School community feel respected and valued.

Name of principal: Mr Martin Boden Outstanding characteristics: Awarded ‘excellent’ in every category in the 2015 whole school ISI report.

King Edward’s was ranked amongst the top five schools in the South West for its outstanding A-Level and GCSE results in The Sunday Times Schools Guide, Parent Power Survey.

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Kingswood School

The Royal High School

Lansdown, Bath, BA1 5RG Tel: 01225 734210 www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk

The Royal High School, Bath GDST Tel: 01225 313877 www.royalhighbath.gdst.net

Open morning: Sat 19 Sept 2015 Prep school open morning: Thurs 17 Sept 2015 6th form open evening: Mon 28 Sept 2015

Autumn term: 7 September – 17 December 2015 Spring term: 4 January – 26 March 2016 Summer term: 11 April – 7 July 2016 Age of pupils: 3 – 18 years Number of pupils: 550

Autumn term: 3nd September 2015 Spring term: 5th January 2016 Summer term: 12th April 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 715 Day fees: annual senior school fees are; day £14,031 annual boarding £25,248 – £30.243 Religious denomination: Methodist Foundation The curriculum: Kingswood School provides a broad and balanced curriculum to foster every individual’s educational development – spiritual, moral, social, academic, cultural and physical.

Kingswood has a tradition of dedicated teachers who give generously of themselves. This results in high academic standards and excellent performances in public examinations.

Extra curricular activities: Kingswood offers pupils around 100 recreational activities, clubs and societies. Creative, sporting and musical activities are positively encouraged, providing a high level of fun and fulfilment for all ages.

Pupils are also able to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and join the local CCF. Pastoral care: pastoral care has been judged as excellent in every catagory at the latest ISI inspection and the relationships between staff and pupils in the school are highly regarded by parents. Each senior school pupil has a personal tutor who mentors them. The tutor keeps in close contact with parents or guardians and is responsible for assisting each tutee with their own independent learning plan, so that, through discussion, personal targets can be set regularly and support provided to achieve pupils’ aims.

The boarding and day pupils combine throughout the house system which ensures a strong sense of community.

Name of principal: Mr Simon Morris Outstanding characteristics: Kingswood welcomes students from many parts of the world to enrich the learning experience of all pupils. Particular strengths in music and drama enhance the academic reputation. A school that embraces all round excellence and prepares children for their adult lives.

Day fees: (Per term – 3 term year) from Nursery £2,922 – Full Boarding Seniors (Yrs 7 – 13) £9051 Religious denomination: Multi faith The curriculum: The challenging curriculum promotes intellectual rigour, creative enquiry and critical thinking to ensure that girls will lead, serve and shape the world positively, now and in the future. With excellent academic results, the young women become well-educated, well-rounded and well-balanced, able to navigate a global, multicultural, technology-driven world, successfully.

Extra curricular activities: From fencing to further French, scuba diving to science club, debating to digital photography, the school strongly encourage the girls to take up activities, to develop a passion, to jump in and try something completely new, to meet a challenge and to have fun. Being part of the GDST provides an impressive community for collaboration between schools and pupils, as well as with alumnae. Networking includes university preparation, leadership workshops, enterprise days, ethical debates and sports and social events.

Pastoral care: Pastoral care and academic development go hand in hand. the school knows that girls perform best when they are happy and secure, so the caring and supportive community gives girls a real sense of belonging. The school recognise the pressures, uncertainties and challenges moving from childhood to adulthood, so if girls have any worries at all, there is always someone qualified to talk to. Or sometimes a friendly chat and cup of tea is just the ticket, someone is always there.

Name of Principal: Mrs Jo Duncan MA Outstanding characteristics: The school is a hugely successful mix of day and boarding girls, a happy, thriving community free from stereotypes. The girls build confidence and high self-esteem, while fostering qualities such as courage, loyalty, compassion and integrity. The Royal High School is proud to be part of The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) which has 26 UK schools and academies.

It is an innovative, high-achieving school that provides a wonderful environment for girls to excel academically, thrive emotionally and develop socially. Cranwell House, The Royal High Junior School, is a beautiful school with a dynamic, girlfocused curriculum and opportunities for outdoor learning focused on ecology and conservation. Girls develop a deeper understanding of everything they study, to help them to see the connections within and between disciplines, to grapple with complex ideas, to develop a flexible and creative mindset, and to enjoy their studies. A great education lays the foundation for life-long learning.

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Millfield & Millfield Prep

The Bath Studio School

West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 4HE Tel: 01380 814500 Email: admissions@dauntseys.org

Millfield Millfield, Street, Somerset BA16 0YD Tel: 01458 444296 Email:admissions@millfieldschool.com

Frome Road, Bath, BA2 5RF Tel: 01225 831933 info@thebathstudioschool.org.uk www.thebathstudioschool.org.uk

Autumn term: 4 September – 11 December 2015 Spring term: 5 January – 18 March 2016 Summer term: 13 April – 2 July 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 795

School name: Millfield Prep Millfield Prep, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8LD Tel: 01458 832446 Email: admissions@millfieldprep.com

Autumn term: 3 September 2015

Dauntsey’s

Age of pupils: 14 – 18 boys and girls Number of pupils: 300

Day fees: £5,780 per term UK boarders: £9,660 per term.

Religious denomination: Inter-denominational.

The curriculum: The curriculum throughout the school is broad and balanced, offering all pupils the opportunity to study an extensive range of subjects. Lessons are delivered by specialist teachers in a challenging and stimulating environment that is conducive to a positive and enjoyable learning experience for the pupils.

Dauntsey’s is keen to promote independent learning, enabling pupils to fulfil their potential and develop a range of key skills needed in later life. The timetable offers a great deal of flexibility with a well-structured weekly lesson arrangement and the extensive options system provides well for the different interests and aptitudes of all pupils.

Extra curricular activities: All pupils discover a breadth and depth of education that takes them beyond academic achievement. Drama, music, art and sport all flourish and the rural surroundings provide an ideal setting for many outdoor activities which include sailing on the school’s very own Tall Ship, the famous 56’ gaff cutter, the Jolie Brise.

Pastoral care: At Dauntsey’s each pupil joins a boarding or day house and is supported by his or her housemaster or housemistress and a team of tutors. Their aim is to ensure each pupil fulfils their potential and makes the most of the varied opportunities on offer at Dauntsey’s.

Name of principal: Mr Mark Lascelles MA Outstanding characteristics: The equal balance of boarding and day pupils, the wide range of facilities, and the excellent pastoral support ensure that everyone feels part of the community. Visitors comment on the happy and friendly atmosphere; the energy, purpose and determination to do well.

Autumn term: 7 September – 11 December 2015 Spring term: 10 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 17 April – 2 July 2016 Age of pupils: 2 – 18 years Number of pupils: Prep 400; Senior 1,262 Fees per term: Prep boarding: £8,600; Prep flexi boarding, £50.00 per night: day, £4,685 – £5,850.

Senior boarding: £11,550, day: £7,760 Religious denomination: Inter-denominational The curriculum: Millfield is an innovative school which frequently takes the lead in educational development. Methods are continually evolving, but the primary aim remains constant: to help pupils to build firm foundations for their future lives. Class sizes are small and rarely exceed 16 pupils, which allows teachers to focus on each individual. Millfield offers an exceptionally wide selection of courses; at GCSE 28 subjects are on offer and 40 subjects at A- level. An exciting range of vocational courses are also available in the Sixth Form, including BTECs. Extra curricular activities: While Millfield is renowned for sport, they also offer a vibrant Arts programme. All pupils have opportunities across art, design, debating, drama and music, in the aim that they develop personal skills and a cultural appreciation of the arts.

Millfield offers an outstanding academic enrichment programme which includes lectures, debating, competitions and trips. Our top academics are challenged through coaching and academic clubs, and all pupils receive excellent guidance to support diverse university applications.

Pastoral care: As a boarding and day school, the pastoral care and needs of the children are seen as central to their success and personal development.

Although Millfield is a large school it preserves the caring atmosphere of a small one. Pupils can board from age seven upwards.

Name of Principals: Millfield - Mr Craig Considine Millfield Prep – Mrs Shirley Shayler Outstanding characteristics: Millfield’s strength has always been based around the belief that every child is an individual and the school aims to put the child at the heart of everything it does. The world class resources and facilities mean that the children are provided with an exclusive experience and they can take advantage of the many opportunities available in order to discover their individual talents and potential, be it in the classroom, on the stage or on the sports field.

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Day Fees: N/A Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The Bath Studio School prides itself on its creative and forward thinking approach to education, with students benefiting from access to state of the art facilities which include a television studio, vision mixing suite, mac suite and business hub. Students have the opportunity to utilise these facilities whilst studying for a range of qualifications, in a variety of subject areas including: Journalism and Broadcasting, Business, Games Design, Art, Photography, Science, Maths, Humanities and English.

A hardworking professionalism is fostered in all students and they are helped with real life skills in areas such as personal finance and employability.

Students then develop these skills during their work placements which take place at variety of local businesses, including Media Clash and Curo.

Extra curricular activities: The school offers students a range of extra-curricular opportunities, working in partnership with local organisations such as Team Bath and regularly organises trips and events, such as trips to New York, Innocent HQ, Parliament and the BBC. Pastoral care: Students at the school benefit from a very supportive and personalised approach to learning, aided by small classes and a small school setting. Students undertake 1-2-1 personal coaching sessions to support them in their learning and work placements. The school prides itself on knowing students well, ensuring that it can offer them the support they need to succeed.

Name of principal: Mr Colin Cattanach Outstanding characteristics: The Bath Studio School offers students the opportunity to benefit from a different type of educational environment and approach to learning, fostering confidence and independence. Every member of the community works hard to ensure that every student achieves his or her full potential. The unique focus on employability and teaching of life skills, helps students open doors for themselves. Students are provided with an excellent education, vital life and employability skills and a network of contacts to help them to be successful, whether they go to university, an apprenticeship or straight to work.

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Kipling Avenue, Bath, BA2 4RE 01225 480466

www.beechencliff.org.uk

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Saint Gregory’s, Bath

Saint Gregory’s, Bath Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA Tel: 01225 832873 www.st-gregorys.org.uk Autumn term: 1 September – 18 December 2015 Spring term: 4 January – 1 April 2016 Summer term: 18 April – 21 July 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 950 Day fees: N/A Religious denomination: Catholic The curriculum: Saint Gregory’s has a traditional curriculum with students studying a broad and engaging range of subjects within a caring Christian pastoral setting. Their specialisms in Performing Arts and Science creates a particularly creative and engaging focus for many students as they are allowed to learn how to express themselves through the study of music, drama and dance, whilst the study of science encourages a young person’s natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Extra curricular activities: A varied and dynamic timetable of events, classes, and residential trips is available for students to enjoy throughout the year.

There is also a wide range of international links with schools in China, Europe and India with opportunities for students to visit these countries and grow in understanding and respect for their cultures. With over 30 clubs or activities each term, the school provide a broad and balanced range of opportunities so that each and every student has an opportunity to shine.

Pastoral care: Saint Gregory’s has a high level of pastoral care with an inclusive atmosphere. Not all of their children are Catholic and they welcome applications from families who share their sense of values and want their children educated in a high-achieving Christian environment.

Name of headteacher: Mr Raymond Friel MA (Hons), NPQH National Leader of Education.

Outstanding characteristics: Saint Gregory’s, in the words of their most recent Ofsted report in July 2013, is ‘an outstanding school.’ Every aspect of their provision was judged as Outstanding, which means that Saint Gregory’s joins a very small number of schools nationally to be graded as Outstanding in the tough new Ofsted framework.

The school’s most recent inspection by Clifton Diocese also rated them as an Outstanding Catholic school.

The Good Schools Guide described Saint Gregory’s as ‘top choice non-fee paying Catholic secondary in the area, in our view. Long journey times from huge catchment area and hotly contested places are testament to the thirst for this kind of spirituallyled education, which turns out great results and thoroughly nice kids.’

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All Hallows

Cranmore Hall, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4SF Tel: 01749 881600 www.allhallowsschool.co.uk info@allhallowsschool.co.uk Autumn term: 7 September – 11 December 2015 Spring term: 6 January – 23 March 2016 Summer term: 18 April – 9 July 2016 Age of pupils: 3 – 13 years Number of pupils: 300 approx Fees: Day pre-prep; £2,560, Years 3 to 8; £4,815 Boarding £7,190; Day plus boarding (25 nights per term) £5,340 Religious denomination: Catholic foundation welcoming all faiths The curriculum: Creativity is the heartbeat of All Hallows, and the school is known for leading the way on a number of initiatives within the prep school sector. All Hallows was an early adopter of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) which is taught with great success in the Junior Department. Thematic learning and innovative curriculum ideas pervade the school. Music, art and performing arts are a great strength of the school, and a new Creative Centre opened in September 2014, further enhancing opportunities. The on-site Forest School and LTA Tennis Academy are also great strengths.

Extra curricular activities: Extra curricular opportunities abound at All Hallows – Sport, music, arts, drama, performing arts, outdoor pursuits. The Saturday Enrichment Programme is unique – encouraging the children to move out of their comfort zones and try a range of experiences such as the Exmoor Youth Challenge, Sports Leaders Awards, music production with professional musicians, digital photography, animation and much more.

Pastoral care: This unique school provides a secure and happy environment where children will develop the inner confidence necessary to flourish in a rapidly changing world. Whilst protected and nurtured, the children are also challenged and stretched in order to build their ability to thrive as adults in the future.

Name of principal: Ms A M Lee, MA, BA, LTCL, PGCE Outstanding characteristics: - All Hallows offers an exceptionally warm environment with superb academic results. Non selective on entry, the school is particularly proud of the fact that around 50% of children each year are awarded scholarships to a wide range of senior schools – academic, sport, art, music and all-rounder awards.

Hayesfield Girls’ School

Upper Oldfield Park, Brougham Hayes, Bath, BA2 3QU. Tel: 01225 426151 www.hayesfield.com Autumn term: 3 September – 18 December 2015 Spring term: 4 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 11 April – 19 July 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 16 years girls, 16 – 18 years co-educational Number of pupils: 1,107 Day fees: N/A Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The innovative approach to curriculum design allows the school to offer a range of stimulating learning opportunities which support the development of good habits of learning, independence of thought, intellectual curiosity, creativity and resilience. Option choices at GCSE include two Languages, AS Critical Thinking, Dance, Engineering and Latin. There is an outstanding range of more than 40 A Level subjects offered in the Sixth Form alongside a growing vocational Level 3 offer.

Extra curricular activities: All students participate in the ‘Period 6’ after-school enrichment curriculum where they are able to discover the superb range of opportunities available. The school also supports students in starting and running their own clubs which cover a huge range of interest areas including Mandarin, school magazine, polyglots, drama, Christian Union, choir, orchestra and debating. Active clubs range from netball, athletics, Zumba and table tennis to trampolining and yoga. In addition, there is a fitness suite, which students can use in and out of school hours.

Pastoral care: There is a strong belief in traditional values at Hayesfield; the school sets high standards in academic work, conduct and appearance. Emphasis is placed on developing the skills and values that will enable pupils to become thinking, informed and confident adults who will be able to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Each tutor group belongs to a House, each named after an influential woman which allows students to form friendships across the school community.

Name of principal: Ms Emma Yates Outstanding characteristics: Hayesfield Girls’ School is recognised as outstanding in its leadership and management and the behaviour and safety of students. There is an inspirational learning environment, with new and innovative facilities for PE and Performing Arts, Science and Technology. The new Sixth Form Centre was opened in November 2014 including a Conference Centre. “Teachers have high expectations of what students can achieve and high levels of mutual respect have been established. This has resulted in a positive learning atmosphere across the school”. (Ofsted 2013)

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St Brendan’s St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, Broomhill Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5RQ. Tel: 0117 977 7766 info@stbrn.ac.uk www.stbrn.ac.uk Autumn term: 1 Sept – 18 December 2015 Spring term: 4 Jan – 24 March 2016 Summer Term: 11 April – 1 July 2016 Age of pupils: 16 – 18 years Number of pupils: 1,750 Day fees: No fees for those aged 16 – 18 and resident in the UK. Religious denomination: St Brendan’s is a Catholic college which welcomes students from any religious or non-religious background. It is a diverse community with staff and students from a wide variety of backgrounds and traditions.

The curriculum: St Brendan’s offers over 70 different courses at Level 2 (BTEC) and Level 3 (A-level and BTEC) plus GCSEs. Its courses can be taken in virtually any combination and are all taught on one site.

Extra curricular activities: There is a huge enrichment programme available to students ranging from activities to enhance the courses you take (College drama production, Cine-Club, etc.); or ones that you feel passionately about (Fair Trade,CAFOD, etc.); or that offer a challenge or chance to keep fit (Duke of Edinburgh, gym, rugby, etc.).

Pastoral care: St Brendan’s has always been highly praised for the pastoral care that it provides for all of its students – everyone has a Pastoral Support Tutor who is responsible for monitoring and supporting their academic progress and personal welfare. In addition the college has a dedicated team who provide additional learning support which is tailored to individual needs. All of this combined with the college’s distinctive catholic ethos, where every individual is regarded as a unique creation of God, in an environment of respect, care and tolerance of each other, means that all of the ingredients are here for students to fulfill their potential and realise their aspirations. If students are ambitious to achieve highly in a more adult atmosphere, the college would be delighted to welcome them and guide them to success.

Name of principal: Michael Jaffrain Outstanding characteristics: St Brendan’s is the only dedicated sixth form provider in the area and the self-contained campus and state-of-theart buildings provide a unique community feel.

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The Paragon School

Monkton Senior School

Lyncombe House, Lyncombe Vale, BA2 4LT. Tel: 01225 310837 www.priorparkschools.com Autumn term: 9 September – 17 December 2015 Half term: 22 October – 1 November 2015 Spring term: 11 January – 27 March 2016 Half term: 13 February – 21 February 2016 Summer term: 19 April – 5 July 2016 Half term: 28 May – 5 June 2016 Age of pupils: 3 – 11 years Number of pupils: 270 Day fees: per term, Juniors: Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, including lunches: £3,162 per term. Infants: Years 1 & 2, including lunches: £3,011 per term.

Reception: Full Time, including lunches: £2,839 per term. Squirrels Nursery: Full Time, including lunches: £2,709 per term. Part Time: Per Day: £541 per term. Per morning without lunch (until 12 o'clock): £291per term.

Per morning including lunch (until 1 o’clock): £400 per term.

Per afternoon: £244 per term

Monkton Combe, Bath, BA2 7HG Tel: 01225 721133 www.monktoncombeschool.com admissions@monkton.org.uk

Religious denomination: Christian

Day fees: £6,187 - £6,501 Boarding Fees: £10,102 - £10,371

The curriculum: A broad, balanced curriculum, with cross-curricular links and some topic based work. Emphasis on core subjects and attaining high academic standards, with engaging humanities curriculum and cross-curricular ICT. Sport, art, music and outdoor learning are strong.

Extra curricular activities: A fantastic choice of extra-curricular activities from pottery and chess to conservation and ballet. Staff run around 70 lunchtime and after school clubs. The majority of clubs focus on enjoyment and exploring new interests. Some of the clubs are by invitation only to provide children with opportunities for their skill levels. There is also a rich mix of school trips and activity days, including a week in France for children in Year 6, visits to local history sites, a residential adventure centre, and many themed days that make full use of the grounds.

Pastoral care: Every child at The Paragon should feel secure and affirmed, valued for who they are regardless of their ability. Children feel comfortable about approaching a teacher to talk about something that’s bothering them. Strong relationships with parents help identify problems at an early stage. Each class has a prefect, chosen from the eldest year group, to support and advise them. A school council, with democratically elected representatives from Year 2 up, meets monthly with the headmaster.

Name of principal: Mr Andrew Harvey Outstanding characteristics: The Paragon feels so special: its friendly family atmosphere and belief that happy children learn best is at the heart of what they do (with the results to prove it).

Autumn term: 6 September – 16 December 2015 Spring term: 10 January – 18 March 2016 Summer term: 10 April – 8 July 2016 Age of pupils: 13 – 18 years Number of pupils: 387

Religious denomination: Christian The curriculum: Monkton wants all pupils to develop lively, enquiring and well-informed minds. The aim is to excite pupils in their learning environments and, by providing a broad and balanced curriculum, to foster every pupil’s educational development.

The GCSE, AS and A Level curriculum at Monkton Senior is notable for the range of subjects included. The curriculum offers genuine breadth to allow pupils the maximum choice of subjects.

Extra curricular activities: At Monkton, they believe that educating young people means helping them develop all their gifts, whether this is playing the trombone, acting, rowing or learning leadership skills in a club, society or in the Combined Cadet Force. There is an enormously broad range of activities on offer.

Pastoral care: The school’s exceptional pastoral care creates a warm, friendly environment. The pastoral system means that every pupil has a choice of adult to whom they can turn for confidential advice and support – tutor, houseparent, teachers or the Chaplain.

Name of Principal: Mr Richard Backhouse MA (Cantab)(until Jan 2016) Outstanding characteristics: - Monkton stands for traditional and lasting Christian family values in a vibrant and nurturing community.

They encourage the development of every child academically, spiritually and emotionally to enable them to go out into the world and play a part in transforming the community and society around them.

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Tutors are very supportive in helping students to prepare for examinations... and attain the higher grades.

OFSTED

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Warminster School Church Street, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 8PJ Tel: 01985 210100 Email: admissions@warminsterschool.org.uk www.warminsterschool.org.uk Autumn term: 3 September – 11 December 2015 Spring term: 5 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 19 April – 8 July 2016 Age of pupils: 3 – 18 years Number of pupils: 550

Bath Community Academy

Stonar

Rush Hill, Bath, BA2 2QL Tel: 01225 426268 www.bathcommunityacademy.org

Cottles Park, Atworth, Wiltshire SN12 8NT Tel: 01225 701740 www.stonarschool.com

Autumn term: 3 September – 18 December 2015 Spring term: 4 January – 27 March 2016 Summer term: 18 April – 20 July 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 16 years Number of pupils: Currently around 300

Autumn term: 9 September – 11 December 2015 Spring term: 6 January – 23 March 2016 Summer term: 19 April – 8 July 2016 Age of pupils: 3 – 18 Number of pupils: Junior school 114, Senior school 221

Day Fees: N/A Day fees: Prep £2,400 – £3,840 (boarding £6,790) Senior £4,815 (boarding £9,185 – £9,985) Religious denomination: Church of England The curriculum: Warminster is an academic school and every child is expected to pursue academic excellence, enjoy a love of learning and achieve the best exam results they are capable of. Full range of subjects available at GCSE, A Level and IB. Extra-curricular activities: The co-curricular programme at Warminster continues to be a vibrant and vital component of school life.

Emphasis on sporting and performing arts clubs and opportunities including, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, Ten Tors and LAMDA. The quality of both music and drama is extremely high. In August 2014 the Upper Sixth drama pupils performed for an entire week on the Royal Mile, as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

Pastoral care: A recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (2013) reported that ‘the school provides outstanding care for its pupils’. Pastoral care was graded as Excellent – the highest grading available. The report adds that, ‘pupils feel safe and well cared for as individuals. Tutors play a key role in pastoral care; they see their groups twice a day and are the first point of contact with parents’. These inspection findings are testament to the strong support systems at Warminster.

Name of principal: Mr Mark Mortimer MBA BA Outstanding characteristics: Warminster have been developing confident, well rounded children for over 300 years.

The academic life of Warminster is flourishing and the school’s examination results last year were very pleasing. Dedicated and enthusiastic staff, led by a dynamic, engaging and very ‘hands-on’ headmaster, Mark Mortimer.

Supported by an experienced and welcoming Prep School Headmaster, David Edwards; working in tandem they seek to ensure the success and happiness of pupils from Prep to Sixth Form. Warminster aims to offer pupils the very best all-round education. Such an education combines several key components: excellent pastoral care, first-class teaching and facilities, and a wide range of co-curricular activities and opportunities.

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Religious denomination: Inter-denominational The curriculum: Students due to achieve As and A*s are taught with passion and vigour within a culture of inclusion and scholastic quality through a curriculum which facilitates A levels and Post 18 study across the full range of disciplines. Working alongside local universities in Bristol and Bath, students can begin their pursuit of university education from Year 7, with visitors from universities helping to hone and direct ambitions. Through high standards of Quality First teaching, including extended learning classes and homework students are able to realise, pursue and achieve their full potential.

BCA also has a strong local reputation for working to optimise the outcomes for young people with SEND. Extra curricular activities: Now that a high quality learning environment has been established in the classroom and around the academy, there is a growing culture of competitive sport, with opportunities for every child to train (through Project Phoenix) and represent the academy in a range of sports throughout the year.

Pastoral care: Over the past three years much has changed at the school, with students benefitting from many features that are only possible in a school of the relatively small scale of the academy.

Boys and girls now experience learning and developing alongside their peers in an environment where friendship, respect and excellence typify interactions between students and staff. The commitment of BCA staff to the academy vision is unwavering.

Principal Adam Williams said: “Our goal is to prepare young people for the future by providing a sustainable outstanding educational experience where all students realise, pursue and achieve their full potential, enabling them to thrive as adults.

My time as principal at the Outstanding John Cabot Academy, as well as our ongoing work within the Cabot Learning Federation, means that I can be confident in our current model of education and behaviour as well as the on-going trajectory of improvement”.

Name of principal: Adam Williams Outstanding characteristics: If you have never been to BCA or have an image in your mind which may now be out of date regarding the quality and range of provision at the academy, come along and judge for yourself why 98% of the parents of existing students would recommend the academy to other parents.

Day fees: Boarders: £6485 – 9500 per term, Prep: £3180 – 3655 per term, Senior school £4875 – 5265 per term.

Religious denomination: Non-denominational.

The curriculum: Stonar staff don’t just teach: they educate. Pupils really enjoy the blend of academic challenge, support and inspiration.

Emphasis is placed on developing transferable skills such as problem solving, team working and leadership in order to help young people deal with a future where the only constant is change.

The school offers a broad and imaginative curriculum with high expectations, excellent teaching in small classes and the high-intensity care that comes from a dedicated staff.

Extra curricular activities: Through the huge range of extra curricular activities on offer, pupils discover their own interests and talents and learn to respect and celebrate those of others. An array of clubs at lunchtimes and after lessons enrich the experience at Stonar and academic work is enhanced by subject specific and optional trips. Riding has been a core feature at the school for several decades and the British Horse Society approved equestrian centre offers outstanding facilities including stabling, indoor and outdoor schools and a cross country schooling field.

Pastoral care: At Stonar it is possible for staff to know every pupil individually, acknowledging each person’s individual talents and the school provides a generous level of support. There is a strong house system at the school and teachers are always happy to talk over any issue, whether academic or personal. The medical centre is at the heart of the school both geographically and emotionally with qualified nurses who can offer professional care as well as a school counsellor who can provide additional support if needed.

Name of principal: Dr Sally Divall MA PhD PGCE Outstanding characteristics: The school has been exceeding expectations since 1895 and Stonar is the country’s leading equestrian school. The prep school is co-educational and from September 2016 boys will join the senior school as coeducation is extended through to sixth form. As part of the NACE education group, Stonar has 20 international partner schools which are united by their dedication to educational excellence and co-curricular depth and excellence. The school produces confident, independent young people and is known for adding value in academic achievement and students have been recognized as having an extremely high standard of personal development.

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Beechen Cliff School Alexandra Park, Bath, BA2 4RE Tel: 01225 480466 www.beechencliff.org.uk Autumn term: 1 September – 18 December 2015 Spring term: 4 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 11 April – 12 July 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years

St Mark’s School, Bath St Mark’s School, Bath Bay Tree Road, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6ND Tel: 01225 312661 www.st-marks.org.uk

Grittleton House School, Grittleton, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6AP. Tel: 01249 782434 www.grittletonhouseschool.org

Autumn term: 1 September – 18 December 2015 Spring term: 4 January – 1 April 2016 Summer Term: 18 April – 21 July 2016 Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 220

Autumn term: 3 September – 17 December 2015 Spring term: 5 January – 24 March 2016 Summer term: 11 April – 6 July 2016 Age of pupils: 2 – 16 years Number of pupils: 223

Day fees: N/A

Day fees: £2,545 – £3,795 per term

Religious denomination: Church of England

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: St Mark’s is a school where children thrive and reach their full academic and personal potential through a combination of a personalised and dynamic curriculum, quality teaching, enriching opportunities and high expectations. St Mark’s also provides a place at The New Sixth, providing a high-quality sixth form education as a platform for future success in higher education and the workplace.

The Curriculum: At Grittleton House School they offer a tailored education in a stimulating and nurturing environment. They carefully assess all of their pupils’ individual requirements to ensure they achieve their full potential. Emphasis is not only in the classroom but importance is also put on outdoor activities and working together to help others. Over the years the school has supported many wonderful charities as chosen by the pupils.

Number of pupils: 1,180 Day fees: None (for pupils outside the UK £4,500 - £5,500 pa).

Religious denomination: None The curriculum: A wide-ranging academic curriculum which includes GCSEs in classical civilisation, Latin and psychology. At A Level the school offers more than 40 courses of study.

Extra curricular activities: A huge range of extra-curricular activities on offer include cricket, rugby, hockey, football, tennis and shooting. Debating, public speaking, F1 and robotics are supplemented by the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and the Combined Cadet Force.

Pastoral care: Personal care and guidance is exceptional at the school, with each boy and sixth form student being looked after within the house to which he or she is allocated on entry.

Name of headmaster: Mr Andrew Davies Outstanding characteristics: A school which provides great food, incredible extra-curricular provision and a highly successful academic curriculum. “Beechen Cliff School provides an outstanding education for its boys and sixth form students, which reflects its values of high aspirations and success for all. A significant strength of the school is the way in which it identifies differing ability groups, thus enabling the most able boys to gain the highest grades possible and yet successfully supporting those who find learning more challenging to achieve examination results of which they can be proud”.

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Grittleton House

Extra curricular activities: A raising aspirations programme, including a personalised careers plan, extra-curricular activities and enrichment opportunities allow students to build on their personal achievements and experiences. The school will also be extending its extra-curricular offering for local primary schools this year to support the transition to secondary school and provide unique opportunities. Partnerships with businesses and universities also widens the school’s offering, providing students with academic tutoring, trips to experience university life and activities to promote personal development.

Pastoral care: The well-being and care of students is fundamentally important and central to all that St Mark’s School does. Small class sizes mean all students have the opportunity for unrivalled mentoring and individual support to enhance personal development.

Name of headteacher: Mr Barnaby Ash, BSc (Hons) NPQH Outstanding characteristics: St Mark’s vision is to inspire students for future success by developing confident, independent learners with a spirit of ambition and adventure. Their vision is underpinned by their Christian ethos and core school values: wisdom, ambition and integrity, which shape students’ development. St Mark’s was rated ‘Good’ both by Ofsted and SIAS in 2015 with acknowledgement across key areas: leadership and management, behaviour and safety of students, quality of teaching and the achievement of students.

Extra curricular activities: The school offers a broad range of extra-curricular activities. Some such as music lessons are available during the school day, with the majority available after school. It offers a wide range of enrichment activities between 3.30 and 4.30 each day, alternatively this may be used as prep time. For a full programme of activities please visit the website.

Pastoral care: Throughout the pre prep and prep years children form close bonds with their form tutors who are always on hand to give assistance, help and advice. The school also welcome visits to the classroom from parents. As pupils move into the senior school they are assigned a form tutor, who is well equipped to help and assist pupils as they grow and mature and experience new challenges that life brings.

Name of principal: Mr Nathan Dawes Outstanding characteristics: Grittleton House School is unique. Pupils leave Grittleton as mature, well rounded, confident young adults, equipped and ready to face the challenges ahead. The school is always delighted to see their A* pupils achieving the success they deserve. They also take inspiration from pupils who find academia more challenging, as they achieve a B or C grade that they have worked so hard for. After all this is the Grittleton moto ‘to strive is to accomplish’.

2015 Results - The school is proud of all of their students and the 100% pass rate they achieved.

The Maths, English & Science Departments were all delighted with their excellent results. An outstanding 81% of pupils achieved a minimum of 5 GCSEs graded A* to C and over 56% achieved an A* to A grade.

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THE BATH MAGAZINE’s GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE OPEN DAY DIARY

OPEN DAYS AUTUMN 2015 September Dates

October Dates

Beechen Cliff School

Bath Community Academy

www.beechencliff.org.uk Prospective Parents Evening - Tuesday 22 Sept.

6.00pm -8.30pm Open Morning - Wednesday 30 Sept.

9.00am - 12.00pm

www.bathcommunityacademy.org Open Morning - Tuesday 6 Oct. 9am - 12.00pm Open Morning - Wednesday 7 Oct. 9am - 12.00pm Open Evening - Thursday 8 Oct. 4.30pm - 7.00pm

Hayesfield School www.hayesfield.com Open Evening - Tuesday 22 Sept.

6.00pm - 8.30pm Open Morning - Friday 25 Sept.

9.00am - 12.00pm

Beechen Cliff School www.beechencliff.org.uk Sixth Form Open Morning - Saturday 17 Oct. 9.00am - 1.00pm

Kingswood School

Dauntsey’s School

www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk Pre-prep Open Morning - Thursday 17 Sept.

9.30am - 12.00pm Senior School Open Morning - Saturday 19 Sept. 9.00am - 12.00pm Sixth Form Open Evening - Monday 28 Sept.

6.30pm - 9.00pm

www.dauntseys.org Open Morning - Saturday 10 Oct. 10.00am - 12.00pm

Monkton Combe School www.monktoncombeschool.com Open Morning - Saturday 26 Sept.

St. Gregory’s School www.st-gregorys.org.uk Open Evening - Thursday 24 Sept.

6.30pm - 9.00pm Open Morning - Tuesday 29 Sept.

9.00am - 12.00pm

St. Mark’s School www.st-marks.org.uk Open Evening - Tuesday 29 Sept.

6.30pm - 9.00pm

Stonar www.stonarschool.com Open Morning - Saturday 26 Sept.

The Bath Studio School www.thebathstudioschool.org.uk Open Evening - Tuesday 15 Sept.

Open Evening - Thursday 24 Sept.

The Royal High School www.royalhighbath.gdst.net Senior School & College Open Morning Saturday 26 Sept. 10.00am - 12.00pm Junior School & Nursery School Open Morning - Wednesday 30 Sept.

9.30am - 11.30am

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Grittleton School www.grittletonhouseschool.org Open Morning - Saturday 10 Oct. 9.30am - 11.30am

Hayesfield School www.hayesfield.com Open Afternoon - Thursday 15 Oct. 1.00pm - 4.15pm

St. Brendan’s School www.stbren.ac.uk Open Day - Saturday 10 Oct. 10.00am - 2.30pm Open Evening - Wednesday 21 Oct. 5.00pm - 8.00pm Open Evening - Thursday 22 Oct. 5.00pm - 8.00pm

St. Gregory’s School www.st-gregorys.org.uk Open Morning - Tuesday 6 Oct. 9.00am - 12.00pm

St. Mark’s School www.st-marks.org.uk Open Morning - Thursday 1 Oct. 9.00am - 11.00am Open Morning - Saturday 10 Oct. 10.00am - 12.00am Sixth Form Open Evening - Thursday 22 Oct. 6.30pm - 9.00pm Drop-in Open Mornings - Every Friday in October. 9.00am - 11.00am

The Bath Studio School www.thebathstudioschool.org.uk Open Evening - Wednesday 7 Oct. Open Evening - Thursday 22 Oct.

The Paragon Junior School www.priorparkschools.com Open Morning - Friday 9 Oct. 9.30am - 11.30am

King Edward’s School www.kesbath.com Sixth Form Open Evening - Friday 9 Oct. 6.00pm - 8.00pm Senior, Junior, Pre-prep & Nursery Open Morning - Saturday 10 Oct. 9.00am - 12.00pm

Millfield School www.millfieldschool.com Pre-prep Open Morning - Friday 2 Oct. 9.30am - 11.00am Prep School Open Day - Saturday 3 Oct. 10.00am - 2.00pm Senior School Open Day - Saturday 10 Oct. 10.00am - 1.30pm

Prior Park College www.priorparkschools.com Open Morning - Saturday 3 Oct. Starts 9.30am Sixth Form Open Evening - Thursday 8 Oct. 6.00pm - 9.00pm

The Royal High School www.royalhighbath.gdst.net Sixth Form Open Evening - Wednesday 7 Oct. 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Warminster School www.warminsterschool.org.uk Senior School Open Morning - Saturday 3 Oct. 10.00am - 12.00pm Prep School Open Morning - Saturday 10 Oct. 10.00am - 12.00pm

FOR UPDATES AND MORE SCHOOL INFORMATION

Visit us online: www.thebathmag.co.uk Or follow us on twitter

@thebathmagazine

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“The most improved school in the South West” - Regional School’s Commissioner

Open Events Tuesday 6th October (9am until 12pm) Wednesday 7th October (9am until 12pm) Thursday 8th October (4.30pm until 7pm) Open Day Every Day No appointment necessary

Bath Community Academy

Preparing children to thrive as adults WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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Achieving ambitions through extra-curricular provision at Hayesfield Girls’ School and mixed Sixth Form

H

ayesfield provides an inspirational learning environment in which girls flourish. The wealth of opportunities offered, both inside and outside the classroom, ensures that all girls experience a strong sense of belonging. We set high standards in the work, conduct and appearance of our students and we have high expectations for all. Students benefit from being educated by talented, reflective, dedicated and caring professionals. Our teachers ensure that all of our girls make academic and personal progress, which is reflected in our examination success at GCSE and A Level. Hayesfield provides the freedom from stereotyping that allows girls to have limitless aspirations. Our students develop into wellrounded and independent learners, by taking on leadership roles across the school and participating in our superb range of extracurricular activities.

Being a ‘Hayesfield Girl’ is demanding and challenging, but also an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Our girls develop the self-confidence, resilience and moral courage needed to achieve their ambitions.

One of our newest innovations is our “Period 6” after-school enrichment programme running from 3.15pm on all days of the week. All of our students participate in at least two activities of choice and many undertake even more. We are very proud of the enrichment opportunities we offer and there is something for everyone – school magazine, debating, drama, choir, Mandarin, Latin, Dance, Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the local and area winning sports teams. The wealth of opportunities available ensures that all Hayesfield girls develop the self-confidence, determination and courage needed to achieve their ambitions. Moreover, we have worked 104 TheBATHMagazine

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hard to ensure that all our students receive a global education.

International learning opportunities are mapped throughout our academic curriculum and alongside our existing exchange opportunities for language learning we have trips to China, Lesotho, Holland and Norway in the next twelve months. However, for those students unable to travel we also bring the world to them with extended visits from schools in China and Norway whose students run workshops and enable Hayesfield students to learn about the wider world. Hayesfield has recently achieved the Employability Chartermark, which demonstrates our commitment to the school ethos of ‘achieving ambitions’ and this clearly shows how all individuals are supported to raise aspirations and fulfil expectations. Our Sixth Form language students even have a unique opportunity to undertake work experience overseas and we also run a programme of Global Employability Workshops from a series of international firms.

Our next Open Evening for prospective students will be on Tuesday 22nd September 2015 from 6-8.30pm. We will have an Open Morning from 9am on Friday 25th September and an Open Afternoon on Thursday 15th October from 1.15pm. Our Sixth Form open evening is on Weds 11th November from 6-8.30pm and Open Afternoons on 3rd and 17th November. See our website www.hayesfield.com for contact details and further information.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

MAN-KIND TODAY’S METROSEXUAL* IS JUST AS LIKELY TO HAVE MOISTURISER ALONGSIDE HIS SHAVING GEL ON THE BATHROOM SHELF

COOL AND REFINED: on a visit to the Jo Malone store in Bath you’re just as likely to find men as women sampling the colognes. Many of the JM scents are equally appealing on male or female skins – and are worn comfortably by both sexes and all ages. Staff take time to listen to customers’ preferences, such as woody, spicy, citrus or fruity, before trying them.

They recommend you wear them for half an hour or so, have a wander, then return to make a final decision. And if you can’t make up your mind, there are some fabulous combinations from layering two scents on the skin. Among the JM favourites among both sexes are; Wood Sage and Sea Salt; Lime, Basil and Mandarin and Earl Grey and Cucumber. Jo Malone colognes are £85 for 100ml

PUMP ACTION: Aveda’s Botanical range of skin care, pictured, from £18, is designed to be unisex. Its nononsense pump-action delivery appeals to men.

The Aveda counter at Jollys offers free skin advice and neck and shoulder massages to men, in exchange for a donation to WaterAid

BRANDED FOR MEN: big names, including NARS, Clarins and Clinique all have products specifically designed to treat men’s skin

T

he UK’s men’s skincare market is worth an estimated £911m a year and growing, and here in Bath there’s evidence that the male of the species is taking more care of himself and even enhancing his natural good looks with a handful of products that until recently had been bought and used by women and rock stars.

Just as women feel judged by the way they look, and particuarly how they are ageing, so men are attempting to stave off the ravages of time with a little judicious use of concealer, tinted moisturiser and eyebrow tidying gel.

And while women are happy to see a bit of menscara and guyliner on Russell Brand, Johnny Depp and Keith Richards, it seems we’re not ready here in Bath to see our husbands or partners openly sporting make-up.

“I think it’s accepted on men who are in the theatre or music, but Bath isn’t like Bristol or London,” one beauty counter assistant told me.

She said, generally speaking, men buying skincare products such as moisturiser or face scrub don’t like packaging that looks too girlie.

“They don’t like anything sticky or oily, so they tend to go for the pump-action bottles that deliver a measured amount into the hand.”

Bath beauty therapist and masseur Helen Mulloy Reid, who runs Bare Beauty says men are taking more care of their appearances and regularly enjoy a pedicure, manicure or a facial.

“I’ve got a nice male client list of regulars,” she said, “and I think it’s no longer unusual for a man to have a treatment. The younger guys particularly have a cleansing routine and those who work in the City or have worked in the States are used to having manicures. They ask for their nails to be buffed, with no shine.”

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A CLOSE SHAVE: Dappa Hair barbers recommend customers go to Neal’s Yard in Bath for the best beard oil.

There are two to choose from – one with rosemary, lavender, thyme and lemon, the other contains cardamon, cedarwood, bergamot and grapefruit.

Both are made to secret recipes by instore aromatherapists. A 30ml dropper bottle is £6.50

PEAK BEARD: it’s still big in Bath but will the full-on beard be replaced by the moustache?

Helen has a salon at The Shed on the A4 at Bathford and a treatment room in Combe Down. Her men’s treatment menu includes a back, neck and shoulder massage. “I think a lot of men have really stressful jobs and they welcome a massage,” she said. Also popular is Hopi ear candling, which is good for removing earwax. Visit: barebeautytherapy.co.uk.

Walking around Bath you see a lot of men with beards. Is this a trend that’s here to stay or will the coming months see less facial hair?

Some pundits say the moustache will replace the full-on beard by next year. Let’s wait and see. *Metrosexual: “a man who is especially meticulous about his grooming and appearance, typically spending a significant amount of time and money on shopping as part of this.” n

NATURAL LOOKING: staff on the MAC counter in Jollys say that while most men in Bath are not keen on the idea of wearing make-up that can be detected, they’re not averse to giving nature a helping hand with some subtle touches. The Brow brush, £14, like a mascara brush but for eyebrows, can be matched to natural brow hair colour and used to hide grey and to tidy unruly brows. Also deployed by men are tinted moisturiser and concealer

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AQUALYX® A solution for problem ares of localised fat Dissolve localised fat deposits simply and safely with Aqualyx® For example: hips, saddle bags, thighs, stomach, knees and more

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CITY | BEAUTY

Beauty

BAREMINERALS LIMITED EDITION BRILLIANT BRUSHES SET, £49

NOTES

Exclusive to Harvey Nichols, get start-to-finish radiant results with this sumptuous set of professional brushes.

Featuring five individual brushes – for face, cheeks and eyes – encased in a decadent gold clutch, it’s the toolkit any makeup maven needs

EVE LOM GOLDEN BRONZING POWDER, £42 Eve Lom's shimmering Golden Bronzing Powder blends effortlessly and reflects light to illuminate skin and disguise imperfections while adding a subtle, bronzing hue to your complexion

THE PERFECT CANVAS Make-up artists often refer to the face as a canvas, starting by building a smooth complexion, enhancing the structure of your face and then accentuating key features through the use of colour and creating impact through a selection of techniques.

Louise Masson, General Manager at Harvey Nichols Bristol selects the tools, products and colour palettes that will create the perfect work of art.

TOM FORD TRACELESS FOUNDATION SPF15, £64

All products are available from Harvey Nichols of Bristol via Collect Instore from harveynichols.com

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TO BE A PILGRIM

The Via Francigena is an ancient holy route that links Canterbury with Rome.

Tamsin Treverton-Jones and companion Owen McNeir tackled 500k on a fund-raising mission

W

e left San Gimignano and its 14 glorious towers at dawn.

After a short, strong coffee, downed standing up with the street sweepers at the only bar open, we whispered our way through silent piazzas and stepped, light footed, under a medieval arch and into the twittering Tuscan landscape.

Twenty-five long kilometres later, scorched and stinking, we turned off the tarmac into the gravelled courtyard at Abbadia Isola, stopping at a small door and a sign which read, ‘Confraternita di San Jacopo di Compostella’.

“Are you real pilgrims?” asked Alberto the hospitalier, smiling down at us. We handed him our pilgrim’s credenziale – the folded card document, officially stamped at every place we’d stayed, kept in the same precious place as our passports and our money: the only proof that we were indeed bona fide pilgrims, sweaty, footsore and eligible for a bed in his hostel for the night.

It was our sixth full day on the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrim route stretching 1,700 kilometres from Canterbury to Rome. We had set ourselves the challenge to walk the final 500km (that’s just over 310 miles) in under three weeks and, with 100km behind us and 400km still to go, our swollen feet and aching legs made us mindful, to say the least, of the scale of the task ahead.

The smiling Alberto let us in, gave us water, showed us to a spotless six-bunk dormitory which we were to share with 110 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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two other pilgrims and invited us all to join him for dinner that evening. He added that before eating, there would be a traditional foot-washing ceremony: a ritual performed by members of the Confraternita to recreate the Bible story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.

Curious, but far too weary to think, we unclipped our packs and followed the by now familiar routine of taking a shower, washing our clothes by hand, preparing our packs for the following day and crashing out on the bunk till supper time.

A pilgrim is ‘someone who journeys, often on foot, over a long distance, to a sacred place, as an act of religious or spiritual devotion’. There are many people who undertake these long distance walks for genuinely religious reasons, but modern day pilgrims’ motives also include the holy grail of self

discovery as well as weight-loss, health and general well-being. Our own trifling reasons for walking fell somewhere in the middle of that secondary list, although we were also raising money for DEC, to help the people of postearthquake Nepal.

We’d been planning our big adventure for months. We’d researched the route and booked the train to our starting point in northern Italy. We’d trained in the rain in the hilly Cotswolds, bought maps, rucksacks, pillows, poles, clothes, socks and hats; we’d spent hours in bland, outdoor shops and a small fortune on toiletries in miniature bottles, of sunblock, rehydration sachets, painkillers and blister plasters.

Most importantly, we had invested in proper, serious walking boots, broken in over a six-month period, as everyone who knew anything about long distance walking had told us to do.

We spent long winter evenings in the pub, pouring over maps, writing endless lists. We plotted a series of nightly stops along the way, each roughly 25km apart, taking us from Massa-Carrara, marble country in the north, through the sophisticated, hilltop towns of Tuscany, to the scruffily authentic region of Lazio and all the way to the Vatican and Rome, the eternal city. The exotic names of the towns and villages on our list – Camaiore, Lucca, Altopascio, San Miniato Alto, Gambassi Terme, San Gimignano, Abbadia Isola, Siena, Ponte D’Arbia, St Quirico D’Orcia, Radicofani, Aquapendente, Bolsena, Montefiascone, Viterbo, Vetralla, Sutri, Campagnano di Roma and La Storta,

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL: main picture, along the Via Francigena as it winds its way through Tuscany Inset, Tamsin takes part in the footwashing ceremony at Abbadia Isola.

Alberto and Elvira wear capes bearing scallop shells, the pilgrim’s symbol

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INSPIRING | TRAVEL

sang to us like a glorious, melodious score from some unknown Italian opera.

The actual walking, however, was tough; a whole lot harder than we had ever imagined. Daily temperatures regularly topped 35 degrees; many of the designated pathways were shadeless, gravelled and uneven, we were sometimes diverted onto fast, dusty roads. There were few taps or fountains to replenish our water reservoirs en route and virtually no options to stay anywhere in between our planned stopping points, should we ever need to.

❝

The exotic names of the towns and villages on our list . . . sang to us like a glorious, melodious score from some unknown Italian opera

❝

Within two days of leaving Massa, my feet had swollen so exponentially in the heat that my beautifully broken in boots had turned into a pair of lace-up torture chambers. I adopted a ghastly, contorted gait in an attempt to protect my squashed and embattled toenails and it was only when climbing, when my feet slipped back into the heel of my wretched boots, did I have any relief at all.

By the time we reached Abbadia, I was in a constant and miserable fog of WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

WALKERS’ REWARDS: above left, the walled town Monteriggioni, right, Tamsin at the highest point of the walk, Radicofani at 850m. Right, looking back at San Gimignano and left, countryside between Ponte D’Arbia and San Quirico D’Orcia Inset, Tamsin and Owen arrive at Rome, the Eternal City

pain, with aching calves, knees and thighs and blisters like oversized, putrid gobstoppers across the balls of both feet.

That evening in the hostel, however, was a turning point. Mortified that my feet were like a war zone, that in the company of seasoned walkers I might be thought naïve and ill prepared, I positioned myself so that I would be the last in line for the ceremony, allowing our two fellow pilgrims to go first. Each read a short prayer from a card while Elvira, Alberto’s wife, knelt with a copper bowl and small jug on the floor, poured cool water over their feet, dried them with a white linen towel and then, unbelievably, kissed them.

Suddenly rather emotional, I allowed Elvira to bathe and kiss my battered feet. An air of unconditional guardianship and genuine warmth filled the room and, as the evening progressed and the hospitaliers produced endless courses of delicious food, and miraculously self-replenishing glass jugs of cold red wine, we sank back, relaxed for the first time since arriving in Italy.

At midnight, nursing large glasses of local grappa, we watched, damp-eyed as Alberto stood and sang an aria by Puccini, loud, passionate and true, a tattooed arm around the shoulder of his beaming, beneficent wife.

And from then on things did improve; my feet eventually stopped hurting.

After every evening in every new hostel, convent or monastery, just when we thought we couldn’t possibly receive any more fulsome a welcome, eat any more

delicious food, meet or share a dormitory with any more fascinating pilgrims, we would find ourselves back on the road the next day, topped up with new friendships, new stories and enough conversation to keep us going for the next 25km.

We were moved by the hospitality we received on the VF and by the Catholic Church’s generosity towards pilgrims. I could never claim, hand on heart, that our pilgrimage was an act of religious devotion, but I think we learned a quintessentially spiritual lesson, perhaps the one that pilgrimage was designed to impart: that to make a long and difficult journey is certainly a challenge, but to arrive is to understand its real meaning.

Tamsin and Owen were walking for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal. To help them reach their total visit: justgiving.com/Tamsin-Treverton-Jones.

For more information about the Via Francigena: viefrancigene.org/en

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THE | WALK

WEAVE A PATH THROUGH TIME Enjoy an early autumn stroll around the historic mill town of Bradford-on-Avon. Andrew Swift shows us some sights of note along the way

I

f all goes to plan First Great Western will again be running trains between Bath and Avoncliff following suspension during August for the electrification works on the main Bristol–London line. If so, we can head by train to Avoncliff, from where a riverside stroll leads us past a 15th-century tithe barn and over a packhorse bridge to Bradford on Avon, once one of the most important cloth towns in the country.

Although the last mill closed over a century ago, many buildings associated with the trade survive as apartment blocks, while ancient weavers’ cottages, strung out in terraces along the sides of a steep valley, create one of the most compelling and distinctive urban landscapes in the west country.

Leaving the train at Avoncliff, turn left across the canal aqueduct. Down beside the river is Avoncliff North Mill, being converted to residential use after years of dereliction. On the far side, look to the right, where, beyond a house, you will see Ancliff Square, once a workhouse but now converted to 12 houses.

After passing the back of the Cross Guns pub, head down a path into Barton Farm Country Park and bear right through a meadow. After passing a labyrinth of willow, continue along a path to Bradford’s medieval tithe barn, with Barton Farm to its left. After visiting the barn, bear left across a packhorse bridge, take the path on the right to cross the railway line and head up a path between walls. After this swings right, bear left up steps to a street called Newtown, built in the late 1600s.

Bear right and right again past the Seven Stars brewery, built around 1860 and closed in 1920. Head up a ramp beside the wall, and, just before the path forks, bear left up a flight of steps, and left again along a row of houses called Tory. At the end is the Chapel of St Mary Tory (its name derived from ‘tor’, meaning ‘hill’), with spectacular views over the town.

Turn round and head along Tory beside the houses. At No 10, turn right down steps to a terrace called Middle Rank. Turn left along it and follow the path as it heads downhill. At the road, look to the left to see the Priory Barn of 1470. On your right is the old Bell Inn, closed in 1965, with a datestone of 1695 and a bracket from which a bell once hung.

As you turn right, you pass two more lost pubs – the Masons Arms, closed in 2005, and at No 39 the White Lion, 112 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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closed around 150 years ago but still with faded lettering advertising homebrewed beer.

Just before a lopsided two-storey cottage tacked onto the end of another building, turn left down steps. Ahead of you is the Chantry, dating from 1420. In later centuries it was owned by clothiers who added a factory (since demolished), and is now divided into two private houses.

At the bottom of the steps is Barton Orchard. What appears to be a row of four-storey houses is actually a row of two-storey cottages entered from the front, with another row of two-storey cottages, entered from the back, above.

Carry on down beside the Chantry.

Continue past the church and Orpin’s House, with its bottle-glass windows, to the Saxon church. When the Normans built the new church, this became a charnel house, and its original function was forgotten. It was rediscovered, hemmed in by other buildings, in the mid-19th century, part of it in use as a school and part as a cottage. Today, stripped of later accretions, it stands forth in its ancient glory.

Carry on past Abbey Mills, built in 1875, with a range of older buildings on the left. The Roman Catholic church at the end was designed as a town hall in 1854 by Thomas Fuller, the Bath

architect who built Newark Works and, after moving to Canada, the parliament in Ottawa.

The Swan Hotel opposite, dating from 1500, was rebuilt in the 18th century.

After crossing the road, look for the faded sign on its side wall, before heading along the Shambles. At the end, turn left up Coppice Hill past the old King’s Arms, and at the top you will see the shell of a Wesleyan Chapel built in 1818 and abandoned in 1959.

Head back down Coppice Hill and turn left up Silver Street, where there are some fascinating reminders of old businesses. Turn right down Mill Lane, where the wall on the left hides Kingston House, Bradford’s grandest building.

ARCHITECTURAL GEMS: main picture, the former weavers’ houses in Tory, now highly sought after Inset, a distant view of Kingston House, one of the town’s finest properties

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THE | WALK

SIGHTSEEING: right, the view across Bradfordon-Avon from Tory, and left, the Saxon church, as it was in 1877

Turn right at the bottom, and, just before the end of the street, turn left through an archway and down a ramp to emerge in a former mill yard. Bear right and then left to cross the bridge. The building halfway across was a lock-up for the incarceration of inebriated miscreants, and replaced an earlier chapel.

Westbury House, the grand building to your right, was home to a mill-owner called Joseph Phelps. In 1791, his attempts to automate the cloth-making industry provoked a riot by those fearful of losing their jobs. When they attacked his house, shots were fired into the

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crowd, killing three people and wounding many more.

Turn left along Bridge Street and, after a railway crossing wedged between a bridge and a tunnel, head up a path on the right – but not before continuing to the end of the road to see Greenland Mills, over 200 years old and recently converted to housing.

As you walk up the path, look out for a short flight of steps on the right, head up them, carry on and, after climbing four more broken-down steps, turn right along a woodland path. When it forks, bear left past Lyndhurst Bungalows.

After passing a scout hut, you can see Kingston House across the valley. Built around 1580 by a clothier called John Hall, it was later owned by the Dukes of Kingston. After falling into disrepair in the 19th century, it was bought and restored by the Moulton family, who later established a bicycle factory in Bradford.

The church spire is that of Christ Church. Below it, to the right, is a truncated windmill, converted to a house. You can also see the shell of the Methodist Chapel.

Carry on along a road for a short distance, but, when it kinks right, turn left along an alleyway called St Margaret’s Place. At the end, cross and turn right, and at the main road, with 17th century almshouses on your left, cross and head towards the railway station for a train back to Bath. n

FACT FILE ■ Length of walk: 5 miles ■ Time of walk: 3 hours ■ Refreshments: There are plenty of pubs, cafés and restaurants in Bradford-on-Avon

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Interiors Sept.qxp_Layout 1 24/08/2015 10:54 Page 1

STYLISH | INTERIORS

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Interior designer, and parent, Clair Strong rewrites the textbook on children’s rooms and shows how to create a stylish, productive and motivational space to study

S

chool is nearly back in session and homework is an inevitable staple of school life with most children required to complete at least an hour’s work each evening. By creating a special study space just for them, you can help make the chore of homework much more enjoyable. Create an inspiring, procrastination-free zone for children of all ages (whether they’re learning their ABCs or completing their GCSEs) with these quick tips.

WHERE? You don’t need a spare room to create a dedicated study space. A desk and chair can fit in the most surprising of nooks (like under the stairs).

The most important thing here is to choose an area where your little learners won’t get easily distracted by the TV, toys or their siblings. For teenagers, a quiet corner in their bedroom might work, whereas younger children will probably benefit from a space under your watchful eye (the kitchen or hallway is great for this).

COLOUR THEORY Extensive research suggests that certain colours have a direct impact on mood and productivity.

This means you could in theory choose colours that will help your child perform better. For example, blue is said to be a positive, calming colour that inspires confidence while green promotes relaxation and evokes nature.

Use colour sparingly, and choose softer shades of the colours you do pick.

Intense colour can be too stimulating and distracting in a workspace. I’d opt for neutrals and relaxing blues and greens over vibrant reds, pinks and purples, especially for children.

As an added bonus, if you set up the study area in the corner of another room you can use colour to create clear division between the spaces. Paint the walls or simply use colour-coordinated accessories to define the different areas.

FANTASTIC FURNITURE Comfort is key for long study sessions so don’t plump for any old set up.

Consider how your child likes to work and what makes them most productive.

Some children need the structure of their own individual desk and chair, while others prefer to share a big table with their siblings. You might even want to think outside the box with something like a standing desk. Recent research has indicated that children participate more actively in the classroom when working 114 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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at a ‘stand-biased’ desk. This may work equally well at home.

Modern children’s furniture is fun, stylish and often ergonomically designed. You can find a great selection at stores like IKEA, John Lewis, Flexa, Go Modern and Aspace or have a local craftsman build something bespoke.

ONLY THE ESSENTIALS Kids have a lot of stuff – a seemingly never-ending supply of toys, books and clothes. This stuff only serves as a distraction in a study area, so keep it really simple and pared back here. The lack of clutter will help keep mum and dad’s sanity in check too.

Have only a few bits on the desktop; a lamp, a clock and a pencil pot filled with only necessary stationery supplies (no, gel pens aren’t a necessity). Paper and books can be stored in the desk drawers when not in use.

Any other non-essential items can be hung on a pegboard on the wall above the desk. Pegboards are an extremely practical alternative to corkboards because you can keep notes and important paperwork on them alongside heavier items like notebooks and craft supplies. I recommend the colourful yet sophisticated boards from The Kid Who.

KEEP CALM AND COLOU IN: main picture, Roofus desk and chair by Loaf Above, choose colours which encourage peace and concentration, oak trestle desk by Aspace

EDUCATIONAL DECORATION Wall art and accessories add a little personality to any study space and make it an inviting place for the kids to hang out. Cool natural history prints, star map wall charts and posters of their favourite books will inspire and educate children of all ages. A collection of globes and natural treasures collected from hikes and beach trips will also add charm to the space.

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A LOVE OF WORDS: inspirational prints

by Cheltenham based artist Betsy Benn. This is Treasure Island, but she also has prints with key words and phrases from Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood and the Wizard of Oz. £29 from: betsybenn.co.uk Below, Pootle storage trolley £225

by Loaf.com

I suggest getting the kids actively involved in picking out – or even making – art and objects to decorate the space. You could even frame the best of their school work to encourage and motivate them to reach for those perfect grades! n Clair Strong Interior Design is a small, friendly, creative business based in Bath and London, providing services for residential and commercial clients.

Visit: clairstrong.co.uk or contact: clair@clairstrong.co.uk.

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

K IS FOR KNOW-HOW: main picture, Nidi Graphic child’s desk

by Go Modern. Above, Pop storage from £95, from Loaf.com Above right, Oud table lamp by Lime Lace

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Gardening Sept.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2015 11:40 Page 1

OPEN| GARDENS

A GARDEN TO REMEMBER Jane Moore plans to revisit a garden that inspired her budding passion for horticulture

T

he garden I’m going to tell you about is one I haven’t visited for some 20 or so years. You may wonder how I can attempt to write about it and yes, it may well have changed – I intend to revisit it this month to find out. But I dearly hope it hasn’t changed too much as it holds a rather special place in my heart and its character and substance are firmly lodged in my memory forever.

Back then, in the mists and midst of my twenties, I had just finished horticultural college and embarked on my first ‘proper’ qualified job with all the passion and ardour of a newly, fully fledged gardener. My then boyfriend, seeking to impress me with his horticultural enthusiasm, whisked me off to Hazelbury Manor near Box for a day out. It worked very well – he became and is unquestionably the love of my life while Hazelbury remains, in my minds eye, forever a garden of romance.

In many ways the romantic feel of Hazelbury is not so surprising as it’s always seemed to me a garden born of love, being probably the first large garden created by Ian and Barbara Pollard back in the 70s and 80s when they were first getting bitten by the gardening bug.

Since then the Pollards have shed their clothes, gained great fame and a certain notoriety and spent a couple of decades making the beautiful Abbey House Gardens at Malmesbury, in my opinion 118 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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one of the finest modern gardens in the area. I love the Abbey House Gardens but I look at them with an older, more experienced eye – I’m more analytical of them, their design and planting. But I cannot forget the freshness of my visit to Hazelbury and my awe that the Pollards had created this garden, acres of it, from near enough scratch. I suspect the Pollards, too, approached Hazelbury with more fervour and less planning.

From the very start, the whole place had a somewhat surreal quality, beginning with Barbara selling us tickets from the gothic doorway of the Dower House dressed in a white jumpsuit with a wide gold belt and gold pixie boots. It was the 80s but even so that was flamboyant. Wandering around the garden took us into the realms of Alice in Wonderland with a giant chess set carved from yew topiary which made Paul and I seem so tiny.

Delving through tunnels of laburnum, stilt hedges of beech and an avenue of pleached limes all added to the effect and the fact we had the place to ourselves made it all a bit magical.

Eventually we popped out onto the main lawn in front of the manorhouse to come face to face with a huge jet black Great Dane with white paws and slobbering jaws. Understandably we all stopped in our tracks, studying one another until we heard a far off cry of: “Othello? Othello, where are you?”

The dog wheeled about and galloped off; leaving us wondering if we’d had a near miss or some kind of fairy

BORDER CONTROL: main picture, a mass of pastel foxgloves contrast with the mellow stone walls Inset, wisteria provides a rich backdrop to this border at Hazelbury Manor

encounter. The Pollards trademark billowing borders were remarkable even then and later that afternoon we came across a stone circle on a small hill – the last outpost of the lost kingdom of Hazelbury.

Shortly after my visit Hazelbury Manor was sold, the Pollards moved on to the Abbey House, and I never went back. I heard that the gardens deteriorated somewhat and I, like the Pollards, became more interested in what they were doing at Abbey House.

But from time to time I wondered about Hazelbury and how it was faring and then I noticed it‘s open for NGS again this September, only a few days after The Bath Priory. It seems rather timely so I think Paul and I will revisit this old haunt of ours and see how well it is wearing.

I can’t expect that magic of that first visit this time around – or, sadly, an encounter with Othello – but I expect it

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OPEN | GARDENS

LABOUR OF LOVE: contrasting textures at Hazelbury

will still have a touch of the Pollard charm about the old place and that’s definitely worth a trip.

OPENING INFORMATION Hazelbury Manor Gardens, Wadswick, Box, Wiltshire, SN13 8HX, Wednesday 16 September, 11am – 3pm, admission £5, child free. Teas.

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

Other gardens open in September: Ston Easton Park, Ston Easton, Radstock, Somerset BA3 4DF, Wednesday 2 September, 10.30am 4pm, admission £4, child free.

Light refreshments in the Yellow Dining Room. Booking essential for lunch and tea, please phone to make reservation.

Glorious 36 acres of historic parkland

designed by Humphrey Repton, alongside the quietly cascading River Norr, featuring a productive walled Victorian kitchen garden. Visit the octagonal rose garden, beautiful herbaceous border, colourful flowerbeds, fruit cage and orchard.

Bath Priory Hotel, Weston Road, Bath, Somerset BA1 2XT Thursday 10 September, 2 - 5pm, admission £3, child free. Home-made teas. Hopefully this needs little or no introduction to many of you. September is alive with colour from many herbaceous perennials, dahlias and tender plants providing summer highlights Special Plants, Greenway Lane, Cold Ashton, Wiltshire, SN14 8LA Thursday 17 September 11am - 5pm, admission £4.50, child free. Teas.

Architect-designed ¾ acre hillside garden with stunning views. Started autumn 1996. Exotic plants. Gravel gardens for borderline hardy plants.

Black and white (purple and silver) garden. Vegetable garden and orchard.

Hot border. Lemon and lime bank.

Annual, biennial and tender plants for late summer colour. n Jane Moore is the award-winning head gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel. She writes regularly for the Telegraph and can be followed on Twitter @janethegardener.

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Holly Woodward (MBAcC, Reg Nurse) is an experienced fertility acupuncturist, having worked for leading fertility expert Zita West.

TEL: 01225 424499 Advertising that keeps working

Call Holly on 07759 684552 Address: The Practice Rooms, 26 Upper Borough Walls.

Situated above ‘Lush’.

E: holly.woodward@yahoo.co.uk W: www.hollywoodward.co.uk

Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

KEIKO KISHIMOTO

Holiday Rental

House & Home

FREE TRIAL Rising damp protection with NO BUILDING WORK involved: - an alternative to traditional methods - electronically - active reverse osmosis - suitable for any size or type of building, especially period properties

www.damp-protection.co.uk Trowbridge & Neal’s Yard Bath

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Tel 0207 0609554

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PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

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ucked away in the heart of this popular village, The Wool Hall is a residential studio with a distinguished past. The historic building was originally converted into a recording studio in the 1980s by Tears for Fears, initially for private use. Later the studio became fully commercial, installing an SSL 6056 analogue console and playing host to leading artists including Joni Mitchell, The Pretenders, The Smiths, Stereophonics and Paul Weller. In 1994 The Wool Hall was acquired by Van Morrison and continued to be in constant use for in-house projects and was further upgraded to become one of the country’s leading residentials. The property has been in the hands of the present owner some eight years ago. The main farmhouse comprises six bedrooms, a bathroom, shower room and cloakroom, sitting room, dining room and kitchen. The spacious Main Studio building is on three floors and houses three bedrooms, a sitting room, dining room, three recording studios, kitchen and reception hall. A detached annexe offers and impressive games room or further recording studio, bedroom and study. An additional garage building provides recording studio, garage, boot room and laundry room. This is a rare opportunity and prospective purchasers can obtain full details from agents Pritchards.

THE WOOL HALL – RECORDING STUDIOS, BECKINGTON, NR BATH

Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

Price: £1,750,000

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

• Period farmhouse incorporating residential recording studios • Four units: 10 bedrooms, 5 studios, 5 receptions rooms in total • Distinguished recording history • Peaceful, private location with good access to amenities • Ample parking and good sized gardens

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Bathwick Hill An individual detached property, set in an elevated, enviable position on the upper slopes of Bathwick Hill overlooking the City & the Smallcombe Valley.

• 3 double bedrooms master with ensuite, family bathroom, cloakroom & utility • 29ft kitchen/diner, drawing room opening to sun terrace • Mature terraced garden, driveway parking & integral double garage • Easy access to City, University & good bus service route • Internal area including garage 2139 sq ft/198.7 sq m

Guide Price: £925,000

Burnett, Nr Bath & Bristol An opportunity to acquire an extremely versatile 3 bed attached property situated in the popular hamlet of Burnett, within easy reach of amenities shops, bus & rail links.

• 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms • Kitchen, workshop & storeroom - further scope to convert the workshop/storeroom into additional accommodation (subj to nec consents) • Large private rear garden • Well located for Bath, Bristol & Bristol airport • Internal floor area 1741 sq. ft. - 162 sq m

Guide Price: £750,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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Wine Street, Bradford On Avon A most attractive Grade II Listed 4/5 bed detached house believed to date back to the 18th Century & offering an abundance of character & charm. Numerous period features incl flagstone floors & exposed beams.

• 4 bedrooms, loft room/study/bed 5, 2 bath/shower rooms • Sitting room with fabulous open fireplace, dining room, ‘farmhouse style’ kitchen to garden • Utility & cloakroom • Enclosed garden • Int area 1718 sq ft/159.7 sq m

OIEO £750,000

Farleigh Hungerford A charming detached cottage standing in large attractive gardens, principally facing West with an additional small paddock, in all approximately one acre. Lovely quiet position adjacent to open countryside.

• 3 bedrooms, bathroom & shower room • Sitting room with working woodburner, dining room, kitchen • Delightful large gardens & additional paddock - approaching 1 acre • Detached double garage & ample driveway parking • Further timber outbuildings

Price: £675,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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Northend, Batheaston A quite charming Grade II Listed semi detached period house in a peaceful elevated position in the heart of a popular village on the North Eastern fringes of the City. Believed to be the oldest property in the Village, it retains a wealth of character.

• 3 bedrooms, spacious attic room & bathroom • Sitting room, living/dining room, kitchen & cellar/storeroom • Approx 40' delightful garden, large single garage and parking for 2/3 cars • Internal area: 1915 sq ft/178 sq m

Guide Price: £650,000

Newbridge A beautifully presented semi detached family home set in a quiet location yet within easy reach of the City Centre & local amenities & shops.

• 3 double bedrooms, bathroom & wetroom • Living room, dining room, study, & kitchen • Gardens • Garage & ample off road parking • Internal area: 1498 sq ft/139.1 sq m

Price: £495,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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Brock Street, City Centre A beautiful four bedroom garden maisonette occupying the lower three floors of an impressive Grade II Listed former Georgian townhouse. The apartment has been finished to the highest standard throughout and has an extensive, private south-facing garden which backs onto the Royal Victoria Park.

Rent: ÂŁ3,250 pcm* beautiful living room with period features | light and spacious open plan kitchen / dining room | contemporary fitted kitchen | private, walled south-facing garden | 4 double bedrooms | 2 stunning en-suite bathrooms | family bathroom | study area Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

*An administration fee of ÂŁ420.00 inc. VAT applies.

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Bathwick Street, Bath

£2,250 pcm

Delightful four bedroom grade II listed town house which is full of character and charm, plus the bonus of a walled court yard garden.

Bannerdown Road, Bath

Ivy Bank Park, Bath

Modern 1970’S built detached property within a residential cul-de sac location which is perfectly suited for the modern professional family.

£3,250 pcm Monmouth Street, Bath

Hillside house is a unique five bedroom detached period family home, originally built circa 1900’s and has been thoughtfully extended in recent years, situated over three floors the property boasts a wonderful living space. The plot is elevated off the Bannerdown Road and offers off street parking for several cars, private manicured grounds

£2,200 pcm

£1,595 pcm

Fantastic refurbished town house located in the heart of the city. This property is best suited to meet the needs of a busy professionals.

Bath Office

Lettings 01225 458546 | Sales. 01225 459817

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Understanding the costs of climbing the property ladder

NASH & CO Estate Agents

Peter Greatorex, managing director of The apartment Company offers advice on getting all the costings clear before you make your purchase

T

hinking about moving home can be the most exciting, yet stressful time of your life. So it can seem impossible to imagine the eventual outcome, when you don’t even know where to begin! At The Apartment Company we want to make sure you’re fully aware of the costs involved that you’ll encounter in today’s market.

• Conveyancing Conveyancing involves legally transferring the home ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. For this you will need to hire a solicitor to act on your behalf, which could cost anything between £500 to £1,500 (inc. VAT).

They can also carry out local searches for you; an additional cost of around £200 to £300.

• Estate Agent Ensure you choose the right agent for your and your property. As the only agency in these two areas exclusively dealing with apartments, we are 100% focused in our market. We continue to grow in both reputation and size and have a proven track record in selling apartments.

• Stamp Duty In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if you purchase a property or piece of land over a certain price threshold you must pay SDLT; Stamp Duty Land Tax. The reform on SDLT saw the ‘slab’ system replaced by a 'sliding' system.

This now means that the purchase price of residential property rate is as follows:

£0 - £125,000

0%

£125,001 - £250,000

2%

£250,001 - £925,000

5%

£925,001 - £1.5 million

10%

Over £1.5 million

12%

• Deposit In today’s mortgage market you will need a deposit of at least 5% of the property’s value to obtain a mortgage. Your lender would then stump up the remaining 95% of the property's value. So for example, if you wished to purchase an apartment worth £350,000 you would need to save up at least £17,500 and borrow the remaining £332,500.

Once you have the real cost of moving outlined, you can then plan and budget for your next move much more efficiently. At the Apartment Company we believe in helping you through the entire process, our recommended list of professionals will ensure you move swiftly and happily.

At The Apartment Company we understand the importance of gathering all the right information so you can make the most informed decisions.

The Apartment Company, tel: 01225 471144. Twitter @ApartmentCo n

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Autumn Property Evenings • Thursday 24th September • Wednesday 17th October • Thursday 24th November Where: Offices of Nash & Co, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED What time: Between 5.00pm and 9.00pm

Get no obligation advice from the following local professionals; • Independent Mortgage Advisor • Solicitor

• The team at Nash and Co estate agents If you would like to know more or register for an appointment please contact;

By email: duncan@nashandcobath.co.uk or call

01225 444800

Jeremy Jenkins FP SEPT.qxp_Layout 4 27/08/2015 12:27 Page 1

It’s been an electrifying year for sales thus far! We have sold lots of houses like these and have customers demanding many more! For an utterly confidential chat about your move, call or pop in to see us we would be delighted to hear from you.

Avoncliff - £365,000

Bradford-on-Avon – £1,100,000

Bradford-on-Avon - £375,000

Bradford-on-Avon - £565,00

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

Bradford-on-Avon - £475,000

Upper South Wraxall - £525,000

Limpley Stoke - £425,000

Bradford-on-Avon - £550,000

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

Bradford Leigh - £700,000

Freshford - £310,000

Wingfield - £575,000

Kingsdown – £625,000

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

Bradford-on-Avon - £475,000

Bradford-on-Avon - £525,000

Limpley Stoke - £435,000

Bradford on Avon - £375,000

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

SOLD Similar required

☎ 01225 866747 27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk

fidelisinbath.co.uk GUILDPROPERTY.CO.UK

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£295,000 Stirtingale Avenue A Classic Three Bedroom Family Home Nestled in a Small Cul-de-Sac with Lovely Views Living Room | Kitchen/Dining Room | Cloakroom | Three Bedrooms | Bathroom | Deck and Good Size Garden | Garage | Off Road Parking | Planning Consent for a Ground Floor Extension | EPC Rating D

C

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£299,950 St James’s Place 3 Bedroom Maisonette in Prime City Centre Location Offered for Sale Chain Free Living Room | Kitchen/Dining Room | 3 Double Bedrooms | Bathroom | Views to the Rear| Has been producing an income yield of £1250 PCM. | EPC Rating D

Proud sponsors of Beechen Cliff School Fidelis September.indd 1

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01225 421000

Fidelis

C T S

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£280,000 Moravian Place, Coronation Avenue Spacious Two Double Bedroom Maisonette, Balcony with Stunning views & Secure Parking Sitting Room | Contemporary Kitchen | Shower Room | Master Bedroom with En Suite Bathroom and Balcony | Secure Under croft Parking | Communal Bike Store | EPC Rating B

C

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£210,000 South View Road Two Bedroom Mid Terraced Property in Popular Location Near Oldfield Park and City Centre Two Double Bedrooms | Two Reception Rooms | Kitchen | No Onward Chain | Local Amenities in Oldfield Park | Local Bus Route to City Centre & University | Gas Central Heating | Double Glazing | EPC Rating D

Thinking of Selling in 2015?

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PERRYMEAD - £650,000 This large, Bath stone semi-detached house was built in 1955 and extended in the early 1970s to form a good sized four bedroom home. Set in lovely, mature gardens the property enjoys fantastic views overlooking Lyncombe Vale and is certainly within walking distance of Bath’s City Centre via Widcombe.

Porch, hall, sitting room, dining room, glass lean-to, study, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom, 4 bedrooms and bathroom with separate toilet. Off-street parking and large, mature gardens. EPC = C. Approximate gross internal floor area: 1,611 square feet / 150 square metres.

k Mar r o l y a N

01225 422 224 www.mark-naylor.com

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HANSFORD SQUARE - OFFERS IN THE REgION OF ÂŁ495,000 This good-sized family detached house was built around 1960 and is situated in a large level plot. The house has oodles of potential and subject to planning permission has plenty of room for extensions. Although slightly faded from its former glory, the house enjoys an excellent layout of good size.

Porch, hall, sitting room, dining room, cloakroom with shower, kitchen, 4 bedrooms and bathroom. good sized single garage, secondary WC and coal house. Offered with vacant possession. Central heating. Approximate gross internal floor area: 1,500 square feet /139 square metres.

k Mar r o l y a N

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NASH & CO

Combe Down, Bath

Price On Application

A classical Georgian, double fronted Grade II listed townhouse, beautifully apportioned and located in the residential area of Combe Down to the southern slopes of the world heritage city of Bath. The house measures in the region of 3500 square foot including garaging, (Main house 3137 sq ft). The main part of the house was built in the 1770’s with further additions made around 1815, with the balcony added circa 1840. The property which was built by the Earl of Montalt, certainly has a feminine charm, which is probably why Isabella Place was named after the Earls second wife.

£715,000 • • • •

Victorian Bay Fronted 3 Bedrooms Views over Bath Off Street Parking • Light and airy

• Drawing room with Drawing Room, Dining Room, Study, Snug • 6 Bedrooms with Dressing Room off Master Bedroom ● Double Garage

Belgrave Crescent, Bath

A charming and well presented 3 bedroom, Victorian 4 storey terraced property on the northern slopes of Bath, with fantastic views over the City. This family home in the Camden area of Bath has been well presented by its current owners and offers breath-taking views, with a blend of charm and character as well. The house has a garden with a southerly aspect as well as a 2 parking bays to the rear, which is a big bonus in the area. Early viewing is advised.

enquiries@nashandcobath.co.uk 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED

Tel: 01225 444 800

.co.uk

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NASH & CO

Great Pulteney Street, Bath

Situated in the world famous Great Pulteney Street, this spacious property provides easy access to the town centre, local amenities, and tourist attractions. The property itself is a light and airy, front to back, 2 bedroom ground floor apartment within a Grade I listed townhouse, specifically for over 55s. This grand building possesses an abundance of character and charm and benefits from the typically Georgian high ceilings, period shutters, and fireplaces.

£375,000 • • • •

3 bedroom family home Open plan extended kitchen/dining room Beautiful views to the front Period features • Sunny rear garden

£500,000 • • • •

Front to Back Ground Floor Apartment Over 55s Views over gardens to rear Leasehold with remains of 999 year lease

Solsbury View, Bath

An excellent 3 bedroom end of terrace Victorian bay fronted home, Situated in the Fairfield Park area of the city, within 1 mile of the city centre. This period property includes the following accommodation over three floors: 3 bedrooms, hallway, living room, extended open plan kitchen/dining room, working fireplace, family bathroom, rear garden, a number of period features and lovely views over the valley to the front.

enquiries@nashandcobath.co.uk 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED

Tel: 01225 444 800

.co.uk

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HELP TO BUY MAKES TOWNHOUSE LIVING IN BATH A REALITY

H

Crafting beautiful homes In and around Bath

01225 79115 5

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ouse hunters in Bath wanting to move into a townhouse property that’s inherently typical with the world heritage city, are being directed to Crest Nicholson’s Bath Riverside development.

With a selection of stunning new four-storey, four-bedroom period-style houses currently available, those wanting a home that not only provides a versatile living space that can be adapted to the owner’s needs, but one that offers plenty of room are being advised to visit the development and see for themselves why this type of property and development have proved so popular.

The chance to own one of these brand new townhouses has also become much more of a reality, as the current price of £595,000 places them in the range that qualifies for the Government’s Help to Buy scheme.

It means buyers are only required to provide a deposit of 5% of the property value with the Government providing a further loan of up to 20%.

Current availability includes a selection of townhouses on the Longmead Terrace phase. Built from traditional Bath stone these brand new properties have modern features including bi-fold patio doors, composite stone kitchen worktops and built-in wardrobes.

Discerning house hunters who are now looking for a quick move could soon find themselves enjoying the trappings of luxurious four-storey living in close proximity to the centre of Bath.

Susan Young, sales and marketing director at Crest Nicholson said: “There are many benefits to living in a townhouse and they appeal to a diverse range of buyers.

“The additional attraction of the properties on Longmead Terrace is that while they maintain a traditional Georgian-style look, the fact that they are brand new means they benefit from modern building techniques, double glazing and insulation.

“The Help to Buy scheme has opened up the market to even more house hunters and for those who are looking to move now could have the keys to their new home by the Autumn.

“For prospective purchasers the current price now provides a one-in-alifetime opportunity to buy a brand new house in the centre of the city.

“This makes the properties at Bath Riverside, including the townhouses currently available, very attractive for those wanting a property in the Georgian-style.”

For further information please call 01225 463 517 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/bathriverside The marketing suite on Victoria Bridge Road is open daily from 10 am to 5pm.

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Yatton Keynell, Wiltshire

Guide Price £475,000

The Old Granary fuses traditional materials such as magnificent oak beams, stone pillars and red bricks with contemporary style including sleek lines, polished stone and feature lighting. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the ground floor. The first floor open plan living area is an impressive space and stone steps to a sunken courtyard garden add a further ‘outside room’. EPC:D

• • • • • •

3 Bedrooms Open Plan Living Stylish Interior Design Landscaped Courtyard Garden Garage/Workshop Popular Village

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546

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Chapmanslade, Wiltshire

Price on Application

A spectacular mini estate situated in the most stunning setting including parkland, woodland and more intimate terraces surrounding the house with swimming pool and summer house, in all about 40 acres. The mid 19th Century architecture is both elegant and beautifully detailed and offers approximately 6500 sq ft of stunning interior design.

EPC: Listed

• • • • • •

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6 Bedrooms Mark Wilkinson Kitchen Elegant Drawing Room Swimming Pool and Summer House Extensive Parkland Self Contained Annexe

24/08/2015 20:38

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BATH, Beaufort East

guide price ÂŁ1,150,000

Beautifully presented Georgian townhouse located on the edge of Larkhall in Bath. This stunning property comprises; hall, entrance hall, sitting room, study/reception room, three cloakrooms, drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, six bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, garage and garden.

EPC Rating: Exempt listed

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WHITLEY, The Grange

guide price ÂŁ895,000

Regency home located in the Wiltshire village of Whitley, just over 10 miles from Bath. This attached property comprises; drawing room, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory, utility room, downstairs W.C., five bedrooms (master en-suite), family bathroom, walled garden and parking.

EPC Rating: E

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Bath’s Number 1 Apartment Specialist

Marlborough Buildings

£1,495 pcm

Stunning views front and rear Central location No pets Council Tax band E • Suit professional couple • Unfurnished • Agency fees £350+vat • Available Now •

•

•

A spacious and newly refurbished second floor apartment situated to enjoy far reaching views to the front across the Royal Crescent green. The apartment comprises an entrance hall, sitting room with fabulous views, two double bedrooms, modern bathroom and a separate cloakroom.

Sydney Place

£1,250 pcm

Courtyard apartment • Level walk to shops • Parking • Suit professional couple/sharers • Council Tax Band C • Unfurnished • Agency fees £350+vat Available Now

•

A well presented two bedroom courtyard apartment in Sydney Place, boasting a level walk into the City centre. The well proportioned accommodation comprises a stunning hallway, sitting room with dining area, well equipped fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

The Apartment Company September.indd 3

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Margarets Buildings

£995 pcm

Two double bedrooms • Council Tax Band C • No pets • No students • Central location • Furnished • Agency fees £350+vat • Available September 16th 2015 Located in the heart of the City centre, offering spacious accommodation, this two bedroom Georgian apartment is definitely one not to miss. The accommodation comprises a sitting room with dining area, well equipped fitted kitchen on first floor level and on the second floor two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Daniel Street

£875 pcm

Studio apartment • No pets • Council Tax Band B • Well presented • Suit professional person • Furnished • Agency Fees £350+vat • Available September 25th 2015 A delightful and beautifully presented spacious studio apartment with high ceilings, marble fireplaces and situated in a quiet street just minutes from Henrietta Park and the Holburne Museum. With its superb location and stunning finish, this comes highly recommended.

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Bathwick Hill A beautiful Grade II listed detached Regency Villa, situated on the lower slopes of Bathwick Hill and attributed to John Pinch the Elder

| entrance hall | kitchen | garden room | dining room | office | study | utility | cloakroom | games room | family room | utility | laundry | shower room | vaults | first floor drawing room | withdrawing room | master bedroom with dressing room and en suite bath and shower room | guest bedroom with en suite shower room | 4 further bedrooms (2 en suite) | family bathroom | beautiful gardens | private gated parking | Offers in excess of £2,500,000 Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Upton Cheyney An immaculately presented contemporary house with stunning panoramic views, set in established gardens and grounds approaching 3.3 acres

| entrance hall | drawing room | dining room | garden room | study | kitchen/breakfast room | utility room | butler’s pantry | master bedroom with dressing area and wet room en suite | 3 further bedrooms (1 en suite) | family bathroom | double garage | parking for several cars | summerhouse | gardens and grounds approaching 3.3 acres | further 4.3 acres approximately available to rent | Guide Price: £1,350,000 Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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North Road A handsome detached family house with delightful garden, close to all amenities

| entrance hall | drawing room | dining room | kitchen | wet room | rear porch | master bedroom | 3 further bedrooms | family bathroom | double garage | parking for several cars | beautiful, secluded gardens | Guide Price: ÂŁ975,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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North Stoke A beautifully presented Grade II listed house situated in this highly sought-after village

| dining hall | drawing room | kitchen | breakfast room | master bedroom with en suite bathroom | 3 further bedrooms | bathroom 2 | cellar | detached garage with first floor guest accommodation | prayer house | summerhouse | gardens | parking | Offers in excess of ÂŁ825,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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