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The magazine for the city of Bath
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ISSUE 123 ✶ December 2012 ✶ £3.00 Where Sold
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KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS STUDIES FREESTANDING
Tel: 01656 841 942 Visit our website to see more:
www.jeremydavies.co.uk
View examples of our work at
Mandarin Stone 15-16 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ
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CONTENTS December BATH:Layout 2 copy
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contents
Fantastic
December
BLOOMSBURY & CO Competition Alex Monroe jewellery for one lucky reader See Page 37
50
76
22 58
84 8
ZEITGEIST
58
Five things not to miss this December
14
THE CITYIST
Pantos, festive music and exciting events
64 ARTS & EXHIBITIONS
The buzz in Bath this month
22
FACE THE MUSIC Panto star and actress, Nichola McAuliffe
26
LOCAL LOVELINESS Buy beautiful and inspired gifts from Bath
31
GIFT GUIDE Pressie ideas for all the family
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44
68 ARTIST PROFILE We celebrate the work of Ione Parkin
70 74
76 80
A LIFE IN FILM A tribute to director Steven Spielberg
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FOOD AND DRINK
102 FIT AND FAB Beauty news and an up-do review
110 THE WALK Walk off all that festive food as a family
118 WINTER GARDEN Wish lists from gardening gurus in Bath
125 PROPERTY Beautiful homes around Bath
TAKE 5 CHEFS RESTAURANT REVIEW Good grub at The Cosy Club
84 CITY MOTORING We review the Aston Martin Cygnet
This month’s portrait is artist John Eaves
52
Our guide to the holiday season
The perfect Christmas lunch recipes
GOOD READS BATH AT WORK
FAMILY FUN
The latest foodie news including The Vaults and the Kilted Chef
Topping & Co picks the best for Christmas
50
LAST ORDERS
94
A detailed look at Bath’s lost pubs
COCKTAIL TIME We have the perfect cocktail recipes from Bath’s top mixologists.
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What to see or buy and where this month
COMPETITION Win a fabulous new year’s day out at Cabot Circus in Bristol
WHAT’S ON
90
BATH PEOPLE The movers and shakers in the city
www.thebathmagazine.co.uk
ON THE COVER It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Seasons Greetings from all at TBM.
@ thebathmagazine
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EDITOR’Sletter
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e’ve done our best to ensure our December issue is filled to the brim with ideas for making your Christmas in Bath as pleasurable as possible. We’ve included a round-up of the plays and pantos for your entertainment and a reminder of some of the big events this month to get you in festive mood, from supping mulled wine at the famous Bath Christmas Market to singing carols in the magnificent setting of Bath’s historic Abbey – the Lantern of the West – which is looking at its best lit up on a winter’s evening. Dozens of Bath’s independent shops and some chain stores too have teamed up to hold a late night shopping evening on Thursday 13 December, which will be a boon to busy people trying to get everything organised in time for Christmas. The Bath Magazine’s little elves have scurried round to help you prepare for Christmas, with pages of gift ideas to suit all budgets, with the big emphasis on buying locally where possible to support Bath businesses. Rosie Parry has talked to the city’s top chefs and asked them to share their culinary tips for creating the ultimate Christmas lunch for your family and you can share their exclusive recipes on page 76. Our wine columnist, Angela Mount turns her expert tastebuds to choosing wines to perfectly match each course of the Christmas feast – read her choices on page 78. Continuing the seasonal theme, our award-winning gardening writer Jane Moore, who can be relied on whatever the weather, has chatted to some of Bath’s high profile gardeners on what gardening gifts they’d most like to receive. The formidable Lady Margaret’s choice of what she’d most enjoy finding in her Christmas stocking on 25 December may raise a smile in your potting shed. Playing the pantomime baddie is a role many actors relish, and this year much-respected actor Nichola McAuliffe is bracing herself to be booed and hissed at in the Theatre Royal’s panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She talks to Mick Ringham about her varied acting career, why she loves returning to Bath, and about the music that moves her (page 22). It’s something of a Christmas tradition for many of us to meet family or friends for a drink over the holiday in that great British institution, the pub, maybe after a walk or for a pint and a catchup. Before we take our local for granted it’s worth reading Andrew Swift’s thoughtful and timely piece about the number of pubs in the Bath area which have been lost over the past few years (page 70). Our intention in The Bath Magazine is to enhance your pleasure and pride in living in such a beautiful city as Bath. As the year comes to an end, I’d like to wish you peace, health and happiness for Christmas and for the new year. Cheers!
GRASSE
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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Luxury Items for Home and Garden | Truly Tempting Skincare A unique shopping experience with fresh style and approach 3 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA 01225 444260 | www.grasse.me.uk
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ZEITGEIST
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things to do in December
Support
Visit If you can get past the excitement of the newly extended Waitrose, take a few minutes to visit the central library in The Podium where Bath in Time is staging a We Love Bath Exhibition until Sunday 9 December, during library opening hours. Curator Daniel Brown has made a selection of favourite historical images from Bath in Time and mixed them with the best Bath photographs from the Images of Bath group on Flickr.com. The exhibition also includes a timeline of tweets – messages on Twitter – summarising local goings on over the last 12 months as reported by We Love Bath (follow on @welovebath). We Love Bath also includes a photograph mosaic, memorable tweets and a giant illustration by popular Bath cartoonist Perry Harris (follow on @uhperry).
The annual Bath Christmas Market is a vital fund-raiser for the city, bringing thousands of shoppers to Bath – and this year’s market is bigger and better than ever before, with more than 140 stalls extending from Bath Street and York Street, right round the Abbey and up to Milsom Place. The market, which opened on 22 November, is open every day until Sunday 9 December. Locals wisely avoid the market at peak times, such as Saturday afternoons and mid-week lunchtimes and do their browsing at other times, where possible.
Enjoy
Shop
The Holburne Museum is hosting another unique light display for the city this Christmas, with its Circuit: A Light Labyrinth which runs daily, apart from 24 – 26 December, until 9 January. This is a new artwork by Martin Richman and Charlie Kerr which can be found in the back garden of the museum. Visitors are able to walk through delicate strands of different coloured light in a web-like maze of light and different sounds – all inspired by the image of a brain with its twists and turns. Admission to Circuit: A Light Labyrinth is £2 (babes in arms admitted free). It is sponsored by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Mogers solicitors and benugo.
If the run-up to Christmas can sometimes feel like more chores than cheer, it might be worth making some time to tackle the gift buying in one fell swoop. More than 50 shops in Bath are going to open until 8pm on Thursday 13 December, to give us a fighting chance of getting our present shopping all wrapped up. Some shops will be offering free drinks, others goodie bags, discounts or a wrapping service. A new candle shop, True Grace, which has opened in Milsom Place, is holding a Christmas prize draw as an incentive, which includes all sorts of goodies.
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Give This is a good time of year to de-clutter your life and help others at the same time. We all have CDs and DVDs that are never played, clothes we rarely wear and rows of books that we’ll never read again. A preChristmas clear out of ‘stuff’ that’s in good condition can be donated to Julian House’s charity shops in Walcot Street and Moorland Road. Not only will it make room for all those lovely presents you’re going to get, but it can literally help save lives of those who have no home this Christmas.
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THE CITY
One city . . . one month
The buzz
My BATH We ask Rory Johnston a tenor with the Bath Abbey Men’s Choir what he’s doing this month What brought you to Bath? I moved down here from London with my family when I was almost ten. What are you reading? The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I started reading The Hobbit on the choir’s trip to Southwell Cathedral near Nottingham, as I wanted to read the book before I saw the film. After reading it, I just had to start the trilogy.
Shop
Beautiful, hand-blown Christmas baubles made by Bath Aqua Glass, from £13.95 – from the studio in Walcot, or the shop in Orange Grove.
Greetings To save yourself painstakingly writing individual Christmas cards to everyone in the office – and living in fear that you’ve upset Kevin in accounts by leaving him out – why not buy a Forever Friends Cancer Care appeal poster instead? Simply order the poster from the Royal United Hospital, tel: 01225 825392 or email: kate.bruhl@nhs.net. Then write your seasonal greeting on the poster and display in your workplace, at school or in a shared place, such as a care home. The RUH is raising money to build a new patientfriendly cancer centre.
Run
Sadly, one of the side effects of the economic downturn, is that more and more people are giving up their pets to be cared for by charities, such as the Bath Cats and Dogs Home. The Claverton-based centre cares for more than 2,500 animals every year and public money is vital to its continued survival. The Bath Cats and Dogs Home has been chosen as an official local charity for the Bath Half Marathon which takes place on 3 March and it is recruiting people to run and fundraise. As the race is now full, the only way runners can get a place is to either take part in a corporate effort, or sign up with a charity. If you’d like to run for the abandoned pets call: 01225 787335 or visit: www.bcdh.org.uk.
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What is on your MP3 player? Anything from classic 90s hip-hop like Jurassic 5, to some Chopin piano pieces (his Ballade no.1 is a personal favourite), I’m also a big fan of Radiohead. I’ll probably end up putting the Bath Abbey Choir’s new Christmas CD on at some point – What child is this? by Thomas Hewitt Jones is my current favourite.
and writing, so getting involved in anything of that sort is always a lot of fun. What local outdoor activity or event will you be doing or visiting? Well, this time of year is very busy for the Bath Abbey Choir, with concerts on the 15 and 22 December, as well as the Advent Service on 2 December and lots of singing on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I may not even be allowed out of the Abbey… Film or play? What will you be going to see this month? As I mentioned earlier The Hobbit is definitely on my list of must sees. I mean, you can never get enough of Gandalf.
Your passions? What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing? Music’s a big part of my life, both performing
The Bath Abbey Choir’s Christmas CD is out now and is on sale at the Abbey shop, £9.99. To find out more about worship, music and what’s on at Bath Abbey, visit: www.bathabbey.org or, follow @BathAbbey on Twitter. Bath Abbey is embarking on a major development programme, Footprint, designed to improve and expand its space and facilities. The Footprint project – which will need more funding – includes plans for a song school, larger rehearsal space and changing rooms, benefitting thousands of visiting schoolchildren, choirs and other visitors. Since submitting plans to B&NES Council in August, the Abbey has received nearly 500 letters in favour of the project. ■
Bath’s fabulous, thought-provoking and diverse Literature Festival, sponsored by The Independent newspaper, is taking place between 1 and 10 March next year. Sadly, it will be the swansong for artistic director James Runcie, who is leaving after four years at the helm, to take up his full-time role as head of literature and the spoken word at the South Bank Centre in London. But before he goes, James is bringing a varied programme to the 2013 festival, including the chance to hear him in conversation with two of
the best known writers in the country. Double Man Booker prizewinner Hilary Mantell and Harry Potter creator JK Rowling will be making appearances in Bath, although Rowling will not be here to talk about her writing for children, but her adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. All those studying the classic To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee will be pleased to hear there will be a dramatisation of the famous court scene as part of the festival too. For ongoing news visit: www.bathlitfest.org.uk. We’ll be bringing more news in the spring too.
Which café or restaurant takes your fancy? I like the pies they do at the Raven on Queen Street. You can’t beat a pie and a pint. Which museum or gallery will you be visiting? There is a fabulous new art gallery right opposite Chapel Arts, where the old pet shop used to be called 44AD in Lower Borough Walls. There are some lovely paintings and photograms on display.
We’re following @georgianbath – Marcus Tullius Cicer is a trapped Roman mannequin found at his post in Bath. He comments on the tourists and the weather, enjoys the occasional beer and his favourite word is ‘onwards’.
DECEMBER 2012
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NOTES ON A SMALL CITY By Bigwig
NO SUCH THING AS STRANGERS
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or many years my friends and I, along with an army of volunteers, organised a Christmas Day dinner for the old and lonely. We’d borrow a works canteen, school dinner hall or an old church and spend two days turning it into a veritable Christmas wonderland. A huge proportion of the money raised through jumble sales and street collections (with us dressed as fairies skipping round a giant papier mache pudding) would go towards the décor. For ‘institutional’ was not the look we were after. One year it was flocks of angels flying above the tables. The next it was Baroque cherubs balancing on pyramids of golden grapes. Another time we had swaying fans of glittering peacock feathers. Once our tree was so big, we had to borrow some rope lights from the Rolling Stones stage show just to do it justice. Being a trained designer for the theatre, it was my job to oversee the decorations and I would rally my team and set them to folding, spraying and glitter-penning until the whole place looked like Harrods windows. Everything was arranged just so, every table napkin and cracker at the correct angle, every item of cutlery mathematically placed. In fact, I was known to get tetchy when the 200 guests arrived with their coats, sticks, bags and walking frames and messed up my symmetry.
‘Are you old and lonely?’ ‘No, but I’ve ❝ just burnt my bloody turkey!’ ❞ At this point the volunteers, whether scruffy hippy-types forced for once into neat waiter and waitress outfits, the chefs in their crisp whites or the kindly cardigan wearing carers who showed everyone to their seats, went into action. Everyone, but everyone, was treated as a welcome guest, whether they had been sent by social services, the Salvation Army, had wandered in from the streets or simply lived alone and wanted company. There were many regulars who came year after year, and some first-timers who were stopped in their tracks by the sight that met their eyes at the door. The dinner itself was always champion, with all the trimmings as they say on hotel menus. Local butchers donated their biggest turkeys and more often than not the mayor would turn up to light the puddings. Everyone got a present and the bar was extremely well stocked thanks to the generosity of nearby pubs (to the obvious delight of certain guests…but we weren’t judgemental, it was Christmas after all). To make sure nobody missed out, just before dinner we would go out in a van with a three piece suite in the back. Anyone wandering the streets would be invited to jump in and come and join the fun. We saw one bent old chap shuffling along in his carpet slippers. ‘Would you like to come to our dinner for the old and lonely we cried?’ ‘No thanks,’ he answered, sounding somewhat put out, ‘I’m just popping to my club for a drink and I’m sure my wife has dinner under control’. But next up was a woman standing by a roundabout, clearly in tears. ‘Are you old and lonely?’ ‘No, but I’ve just burnt my bloody turkey!’ She leapt at the chance of coming to help us with our day of festivities. Getting everyone home after one too many sherries could be quite a problem. Some elderly guests not only couldn’t remember what coat they came in but also couldn’t always remember exactly where they lived. Some didn’t live anywhere and it was heart-rending to drop them off on a chilly corner in town after such a great day. ■ 16 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine Contact us: Editor Tel: Email:
Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Deputy Editor Email:
Samantha Ewart sam@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Editorial Assistant Email:
Rosie Parry rosie@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Production Manager Email:
Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Commercial Production Lorna Harrington Email: lorna@thebathmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:
Steve Miklos stevem@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Contact the Advertising Sales team tel: 01225 424499 Advertising Sales Email:
Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Advertising Sales Email:
Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Advertising Sales Email:
Lauren Palmer lauren@thebathmagazine.co.uk
The Bristol Magazine, The Bath Magazine and West Country are published by MC Publishing Ltd and are completely 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.
2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2012 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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BATHlife Andrew Pawley, Benoit Bouchaud, and David Lees
Sir Robert and Lady Hill, with Joy Isaac Julian House Chief Executive Peter Denning and Chair of the Board, Libby Gawith
Julian House Christmas Auction
Dreweatts Auctioneer Richard Madley
Wessex Water HQ November 2012 Over 150 guests attended the annual Julian House Christmas Auction at the Wessex Water headquarters in Claverton Down. The charity which provides support and service for the homeless in and around Bath raised over ÂŁ30,000 from the auction. Penny and Mike Turner
There was also a raffle, drawn by Libby Gawith
Susie Burwell of Circle Bath, with friends. Circle Bath donated several lots to the auction. Janet and Ambrose Russell
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CITYheritage
A CITY IN PHOTOGRAPHS With its mellow golden stone, Georgian architecture and green spaces, it’s no wonder that photographers love Bath. City estate agent Hamptons International recently held a competition to find the best views of Bath, as seen through a lens
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hen visitors to Bath fall in love with the city, they quite frequently look at house prices. Some even go as far as wandering in to local estate agents to make enquiries, so it makes sense for we Bathonians to represent our city in the best light possible. Which is why estate agents Hamptons International threw down a challenge to local photographers to capture Bath at its best. The brief was to take a picture that perfectly encapsulated something of the spirit of Bath. The entries, which were not publicly labelled, were then short-listed before a panel of judges picked their favourites, and finally a winner. Dozens of people entered, drawn by the lure of a £250 first prize and the chance to see their picture enlarged and wall mounted on canvas in Hamptons International’s Gay Street offices. The judging panel consisted of the Mayor of Bath, Cllr Andy Furse, the Mayoress of Bath, Mei-Ling Chou Furse, the branch manager of Hamptons International, Neal Wood, editor of Bath Life, Kate Authers and editor of The Bath Magazine, Georgette McCready. Our winner was Jono Hewitt, with his finely detailed photograph of The Circus. Jono is 17 years old – not that the judges knew that as they admired his attention to detail and the lighting he had used to make the most of John Wood’s architecture. The runners up were: Alastair Chalmers, The Canal at Widcombe, and for his Parts of Cavendish and Lansdown Crescent from the golf course, Dean Hunter for Bath Beau Street and Chris Brennan for Central Bath. ■ ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Jono Hewitt’s winning photograph depicts the Circus.
WIDCOMBE: by runner-up Alistair Chalmers Above, CENTRAL BATH: by runner-up Chris Brennan Left, BEAU STREET: by runner-up Dean Hunter
LANSDOWN: by runner-up Alistair Chalmers
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All images courtesy of Hamptons International, sponsors of the 2012 Bath photographic competition
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SHE’S BEHIND YOU! Photo credit: Freia Turland Photography
Actress Nichola McAuliffe is a regular perfomer at the Theatre Royal Bath and is currently appearing in pantomime as the Wicked Queen. She speaks to Mick Ringham about her career and her love of music
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s a child one of the most enjoyable treats over the Christmas holiday was the annual visit to that great British institution, the panto. The lavish sets, over-acting and a creaky plot that would have the Brothers Grimm weeping into their gruel, for me was a magical experience and for that matter, still remains one of the highlights of the theatrical year for the youngest generation of panto audiences. Nichola McAuliffe will be keeping the British panto tradition of goodies and baddies alive this year, playing the Wicked Queen in Bath Theatre Royal’s production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Nichola has performed in a vast number of productions over an acclaimed career that has received nominations and plaudits from the great and good, including an Olivier award for 22 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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best actress in a musical. Recently she has delighted UK audiences with her portrayal as the eccentric Miss Shepherd in Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van, which visited the Theatre Royal Bath on its national run. Among her diverse roles she once bizarrely provided the voice of James Bond’s BMW in Tomorrow Never Dies, but she is probably best known for her role as the acerbic tongued senior surgeon Sheila Sabatini in Surgical Spirit which was one of ITVs longest running sit-coms. I caught up with her during pantomime rehearsals at the theatre and asked her what originally brought her into the profession. “Playing the Angel Gabriel at school at the age of five and I’ve never looked back” she laughs. This summer saw her new play Maurice’s Jubilee receive its
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THE MANY FACES OF NICHOLA: from left to right, in The Mikado, Nichola as herself, and in Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van
world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival. As well as writing the play she starred in it alongside Julian Glover and Sheila Reid and after the Bath pantomime finishes she will be touring extensively with the production in the UK and abroad. Nichola’s most recent film credits include Stephen Frear’s movie Cheri with Michelle Pfeiffer and Kathy Bates. Asked who she felt had been the greatest influence on her career she says: “I would have to choose two wonderful characters for their sheer professionalism and talent, Laurence Olivier and Ken Dodd. I never met Sir Laurence but I did manage to meet and tell Doddy how much I admired him, who was delighted.” Outside the theatre Nichola has a passion for rugby and is hoping to catch a game or two while she is in Bath. Finally I asked her what she hoped to bring to her role as the Wicked Queen, her answer sent a chill down my spine:“Pure hatred” she hissed at me, looking suitably menacing – “a cauldron full of evil.” Don’t say you haven’t been warned!
Nichola’s top ten: ● Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Soave sia il Vento This is from Cosi fan tutte and has always been a huge favourite. It was sung by three opera singers at my wedding to my husband Don on the verandah of Jodie and Gemma Kidd’s parents’ plantation house in Barbados. Truly a wonderful day with memories that will last a lifetime. ● Traditional – Estas Las Islas Canarias The traditional music of the Canary Islands. We have been going to the Island of La Gomera for almost 25 years and love the folk music of all the Islands. Another is called Teror Teror Teror which is a place and not a feeling – a song to the virgin. Each island and each village has a virgin. The patrona of Gomera is Guadalupe and every five years they have a huge fiesta. As it happens 2013 will be the next one – I can’t wait... ● The Corries – Flower of Scotland Don, my husband is a Scot so this is for him. We both love watching rugby – that is when we can find the time. However we do pencil into our dairies the Hong Kong Sevens and try to go most years. As I’m Welsh I sing along to hymns and arias so sometimes there may be a bit of a conflict. ● Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Porgi Amor This is from The Marriage of Figaro. I learned this aria with my
Win a family ticket to the panto
The Theatre Royal Bath is offering one lucky reader of The Bath Magazine a chance to go to the Theatre Royal Bath in the new year to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We have a family ticket for four people to go to the pantomime on Tuesday 8 January, for the 7pm performance. All you have to do is answer one simple question: Who
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wonderful teacher the late Mary Thomas and every time I listen to it I think of her. I also remember from the opera how much The Countess loves her husband, like I love mine. Only I hope mine isn’t as badly behaved with the ladies. ● Alfred Cortot – Litanie A little Schumann to remind me of the time I played Mrs Alving in Ibsen’s Ghost. We used this music but not Cortot’s version. I discovered it when I was playing Miss Shepherd in Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van. She was actually taught by Cortot and so I rediscovered this genius of the keyboard. ● Carl Gustav Boberg – How Great Thou Art A hymn that means the world to us because it is beautiful and also because our dear friend Maisie Salisbury who had MS loved this and also And Can it Be. She was the closest thing to a saint I will ever meet. She laughed, saw beauty and joy in everything and was hilarious company. And Can it Be was also sung at our wedding. ● Giuseppe Verdi – duet from Don Carlos Because it’s amazing. ● The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody I chose this as it was used in one of my all time favourite films Ghost, which stared Patrick Swayze and Debbie Moore. It was, and for that matter still remains, one of the most romantic and sensuous films to come out of Hollywood for a very long time. But unlike the story line – I wouldn’t let my husband go... ● George Frideric Handel – Zadok the Priest When I’m travelling on the train or by public transport I usually have my personal stereo for company. It’s amazing just how it can transform even the dullest journey and take you literally to another place. To be honest I’ve always wanted to be at a Coronation and hear this sung in Westminster Abbey. ● Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute Dame Joan Sutherland was one of the most remarkable opera singers of the 20th century and possessed a voice of beauty as well as power. She and her husband Richard came to lunch with us just after she had broken both her legs, although this never deterred her at all. I was very excited and a little anxious that it would go well, but there was no need, she was utterly charming. No wonder she was known as ‘la Stupenda’ by fans.” ■ Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs from 13 December to 13 January. Visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk. is playing the Dame in the Theatre Royal Bath production? Please send your answers by noon on Friday 14 December to: competitions@ thebathmagazine.co.uk or by post: The Bath Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED. The usual terms and conditions apply, no cash alternative is offered.
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POP-UPS TO PLEASE THE FASHIONISTAS Play with make-up techniques in Little SouthGate and try on designer clothes in Milsom Place with the arrival of two pop-up shops for Christmas
T
he run up to Christmas is, well, lets face it… stressful, writes Kate Fishlock. We don’t have time for ourselves; there are quite frankly far too many other things to think about. But just in the nick of time LittleLAB, a hub for all things make-up and skincare is opening in Little SouthGate. A space for all to explore with exclusive brands that appear in the bags of many famous Hollywood stars. The LittleLAB girls are here to guide you though the otherwise bamboozling world of make-up. Founded by LA trained Katherine Spreadbury, her passion is to give the LittleLAB’s customer a whole new exciting retail experience. Katherine has created an environment where you can have the freedom to explore, get hands on, and test the products that are on offer. It doesn’t matter how much or little you know about make-up. There are plenty of workshops for you to indulge in; you can even make an evening of it and bring some girl friends as workshops cater for groups up to six. LittleLAB is a space that will help you broaden your knowledge and expertise. The atmosphere is welcoming and you can seek advice from the professionals. Upstairs in Milsom Place, we find another pop-up box of treats. Young Bathonian fashionista Grazziella Pinto, who runs the very successful online designer re-sale business,
Fashion Bloodhound, has opened a trial boutique for us to get our hands on designer dresses, bags and shoes. Her online business has won accolades in the national press, including Vogue and she has a growing army of regular customers. You’ll find the finest labels, including Mulberry, Chanel, Louboutin and Alice Temperley – but you’ll need to be a real fashion bloodhound as the stock moves very quickly. ■
DESIGNER DESIRABLE: Fashion Bloodhound in Milsom Place has constantly changing stock of covetable labels
Quality Furniture at SALE PRICES
La Belle medium sofa from £1049
Offers throughout the store
FURNISHERS OF DISTINCTION 15-18 LONDON STREET|WALCOT|BATH|TEL: 01225 465 757
www.trhayes.co.uk
• FREE DELIVERY TO A LARGE AREA • FREE CUSTOMER CAR PARK •
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OSKA 30 Upper Borough Walls Bath, BA1 1RG Opening hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 am – 6 pm Sunday 11 am – 5 pm T (0) 1225 282 824 info@oska-bath.co.uk www.oska-bath.co.uk
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INSPIRED GIVING Looking for an original present this Chirstmas? Our guide to buying locally made objects of desire and artisan produce from in and around Bath is here to inspire you
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e’d all like to think we give Christmas presents that mean a lot to their recipients. And what could be more thoughtful than a gift that’s been made with skill and attention to detail and chosen with love? We’ve done a lot of the legwork for you and scoured the shops and makers of Bath to bring you some ideas for gifts – whether you’ve just got pocket money or a hefty piggy bank to spend on your loved one. We start with art. An original piece, bought with care, will be a daily pleasure. Currently showing at the council-owned public gallery, the Victoria Art Gallery, is Wiltshire-based watercolourist Bob Rudd, former chairman of the Bath Society of Artists. His work features scenes from across Britain, including Cornwall and the Highlands. But his Bath scenes are bound to draw the most attention, with watercolours showing Lansdown Crescent, Prior Park and the city seen from Widcombe. Prices start at £650 and the exhibition runs until 20 January. Recently on show at the Victoria Art Gallery were paintings by Bath-based artist Philip Bouchard, and judging by the number of red stickers on his paintings, his work is popular with Bathonians. His small but absorbing paintings capturing the changing sky around the city are priced between £200 and £400. View them at: www.bouchardpaintings.com. The Rostra gallery in George Street offers buyers the chance to buy their art in installments. The gallery sells contemporary pieces, ranging from cufflinks and vases to prints by the internationally renowned Peter Blake. And if your pocket money doesn’t run to an original piece, for a tenner you could own a limited edition by Bath’s own Pete the Street, properly known as Peter Brown. Peter has produced a handsome 2013 calendar of his works, so you can have 12 of his pictures of Bath for £10. The calendars are on sale at the Victoria Art Gallery, Rossiters, Woods and Waterstones – best be quick though as they sold out last year. 26 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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THOUGHTFUL: Sunset Over Abbey Green by Philip Bouchard
While we’re on an arty theme, if your loved one has expressed a desire to be more creative, you could buy them the gift of an art lesson. Bath artist Rob Lunn runs one-day art workshops for people who would like to try their hand at oil painting. The quick-start sessions aim to instill confidence and enthusiasm for this classic medium. All materials are provided and all students need to do, after booking a place, is to turn up in clothes they don’t mind getting messy and prepared to produce a work of art to take home with them at the end of the day. Courses are held at the Bath Artists Studio off the Upper Bristol Road, price £75 for the day. Visit: www.roblunn.co.uk or email: workshops@roblunn.co.uk. Bath’s museums are world famous, but how many of us locals have thought about searching through their shops
ORIGINAL: main picture, watercolour Barge, Kennet & Avon Canal by Bob Rudd, £750 Below, peacock clasp bracelet, £19.50 from The Fashion Museum
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CHOSEN WITH CARE: clockwise from top, a Strictly Come Dancing fan will love the chance to see Vincent and Flavia’s Midnight Tango at the Theatre Royal Bath: indulge your favourite person with a dip in the warm waters of Bath’s famous Thermae Spa: this little owl opens its wings to reveal a watch underneath – from £18 at Charlie Boots in Broad Street: My Small World has this fantasy creation in its window – an object of desire for boys and girls: complete Bliss Moroccan blush rose luxury organic reed diffuser, £35, from Grasse in Argyle Street: Quincy lampshade from a selection of west country products at love-local.com: Rosie Flo’s Colouring Christmas Decorations are sturdy little characters that children can pop out, colour in the reverse and hang them on the Christmas tree. Created in Bath, you can buy them at the Bath Christmas Market, £6.99 a set
(you don’t have to pay an entrance fee to shop) for gift ideas? The shops at the Roman Baths, the Fashion Museum and the Holburne Museum are all stocked with interesting bits and pieces, ranging from the delightful Roman Centurion bath ducks through to unusual jewellery. If you’re keen on supporting the Bath economy, then these council-owned shops are a good way of doing that. You could also buy a loved one a pair of tickets to see Bath Rugby play on the famous Rec, or give vouchers for a session at the Bath Thermae Spa – you’d be surprised how many locals say they’ve always wanted to visit the spa but haven’t yet got round to it. For £30 (or £50 for a couple) you could make someone a Friend of the Bath International Music Festival. This gift allows music lovers early access to buy tickets for events before they go on sale to the public. It also includes invitations to the launch party and to events throughout the year where you will meet like-minded people. Visit: www.bathmusicfest.org.uk for details on how to sign up a Friend. The Vegetarian Cookery School on Orange Grove runs workshops throughout the year in a variety of different world cuisines. These are suitable for cooks of all levels, as the tutors are friendly and nobody is made to feel that they ought to have paid more attention in school home economics classes. Participants learn hands-on how to make new dishes and everyone sits together at the end of the session to enjoy the fruits of their labour. WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
On a slightly grander scale, country house hotel Lucknam Park near Colerne has launched a new cookery school. This is being run by chef Hrishikesh Desai who has been at Lucknam Park for seven years and has many accolades to his name, having won the Roux Scholarship in 2009 followed by the National Chef of the Year Award in 2010. He is now passing on his love of food, which stems from his childhood travelling around India and his mother’s home cooking. There are 24 themed day-long courses to choose from, varying from how to create Michelin starred cooking at home, or Indian street food to how to make the perfect afternoon tea. This would be a special present for the foodie in your life. For the book lover in your life, rather than simply order online, why not buy them a collectable signed first edition? Independent bookshop Topping & Company has a selection of first editions which are guaranteed signed by their authors. This includes a first edition of Man Booker prize winner Hilary Mantell’s Bring Up The Bodies. If you’d like to show support for Bath based writers, there’s the newly published foodie book Spice Trip by spice expert Emma Grazette and chef Stevie Parle. Packed full of recipes for delicious spicy food, the book also contains facts about every day spices, their history and their uses. Spice Trip is published by Square Peg in hardback, £20. Kaffe Fassett, who fell in love with Bath when he came to stay with friends at Widcombe Manor, has written a fascinating DECEMBER 2012
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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: clockwise from the top, a limited edition screenprint of Bath by Claire Halifax, £325 at Rostra gallery: Up to Seven on Pulteney Bridge now stocks specially designed baby clothes for tiny premature babies too small for standard baby clothes: Wuthering Heights scented candle from west country makers at lovelocal.com: Griffith Simon’s ceramic little owl, £480, and Topalino, a bronze resin mouse by Susie Marsh, both from Rostra: Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel, first editions are available at Topping & Company bookshop
autobiography Dreaming In Colour which is published by Stewart, Tabori and Chang, £25. Also newly published is a novel that’s a light-hearted fictional romp through Bath during the early 1990s as seen through the local bobbies on the beat – and more particularly, a new woman on the beat. Girl Cop by Sandy Osborne is published by Silverwoods in paperback and is available at Bath Waterstones. For lovers of the great outdoors and days out, there’s always the option of giving a year’s subscription to the National Trust or English Heritage. Bath-based rural walking holiday specialists Alison Howell’s Foot Trails have launched a new range of vouchers in time for the Christmas market. This allows recipients to choose from an award-winning range of relaxing walking escapes, where guests experience the chance to enjoy the idyllic countryside and hospitality across the south west of England. The Foot Trails gift experience vouchers are available in denominations of £25 and £100. For further details visit: www.foottrails.co.uk. If you’re into giving experiences rather than things, you could book tickets for a live show instead. The Modfather, Paul Weller, is coming to Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, next summer and tickets have gone on sale already. The gig in the forest is on Saturday 20 July, tickets are £39 from, tel: 03000 680 400. The new Theatre Royal Bath programme is out now and telephone bookings will be taken from 10 December – just in time to buy tickets 28 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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as Christmas presents. Our bets for the hottest tickets are on Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent and Flavia’s Midnight Tango, which comes to Bath for a six-show run in April. There’s also the chance to see two of the nation’s funnymen turn serious actors. Rowan Atkinson leaves Mr Bean behind to play the teacher Quartermain in the Simon Gray play Quartermain’s Terms, while Lenny Henry, after impressing London audiences with his Shakespearean acting. is starring in Fences, a great 20th century American drama. The Theatre Royal Bath box office is tel: 01225 448844.
Bath’s museums are world famous but ❝ how many of us locals have thought about searching through their shops for gift ideas? Casting our eyes slightly further afield, we’ve discovered a new cooperative group of creatives which covers the whole of the south west and who are selling their individual and limited edition pieces to a wider audience under the umbrella Love Local. This includes jewellery, toys, pictures, ceramics, clothes and accessories and artisan produce from Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. What’s more Love Local has an excellent website so you can browse and buy local, but online. Visit: love-local.com. ■
❞
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THE SILVER SHOP OF BATH 25 Union Passage, Bath, BA1 1RD Tel: 01225 464781
www.thesilvershop.eu.com In 1952, The Silver Gift Shop opened in Union Passage in Bath. 60 years on it is still trading, and has become a firm favourite among Bath’s wonderful choice of shops! Some years back, the name changed to just The Silver Shop, but many locals still use the word ‘Gift’, which is appropriate, as they have a fabulous choice of gifts and beautiful things on offer. They have become known for their silver jewellery, with probably Bath’s largest selection, and yet they also carry a great choice of other gift ideas. 60 years has given the shop an affectionate traditional feel, but they keep up to date, with contemporary items, and this November saw the launch of a new website, featuring online purchasing, to provide shoppers with a choice of products from their most popular ranges.
Make sure you call in for a warm welcome and a great variety of ideas for presents for this Christmas and beyond
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THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises
stacking rings set with diamonds in yellow gold and platinum
Gold & Platinum Studio 19 N or t hum b er l an d P l a ce , B at h B A 1 5A R Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk
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Christmas Gift Guide
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Food 1. The classic Christmas collection chocolates, Hotel Chocolat, £25; 2. Christmas Pudding, The Bertinet Kitchen, prices from £10- £16; 3. Ferrari maximum Champagne, available from Great Western Wine, £22.50; 4. Chocolate mushrooms, Carluccio’s, available from Milsom Place, £55; 5. Heston for Waitrose chocolate and passion fruit popping candy tart, available from Waitrose, £9.99; 6. Personalised tea blends, priced £5-20, available from MyStir; 7. Beer and horseradish sauce, Fussels Fine Foods, available from Waitrose, £4.20; 8. Mr Smyths Chutney, In a Pickle, £3.75, 9. Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Carluccio’s, available from Milsom Place; £22.95 10. Theatre Royal Bath Tasty Recipe Book, Bath tourism £12.50; 11. Assorted fudge, The Fudge Factory, prices from £6.95- £11.95 WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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For her 1. Daffodile Platforms, Christian Louboutin, available from Harvey Nichols, £3,795; 2. Fox print scarf, Hobbs, available from Milsom Place, £39; 3. Touchscreen Berry Black gloves, Dents, £32; 4. Gucci Ipad case, available from Harvey Nichols; 5. Michael Kors gold plated tortoise shell bracelet watch, available from Goldsmiths, £229; 6. Sophisticated Earrings, Swarovski, £69; 7. Prada Candy Eau De Parfum, available from Harvey Nichols, £53; 8. Simone Pérèle Amour bra, available from Aria Lingerie, £71.25; 9. Thermae Bath Spa Gift Vouchers, choose from 10 Spa Gift vouchers ranging from £26 - £189, available from www.ThermaeBathSpa.com; 10. Holloway large tote, Radley, £229
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For him 1. Ruark Audio R41, in gloss black, available from Paul Green HI-FI, £599; 2. Meisterstuck pen, Montblanc, available from Mallory £535; 3. Bowers and Wilkins p5 headphones, available from Moss of Bath, £250; 4. Newcastle Hip Flask, Wolsey, available from Bloomsbury £69.95; 5. Acme ‘imperial 11’ card case, Quadri, £30; 6. Neroli Portofino Eau De Parfum, Tom Ford, available from Harvey Nichols, £135; 7. Nikon V1 camera, London Camera Exchange, £299; 8. Mens Satchel, Radley, £229
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For the kids 1. Frieda Trunki, available from Trunki.com, £37.99; 2. Racing car sleeping bag, John Lewis at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, £45; 3. Happy jungle puzzle from My Small World, £14.99, 4. Animal hand tattoos, Bloomsbury, £3.95; 5. Girls night dress, 100% cotton, available from Noctu.co.uk, £22; 6. Cath Kidston crochet teddy doll, available from Milsom Place, £18; 7. Handmade Strawberry hat, Up to seven, £12; 8. Hatley Dragon pyjamas, age 1-8 years, Tuesdays Child, £21.99
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ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Glamorous - Fabulous - Gifts ALL AT LOW FACTORY SHOP PRICES
Established 1777
Furnax Lane, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8PE Tel: 01985 217367
Opposite recycling centre
Dent's merchandise is either discontinued from our international collections or samples, merchandise is subject to availability.
FREE PARKING
OPENING HOURS
• BELTS
• GLOVES
Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm
• HANDBAGS • JEWELLERY
SPECIAL OPEN DAYS Thurs Dec 6th 9am to 8pm Fri 7th, Sat 8th, 9am to 5.30pm
• SOCKS
• UMBRELLAS
EXTRA 10% OFF ANY PURCHASE ON THESE THREE DAYS ONLY
• WALLETS
• SLIPPERS
SUNDAYS IN DEC ONLY 11am to 4.00pm
• GIFT VOUCHERS
OTHER FAMOUS BRANDS
www.dents.co.uk
CLOSING CHRISTMAS EVE 2pm
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Radley dog charm watch, available from Fabulous, £75
O-Ring, Tina Engell, prices from £95- £850 Rings by Roberto Coin, available from Mallory, prices from £2,200£4,350
Something Special ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’ bangle, available from The Silver Shop, £159.95, www.thesilvershop.eu.com Effervescence bubble 18ct rose gold bracelet, Links London, £750
18ct white gold & diamond tiara ring, Jody Cory Goldsmiths £1,208
A selection of cufflinks available from Gold & Platinum Studio, 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR, Tel: +44 (0)1225 462300, www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk
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Selma necklace, Swarovski, £240
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engell
bespoke jewellery shop
tina engell 29 belvedere, bath ba1 5hr 01225 443334
www.tinaengell.com
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COMPETITION
Win aNewYear’s Treat at Cabot Circus hristmas is the busiest time of year – and here at The Bath Magazine, we’ve got a fantastic New Year’s prize for one lucky reader. We have teamed up with Cabot Circus to offer you the chance to treat yourself to an indulgent day out. One lucky reader will receive the following prize: • A full body massage at Robin James spa, House of Fraser • Two tickets to an opera screening at Showcase Cinema de Lux • A £200 Cabot Circus gift card What better way to start the day than with a little retail therapy? The Cabot Circus gift card is redeemable at all 140 stores, bars and restaurants, including Harvey Nichols, Reiss, French Connection, Oliver Bonas, LK Bennett, Joules and Links of London. Then step into indulgence with a Stress-Fix body massage in the New Year at Robin James spa, House of Fraser. Clinically proven to reduce feelings of stress, this body massage combines Swedish and deep tissue massage along with foot reflexology, acupressure points and a guided meditation to calm and rejuvenate you. Why not finish the day by watching The Met: Maria Stuarda live in HD at Showcase Cinema de Lux? The Met’s cinema season has been created for audiences to experience operas as though they are sitting in the best seat in the house at The Metropolitan Opera in New York. For your chance to win, simply anwer the following question: What is the name of the body massage at Robin James spa that you could win? Send your answer with your full name, address and telephone number, marked Cabot Circus New Year’s Treat Competition to:
C
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competitions@thebathmagazine.co.uk or alternatively, send your answer on a postcard to The Bath Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED. Closing date: Friday 14 December. T&C’s • The Robin James treatment is subject to booking availability, is non-transferable and for one person only. • The prize is two tickets for The Met: Maria Stuarda on 19 January 2013. Under 18s must be accompanied. Tickets are non-transferable • Travel and accommodation costs are not included.
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winterSTYLE
STYLE ON ICE
Thinking of getting your skates on? Make sure you are well wrapped up but still looking stylish with winter must-haves from The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
Stevie military cape, £85
Faux fur leopard print headband, £15
Oasis, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
John Lewis, at Cribbs Causeway
Sweet chestnut jumper, £99
Hobbs, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
Padded jacket £55, ear muffs £8, scarf £18, leggings £35, mittens £10, bag £35
Next, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
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UGG sheepskin shearling ear muffs, £75
John Lewis at Cribbs Causeway
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winterSTYLE
Elayne wrap, £79, Coast
Coast, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
Tiered faux fur gillet, £99
Phase Eight, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
GET THE LOOK! Trilby Felt Hat, £55, Cocoon Knit Coat, £130 Chain Captain Hat, £19.50
Phase Eight, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
All products shown are subject to availability. Details correct at time of going to print
Marks & Spencer at Cribbs Causeway
Barts log cabin mitts, in dark grey, £19.99
John Lewis at Cribbs Causeway
Woman Neutral Aztec Chunky knit cape, £39.50
Fur collar cape, £24
Marks & Spencer at Cribbs Causeway
Next, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
Gemma toggle gilet, £82
Fat Face, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
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COCKTAIL HOUR
SERVED WITH A TWIST: toasted cinnamon adds spice to a Sub13 cocktail, The Mint Room pairs cool drinks with hot food, while Circo creates a light, sweet cocktail
T
he cocktail is enjoying a revival in Bath and this party season there are plenty of bars and restaurants around the city where skilled cocktail makers can shake and create you the perfect mixed drink. We’ve asked some of Bath’s top bar tenders for their Christmas cocktail recipes, so you can get your own party started. Top tips for home-made cocktails include making sure you have plenty of ice, fresh lime and lemon. Measure ingredients and have someone take a little taste before serving.
Sub 13: Christmas in Acapulco
Circo: Christmas Cake Cocktail The Circo cocktail bar and lounge in South Parade, takes its name from its distinctive circular bar. In the year it’s been opened it has established itself as a place where adults can go after work and linger on into the evening, maybe grabbing a bite to eat, or staying late at weekends to party to music from in-house DJs. This cocktail is a light and sweet drink that goes down perfectly with Christmas cake. Ingredients: 25ml Krupnick Polish Honey vodka
Method: Add all ingredients into a Boston shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Double strain into a frozen Martini glass and sprinkle the oats on top. Finish with a short straw.
Allium’s Lemon Cheesecake Cocktail Ingredients: 25ml limoncello 20ml citron vodka 15ml Frangelico 1tbsp mascarpone cheese or cream cheese Juice of half a lemon 25ml sugar syrup To garnish: crumbled digestive biscuit and lemon zest
Taking our inspiration from traditional Mexican Christmas punch, this cocktail is a wintery blend of orange, plum and tequila with a twist of spicy cinnamon. It really shows how versatile tequila can be, and when using a quality brand you definitely do not need salt and lemon to take the taste away. If you really don’t like tequila you can replace it with a gold rum or even a VS cognac.
25ml Cherry Marnier 15ml Disaronno 10ml honey
Ingredients: 50ml Olmeca Altos Reposado tequila (or any good-quality reposado) 37.5ml fresh orange juice 1.5 tsp Tiptree plum conserve 1 pinch of cinnamon 1 dash orange bitters
Allium’s Apple Crumble Cocktail
The Mint Room: Melon Margarita
On a chilly winter’s evening visitors to the Allium can choose to sit inside, or sup a cocktail under the heaters on the terrace in North Parade, while watching the world go by in Bath city centre.
The Mint Room on Lower Bristol Road’s contemporary approach to Indian food is matched by its creativity with cocktails. Team a cool drink with hot, spicy food for a seasonal taste sensation.
Method: Chill a Martini glass, then combine all the ingredients in a shaker and shake hard with cubed ice for about five seconds. Strain into the chilled glass, then take another pinch of cinnamon, and using a lighter (be careful not to use a Zippo-type though or you will burn your hand) ignite it as you sprinkle over the surface of the drink for a fabulous flamed effect and a lovely toasted spice flavour.
Ingredients: 50ml Johnnie Walker scotch Small pinch of ground clove Small pinch of ground cinnamon 50ml/ large tbs of apple sauce Juice of half a lemon 25ml cream 25ml vanilla syrup (sugar syrup infused with vanilla pods) To garnish: a teaspoon of oats
Ingredients: 25ml tequila 15ml Midori melon liqueur lime juice a wedge of fresh lime
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Method: Shake together the spirits and the honey then strain into a coupette glass. Top with double cream layered on to the drink using a spoon. Sprinkle cinnamon powder on top.
Method: Add ice and all ingredients to a shaker. Shake for 15 seconds and strain into a frozen Martini glass. Sprinkle the crumbled biscuit and then the lemon zest on top.
Method: Mix the liquids and shake, then pour into a chilled Martini glass. Serve with a slice of lime. ■
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SEASONAL INSPIRATION AT QUADRI Hand blown glass Robin from Teign Valley Glass Devon, £29
‘Giorgio’ good morning alarm clock in polished nickel from Philippi Germany, £35
Multistrand knot necklace £44, twisted bracelet £28 with magnetic clasps from Etnika, more designs
‘Champus’, champagne glasses from Ritzenhoff Germany, available in different designs, £19
available.
Stylish Danish Design watch in stainless steel with gold detail, Jacob Jensen watch with
£185 Sterling silver jewellery from Tezer Germany, necklace £255, earrings £52, ring £98
Swiss movement £215
Jewellery from Coeur De Lion with Swarovski elements, necklace £105, bracelet £55,earrings £35
of BATH ‘PO’ insulated handle-less mugs, available in 2 sizes. Medium £12, large £16
YOUR QUADRI – ONLY IN BATH 16 MILSOM PLACE (next to Jamie Oliver), MILSOM STREET, Tel: 01225 329 212 SHOP ONLINE at: www.quadri.co.uk
James the Doorman, unique doorstop from Black and Blum London £13, available in 6 colours
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MAKE IT AN ALESSI
CHRISTMAS 'Mediterraneo' salad servers, £38 set
Kitchen timer designed by Michael Graves, £19.50
'Cico' egg cup with spoon, £11
'Mediterraneo' fruit bowl, £54
‘Voile’ spaghetti measure, £14.50
'Minou' purse hooks, £14.50 each
‘Baby' porcelain tealight holder £37
'Big Love' heart spoons, £4.95 each
'Alessandro' corkscrew £25
‘Piccantino’ chilli scruncher, £14.50 ‘Scoiattolo’ nutcracker, £65 ‘Pes’ letter opener, £18
'Sebastiano' pencil holder, £14
'La Stanza dello Scirocco' tealight holder £18
of BATH YOUR QUADRI – ONLY IN BATH 16 MILSOM PLACE (next to Jamie Oliver), MILSOM STREET, Tel: 01225 329 212 SHOP ONLINE at: www.quadri.co.uk
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★
A GOOD READ
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HOLIDAYreading
★ ★
★
★ ★ ★ ★ We asked the team at Topping & Co bookshop in Bath to pick the books they’d give as presents this Christmas 1. Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and the 33 Bears and the Bliim and the Furniture, by Alan Ahlberg, Walker, £12.99 This is a collaboration between Alan Ahlberg and daughter Jessica. The ingenious text is accompanied by meticulous and imaginative miniaturist illustrations. Inspired by Bach’s Goldberg Variations this pop-up book is a modern take on the classic Goldilocks story with quirky additions; there are the Bliim (aliens), the furniture and even a play within the book full of other fairy tale characters. A great treat for all ages. Elle
5. Lost at Sea, by Jon Ronson, Picador, £14.99 Having previously been hugely impressed by The Psychopath Test and The Men Who Stare At Goats, I declared myself a dedicated Ronson fan and greeted his latest collection of incredible true stories with enthusiam. Once again he writes about the extremes of human life in his friendly, inquisitive and matter-of-fact way. He manages to put himself at the heart of each wonderful story while allowing the reader to have his own reactions; laughter, shock, amazement and admiration. Nat
2. The Testament of Mary, by Colm Tóíbin, Penguin, £12.99
6. Dominion by CJ Sansom, Mantle, £18.99
Much loved Irish man of letters and author of the acclaimed novels, Brooklyn and The Master, Colm Tóibín gives a voice to the mother of Christ in an emotionally intense and vigorously written novel. Mary is drawn as a fiercely intelligent and passionate woman, grieving the loss of her son to the brutality of the Romans. Tóibín does something truly unique by showing the miraculous life of Christ through the universal eyes of grief. Each sentence is expertly composed and heartbreaking. Nick
Dominion is the brilliantly-realised new novel by C J Sansom, author of the popular Matthew Shardlake series of historical novels. Set in 1952, in an alternative history where the British surrendered to Nazi Germany after Dunkirk, Dominion is both an intriguing historical fiction and an almost traditional spy thriller. Perfect for those cold winter evenings. Sam
3. Pastry, by Richard Bertinet, Ebury, £20 All the Toppings staff are fans of Richard Bertinet – and his delicious pastries – but it is because this is such a superb book that we recommend it so often. It really is very user-friendly with helpful photos of the process as well as the finished product. Whether you want to start with the basics and master the technique of mixing and rolling or if you’re ready to create a sublime apricot tart, Bertinet will guide you through ensuring great results and avoiding at all costs the dreaded ‘soggy bottom’. Nat
7. Salt Sugar Smoke, by Diana Henry, Mitchell Beazley, £20 Diana Henry is my absolute favourite food writer. Her early books, the seductively titled Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons and Roast Figs & Sugar Snow had me hooked immediately with deceptively easy recipes like a lemon and rosemary cake, only needing oil, lemon, rosemary, eggs and a bit of old bread. She has that very special knack of making simple ingredients exotic and she indulges her love of sweet and savoury combinations in this book which features all the trucklements of the table: home smoking, salting, preserves, boozy fruits and liqueurs and spoon sweets. Her writing is informed, passionate and eloquent and her taste is impeccable. There’s no better gift for a friend who loves to eat. Kathleen
4. Jerusalem, by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, Ebury, £27 This is a wonderful collection of recipes from Ottolenghi and Tamimi which celebrates their homeland. Blending stories, ingredients and flavours, Jerusalem is full of bold and colourful dishes which draw on the eclectic mix of the cultures and traditions of this historic city. Mouthwatering recipes such as lamb-stuffed quince with pomegranate and coriander fill the pages, as do simple methods for perfecting staples such as hummus and tahini sauce. In this tantalising and exciting adventure for all the senses, Ottolenghi and Tamimi have captured the nation’s tastebuds. Elle 48 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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8. Bond on Bond, by Roger Moore, Michael O’Mara, £25 The James Bond franchise is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, and who better to celebrate this landmark than Roger Moore? As the longest-serving 007 he is best-placed to give a personal and distinctive tribute to this most quintessential of British heroes. From girls, gadgets and guns, to cars and cocktails, this handsome book is illustrated with many iconic images from all of the Bond movies. This is the ultimate James Bond book written by the ultimate James Bond himself. Saber
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STYLE AND SUBSTANCE Skagen's Danish styling is outstanding as you can see for yourself. The substance is in the fact that Skagen offers a life long guarantee on the movement of every watch that we sell.... Beat that!
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Bath@Work
Introduction to jewellery making by Tina Engell
engell
Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work
bespoke jewellery shop
John Eaves Artist ractically all my working life I have lived in Bath as teacher and painter. Undeniably Bath is a sensationally beautiful city and has a magnetism for painters who wish to record this; however for myself its attractions are more allusive and less pictorial. Think about this; Bath is a vibrantly rhythmic city which immediately lends itself to painting/drawing in a linear way, almost like notes on a stave. This underscores and permeates almost everything I try to do. Paul Klee would have loved this place. Lately my paintings have evolved in a more structural way, more tied to colour stridencies and arrangements freed from direct landscape material. If the observer notes connections with geological specimens, rock formations, earth rhythms, climate patterns then one would own up to those sources because however abstract one’s paintings appear to be it is never possible to exclude these early influences. One simply tries to arrive at an image of power, poetry and optimism. Some years ago my greatest friend and collaborationist Kathy Williams and I completed a series of collages which stemmed from smaller studies made in the Langridge valley and around Bath. This led to two collages for the new John Lewis store in Cardiff followed by three large works for Hotel Martinhal in Portugal. A collaboration, and, I have done many, necessarily means having to adopt each other’s ideas and then compromise or sacrifice some for the common purpose. We chose collage as a medium with previously painted papers so that we could tear, cut and assemble the image prior to a commitment to sticking onto canvas. This avoided the confusion that we would have had using paint. A nightmare! Returning to the Bath theme, my son Will notes that ‘the railway, roads and terraces from the studio window seem to gather in tectonic waves’ which I think sums up my attraction to the feel and roots of the city. This then links with so many other places and landscapes which feed into ones stock of images ripe for transformation and change; painting is a reality in itself but not necessarily a strictly observed reality. The tube of paint is yet another reality and your starting point may well be the colour you select to spread, with all its variations, throughout the painting. Improvise, change your motifs around, do not be afraid of mistakes and most importantly keep being visually curious.
P
PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic www.capturethespirit.co.uk
One day courses on Mondays One-to-one tuition in a professional yet relaxed atmosphere in the established workshop in central Bath. Students will be introduced to basic skills, hand tools, precious metal work, soldering & polishing. Suitable for beginners to intermediate. For further information, booking and gift vouchers, contact Tina Engell, 29 belvedere, bath ba1 5hr. T.01225 443334 E.tina@tinaengell.com
Wine Coolers... just part of a brilliant range of gifts from the Shannon Christmas Collection
S annon F U R N I T U R E LT D
68 Walcot Street Bath BA1 5BD 01225 424222
www.shannon-uk.com WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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TRIBUTE TO FILM GIANT Christmas is traditionally a time when we all enjoy a great film. Bath publisher Palazzo has produced a fabulous coffee table tribute to director Steven Spielberg, while Bath Film Festival director Philip Raby picks his top five Spielberg classic movies
F
or more than four decades Steven Spielberg has created inspiring, exciting and unforgettable movies, all beginning with his first feature film Duel, which was recently shown at the Bath Film Festival. And to mark the director’s long and successful career Bath-based Palazzo Editions has published, with Thames & Hudson, Spielberg: A Retrospective, written by Los Angeles film critic and author Richard Schickel. Duel stars Dennis Weaver as David Mann, a salesman who is stalked on a remote American highway by the unseen driver of a tanker truck. It is based on the short story by Richard Matheson, and inspired by a haunting real-life pursuit Matheson experienced on the day of Kennedy’s assassination. Describing the film, Spielberg says it is “an indictment of machines… the complete disruption of our whole technological society.” The 1971 movie successfully launched the career of one of the world’s most admired film directors and inspired much of Spielberg’s later work including notably his first commercial success, the ever enduring Jaws. Most recently villagers in Castle Combe became fans of Spielberg when he was on set filming War Horse. Locals said he was a modest man, smiling quietly under his baseball cap and with none of the airs they had expected from such a big star. Richard Schickel has conducted a series of interviews with him throughout his career. With reference to Duel Spielberg tells Schickel in one of his interviews, “I think that was the first time I realised, ‘Hey, if I have a good script and I’m a good director, I can make a pretty terrific movie,’ the first time I
DEBUT THRILLER: Dennis Hopper in the 1971 film Duel, pursued by a mysterious truck
really embraced the idea that directors need great screenplays to look good.” He went on, of course, to work with many. Spielberg: A Retrospective celebrates the extraordinary career of the Oscar-winning director and features over 400 superb images, many taken especially from the DreamWorks archive. The authoritative monograph, which includes an insightful foreword by the director himself, is predominantly based on the firstperson interviews conducted with Schickel, who first met Spielberg when they collaborated on a film about John Ford for Time magazine in 1998. ■
Starting with the brilliant Duel in 1971, Steven Spielberg has made a total of 28 films. Here’s my selection, writes Philip Raby. There are two ways of making a list like this. One is populist and one is snooty. Snooty says, which are the greatest films? Populist says, which ones would I most like to see again? I’m a populist.
not only an admirable piece of historical fiction/re-creation, but also a very enjoyable and moving piece of work. Spielberg is at his best with top actors, and Fiennes, Kingsley and Neeson are superb. The atmosphere is outstanding, the drama is compelling, and it’s a perfect film to show younger audiences.
1. Jurassic Park This is the perfect what if? film. It takes a premise we would all like to see come true – the capacity to recreate dinosaurs as living creatures – and fills us with a sense of wonder; then sends us on a scary journey as we realise that you need to be careful what you wish for. Back in 1993, the CGI dinosaurs were almost as wonderful on screen, as they were to the characters in the film.
4. Catch Me If You Can Not all Spielberg’s comedies have come off, but this based-on-a-true-story romp is a rare case of his lighter touch in action. Leonardo DiCaprio is great as Frank Abagnale, whose fantasy life is as rich as his ability to fool people. Tom Hanks (Spielberg’s alter ego) is also excellent as the FBI agent in pursuit.
2. Jaws The strange thing about Jaws is that’s a PG film, despite being one of the scariest films I can remember seeing. It’s a fabulously elemental idea – man versus shark – which also allows for pretentious sub-textual interpretations. The trio
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CHARISMATIC: Daniel Day Lewis as President Lincoln
of Dreyfuss, Scheider and Shaw make a great team of bickering but bonded men-in-peril, and you just know the film will still grip audiences in 100 years time. 3. Schindler’s List Clearly not a barrel of laughs, but this film is
5. Lincoln It may be cheating to include a film that hasn’t been released, but I’m willing to guarantee that a story this compelling, with a cast this wonderful, and the all important decision to cast Daniel Day Lewis in the title role, is going to be something special. I’ve been wanting to see it for years, and that’s good enough.
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Osborne’s Christmas Trees On the Fosseway sn14 8ah Open from 1st December 10am until Dark
Fresh from the Forest • Traditional tree • Potted • Large trees • Nordman Fir • Fraser Fir • Wreaths • Mistletoe and holly • Logs in bags • FREE REINDEER DUST
Illunimated Father Christmas www.o-christmas.co.uk West of Colerne Airfield Tel: 07870 466179
HOLT EMPORIUM
IMPORTANT NOTICE Opening Hours: Thurs/Fri/Sat 10 - 4.30pm. Sun 11 - 4pm
Unit 20, First Floor, The Tannery, The Midlands, Holt, Wiltshire BA14 6BB
Tel. 01225 782906
Over 100+ Items on the floor
Any of these chest of drawers only
£295 “ L O T S O F I N T E R E S T IN G P I E C E S J U S T I N AT OUR LOWEST P RICES EVER” WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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WHAT’Son PANTOMI ME, THEATRE & COMEDY – listed by venue Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Theatre Royal Bath © Freia Turland
B a t h U n it y Pl a y er s Kingswood School, Lansdown Road, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 427108 bathunitytickets@btinternet.com
Jack and the Beanstalk, Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 December, 7.15pm; matinees: Saturday and Sunday, 2pm Bath Unity Players with the Curtis School of Dance perform this pantomime which sees young lad Jack sell his cow for some magic beans, taking him on an almighty adventure.
T h e U s t in o v Sawclose, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 448844. www.theatreroyal.org.uk
The Double, Until Saturday 22 December, 7.45pm; contact the theatre for matinee times Imagine waking up one morning and finding that another person – an exact replica of you – has hijacked your body, and, posing as you, infiltrates your friendships, gatecrashes parties, and behaves disgracefully. This is the horror that faces Mr Golyadkin, a mild-mannered government clerk, when he awakes one morning in St Petersburg and realises that his world has been turned upside down.
SHOW TIME! T he atr e R oya l Sawclose, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 448844. www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Thursday 13 December – Sunday 13 January, contact the theatre for times This year, for only the second time in the Theatre Royal’s illustrious pantomime history comes the classic fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Playing the wicked queen will be Olivier Award-winning Nichola McAuliffe, the Dame will be played by Chris Harris as Nurse Nelly, seven genuinely little people will be playing the seven dwarfs and local comic Jon Monie will play Muddles.
T h e M i s s io n T h e a t r e 32 Corn Street, Bath. Bath Box Office tel: 01225 463362 www.missiontheatre.co.uk
The Woman in Black, Monday 3 – Saturday 8 December, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday & Thursday, 2.30pm & Saturday, 4pm Unanimously acclaimed by critics, Stephen Mallatratt’s stage adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel combines the power and intensity of live theatre with a cinematic quality inspired by the world of film noir. A lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a woman in black, engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. 58 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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A Christmas Carol, Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 December, 7.30pm Charles Dickens’ classic tale of greed, awareness and redemption is brought to you by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company, who tell the tale of the miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, and the four ghostly visitations who appear before him in A Christmas Carol. A host of Dickens’ charming and comical characters bring the story to life with energy and wit and festive audiences are invited to share in Ebenezer’s journey, as he begins to realise the meaning of Christmas and gain a new understanding of humanity.
K o me d i a 22-23 Westgate Street, Bath. Box office tel: 0845 293 8480 www.komedia.co.uk/bath
Krater Christmas Kracker, 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20 & 22 December, doors 6pm, show 8.30pm This Christmas Komedia welcomes the return of the ever-popular Krater Christmas Kracker comedy show – unique to Bath, a highly original evening with razor-sharp wit. Auditorium tickets include a three-course locally-sourced Christmas dinner and all Krater tickets include free entry to the club night that follows the show. 18+
T h e R o n d o T h e a t re St Saviours Road, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 463362 www.rondotheatre.co.uk
Instant Wit, Friday 7 December, 8pm Bristol’s acclaimed comedy improvisation company Instant Wit will perform an evening of songs, gags and silliness.
A Christmas Carol – The Musical, Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 December, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday & Saturday, 3pm Live Wire Theatre Company, which has just received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to tour this production, performs a magical music 200th anniversary adaptation of A Christmas Carol. The music is written by former Bath student Natalie Farmer.
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WHAT’Son M USI C – listed by date Festive Fizz with Amy Smith, Sunday 9 December, 7.30pm
Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight
The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath. Tickets £8, tel: 01225 428600 or on the door Enjoy an evening of seasonal songs and Champagne arias. Amy Smith will sing a varied selection of pieces.
Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight, Sunday 9 December, 7.30pm Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath. Tickets £23£25. Box office tel: 01225 448844 With the 18th Century Concert Orchestra and Choir in full period costume the musicians create a complete re-enactment of the 18th century experience of Handel’s Messiah.
Winter Wonderband & Nick Steel, Thursday 13 December, 8pm The Rondo Theatre, St Saviours Road, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 463362 www.rondotheatre.co.uk Maclaine Colston, Saul Rose, Jennifer Crook and Beth Porter team up to celebrate music born out of our great British winter with their mastery of the dulcimer, melodeon, harp and cello and beautiful ballads.
Bath Minerva Choir, Saturday 15 December, 7.30pm The Silver Ring Choir of Bath, Sunday 2 December, 6.30pm The Guildhall, Bath. Tickets £7 from Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.co.uk The Silver Ring Choir of Bath presents Pathway to Christmas – a fusion of December delights in words and music.
A Scandinavian Christmas, Wednesday 5 December, 7.30pm Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St Loe. Tickets £10/£8 or £5 for under 16s, tel: 01225 463362 A collaboration between the internationallyrenowned early-music group Sirinu and Laude Novella from Sweden brings the sounds of the Scandinavian Christmas to the centre, with hurdy-gurdy, shawm, lute, fiddle and voices.
European Union Chamber Orchestra: 15th Anniversary Gala Concert, Friday 7 December, 7.30pm Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Box office tel: 01225 860100 or visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk Join Wiltshire Music Centre for a special evening to celebrate 15 years of the centre. Musicians include, Nicola Benedetti, Leonard Elschenbroich and Arco van Zon.
Bath Choral Society, Friday 7 & Saturday 8 December, 7.30pm Bath Abbey, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.co.uk Bath Choral Society and The Bristol Ensemble WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
under Will Dawes perform their Christmas rendition of Handel’s Messiah. It promises to be a highlight of the festive season after last year’s success.
St Swithun’s Church, Walcot. Tickets £15. Box office tel: 01225 463362 The Bath Minerva Choir and Bath Philharmonia presents a concert of Christmas music by Handel, Holst and Whitacre.
The Bellini Girls, Saturday 8 December, 7.30pm
Opus Anglicanum, Sunday 16 December, 4pm
The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath. Tickets £10, tel: 07711 370481 or on the door. www.thebellinigirls.co.uk The Bellini Girls – a glamorous close harmony group of 12 female vocalists from Bath – presents an evening showcasing a repertoire which spans The Andrew Sisters to Adele, with their jazz pianist, Alfie Pugh.
The Freshford Singers, Saturday 8 December, 11am St Peter’s Church, Freshford. Tel: 01225 723324 or 01373 471106 Bernard Wight will conduct the choir in Christmas Music – William Byrd to Irving Berlin, embracing Bach, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and many others. There will be a collection for the Genesis Trust and refreshments with the choir.
A Handful of Singers, Saturday 8 December, 7.30pm St Swithun’s Church, Bathford. Tickets from Bathford Community Shop, St Swithun’s Church or from the choir, tel: 01225 311850 A Handful of Singers, Bath’s acclaimed chamber choir of 20 voices, presents Advent Expectations. The concert will feature a selection of traditional and contemporary festive music directed by Christopher Finch.
Prior Park College Chapel, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath. Tickets £12/£5, visit: www.opus-a.co.uk Mediaeval Carols is a candle-lit concert of English 15th century carols performed by Opus Anglicanum, together with liturgical chant for Christmas in the context of narration from mediaeval sources.
The Bath Community Gospel Choir, Tuesday 18 December, 7.30pm Southdown Methodist Church, Bath. The choir will be singing a mix of traditional Christmas carols as well as some gospel classics with a collection for Christian Aid.
City of Bath Bach Choir, Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 December, 7.30pm Bath Abbey, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.co.uk Conducted by Nigel Perrin, this year’s programme features a sensational mix of traditional and contemporary carols. Carols by Candlelight is always a hugely-popular event.
Midnight Communion, Monday 24 December, 11.15pm Bath Abbey, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.co.uk A celebration of Christ’s birth.
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WHAT’Son OTH ER EVENTS – listed by date from sloe gin to stocking fillers. While browsing you can enjoy a glass of mulled wine and have a chat with the group.
Christmas at The American Museum
Artist Lecture: Richard Wentworth, Thursday 6 December, 7.30pm E.B 1.1 Lecture Theatre, East Building, University of Bath. Box office: 01225 386777 Richard Wentworth, one of the most influential artists working in Britain today, will discuss his work and his influences. Prior to graduating from the Royal College of Art in the 1970s, he worked with Henry Moore as an assistant in 1967. Since graduating, he has played a leading role in new British sculpture.
The Victor Suchar Christmas Lecture, Friday 14 December, reception 6.30pm, lecture 7.30pm BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath. Tel: 01225 312084 or visit: www.brlsi.org The BRLSI Victor Suchar Christmas Lecture for 2012 will address concerns which lie at the heart of the huge range of scientific measurements, which have increasing importance in modern life.
Carols at the Park, Monday 17 December, 7pm
Bath Christmas Market, Until Sunday 9 December Around the Abbey, the Roman Baths, Milsom Place and Bath Street The Christmas Market continues to light up our beautiful city and bring locals and visitors alike a Pandora’s box of gifts and goodies.
Party in the Parlour: Christmas at the American Museum, until Sunday 16 December The American Museum, Claeverton Manor, Bath. Tel: 01225 460503 or visit: www.americanmuseum.org Join the American Museum to celebrate the festive season and draw inspiration from the many hand-crafted decorations that festoon the hallways of Claverton Manor. The museum’s shops will be selling a range of original Christmas gifts and decorations. You can also discover what early American settlers did during the long winter months.
Bath on Ice, until Sunday 6 January, The Royal Pavilion, Royal Victoria Park, Bath. For further information visit: www.bathonice.com A great place to go as a family, couple or with work colleagues for a festive skate and a hot chocolate afterwards at the rinkside café.
King Edward’s Christmas Fair, Saturday 1 December, 10am – 2pm Sports Hall, King Edward’s School, Bath. Tel: 01225 464313 There will be specialist retailers from the
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region selling a wide variety of items for Christmas gifts including jewellery, artwork, cookware, candles, shoes, bags, lifestyle photographic shoots, cheese and more. There is also a grotto and games for children.
Christmas at the Blathwayts’, weekends of 1 & 2 and 8 & 9 December Dyrham Park, near Bath. Tel: 0117 9372501 or visit: www.nationaltrust.org,uk/dyrham Visit William Blathwayt’s home which is set to welcome you for a Victorian Christmas. At these special weekends you can marvel at the Christmas tree in the Great Hall, discover the festive children’s trail and walk through the secret servants’ passage – normally closed to the public, as well as a craft market.
Christmas Wreath Workshop, Tuesday 4 December, 10am – noon Newton Farm, Newton St Loe, Bath. £30 per person. Tel: 01225 873707 or email: celia@newtonfarmfoods.co.uk All materials will be supplied including the wreath ring, fresh greenery, decorative items, tools and equipment. Young Blooms of Winsley will be at hand to teach you how to make a beautiful, unique wreath to take away.
WI Christmas Fair, Wednesday 5 December, 7.30pm – 9.30pm Bathwick St Mary’s Church, Bath. For further information visit: www.thebathwi.com The new generation Bath WI invite you to join them for a fair which will offer everything
Ston Easton Park, near Bath. Tel: 01761 241631 or visit: www.stoneaston.co.uk Enjoy a festive experience with traditional Christmas carols around the tree led by the Village Voices Community Choir, mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies.
Christmas Tree Raffle in Aid of Bath Rugby Foundation, Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 December Milsom Place, Milsom Street, Bath. For further information visit: www.bathrugby.com The tree for this raffle has been donated by Fine Pines of Winsley and decorated by Three Ways School pupils. More fabulous prizes have been donated by Milsom Place stores, Farpoint, the premium Apple retailer and Bath Rugby Plc.
New Years Eve Ball, Monday 31 December, 7.45pm The Pump Room, Stall Street, Bath. To book and for prices tel: 01225 444477 Enjoy a sparkling cocktail reception around the magical torchlit Roman Bath; a superb four course dinner; light entertainment provided by the Kim Cypher Quartet; a fun casino, Champagne bar and live music.
The 2013 New Year Spectacular, Tuesday 1 January, 3pm Bath Forum, 1a Forum Buildings, Bath. Tickets £12.50-£27, tel: 01225 463362 This popular show is packed full of Viennese musical delights evoking the magic of a 19th century ballroom. London Gala Orchestra are joined by star soprano Pamela Hay to present a programme of waltzes, polkas and songs as well as a Champagne lottery.
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ARTSgardens &EXHIBITIONS CITY Gillian McFarland, Give
100 UNDER £500 David Brayne, Morning Light
Hilton Fine Art 5 Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 311311 www.hiltonfineart.com
8 – 22 December
▲ GILLIAN MCFARLAND & COLLETTE RAYNER
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL
Bath Artists’ Studios The Old Malthouse, Comfortable Place, Bath. www.bathartistsstudios.co.uk
14 – 18 December This exhibition entitled Blood will Boil plays on the mother and daughter relationship between the two artists Gillian McFarland and Collette Rayner. Their works reflect two differing crossroads within an artist’s career and two different ways of communicating through mark making.
The Holburne Museum Great Pulteney Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 388 569
MHAIRI MCGREGOR
Edgar Modern Bartlett Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 443746 www.edgarmodern.com
Until 6 January
8 December – 5 January An exhibition of beautiful new landscapes and still life from one of Scotland’s most talented female painters. View the catalogue online and contact the gallery for a private view invitation.
Elizabeth Rollins-Scott, Guardian Angel 3
Bath Contemporary 35 Gay Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 461230 www.bathcontemporary.com
7 December – 26 January With a strong bias towards unique ceramics, this exhibition explores colour, shape and form over function with works from several artists. Mhairi McGregor, Great Yarmouth
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This is an exhibition throughout December featuring 100 original paintings, ceramics and jewellery, including work by: Louise Balaam, David Brayne, Richard Burel, Peter Davies, Anna Gardiner, Rachael Kantaris, Jason Lilley, Teresa Pemberton, Salliann Putman, Rosemary Trestini and Hannah Woodman. This is a great opportunity to collect art at affordable prices and to find a unique, individual present. SECRET SPLENDOUR: THE HIDDEN WORLD OF BAROQUE CABINETS
DECEMBER 2012
The Holburne Museum has three fine 17th century cabinets-on-stands in its collection. Made by the most skilled cabinetmakers and craftsmen, often from expensive exotic material imported from overseas, such cabinets were some of the most magnificent pieces ever made and some of the most important.
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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS ACROSS THE BOARD Nick Cudworth Gallery 5 London Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 445221 www.nickcudworth.com
PERCEPTUAL MOTION Ione Parkin, Organic Intricacy
December Throughout December Nick Cudworth will be exhibiting an eclectic mix of paintings and prints that includes various themes he has developed over the many years he has worked in his gallery in Bath.
▲ Nick Cudworth, extract from Moonlit Lock
Quest Gallery 7 Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 444142 www.questgallery.co.uk
CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION
Christiane Wilhelm, Ceramic Lense Vessel
4 December – 26 January BOB RUDD
This is a mixed exhibition of paintings by Ione Parkin; glass by Slovakian and Hungarian masters Peter Layton, Rachael Woodman, Shelley James, Layne Rowe and Bruce Marks; jewellery by Wendy Ramshaw, Nan Nan Liu, John Moore and Barbara Bertagnoli; silver; and ceramics.
NEIL DAVIES
O’Neil’s Gallery 5 Nelson Place East, Bath. Tel: 01225 462181
December O’Neil’s Gallery is exhibiting paintings by Neil Davies throughout December including landscapes of Cornwall and Scotland. Bob Rudd, Old Harry Rocks, Purbeck, Dorset
Victoria Art Gallery By Pulteney Bridge, Bath. Tel: 01225 477233 www.victoriagal.org.uk
Gallery Nine 9b Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 319197 www.gallerynine.co.uk
Until 31 December This exhibition focuses on gifts for Christmas including wood engravings, ceramics, jewellery and studio prints, made by British designers and artists, including: Curwen studio prints and George Tute wood engravings; ceramics from Sasha Wardell and Lara Scobie; jewellery by Jilly Langton, Pepe Argo, Rachel Eardley and Lesley Strickland; and clocks and brooches from Abbott and Ellwood. ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Until 20 January Born in East Anglia, Bob Rudd studied at the Bath Academy of Art and settled in the west country. Widely recognised as a superlative exponent of watercolour, he is inspired by landscape from the isles of Scilly to the north of Scotland. Mountains, rivers, rocky coastlines and the sea are favourite subjects, captured in strong colours.
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Central Library The Podium, Bath. www.bathphotographicsociety.org.uk
11 – 15 December
Neil Davies, Across the Burn Isle of Skye
Members from the Bath Photographic Society will stage their annual exhibition at the central library showcasing their photographs. The society was founded in 1888 and is believed to be one of the oldest societies of its kind in the UK.
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ARTISTprofile
PERCEPTUAL MOTION
INSPIRED BY NATURE: main picture, Ione Parkin in her Larkhall studio Left, detail from Mineral Residue
David Metcalfe celebrates the work of Bath artist Ione Parkin, who is to have a solo show in the city
A
bstract painter Ione Parkin RWA has become a well-known figure on the Bath arts scene. Now in her fourth studio in the city in over 20 years she has been gradually establishing her reputation regionally, nationally and internationally. She produces vibrant and arresting work from her current studio in a former upholstery workshop in Larkhall. Ione’s interest in the natural world is the inspirational core of her work. Ione’s paintings and mixed media pieces have great depth and authenticity. They vary from the lyrically luminous to the dynamically dramatic. Ione has developed her own unique abstract language to express her sense of awe and wonder at the natural environment.
Her paintings engage rather ❝ than alienate the viewer. . . sometimes restless but always carefully realised
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Her paintings engage rather than alienate the viewer and their finely-wrought surfaces and textural diversity have great sensory appeal. Ione’s images are beautiful, vitality-imbued, sometimes restless but always carefully realised. Ione’s keen interest in the processes of growth in nature and landscape evolution echoes wider contemporary concerns with environmental crisis and climate change. Ione travelled widely in her 20s and 30s, absorbing raw elements of landscape – the glaciers of the Canadian Rockies, the deserts of India, the mountains of Nepal, and the high volcanic terrain of the Canary 68 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Islands. These intense experiences still inform her work. She keeps her “internal reservoir of remembered senses” fed by direct, physical contact with the natural environment and by referring to images of micro-environments, Hubble images of deep space and satellite images of earth from space. Ione’s work is in many corporate collections and has been bought by private collectors in the United Kingdom and as far afield as Canada, the USA and New Zealand. Rendered on small to large scales, they are eminently covetable and, for the time being at least, affordable for the discerning, middle-income collector. Ione shows her work in several group exhibitions and art fairs each year and has regular solo exhibitions. Past solo shows have been in Baltimore (USA), Bath, Bristol, Cambridge, London and Worcester. Her next solo show, Perceptual Motion, opens on 4 December at the Quest Gallery, Margaret’s Buildings, and runs until 26 January. Admission to the gallery is free and an exhibition catalogue is available. ■
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CITYheritage
CALLING TIME
THE PACKHORSE, SOUTHSTOKE CLOSED 2012
Bath’s pubs are closing at a faster rate than ever before. Andrew Swift looks at the roll call of hostelries which have been lost in recent years
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ince 2006, 15 pubs in and around Bath have called last orders for the last time. Nationwide it’s a similar story, with 18 pubs closing every week. Pubs are not just dying – many of them are being killed off. The government ratchets up beer duty while turning a blind eye to supermarkets selling cheap booze. Pubcos (that is, generally a pub chain) charge landlords extortionate rates for beer, wine and spirits, making it increasingly difficult for them to make a living. In the boom years, pubcos paid their shareholders handsome dividends, but were less ready to plough money back into their pubs. As a result, many pubs are run down, in desperate need of investment, trapped in a vicious circle of dwindling custom and decreasing viability. This leaves the way open for pubcos to realise their assets by selling them to property speculators as development opportunities. Local councils, theoretically the last line of defence, with the power to preserve pubs as community assets, all too often nod such changes through. Here, then, is a tally of the losses suffered in Bath in the past six years: In 2006, the 17th century Burnt House Inn at Odd Down closed. Shortly afterwards, a planning officer gave the go ahead for it to be demolished and replaced by flats. 2006 also saw the Roundhouse in Stall Street converted to a sandwich bar. In 2007, The White Hart at Batheaston and The Dark Horse in Northampton Street closed. Both have since been converted to residential accommodation. 2008 saw the loss of two large pubs to the south-west of the city – the Englishcombe Inn and the Jubilee. The Englishcombe,
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despite protests from residents who wanted it to stay as a pub, is now a care home, while the Jubilee has been demolished to make way for housing. In 2009, the closure rate increased dramatically, with five long-established pubs disappearing – the Brains Surgery in Larkhall, the Castle in Bathwick, Filos and the Porter Butt on the London Road and the Rummer on Newmarket Row. Filos and the Rummer have since reopened as restaurants, the Porter Butt is a hi-fi store, and the Brains Surgery has been converted to student accommodation. A campaign by local residents to save the Castle, supported by Fabian Richter, the local Conservative candidate, was scuppered when the council voted for it to be converted to housing. Four more pubs closed in 2010 – the Horseshoe at Combe Down, the Rose & Laurel on Rush Hill, the Northend Inn at Batheaston and the Long Acre Tavern on the London Road. The Horseshoe, once a busy community pub with a reputation for food, had in its latter days acquired a reputation for antisocial behaviour, and many local residents were glad to see it closed. When it was put up for sale, a bid was accepted from a company who wanted to run it as a real-ale pub, but the deposit was later returned and it was sold to a developer who successfully applied to convert it to flats. The Rose & Laurel was another busy community pub whose fortunes had taken a nosedive in the run-up to closure. It too is now set to become housing. The case of the Northend Inn was somewhat different. After acquiring this former Usher’s pub, a local woman ran it for a while before closing it in 2008 and applying to convert it to a
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CITYheritage BURNT HOUSE INN ODD DOWN
THE CASTLE BATHWICK
CLOSED 2006
CLOSED 2009
many pubs are run down, in ❝ desperate need of investment, trapped in a vicious circle of dwindling custom and decreasing viability
THE HORSESHOE COMBE DOWN CLOSED 2010
❞
house. After a spirited campaign by local residents, permission was refused and the pub reopened, only to close again in 2010. A subsequent application was withdrawn, but, although it cannot be converted, it remains shut. Two pubs closed in 2011 – the Belvedere on Lansdown Road and the Park Tavern on Park Lane. Their passing went largely unremarked, as did that of the Rising Sun in Twerton, which closed in 2012. The Belvedere is now part of a guest house, the other two pubs are to be converted to residential accommodation. The Waggon & Horses in Batheaston also closed earlier this year, and an application has recently been submitted to convert this to housing as well. In marked contrast, the closure of the Packhorse in Southstoke – on 13 May 2012 – has been met with outrage, not just from local residents but also from those who cherished it as one of the last unspoilt pubs in the area. After the Punch Pub Company put it up for sale, several bids were received from people who wanted to run it as a pub. It was sold, however, to someone who wants to convert it to a house. All that stands in his way is the local council, which has – inconveniently for him – declared it a prime community asset. The people of Southstoke are determined that any application for change of use should be rejected, and that the Packhorse – the hub of their community – should reopen. Cynics claim that pubs like the Packhorse are no longer viable. The lie to such claims is given by the success of pubs such as the Royal Oak, the Charmbury Arms or The White Horse in Twerton, the Barley Mow in Bathwick, the Richmond Arms on Lansdown, the King William on the London Road, The Star on THE NORTHEND INN CLOSED 2008
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THE JUBILEE WHITEWAY CLOSED 2008
the Paragon and many more. Any of these pubs could easily, in the wrong hands, have become another entry on the everlengthening list of Bath’s lost pubs, but each, in its own way, has proved that running a successful pub is still possible. That said, the licensed trade is undoubtedly in crisis. It is not just the future of our pubs that is at stake; it is the future of our communities. In the right hands, pubs are places where the links that bind communities together can be forged. When they close, those communities risk degenerating into mere collections of houses, where anonymity and isolation rule. Faced with such a prospect, the fight to stop unbridled greed from waging a war of attrition against one of this country’s most cherished institutions is one that we cannot afford to lose. Information on the campaign to Save the Packhorse can be found at southstoke.net. At the time of going to press it had been announced that another Bath pub – the Bell Inn in Walcot – faces an uncertain future. The owner of this vibrant, musical venue, Ian Wood, said it was with regret that he was putting the 18th century inn on the market. He said on announcing the sale: “It’s been 23 great years and now it is time for someone else to take the pub over. I am very proud of the eclectic team of people who make this pub so special. There is such a great feeling of community and such humour, I will really miss the place, it is by far the best pub in the world. It is an institution, thank you all for making it so special. Owning a pub like this has been the fulfilment of a dream, but this dream I was having many years ago. I now have new dreams and a new direction, and my heart is not in it any more. One love to you all, it’s been special.” ■ THE DARK HORSE BATH CLOSED 2007
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CHRISTMAS AT
GREAT WESTERN WINE Let us help you create the perfect Christmas... ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶
Carefully selected wines for Christmas drinking The very best award-winning wines From party fizz to the finest Champagne Three outstanding tastings in the shop during December Special wine offers throughout the festive period Useful party services – including glass hire, ice bags, sale or return Stylish wine gifts for your family, friends and colleagues Helpful advice from knowledgeable staff Delivery direct to your door (free delivery when buying a dozen or more bottles)
FESTIVE TASTINGS AT GREAT WESTERN WINE Champagne and Sparkling Memorable events are always best marked with bubbles. A huge favourite for all, this tasting will show everything from party sparkling to that special bottle for Christmas morning. 1st – 2nd December – 11am to 5pm
Wines for Christmas Drinking Come and find out what we’ll be recommending to you, opening to tasting and enjoying ourselves this Christmas. From easy drinking to the finest wines; from stickies to fortifieds and spirits. 8th – 9th and 15th –16th December For all tastings weekends there will be Christmas offers and some wonderful gift ideas on display in our atmospheric Bath shop. No tickets required, just turn up and enjoy the tasting!
Order online - www.greatwesternwine.co.uk For orders or advice - 01225 322810 or wine@greatwesternwine.co.uk Shop open to the public – Wellsway, Bath, BA2 3AP Customer car park | Extended shop opening hours throughout December
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FOOD&DRINK
Quick bites Time set aside for grown-ups ■ Great Western Wine has a selection of gift-boxed wines and other drinks for those awkward to buy for people at Christmas. For a limited edition present, what about a bottle of Siberian vodka (£36.50) that’s been five times distilled and filtererd through Siberian rock? Only 6,000 mammoth’s tusk shaped bottles were produced and the package includes two shot glasses. ■ The café on the hill, Coffee@Camden in Bath is hosting a series of Christmas cupcake decorating classes for adults and children. The adult classes are on Thursday 6 December and Thursday 13 December, both from 6pm, £25, which includes a box of six cupcakes to decorate, and a hot drink and mince pie in the class. A children's class is being held on Saturday 8 December from 10am, for £14, to include a box of four cupcakes to decorate, with hot chocolate and cupcake in the class. Coffee@Camden also makes cupcakes to give as presents. ■ Newton Farm Foods at Newton St Loe is now taking orders for its Christmas hampers, which includes a turkey and all the trimmings package of meats, stuffing and sauces, for £105. There is a Christmas wreath making workshop on Tuesday 4 December, from 10am, for £30, which includes a hot drink and cake, plus £5 off of all purchases over £25 made that day, and a chance to take home a wreath that you’ve made yourself under expert guidance.
A
new café in hot soup of the day Bath is tackling with bread and the sticky issue butter for £4.50 at of whether we want to lunchtime, or a bowl be around children of mixed salads and when we go out for savoury tart of the coffee or a light lunch day, parents can by introducing bring their children separate adult-only in after school, let and family-friendly them do some sessions. homework and tuck Rhubarb in Grove into the hot dish of Street has a weekday the day, such as policy of no kids cottage pie, before before 3.30pm, heading off to allowing adults to Brownies or football. come in for breakfast, Rhubarb also has TRANQUIL: downstairs at Rhubarb in Grove Street coffee and cake or a separate room lunch, while the after upstairs which is a school crowd is actively welcomed between 3.30pm quiet sanctuary where adults can read magazines, and 6.30pm. sip Champagne and enjoy a manicure or pedicure. While the grown-ups can enjoy a delicious, piping For more information visit: www.rhubarb.me.uk
Vaults provide new dining zone AFTER months of building work, the new restaurants and cafés in The Vaults, the arches next to the Bath Spa railway station, are due to open between now and Christmas. And while there will be a couple of national names, namely Prezzo, Nandos and Gourmet Burger Kitchen among them, there will also be some locally based businesses opening up in the newly restored spaces created in Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s designed Victorian station complex. Jika Jika in George Street is taking over one of the units and Graze Chophouse Bar, which already has an outlet in Bristol, is taking another. The Bertinet Bakery, which has a shop and café in the city, is also opening a second venue at The Vaults. This will be open seven days a week, selling a range of Bertinet breads, including awardwinning sourdough, spelt, focaccia and rye breads,
as well as an extensive range of pastries including almond croissants, savoury croques monsieur and pasties, cakes and tarts. Visitors will be able to sit either inside or out on the pedestrianised piazza or just grab a freshly made sandwiches in order to catch the next train. Richard Bertinet said: “We are very excited to be opening our second outlet in Bath. We hope our location next to the railway station and the extensive choice of pastries will attract both visitors and residents from the south of the city.” Once the weather gets warmer, the new public square will have seats and tables for the customers of the various eateries to enjoy. Weary commuters will also be able to pick up a coffee to go, either on their way in or out of the city. This will represent the final phase of the whole Southgate development and The Vaults will have created 200 new jobs for Bath.
A warm Scottish welcome on the Square
FINE DINING: one of chef Dougie Bonar’s creations – venison, and, right, the interior at the Kilted Chef 74 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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The arrival of Scots chef Dougie Bonar in Bath is going down well in Kingsmead Square, where his new venture the Kilted Chef is winning accolades from diners. Dougie, who has cooked for Princess Anne, brings his Scottish heritage with a classical French cuisine. He and business partner John Stevens have come to Bath from the Clifton Club in Bristol. The welcoming front of house is run by the very experienced Sue Chalmers. The Kilted Chef has taken over the premises formerly occupied by Mezzaluna, which have been refurbished. The restaurant is currently offering its Christmas menu, of what sounds like a sumptuous collection of dishes. Starters include Scottish
smoked salmon, saffron and sweet potato blini with caviar and lime creme fraiche, while main courses include slow-roasted Highland beef with wild mushrooms. Three courses are £29.50, to include vegetables, and there is no extra charge for the cheeseboard.
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CHRISTMASrecipes
Take five chefs Rosie Parry asked five top chefs from the Chefs’ Forum in Bath to whip up some delicious dishes for the perfect traditional Christmas lunch – their way. Simply follow their recipes and you’re sure to be king or queen of the kitchen this festive holiday
Turkey
Gravy
Gary Gardener, head chef at Combe Grove Manor shares his turkey gravy recipe
Turkey giblets, neck and any trimmings 2 bay leaves Few sprigs of thyme 2 ½ pints water 4 black peppercorns Pan juices from the 250ml red wine turkey ½ onion 30g flour 2 sticks celery Salt and pepper 2 carrots, diced
Ingredients:
1. Place the diced vegetables, peppercorns, bay leaf, and thyme with the giblets and turkey trimmings and neck cut into pieces into a pot and fry with a little oil until golden, add the red wine and reduce until vegetables are syrupy and glazed. 2. Add the water and reduce the heat to a simmer, occasionally skim off any fat or impurities that rise to the surface, for at least an hour. 3. Strain the stock and measure out so you have approx. 750ml of the stock. 4. Once your turkey is roasted, tip off the fat from the roasting tray that the turkey was roasted in leaving only the juices and cooked sediment. 5. Add the flour to the juices and cook it over a medium heat until the flour and juices turn into a paste and turns golden brown. 6. Add the warm turkey stock to the roasting tray and with a spatula scrape the bottom of the tray to mix in and release the sediment from the roasting tray. 7. Return to the heat and boil for 5 minutes and, using a whisk, stir all the time to remove any lumps until the gravy thickens, strain once more and season.
Method:
Nick Brodie, head chef at The Queensberry Hotel & Olive Tree Restaurant provides his recipe for a classic British roast turkey 1 turkey For the brine (makes six litres) 200g coarse sea salt 200g brown sugar 1 stick celery 1 bay leaf 6 litres water Thyme 3 cloves garlic 10 peppercorns 1 onion 1 carrot
Ingredients:
1. Add enough water (about six litres) to cover a turkey. Place water and brine ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add the turkey, cover with brine for one hour per 500g. Thoroughly rinse all the brine from the turkey before cooking, otherwise it will be too salty. Calculate the cooking time – about 20 minutes per 500g. 2. Truss the turkey and pat the skin dry, place on a large roasting tray, rub it all over with olive oil and season. Surround with one litre of water, chopped carrots, onions, celery and garlic. Place in an oven, preferably a very hot oven—the hotter the oven, the more quickly the skin will dry out completely and the browning can begin. Once youʼve got the browning underway, you can lower the oven temperature for the remaining cooking time. 3. Roast for the calculated time, or until the juices run clear from the thigh if you pierce it with a knife or a skewer. Carefully lift the turkey out of the tray and rest on a board thatʼs covered loosely with foil for around 20 minutes while you finish off the veg and gravy. Skim the surface fat from the roasting tray and add a little flour and stock. Place the tray on the stove and bring to the boil on a high heat. 4. When the gravy starts to thicken, strain it into a container. 5. Carve the turkey and serve with the sauce.
Method:
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Roast Potatoes
Richard Davies, head chef at The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe prepares the perfect roasties Serves 4 Oven temp 220c Cooking time 45 minutes – 1 hour
850g roasting potatoes 100g duck fat 2 cloves garlic 3 sprigs rosemary salt & pepper
Ingredients:
1. Peel the potatoes and cut to required size, place into salted boiling water for 10 minutes, strain into a colander, and give them a little shake to lightly fluff them up, season with salt and pepper. 2. While the potatoes are boiling, pre-heat the oven to 220c. 3. Pour the duck fat into a nice non-stick roasting tray and heat in the oven for 5-10 minutes until hot. 4. Remove from the oven and place in your potatoes along with the rosemary and the two crushed cloves of garlic, give them a little shake and put in the oven to roast for approximately one hour or until golden and crisp (after 25 minutes, check on them and turn the potatoes in the tray, repeat this every 15 minutes until cooked).
Method:
Vegetables Chris Staines, head chef at the Allium Brasserie provides a Jerusalem artichoke and celeriac crumble accompaniment 450g Jerusalem artichokes, peeled & sliced • 1 celeriac, peeled & sliced • 250g cème fraiche • 2 pints milk • 150g grated gruyere cheese • 1tbsp minced thyme • 1tsp sea salt • ground pepper • 150g shallots, peeled & sliced • 150g roasted & peeled chestnuts • 50g butter • grated nutmeg • 2 cloves minced garlic • 150g breadcrumbs mixed with cheese and thyme
Ingredients
1. Cover the artichoke and celeriac slices with the milk (just enough to cover) season with salt pepper and freshly ground nutmeg and bring to the boil slowly, remove from the heat immediately and drain off the liquid. Leave to cool. 2. Mix together the crème fraiche, thyme, gruyere and minced garlic. 3. In a pan, gently fry the sliced shallots and chestnuts until lightly coloured and soft to touch. 4. Gently mix the artichokes, celeriac, chestnuts and shallots into your crème fraiche mixture ensuring not to mash them up too much. The mixture should be slightly firm to the touch and nicely coated in the creamy sauce – if you feel more liquid is needed add some of the reserved liquid from the cooking of the artichokes and celeriac. 5. Place the mixture into a buttered oven-proof dish and sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture. 6. Bake in a medium oven at 160c until bubbling and cooked through.
Method:
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Meat Alternative Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School shares its vegetarian and vegan main – wild mushroom, ale and salsify pie
Ingredients: 5g dried porcini mushrooms, 150ml boiling water, 1 salsify root or 175g parsnips, 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 small carrot, 150g mixed wild mushrooms, 100ml ale (such as Sam Smiths), 200g tomatoes, 1tsp coarse grain mustard, ½tsp Marmite, 1 bay leaf, 1tsp chopped thyme, 1tbsp chopped parsley, salt & pepper, 300g shortcrust or puff pastry (ready-made is fine). Cooking time: 20-30mins, serves 2
1. Soak the dried porcini in 100mls of boiling water for 30 minutes and then strain, saving the soaking water. Finely dice the porcini. 2. To prepare the salsify, wash the root under cold running water, without peeling, and boil in salted water for 10 minutes. Then place in cold water and the skin will slide off. If you peel first, the root needs to be immediately plunged into acidulated water to prevent discoloration. Chop the salsify into 1cm lengths. 3. Fry the sliced onion and diced carrot in sunflower oil, until the onion is soft and golden. Add the crushed garlic and wild mushrooms and cook for five more minutes. Pour in the ale and simmer for 3 minutes, until reduced down by half. Add the tinned tomatoes, salsify, porcini water, chopped porcini, coarse grain mustard, Marmite, bay leaf, parsley and thyme and season well, simmer for 30 minutes until thick. 4. Pour into a 500ml pie dish (or 2 x 250ml pie dishes). 5. Roll the pastry out to 4mm thickness. Cut out a circle slightly wider than the pie dish. Pinch the edges to make a crinkle pattern, cut a small cross in the middle and brush the top with milk or soya milk. Place over the top of the pie. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden.
Method:
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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic, chooses wines for the festive season
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here’s no escaping it any longer; the Bath Christmas lights are on and John Lewis has launched its latest seasonal feelgood advertising campaign – I enjoy the loved up snowpeople, far more than the sense of panic that I experience whenever I see the supermarket ads, showing a fraught, multi-tasking mother, delivering Christmas to the family single-handedly. Christmas is all about planning; presents, cards, decorations, food, the list goes on. So my mission in this column is to help tick off one of the key items on the ‘To Do’ list – namely, the tricky matter of what wines to choose. Champagne Henriot Blanc de Blancs NV £34 Look no further than this multi-award winning Champagne to satisfy your Christmas fizz requirements. It won gold in the International Wine Challenge competition and the Decanter Champagne Trophy – the ultimate international award. Made entirely from Chardonnay grapes, this sublime Champagne, with its delicate mousse, has a simply sublime aroma of peach and citrus fruit, with deep and complex flavours – creamy, toasty brioche, fresh citrus, pineapple, lively, smooth and elegant. Outstanding. Machherndlr Gruner Veltliner, Austria, 2011 £9.95 This is a fantastic wine to accompany smoked salmon and would also be great as an alternative white wine with turkey or goose. It’s aromatic, spicy, yet with an edgy zestiness. It’s packed with ripe pear, citrus and acacia honey character, with a hint of spice. It’s full flavoured, but with a searingly dry finish; its delicious fruitiness, combined with a seriously zesty, minerally dry edge – a perfect partner to cope with the rich flavours of the fruity stuffings and trimmings. Try it with lightly spiced turkey stir fry or curry. Chablis Domaine Bernard Defaix, 2011 £11.95 This Chablis, from a family owned vineyards, proves that there is some incredible wine that isn’t overpriced, and is a dream to drink. Bursting with fresh, crisp, apples and peach fruit, with an elegant, delicate, mineral, and almost steely edge, this vibrant, sassy thoroughbred, with its racy edge, and citrus tang, will be perfect with any seafood starters or smoked salmon. Urlar Pinot Noir, Gladstone New Zealand, 2010 £14.25 I have to confess to a love affair with Pinot Noir for turkey or goose. With so much going on in terms of flavours, and with sweet, dried fruit and herb flavours in the stuffings, what’s needed is a soft, juicy, low tannin red, with lots of naturally sweet character. Avoid big tannic reds at all costs. Light in colour, medium in weight, with ripe plum, nutmeg and rich spicy aromas, this Pinot Noir is backed up with intense, hedgerow fruit and mocha. Domaine des Pres-Lasses, Faugeres, 2007 £11.50 Expect the richness and warmth of ripe, blackberry and white pepper in this full bodied, vibrant red. It’s the perfect wine with cheese, with enough silky ripe sweetness to partner turkey. A perfumed aroma of raspberries and fresh herbs, leads to rich, yet soft flavours, with silkily smooth tannins and a warming, cinnamon-spiced edge. Great with roast beef, or boeuf bourguignon, it’s my perfect winter red to sink into in front of the fire. Skillogallee Liqueur Muscat £29.50 This glorious nectar has to be the ultimate self indulgent sweet treat. Awarded a silver medal by Decanter judges, this is liquid heaven. With beguiling aromas of toffee, raisins, and caramelised pecan nuts, overlaid with an edge of honey, the flavour is incredible and a small sip will linger for ages – rich, unctuous, luscious and totally decadent.
Great Western Wine is at Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AP, tel: 01225 322810. Visit: www.greatwesternwine.co.uk. 78 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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The Cosy Club
Southgate Place, Bath, BA1 1AP. Tel: 01225 464161
REVIEW
A PLACE FOR SHARING
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here are few businesses in the new Southgate shopping centre which have managed to overcome the challenge of this big space and make us feel a bit more human and comfortable. But I can think of three notable exceptions who have managed this splendidly, stamping their own character on the place – namely My Small World the toy shop which has things even grown-ups want to play with, Pretty Eccentric with its flattering, feminine clothes and accessories, and The Cosy Club, which is an unexpectedly quirky, easy-going place to relax in. Don’t be put off by the flight of anonymous stairs to reach The Cosy Club, as the interior of the bar-cum-restaurant itself is an eclectic mix of period chairs, modern bar stools, feathertrimmed boudoir lampshades and funky lighting. Much of the genuine period bits and pieces, including the pictures on the walls, are acquired from eBay so although The Cosy Club is technically part of a chain, it doesn’t feel corporate. I particularly like the giant antler chandeliers and the brightly decorated bar, which is as camp as Christmas. We first discovered The Cosy Club when we were lured in by the sign which promotes ‘lounging and dining’ – two things we happen to be quite good at. We like to come when the weather’s fine and sit out on the balcony and enjoy a few beers and share some tapas plates while watching the Southgate shoppers milling about below. But The Cosy Club, as its name implies, is a good place to go with friends when it’s dark and cold outside, to warm up, relax and enjoy some good value food. Most of the main courses are around £9 or £10, with the cheapest at £7.75 for a veggie burger, with chips, to £15.95 for a rib eye steak. It’s the kind of place you’d go to over Christmas, with a young group, who don’t want to dress up or want any big fuss, and because The Cosy Club serves food all day, there’s something from the breakfast for the hungover party animals to those tasty plates of tapas, which are £3 each, or three for £8. The background music is upbeat and there are always magazines and newspapers lying around, so you can just loll around in an armchair if the mood takes you, or sit and dine more formally at a table. The last time we went, on a foul, 80 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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blustery night, we enjoyed a sharing platter (£10.95) of veggie bits and pieces, including falafels, hummous, chunky bread, olives and baba ganoush. This is actually a big enough platter for three to share as a starter. The Christmas menu includes such seasonal delights as Sussex roast turkey with roast potatoes, belly of pork with sweet potato mash or risotto with grilled salmon. If you’ve been lumbered with organising your workplace Christmas ‘do’ it’s worth noting that the three course festive special is £22.50 a head, for parties of eight and over.
were lured in by the sign ❝whichWepromotes ‘lounging and dining’ – two things we happen to be quite good at
❞
My dining companion wasn’t ready for Christmas grub, preferring to get his laughing gear round a chunky, meaty Heroburger, which comes with all sorts of manly accompaniments, including chilli, chorizo and cheese – oh, and crispy, slim hot chips too. I enjoyed my slightly healthier option of a tender steak, sliced on a bed of mixed salad with crispy potatoes. As I have said, The Cosy Club is conducive to sharing. We shared a bottle of nicely chilled Sauvignon Blanc for £15.45, but you could have a pitcher of cocktails, if you were in party mood. On a final note about pudding. If you’re ordering the chocolate brownie (£4.75), do ask for two spoons as you’ll need someone else to help you finish it. This was the most enormous brownie I’ve ever had. It was served warm, with a generous dollop of ice cream, which proceeded to gently melt into the dark, gooey chocolatiness. What’s more it tasted home-made. So, it’s Christmas party hats off to The Cosy Club, which delivers a professional, value for money experience and deserves its place as part of the Bath casual dining scene. GMc
QUIRKY AND COMFORTABLE: The Cosy Club is filled with interesting furniture and accessories
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BATHSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 01225 424499
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THE CURIOUS LITTLE SWAN The Aston Martin Cygnet is unique – crafted by hand with all the trappings of the most prestigious British supercar, yet with the running costs of a thrifty compact. Dara Foley discovers luxury without compromise Main photo: The eye catching Cygnet pictured in The Royal Crescent, Bath Test car courtesy of HR Owen Aston Martin, Cheltenham
W
ith handbags worth thousands and wristwatches that will set you back more than your annual salary, the shop windows at Harrods feature some of the most beautiful and covetable luxury goods ever made. So little wonder that in late 2010, Aston Martin chose to unveil its curious little city car with a window display at the world's swankiest store. It was a marketing masterstroke, the buzz along the Brompton Road quickly swept across London, and before long every aficionado across the world had heard of Aston’s funny little Cygnet. Such was the interest, that a flurry of orders were placed by international playboys, fashion editors, supermodels and your everyday glamourati … with more of a swagger, than quack and a waddle…the little swan had arrived. Aston Martin is most famous for its well-bred supercars, owned by connoisseurs, stars, millionaires and, of course, 007. Various Astons have been licensed to thrill in 50 years of James Bond movies, but we are living in a changing world with many challenges for motor manufacturers. Aston Martin’s decision to become the first luxury carmaker to offer a prestige, compact city car not only extends its range but also caters for environment conscious motorists with shifting perceptions. And by being ‘first in’ with the Cygnet, Aston Martin is literally stealing the march. At the launch, Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: “It is time to think differently, the Cygnet needs to satisfy the demands of emissions and space. It is a car without compromise, just like every other Aston Martin.” It was also a clever move to team up with Toyota and design the Cygnet around a Toyota iQ base, thus giving them a developmental head start. The Cygnet is all Aston, looking nothing like the iQ, it drives nothing like the iQ and indeed, with the plush hand-stitched leather interior – it smells and feels absolutely nothing like the iQ. ‘Know-alls’ will always remind you of its Japanese DNA, but there’s nothing odd in taking an ordinary production car and turning it into a thing of wonderment, it’s been going on for decades. Carlo Abarth modified Fiats into insane racers in the 50s, and in the early 60s, the humble Mini was subject to serious ‘pimping’ mainly by celebrities who wanted to own something unique and hip – if not a little daft. Famously, Peter Sellers celebrated his success as Inspecteur Clouseau by appointing Hooper Motor Services to turn an ordinary Mini into a deluxe limousine to give to his wife Britt Ekland. Highly regarded for its work with Bentley and Rolls Royce, Hoopers’ craftsmanship was second to none, and it created a luxury Mini with Wilton carpets, plush leather upholstery, a walnut dash and a hand-painted body – most bizarrely to resemble wicker. The cost of such refining came in at £2,600 – four times the cost of the basic model at £640. Before long a bespoke Mini was the inthing for the rich and famous. Ringo had one turned into a hot hatchback, while George’s Mini was daubed in psychedelic colours and John Lennon passed his driving test in his. The list of stars who pimped their wheels is almost as endless as the specialist paintjobs. Today the £31,000 price tag of the Cygnet is borne from the Aston Martin branding and rarity, given that fewer than 1,500
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are produced each year – compared to the millionth Fiat 500 which rolled off a production line in Poland last month – the Cygnet is a very rare, and perhaps collectable item, highly desirable to those who want to drive something prestigious and certainly less ubiquitous than your average set of wheels. This is a very fine swan indeed. At the Aston Martin motorworks in Gaydon, Warwickshire the (genetic) engineers have refined and distilled the Cygnet, so that all noticeable traces of the iQ have been removed, in fact, I’m reliably informed that the word Toyota does not appear anywhere. The body has been completely restyled, there are new front wings, new lights, and there’s no mistaking the distinctive Aston Martin grille and the two sporty V8 Vantage-style vents in the bonnet. Most of all, there’s the same hand-buffed, glass-like paintwork that is the trademark of all Astons. The engine and mechanics are the supposedly the same as the iQ, but I’m sure Aston Martin has waved a wand somewhere. In the city, as you would expect, the Cygnet drives superbly, the steering seems richer, the cornering precise, and straight roads seem smoother – there’s no buffeting from side winds, and even Bath’s well established potholes seem less jarring than in my wife’s Fiat. Possibly the biggest smile comes from the tiny turning circle – another first for Aston Martin. Inside, every surface is either covered in handbag-quality leather or thick carpeting giving the car a supreme sense of comfort and luxury, all this padding has the added advantage of noise reduction, it’s tranquil and the outside world is a distant place. Like the iQ, there are four seats, great legroom at the front, but the back two are probably best folded down, and will then take two cases of Bolly, and a weekend’s Waitrosia with ease. Most of all the Cygnet, with immaculate pedigree and bearing the famous winged emblem certainly gets noticed. Drive down Milsom Street on a Saturday afternoon and it’s astonishing how many people stop in their tracks to wonder at a car they have possibly never seen, many whipping out their camera phones to capture the moment. Have I been ‘papped?’ So while the world may think you’re a jet-set millionaire to be able afford the designer price tag, and get a table (without booking) at Menu Gordon Jones, the balance is that there are virtually no running costs. The Cygnet will give 56.5 mpg with an attractively low CO2 rating of 116g/km. It qualifies for C band road taxation, and is equally cheap to insure and service. Purists may say the Cygnet is not a proper Aston Martin, but that’s exactly the point, it’s a perception blowing entry into a conscious and changing world. Compact cars needn’t be basic, dumb, or commonplace to be efficient. For those who have earned and appreciate it, pleasure and practicality can be melded without guilt. All very well, but the only thing everyone wants to know is will 007 be seen driving a Cygnet in Bond 24? Good question. For more information on the Cygnet contact: H.R. Owen Aston Martin, Rutherford Way, Cheltenham. GL51 9TU. Tel: 0333 240 3659. www.hrowen.co.uk/aston-martin ■ DECEMBER 2012
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LEGALmatters
ADV ERT OR I AL F EAT U R E
‘SURELY I AM NOT OVER THE LIMIT OFFICER!?’ P
hilip Hatvany, specialist road traffic solicitor at Motoring Law Defence, explains how normally careful drivers can find themselves on the wrong side of the law when it comes to alcohol consumption and motoring. Statistics show that motorists in Britain are among the worst offenders for drink driving in Europe. 6% of drivers get behind the wheel despite being over the limit, according to research by road traffic policing group Tispol. Only Switzerland and Moldova have a higher proportion of drink drivers. Yet Britain also has the second highest drink drive limit in Europe. The result is the sad fact that one in six deaths on UK roads are still caused by drink drivers. Perhaps it is not surprising therefore that even though the incidents of drink driving in Britain have fallen from 2001 to 2010, public support has grown for introducing stronger enforcement and harsher punishments.
before they could still be over the limit the following morning.
strict procedures at the police station and if they fail to do this then this will often amount to a defence.
What is the police procedure? The police do not need a reason to stop drivers. However to carry out the roadside breath test an officer in uniform must reasonably suspect that you have consumed alcohol, were committing a road traffic offence or had been involved in an accident. If you fail this roadside breath test then you will be arrested and taken to the police station. At the police station the police will require two specimens of breath. The police have to follow a strict procedure when taking the breath specimens. If they fail to follow this then you may very well have a defence even if you are over the limit.
If you are charged with a drink driving offence and your matter goes to court then a good solicitor can advise you on the strength of the evidence against you. Even if it transpires that you do not have a defence the Magistrates will want to hear your mitigation and good representation is therefore vital. At Motoring Law Defence we specialise in representing clients in relation to all motoring matters at court and at the police station. We are especially skilled at saving people's licences. If you would like to talk to one of our solicitors about a motoring law matter, please telephone 01225 442925 for free initial advice.
Can you just refuse to give a specimen of breath?
Could it happen to you? The majority of us would never consider ourselves to be potential drink drivers. However, situations can arise where people drive while over the limit without meaning to. It can often be the case that during the festive season many of us drink a little more than we normally would. Some of us try and make a judgement as to how much alcohol we can drink and yet still be below the limit when we drive. This is far from easy to do. The UK limit is 35ug of alcohol per 100mls of breath. Many people think that this is equivalent to two pints of ordinary strength beer for a man of average weight. However, the speed at which alcohol is absorbed into your system (and how quickly your system gets rid of it) depends upon a large number of factors, including your sex, weight, metabolism, health and when you last ate. Because it is such an inexact science it is not surprising that people repeatedly are shocked when they are stopped by the police and found to be over the limit. Understandably some people take the view that the safest way forward is not to drink alcohol at all shortly before driving. However, many people forget that even if they have only drunk the night 86 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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If the police have carried out the correct procedure and you refuse to provide the roadside breath test then you will be committing an offence for which the penalty is four penalty points or a driving ban. If you refuse to supply a specimen of breath at the police station then this is a serious offence which carries a minimum driving ban of twelve months and up to a six month prison sentence. However, it is a defence if you have a reasonable excuse for failing to provide the specimen. A reasonable excuse could be for example where someone has an asthma or panic attack and is unable to provide the breath sample. Do you need a solicitor? The penalty for driving or attempting to drive whilst over the limit is a driving ban of at least twelve months and a prison sentence can even be given of up to six months. If you ever find yourself in the unfortunate position of being accused at the police station then we strongly advise that you ask the police to be able to speak to a solicitor. However, it should be noted that the police are under no obligation to delay the breath test procedure until your solicitor arrives. The police have to follow very
Philip Hatvany, Road Traffic Solicitor at Motoring Law Defence
2-4 Henry Street Bath, BA1 1JT T: 01225 442925 www.motoringlawdefence.com Motoring Law Defence is a division of Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors
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ADV ERT OR I AL FEATURE
AN INSPECTOR CALLS R
ed tape, regulation, rules and policies… life can seem like a minefield of regulatory hassle at times. Whether you are an individual or in local business, falling foul of regulatory bodies can be expensive and time consuming. Matthew Graham, Partner and Head of Criminal Defence at Mowbray City Advocates, explores some of the more common issues. What’s the problem? Whatever area of development or business you might be in, you can be sure that there’s an enforcement officer to match. Both the Local Authority and national organisations have numerous departments to oversee virtually every sector of activity or development. Planning officers will keep an eye on any building works. Environmental officers will worry about waste and water. Trading Standards Officers deal with everything from misleading advertising to rabies outbreaks. There are many and more, but they all have in common a raft of rules and regulations and, perhaps more importantly, substantial powers to make life very difficult and expensive if you get on the wrong side of them. Ignorance is no defence Can a simple mistake incur enforcement? Yes, and the fact that you didn’t know what you did was wrong might be given fairly short shrift. As individuals and businesses we have a responsibility to understand how the rules affect what we do, to ask the right questions in advance, and if we fall short we can expect action. Some regulation, such as with Asbestos, requires positive action to actually find out if there’s a problem. If you think you might be at risk of breaking the rules you need to get advice first. Enforcement notices Generally, if you have either breached the rules or look like you might you can be given a formal warning or enforcement notice to take or desist from action. Ignore that, and you’re in even more trouble. This doesn’t mean that what you did in the first place can necessarily be excused or will be without sanction, but failure to heed a warning is likely to make matters much worse. More importantly, if you think that you are in the right and have been given a warning or enforcement notice wrongly, it is usually imperative to do something about it then and there. If you wait until the period for compliance has expired you might be out of time to argue the WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
merits of your case. Early action is almost always the best option. It was someone else’s fault In regulatory enforcement, blaming someone else often doesn’t help very much. If you run a business, suggesting that a staff member failed to do their job may not get you very far. As an individual, the fact that you asked someone else to cut down that tree might not help if you live in a Conservation Area (which is much of Bath). Very often, liability can attach to all or any of those in a chain of operation. Early steps
Avoiding prosecution is often a central concern simply due to the time and money potentially involved. Businesses are now strongly advised to ensure that their insurance policies include the costs of such investigations or proceedings because, as a result of recent austerity measures, even if you win in court you will not recover your costs. Avoiding such a lose – lose situation can save a lot of time and money. If you would like to talk to one of our solicitors regarding an enforcement issue either in a personal or business capacity, please telephone Matthew Graham, Partner and Head of Mowbray City Advocates on 01225 400666 or via email at mag@mowbraycityadvocates.co.uk
If an enforcement officer has contacted you about a potential transgression it is probable that ignoring the contact will make things worse. Even if you are in the right, doing nothing usually becomes expensive and time consuming. Failing to deal with matters at an early stage is one of the most common difficulties we see in this area. Good, clear communication is crucial and the early identification of the issues is bound to make life easier for you or your business. If you have made a mistake, getting on top of the issue as soon as possible is bound to help. A constructive dialogue will make a difference. If you’re not sure how to go about that you should consider getting some advice. If the inspector calls If the regulator thinks you might have done something wrong you could be invited for a formal interview. This may be taped recorded and under caution. You might have the option of providing a written response, even if this isn’t made clear to you. The Local Authority conducts many such interviews to try and get to the bottom of a potential breach. What you say or don’t say, do or don’t do will make a huge difference to the outcome.
Matthew Graham, Partner and Head of Mowbray City Advocates
Criminal sanctions Breaking the rules will almost certainly have a criminal sanction. The Local Authority and other Agencies can and do regularly prosecute as part of the enforcement process. This doesn’t just mean a fine, although fines in such cases can be substantial, but will also include the costs of action being taken against you. In addition, the courts have wide ranging powers for further enforcement. For business breaches in particular, pursuing the proceeds of trade in breach of regulation is becoming more popular.
2-4 Henry Street Bath, BA1 1JT T: 01225 400666 www.mowbraycityadvocates.co.uk Mowbray City Advocates is a division of Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors DECEMBER 2012
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SAVE TAX ON PRESENTS THIS CHRISTMAS By James McNeile, partner and head of the Private Client team at Withy King in Bath
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ith Christmas around the corner, this is an ideal time to think about the most tax-efficient forms of giving presents to loved ones and making the most of the allowances given to us by Revenue and Customs. CASH Cash is always popular with younger family members and up to £250 can be given away to any number of family members each year without potentially suffering Inheritance Tax. Larger gifts of up to £3,000 per year in aggregate can be given tax free each year and where you haven’t made use of this allowance in the previous year, you can carry forward the allowance by a year and give away up to £6,000. Between husband and wife this can amount to a very substantial sum. EDUCATION AND NEST EGGS On top of this, regular gifts – say a commitment to pay a regular annual amount towards a child or grandchild’s education or pension fund – made out of income surplus to your own needs, may also be free of Inheritance Tax whatever the size of that commitment. If your children are not yet old enough to need such funding, then you can make regular payments into a family trust to build the necessary support for school or university funding in the future. Premium bonds and cash or investment ISAs are other ways of providing a nest egg.
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FAMILY HEIRLOOMS Sometimes a gift of a personal belonging may be more attractive at Christmas time, such as a watch, jewellery or a painting. Two types of tax can then be relevant – Inheritance Tax on the value of the gift and Capital Gains Tax on any increase in its value since it was originally bought or inherited. Sadly this is true even though you are giving the thing away rather than selling it. There are special exemptions from Capital Gains Tax on gifts of mechanical instruments – for instance barometers, watches, cars and guns – as well as on individual items with a value of £6,000 or less. Care should be taken over gifts of ‘sets’ such as a canteen of cutlery or dining room chairs, because it is then the value of the set rather than the individual items which must fall below £6,000. There are also tax exemptions for gifts to elderly, infirm or dependent relatives and charities. Whatever you are giving this Christmas, do have a quick think about the tax implications. It might just save you an unexpected bill in the New Year. To discuss any of your estate planning issues with an expert, please contact partner James McNeile at Withy King in Bath, on 01225 730100 or email james.mcneile@withyking.co.uk
James McNeile, Partner and head of the Private Client team at Withy King in Bath
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Are you aged between 18-45 and wanting to join a fun social group of women? Maybe Bath Ladies Circle is the answer! We meet twice a month and do a variety of activities including theatre trips, glassblowing, dinners and even tea at The Ritz! If you're interested please log on to www.ladiescircle.co.uk/bath or email Hazel at bathladiescircle@yahoo.com. Come along to an event and see what you think! You've got nothing to lose!
an a e
Incorporate your business and save tax! If you are starting a new business – or own a small business - you should consider incorporating the business (setting up a limited company) to take advantage of the favourable tax situation. Owners of limited companies can pay themselves dividends from the profits of the company and so save paying national insurance at ever increasing levels. The structure of a limited company also provides the opportunity to include other people (particularly family members) as shareholders, allowing them to benefit from dividend payments in addition to perhaps receiving a small salary (and utilising personal allowances that might otherwise be wasted). Corporation tax starts at 20% and is very attractive for higher rate tax payers; amongst other benefits the ‘limited’ structure allows them to ring fence the profits from their higher rates and choose when to distribute them - or to have them available for reinvestment in the business. Incorporating your business is very quick and costs around £100; the savings are available to any business making profits where drawings, by whatever form, are subject to national insurance contributions; the benefits can therefore be seen even with low profit and turnover figures. You might even be able to use losses made as a sole trader against profits / income generated in your limited company. We’ve been looking after small businesses (start up to £5 million turnover) for more than twenty years and have clients who have been with us throughout.
Good advice saves money, bad advice costs.... We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Call Mike Wilcow or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no obligation meeting – we’re pleased to help. 141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL
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Practical aid for time-confused The team at the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering have invented something apparently simple but so effective for helping people who suffer from dementia or confusion, that they’re winning national recognition. The Day Clock was invented by Hazel Boyd and Nina Evans and it gently reminds people of the day of the week and the time of day with its clear, readable screen. Dementia sufferers often struggle with knowing what time of day it is, which can cause challenges to them and to their carers and The Day Clock tells them whether it is morning, afternoon, evening or night.
News in brief ■ Eve Colette who runs Frome-based Wedding and Event Prop Hire is expanding into Bath. Eve first started out as a wedding coordinator at Orchardleigh House and set up Little Chair providing handmade chair covers. She then progressed to hiring out other wedding equipment and accessories for weddings, such as candelabras, bay trees and even the cake itself. ■ Just because we’re nearing the shortest, darkest days of the year doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be looking ahead to warmer, lighter days. Solarsense, at Brockley Lane near Blackwell is holding a Christmas event over the weekend of Friday 30 November, from 8am to 1pm, and Saturday 1 December, 9.30am to 3pm, following the success of its community solar carport open day. On show will be the latest in renewable heating technology including a ground source heat pump, wood pellet boiler, heat stores, under-floor heating plus information on grants and heat payments. The Friday will appeal to owners of commercial or industrial property, farms and large premises while the Saturday event should prove of interest to homeowners, particularly country dwellers. Contact Solarsense at Helios House, tel: 01275 461 800.
And for those sufferers anxious that it might not be working, their carers and family will be relieved to know that it is resilient to the random pressing of buttons. It was a finalist for the Outstanding Dementia Care Product or Innovation 2012 category, in the national Dementia Care Awards recently, held in Brighton and has also picked up a biomedical award for a south west innovation. The Day Clock retails at £79.99. More than 700 Day Clocks have been sold since the product was launched a year ago and it is available from www.day-clock.com or by calling 0117 330 2277. SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE: The Day Clock
Hot pasty campaign is a winner Communications company Geometry PR won three categories at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ West of England PRide Awards. Bath-based Geometry’s Axe the Pasty Tax campaign won two gold awards, while a campaign to give Bath Building Society a higher corporate profile also topped a category. Linda Donaldson, public relations director at Geometry PR, said: “Winning these three awards serves as a resounding vindication of what we are doing here at Geometry, and our focus is on continuing to be a fastmoving, client-focused agency that provides results.”
TRIPLE WIN: Linda and Rick Donaldson, centre, with colleague Emma Sparks, right, receive one of their prizes at the CIPR’s West of England awards
Geometry’s Axe the Pasty Tax campaign, conducted on behalf of the Cornish Pasty Association after the Chancellor unveiled proposals to introduce 20% VAT on all hot baked goods, won the Best Use of Media Relations Award and the Crisis
Communications award. Geometry had produced 84 pieces of coverage in a six week campaign for the pasty association. By the end of it, the Government announced that freshly-baked goods, including Cornish pasties, would be exempt from VAT.
State-of-the-art kitchen showroom opens A new showroom has been opened on London Road, Bath, giving passers-by a glimpse of some state-of-the-art kitchen designs. Hobsons Choice has launched the site in partnership with kitchen brand bulthaup. The new showroom showcases bulthaup b1, bulthaup b2 and award-winning bulthaup b3 kitchen systems. Managing director of hobsons|choice, Richard Carter said: “Bringing bulthaup to the city of Bath
has long been a desire of mine. This is the second hobsons|choice bulthaup kitchen showroom and represents many months of careful planning, design and meticulous attention to detail. We have designed a space that allows each bulthaup kitchen to be viewed in seclusion paired with exquisite furniture from Carl Hansen.” Kitchen appliances from Gaggenau, Siemens, Sub-Zero and Miele ensure each display is fitted with the finest cooking and refrigeration equipment.
Three city lawyers chosen for definitive Chambers Guide The head of Withy King’s 16-strong Residential Property, Farms and Estates team in Bath has been named a leader in his field. Partner Angus Williams is one of 27 solicitors at Withy King to have been singled out for praise and named leaders in their field by Chambers 2013. Withy King works closely with home buyers and sellers as well as estate agents, developers and investors, providing conveyancing services as well as handling property disputes, overseas property investments and other issues including planning, boundaries and rights of way. 90 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Two lawyers at Bath-based Mogers have been named as leaders in their field in the legal profession’s defintive Chambers Guide. Rebecca Silcock and Tom Webb, pictured, from the Queen Square firm, are named in the Chambers UK 2013 Guide. No lawyer can pay to be listed, with law firms annually invited to help the Guide’s researchers
by submitting a list of clients who may be contacted. Rebecca is a partner and head of the family team advising on divorce, separation and civil partnerships. Tom is a partner and head of the commercial department advising on all aspects of corporate law, specialising in mergers, acquisitions and corporate finance work.
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Feliz Navidad! Buy something different this Christmas!! A gift to last a lifetime
FUN SPANISH LESSONS! Native teachers Going on holiday? Relocating? Just for fun? Tailored to your needs
Via Skype
or one to one
Contact us today. You won’t regret it! Email: Carmen@ClearwaterEnglish.co.uk Tel: 01249 656510 or Mob: 07738 443 719 Clearwater English
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CHRISTMASfamilyGUIDE Festive Fun Day at Lacock Abbey
Christmas at Longleat
Events Activities The Christmas Season Guide
Rosie Parry picks the best of a wonderful array of seasonal festivites for all the family to enjoy this Christmas
Heidi: A Goat’s Tale
Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Nr Chippenham. Tel: 01249 730459 www.nationaltrust.org/lacock
cards and crafts to toys and games. There will also be a raffle, face painting, refreshments and a visit from Father Christmas. CLIC Sargent offers children and young people with cancer all-round care and support.
Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath. www.brlsi.org/youthactivities
Festive Fun Day, Sunday 2 December, 11am – 3pm
American dream
The Bath Christmas Science Market of Ideas, Saturday 8 December, 1pm – 4pm
Outdoor antics
The day is packed with seasonal fun for the whole family including a shot pud competition, live music from Raggle Taggle, Opera Piccolo and Macapello plus entertainment from a Victorian storyteller and Mad Pete, the magician. The Tudor brewery and bakery will be transformed into Santa’s grotto and workshop where youngsters can meet Father Christmas.
Christmas show The egg, Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 823409 www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Heidi: A Goat’s Tale, Saturday 8 December – Sunday 13 January, please contact the theatre for times The classic story of the irrepressible little girl with a big heart who changes the lives of everyone she meets is brought to life in this production – but with a twist, it will be told by a herd of funny mountain goats. Join the goats as they present this enthralling story about family and friendship seen through their eyes. Jampacked with live Alpine music this play promises a treat for all the family to enjoy. 6+
All the fun at the fair The New Oriel Hall, Larkhall, Bath. www.clicsargent.org.uk
CLIC Sargent Christmas Fair, Saturday 8 December, 10am – 12.30pm Enjoy this Christmas fair where there will be a number of stalls selling everything from gifts,
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The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath. Tel: 01225 460503 www.americanmuseum.org
Holiday Homecoming, Sunday 16 December, 1pm – 4pm This is the last day of the museum’s Christmas festivities and visitors can join in a day of fun for the whole family. Make your own festive decorations as a family or children can have their faces painted with holiday designs. Father Christmas will be at the museum’s coach house with his surprise basket too.
Get creative Roman Baths, Stall Street, Bath; Fashion Museum, Bath; Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath.
Victoria Art Gallery Decorating Christmas, Saturday 1 December, 10.30am – noon In this art club you can make decorations and cards using print and collage. This must be prebooked at £4 per child, tel: 01225 477233.
Fashion Museum Festive Fashion, Sunday 2 December, 11am – 3pm This is a family drop-in activity in which you can create festive party hats.
Roman Baths Corinthian Christmas, Saturday 8 December, 10am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm This is a family drop-in activity in which you can make decorations with Corinthian style.
Science in action
There will be 50 hands-on science experiments for all the family, science tricks for everyone and the BRLSI is asking everyone to bring their own tricks and barter them with other people who are fascinated by anything to do with science, technology, engineering and maths. There will be live ‘physics busking’ and the launch of the BRLSI Bath Science Trail, when visitors will have the chance to discover the stories behind the lives of Bath’s famous scientists, explorers and inventors and see the places where they worked and lived.
The magic of theatre Pound Arts, Pound Pill, Corsham. Tickets £8/£7 or £25 per family, tel: 01249 701628 www.poundarts.org.uk
The Secret Garden, Friday 7 December, 6.30pm Proteus Theatre Company presents a story of unlocking hearts and minds and the redemptive power of nature and why some rules should be broken. Fusing circus, puppetry, film and music, this is a magical journey beyond the door and into the garden of imagination. There is also a signed performance on Thursday 6 December at 6.30pm.
Crafty Saturdays, Saturday 15 December, noon – 2pm Bring the family and drop in to make creative havoc with Mazy Bartlett. All materials will be provided and you are encouraged to wear old clothes as it is likely to get messy. >>
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CHRISTMASfamilyGUIDE Holiday Homecoming
Family Carol Services at Bath Abbey
Mr Frosty the donkey at Bath Abbey
Get creative across Bath
Advent celebrations
Glowing trees
Seasonal science
Bath Abbey, 12 Kingston Road, Bath. Tel: 01225 422462 www.bathabbey.org
Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01666 880220 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
An Advent Procession by Candlelight: Abbey Boys’, Girls’ and Men’s Choirs, Sunday 2 December, 6.30pm
An Enchanted Christmas, Until 23 December, every Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 5pm – 8.30pm
At-Bristol, Harbourside, Bristol. Tel: 0845 345 1235 www.at-bristol.org.uk READER OFFER: One child free with every fullpaying adult and 20% discount in the shop until 23 December on presentation of this page. See website for full terms and conditions
One of the most popular services of the Abbey’s year so join for a candlelit service with music and readings to mark the beginning of Advent.
A spectacular illuminated trail, crafts, gifts and festive family fun will greet visitors to Westonbirt. The one mile trail highlights the striking structures of Westonbirt’s trees as they are illuminated against the night sky – a new route is created each year to take in different specimens, paths and vistas.
Carols for Choir and Audience, Saturday 15 December, 7pm This is a festive evening which will keep everyone entertained with your favourite carols and audience participation – featuring the Abbey Girls’ and Boys’ choirs and the Melody Makers. Tickets £8 and £4 for a child under 15 years, available from Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk
Family Carol Services, Sunday 16 December, 3pm & 4.30pm Children are invited to come dressed as a shepherd, angel, wise man or citizen of Bethlehem to create a wonderful Christmas tableau, featuring Mr Frosty the donkey. All are welcome but there is no reserved seating so you are advised to arrive early.
Baby swim Two pools: Church Farm, Bradford-on-Avon & Fosseway School, Bath. Tel: 0117 946 6919 www.waterbabies.co.uk
Water Babies, weekly sessions, please contact for dates and times This award-winning baby and toddler swim school offers classes that teach water confidence and vital life-saving skills in a fun and relaxed way – great for parents to bond with their baby.
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Party Tricks, Saturday 8 December – Sunday 6 January, weekends and school holidays
Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 9747300 www.bristolzoo.org.uk
Which is the best tipple to use on your Christmas pud and why does Rudolph’s nose glow red? Join in with some science experiments to find out. Light the flaming pudding tornado or activate the high tech present scanner. Also, drop into Santa’s invention workshop and become an elf for the afternoon – make your own light-up decorations and festive games.
Meet and Feed Santa’s Reindeer, Monday 3 – Monday 31 December
Winter Night Sky Planetarium Show, From Tuesday 11 December, daily
Jingle and Belle will be flying in to Bristol Zoo for the Christmas holidays. Visitors can get up close to the reindeer, stroke their velvety noses and feed them their favourite food.
As the evenings draw in and the nights grow longer, it’s the perfect time for some star spotting. Discover distant galaxies and learn more about what we can see from our gardens.
Pat a reindeer
Winter Wonder Zoo!, Thursday 20 & Friday 21 December Enjoy these magical evenings filled with your favourite traditional Christmas treats. Visit Santa’s grotto or meet Santa’s elves, greet the reindeers; Jingle and Belle, listen to the Christmas carol performances, browse the Christmas market and enjoy a glass of mulled wine or mince pie by the bonfire. The animal houses will also be open.
Santa Express, Saturday 22 –Monday 31 December Take a ride on the Santa Express train.
Safari wonderland Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire. Tel: 01985 844400 www.longleat.co.uk
Christmas at Longleat, until Monday 7 January, daily Experience skating on real ice on a huge outdoor ice rink. There’s a festive fair close by, the interior of Longleat House has been transformed into an enchanted world where favourite pantomime tales magically come to life, a singing Christmas tree and Santa Express for an unforgettable train journey around the park.
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Our Recent special offer of no joining fee (saving £50!!) is continuing for two more weeks! Contact the Club now for Details.
Tennis, Squash, Racketball & Croquet • Friendly family members Club • Social & competitive play • Coaching for all ages & abilities • Clubhouse serving food & drinks • TV & Internet lounge • Social events • The Lansdown Club, Northfields, Bath, BA1 5TN. Tel: 01225 425763
www.lansdownclub.co.uk Email: reception@lansdownclub.co.uk
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Your Christmas gifts made easy A subscription is the perfect gift for you to give this Christmas. It’s easy to arrange over the phone or online, and the new issue will be delivered direct to your gift recipient’s door each month - a reminder of your kind thought throughout the year! 6 issues - £15.00 (£25.00 Euro zone) or 12 issues - £30.00 (£50.00 Euro zone) To subscribe just send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment
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FIT&FABULOUS
Be part of Ted’s team
E
ach year the Royal United Hospital treats over 2,000 new patients with cancer from the hospital’s extensive catchment area. The current aim of The Forever Friends Appeal is to raise a minimum of £5million towards the build of a pioneering new Cancer Centre for the RUH, which will provide a wonderful healing environment for patients and their families. Now is your chance to help support the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, as the Appeal invites you to run with Ted’s Team in the 2013 Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 3 March, of which The Bath Magazine is the media partner. The RUH Cancer Care Campaign has been selected by race organisers as the 2013 Bath Half Marathon Featured Appeal, so Big Ted is encouraging as many people as possible to join his team to help transform care for patients and their families. To secure a place there is an initial silver bond donation of £35, and all runners must pledge to raise a further minimum sponsorship of £175. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to get your entry in as soon as possible. For more information, visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk, tel: 01225 825823 or email: joanna.hones@nhs.net.
Keep calm and reflect If you’ve been feeling stressed and agitated recently, it might benefit you to try Buddhist meditation classes, which are held on Tuesdays at 8pm at the Green Park Natural Health Clinic, Charles Street, Bath. These meditation classes provide an introduction to two types of Buddhist meditation. To begin with the class engages in guided tranquillity meditation, through which you can develop a stable, clear and peaceful state of mind. The reflective meditation consists of a brief explanation of a key Buddhist topic, followed by a period of individual contemplation.
SKIN DEEP
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The latest health and beauty news and product reviews from Samantha Ewart
1
2 4
For further information tel: 0117 924 4424 / 07747 633 577 or email: bath@dechen.org
LUSCIOUS LIPS ❶ With the party season in full swing, now’s the time to embrace one of fashion’s most alluring trends – red lips. Try Tom Ford’s lip colour in Cherry Lush, £36, for a pout like Marilyn’s. ❷ For statement red lips, finish with a layer of gloss and extra plump factor: Soap & Glory Extreme Plump, £10.50. ❸ If a solid block of colour isn’t for you, opt for a tinted gloss or balm that will add a hint of colour and act as a moisture surge. We love Butter London Lippy lip gloss, £14. ❹ Make sure you keep your pout in perfect condition with daily lip slave and exfoliation to keep dry and flaky lips at bay. Try Ole Henriksen African red tea exfoliating lip salve, £12.50. All products available from Harvey Nichols
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Beautiful presents for
al l the girls on your list the orangery l a s e r
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Tel: 01225 466851 No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath.
www.theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk
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FIT&FABULOUS
Be part of Ted’s team
E
ach year the Royal United Hospital treats over 2,000 new patients with cancer from the hospital’s extensive catchment area. The current aim of The Forever Friends Appeal is to raise a minimum of £5million towards the build of a pioneering new Cancer Centre for the RUH, which will provide a wonderful healing environment for patients and their families. Now is your chance to help support the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, as the Appeal invites you to run with Ted’s Team in the 2013 Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 3 March, of which The Bath Magazine is the media partner. The RUH Cancer Care Campaign has been selected by race organisers as the 2013 Bath Half Marathon Featured Appeal, so Big Ted is encouraging as many people as possible to join his team to help transform care for patients and their families. To secure a place there is an initial silver bond donation of £35, and all runners must pledge to raise a further minimum sponsorship of £175. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to get your entry in as soon as possible. For more information, visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk, tel: 01225 825823 or email: joanna.hones@nhs.net.
Keep calm and reflect If you’ve been feeling stressed and agitated recently, it might benefit you to try Buddhist meditation classes, which are held on Tuesdays at 8pm at the Green Park Natural Health Clinic, Charles Street, Bath. These meditation classes provide an introduction to two types of Buddhist meditation. To begin with the class engages in guided tranquillity meditation, through which you can develop a stable, clear and peaceful state of mind. The reflective meditation consists of a brief explanation of a key Buddhist topic, followed by a period of individual contemplation.
SKIN DEEP
3
The latest health and beauty news and product reviews from Samantha Ewart
1
2 4
For further information tel: 0117 924 4424 / 07747 633 577 or email: bath@dechen.org
LUSCIOUS LIPS ❶ With the party season in full swing, now’s the time to embrace one of fashion’s most alluring trends – red lips. Try Tom Ford’s lip colour in Cherry Lush, £36, for a pout like Marilyn’s. ❷ For statement red lips, finish with a layer of gloss and extra plump factor: Soap & Glory Extreme Plump, £10.50. ❸ If a solid block of colour isn’t for you, opt for a tinted gloss or balm that will add a hint of colour and act as a moisture surge. We love Butter London Lippy lip gloss, £14. ❹ Make sure you keep your pout in perfect condition with daily lip slave and exfoliation to keep dry and flaky lips at bay. Try Ole Henriksen African red tea exfoliating lip salve, £12.50. All products available from Harvey Nichols
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The Ultimate Christmas Gift THE ONLY WAY IS... BATH PACKAGE TeethWhitening, Spray tan, Gelish Nails & Perfect brows (kit included) £179.00 (normally £292) Save £113
XPERIENCE E G IN IS L A IT V THE RE ture Manicure Nailtiques Minia Back Massage Aromatic Facial £85.00 urs 15 minutes) (Please allow 2 ho
THE AROMATIC EXPERIENCE Aromatic Face & Body combined with Luxury Foot Treatment £125.00 (Please allow 3 hours)
THE REVITALISING
THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE Aromatic Body Bien Etre Nailtiques Total Experience Manicure SpaRitual Total Experience Pedicure Eyelash Tint and Eyebrow Shape £155.00 (Please allow 5 hours)
EXPERIENCE
Nailtiques Total Experience Man icure SpaRitual Total E xperience Pedicu re Eyelash Tint and Eyebrow Shape Hydradermie Fa cial Aromatherapy F ull Body Massage Lunch & Refresh ements £190.00 (Please allow 6 ho urs)
the orangery l a s e r
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Tel: 01225 466851 No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath.
www.theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk
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GET THE WOW FACTOR Treat yourself to an extra trip to the hairdressers for that special occasion up-do says Mimi McKenzie
REVIEW
D
uring the party season many of us will be looking for something to give our look that extra va va voom. This can come in the form of tanning treatments, false lashes and nail extensions but for the real Cinderella transformation we need fabulous hair. Whoever your hair icon may be, from Cheryl Cole to Judi Dench, it is a fact that for those red carpet moments, she won’t have styled her own hair. So for my own big event recently, I decided to try a professionally styled ‘up-do’. David Maxwell has recently celebrated a year at his salon in Claverton Buildings in Widcombe, where he and his team of ten aim to provide clients with ‘the ultimate service at affordable prices’. Many will know David from his 14 years at Headmasters in Bath and he has previous experience both
working and teaching at salons in London. David is a colour expert and is the only L’Oreal Colour Degree Specialist in the area as well as representing Paul Mitchell as a signature salon. The salon has been designed to offer the customer a relaxing experience in chic surroundings where she can be confident in the expertise of the stylist. My stylist Bridie sat with me and chatted about the event I was attending and the look I wanted to create, including details of my outfit so that everything would work together. We decided that some height was needed but with a modern twist so that the effect would not be too formal and immobile, which can be very ageing. First some L’Oreal techi art root lift spray was applied to make the hair pliable, then Bridie back-combed through the hair to give extra volume. My hair is quite fine so a bun ring was pinned in place to give the ‘big hair’ effect that I have always craved. Some wisps of hair were left free to frame the face and Bridie curled these with straighteners to soften the look. Paul Mitchell Awapuhi wild ginger finishing spray and shine spray were applied to fix the hair so that it stayed in place for the event which was taking place several hours later. We are all used to having numerous products and appliances available to us to style our hair at home, but there is much to be said for knowing that your hair looks as good from the back as it does from the front – something that I am never able to achieve alone. There is a certain luxury in having an extra trip to the hairdresser for something completely different which adds to the sense of occasion and would be a wonderful treat before a Christmas party, wedding or even a hot date. I’m hoping for a string of events for which I might have an excuse to try Raccoon hair extensions which look extremely glamorous or even the Kebelo smoothing treatment which is offered as a replacement to conventional hair straighteners and promises 100 days of smooth, frizz-free hair. Now just lead me to the red carpet… ■ David Mitchell Hairdressing, 11 Claverton Buildings, Widcombe. To book or for further information, tel: 01225 310200. Prices, from £45.
www.davidmaxwellhairdressing.co.uk
Be beau ful this fes ve season!
The ultimate salon experience...
11 Claverton Buildings, Widcombe, BA2 4LD 106 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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01225 310 200
Tel: 01225 310 200
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10 years younger Known as the “London Lip Queen”, Dr Rita Rakus has made her name as a leading cosmetic doctor through her sensitive approach to aesthetics and her patients Many signs of ageing on the face can be lessoned by the use of “fillers” to restore natural fullness and volume to multiple areas. These products can smooth away the lines and folds that occur. Treatment can usually be performed depending on the filler, with minimal discomfort and downtime. We use various products including Juvederm™ and Restylane™. There is no “one size fits all” and so we invite you in for a free consultation to discuss which of these products would benefit you most as well as fit your budget
the orangery l a s e r
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Tel: 01225 466851 No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath.
www.theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk
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One of Dr Rakus’s associate doctors visits The Orangery Laser and Beauty Clinic, to perform dermal fillers, facial volumisation, hand improvements, muscle inhibitors plus consultations for all our other major treatments. Please visit her website on www.drritarakus.com for information, or telephone The Orangery to make an appointment for your free consultation.
Treat yourself
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Missing Teeth? Call us on 01225 447600
Dental Implants Free implant consultation and our fully restored implants from £1500 To find out if dental implants can help you improve your smile simply book absolutely FREE, no risk appointment
The Party Season
Circus House, Bennett street, Bath BA1 2EX Email: info@circusdental.co.uk
www.circusdental.co.uk
Party Package £65
• Lash Tint or Brow shape • Artistic Gloss Manicure • Mini Facial
25% DISCOUNT on all treatments over £35
(Monday-Wednesday 7th Jan - 27th March 2013)
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day spa for men and women 14 green street, bath BA1 2JZ tel: 01225 426000 www.greenstreethouse.com Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion
Drop by to see our fantastic range of gift and luxury accessories. Lovely candles, slippers, scarves and much more. Gift vouchers available
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OUT&ABOUT
A FAMILY STOMP Take three generations out for a festive walk in the Wiltshire countryside. Andrew Swift picks a route which takes in views, a canal towpath, an aqueduct and with a village pub at the end
O
our December walk is short – just two miles long – but takes in some superb countryside and is surprisingly varied. As well as beechlined lanes and paths bordered by dry stone walls, there are paths across fields with wideranging views and a canal towpath which takes you on an aqueduct over the Avon. Best of all, you can pile into a village pub – the Seven Stars at Winsley – at the end. Walkers are welcome, it is child and dog friendly, has an excellent range of real ale, cider and wine and a menu ranging from bar snacks to a la carte meals. A children’s menu is also available. Although there are two stiles to negotiate, plus one squeeze stile, which may make it difficult for pushchairs, the walk is ideal for children, as there is plenty to interest them en route – including boats and trains – and no quagmires or steep hills to cope with. Although the directions that follow are written for those who want to get to the starting point by car, there are two options for those who want to use public transport. From Monday to Saturday, First Bus provides a half-hourly service (Nos 264 or 265) from Bath to Winsley, and there is an hourly rail service from Bath to Avoncliff Halt, although this latter option means that you will need to pick up the directions partway through and then follow them from the start when you reach Winsley. Both options are also available on Sundays although services are less frequent. 110 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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To get to Winsley, head south from Bath along the A36. After five miles, turn left at the traffic lights onto the B3108 towards Bradford on Avon. Carry on for a mile and a half, going under the railway, over the canal and up Winsley Hill, before turning right to Winsley. As you drive through the village you will see the Seven Stars on your right. If you plan to call into the pub later, you are welcome to use the car park. Otherwise, carry on past the pub
the walk is ideal for children as ❝ there is plenty to interest them en route ❞
and you should find on-road parking around the corner. Head south along the road past the pub. When the road bears right, carry straight on following signs for the bowls club, cricket club and village hall. Follow the lane as it bears left and then right, carry on for 250 metres, and, when you see a squeeze stile ahead, bear right down a wide track between stone walls. After 250 metres, cross a stile and continue down a field. At the bottom of the field, cross another stile and turn right along a farm track. After crossing a bridge over the canal, turn left along the towpath. After 750 metres the towpath swings right to cross Avoncliff aqueduct, with a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the river. On the far side, follow a footpath under the aqueduct, up
AN ENGLISH SCENE: beech trees line the lane
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OUT&ABOUT
ALONG THE WAY: there’s plenty to keep children occupied, including the chance to admire the houseboats on the Kennet and Avon Canal
to the canal, and walk back across the aqueduct on the other side. (You also have the option of stopping off at the Cross Guns pub here.) Looking upstream, there is a good view of Avoncliff Mill, currently being restored, with an impressive weir alongside it. After passing the railway station, carry straight on up a footpath, bearing right when it forks. Go through a kissing gate and follow a path diagonally up through the field. Follow it as it swings up to the left, carry on uphill with a wall on your right, and, in the top corner of the field, continue straight on through a kissing gate to the left of two large metal gates. Carry on up a narrow path for 400 metres, go through a squeeze stile at the top and carry straight on along the lane to return to the Seven Stars. ■
FURTHER INFORMATION ■ ■ ■
■
Length of walk: 2 miles Approximate time: 1 hour Map: OS Explorer 155 & 156, or the AA Walkers map 25 which has the whole walk on one map The Seven Stars at Winsley, tel: 01225 722204, is open noon – 2.3pm, Tues to Fri, noon – 3pm on Sat, noon – 2.30pm Sun. Closed Mon lunchtime. Booking advisable. If taking a dog you will need to mention when booking
Henrietta House, Bath Imagine a secret place in Bath that even Miss Jane A. would have appreciated and commended. Tucked away at 33 Henrietta Street, just round the corner from Pulteney Bridge and the centre of Bath, you will find our Grade One double fronted Georgian townhouse. Step into a world of quiet beauty, good service and elegant surroundings, so whether you come to Bath for its Museums, or the Rugby or the Spa or just to wander its elegant Georgian Streets and shop in its many boutiques, Henrietta House will make sure you are well looked after during your stay. We are in a quiet central location (with valet parking available), we offer boutique accommodation in 17 tastefully renovated rooms. Every room has ensuite facilities and has been individually decorated to provide a mix of traditional elegance and modern comfort. Please contact us if you have any specific requirements. We are a 10 minute walk from the train and bus stations. A spacious, top-floor, family suite comprised of two bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen and bath is also available by contacting us directly. All room prices include breakfast and our Chef Juergen, produces superb breakfasts with something for everyone. Remember to use the coupon below to book directly and get a 10% discount until the first day of Spring, the 21st of March 2013.
10% off voucher valid until 21st March, 2013 Henrietta House- 33 Henrietta Street Bath- BA2 6LR Tel- +44 (0)1225 632632 www.henriettahouse.co.uk
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Coat hooks, Bear interiors, £44.95, 20 Wellsway, Bath
Framed pressed orchids on a dark green background available from Hannah Brown Interiors, Price £28 www.hannahbrowninteriors.co.uk
Post card ceramic box, £10, India Jane, 20 Milsom St, Bath
Butterfly temple jar, £75, India Jane, 20 Milsom St, Bath
Gifts for the home
A box of 8 cards with tissue lined envelopes, all printed in Bath. £18 from Meticulous Ink, 33 Walcot Street, Bath 01225 333004
Moomin Winter Forest Mug 2012, £15.95, Shannon, 68 Walcot Street,Bath
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Dragon mug, Museum of East Asian Art, £5.99 12 Bennett Street, Bath
Visit ‘trust’ at Glove Factory Studios in Holt, for a wonderful selection of handcrafted gifts chosen for you by the National Trust.
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BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS FROM £10,000
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Bath’s Flooring Specialist
• Wide selection of quality carpets • Free measure & quotation • Knowledgeable staff • Skilled fitters • Leading brands
Free customer car park at side of store WALCOT I BATH BA1 5BX TEL: 01225 465 757
www.trhayes.co.uk
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OLD BANK ANTIQUE CENTRE 14- 17 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath
Voted in the top 50 Antiques Shops in Great Britain, in 2010, by the Independent on Sunday. OLD BANK ANTIQUES CENTRE 14-17 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath. BA1 6AD Situated on the London Road, (A4) just a short walk from the top of Walcot Street. Old Bank Antiques is the largest retailer of antiques in Bath. A hoarders’ paradise, fifteen dealers with showrooms spread through four shops with everything from 17th century furniture to 1970s retro. Professional advice always available. Customer parking at the rear, accessed via Bedford Street. Open 7 days a week. Weekdays 10 - 6 pm. Sundays 11 - 5 pm. Visit our website www.oldbankantiquescentre.com Tel 01225 338813 / 469282. email: alexatmontague@aol.com
• Made to measure curtains and blinds. • Wide selection of fabrics and wallpapers. • Free measure and quotation. • Knowledgable staff. • Skilled fitters. •Bespoke cushions and bedcovers. Free customer car park at side of store WALCOT I BATH, BA1 5BX , TEL: 01225 465 757 www.trhayes.co.uk
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WINTERwishes
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Jane Moore finds out what makes the perfect Christmas for the gardening gurus of Bath
I
n the run up to Christmas, gardening takes a major back seat in the life of the hotel. All the talk is of trees, lights, baubles and holly and mistletoe and such other festive frivolities. There is little or no mention of ‘real gardening’; no rustic talk of compost or manure nor lengthy discussions on technical to-dos of pruning. Instead all is cooing and clucking as if the trees surrounding the Priory were already stuffed full of seasonally appropriate turtle doves. So, as I can’t fight it, I join in wholeheartedly and forget about ‘real gardening’ for the best part of a month. And this year I’ve quizzed a select handful of the gardening greats of Bath, those arbiters of taste and horticultural chutzpah, on their ingredients for a perfect festive season.
What’s your gardening dream gift? John Tucker, deputy manager at Prior Park Garden Centre says: “A wheelbarrow full of time. I just want to keep my garden up to the standard that I know I can achieve, given enough time. I only really manage it when I have an open garden coming up and afterwards it starts sliding back. Roll on retirement!” “It’s got to be a summer house, clad in clematis, fully equipped with a fridge, bar and central heating for chilly evenings, no television, but a surround sound music system, somewhere I can enjoy a glass or two away from the madding crowd whatever the weather – with my wife of course,” says Barry Cruse, chairman of Bath in Bloom. While Lady Margaret Oswick, doyenne of various horticultural committees and shows is rather more earthy in her desires: “My dream gardening gift would be a tall, tanned, toned young gardener to replace Gargery, my bent and withered old retainer at Winsley Towers. Preferably gift-wrapped.”
shapes, texture or pruning I always get a feeling of satisfaction when I look at the finished product, exactly as I do after completing a good hair cut!” While Lady Margaret is equally keen on gadgets: “My favourite gardening tool is my sit-upon mower. It can go at quite a lick after a few sherries!”
Holly and mistletoe, or baubles and tinsel? There’s general agreement that natural is best although for wildly differing reasons: “I hate a plastic Christmas… OK there have to be baubles and tinsel on the Christmas tree but it has to be a real Christmas tree, holly from my garden and mistletoe help to make my Christmas green and perhaps a little old-fashioned but it’s the way I like it,” says Barry. John agrees: “Working at the garden centre, I mastermind the Christmas displays and the buying (which takes place in February each year) so I am involved with baubles and tinsel; but as a wedding florist in my spare time, I have as much fresh greenery in the house for Christmas as I can. I’ll make a wreath for the door and table centrepieces using holly and mistletoe.”
My dream gardening gift would be a tall, ❝ tanned, toned young gardener to replace Gargery, my bent and withered old retainer ❞ And Lady Margaret says: “We like to dangle our dados with holly and mistletoe in the enormous vestibule at Winsley Towers. It’s more traditional and it helps hide the dry rot.”
What’s your favourite gardening tool, and why?
What plant would you like to be given for Christmas?
A good tip for a gardening gift comes from John: “It has to be a swoe. Originally made by Wilkinson Sword it’s a hoe with a small triangular-shaped head on one side, so easy to use and with less accidental slicing through crops rather than weeds!” And from Barry: “I suppose after 54 years in the hairdressing profession wielding a pair of scissors it’s hardly surprising that my favourite garden tool has to be secateurs. I rarely venture out into the garden without them, whether I have been creating
Lady Margaret, who is, of course, known for her high connections, says: “Every Christmas the Norwegian government donates a huge pine tree to said enormous vestibule. It’s a tradition that goes back to I don’t know when – the Vikings probably. It keeps us in logs for a whole year.” John is wishful thinking:” I would love a cornus kousa chinesis. It’s a small tree with wonderful creamy white flowers in the summer, which are really bracts or coloured leaves and then
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FRAGRANT BEAUTY: Lady Margaret enjoys a floral arrangement in the enormous vestibule of her home, Winsley Towers
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WINTERwishes when I still had the legs for shorts, sigh) “Hands up those of you who thought I would say Charlie Dimmock or Rachael de Thame, wrong I’m afraid,” says Barry. “My favourite gardening celebrity is good old Monty Don. He is honest, knowledgeable and not afraid to get his hands dirty; I just wish he would wear a different colour jacket and trousers sometimes!” “Although he’s a ladies man it would have to be Alan Titchmarsh,” says John. “I respect him for working himself up from his early training days in the Parks department and he’s able to communicate to all gardeners the passion that he has for creating gardens. A close second, would be the late Christopher Lloyd, the owner of Great Dixter in Sussex, whose creativity and boldness to be brave with colours and architectural planting is something I aspire to.”
What was your greatest gardening fashion faux pas?
RESTRAINED GOOD TASTE: the drawing room at the Bath Priory Hotel, dressed for Christmas with natural swags enlivened with the occasional bauble
strawberry like fruits hanging from the branches in the autumn. My only stipulation is that it would have to be more lime tolerant than they are. I’ve already killed one so far despite my attempts to get the soil right. I often look with envy at the one in a garden next to my Mum’s in Bristol.” Barry’s choice is more practical: “During the summer I took the Southwest in Bloom judges to the RUH, not as patients, but to let Bernard and Jane Rymer show them the lovely courtyard gardens that they look after. There is one garden in particular called the Four Seasons Garden and its main feature is tree ferns, Dicksonia antartica, three of them to be precise, they somehow seem to radiate peace and tranquillity.”
Who’s your gardening pin-up or hero? “I don't have a gardening pin-up but I hear that Gargery has a rather saucy picture of you, Jane, on his potting shed wall,” titters Lady Margaret. (Must be one from my allotment days
WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
“My husband, the late Sir Rair, erected a life-size statue of me, complete with one of my famous big hats, at the top of the cascade. Very romantic I’m sure, but visitors say it looks more like Napoleon,” says Lady Margaret. “We don’t turn the cascade on very often as it always makes me want to spend a penny and the nearest loo is ten minutes away, even by golf buggy (or sit-upon).” Barry confesses: “I have several. A liking many years ago for hebes, I planted them everywhere, they are all gone now. I regret the red and buff coloured patio slabs, and the logs on a roll edging to a raised bed that kept vertical for six months and then slowly toppled forward. I live and learn.” While John is unshakeable in his self belief: “Me! Make a fashion faux pas - never, I’m right up there at the height of fashion. But mistakes though, that’s another story . . .” ■ Jane Moore is the award-winning gardener at The Priory, Bath. Follow her on Twitter @janethegardener or read her blog, www.janethegardener.wordpress.com
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PETcorner
Making Sense of Scent I
must admit I don’t always enjoy the bustle of Christmas but I do love the smells that the holiday season brings. Spicy rich smells of baking, wood smoke and pine needles evoke many fond memories of holidays past. For our pets Christmas time must be a whopping assault of sensory stimulation on their noses. In fact dogs and cats have over 200 million scent receptors in the thin mucosa lining of the nose as compared to humans with a mere 5 million receptors. A dog’s nasal anatomy is specifically designed to obtain as much information as they can from the environment. Fine scrolls of bone called turbinates in the nasal cavity are lined with a delicate membrane of mucosa holding olfactory receptor cells. Turbinates allow the nasal cavity to have a large surface area for the extraction of volatile molecules in the air. Moisture in the nose made from secretions of mucous cells, captures and dissolves these scent molecules more efficiently. Maybe that’s why the old saying that a wet nose indicates a healthy dog has some credence. Furthermore our pets have a unique anatomical feature found on the roof of the mouth called a vomeronasal organ which is linked directly to the brain that has the ability to capture and process special scents known as pheromones. Pheromones are odourless to humans but because of our pets unique anatomy, can be detected by them to provide information about other animals. Pheromones are emitted by numerous glands in the body. In sebaceous glands of skin the release of pheromones allows the lactating bitch to calm her pups during suckling. In fact we have harnessed this odourless pheromone to use commercially for the prevention of stress. When a dog is on guard, raising his hackles will emit sebaceous gland pheromones by contracting tiny piloerector muscles in the skin to effectively waft these chemicals in the air. Ceruminous glands in the external ear canals also emit pheromones. Perhaps that is why submissive dogs will often sniff then lick the dominant dog’s ear. Perioral glands in facial areas of the cheek, lips and chin, especially in a cat, will allow them to rub their face over surfaces to mark territory. Precaudal glands found at the tail base are emitted when a dog wags his tail or a cat erects their tail in the air as a meet and greet gesture. No wonder animals like to sniff these areas during encounters with each other. And glands found in the pads allow a cat to stretch and claw surfaces, and mark territory in dogs by scratching dirt with their hind legs after defecating. These areas of the body are just some examples in the way specific glands can impart communication through pheromones and they can also explain to us why animals react to situations the way they do. So, this Christmas, as you enjoy the smell of food and all the other delectable odours associated with the holidays do spare a thought for what your pet is experiencing. They may be a bit overwhelmed by the plethora of scents and will be struggling to make sense of it all. If you have any questions, local vet Jenny Keen will be pleased to help and can be contacted on 01225 428921. All Bath Vet Group surgery contact details and further information are available at www.bathvetgroup.co.uk. WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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the directory Business to Business
Bath’s Leading Stationer with all your office needs, all under one roof
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to advertise in the directory call 01225 424 499 Electricians
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Advertise your Business or Service in this space for as little as £80 per month. Every month, we reach more readers than any other magazine in Bath. TEL: 01225 424499 Advertising that keeps working
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the directory
to advertise in this section call 01225 424 499
House & Home
House & Home
The Furniture Care People. Furniture, door, wood and metal stripping. Restoration techniques, unique non-toxic, non caustic System 2000. Suitable for both hard and soft wood. Non harmful. Our customers range from Home Owners to the V&A Museum
Recommended for Grade I Listed buildings
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A female run decorating, refurbishment, design and maintenance company Bath - Frome - West Wiltshire - North Somerset - Bristol
• Project Management • Complete Refurbishment Painting and Decorating • Carpentry • Tiling Plumbing • Electrics • Design • Plastering Commercial • Free estimates
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the directory ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE AND REACH MORE OF BATH Feature your business or service in full colour and reach Bath’s biggest readership
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We are a small luxury cattery for those who prefer their cats to have extra special attention Diana sometimes breeds Burmese & Burmilla’s Opening Hours 9am to 1pm Closed Sundays & Bank Holidays The Old School House Kelston, Bath
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Very best wishes for the festive season from all the team at
Advertisers Please Note: The Deadline for receiving copy for the January 2013 Issue is Wednesday 12 December
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PROPERTYin FOCUS
A
s the name suggests, The Old Stables was originally built as the stables and coach house for a notable Georgian residence called ‘The Grange’. Belluton is a hamlet within easy access to the A37 for travelling to Bristol and Bath. The property stands in approximately six acres and has outstanding views across the Chew Valley. Approached via a long, tree-lined driveway, the situation is private and secluded without feeling remote or cut off. In brief, the accommodation comprises: Reception hall, sitting room, fantastic bespoke kitchen/dining room, impressive garden room, study, playroom/bedroom five, large utility room. Four bedrooms, master ensuite, family bathroom, separate shower rooms. Outside there’s a double garage and an adjoining timber open fronted triple car port. The Old Stables will be of particular interest to anyone with horses or other animals as there are a variety of outbuildings including a timber stable block with three loose boxes and the land includes three paddocks. This lovely property is sure to appeal to lovers of wide open spaces, both internal and external and may be viewed by appointment with agents Pritchards.
THE OLD STABLES BELLUTON, PENSFORD • Four/Five bedrooms • Land - approx 6 acres • Countryside views • Beautiful garden room • Long tree lined driveway • Large bespoke kitchen/dining room
Price: £985,000 Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225 WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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pritchard-partners.co.uk
Overlooking Englishcombe
Belmont
An impressive eco-friendly 5 bed detached home. Set in 5 acres with wonderful views. Total approx floor area: 3919 sq ft/364 sq m.
A most impressive spacious, extensively refurbished 5 storey Georgian Townhouse located on the lower slopes of Lansdown Road. Gross int. area approx: 4324 sq ft/403 sq m.
Stunning receptions & bedrooms - 3 en suite & kitchen/breakfast room with ancillary rooms. Loft space for hobby room/further accomm. (subj. to nec. consents).
4/5 bedrooms, 4 receptions, magnificent bespoke kitchen. Delightful walled garden to the rear. Breathtaking far-reaching views. A wealth of period features retained, enhanced & stylishly presented throughout.
Price: £1.375 million
Guide Price: £1.35 million
Cleveland Walk
Swainswick, Bath
A beautiful attached Victorian Grade II Listed house, circa 1850, with impressive reception hall and kitchen leading to a fabulous Amdega conservatory/dining room.
A fine detached country house enjoying far-reaching views and standing in glorious gardens and grounds of approximately 6 acres.
3 double bedrooms, bath room and 2 en suite showers, drawing room. Lovely city views. Attractive gardens. Superb detached garden pavilion with en suite. Ample driveway parking. Total approx. floor area: 1917 sq ft / 178 sq m.
Charming well appointed accommodation 5 bedrooms, bathroom and en suite shower room, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, family room, utility room and cloakroom. Detached stone built 20’ x 16’ office/games room. Ample driveway parking for numerous vehicles. Total approx. area: 220 sq m / 2368 sq ft.
Guide Price: £1.375 million
Guide Price: £1.1 million
Seasons Greetings to all readers PRITCHARDS Dec.indd 1
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pritchard-partners.co.uk
High Bannerdown
Claverton Down
An outstanding detached property set in an idyllic position within the sought after area of High Bannerdown, east of Bath. Int area: 3238 sq ft/300.81 sq m. Kitchen, 3 receptions, cloakroom, utility, 3 bedrooms & bathroom. One bedroom self contained annexe consisting of kitchen, living room, dining hall, bedroom and a bathroom, all at ground level. Extensive mature gardens. Views. Tandem garage and a single garage. Off road parking for several vehicles.
A fabulous detached contemporary house, newly built to most impressive environmental standards offering versatile, light and airy accommodation in a quiet, sought-after road close to Bath University. Stunning kitchen/dining/living room with wood burning stove and French windows into garden. 4 bedrooms, 2 at GF level and 2 en suite & further bathroom. Low maintenance planted roof. Level, gardens to front and rear. Parking for two/three cars. Total approx. floor area: 2067 sq ft/192 sq m.
Price: £820,000
Price: £760,000
Bradford On Avon
Edward Street, off Great Pulteney Street
An extremely versatile & extended 5/6 bedroom detached family house which can be easily divided to provide a self contained annex. The property enjoys fabulous views and offers the added benefit of a log cabin with kitchen and shower room. Good sized garden, off street driveway parking for numerous vehicles. Wonderful outlook to the front over the town & countryside beyond. (Please note some completion to works is required).
A spacious, well presented & highly flexible ground & lower ground garden maisonette in a prime residential area, just a very short & level walk from the Centre of Bath. Total approx floor area: 1923 sq ft/ 178.6 sq m . 2 private entrances, well presented communal hallway, drawing room, dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2/3 bedrooms, en suite bathroom & further shower room, guest room.Vaulted TV room/snug.Vaulted secondary kitchen/utility. Storage vaults.Courtyard garden. No onward chain. Residents parking permit available.
Price: £580,000
Price: £575,000
Scan to access our Website Homepage
PRITCHARDS Dec.indd 2
11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB
Tel: 01225 466 225
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Batheaston £850pcm
Lansdown Road £895pcm EW E N IC PR
EW N
Attractive mid-terraced unfurnished house with 3 bedrooms and garden. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac in Batheaston
Attractive two bed furnished cottage-style property located in a quiet street just above Hedgmead Park and within five minutes walk of Bath centre
Combe Down £895pcm
Larkhall £725pcm
EW E N IC PR
Located in Combe Down this flat has lots of room in this first floor property, with two double bedrooms, large lounge with picture windows overlooking the park opposite
T LE EED R G A
This two bedroom first floor flat would be perfect for a couple of professionals. Modern kitchen with white goods and a fresh, white bathroom with an ornate shower head over the bath.
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Thickwood, Colerne A stunning and rustic detached cottage in a delightful Wiltshire hamlet located 9 miles east of Bath, allowing excellent access to the M4 motorway and the railway at both Chippenham and Bath Spa stations. Bursting with a wealth of period features and charm throughout, the cottage offers a spacious and attractive home which has been the subject of thoughtful and stylish renovation.
Rent: ÂŁ2,250 pcm spacious living room | open stone fireplace | handsome drawing room | dining room | elegant oak & rustic stone flagged flooring | fully fitted country kitchen | 4 double bedrooms | family bathroom | shower room | extensive & attractive garden
Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk
RESIDE December.indd 1
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Cotswold Road
01225 421000
134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH Fidelis December.indd 1
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Fidelis
Success! Join in our
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134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH Fidelis December.indd 2
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Bath Office Sales. 01225 459817 bath@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
As well as selling a whole townhouse in the Royal Crescent this year, during October alone Hamptons International have achieved sales on three apartments in the Royal Crescent, all in one building, to two separate buyers. During the Twelve Days of Christmas, if you are considering a move for 2013, we would be delighted to help. We don’t sell 6 geese a laying, 5 gold rings, or even 4 calling birds, but we do sell... 3 nice apartments to 2 willing buyers .....and a partridge in a pear tree!
Hamptons International Bath would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Bath Office 01225 459817 bath@hamptons-int.com
Hamptons Sales December.indd 1
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St James’s Square – A short walk to the famous Circus, for Christmas Carols accompanied by the Salvation Army band, that reverberates around the circular landmark of Bath.
Gay Street – Step out of your front door and pop round to Victoria Park to the open air ice skating rink for some frosty festive fun!
Daniel Street – A swift walk in to the centre with the family to the Theatre Royal for this year’s Christmas Panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!
Westwood – Take the family to choose the all important Christmas tree and collect the mistletoe from Downside Nurseries nearby in Upper Westwood.
Laverton – Take a bracing walk on Boxing Day through the Somerset
Upper Camden Place – Enjoy a stroll down in to town through all the
countryside to the 700 year old George Inn in Norton St Philip for a warming hot toddy!
twinkling festive lights to do your Christmas shopping at the annual Christmas markets!
Where will you be hanging your Christmas stocking next year?
Bath Office 01225 459817 bath@hamptons-int.com
Hamptons Sales December.indd 2
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1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 4QW.
k Mar r o l y a N
01225 422 224
BLOOMFIELD AVENUE
ÂŁ695,000
A simply gorgeous late Victorian villa with three storeys of main accommodation and generous cellarage. Offering 5 double bedrooms and study/bedroom 6 in this highly regarded and elegant family setting close to the well known Bloomfield allotments. Fantastic access to Bath Spa station and the superb shops of Bear Flat a bonus. Entrance vestibule, hallway, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, 5 double bedrooms, study (nursery/bedroom 6), bathroom and shower room. Extensive cellarage. Attractive, south facing courtyard gardens (adjacent to Bloomfield allotments) and large garden store. Off-street parking for up to 2 vehicles. Double glazing and gas central heating. Approximate gross internal floor area: 2,640 square feet / 245 square metres.
www.mark-naylor.com
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1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 4QW.
k Mar r o l y a N
01225 422 224
WOODLAND GROVE
ÂŁ459,950
Super-spacious and most practical 1960s detached home! Enjoying a good sized level plot, plentiful parking and excellent location close to the University of Bath, this property is perfect for growing families. Entrance porch, hallway, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, cloakroom, 4 bedrooms and bathroom (with separate WC). Level gardens, garage, small carport and driveway parking for 3 vehicles. Gas central heating and double glazing. Approximate gross internal floor area: 1,530 square feet / 142 square metres.
www.mark-naylor.com
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Saltford
A record from 1699 states that "Springside stands within an acre of garden". Standing confidently in the heart of charming Saltford, Springside is shielded from the road by mature trees. The property is only a few miles away from historic Bath and vibrant Bristol.The rooms have the order and presence of Georgian domestic architecture but the sense that it was once a country cottage, with the rooms extended in proportion, gives the house a unique and charming character.Typical of this is the Long Room with its shuttered sash windows and the possibility of an open fire at both ends, though presently only one is used.There is also a quiet elegance in the dining room. The house is surrounded by garden and to step through the French windows onto the flagged area for an evening glass of wine or wander up the bank to the top lawns and into the copse promises tranquillity. For the children there is the possibility of room for a pony, whilst the garden well gives the house its name.
The area has many sporting opportunities, good food pubs and a rich history to be explored. Springside is a hidden gem which is part of that history and has itself stood the test of time.
SPRINGSIDE Planning permission for 4 bed detached home to the side of main home, Grade II listed, Five bedrooms, In need of full refurbishment, Chain free
Contact: 01225 320032
Guide Price - ÂŁ950,000
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Norton St Philip
“When we ambled down the tranquil country lane at Norton St Philip, with horses grazing at one end, all we could hear was the sound of a gentle breeze whistling around us,” remembers Amber.“Then we spotted the 1950s property that was to become our family home in the most perfect location, quiet and secluded and yet at the heart of this beautiful village. It was the perfect place to raise our young family with a great school, children’s play park and one of the oldest taverns in England the 14th Century George Inn - within easy walking distance. Right outside the front door were the most wonderful walks. It is unique and quite different from the other houses around us and has become a wonderful family home."
"The family room and sitting room both have large windows which look over the front garden.We use the family room as a playroom.".
" We are fortunate in that we can use both the front and the rear gardens.The rear garden is south facing and gets the sun all the time"
WHISTLEDOWN Detached Village Home, 4 Bedrooms, Master bedroom with ensuite, Family Room, Sitting/Dining room, Utility and cloakroom, Loft storage study area, Level Gardens (rear with southerly aspect), Gravelled drive for 2 cars
Contact: 01225 320032
£595,000
Bathampton
Offer is excess of £600,000
Brock Street
Offers in excess of £370,000
Georgian apartment | Grade II | Spacious living | Three bedrooms | Private gardens | Double garage | Fabulous views
Grade II listed | Georgian apartment | Lateral conversion | Two double bedrooms | Bespoke kitchen | Highly recommended
Situated on the Eastern side of the City, Hampton Hall boasts some truly fabulous views towards Solsbury Hill and across the Kennet and Avon Canal.
A fantastic recently refurbished two bedroomed Georgian apartment situated in the highly sought after area of Brock Street. With stunning views over the South of Bath from the rear and views to the Circus at the front.
Walcot
Kensington Place
Offer in excess of £285,000
Offers in excess of £200,000
Unique Georgian apartment | Beautifully presented | Flexible accommodation | Ideal investment | Highly recommended
Georgian Apartment | Beautifully designed | One bedroom | Original features | Modern kitchen | Level walk into town
A stylish and unique 2/3 bedroom Georgian maisonette that has undergone extensive improvement by the current owner and that offers flexible living arranged over two floors.
This is a superb one bedroomed ground floor apartment which has been beautifully designed and renovated to an excellent standard with modern kitchen and shower room.
The Apartment Company December.indd 1
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Cavendish Crescent
£1350 pcm
Upper East Hayes
£975 pcm
Two bedroom Georgian apartment | Conservatory | Private terraced garden | Desirable location | No smokers/pets/students | Unfurnished
Georgian apartment | Spacious drawing room | Modern kitchen | Two bedrooms | Fabulous Views | Unfurnished
A stunning Georgian apartment with a private terraced garden and enjoying lovely views over Bath.
The accommodation comprises spacious drawing room, modern kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom all well presented.
Englishcombe Lane
The Vineyards
£850 pcm
£700 pcm
Ground Floor | Two Bedrooms | Secure Parking | Excellent condition | Unfurnished
Georgian apartment | One bedroom | Second floor | Close to city centre | Viewing recommended | Available immediately
A super ground floor two bedroom apartment set in mature and picturesque surroundings.
The property offers a double bedroom, sitting room, large kitchen and bathroom. Unfurnished. Available Immediately.
The Apartment Company December.indd 2
21/11/2012 18:28
The Property People Offices throughout the UK including 5 in London
BATH
Charlotte Street
Guide Price ÂŁ650,000
A five storey Grade II Listed central townhouse in need of modernisation. It has planning permission to create a separate lower ground floor apartment and a contemporary rear extension. There is a large garden and a garage. (Approximately 3,210 sq ft / 298.32 sq m)
Bath 01225 747250 david.mackenzie@carterjonas.co.uk
Carter Jonas Dec.indd 1
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carterjonas.co.uk
BATH
City Centre
Guide Price ÂŁ699,000
A superb five-storey Grade II Listed mixed use residential/commercial property. (Approximately 2,574 sq ft / 239 sq m)
Bath 01225 747250 david.mackenzie@carterjonas.co.uk
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Combe Down A converted unique family home within the larger part of a Grade II listed building | entrance hall | kitchen/breakfast room | dining room | lounge | family room/guest bedroom with en suite shower room | 3 further bedrooms | bathroom | space for 1 car in shared garage | sheltered garden | accommodation over 3,500 sq ft | Guide Price: ÂŁ795,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
Crisp Cowley December.indd 1
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Bathwick Hill Exceptionally skilfully created detached house with lovely views over the Kennet & Avon Canal. Within small gated development | hall | shower room/cloakroom | drawing room | kitchen/dining room | utility room | 3 double bedrooms (2 en suite) | shower/ cloakroom | pretty garden and terrace | ample parking for several cars | Guide Price: ÂŁ825,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
Crisp Cowley December.indd 2
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Sion Hill A substantial and deceptively spacious stone built detached home in an enviable location | outer hall | inner hall | delightful sitting room with panoramic views | splendid dining room/conservatory | family/tv room | laundry room | utility room | 4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | approx 0.4 acre south facing rear garden | garage | gas central heating | part double glazing | freehold | Guide Price: ÂŁ1,250,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
Crisp Cowley December.indd 3
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Bannerdown A handsome detached house with extensive gardens and grounds in this desirable part of Bannerdown | entrance hall | drawing room | sitting room | dining room | kitchen/breakfast room | 2 cloakrooms | boiler room | master suite with en suite bathroom | 4 further bedrooms | shower room | gardens extending to approx 0.7 acres (0.28 ha) | additional woodland | garaging for 2 cars | workshop outbuilding | Guide Price: ÂŁ795,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
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Chelsea House London Road Bath BA1 6DB Tel 01225 447971
88 Whiteladies Road Clifton Bristol BS8 2QN Tel 0117 973 1144