Bath Time October 2024

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Volume XVI October 2024

@unibathtime

The Highlights:

A Night at Domus pg 6

Rugby at the Rec pg 8

In Conversation with Chantal Meza pg 12

Photo credits: Bob Bradford

10th October 2024

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the first issue of Bath Time magazine for the year! Whether you’re a new or returning reader, we are excited to have you with us. You might notice that this edition looks a little different from last year’s, smaller and more studentfocused. Every article has been crafted with you in mind, offering fresh, relevant content with our signature Bath Time flair.

Inside, you'll find interviews with student DJs, reviews of Bath’s best coffee spots, and insights into the vibrant societies around campus. We’ve worked hard to ensure there’s something for everyone.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing committee for their incredible help in bringing this print edition to life - this wouldn’t be possible without you.

Finally, thank you to our readers, for supporting the magazine and for reading this letter all the way through. Impressive! We’d love for you to get involved, so don’t forget to follow us on social media @unibathtime, join the Whatsapp chats and stay connected.

Looking forward to seeing you in the next issue!

Interview with j4fb Interview with j4fb

Student DJ, j4fb, Jack Fowler-Baxter (4th year Accounting and Finance student) performed at Origins in Komedia on 3rd October as one of the warm-up DJs before Badger. Origins is a must attend EDM event for all house and garage lovers. J4fb had a dynamic set with massive crowd engagement, and we asked him a few questions about life as a student DJ…

How did you get into DJing? My school weirdly had DJ decks in the music department. To escape the stress of A-levels, I thought it would be cool to go and mix some really loud D&N. I was rubbish at the start, but it was fun to de-stress.

What was your first gig? Before coming to uni I played a few events here and there but nothing paid, or that professional. I did somehow waffle my way into a beach club in Bali which was pretty cool. My first paid gig was at Moles in my first year.

What do you consider great mixing? I say this to my student DJs all the time - the best mixes come from 2 songs work cohesively together and the DJ does an absolute minimum behind the decks. More often than not, this is when the crowd don’t actually hear a change between tracks.

What were the main challenges you faced when you first started DJing? The hardest part was finding music. I used to download lots of poor quality radio edits and wonder why I couldn’t mix. Eventually I realised I had to strata digging into my wallet to buy quality music.

What’s your favourite bit of production kit to use? The SU have recently bought CDJ 2000’s, which are probably the easiest pieces of kit to mix on. They’re great but no beginner DJ could afford them. I recommended DDJ 400’s or 800’s to anyone starting out.

Has anything ever gone wrong when DJing? DJ kits break all the time! During fresher’s week I had a song go into an emergency loop mid track. I’ve also had drunk people just come behind the decks and press random buttons!?! There’s rarely a perfect night to be quite honest so you learn to prepare for the worst.

A Night Out at

On Tuesday night I headed over to Revs for Bath’s newest House night ‘DOMUS’. Bringing house music and a late night out to Bath, Tuesday labs 10pm entry cannot compete with this party! I chatted with DJs Isaac, Luca and Oli about the event and their DJing experience so here we go! Luca is currently in second year studying International Management with Spanish whilst Isaac and Oli have recently graduated, having studied Electrical Engineering and Economics.

Whydidyoustarttheevent?

LucaisthemastermindbehindDOMUS, althoughinitiallyhewantedtostarta

Brazillianfunkevent.AfterspeakingtoafewDJsherealisedthereisarealgapin Bath for good House music. ‘Domus’ is a term used to describe the house ancient romans lived in, and so the logo and artwork are based around that concept. He began DJiing last year at uni, teaching himself and eventually working up to live events.

IsaacsayshealwayslovedDJiingandbringingmusictopeople,firstreceivingaset ofdeckswhenhewas15.AftercomingtouniversityhegotinvolvedwithURBand gottheoppurtunitytogotomanydifferentevents.

Oli similarly has always loved music, recalling fond memories of aux cables and pres in Quads kitchens. However, the spark that set him off was his first SCORE eventattheSU.Hefelttherewasarealneedtogetmorenewtalentintolivenup thesceneandsostartedteachinghimselftoDJusingYouTube.

Wheredoyouseetheeventgoing?

Firstly,itisreallynicetobringmorehousemusictoBath.Thereisahugevarietyof pop events here as well as some garage but a massive lack of house, which sets DOMUS apart. To start with we have begun by targeting mostly international students. Luca has an italian background so understand h h d lik andwantfromanightout.Expectlotsofremixesin differentlanguages,andaboilerroomvibe.Thekey isthatDOMUSisnotjustaboutgoingoutandgetting drunk-wearehereforthemusic,tofeelthemusic andbeinthemoment.

with Amy Joy

What is your approach to DJing? Do you pre plan your set or feel the vibe of the crowd? Sort of a mix of both. It is really important not to plan too much because if the crowd feels a totally different vibe to you then you need to be able to adapt and work out what the crowd want. It is really fun to improvise. When a set is really planned often it feels more stressful whereas improvising requires more emotion and passion. One of the most important skills for DJiing is reading the crowd and knowing what song to play when. You need to consider what went well earlier in the night and how the crowd are feeling right now. Your reactivity is what makes you a DJ.

How do you balance playing well known music and introducing new tracks?

Obviously we love music, otherwise we wouldn’t be DJiing but we wouldn’t really play what we love in this environment. A really good technique is 2 for 1. For every 3 songs play 2 for the crowd- so songs that keep the crowd engaged and then play one song you love to test the crowds boundaries and invite them into your own passion and style, whilst giving them an insight into your own music.

Lastly, what advice do you have for Student DJs?

If you are at Bath, join URB. There are fantastic DJ studios and DJ lessons. You can have access to brilliant equipment that you would not otherwise be able to use. If you have already started in the studio, or your room and you get offered a small gig just GO FOR IT. Be confident and try and train with live events, it it so important and what helped us to build our

DOMUS thank you for having me! I loved this interview and had a fantastic time at the eventthe music truly was brilliant and I am a Revs lover at heart so definitely will be back! If you’d like to know more about the event check out the video interview on the BathTime website as well as @domusbath on Instagram. Tickets are on Fatsoma, I’ll see you there next week!!

RUGBY RUGBY AT AT THE THE REC REC RUGBY RUGBY

The Recreational Ground, or to us locals, ‘The Rec’, lies in the heart of Bath along the River Avon. The ground is one of the many treasures this great city holds.

With a capacity of 14,509, it is home to Bath Rugby and has great ties to the university. The stadium has been the playing ground for rugby stars both from Bath and all over the world.

It looks stunning during the day as you wander into town down Bathwick Hill, standing out among the timeless honey-coloured Oolitic Limestone that much of the city is made from. And in the evenings, the floodlights beam, lighting up the nearby areas.

On gamedays, the city transcends into a sea of Blue, Black and White as the Bath faithful fill the surrounding pubs from midmorning to kick-off and then again after. Bath is a rugby city. It is home to one of the most successful teams in English rugby. That history is felt weekly on gameday, where no matter the team’s form, the Rec is always full of passionate, rugby-loving fans.

Beyond the world-beaters who weekly step foot there, The Rec is also used to showcase future talent, in the form of The Anniversary Game as part of BUCS Super Rugby, which has taken place there the previous few years.

The previous two editions of the Anniversary Game have been classics.

Against Durham in 2022, we saw the best of the University of Bath’s attacking rugby. A packed-out stand witnessed the perfect balance of good fundamentals in the pack and free-flowing attacking rugby sprinkled with some individual magic.

Last year, after a poor start to the season, losing their first three games, the Anniversary Game gave Bath the help it needed to propel their season forward. Against a physical Cardiff Met side, Bath rose to the challenge, matching them at scrum time and providing an answer to every question asked of them.

The hammering rain made the opportunity to play expansive rugby limited, but the spectacle was not hindered by this. The game went to the wire but in the dying minutes, the men in blue prevailed – much to the jubilation of the fans that filled out the West stand.

RUGBY RUGBY AT AT THE THE REC REC RUGBY RUGBY

Speaking to this year ’ s Co-Captain Max Pearce, he reflects on that game as a crucial point in their season. ‘We came into it 0-3 and really needed to win’, the 3rd year Hooker stated. When asked if the support made any difference to the outcome of the result, he replied, ‘without a doubt, we wouldn’t have won without the extra 5% the crowd gave us ’ .

For the players, it is evident that these games stick with them. Whether they go on to play professionally or this is the peak of their game, these moments at university stay with them.

This season, the 1st XV look ready and eager to replicate the successes of the last 2 years. ‘We lost a lot of key players last year, and I think because of that many have written us off’, says Pearce, who goes on to insist, ‘ we are in a better position than last year ’ .

Results back up the claim, starting their season with a comfortable win against Durham, before pushing Loughborough close away from home. They then came back from Cardiff Met with a bonus-point win.

The players helping to spark this rebuild include freshers Jack Woods and fellow Co-Captain Connor Treacey. Woods, seen at 10 or 15, is incredibly composed under the high ball and will ‘make things happen’ in the blink of an eye. Treacey, offers a calming presence to the pack and plays with an air of experience of someone much older than him.

Now, looking forward to the Anniversary Game, where they meet Hartpury and with it a clash of styles. A Bath team characterised by good set pieces and forward-heavy traditional rugby meet a Hartpury team, who play a lot looser, utilising their fast backs and an effective kicking game. When asked how this would affect the way Bath will play, Pearce said ‘ we just have to be aware of it, we will play our own game and hope that delivers the result we want’.

Wednesday 16th October should be a great occasion. There is a lot to be excited about. In the words of Max Pearce, ‘get yourself down to The Rec, it’s a free game, good quality rugby with loads of chants and great atmosphere. Come down and make some noise before a good night out and show some pride in your uni!’

We hope to see you there next Wednesday!

All photos by Bob

In my personal experience, the moment I mention I go to the University of Bath, the response is always the same: “Aww, Bath is just so beautiful, isn’t it?” And there I am, nodding like a bobblehead in agreement. Every. Single. Time. Speaking to my fellow students I have concluded that this is beyond a shadow of a doubt a universal experience and so I say to all you freshers: buckle up - you’ll have this conversation at least 17 times before Christmas, guaranteed.

Although Bath’s postcard-worthy streets are hard to argue with, I think that you ought to know a bit more about your university city beyond the picturesque limestone storefronts. Officially the largest city in Somerset and famed for its Roman-built baths, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to around 94,000 people (as per the 2021 census) and with over 6 million yearly visitors, it is one of ten English cities visited most by overseas tourists.

Bath is what many may call a Liberal Democrat stronghold and has been since 2017. The constituency is currently represented by Wera Hobhouse, a British-German politician who has previously served as spokesperson for Communities and Local Government, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Transport, Energy and Climate Change, and as the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.

Until the 2024 general election, the Bath constituency was snugly wrapped around the historic city, neatly covering everything from the Roman baths to the University of Bath campus.

However, following the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, Bath’s boundaries were expanded to include seven neighbouring parishes to the north and west including the likes of Kelston and North Stoke.

Being the birthplace of beautiful Bridgerton backdrops, Bath unsurprisingly has a reputation for being one of the wealthiest cities in the UK. Although the average of all earners is above that of most in the UK, it’s often argued that the mean doesn’t provide an accurate representation of the city’s socioeconomic landscape. Bath’s highest earners bump up the average figures, a fact that is often overlooked and can hide the fact that there is a significant gap between the poorest and the richest.

To unite a seemingly divided Bath, the local council and its MP have, in recent years, worked together on a variety of initiatives to enhance the city’s infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and community services.

If we are talking climate politics, Bath is now home to the first Clean Air Zone (CAZ) outside London which has significantly reduced pollution while efforts to clean up local waterways have also been successful particularly in the city centre.

In terms of social welfare, Hobhouse has championed housing projects to tackle the cost of living crisis while health services have got a boost with the Community Wellbeing Hub at Royal United Hospital. Questions of post-pandemic support have also been addressed with the council rolling out initiatives to assist small businesses, including financial aid and local trade promotion.

Believe you me, there’s much more to uncover about Bath's rich history and political quirks, but for now I hope this article has provided some food for thought and a small glimpse into the city you now call home.

TheStateofDisappearanceexhibition byartistChantalMezaissettobealongrunningexhibitionintheChancellor’s BuildingonLevel5.ChantalisaMexican abstractpainter,andthiscollectionwas inspiredbythedisappearancesshehas witnessed in her home country. This exhibitionlaunchalsocoincideswiththe disappearanceof43studentsinMexico.

AsViceChancellor,PhilTaylorstated, Bath University is a global place of learning,andthisartisrelevantthrough its international story and close connectionwithstudents.Heconfirmed thatthisisonlythestartoftheart-oncampus project and that they are workingcarefullytocreateaframework tocuratefutureartworks.

OurBathTimeSplashLeadwasableto haveaninterviewwithChantalwhere she discussed the meaning of this exhibitionfurther. Whydoyoupaint? Paintinggivesmeananswer.Ibelieve that art can help us understand the worldandthatitisimportanttospark meaningfuldebatesbycommunicating what the artwork actually means to ensureitisnotjustseenasapictureona wall.

How did you start this collection?

A lot of preparation went into this series of artwork. I had to immerse myself into the memories of the disappearances to connect the abstract paintings to the phenomenon in Mexico.

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of Conscienceness meaning This is a resin artwork with paper, ink and charcoal. I remember using resin with my dad when I was younger so I wanted to create something close to home. The material resembles a fossil or cave in the sense that it will be there forever. It also portrays how the loved ones of the disappeared are trapped in time as they can’t let go of what happened.

The Void

What inspired The Void?

drawings in the series are vibrant with colour to portray the vivid memory of this body. This colour changes into a black scene to portray the pain that is intertwined in the memory to finally end in a black and white drawing when the body has faded. The drawings have moments of a white void to represent that the loved ones ’ memory is tainted, meaning they cannot perfectly remember the ones they’ve lost.

Whatisthedifferencebetweentheseblack andwhitevoids?

Both represent an absence but white is the vanishing of memory and black is being absent in the moment, a disconnect with the world.

This painting is inspired by the connection I built with the victims of the disappeared during conversations with them. I noticed how the eyes of the loved ones had disappeared and an intense darkness was left. As if they were not really present. This dark void isn’t empty though but instead is black from being filled up by the memories of the ones that have been lost.

What does Obscure Beasts VIII represent?

This painting is part of a series,Obscure Beasts, and is meant to resembles a mouth. This piece represents something being consumed or the loved ones retreating into themselves to avoid the pain. It can also be seen as a representation of the beast that has taken the disappeared.

What does the colours represent in Fragments of Catastrophe?

This is a series of small drawings that explores the fading of a body. The first Fragments of Catastrophe

The University of Bath is honoured to have The State of Disappearance artwork on campus. Chantal will join Professor Brad Evans in upcoming lectures at the University and will also be giving tours of the paintings.

Obscure Beasts VIII

Student Housing Standards in Bath – How

Are We Fighting This Beast of Burden?

A new academic year invites burdens of every description through a student’s front door: the pennygrabbing goblin; the sirens of social pressure; the many-headed chimera of future-careers. We will all have our own, unique band of beasts that come knocking this year that we cannot realistically be rid of; beasts that are naturally found in the habitat of the university student.

But not all that come knocking are natural, even if they appear to be natives in your home. Yes, mould and damp are nothing new; there is nothing supernatural about a draughty window; and a leak from the eaves – especially after one of Bath’s biblical downpours – is completely within the realm of realistic expectation. But a ghostly landlord, one who does nothing about these issues? There is a beast that should certainly not be bothering any student. Yet, key findings from both of Bath’s universities show that poor private housing standards, along with unresponsive landlords and letting

agencies, are a common experience with real implications on student wellbeing. Bath’s Student Community Partnership (SCP) found in a survey last year that mould and damp are exist in over half of student housing (68% of Bath Spa students and 69% of University of Bath students have reported these issues), and 57% of University of Bath students reported poorly insulated or draughty properties. The consequences for students are troubling: at least half of the student community stated that this affected their health, and 40% stated that this affected their mental health.

Both of Bath’s university SU Presidents have noticed significant impacts on the student community. Jas Raymond-Barker, SU President at Bath Spa, told the Local Democratic Reporting Service that “56% of students have reported being miserable and 46% of them reported feeling depressed or anxious due to their housing conditions” at the end of 2023.

In a personal interview at the beginning of this term, Jimena Alamo, University of Bath’s SU President, said that two out of every five student complaint emails she received last academic year reported unresponsive landlords regarding housing issues.

At the root of it all? Our SU Community Officer Hanna Hajzer put it do agencies Under in this jud almost student pressure better h anyone responsi legal act or futu landlord If you fi particula about it? And what plans are there for wider change?

As before, the SU will continue to offer advice and assistance to those

experiencing issues with private housing, and Jimena Alamo urges students to remember their rights. Whilst raising private housing standards remains a top priority for the SU this year, who will continue joint work with Bath Spa’s SU, the SCP, and Bath and Northeast Somerset Council, our SU president says that wider change will require students to act beyond voicing noted the operty and ch the SCP during their e end of the tial of these nants is, in to stoke ds, explains strategy to r abodes is news is that falling on en if those complaints must ultimately reach.

Features and Investigations

4. Dorchester Street

So starting with the worst we have Cafe Nero on Dorchester Street. This is the ghetto of all Neros in Bath. Useful only for picking up a quick coffee before hopping on a train at the station. There is plenty of seating but zero architectural uniqueness- it is simply a room with tables. No privacy and just not the vibe!!! I retract my earlier statement of this Nero only being good for one thing- I’d also recommend it as an ideal location if you are forced to meet with an ex because trust me, you won’t want to linger.

3. Stall Street

Slightly further up in third place is the Neros on Stall Street opposite Kingdom of Sweets. Architecturally (does anyone actually care about the architecture of a Nero? Please let me know) it is a massive step up. Beautiful range of large and small tables as well as booths, plus dim lighting! I was also delighted to find a brand new outside area that did not exist pre-placement. This would be delightful for a post-run coffee or simply to catch the rays on a sunny autumnal morning. I would rate this Nero as fine for working in- particularly if you have a bunch of quick tasks to get on with but not ideal for a proper graft as it can get very loud. The queue is also prone to build up so proceed with caution.

2. Old Bond Street

Second place is awarded to the Nero in the on Old Bond Street (near the Giggling Squid). She is beauty, she is grace. Beautiful long windows that let in loads of light (Virgil take notes) and again a nice mix of table sizes. There is also an underground floor which is much quieter and great for a long graft, however obviously no windows (I guess Virgil has indeed taken notes). Some insider tips - the baristas that work here seem to be obsessed with letting air in and tend to leave the front door open which makes the ground floor FREEZING, so come wrapped up. My pilgrimage also allowed me to find out some devastating news- the toilets are out of order. Hopefully by the time this ticle is printed this is fixed but it will be noted here forever...

And the winner...High Street

Now it is time for my number one Nero in Bath. The apple of my eye, the Joy to my Amy she lies on ‘High Street’ right next to TK Maxx. She is my holy grail and I kind of hate that I’m making this information public because it is hard enough already to get seats but that is the value of my love for you dear BathTime readers. The downstairs of this Nero is cute, it’s cosy and there is a lovely long table perfect for a group study sesh as well as bar tables that face the window. Upstairs is beautiful as once again there are windows and LIGHT which we Bath students are so often deprived of. Gorgeous booths with plug sockets underneath means an ENTIRE DAY of essay writing can easily be boshed- and wait for this… there are not ONE but TWO toilets. True luxury!!!!! (Some real Cafe Nero lorewhen I was in first year a homeless man squatted in one of said toilets and the police had to be called but that’s exactly the kind of crazy drama you can expect here!!!!)

AMY’S TOP TIPS

GET THE APP - verify your student status to get money off and for every 9 coffees you buy the 10th is free!!! (The capitalist noose is well and truly around my neck, sorry Marx)

BRING A REUSABLE CUP - Two stamps baby! This means that, Maths students say it with me, every 5 coffees you buy the 6th is free (small step for man, giant leap for the proletariat).

BRING A JUMPER - genuinely, they get so cold sometimes due to people opening and closing doors and I’ve had to text friends asking them to bring me a jumper before. Don’t be that person- make sure you ’ re wrapped up warm!

So ladies and gents I hope you treat this information with true regard because it is some of the most important words of advice you will receive during your time here at the University of Bath. Keep Cafe Nero-ing and if you see me say hi and tell me how much this article changed and improved your life xoxo (feel free to take it one step further and buy me a drink- latte with one pump of SUGAR FREE vanilla syrup all the way baby).

Vintage&Charityshopping

A lot of the time, your typical high street haul trip ends in vain. Probably because while these labels createclothingforthemasses,they’remadeoflowquality materials that leave you feeling unsatisfied justbythetouchofit. There’s a slight financial dissonance too when you want Kelly Rutherford’s closet with your studentfriendly budget. It feels almost fruitless to invest in today’shighstreetmarket,wheregarmentsbecome disposable after weeks and are produced (rapidly) for new trends rather than long-term use and individuality.Nottomentiontheterribleimpactfast fashion has on the environment, workers' rights andresources.

An ethical and much resilient substitute to revise and rejuvenate your wardrobe is through vintage and charity shopping. Nearly all clothes that you’ll findaregoingtobewellmade,reflectingthedesign ofitsdecade&waitingforyoutorepurposeandadd your personal spin to it. In short, when you purchase pre-loved items, you save money, you savetheworld,andyoulookcutewhiledoingit.

So if you ’ re a fresher, returning student, or just someone who’s looking for some chic, affordable, and ethical clothing, here are some vintage and charity shops you can visit in Bath & what you can expectfromthem.

BathWomen’sRefugeShop 13AChathamRow

BritishHeartFoundation 8GreenStreet

28WestgateStreet

MercyinAction

22UnionPassage,12Margaret’sBuildings, 4ChelseaRoad CancerResearchUK

SavetheChildren 7WalcotStreet

supporting such strong causes which actively

communities these social organisations have

for. These charity shops mentioned above

MoorlandRoad, OldfieldPark

It is a street ideal for all the opportunity shoppers out there as you’ll find yourself amidst several charity shops where there is opportunity for treasure, whether its kneehighbootsormaturejewellerysets.Incase, you are looking for something specific, you will probably find it at one or more of these many affordable and reasonably priced charityshopsinOldfieldPark.

VintageAbs,6UpperBoroughWalls

Based right in the city center, this independent outlet offers some great and (relatively) affordable deals for some designer pieces. With mellow RnB playing in the background, Vintage Abs gathers an extensive collection of items, including Coach and Diesel bags, funky faux jewellery, alternative maxi dresses, and so much more.Everyitemfeelslikeit’sbeenalreadyhandpicked for the vision you had in mind for this autumn.

FireflyVintage 28UpperBoroughWalls

Onthesamestreet,youcanfindFireflyVintageto bring you a carefully accumulated and organised selectionofclothingbasedonwhatyou’relooking for whether it's original Levis jackets, sports apparel, or classic band tees. They also have a colourful stand of corduroys that caught my eye. Someracksonthesecondfloorinspiredadiverse 00s trend with short skirts, oversized ski sweaters,andgrungeflannels-Icouldpicturethe ScottPilgrimvsTheWorldvision.

Sobey’sVintage 10NorthumberlandPlace

Nextupisanotherindependentchainwhichishardto miss as a golden carousel horse gleams through its front window. With Fleetwood Mac displays inside, you get to dig through racks of overalls, leather & Carharttjackets,andHarleyDavidsontees.Thereisa softly psychedelic touch to the store and its highqualityitemsthatattractcustomersinside.

Pricesarerelativelymorecompetitiveattheseoutlets andcanvarygreatlydependingontheitem.Thestock is frequently updated and managed by friendly staff members.

Jack&Danny’s,3LondonStreet

This beloved local business bursts (literally) with cloaks, overcoats, and blazers that will intrigue you as you walk down London Street. Jack & Danny’s includes a fascinating array of retro blouses, velvet dresses, everything sequin, and leather jackets. If you ’ re patiently committed, you might discover some timeless pieces from this extraordinary stock thatprobablydatesbackdecadesandoccupiesevery inchandcornerofthisvintageshop!

There are a few more charity shops in and around Bath that might have what you ’ re searching for but in myopinion,it’sevenbetterwhentheydon’t!It’sachancetoadaptandexperimentwithyourstyleandfind clothing that reflects who you are. Shopping sustainably changes your relationship with your wardrobeyou accumulate pieces that you really love over time and as The Berliner states, - It’s unique, it’s eclectic, andtheplanetwillthankyouforit.

BUSTAdoAboutNothing

Coming back on the opening night of Much Ado About Nothing last Thursday to a topsy-turvy set of strange blue walls, antique furnishings and a wild Thomas Hardman in pseudo-Renaissance Messina was a delight!

Tackling Shakespeare is never easy especially when trying to introduce the society to newcomers and (hopefully not) unenthused relatives. Yet, recapturing the fun, ego and wanton madness Much Ado prides itself on couldn’t have been more of a joy to watch. The physicality, enunciation and at times, rawness, with which some of Much Ado’s performances espoused was truly impressive.

BUST managed yet again to adapt a brilliant outdated text into something refreshingly abstract without compromising the serious sequences that Much Ado’s drama predominantly hinges upon. Although the show acts as a satirical comedy in its original format, BUST’s rendition chooses not to pursue a purely comical route.

They emphasised the obscene hypocrisies by which patriarchy thrives, as evidenced by a particularly moving scene involving a eulogy and n unexpected musical sequence to boot. Stark njustice can be seen at the play’s core; being a ruel jab at Hero’s supposed non-virginity, which as tackled with exceptional sensitivity.

Al s a spoof in the or makes every eff ent of such mi

De d ceremonies, mu , BUST’s Much Ad airy romcomism s next and keep do

A few words from those involved...

Overall the show has been a fantastic experience, especially get to act alongside such grea friends in such a funny and brilliant show. Getting to pla Benedick, which is definitely on the best characters I’ve ever played, has been so much fun

Tom - Playing Benedick

Oscar - Director

E i Pl i D P d

My lesson on directing shakespeare would be to make it your own, you ’ re not performing in the globe in the 1600s so especially with a d lik h ado! or bout reat ows the feel us tion eare orts usic

Much Ado has many moments where either the comedy or the seriousness would interrupt one another. This was strange to act, as you’d still be bringing the emotion fromthe previous scene and have to try and solve how this tonal shift would make sense for the character.

Charlie Production Team

Shakespeare did a lot of it for us by interspersing the play with dramatic scenes and comedic scenes. While this does lead to some tonal whiplash at points, it means both physical comedy and serious drama can coexist in the show. For us, it was important to recognise when to resist making jokes so the serious drama could still have impact. Conversely it was very important to us to inject as much physical comedy into the comedic scenes as possible.

Throughout the 24/25 season, Bath Time will present to you athletes & teams who deserve special recognition for their achievements - congratulations to our first picks of the new year!

Jonny Gough (left) - Karate Sam Nisbet - Cycling

Placed 3rd individually in BUCS in the Experienced Male Kata category. Currently in Poland representing England at the WUKF European Championships Winner of the Western Cyclocross league and Southern Regional championships

Winners of the Div 3 Class at the International Tournament De Paddel (Canoe Polo) in Belgium over the summer

Millie Rogrove and Aadya Gupta - Table Tennis Lu Sadler, Juliet Lumineau and Katie Haswell - Fencing

Winners of the BUCS South Division 1 Went the entire season undefeated

Netball knows Breast!

This October, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the University of Bath Netball Club are pledging to talk about breasts!

We are hosting many events to create conversations that will encourage the younger population to learn more about the signs of Breast Cancer and understand how to check their breasts.

Knowledge is power and with an increased awareness and greater knowledge, we could help reduce the impact Breast Cancer has on people’s lives!

As part of this month, we are fundraising for CoppaFeel!, a charity that ‘exists to educate, encourage and empower young people to know their bodies’.

We would love for you to help the cause by joining us on:

• 18 Oct – Bake Sale on the Parade 12-2pm, in collaboration with Women’s Rugby and BUBT so come along and buy some baked goods. All proceeds will be going to CoppaFeel!

• 24 Oct – Brew House Pub Quiz hosted by Netball to raise money for CoppaFeel!. Everyone is invited to our fun quiz! All profits will be going to charity!

Other events we are doing within the Club:

• 7-13th Oct – Pink Kit to Training Week

• 26th Oct – Touch Rugby Charity Tournament with Women’s and Men’s Rugby

Scan the QR code to donate

• 27th Oct – Development Charity Tournament and Social Charity Tournament

Movember at Bath

Movember is a charity providing services, raising awareness and funds for men ' s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Last year was the University of Bath’s most successful Movember campaign EVER! We’ve got an even bigger target this year of £35,000 so whether you choose to Grow, Move or Host, Movember is all about having fun and doing good.

Throughout Movember, various events will be taking place with several giveaways being given to those who help raise awareness and money –gift vouchers at The Canon, The Cork, Wetherspoons and Greggs, a 2x2 hour session at Thermae Bath Spa, £100 bar tab and a year ’ s free entry at Komedia amongst many more surprises to be announced.

To find out how you can take part in Movember, help raise money and see how sports and societies are getting involved, follow our Instagram @movember bath and scan the QR code to learn more about Movember – below are some events:

Wax On, Wax Off will kick off Movember outside the library, giving everyone their clean shave start for Movember.

The Massive Movember Competition is back! Staff and student groups go head-to-head to see who can raise the most money.

Rugby Movember beer launch – Brew House on 1 Nov.

Rugby vs Netball – rugby boys take on netball girls in a netball tournament in the STV on 2 Nov in the STV.

Rugby 60-hour cycleathon – from 27-29 Nov on the Parade.

Rugby charity match vs Bristol – 29 Nov on campus.

Science & Innovation

A GUIDE TO BATH’S BEST SCIENCE SOCIETIES

For the brand new Science and Innovation Section at Bath Time, I thought the first-ever article should introduce how you can get involved in science on campus. At Bath, there is a wide range of science-based societies, and choosing between them can feel like an almost impossible task. This year, I decided to speak to some of Bath’s most exciting science societies to make the choice just a little bit easier...

Space Society

One of Bath’s most original and innovative societies is the Space Society. According to the chair, Jamie Watts, their upcoming astrophotography social is certainly something to look forward to! You can also expect plenty of stargazing socials, allowing students to meet like-minded people from a variety of departments. If you would love to learn about space or even take part in their online Space League, SpaceSoc is the place to be.

SpaceSocsocietygetting‘lit’

Science & Innovation

People and Planet ChemSoc

People and Planet is one of the most educational and pioneering science societies. According to their chair, Xandi Drysdale, this activism-based group is looking to expand and welcomes students from all departments. If you are passionate about climate change and sustainability, People and Planet is at the centre of pushing for policy change within the university. You can also expect sober socials and insightful weekly meetings!

Sebastian Wojtulewski, the Chemistry Society’s chair, tells me that this society is an exciting and welcoming place to be. With their famous black-tie ChemBall that takes place at the Roman Baths, this society has something for everyone and gives its members the opportunity to make friends across the department. There are some brilliantly inventive socials planned for this year - you can even expect collaborative socials with other societies!

BUBS - Biosciences Society

There is also Bath’s Biosciences Society (BUBS), which prides itself on its inclusivity. Lili Illman, the society’s chair, tells me that you can expect park runs and study sessions, but also careers events and expert talks. While the Biosciences Society is particularly relevant for students studying Life Sciences, BUBS welcomes all students interested in bioscience. Another incentive to join BUBS is the legendary Biosciences Ball!

Finally, there is one of Bath’s friendliest science societies: the Physics Society (led by chair Emily McManus). With their trailblazing pub lectures and Higgs Booze-on social (PhySoc’s annual pub crawl), this society is a lot of fun. There are also plans for some sober socials this year! Whether you ’ re looking to meet like-minded people or you ’ re passionate about Physics, there really is something for everyone at PhySoc.

The undiscovered soul trying to say he's lost as he fumbled and let the strains of his mind slip through his fragile fingers It was hanging by a string and then the string wrapped around his throat his hands did it but his mind had no clue

His mind got lost with the girl he killed that night when she begged him to stay but he just popped another pill and then he shot her after saying "I'll see you in heaven my darling”

With the last strands he dragged her across the floor to the gates of the Sham castle leaving a trail of broken promises and dreams of a life they used to think of so fondly

As he laid her down on a bed of thorns in that forsaken corner of his soul he’s reminded of a memory he tried to forget because she looked so beautiful that day they fed the ducks by the pond

Because maybe he is her now or she is him but someone got lost that night when the stars were sparkling bright for her to see the shards in his eyes and bright for him to see the path across that Bath Skyline that will let him escape the prison of having to live every day and having to be ok every day and having to smile and say I love you when they both know neither means it

Because life left him long before her but she dragged it back into him and like dragging a sack of potatoes it got spilt everywhere as it flew with the winds and the hatred above

Then she begged him to be ok and she begged him to stay but he just popped another pill and then he shot her after saying "I'll see you in heaven my darling”

Art
Photography by Arjun

Weekly horoscopes

25th October - 1st November

Aries (March 21st - April 20th)

Don’t be scared to try new things. Pop down to the Chancellors’ Green for the Street Food Market on Tuesday to explore new tastes.

Taurus (April 21st - May 20th)

Something needs to come to an end regarding a person. Great timing because “in Girl World, Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it.”

Gemini (May 21st - June 20th)

You might find yourself easily distracted when it comes to routine things. Assessments are the scariest thing this week, it might be time to head to the Library soon!

Cancer (June 21st - July 22nd)

Your hard work is going to pay off soon but keep pushing on. Run away from distractions at the Zombie Apocalypse on the Parade this Thursday.

Leo (July 23rd - August 22nd)

Don’t sweat the small stuff and focus on bigger goals. Speaking of goals, The Plug is showing the Premier League matches this weekend so get ready to boo the opposite team as loud as you can.

Virgo (August 23rdSeptember 22nd)

Your bank balance has taken quite the toll recently after you bought the perfect costume for this weekend. Remember Skint Mondays at Labs exists - 99p drinks & tickets…

Libra (September 23rdOctober 22nd)

This week may bring confusion. Is Halloweekend this weekend or next or are we just celebrating it on Thursday?! Have no fear, there are Halloween events literally every single night this week.

Weekly horoscopes

25th October - 1st November

Capricorn (December 22ndJanuary 19th)

Scorpio (October 23rdNovember 21st)

Cut ties with past relationships. What better way than to dress up as a ghost this Thursday and ghost your situationship in person when you inevitably bump into them at FAME.

Sagittarius (November 22ndDecember 21st)

Good luck is coming your way, use this to your advantage at Pitchers and Pool this Monday. Make sure to play carefully we don’t want a Final Destination scene to happen

Stand true to what you believe but be open to other people’s opinions Although you think you know the scariest horror film, they might have an even better suggestion.

Aquarius (January 20thFebruary 18th)

Swap studying with shots this week and have some fun! Halloween is only once a year and you ’ ve been working really hard recently – give yourself a break

Pisces (February 19th –March 20th)

Be more determined to stir things up and ask awkward questions. Only do this in a quiet place because Minty Fresh isn’t the only monster that hears everything… .

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