Bath Voice May 2023

bathvoice May 2023 No. 39

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NOW WITH A WEBSITE AT WWW.BATHVOICE.CO.UK INSIDE Bath City Foundation Page 4 Play review Page 8 What’s On Pages 12-14, 23 Sports News Pages 16-17 When Bath held the first Coronation Page19

The people planting thousands of trees in Bath. P7

Recalling Coronation year of 1953

Bathonian Rob Coles looks back wistfully to the year 1953 when the late Queen Elizabeth II was crowned - the first coronation to be televised live. Here Rob recalls the city back in the day: To paraphrase Luke Kelly of the Black Velvet Band, ‘In a neat little town they call Bath’, was a place very

different from that of today.

Except for cycling past the Loco Sheds, Stotherts and the Gas Works to sit in my grandmother’s darkened room watching a dim television and being a bored young schoolboy I have little to tell.

In place of personal memories I

have looked at the local newspapers to see what was happening locally on the day.

I immediately noticed what an all embracing event it was with not a hint of controversy or scandal. In nearly every advertisement by shops, now Continued on page 3

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Bath Voice are members of:

My MP? Wera Hobhouse MP 26 Charles Street, Bath, BA1 1HU 01225 307024 office@werahobhouse.co.uk Jacob Rees-Mogg House of Commons Westminster London SW1A 0AA jacob.reesmogg.mp@parliament.uk My councillor?

Oldfield Park: Shaun Stephenson-McGall 07483 299240 Shaun_Mcgall@bathnes.gov.uk Widcombe & Lyncombe: Alison Born 01225 319188 Alison_born@bathnes.gov.uk Winston Duguid 07899 066440 Winston_Duguid@bathnes.gov.uk Moorlands: Jess David 07977 500804 Jess_david@bathnes.gov.uk Southdown: Paul Crossley 07718 632959 paul_crossley@bathnes.gov.uk Dine Romero 01225 477496 dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk

Combe Down: Gerry Curan 01225 330349 / 07900684562 Gerry_curran@bathnes.go.uk Bharat Ramji Nathoo Pankhania Bharat_pankhania@bathnes.gov.uk 07464 867554 Odd Down: Joel Hirst 07792 869044 joel_hirst@bathnes.gov.uk Steve Hedges 07971270879 steve_hedges@bathnes.gov.uk Twerton: Sarah Moore 07807013635 Sarah_moore@bathnes.gov.uk Tim Ball 01225 400834 / 07970461674 Tim_ball@bathnes.gov.uk Westmoreland: June Player 07967 920064 June_Player@bathnes.gov.uk Colin Blackburn 07796 807157 Colin_Blackburn@bathnes.gov.uk

USEFUL NUMBERS Bath & North East Somerset Council Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW Bath One Stop Shop 3-4 Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JQ Council Connect 01225 39 40 41 Email: council_connect@bathnes. gov.uk Bath & North East Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau 2 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2EE 0344 848 7919 NHS Urgent: 111 / Emergency: 999

Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.co.uk General inquiries: 101 Emergency 999 Fire www.avonfire.co.uk Inquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 Anti-social behaviour team asb@bathnes.gov.uk 01225 842462 Well Aware Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk (Freephone) 0808 808 5252

COMPLAINTS Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Bath Voice, contact the News Editor using the details below. We aspire to follow the the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), nuj.org.uk/about/ nuj-code.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on our website or can be obtained by contacting the Editor by email: news@bathvoice.co.uk or by post: 1 Camerton Close, Saltford, Bristol, BS31 3BT or by phone: 07402 441485 All stories and pictures are © Bath Voice (unless otherwise stated) and may not be reproduced without permission.

Bath Voice News & Media Ltd

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n NEWS Continued from page 1 long gone, had a Coronation theme.

Hatt & Co Beauty and Hair, and Rayner’s Fashions, both in The Corridor; Elliott’s Fashion Store in Green Street; Charles’ Shoes, of Milsom Street; Plummers’, Drapers; Evans and Owens and many more even Best Stores (HM’s Government Surplus) all included the Coronation theme.

Local press photographers including Reg Highfield, who had covered the VE day street parties must have had a busy day photographing events all over Bath and West Wiltshire. The films and prints would all have been processed in the Westgate Street, Chronicle newspaper office. No internet or camera phones, but large and heavy Speed Graphic cut film cameras. The Theatre Royal had a production of Ladies in Waiting, tickets were 2/- to 6/6. Across the road in the Palace Theatre the main attraction was Dawn White and her Glamazons, The Biggest Bevy of Buxom Beauties ever seen! The backing acts included young trick cyclists and a balancing act, tickets 1/6 to 3/6. the heading of the newspaper report - Dawn and her Girls go over big, (I think it related to the Can Can which made Dawn breathless!).

The Odeon was showing Desert Rats with the promise of the

technicolor film A Queen is Crowned the following week. The Beau Nash picture house had South of Algiers, while The Scala was showing The Last Page. Turn the Key Softly, was at the Forum and Jacques Tati in Joi to Fete was showing at the Little Theatre - then only a single screen cinema. All would have been viewed through a haze of blue tobacco smoke. Twelve miles away Frank Sinartra was to appear the following week in the Bristol Hippodrome.

Lyncombe Ward pensioners watched a clear projected TV picture of the Coronation on a 4ft x 3ft screen (it wasn’t that clear on my Gran’s 12”).

Special meals were prepared and the wards were decorated in the hospitals and souvenirs distributed including ashtrays for the gentlemen. Some patients were taken in motor cars to see the pageant procession through the Bath’s streets, while stretcher cases were taken on lorries courtesy of the Rotary Club.

Three oak trees were planted in Henrietta Park to mark the occasion while the Historical Pageant procession ended in Victoria Park where the Queen’s speech was to be broadcast to the expected crowds.

Last minute changes were made to the plans for the Historical Pageant procession as it was feared that the music of the five bands would frighten the horses! Pratts Hotel advertised a

six course celebration dinner at 15/-.

There was a dance in the Pavilion with Reg Ball and his orchestra, where members of the forces in uniform were charged 3/-, while Michael Sefton’s Dance Academy in Wellsway held a party dance. Roman City Coaches ran a trip to London for 16/returning at midnight - what a journey down the A4 in the dark! For those wanting to get away from it all, there was a 5/9d coach trip to Clevedon.

The local newspaper ran youth club reports and local sports with a great many names mentioned.

Donald Candy and Barbara Crews announced their engagement and Blake of the Jupiter Inn was wished a happy birthday. There were no display ads or photos of Houses for sale, although Tilley and Culverwell were offering a Georgian 5 bed property on Bathwick Hill for £3,950; small

properties were a little over £1,000 and a mid range semi in Abbey View Gardens was on Kingston and Co’s books at £2,700. The few cars advertised for sale included a 1938 Standard 9 for £185 and an ex WO Enfield for £45.

And finally it was reported that Matilda Bishop of Dafford Street Larkhall celebrated her 84th birthday on Coronation Day - maybe with a 10/6d hat from Arthur’s Stores in Westgate Street. While Mrs Elsie Ford gave birth to the first Coronation day baby in Paulton Hospital. A band of gypsies of all ages dressed in their colourful costumes were welcomed to the TV show in Trowbridge Town Hall.

In the Chronicle’s stop press it was reported by the police that there were 3,062 casualties along the route of the London Coronation procession, 114 being taken to hospital.

There has been so much change since then, and there will be no Queen Salote of Tonga who gained much fame for riding in an open coach in the pouring rain of the Coronation procession and the policemen officers lining the route who would have watched the procession rather than faced the crowds.

Yet some things remain the same. It was reported that the Salvation Army Men’s Hostel, in North Parade, will collect unwanted clothing and anything useful.

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n NEWS Hospital violence: At least 300 staff at the health trust that runs the BRI and Bristol Children’s Hospital have suffered violence or aggression from patients in the last six months, it has been revealed, writes local democracy reporter John Wimperis.

The problem has become so serious that bosses at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust (UHBW) have employed two victim support officers and are working with the police on 37 active criminal investigations, including 29 cases that are already being prosecuted.

Church Street news: Widcombe’s narrow Church Street is currently subject to a through-traffic restriction trial.

The scheme began last November and runs for six months and ends the road as a through road with bollards in place on either side of St Thomas a Becket’s Church and Widcombe Manor.

Bikes, motorcycles and pedestrians can pass through and also emergency services, church leaders, drivers of some service vehicles and administrators for the National Trust can drop the bollards to gain access when required.

Residents can give feedback to the council via their website until 5pm on

Thursday 17 May 2023.

Fashion Museum: A government document has revealed the reasons why Bath’s bid for Levelling Up funding was turned down writes By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter.

Bath and North East Somerset Council applied for £20m from the government scheme to help fund Bath Fashion Museum’s move to new premises and to set up a new fashion collection archive at Locksbrook.

But the bid was turned down with a lengthy explanation that reveals that the government considered the council’s plans “relatively strong” and in keeping with the aims of levelling up, but it was turned down as there was not enough data behind some parts of the plan including doubts over the prospect of supporting funding and if it represented ‘value for money.’

Questions were also raised about the “more costly option” of moving the museum to the Old Post Office rather than to other cheaper locations.

John Wimperis’ full article can be found on the Bath Voice website: Bath Voice News: a Freedom of Information request discovered the reason why BANES didn’t get £20m Levelling Up Funding

Positive impact on the lives of residents Bath City Foundation is an independent charity based at the football ground in Twerton where they work with the club to give opportunities to residents through fitness, training and family fun activities.

CEO of the charity James Carlin said: “Bath City is a community club, owned by the fans and is embedded in Twerton. We work with the club and a number of charities across the city - the Foundation is a win-win for the club as our activities include families, older people, children and women - giving new skills, friends

and confidence.”

James has been a Bath City fan since 1999 when he watched his first match. Meanwhile former footballer and the Foundation’s operations manager Geoff Stevens said: “The football club community schemes grew in the 1990s when ex-players started visiting schools.

Since then it has grown and now we have after-school clubs, walking football and women only sessions.

The Foundation has a positive impact on the lives of residents.”

For more on the Foundation visit: https://www. bathcityfoundation.org/

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n NEWS Taxi case: A taxi driver has had their licence to drive taxis revoked after driving more than 100 miles after failing an MOT writes Local Democracy Reporter John Wimperis.

He drove his vehicle 110 miles with four major defects and one “do not drive until repaired” dangerous defect — and lied to Bath and North East Somerset Council’s licensing officers about the journey.

As is typical for taxi driver hearings, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s licensing subcommittee heard the taxi driver’s case in a private session, but minutes of the meeting in March have since been published.

The taxi driver — who has not been named — told the committee he took full responsibility, apologised, and was prepared to accept any punishment. He added that he had no intention to harm anyone, and had family and personal issues at the time of the issues.

He said that after his car had failed the MOT he had taken it back to get it fixed.

Councillors revoked his taxi licence on notice, stating: “Whilst members acknowledged that the Licensee may have had personal and family issues during the relevant

period, this is no excuse for neglecting the upkeep and essential repairs of his vehicle in order to ensure the safety of the travelling public.”

The committee also noted that all four of his tyres only had a tread of 2mm — just above the legal minimum of 1.6mm — in May 2022.

But he then drove a further 2,701 miles on those tyres, only replacing them after his car failed its MOT in September 2022.

The taxi driver stated that he had not fully checked the paperwork and had only been using the vehicle for his personal use during this time, but was told by councillors that the car still posed a danger to the public.

By the time it was brought in for its MOT in September, the ply or cords were exposed on one tyre, and another had a cut deep enough to reach them.

The taxidriver had received no complaints from the public during his time as a taxi driver. He had held his Bath and North East Somerset Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence for just under two years.

Election results: The results of the local elections on 4 May 2023, will be published on the Bath Voice website when available.

Japanese Food News: A new

Last month the good folk of Bloomfield whose residents’ association is known as Bloomfield Bath Online carried out their first ever litter pick. Julie Ingerfield of the group said it was a great success. On the group’s social media site they reported: “Having been washed out of our Saturday spot by heavy rain we reformed today collecting 10 bin bags full! Many thanks to Marcus and family, Jim and family, Fiona & Callum, Cate, Chloe and especially Jackie Reynolds for organising our efforts.

Thanks also to Clyde Hunter of the Friends of Bloomfield Green who came out to wish us well. Back again in six weeks; everyone welcome.”

Japanese-style bar and restaurant is opening in the centre of Bath, just a stone’s throw from Pulteney Bridge.

Eleanor Lieper who owns the Grapes pub on Westgate Street is now expanding into another shop

across the city, with plans to run it as an izakaya, a type of Japanese bar.

Budō Bā first opened as a pop-up upstairs at the Grapes but now will get its own premises at 3 Argyle Street and opens on May 17.

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n NEWS

Southside Family Project: Last month Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, and Chair of the Prevention of Childhood Trauma All Party Parliamentary Group, met with representatives from the Southside Family Project in Bath to discuss their work in helping domestic abuse victims.

Members of the Project explained how they support those affected by domestic abuse across Bath and North East Somerset.

Each year, around 500 cases of domestic abuse are dealt with by the Project.

The Southside Family Project is a local charity that provides a range of services to help domestic abuse victims and their families.

These services include Family Support, one-to-one counselling, coaching, group therapy with parents and children, Community Family Hub Groups, and practical support such as legal advice and assistance with housing.

See: https://south-side.org.uk.

Entry Hill: A developer is seeking consent to build a factory next to the closed golf course and currently a dog walkers’ paradise and park at Entry Hill writes John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter.

Members of the Southside Family project in Bath with the Bath MP Wera Hobhouse

Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Council was approached by a local manufacturing company, which has not been publicly identified.

Entry Hill Depot site in Bath, which the company wants to buy, is owned by the council.

The manufacturer currently employs about 150 people in the city and it is believed that the new factory could create 15 new jobs.

A council report warns that the jobs could be lost to Devizes in Wiltshire if a site is not built in Bath.

The proposed purchaser is seeking consent for a 1,000 sq m factory at Entry Hill, a 450 sq m

warehouse space and an additional 450 sq m dedicated to ancillary offices, toilets, canteen and staff facilities.

Under the plans, the new space will house an area of production.

The main research and corporate office space would remain at its current site.

The council believes the new jobs could add £1.4m to the local economy, and if the sale went ahead without conditions and without putting it on the open market, the council could receive money for the site sooner.

However, the report also warned that an unconditional site

would mean the intended use and economic benefit could not be guaranteed.

Despite this, the company said it was “fully committed” to the factory plan.

Show Biz News: In 1894 the Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society staged its first production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Sorcerer. Now 129 years later they stage their latest show at the Theatre Royal Bath, Frank Loesser’s 1950 celebrated musical comedy Guys and Dolls.

Set in the 1930s the show is famous for its mix of gangsters, gamblers, and members of the Salvation Army with songs including Luck Be a Lady and Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

Tickets at www.theatreroyal.org. uk/event/guys-and-dolls/ Ornithology News: The RSPB’s (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Bath Local Group will be observing bird life along the riverside and canals of the city with guided walks by Lucy Starling.

The walks are on Wednesday 10 May and Saturday 27 May in the morning.

For more details and to sign up for the walks visit https://group. rspb.org.uk/bath/

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n NEWS

Tree news: More Trees BANES is a not-for-profit community organisation based by Victoria Park.

They grow, plant and care for trees in the city having planted 11,000 trees since 2008.

Manager Sandra Tuck of Weston said together with the volunteers collect and grow seeds of native species - and it was rewarding to see the seeds collected grow into mature trees. She said: “It’s really exciting for everyone especially when we see the whole cycle of the trees from seed to sapling.”

She said her favourite tree was the silver birch but strangely the hardest species to nurture is the favourite of Christmas decorations: the humble holly tree.

Emma Jones is the volunteer coordinator who began volunteering to help plant and grow the trees in the glass houses behind The Urban Garden at Marlborough Buildings.

She said: “I began volunteering after Covid when I wanted to do something different having worked in HR previously. I wanted to do something that was involved in the community. All the volunteers have a common passion - we all care deeply about trees and what we are doing.”

And Emma said her favourite tree

is the beech - that graceful classic of the English countryside.

For more or to volunteer visit https://moretrees.earth/ Open Studios: Bear Flat Artists will be opening their studios to the public over the bank holiday weekend of Saturday to Monday 27-29 May - 20 years on from their first event. Bath Voice caught up with James Nunn - one of the artists - at his studio in Bear Flat.

James is an illustrator, artist and print maker who works as a freelance illustrator for the publishing industry but also exhibits his artworks and prints which feature wild life amongst other subjects.

“I am self taught as I only studied art to A-levels at school in Bedford,” he explained, “I studied English Contemporary Poetry at Manchester University and afterwards got a job in publishing in London.”

He rediscovered his love of illustration and began to produce illustrations for book covers something he has done ever since.

He moved with his wife Kathleen to Bath in 2007 eventually settling with his family in Bear Flat converting his garage into a studio.

‘What’s it like’ I asked, ‘to open your studio - isn’t it a pain having

Artist James Nunn in his studio in Bear Flat.

The Bear Flat Artists’ Open Studios is this month

people wandering in and out and making comments?’

“I love it as I don’t get out much,” he said, “it means you get to talk to the public and there’s a nice community feel about the open studio days. You get some quiet moments and then maybe ten families will turn up to see your work.

“Over the years some families will bring their children and you see them years later and the children are studying art having been interested in the work of so many artists.”

The event is free and takes place from 11am-5pm daily 27-29 May, and features 40 artists at various locations. See www.bearflatartists. co.uk Bath Festival: the annual set of

7

events celebrating the arts runs from Saturday 13th to Sunday 21st May. Various events with a theme of ‘Opening Up’ feature in the annual celebration of writers, music and books.

Musicians, poets, bands and choirs will perform in more than 30 venues across the city. Music will ring out from churches and chapels, including Bath Abbey, St Michael’s Without and St Swithin’s Church.

However the festival kicks off on Friday night 12th May with The Party in the City at Green Park Station.

For more details of the many events visit https://bathfestivals.org. uk/the-bath-festival/whats-on/ Bath Fringe Festival: The festival runs from Friday May 26th to Sunday June 11th.

The Bath Fringe is a festival of all the arts, with few rules as to what should be in or out so expect the unexpected.

There’s also a Children’s Fringe Festival on the 30th May with Lucy at noon creating magic, comedy, circus skills, puppets, balloons and is ideal for 4-8yr olds. At 2pm there’s Clown Bert plus workshops and activities throughout the day.

See https://www.bathfringe.co. uk/

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n REVIEWS

Fin Hancorn makes Adrian Mole his own Review: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾ Adultery, boozing grown-ups, unpaid bills and unrequited love: yes, the growing pains of teenager Adrian Mole are certainly uncomfortable but he contextualises it by recording it all in his famous diary. Sue Townsend’s 1982 diary-style novel The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾ set in the era of Margaret Thatcher’s first administration has sold more than a million copies and has spawned numerous sequels, a television adaptation, a radio adaption, a stage production and now a musical.

Bath’s Next Stage Theatre Company brought the 2015 musical version to the Mission Theatre with a large cast in an ambitious and enjoyable production staged in the round and directed by Ann Ellison.

Fin Hancorn as Adrian Mole occupied the nerdy character with a disapproving frown and appropriate body language in a matchless performance that glued the production together.

His love interest Pandora was played with the classy, entitled style you would expect in the school heart-throb by Sophia Punt whose costumes (Vanessa Bishop) revealed her superior status compared to the down trodden Adrian. She spearheaded a supporting cast of young actors who gave vitality to the show. Kes Joffe with his matinee idol looks as the school bully Barry Kent gave a strong performance as he sang, ‘Sorry I’ve got to do it,’ as he relieved Adrian of his pocket money and Dilon Endicott as Adrian’s fair-weather friend Nigel gave excellent support with his gelled hair and chirpy persona.

With an ensemble group of hyper hormonal schoolgirls of Elodie Baker, Phoebe Bartlett, Poppy Birch-

Langley, Evie Brown, Molly Robertson and Miranda Webb the production didn’t lack youthful exuberance – tempered by the stern head teacher played by Andrew Ellison who disapproved of red socks on school uniform grounds. Brilliant Perrine Maillot as the soulful Doreen Slater completed the cast of young people doubling as the matron.

Of course, Sue Townsend’s story is as much about the adults in Adrian’s life beginning with the collapse of his parents’ life in the opening scene with a New Year’s party in his front room. Their selfish, unlovable and irresponsible natures are exposed in all their everydayness – all looked down upon by the disapproving Adrian who is the only adult in the room at times. Mike Stevens as Adrian’s dad oozed self-pity while Vanessa Bishop enjoyed herself as the assertive sex mad Pauline Mole – with the feminist columnist Jill Tweedie getting the blame. Ren Leming’s Midland’s authentic accent as he played the two timing Mr Lucas reminded the near full audience that the play was rooted in the town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire – an area hit by the unemployment

of the early 1980s. And it was hard not to feel sorry for his longsuffering wife (Claire Rumball) as she saw his cringe worthing sexual shenanigans of Adrian’s mum unfold.

Seasoned actor Bob Constantine enjoyed himself as the grumpy but lovable Bert Baxter who Adrian seeks to help as part of his school’s Good Samaritan project. With huge energy, his politically incorrect opinions and his song ‘When I was your age’ lit up the production – especially his happy-ever-after marriage to Queenie played by the adept Kay Francksen who is adept at subtle humour.

In an ensemble production with much doubling, it was the music and choreography that perhaps worked the best with strong solo musical performances and Christine Anderston’s piano playing. Some of the best sequences were the dance and movement scenes as with a large space to fill they created a visual spectacle for the audience.

Adultery, boozing grown-ups, unpaid bills and unrequited love – all the stuff of life in a very British a cul-de-sac.

Harry Mottram

USA continues in crisis - although these photos reveal it has been worse Review: America in Crisis at the American Museum, Bath: Violence, race hatred, murder and poverty are the headline images in this exhibition in the tranquil and peaceful setting of the grounds of the Claverton museum.

But also disarming images of normal everyday life in the United States over the last 60 years gathered originally for an exhibition in London’s Saatchi Gallery but now in Bath until 4 July 2023.

It’s an eye-opening set of images - some in black and white, some blurred due to the immediacy of the incident captured but mainly brilliantly framed photographs that capture a moment in time of families, demonstrations and people in their natural settings.

America in Crisis explores social changes reportage style through the lens of 39 photographers in the exhibition gallery near the cafe. It is brilliantly curated with captions to explain the contexts and notes on the photographers and it pays to take time in working your

way round from the assassination of President Kennedy to the Insurrection of January 6th.

The other America is vividly revealed of poor families living under an urban underpass or crowded commuters on a railway station, or intimate domestic scenes a world away from the American dream.

The exhibition was originally a Magnum Photos project, created in 1969 to assess the state of the nation which it does - with the lasting impression that the world’s richest and more powerful country has deep social problems with its roots in its troubled past.

Think the legacy of slavery and civil rights but also how their political system works or rather doesn’t serve every one. It sparks thoughts on injustice, reform and democracy.

At £14 a ticket and £9 for children it’s a big hit - but you do get the main museum as well plus those gardens and views. Check the website for full details.

Harry Mottram

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n NEWS

By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: A group representing local authorities has said the funding of local government by Westminster needs reform — with two Somerset authorities losing almost a sixth of their central government funding since 2010.

According to figures from the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA), who represent urban councils, funding from central government still made up 55% of council’s core spending power as recently as 2014. But now it only covers 37%, with councils having to raise local revenue such as council tax to make up the shortfall.

North Somerset Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council both saw their funding cut by 15% since 2010, according to the group’s figures. Both councils raised their council tax by the maximum amount possible in their recent budgets, passed in February.

Drawing up the Bath and North East Somerset Council budget at a cabinet meeting in February,

the council’s cabinet member for resources Richard Samuel said the Conservative government had “chipped away” at the council’s revenue support grant, reducing it from £30m in 2013 to £800k in the last financial year.

Although, as the full council met to agree the budget later that month, Conservative opposition group leader Vic Pritchard accused him of “blaming” successive governments but leaving out Liberal Democrats’ time in coalition.

Meanwhile in February, at North Somerset Council’s budget meeting, executive member for children, young people, lifelong learning and skills Catherine Gibbons accused the government of creating “a kind of hunger games for councils.”

She said: “They identify people who are in need and say: ‘Here’s a pot of money and you’ve got to compete for it.’ So we have competed for money. That means we have won it which is great for our residents but there are other equally needy areas of the country who didn’t get it.

The Guildhall in Bath.

Pic: John Wimperis

“And its just an unsustainable way of supporting our communities in my opinion.”

But North Somerset Conservative opposition group leader Nigel Ashton said: “No central government has ever or will ever give local government enough money. Local government is more than ever about providing statutory services and not imposing on our residents pet ideological policies.”

But both the councils escaped with cuts below the average for England, which SIGOMA states was almost 20%.

The group allege that the 10 most deprived local authorities have seen cuts three times higher, on average, than the 10 richest — a

group in which they include Bath and North East Somerset.

Chair of the group and Barnsley borough councillor Sir Stephen Houghton said: “The system needs serious reform.”

He added: “The poorest areas have seen the biggest cuts and for “levelling up” to mean anything the Government should be looking to reverse these cuts and create a funding formula that [allocates] funding according to council needs.”

The group claims that — after the City of London — Hackney had the greatest cut, with government funding dropping over 34% since 2010, followed by other London boroughs.

Royalist or Republican - notes on the Coronation and local events

By Harry Mottram: Across Bath and North East Somerset there are 44 official street parties planned and no doubt there are quite a few unofficial ones which will spring up on the day if the weather is fine.

There’s a considerable amount of debate in the media, online and in pubs, cafes and front parlours about the merits of the Coronation and even the legitimacy of the Royal Family and King Charles in particular.

Opinion polls indicate a steady decline in support for the Royal Family as an institution and while there is still a majority in favour overall, among younger people aged 18-24 there is a majority against the idea of a head of state being decided by birth.

This news highlighted in the recent Panorama programme on the BBC will not be warmly greeted by the monarch’s PR department.

Queen Elizabeth II and her father King George VI were viewed with warmth by a clear majority of the public, in part due to the King’s role in World War 2 and the Queen’s commitment to her role as a neutral and unifying head of state.

With the divorce of the Prince

of Wales from Princess Diana, his subsequent marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles and a number of controversies involving members of the Royal Family from Prince Andrew’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, the bust up between Princes Harry and William and the ongoing soap opera involving Meghan and Harry, haven’t helped.

King Charles has often joked about his name sake Charles I and his hopes he won’t suffer the same fate at the hands of an executioner.

Commentators suggest he will

do better than expected - especially if he can patch things up with this sons and connect more with the general public.

The pressure group Republic have seen an increase in membership and visibility due to its coordinated efforts to raise their goal of abolishing the monarchy and replacing it with an elected head of state. Whether they achieve their aim soon seems unlikely although who knows what will happen in the future.

So back to the Coronation

Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

where Bathonians (whether Royalists or Republicans) will enjoy a bank holiday - assuming they have the day off. Coronation events at Bath Abbey include a Royal Celebration Concert on Friday, May 5 and a live broadcast of the Coronation on the Saturday. There will also be special services on Sunday, May 7 with a drop-in family craft activity on the Monday.

There is a Coronation Street Party, at The Raven of Bath pub – Saturday 6 May 11am to 9pm, Queen’s Street; in Batheaston there is a Coronation Street Party on Sunday 7 May 12pm to 8pm, at Riverside Park; Keynsham has a Picnic in the Park on Sunday 7 May 12pm to 5pm, at the Memorial Park.

Plus there are events at Central Library for families including craft sessions for decorating and wearing your own crown. See https://bathneslibraries.wordpress. com/2023/03/31/library-eventsking-charles-iii-coronation/ for details.

The Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla takes place on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey and it will be on TV.

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n NEWS IN BRIEF Dog poo: Pictured on this page are photos of some of the action taken by a group of good citizens who are concerned about the continued issue of irresponsible dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

Rachel Lawson sent in the images to highlight the anti-dogpoo campaign in Linear Park and three surrounding roads.

Rachel said: “We have been making and putting up posters and pockets containing free poo bags, along our bit of Linear Park and our roads. We’ve also been out spraying piles of dog poo with brightlycoloured non-toxic paint.”

The group have written to their local councillor and have asked whether the council would be prepared to install a poo bin nearby.

A number of young children in the area play along Linear Park or walk to Oldfield Park Infants School and Preschool.

Apart from causing a smell and difficulty in removing dog poo from shoes contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.

It is an offence under The Dogs

(Fouling of Land) Act 1996 to allow a dog to foul and not pick up the mess.

Penalties can result in hefty fines rising from £50 upwards. In Bath transgressors can be reported on the Council’s website at https://beta. bathnes.gov.uk/report-dog-fouling Wiltshire births: In nearby Chippenham the Birthing Centre has reopened. The centre, part of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, had suspended births in the centre due to staff shortages.

The first baby born at the centre was Phoebe, daughter of first time parents Amy and Sean Hooper, who live in Calne. For details on the Trust’s maternity services visit ruh. nhs.uk and look for maternity on the index.

Children play cricket: Bear Flat Cricket Club have announced the return of their scheme for children to play cricket known as the Bear Cubs. It is a 12 week course for years 4-6 beginning on Saturday 6 May at the Glasshouse Academy at Combe Down.

All kit is provided along with qualified coaches. Details on the club’s FaceBook page and website.

LOCAL

Bath Guided Walks: Pulteney Estate Walks take place between the beginning of May and the end of September on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am. These walks take in a quieter side of Bath including Great Pulteney Street, Sydney Gardens and the Kennet and Avon Canal. There is no booking requirement for Pulteney Estate walks – just turn up and go or see the Bath Guides website for more.

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to volunteer to take part in studies into the complex condition.

While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease there are treatments available that aim to reduce symptoms and help people to maintain their quality of life.

There is still time to sign up to the Chief PD trial at the RUH, email ruhtr. researchopu@nhs.net or call 01225 825797.

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11

New build: Local Democracy Reporter John Wimperis has written about a plan for house behind Circus in Bath.

He penned: Plans have been submitted for a new house at the back of Bath’s iconic Circus.

The Grade I listed Circus was built in the mid-eighteenth century on the designs of John Wood the Elder, whose son would go on to design the Royal Crescent down the road.

Though they might be on fewer postcards than their iconic neighbours, the streets at the back of the Circus and Royal Crescent are very popular real estate. In 2021, a single garage on the road at the back of the Royal Crescent sold for £110,000.

Now Philip Fletcher of H. Sheppard and Sons hopes to get planning permission from Bath and North East Somerset Council for a new house on Circus Mews, the street behind the Circus.

His plans would see what is currently a contractor’s yard redeveloped and the building at the end which abuts the garden wall of 17, the Circus turned into a small house.

The house would have a single

bedroom and a home office on the ground floor, with an upstairs kitchen and living area.

The frontage would be of Bath stone, in keeping with neighbouring buildings, but with a modern timber door.

A planning application was received by the council on March 27 and will be open for consultation on May 13, with the council aiming to make a decision on May 30.

You can view and comment on the application here: https://www. bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/ planning/details. html?refval=23%2F01191%2FFUL Bowel Babe: The Bath cancer support group We Get It publicist Lizzie Heffer (pictured) spoke to Bath Voice about the day self-styled Bowel Babe - the late Dame Deborah James - visited the group.

Lizzie explained how Bowel Babe brought her down to earth candid views on living with cancer to a talk and a question and answer session at Walcott House.

“She wore a star spangled hot pants outfit as she wanted to change the narrative,” she said, “Deborah didn’t want the subject to be taboo. One of the questions for

instance was ‘can you have sex when you have cancer?’ It really opened up the conversation as the answer was ‘of course’ and it led to a discussion about sex, relationships and death.

“Above all she stressed that any early symptoms should be treated

seriously and the person should get themselves checked.”

Dame Deborah died in 2022, but her legacy has lived on with a fund to research into colon cancer.

We Get It is for people who have either have had or have cancer and is a discussion and support group.

To join We Get It visit www. wegetit.org.uk Fatal crash: A woman died in a four-car collision near Claverton on April 16th at Brassknocker Hill.

Avon and Somerset Police said: “Seven people sustained an injury, some of which required hospital treatment. Sadly, one woman died in hospital earlier today (Sunday 16 April). Our thoughts are with her family who have been informed and are being supported by a speciallytrained officer.””

Police appealed for dashcam footage, and asked the public to call 101 and quote reference number 5223087300.

A number of road accidents have occurred at Brassknocker Hill over the years including in 2012 when a coach left the road with a USA rock band on board, and last year when there was a serious three car accident there.

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n WHAT’S ON

The Bath Festival kicks off a busy month of events that includes the Bear Flat Artists’ Trail and Open Studios Theatre Picks In Bath Tue 2- Sat 6 May Theatre Royal Bath.

Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck’s classic novel is more than 80 years old, but with themes of economic migration, racism and exclusion it remains a parable for our times.

Wed 3 May. Rondo Theatre. Seeds of Memories. 8pm. Written by Patrick Withey. Presented by Black Hound Productions. An uplifting show packed to the brim with puppetry and poetry.

Fri 5 May. Bath Abbey. A Royal Celebration concert. Abbey choirs sing music from past coronations and royal events. Featured items will be Parry’s I was glad, Handel’s Zadok the priest, Mathias’ Let the people praise thee. The Melody Makers join the Abbey choirs of Boys, Girls and Lay Clerks in a glorious evening of Royal music.

Tue 9-Sat 13 May. Mission Theatre.

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.

Presented by Playing Up Theatre Company. 7:30pm. Nothing happens, nobody comes as one critic put it. Two tramps contemplate the meaning of life in a strange post apocalyptic world.

Tue 9-Sat 13 May. Theatre Royal Bath. Guys and Dolls. Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society’s production of Frank Loesser’s musical comedy.

Tue 16-Sat 20 May. Theatre Royal Bath. An Inspector Calls. Stephen Daldry’s production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller.

Wed 24-Sat 27 May. Rondo Theatre.

Little Shop of Horrors. With lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken in the comedy musical about a floral shop worker who discovers a sentient carnivorous plant that feeds on human blood.

Theatre Picks Outside Bath Fri 5 May. Taunton. Brewhouse Theatre. Rosalie. Pleasure Dome Theatre in partnership with the National Trust present Rosalie, a new one-woman play inspired by Rosalie Chichester 1865-1949: Scientist, Photographer, Explorer, Collector, and unapologetic eccentric.

Tue 9-Sat 20 May. Bristol Old Vic. Pride and Prejudice (Sort of). Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate

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Pick of Diary Events in Bath Sat 6-Mon 8 May. Coronation Weekend. A number of events will take place on the weekend - some as last minute parties and picnics - whether your are a Royalist or a republican. The crowning of King Charles III means a bank holiday Monday. Events include picnickers on the Royal Crescent lawns for free family fun.

Thu 11 May. Bath Cider House.

Somerset Day. Local band Ninotchka provide the music for the days to celebrate the county.

Fri 12 May. Bath Abbey. The City of Bath Male Choir. 8.30pm. Free. www.bathmalechoir.org Sat 13-Sun 21 May. Bath Festival.

Various events with a theme of ‘Opening Up’ in its internationally renowned annual celebration of music and books.

It starts today with a walking tour about the city’s Royal connections at 10am meeting outside the Bath Abbey and ends on the 21st with a talk at the Guildhall about around the World in

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10 Cats. For more details of the many events visit https://bathfestivals.org.uk/ the-bath-festival/whats-on/ Sat 13 May. Widcombe Wobblers.

Cycle to Lacock and back of a distance of 32 miles. Meet at 10am. Details at www.widcombeassociation.org.uk Thu 18 May. Komedia. Swiftogeddon: The Taylor Swift Club Night. A night dedicated to worshipping at the altar of singer songwriter Taylor Swift.

Sat 20 May. Museum of Bath at Work.

11am-1pm. Angus Buchanan Lecture 2023. Dr Cassie Newland – Industrial and Historical. In collaboration with Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society.

Fri May 26 - Sun June 11. Bath Fringe Festival. Various events with a festival of all the arts in numerous venues. See https://www.bathfringe.co.uk/ Saturday 27 to Monday 29 May. Bear Flat Artists Art Trail and Open Studios. 11am – 5pm daily. Free. See various studios and galleries at www. bearflatartists.co.uk Celebrating 20 years of Open Studios. Almost 40 artists welcome visitors to this year’s Arts Trail.

Continued on page 13

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n WHAT’S ON

Continued from page 12

Featuring painting, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, photography, sculpture, glass, wood-turning, glass, illustration, and more.

Pick of Diary Events outside of Bath 27 Sat-28 Sun May. Wells. Civil War Weekend at The Bishop’s Palace.

The Wardour Garrison create a living history event showcasing how life was in the 17th century. With cooking, games, crafts and military action when Parliament’s army clashed with the cavaliers of the Kind’s forces.

Thu 29-2 Sun Jul. Iford Manor. Jazz Festival, Bardford on Avon. Includes acoustic guitarist Antonio Forcione and percussionist Adriano Adewale.A Summer Soirées on the 30 June with Georgina Jackson, backed up by Pete Long & his band; renowned DJ Mike Vitti and on Sa 1 July with Ronnie Scott’s All Stars with special guest Claire Martin. See www.ifordmanor.co.uk/ ifordmanorjazzfestival-2023 7-9 July. Priddy Folk Festival. With a line up of bands including The Drystones and The Jeremiahs plus a free fringe festival, a children’s festival, workshops, food and drink and dance from morris sides and display dance groups and ceilidhs. Priddy is a small village with a famous green in the Mendips. Tickets/info at www.

Throw yourself into Judo. Bath Judokwai run classes suitable for ages 11- adults every Monday evening from 6.45pm to 8pm at Hayesfield Senior School Sports Hall, Upper Oldfield Park, BA2 3LA. We are a non-profit making club affiliated to the British Judo Association For more information regarding classes and joining contact www.facebook.com/ bathjudowai/ or 01225 743727 priddyfolk.org Exhibition Picks in Bath American Museum, Bath. Claverton.

The Museum features collections from the United States where you can visit room sets that recreate periods of American history giving the feeling that someone has just stepped out, as well as our world-renowned folk art, quilt and map collections. The Exhibition Gallery has a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions showcasing different links to American culture such as dinosaurs, photography, fashion, American music, history and travel. As part of an exciting new partnership with the Saatchi Gallery, the American Museum & Gardens presents America in Crisis in our

Exhibition Gallery from 11 March to 4 July 2023. America in Crisis brings together over 80 works from 39 top American photographers, exploring social change in the US through the lens of a diverse group of artists from the 1960s till today. Experience events close-up, with incredible photography capturing different perspectives during tumultuous times, and get involved with the interactive, immersive displays exploring image classification and consumption.

Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. A Visual Record of a City at Work exhibition continues with photos and videos. Enter the world of working Bath through a series of authentically reconstructed workplaces, workshops and display galleries. Two thousand years of working life are on display from a Victorian ironmongers and engineering works, a soft drinks making factory and even a Bath Stone mine working, all on show in a former Real Tennis court, dating from 1777.

Displays in two galleries: Landscapes and Livelihoods and Knowing Your Place.

Victoria Art Gallery. Bath Society of Artists 118th Annual Exhibition.

In its 118th year, this exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent through many different forms, including paintings, drawings,

Bear Flat Artists Art Trail & Open Studios 2023. Sat 27 to Mon 29 May. Bear Flat, Bath BA2 11am – 5pm daily. Free www.bearflatartists.co.uk 30 words about event: Celebrating 20 years of Open Studios. Almost forty artists welcome visitors to this year’s Arts Trail. Featuring painting, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, photography, sculpture, glass, wood-turning, glass, illustration, and more. prints and sculpture. Many distinguished 20th-century painters have exhibited with the Society in the past, including Walter Sickert, Mary Fedden and Howard Hodgkin.Until June 24.

Holburne Museum. Alberta Whittle: Until May 8 2023.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy.

Commemorating 200 years since the death of William Herschel. Star Viewfinders. Come and make a star viewfinder and take part in the National Star Count. Find out how light pollution can affect our views of the constellations and see how many stars you can spot from your back garden. Drop in activity.

Free with museum entry. Activity will run daily in the gallery.

Continued on page 14

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n WHAT’S ON Continued from page 13

Museum of East Asian Art. Revolution, Propaganda, Art: Printmaking in Modern China.

Continues to 3 June 2023. The exhibition showcases a series of prints selected from Muban Educational Trust’s collection of over 6,000 and tells the story of China’s twentieth-century wars, revolution and rejuvenation.

The exhibition explores artistic trends, political movements and technical developments in modern Chinese printmaking. The works presented mark several significant anniversaries in China’s modern history, including the May Fourth Movement (1919), the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (1921), and Lu Xun’s seminal printmaking class, which symbolises the origin of the Modern Woodcut Movement (1931).

Exhibition Picks outside Bath Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road. The art of Japanese porcelain. The exhibition examines how Japan became the global leading makers of porcelain between 1640 and 1680. Until 30 July 2023. The Cave Art of Lascaux: a Virtual Reality Experience at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Step back in time 21,000 years and visit the incredible Stone Age cave art of Lascaux in immersive 3D. Until 10 Sept 2023.

Stonehenge Visitor Centre. Circles of Stone: Stonehenge and Prehistoric Japan is a new exhibition celebrating the rich culture of prehistoric Japan.

Through a number of exquisite objects, some seen for the first time outside of Japan, the exhibition tells the story of Japanese settlements and stone circles of the middle and late Jomon periods, roughly the same time when Stonehenge was built and used. Until 20 August 2023.

Regular events in Bath Daily Mayor’s Guided Walks: Our regular daily walks take place every day of the year, except Christmas Day. These walks take in the City centre and the main attractions including the Royal Crescent and The Circus. Sunday to Friday – 10.30am and 2pm. Saturday – 10.30am. Meet at the Roman Baths.

Details at https://www.bathguides.org. uk/when-where/ Mondays Widcombe Choir. Widcombe Social Club. 7.15-9pm. For details see the Widcombe Association website.

Tuesdays Central Library with Bath La Leche League. Meet the friendly breastfeeding support for mums.

10-11.30am. Details at Email: mara.

rl.richards@gmail.com or call 01225 339023 (Mara) or 01225 317631 (Helen).

Old Theatre Royal Tours. Guided tours every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday of The Masonic Hall in Bath, also know as the Old Theatre Royal.

Mayor’s Guided Walks Tuesday and Thursday 6pm (May 4th – 31st August).

All walks take approximately two hours.

There is no booking requirement for the regular daily walks – just turn up and go. Meet at the Roman Baths.

Details at https://www.bathguides.org. uk/when-where/ Pulteney Estate Walks From May to the end of September on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am. These walks take in a quieter side of Bath including Great Pulteney Street, Sydney Gardens and the Kennet and Avon Canal. There is no booking requirement for Pulteney Estate walks – just turn up and go.

Details at https://www.bathguides.org. uk/when-where/ Widcombe Wayfarers Walks. Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, starting at 10am at the west end of Widcombe Parade. Walks last between 1-2 hours and are medium paced.

Come dressed for the weather, with suitable footwear and be prepared for a few climbs. Walks are limited to 20 people and registration is now

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New exhibition at Aerospace Bristol is out of this world!

Aerospace Bristol, on the site of the former Filton Airfield, will host Luke Jerram’s Mars as part of a new Journey to Mars exhibition. The artwork will be stunningly displayed from 4th May to 5th June alongside the last Concorde ever to fly.

The temporary exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars Express, Europe’s first mission to Mars. It will include models of Beagle 2 and the Mars Express Orbiter on display alongside Luke Jerram’s Mars sculpture.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, Mars features

detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At an approximate scale of 1:1 million, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 10 kilometres of the surface of Mars.

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compulsory. The walks are free but if you would like to make a small donation to this event you can do so when you register. See the Widcombe Association website.

Widcombe. St Matt’s Widcombe.

Coffee morning at 10.30am. Come down and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

Southdown Methodist Church. Warm Spaces. 1-4pm. Southdown Methodist Church Centre and Thursdays 10-4pm offering a warm space, refreshments and activities.

Thursdays Story Time at Bath Library. 12noon to 12.30pm. Let’s share stories and books at the library! Perfect for families with children aged 0-5. No booking required.

Bath Good Afternoon Choir. They meet every Thursday at the Widcombe Baptist Church from 2pm to 4pm. The choir is led by Grenville Jones, where the accent is on social singing for people who have afternoons free.

Fridays Bath Mosque – Al-Muzaffar. Friday prayers. Check website for various times. https://bathmosque.org.uk/ We Get It. Walcot House. Bath based charity offering support to anyone who has been diagnosed with any cancer or who is supporting someone Continued on page 23

May 2023

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Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

15

n SPORTS NEWS IN BRIEF

Football: Bath City FC play in the Vanarama League South, the sixth tier of the English league system.

This month the season comes to an end. The Romans appear in the Somerset Premier Cup on May 2nd at 7.45pm against Paulton Rovers.

Rugby: Bath Rugby play at The Rec in the Gallagher Premiership. This month the season comes to an end.

There is a home game on May 6th v Saracens.

Bath Cricket: Bath Cricket Club was founded in 1859 and the Men’s 1st XI compete in the West of England Premier League (WEPL) with these fixtures coming up: • Sat 6 May Home (WEPL) fixture V Frocester; • Sat 13 May (WEPL) Away fixture V Taunton St Andrews; • Sun 14 May Home fixture in the ECB National Club Championships V Golden Hill or Clevedon; • Sat 20 May (WEPL)Away fixture V Bridgwater; • Sat 27 May (WEPL) home fixture V Chippenham; Sat 3rd Jun (WEPL) Away fixture V Potterne; • Sat 10 Jun (WEPL)Home fixture V Bristol.

Somerset County Cricket: Bathonians traditionally support Somerset whose home ground is in

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Taunton. The First Class County team have the following fixtures this month: • Thu 4 May County Championship Division One (CCDO) Home fixture V Northamptonshire.

• Thu 11 May (CCDO) Away V Lancashire.

• Thu 18 May (CCDO) Away V Middlesex.

• Wed 24 May Vitality Blast (VB) Home fixture V Hampshire Hawks.

On Sunday 23rd April, members of the Bath Croquet Club gathered on its lawns at the Recreation Ground in glorious sunshine, to play its heat of the Croquet Association national annual charity One Ball event.

The 2023 charity is United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and all players dressed in blue, reflecting the charity’s colours. Three lawns were full with 12 members playing in the One Ball tournament, yet another variation of the game of croquet that uses the skills of both golf croquet and association croquet players.

The tournament was played in a Swiss style format and was an extremely close contest with 50% of the games being won by only 1 or 2 points. Having played 6 games Sue Duncan and Tony Jackson both finished on 4 wins each with 73 and 75 points respectively. The overall winner was Brian Owens who is only in his second year of playing croquet, so an incredible result for him. Brian had 5 wins and gained 77 points a very worthy winner.

Bath CC are always running fun tournaments spreading the enjoyment of croquet. If you want to join them details of how to get involved, including free taster sessions in June, can be found at Bathcroquet.com.

• Fri 26 May (VB) Away fixture V Sussex Sharks.

• Sun 28 May (VB) Home fixture V Glamorgan.

• Tue 30 May (VB) Away fixtures V Kent Spitfires.

• Fri 2 Jun (VB) Home fixture V Middlesex.

• Sun 4 Jun (VB) Home fixture V Essex Eagles.

• Wed 7 Jun (VB) Away fixture V Hampshire Hawks.

• Fri 9 Jun (VB) Away fixture V Gloucestershire.

Croquet: Bath Croquet Club are offering sessions for beginners on the Recreation Ground located behind the rugby ground.

Taster Session – Sat 10th June am, plus 2 follow-up sessions on 17th and 24th June.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity; please contact Hester for more details: (email:

The plans will be posted on May 6th on the club’s website and on public display at Widcombe Social Club ahead of being sent to Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council.

The club said in a statement: “The previous scheme shared prepandemic, has evolved and the project team are looking forward to sharing the stadium’s designs and benefits.

“As part of the redevelopment, the public riverside space to the West of The Rec will be widened creating a more inviting and usable space, on matchdays and non-matchdays, and the structure itself will allow for greater community use.

Sustainability and environmentally friendly materials are key to the new proposals. The proposed capacity of the stadium will increase to 18,000 with increased provision for accessibility needs, as well as providing a new permanent home for Bath Rugby Foundation.”

There will be intense interest in the plans considering the contentious subject in the past.

Firstly there’s the issue of public access. Since 2015 the Rec is owned and operated by The Recreation Ground Trust which also runs The Glasshouse Academy Grounds and the Broadmoor Lane Orchard and Play Park. The Rec was created in

1894 as an open access space for the people of Bath to play sport and to exercise and relax.

The issue of open access has meant the East Stand of the rugby ground has to be temporary so the pitch is essentially a public park in the summer.

A number of schemes have been put forward in the past but a final solution to what many see as a conundrum as there doesn’t seem an obvious solution - other than Bath RFC upping sticks and moving to a new ground. That has always been unlikely as the setting is one of the reasons Bath Rugby has such a pull.

Match days also generate a huge boost to trade in the city.

Residents who live nearby have had issues with the noise and general disruption on match days and so they will be interested to see the proposals.

Ever since Rugby Union became fully professional the numbers of fans following the game nationally has increased. At the same time clubs have large numbers of players to pay in the new era and so ticket prices have increased, so there’s pressure to increase stadium sizes and revenue streams such as hospitality have become vital for all clubs.

And so it’s eyes down on May 6th when the proposals are published.

n BUSINESS NEWS Beer news: Brewer Abbey Ales in Bath have won plaudits at this year’s Taste of Bath awards. The prizes were for Abbey’s bottled range.

The brewery started in 1997 and won Bath CAMRA Pub of the Year 22 for their Brewery Tap pub the Star Inn on the Paragon.

The brewery’s other pubs in town are the Assembly Inn in Alfred Street and Bath’s smallest pub the Coeur De Lion.

Southgate shop: Cothing retailer Hollister has reopened its doors at SouthGate Bath following an extensive refurbishment.

There is a fresh new exterior, with a light blue façade and improved window displays to showcase the latest styles across apparel, accessories, and fragrance say the firm.

The refresh also includes the installation of free WiFi Guy Henderson, centre manager at SouthGate Bath, said: “We’re pleased to see the transformation of Hollister – it’s long been a popular store for customers, and it’s great to see shoppers enjoying the new look space.

“The revamp is one of a number of exciting new developments at SouthGate Bath this year and we’re looking forward to being able to share more updates with customers

in the coming months.”

For more information visit: www. southgatebath.com Legal News: Legal outfit Mogers Drewett has acquired Bath-based boutique private client practice firm Freemans Solicitors after its founder Shaun Freeman decided to retire.

Mogers Drewett also has offices in Wells and Sherborne.

Doughnuts: The London firm Crosstown who are famed for selling doughnuts have opened a branch in Cheap Street.

No be confused with a Glen Miller song of the same name Crosstown have branches outside the capital in Cambridge and Bristol.

Founded in 2014 the bakery is known for its delivery to outside functions such as weddings or to offices and has moved increasingly into shops and what it calls ‘hubs’.

Revamps: the Royal Crescent Hotel has had a make-over for its restaurant and bar space.

Montagu’s Mews has reopened following a refurbishment with a new ‘heated dining terrace’.

Also having a face lift is All Bar One on the High Street after an extended closure for a spruse up.

Bath Rugby Rec News: This month Bath Rugby are set to reveal their plans to develop the ground at the Recreation Ground.

To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

May 2023

bathvoice

n SPORTS NEWS hester2210@btinternet.com or mobile: 07470-822444) Bear Flat Cricket Club: Established in 1982, the Bears are in Division 1 of the Wiltshire County Cricket League on Saturdays,with a home ground at The Glasshouse Academy, Bradford Road, Combe Down, Bath; there’s also games in Division 7 Blue of the Somerset Monmouth League on Saturdays, home ground the Ken Willcox Ground, Peasedown St John, Bath; and friendlies against clubs based in Somerset/Wiltshire on Sundays; and T20 games against clubs based in Somerset/Wiltshire midweek; plus they participation in the Somerset Knock Out cup.

Bath Wanderers Women Cricket Club: the team will take part in the West of England Premier Cricket League this season with games: • Sun 28 May Away V Dumbleton.

• Sun 11 June Home V Royal Wootton Bassett.

• Sun 2 Jul Home V Taunton • Sun 16 Jul Home V Devizes Team Bath Netball: The Bath University based Blue & Golds play home games against.

• Mon Sat 1st May Away V Strathclyde Sirens at 6pm; • Sat 6 May Away Surrey Storm v

17

Bath’s female cricketers are in action this season

Team Bath Netball; • Fri 12 May Team Home Bath Netball v Manchester Thunder; • Sat 20 May Away Leeds Rhinos v Team Bath Netball; • Mon 22 May Away Saracens Mavericks v Team Bath Netball; • Fri 2 Jun Away Loughborough Lightning v Team Bath Netball; • Fri 9-Sun 11 Vitality Netball Superleague cup weekend.

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Swimming: Based at Bath Leisure Centre and established in 1899, Bath Dolphin Swimming Club (BDSC) is one of the oldest swimming clubs in the South West Region. They provide competitive swimming opportunities for young swimmers through to a masters swimming group.

As a holder of the Swim England quality accreditation,

Swim Mark, they offer a year round competitive swim team with high quality coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities.

Bike Bath: The annual cycling event has been put off this year until 2024.

Cycling: Bath Cycling Club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities - visit https://www. bathcc.net/ Athletics: Team bath Athletics Club is based at the University of Bath Sports Training Village and is open to all abilities and ages from 7 upwards. Sports include track and field, road and trail running, endurance and cross country. Club nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm -8pm.To join and for details visit https://teambathac.org/ Tennis: Bloomfield Tennis Club was founded in 1927 and is located at 98 Wellsway, Bath. The club welcomes new members. To join visit https:// clubspark.lta.org.uk/ BloomfieldTennisClub Tennis 2: Bath Tennis Club is at Park Lane, Weston, and bills itself at a friendly club. The club has a number of membership categories ranging from pay as you go to full membership. For details visit www. bathtc.co.uk

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bathvoice

18

n NEWS

Bath Society of Artists at the Victoria Art Gallery: The Bath Society of Artists Annual Open Exhibition, now in its 118th year, runs at the Victoria Art Gallery until 24 June 2023.

Art enthusiasts can browse and buy from a selection of fabulous paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, and mixed media works by the region’s top artistic talent, at prices to suit every pocket.

Visitors to the exhibition can also vote for their favourite exhibit, and the artist with the most votes wins the £600 Public Choice Prize.

Nathalie Levi, Senior Curator at the Victoria Art Gallery, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this popular exhibition once again. I’m really looking forward to seeing what this year holds and sharing the wealth of local creativity with our visitors.

Hundreds of artworks will be on display, and you’ll be sure to find something you like, and maybe even take home with you. Each year the quality of artworks goes from strength to strength and we’re grateful to all who applied to take part. I only wish we could show everything!”

Tim Carroll, Hon. Exhibition

Organising Secretary, said: “The BSA Open has an initial online selection but still has a traditional handing-in day followed by all the excitement of work shown to an expert selection panel the next day. There is a great sense of community amongst the members and the public, as everyone pulls together to process the huge amount of work to get every selected piece onto the walls and plinths of the prestigious Victoria Art Gallery in time for the opening.”

The Bath Society of Artists invites a prominent artist to display their works in the exhibition. This year’s invited artist is Ros Ford RWA, RE, a painter and printmaker based in Bristol. Inspired by the unordered and overlooked, her etchings are often based on hidden industrial landscapes close to her home and studio, as well as in Wales and Italy.

Bath Society of Artists was founded in 1904 with 26 members.

Many 20th-century painters have exhibited with the Society including Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, Gilbert Spencer, Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden, William Scott and Howard Hodgkin.

For more about Bath Society of Artists please visit www.bsaorg.uk.

Don’t Stop The Carnival, 2022 by David Wilkey, oil painting, 96cm x 96cm

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May 2023

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n LOCAL HISTORY

When Bath witnessed the Coronation of the new King

By Harry Mottram: It seems highly unlikely that anyone today in Bath is old enough to recall the events of 973 since it was several hundred years ago but if they could via a time machine they would have witnessed the Coronation of King Edgar (pictured).

The event took place several years after he became the head of state of Mercia and most of the Danelaw in 957.

He took over as King of Wessex two years later when his brother died thus becoming monarch of most of what we call England.

It was only after the nation was roughly consolidated that he had his coronation in 973.

What the coronation looked like we are unsure of but it clearly had a strong religious content based on elements of the Bible and the ceremonies for Frankish Kings since it was held in the Abbey and Edgar was involved in the development of the monastic movement.

The Arch Bishop of Canterbury Dunstan was the officiate at the ceremony thus setting a tradition

that has continued ever since.

Like our own monarch Edgar appears to have had a colourful love life as he either was married three times or had three consorts - there is conflicting evidence as to the facts although most agree he was married to Ælfthryth when he was crowned in 973.

There was no mass media then so we don’t know who got invited, how long the service was or if Ælfthryth was titled Queen Consort or simply Queen Ælfthryth.

We can be sure, just like today, a considerable amount of preparation and etiquette was involved despite it being an era of warfare as England struggled with the Danes and others as to who ruled the country.

On the subject of King Charles’ Coronation Buckingham Palace has issued this statement: “The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, 2023.

“The Service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. As previously announced, the Service

will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in long standing

traditions and pageantry.”

These long standing traditions can be traced back to King Edgar and Dunstan although there were coronations or at least crownings to signify a new King before that such as the one at Winchester a century before.

That was when King Alfred was crowned in 871 as monarch although he had his work cut out to battle with the Danes who occupied much of the East of the country.

Sadly the coronation of King Edgar was to be Bath’s only Royal succession held at the Abbey, as London’s increasing prominence grew as the capital of England.

In 1066 almost a century later King Harold had himself crowned at Westminster Abbey to out manoeuvre William of Normandy - who went to London after defeating Harold at Hastings to have himself crowned at the same Abbey.

Since then Westminster has been the place for coronations.

Edgar died just two years after his crowning and was eventually buried in Glastonbury.

Our Monthly Talks

Join u3a in Bath and Enjoy these Benefits * Staying active, keep learning and having fun * Meeting people and making new friends * Access to online learning and training * Free attendance to talks and learning events * Meeting other members with similar interests * Learning new things and sharing your skills

About u3a in Bath There are 450,000 of us in the UK and 1,300 in Bath.

We are in “u3a in Bath” and our members are all retired or semi-retired.

We take part in a range of educational or recreational activities.

See the complete list of over 100 interest groups on our website u3ainbath.uk

Come and join us You can join us by going to our website www.u3ainbath.uk and completing the online application form or you can download the application form from the website and send it to Membership Secretary, u3a in Bath, PO Box 4040, Bath BA1 0EJ. You can also join in person at one of our monthly talks at The Pavilion.

Membership fee is only £15 per person per year.

Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

Monthly Talks are usually held on the first Thursday in the month and start at 10.30 a.m..

Doors open at 9.45 a.m. for coffee.

Admission is free for members but a donation of £2 for non-members.

Talks take place at: The Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath BA2 4EU

Upcoming Talks are: 4 May 2023 DROPPING THE HABIT - A NUN’S STORY

by Marion Dante 1 June 2023 THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NORTH SOMERSET COALFIELD

by Shane Gould 6 July 2023 WITCH FINDER OF THE WEST COUNTRY : JOSEPH GLANVILL (1636 – 1680) byTony McAleavy

20

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n NEWS

Dementia News: Bath-based charity, The Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE), has been awarded just over £300,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. The funding will be invested over three years in a programme of postdiagnosis support for people living with dementia and their families.

RICE will be building on its existing support services which currently include a range of courses such as Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Living with Dementia and a Carers course.

The charity is looking for volunteers and people affected by dementia to get involved with RICE, their events and activities. To register your interest and find out more about volunteering with RICE or how else to get involved contact Catherine Wright, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Catherine.wright@rice.org.uk or visit www.rice.org.uk Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) News: In March, the in conjunction with The University of Bath, sponsor GW4, the British Academy and the Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD), hosted a Rheumatic Diseases Research Open Day. Over seventy people attended the event, held at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) in Bath, which showcased local research projects on Rheumatic Diseases and was designed to interest members of the public, patients with rheumatic diseases and British Academy Early Career Researchers interested in this area of research.

For more on the RNHRD visit www.ruh.nhs.uk Food standards: The Food Standards Agency have rated Adel’s Express at Adel’S, at 34 Shaftesbury

Road, Oldfield Park, as having good hygiene standards and awarded the takeaway with a grade four - five being the top mark.

Another Bath eatery to be given a grade four is The Nook at 12a Old Bond Street, Bath.

Blooming: Bath in Bloom’s annual competition is set to take entries. It is open to all residents, businesses, community groups, schools, allotment holders, hotels and pubs in the BANES area. There is a wide range of categories to enter and it is free.

An online entry form can be found at: bathinbloom.org Grand time: Grand Friends is a new charity in Bath, set up to bring together local elders and younger people who may not otherwise have the chance to spend time in each other’s company.

The ethos behind the charity is that many older people are under-used community assets who are needed now more than ever. The charity trains and supports volunteers to give their company to younger people as part of three new programmes, the first being weekly lunch time Visits to a primary school in Oldfield Park, which has been a great success.

More than 20 volunteers have signed up, aged from 60 to 80 plus, of whom many have completed training. To join them call Lavinia on 07713400071 or email lavinia@ grandfriends.uk Singing: They have travelled the World as Bath’s singing ambassadors and on Friday May 12 The City of Bath Male Choir will perform in Bath Abbey as part of this year’s Bath Festival, ‘Party in the City.’

This after appeaing on BBC1’s Last Choir Standing programme led by Bath’s Grenville Jones- plus tours to Japan and the USA in the past.

Admission is free. See www. bathmalechoir.org for details.

To advertise, contact Erica on erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call 07402 441485

May 2023

May 2023

bathvoice

21

n PUZZLES FOR ALL

The FIEND 9

Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

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For younger readers

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Dropped letters challenge: Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side!

Got a story for Bath Voice? Email Harry on news@bathvoice.co.uk

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Easier sudoku Solutions A

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For example: 2 could be A, B or C ... and 5678 could be LOST

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May 2023

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22

n BATH LIBRARY BOOK REVIEWS AND NEWS This month’s review is dedicated to all things royal with the King’s coronation happening this month. Look out for all the exciting Coronation theme crafts in BANES Libraries this month.

Adult Non-Fiction

Charles: the misunderstood prince – Sally Bedell Smith There are many books written about the present King and this was written in 2017 when he was still the Prince of Wales. It covers, extensively his early years and the influence of the Lord Louis Mountbatten and Laurence Van de Post, his marriage to Diana and its breakdown, his relationship with his sons and of course with Camilla.

The author covers his extensive life with great panache and sympathy. But does not skint on the irascible side of Charles. A compelling portrait of a man who was in the shadow of the throne for such a long time and now has met his “destiny”.

Adult Fiction The White Princess – Philippa Gregory Philippa Gregory is the queen of historical fiction, very popular and her stories always put women centre stage. This book is set after the Battle of Bosworth and the death of King Richard the Third. Henry Tudor has seized the throne and his marriage to Elizabeth of York brings together two royal houses and peace to England after the Wars of the Roses.

Following her marriage and birth of a son, Elizabeth appears to be settled, however soon there is a story that a pretender to the throne has arrived in Britain. He says he is Richard, Elizabeth’s brother and one of the supposed murdered princes by King Richard. Elizabeth is torn, between the possibility of being reunited with her brother or trying to support her husband.

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With her usual brilliant historical accuracy, Philippa Gregory weaves a beautiful story of family loyalty and struggles. Elizabeth is of course the daughter of the ferocious, ambitious Elizabeth Woodville who looms very large in the early part of this story as the pretender to the throne or known historically as Perkin Warbeck makes his move and sides have to be taken.

Heartstone – C.J. Sansom I thoroughly enjoy historical crime fiction and Heartstone is the fifth novel in Sansom’s “Shardlake” series. Set in the sixteenth century, Matthew Shardlakelawyer and part time investigator receives his next case from a servant of Queen Catherine Parr and is soon travelling to Portsmouth to investigate wrongs committed against his young ward, Hugh Curteys. As Portsmouth prepares for war against the French, Shardlake and his assistant Barak also find themselves embroiled in the case of Ellen Pettiplace, who is locked up in the Bedlam.

C.J.Sansom conjures up sixteenth century life very well. He mixes the politics of the time with the ever presence of King Henry VIII looming over court life and the life of everyday people. Full of action, this story and series is very enjoyable.

Children’s Picture Books

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Prince George goes to school – Caryl Hart & Laura Ellen Anderson A special adventure awaits Prince George. The adventure is full of fun things to do, new friends, and possibly some dragons and all organised by Miss Merry. This new adventure is called school! But Prince George is a bit confused – can he wear his armour?

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Can he sit on the special chair at the front of the class?

Will he meet new friends?

And more importantly can he share?

Special lessons are learnt

by Prince George as he joins a very exciting new kingdom.

Library News

Storytime: Thursday at 11am is Storytime at Keynsham Library – term time only and for 0-4 years. Come along, with a cushion and listen to some fantastic new stories.

As here’s always so much going on in all our libraries, and it’s all free, so drop in and see what’s on offer. For families with children, sing along at Baby Bounce and Rhyme, or get comfy whilst listening to stories at our ever-popular Storytime.

For adults, we’ve got book clubs, writing classes, and much more throughout the year. Joining the library costs nothing, so pop in or visit www.librarieswest.org. uk to also access thousands of eBooks, eMagazines, Audiobooks, and a wealth of other resources! Our ‘Virtual Library’ has loads going on, including the latest library news, competitions, book reviews and, all our digital offers. Search ‘Bath and North East Somerset Libraries’ on social media or visit bathneslibraries. wordpress.com

Moorland Road Community Library

Tues 10-4pm, Thurs & Fri 10-1pm and Sat 10-1pm.

Email for more info at Moorlandroadcommunitylibrary@ gmail.com And visit https://www. moorlandroadcommunitylibrary.com/ to find out how to volunteer and much more. (Pictured below.)

May 2023

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n WHAT’S ON

Advertising on this page is very cost- effective. Call Erica on 07402 441485

Continued from page 15

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with cancer. The friendly & informal Get Together at Walcot House, 90B Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5G between 10AM-11:30AM. You are very welcome to join us for a coffee and a chat .For more information see our website - wegetit.org.uk - or email us at together@wegetit.org.uk Saturdays Bear Flat Community market and café. Third Saturday of every month, from 9:30am to 12:30 pm in the church hall on Bruton Avenue. To book a stall, email market@bearflat.org.uk Walcot Antique and Flea Market. The market is every Saturday from 7.30am to 4pm.

Bath Farmers’ Market. Green Park Station. Every Saturday at 9am-1.30pm. You will find quality, fresh, seasonal produce at a fair price.

Sundays Magdalene Chapel, Holloway. Holy Eucharist – 10am at the Chapel Church of Our Lady & St Alphege Mass 11am, 6pm. Oldfield Lane.

St Luke’s, Wellsway. 10am. Service of worship.

St Matthew’s, Widcombe. 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month 10:30am Contemporary Family service.

Bath Abbey. Holy Communion 8am using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes a sermon, but no hymns, and lasts for 45 minutes.

Do you have an event you would like to be included in the next edition - email Erica at erica@bathvoice.co.uk or call her on 07402 441485.

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May 2023