Bath Voice January 2023

Forest school

fun in

the Lyncombe Hill Fields

The big election issues in May ‘23

By

Harry Mottram. When the residents of Bath and North East Somerset go to the polls on Thursday May 4th this year they will have a number of issues to consider.

Nationally there is gloomy news for the Conservative opposition in the council chamber in Bath with

opinion polls suggesting Labour are more popular than the Government of Rishi Sunak.

Locally Labour will no doubt hope to see a resurgent vote but it would need a big swing for the party of Kier Starmer to gain power in the Guildhall in the High Street.

Meanwhile the incumbent Liberal Democrat administration will be hoping to fend off the Conservatives pointing to the economic woes of the country but also extolling the benefits of their last four years in office. These include a drive to make

Contacts

Harry Mottram News Editor news@bathvoice.co.uk

Erica Benson Publisher and sales 07402 441485 erica@bathvoice.co.uk

George Benson Distribution 07970 767606 george@bathvoice.co.uk

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

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

n NEWS May’s council election date beckons as parties prepare

Continued from page 1

cycling, walking and Voi e-scooter transport more attractive in a crowded city known for its congestion. Their policy of following Government directives in introducing a charge for some vehicles in Bath has seen pollution levels fall according to their research.

These and a number of policy initiatives such as their creating affordable homes at Newbridge Hill are widely welcomed.

However other policies such as more residents’ parking schemes, liveable neighbourhoods have been polarising with residents generally in favour but neighbourhoods nearby unhappy that traffic is transferred to their area.

Likewise the plan to turn Entry Hill’s former golf course into a bike park raised hackles locally - it’s now been scrapped, while the so-called ‘Ring of Steel’ in the city centre that closed some roads to traffic on security grounds has had mixed reactions.

pedestrianisation has improved the experience for shoppers on foot.

The Tories have focused on traffic and the motorist in particular, accusing the Council of being anti-car. They’ve cited the Ring of Steel as being too zealously applied, the delays in repairs to Cleveland Bridge as being too slow, and the installation of the cycle path on Upper Bristol Road as being less than perfect to say the least.

The Lib Dems have responded by charging the Tories as being only negative and not outlying their policies in detail.

Local elections can give a pointer to the national mood but can also be at odds with the results of General Elections.

Anecdotally Bath Voice has heard there could be a stronger vote for the Green Party - as happened in Bristol where the party ousted the Conservatives and LibDems as the opposition to Labour.

As for Labour they once held wards in the city but their stronghold is in the south of the county around Radstock but they’ll be hoping for an increase in their representation especially in Bath where in the Metro Mayor election Labour’s Dan Norris polled well in the city.

Of course the council is not just Bath and the Conservatives have traditionally done well in the rural areas like Chew Valley and will want to build on the 11 councillors at the 2019 election as opposed to the Lib Dem’s 37 when they lost power.

on the doorstep. Most of which the council has little power to change as those are national issues.

Whatever their differences all the main parties agree that Bath needs more low cost housing and all want the city’s brown field sites like the former Pitman factory on Lower Bristol Road to be built on.

Bath Labour has said they want the council to ‘call the developers’ bluff’ and force them to build affordable housing there. Whether that would be using compulsory purchase is open to debate as that can be an expensive and legally challenging process.

Dine Romero 01225 477496 dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk

USEFUL

Police

Colin_Blackburn@bathnes.gov.uk Despite

Some saying the closures have cut footfall and made it harder for those with mobility issues while

The received wisdom is the public know what the Greens stand for: recycling, renewable energy and public transport along with giving pedestrians and cyclists priority over cars. But they are not for everyone.

Councillor Kevin Guy who leads the Lib Dem run council will be expecting to win overall control but incumbent administrations usually lose ground as not all their policies are popular. The U-turn over Tufa Field development, the drawn out debate about the future of the golf links on High Common and the temporary closure and relocation of the Fashion Museum may feature with the Conservatives in particular.

Local party workers (of all parties) say it’s also topics such as the cost of living crisis, Brexit, the NHS and immigration that come up

Everyone agrees Bath needs more homes for those on low incomes - often the people needed to work in the hospitality, care and retail sectors to keep the city going. Which has created a quandary for some councillors and their opponents over the Sulis Fields development due to it being a green field site but it also providing many affordable homes.

One thing is for sure and that is the rhetoric from all partiesincluding the five Independents - will increase as May approaches.

Girl Guide News by : Girlguiding volunteers from across Bath met to celebrate some outstanding achievements writes Laura Gadsby It was fantastic to get together and see some old and new faces, and to celebrate these really spectacular achievements and to make awards to the volunteers.

It’s been a busy time for Rainbows, Brownies and Guides across Bath. One of the newest groups, 25th Twerton Rainbows and Brownies, have been very community minded in their Saturday morning meetings by planting fruit trees as part of the Queen’s canopy project. It was hard work so was accompanied by cake and a special badge to commemorate Queen Elizabeth for her role as Girlguiding patron.

40th Brownies practiced using matches safely to light fires and toast marshmallows. This helped some of them complete their “have adventures” theme and secure their Brownie bronze award. Also adventuring away were 39th Brownies who went on a pack holiday. For many this was a first trip away without parents and the Brownies enjoyed an “I’m a celebrity

get me out of here” themed activities including making animal mugs, completing Bushtucker trials, and posing in a jungle photo booth.

Guides from Bath joined others from across the South West in a “Be Prepared” event where they learnt some of the skills you might need to survive an earthquake.

The term ahead brings exciting news of a new Ranger group for girls aged 14-18 who’ll meet on Sundays in the city centre.

Hospital News An RUH obstetrician’s “callous” comments in the British Medical Journal about an inquiry into baby deaths at East

Kent Hospitals have been strongly condemned writes John Wimperis.

Bath consultant Shashikant Sholapurkar obstetrician called the idea that mistakes should not happen as “not realistic” and media outrage over failings a “shrill rhetoric.”

The comments were criticised by the Birth Trauma Association, while a spokesperson for the RUH NHS Trust said: “We are aware that comments made by one of our consultants about the recent report into maternity services at East Kent Hospitals Foundation Trust have caused upset, for which we are very sorry. We take the findings of the

East Kent report very seriously – the safety of women, birthing people and their babies, as well as their families and loved ones, is of utmost importance to us.”

Dr Sholapurkar said: “I am very sorry that my opinion letter in a medical journal has caused distress. This was not intended at all.” School News: A Radstock headteacher has been banned for misconduct after bullying staff. The Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) found Mahzia ‘Pepe’ Hart had bullied pregnant teachers and mocked staff when she was in post from 2005-2008. Mrs Hart denied the allegations against her.

n NEWS IN BRIEF

Forest School: A small army of pupils from Widcombe Infants and Widcombe Junior schools have been attending sessions of their Forest School in Lyncombe Hill Fields.

Under the guidance of their teacher Katherine Wildy the children learnt about conservation, flowers and fauna - plus they planted flowers.

Chris Kinchin-Smith of the Friends said there were 56 children from Widcombe Infants School on the morning visited.

“We want all the children to explore these fields and enjoy the outdoors and discover nature,” he said, “Cowslips are the theme today as they will plant 240 plug plants.

“There’s also a tour of the fields but they have a break for a biscuit and are up here for an hour and quarter or so.”

Residents’ Parking Zones: Social media commentator for the Face Book site Proud of Twerton, Whiteway and Southdown Joe Schofield has raised the issue of a new Residents’ Parking Zone in Oldfield Park and Snowhill, which he said residents didn’t want.

He wrote: “New Residents’ Parking Zones (RPZs) are to be

rolled out in seven areas of Bath next year, as part of the council’s Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme.

“Residents of these areas will soon have to pay for parking permits to park their cars in the zones. Visitors’ parking permits will also have to be bought for people who arrive by car to visit family members.”

He said in the Oldfield Park, Westmoreland, Walcot, Snow Hill and Claremont Road areas the majority of residents objected to the scheme

when asked but the council plans to proceed.

He continued: “The council says a lot about the effort that it has put into its public consultations, apparently to mask the fact that it is forcing RPZs onto these communities. The obvious implication is that a low-income household could be made poorer by having to buy a permit for an RPZ scheme that their community had not wanted.”

The Council said they carried out extensive consultations and have listened to the public.

Details of the schemes can be found on the Council website which also covers St John’s Road, St Michael’s Road, Hungerford Road area, Chelsea Road area, Sion Hill area, Entry Hill, Lyme Gardens and the Charmouth Road area.

See https://newsroom.bathnes. gov.uk/news/bath-residents-parkingzones-launch-new-year

The Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields were joined by volunteers from Clean and Green the new Bath and North East Somerset Council initiative supporting communities in keeping their areas clean and free from weeds - they cleared the wall outside the Greenway Lane gate

Girlguiding volunteers from across Bath met to celebrate some outstanding achievements. Among them were Rosie Spence who received an award for 50 years of service, Becky Seale was presented with a county award and Diana Shinn was honoured with the South West region compass award. Volunteers enjoyed an afternoon tea as the awards were presented.

Artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, poets, comedians, to name but a few: create, imagine and dream. Each year more and more energised, creative students emerge from the university - heads brimming with ideas and ambitions for what could be.

But the last few years have been tough. It was hard before the pandemic. Bath was seated in an

abyss of cuts and cultural vandalism.

Firstly, organisations lost regular council funding with little or no warning leaving many of them balancing on a dangerous precipice. Then came the destruction of the entire Arts Development department. Cutting loose our arts officers and all council funding for the arts in B&NES.

And finally, the pandemic hit - arts and culture ground to a resounding halt. Nobody knew when we would be able to get going again. But we shifted. We adapted. We found new homes online and in the virtual world. Barriers came down and organisations and individuals communicated and worked together in ways that we could only ever have dreamed of before. It was terrifying; but also, exciting.

There was much talk of building back better. Finding new, fairer ways to work. Some organisations remembered this, and exciting new things began to happen. But not all of them. Some just wished to keep the status quo, as problematic and out of touch with the modern world as that may be. They continued to hide in the safety of their stagnated

realities where everyone looks and sounds the same. Trying to perform to the same audiences, many of whom were just not there anymore.

And nobody dared challenge decisions made or question why things are done the way they are.

Lots of them lost good staff – highly skilled people left the creative industries in droves to find more stable and properly paid work in other sectors.

The skills shortage has left gaps which have yet to be adequately filled, adding extra stress and burden to those who remain and not to mention dangerous working environments. It’s a perfect storm, that in honesty, has been a wakeup call that has been a long time coming.

There is currently no arts or cultural strategy in B&NES which is criminal for a city which thrives on cultural tourism. The last incarnation sat on a shelf gathering dust and was all but forgotten.

But not by the funding bodies who constantly questioned why no organisations were quoting the document when applying for funding and, subsequently, failed

in their bids. The impact of this has been starkly highlighted by the latest round of Arts Council National Portfolio funding resultswith a single organisation receiving regular funding in the whole of B&NES. It’s hard to justify our collective worth and impact as a sector when there is no singular body collecting, and collating the data proving our existence and our impact, (both from a health & wellbeing point of view and economically). With next to no support from the Council (another important factor that funders require to strengthen applications) how can the city be all that it has the full potential to be?

Collaborations are happening and brilliant work across all of the creative sectors is being produced here. But, with some joined-up thinking, strategy, hard data and everyone working together, Bath has the potential to be so much more than it currently is.

• Luke is the Creative Director of Theatre Bath and Co-Director and Founder of the Theatre Bath Bus. For more on his work visit https:// lukejohnemmett.co.uk/

The green man with an eye on the 2024 elections n PEOPLE

By Harry

Mottram: Third time lucky could be the line for the parliamentary Green Party’s Bath constituency candidate Dominic Tristram.

The dad of two and Radstock resident was selected to stand in the 2015 and 2019 general elections but was asked to stand aside in a deal with the Lib Demswhich he didn’t agree with.

It was a national agreement between the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru which mainly benefited the Lib Dems. Basically whoever had the best chance of winning a Westminster seat out of the trio got the nod.

As we know Wera Hobhouse of the Lib Dems won Bath last time partly as a result of the deal.

“I wasn’t in favour the pact,” said Dominic,” but the local party voted for it so stood aside and I said you can vote for whoever you want.”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the LibDems, so I asked him what were the differences between the two parties as well as the Labour Party and the Conservatives as they’ve

adopted some of the Green’s policies?

“Fundamentally the Lib Dems are a right wing party but are socially liberal, as people will say progressive parties are not progressive which is almost meaningless as the Labour Party would say they are progressive but at the same time they are quite authoritarian.

“They are backing the

Government on these protest laws and backing the Government on immigration. But financially they are left wing, while the Lib Dems are socially liberal like the Greens - being pro EU and for increased freedoms, but economically they are more like the Tories.

“We as Greens are economically left wing and socially left wing.”

He moved to Bath after university studying computing in Wales, having grown up in Newbury - and Newbury is where he found his politics.

“It was the time of the building of the Newbury bypass with all the protests and Swampy and all that and it peeked my interest,” he said, “and there was the Greenham

Common protests with the Peace Women nearby which made me against anti nuclear weapons - you could see the missiles being driven around the roads.”

After a job on a farm, a Phd at Aberystwyth and a qualification as a soft ware engineer he landed a job in Bath, married and lived in Odd Down - his move to Radstock is for his children who attend a local

school which offers additional needs with an eye on Fosse Way School when they are older.

On housing he said that only when all the brown fields have been built on should green fields be built on - but the problem is it is cheaper for developers to build of green fields.

“We are still building houses that aren’t insulated properly and don’t have solar panels.

“Plus there are a million empty houses in the country which should be occupied.

“The council should use the powers of compulsory purchase to end that even though it can be a long winded process. But the council drags its feet on this one - along with other councils.

Compulsory purchase should start on day one when a council takes office.”

In Bath there are more Airbnbs he said which he thinks the council should charge a tourist tax on as other cities do.

It’s an example of something the Lib Dems could do but haven’t he said.

Dominic Tristram is the Green Party candidate for the next General Electionwhich is likely to be in 2024

Customers of Bath gin shop can be served a drink

By Local Democracy Reporter

John Wimperis: A gin shop on a street in between Bath’s Royal Crescent and Circus has been granted a licence to serve drinks on the premises.

Brixham Gin opened the Bath Bottle Shop in 16 Margaret’s Buildings as a “pop-up shop” in November. It is their second shop after opening their first in their Torbay hometown earlier this year.

Now the Devon-based distillery plans to turn the area at the back of the shop into an events space and licensed bar. This will cover the area directly behind the retail area, the historic vault under the building, and four seats in the small courtyard out the back.

The application was considered in a meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Licensing subcommittee last year.

One local man had submitted an objection to the application. Dr J Chamberlain wrote: “Margaret’s Building is a small pedestrian area

which used to be useful retail shops. In recent years applications for food and drink have been extended so that there are now 3 restaurants or cafes selling alcohol and with tables and chairs scattered outside the 3 premises.”

He added that flats on the street and houses on Brock street had been bothered by noise from Margarents buildings. He wrote: “The addition of another licensed premise, which sounds like a

pub by any other name, is not appropriate for a residential area.”

In delivering their decision to grant the licence, councillors said they had sympathy for Dr Chamberlain but that they had seen no evidence to suggest granting the licence would cause issues. No objections had been received from relevant authorities and there had been no incidents reported from other licensed premises in the area.

Speaking outside the meeting, Brixham Gin’s James Wade said: “In the new year we will be refitting it for what am calling a posh licence.”

He explained: “We do local speciality products, our own gin, rum, and vodka products and then craft beers as well.”

Mr Wade said that they wanted to put on events such as tastings and poetry nights. He said these would be “quiet little events.”

He added: “We are not trying to sneak a pub or a nightclub into the local community. The shop will have normal shop opening hours.”

However, he said that they would see what reception they received and suggested they could open for some weekends in the summer. The Bath Bottle Shop hopes to host its first events in late February or early March.

• The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency: funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector, and used by qualifying partners like Bath Voice.

Debenhams, burger van and cost of living crisis

Debenhams news: Bath’s old Debenhams building could be turned into laboratories under plans that have been submitted to convert the disused department store writes John Wimperis.

The plans by the building’s owner, Southgate LP Ltd, would see the ground floor used for retail, with the three floors above it becoming either lab space for life sciences or offices – both of which would benefit the city, according to Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Quod, the agents for the owner, said in their planning statement: “The building cannot continue to operate as a department store as the demand from the retail sector simply does not exist.”

The former department store opposite Bath Spa Station has sat empty since May last year, when Debenhams closed down. Now developers claim that the building could create between 490 and 680 full time jobs, on top of 150 jobs in construction associated with work needed to repurpose the building.

Developers plan to build a terrace on the roof, alongside a green roof with solar panels. Work

will also be carried out on the “windows” on the upper floors, which are actually only moulded openings.

They will need to be turned into actual windows if the space is to be used for offices and laboratories rather than storage. The smaller set at the top will also need to be expanded to let in minimum light requirements for Grade A office space, meaning they will break through the building’s Georgianstyle cornice.

The application is supported by the council’s economic development team. The council aims to make a decision on whether to approve the plans by January 26.

Night time economy news: A burger van run by Mehmet Yilmaz, on Bath’s “bog island” has been refused permission to extend its opening times by half an hour until 3:30am, after the Abbey Hotel, complained writes John Wimperis.

The Abbey Hotel across the street said that this would disturb its guests and councillors refused the burger van’s application.

Bath and North East Somerset councillors Rob Appleyard, Sally Davis, and Steve Hedges heard both the

burger van and the hotel make their cases at a meeting of the council’s licensing sub-committee last year.

Representing Jimmy’s, Angus McWilliams pointed out that the hotel and burger van are a short distance from the Labyrinth nightclub and other late night venues some staying open into the early hours.

Councillors refused the application, stating that they had sympathy for Mr Yilmaz but believed that extending the burger van’s opening hours would lead to more disturbance.

Cost of Living Crisis: A reminder for those struggling with the cost of living there are agencies and charities who can help.

One for those with financial problems is Bath based Clean Slate who publish a free magazine with money saving tips. They can meet people in Bath to help them overcome their fiscal problems. To learn more visit cleanslateltd.co.uk.

Another is Christians Against Poverty’s (CAP). Call them on freephone 0800 328 0006 or visit capuk.org as they have people in Bath who can help.

Also there is the Citizens Advice Bath & North East Somerset office in Manvers Street that’s open week days - call 0808 278 7897 or visit

www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk.

For more information to help in a crisis visit the Council’s website for more contacts and links at Cost of Living Support visit https:// livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/

Theatre Royal Bath pantomime actors met Pierre, a Lurcher, ahead of a performance of Aladdin to highlight Bath Cats and Dogs Home’s Winter Appeal. The Bath animal charity hopes to raise £20,000 to support injured or sick rescue animals across Bath and North-East Somerset and Wiltshire. To donate to help our four legged friends visit www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk/

James Wade with a bottle of Brixham Gin’s Bath blend at the shop in Magaret’s Buildings (Image: John Wimperis)

News: Oldfield Park

Pre-School Stepping Stones has been rated as Good in a November Ofsted inspection.

The education inspection body rated the phrontistery for very young children for overall effectiveness, the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes personal development and leadership and management as Good. Ofsted rate schools in four grades with Good being number two in their system. The grades are: 1 Outstanding; 2 Good; 3 Require improvement; and 4 Inadequate.

Also rated as Good by Ofsted is Hopscotch Day Nursery at 98 Wellsway, The report said: “Children are happy in this friendly nursery. They are eager to enter the nursery and are pleased to see the welcoming staff. They confidently approach visitors and involve them in their play. This demonstrates that children feel secure, safe and at home in the familiar surroundings. Children know the behaviour that is expected of them, and they behave well.”

Upper Bristol Road: the social commentator Joe Schofield has raised issues over the safety for pedestrians on the Upper Bristol

Road following changes which include a cycle path installed.

Writing on social media he noted: “Familiar to anyone who has ever taken kids to Victoria Park or stopped to get a burger from the Mr D’s fast food outlet, the Upper Bristol Road has seen some radical changes lately.

“New cycle lanes lined with upright poles called cycle wands have been installed on both sides of this road that conveys a lot of traffic to and from the city centre each day.

“The changes also include a type of bus stop called a “floating bus stop” that hasn’t been used

before in Bath. This sort of bus stop is positioned further out into the road with the cycle lane running between it and the pavement.

“The council has released a video showing how bus users are to use this sort of bus stop without colliding with a bicycle.”

The Council have a video to show how the new system works at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=J9ZqfMZfdd0

The Council’s Conservative political opponents have said the changes made the road more dangerous.

In defence of the changes the Council state: “Pedestrians have priority at the bus stops and people using the cycle lane must stop to allow bus passengers to get on or off the bus.

“Crossing points for pedestrians have also been improved with new continuous footways introduced along the route. A continuous footway is a relatively new method of giving people priority over vehicles where side roads join main roads, to improve safety.

Kerbs and tactile paving are removed to give the appearance that the pavement continues

across the entrance of the side road. There are also ‘give way’ lines to show drivers they have to give way to people crossing.”

The changes take into account rule 170 of the Highway Code which states that drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing when turning into or out of side roads.

1909 and all that: A new book about the city’s historic pageant has charted Bath’s embracing of the open air history play in 1909. The Year of the Pageant by Andrew Swift and Kirsten Elliott and published by Akeman Press is the story of how 3,000 performers recreated the history of the city in a pageant featuring Romans and Georgians.

1909 was a year of strikes, fears of a recession and a political crisisrather like today. It also saw a battle to save Bath Street from developers beginning the birth the Bath Preservation Movement and a debate over if the rugby club should stay at the Rec. Using archive photographs and personal testimonies and original documents, this book lifts the lid on 1909 and all that - and the Bath Pageant.

LTD

Ofsted

Joe Schofield

n WHAT’S ON

n WHAT’S ON

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

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

Regular events in Bath 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.

Wednesdays

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 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 for details.

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 Central United Reformed Church in Argyle Street Bath 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/ 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. The goods are sold directly by the people who produce them and everything usually comes from within a 40 mile radius of Bath.

Sundays

Madalene Chapel, Holloway. Holy

Continued on page 13

Our Monthly Talks

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.

If you join U3A in Bath at the meeting then your admission fee is refunded.

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

Thu 8 Dec-Sun 8 Jan. Theatre Royal Bath. Aladdin. Traditional pantomime with its origin of a mash up of the Arabian Nights and the emergence of China in the late 18th century. With Jon Monie (who used to star in Bath’s pantos with the late Chris Harris) as the titular character with a guarantee of high humour, classical references and big song and dance numbers.

Fri 9 Dec-Sun 15 Jan. The Egg Theatre.

Five Children and It. Written by Marietta Kirkbride, and based on the novel by E Nesbit the show was a big success last year gaining a five star review from Bath Voice

Sat 7 Jan-Sun 5 Feb. Egg Theatre.

Snow Mouse. An enchanting winter’s tale for the very young. Winter has arrived and the woods are covered in white. A child hurries to put on their winter clothes so they can run outside and play in a sparkly new world. Just when they are starting to feel a bit

lonely, they find a sleeping mouse buried under the soft white flakes. Sliding, tumbling and laughing, they explore the winter wonderland together and keep each other safe and warm from the winter freeze. Come and join two new friends on their adventures in a magical forest full of play, puppetry and music. Performed by Egg favourite Emile Clarke.

Thu 12 – Sun 15 Jan. Rondo Theatre. Beauty and the Beast. Various performance times. Community Theatre. By Warren McWilliams. Presented by Bath Drama. A tale as old as time about a fearless young Beauty, who bravely ignores Count Danton’s advances, and goes on a quest to save her sick father. Bath Drama offers a festive treat for all the family filled with song and dance, suspense and romance.

Thu 12- Sat 21 Jan. Theatre Royal Bath. Relatively Speaking. Beautifully crafted, uproariously funny and charmingly English, Relatively Speaking was Alan Ayckbourn’s first West End hit in 1967, making him a household name, with Noël Coward himself praising the young writer on creating “a beautifully constructed and very funny comedy”. Featuring Liza Goddard. Fri 13 Jan-Sat 11 Feb. Ustinov Studio. Bath. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Edward Albee’s scintillating masterpiece

takes place during the course of one brutal and hilarious night when George, a college professor, and his wife Martha invite a young couple back for late-night drinks after a faculty party.

Tue 24-Sat 28. Theatre Royal Bath. Ballet with Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Spectacular presentations of two of the world’s most popular classical ballets, accompanied by a live orchestra to complete the experience.

Wed 25-Sat, Jan 28. Mission Theatre. The Father. By Florian Zeller translated by Christopher Hampton. 7.30pm.

The Father is a tragi-comic mystery, a sobering and realistic family story, and an unsentimental, emotionally intense look at the world through the eyes of a man experiencing dementia. Funny and poignant in equal measure. Directed in-the-round by Next Stage’s Artistic Director, Ann Ellison, with the role of the Father played by talented Next Stager, John Matthews.

Mon 30 Jan-Sat 4 Feb. Theatre Royal Bath. Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of). Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story.

Fri 3-Sat 4 Feb. Mission Theatre. Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) by Mozart. Presented by Cardiff Opera. 7:30pm. After making their Bath debut in 2022 with Così fan tutte, Cardiff Opera return to The Mission Theatre with a new, exciting production of one of the most enduringly popular stage works ever created - Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute).

Theatre Picks Outside Bath

Thu 24 Nov-Sat 7 Jan. Bristol Old Vic Theatre. The Nutcracker. Transported to a fantastical kingdom where toys come to life, nutcrackers can talk and just about anything feels possible, Clara soon discovers that it’s not just mice lurking beneath the floorboards.

Sat 26 Nov-Sun 8 January. Salisbury Playhouse. Cinderella. Traditional rags to riches pantomime.

Thu 1 Dec- Sun 15 Jan. Bristol. Tobacco Factory. The Snow Queen. Join Gerda on her quest to the frozen north as she tries to save her best-friend Kaj from the icy, wicked clutches of The Snow Queen.

Fri 2 Dec-Sun 8 Jan. Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Belle and Sebastian. A Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic coproduction based on the stories of Cécile Aubry. A boy and his dog escape to the mountain in a wild adventure.

Pick of Diary Events in Bath

Sat 12 Nov-Tue 3 Jan. Bath on Ice. Royal Pavilion, Royal Victoria Park. Ice skating outdoors and Glow Golf returns.

Thu 5 Jan. The Pavillion. U3A talk on the effects of the Poor Laws. With Peter Martin. Doors open 9.45am. Talk at 10am. £3 non members.

Fri 6 Jan- Fri 24 Feb. Bath Rugby Club. On Your Feet. 8 week exercise programme for all ages and abilities.

On Your Feet is a mixed age and mixed gender fitness programme that is designed for you and delivered by Trained Expert Fitness Instructors, our Health and Wellbeing Lead and a Qualified Advanced Rugby Coach, combining fitness and rugby to increase positive habits.

Fri 6-Sun 8 Jan. Widcombe Social Club. The third Bath Jazz Weekend. Featuring a remarkable line up of bands and soloists of international standing from across the British jazz scene.

Beginning on Friday night with an affectionate retrospective film featuring the likes of Count Basie and Big Joe Turner. Then it is Esprit du Jazz quartet led by accordionist Karen Street and violinist Theo May’s Odd Unit quintet. Saturday features pianist and composer Rebecca Nash with her quintet project Redefining Element 78 followed by solo pianist Matthew Bourne Saturday evening has Robert Mitchell’s True Think now with the addition of vocalist Liselotte Ostblum. Solo vibraphonist Orphy Robinson another voice for contemporary Britain and Paul Dunmall leading his new younger-generation quintet, is featured as a creative saxophonist. On Sunday the three-gig

Continued on page 14

About u3a in Bath

There are over 450,000 of us in the UK and 1,400 in Bath We are in “u3a in Bath” and our members are all retired or working part-time. We take part in a range of activities – from History to Languages, from Tennis to Country Walks. See the complete list of our 100-plus interest groups on our website - www.u3ainbath.uk

u3a in Bath Membershi p

You can join the u3a in Bath by filling in an application form and sending it (with s.a.e) to Membership Officer, U3A in Bath, PO Box 4040, Bath, BA1 0EJ Application forms on our website or phone 01225 318438 Membership is only £15 per year.

n WHAT’S ON

Continued from page 13

programme begins with trumpeter Pete Judge and Harriet Riley’s special project Comfort In Chaos together with Bristolian poets. Following them is pianist Andrew Cormack and saxophonist Jake McMurchie leads his new local-but-international Bristolian quartet..

Wed 11 Jan. BANES. Guildhall. Planning Committee Meeting. 11am.

Thu 12 Jan. Komedia. Talk with Dr James Brown on The Science of ADHD: Navigating Neurodiversity in a Neurotypical World. This talk is designed to give you an increased awareness and understanding of an ADHD brain. It will include advice and tips on how to navigate a neurotypical world as a neurodivergent person. This talk will also highlight how society is demanding change. People are increasingly recognising and accepting neurodiversity and self-defining as neurodivergent. Surely, it’s time for the world to alter neurotypical societal standards as they are fast becoming outdated. 6.45pm.

Thu 12 Jan. BANES. Guildhall. Licensing sub-committee. 10am.

Mon 16 Jan. BANES. Guildhall. 4pm Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel.

Fri 20 Jan. Rondo Theatre. Rock the Tots. Gigs for little people… and their grown-ups. Expect to hear some super tunes with destinations in their titles and lyrics. There might be some Toto, there may well be some Beach Boys, and who knows, George Ezra might feature! Come along with your wee adventurers, and we will take you on a fun journey. And of course we will have our puppet friends, inane dance moves, story, memes and more. Sessions are 1hr long without an interval. Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Please note: each adult and child over the age of 1 needs their own ticket – children under 1 year old go free. 11am.

Fri 20 Jan. Rondo Theatre. The People’s String Foundation Duo. 8pm. The People’s String Foundation Duo are the two founding members of the international 32 piece gypsy orchestra. They have worked with theatre companies throughout the UK and are currently touring their back catalogue of theatre compositions, orchestral pieces, and songwriter material. A show of real heart and musical ability.

Thu 26 Jan & Sat 4 Feb Rondo Theatre. The Greatest Magician: an evening of wonders. 8pm. A dazzling new magic show, presented by the magician most famous for jamming the BBC switchboards after he correctly predicted

the lottery. This astonishing, enigmatic, five star rated magic show will leave you aching from laughter and dizzy in disbelief. Directed by the late Paul Daniels, the enigmatic show comes to the stage for the first time… you’ll be transported to a jaw-dropping world of light-hearted hilarity, wonderment, and mystery.

Thu 2 Feb. The Pavillion. U3A talk on Europe’s youngest county: Kosova. With Elizabeth Gower. Doors open 9.45am. Talk at 10am. £3 non members.

Mon 13-Fri 17 Feb. BANES. Spring Half Term Holidays. Schools out for a week.

Pick of Diary Events outside of Bath

Fri 6 Jan. Bristol. Haunted and Hidden Bristol Walking Tour. Fun 90 min walk that combines haunted buildings, TV locations and Bristol trivia. Advance bookings are required. Starts at College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ. 8pm.

Sat-Sun 7-8 Jan. Thornbury.

Dinomania at Thornbury Leisure Centre. Dinomania is bigger than ever with more dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures than ever. Watch in amazement as the dinosaurs walk amongst the audience. Get up close and personal with lots of baby dinosaurs. Maybe you will get lucky and get to feed our long neck Armargasaurus or are you brave enough to touch a huge T.Rex. 11am and 2pm.

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Is someone you know a money mule?

HOPE you all had a very merry Christmas and have a happy New Year. The start of a new year brings sales, and it’s important to remember that fraudsters are unlikely to have made New Year’s resolutions to stop scamming.

It is imperative that we remain vigilant and cautious of fraudulent activity. Fraud causes severe harm to both victims’ finances and mental health, with 74% of fraud victims reporting being emotionally affected.

Please don’t let this happen to you, regularly change your passwords using a capital letter, three random words and number.

also want to touch on another type of scam I have become aware of, known as money muling. The act of money muling is when a person transfers stolen money on behalf of others, usually through their bank account. Criminals contact people and offer them cash to receive money into their bank account and transfer it into another account.

The money that money mules transfer is usually stolen or profits of crime, and is often used to fund further crimes like drug dealing, sexual exploitation, fraud and human trafficking.

Young people are vulnerable to being targeted as money mules due to pressures on social media and the appeal of ‘quick cash’ opportunities.

Around six in every ten mules are under the age of 30, with many young people unaware of the consequences of being recruited, which include bank accounts being closed, problems applying for credit and even a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Signs of someone being used as a money mule include possession of luxury or designer goods that they cannot account for, opening new bank accounts or using crypto exchanges with money they cannot explain the origin of. When challenged, they might say they are letting someone else use their account to move

Sat 21 Jan. Henleaze. Treasures of the Baroque at Henleaze Concert Society. Trinity-Henleaze URC, Waterford Road, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4BT. A captivating programme of sparkling instrumental music from the Baroque period. 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.

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.

on page 23

money.

If you know a young person who has been approached to be a money mule, urge them to break off all contact and not receive or move any money.

Please then contact the police or Crimestoppers as, by reporting such crimes, we can help social media companies protect their own users.

The more people we make aware of such awful schemes, the more people we can stop falling victim and becoming complicit in organised crime.

Before Christmas, I launched my annual council tax policing precept survey, asking if you agree or disagree with my proposal to increase the council tax by £10 a year for the average band D household to support local policing.

The survey runs until January 30, so there is still time for you to have your say. You can complete the survey via my website at avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk.

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford

I know that times are tough for a lot of households and an increase in bills next year is a big ask from everyone.

Rising costs of living and inflation are impacting us all, including the cost of running the police service.

However, in order to deliver on the priorities and the issues you told me were important to you, I need to ask you for this additional funding.

Photo by Chelsey Cliff

n LOCAL HISTORY

When Bath cleaned up - until soap replaced Fuller’s Earth

use Fuller’s Earth - especially as the woollen industry grew in size..

The Romans in Bath used the good clay soils of Odd Down and elsewhere in and around the city to clean their clothing and linen but also in the cleansing of wools during the manufacturing process which consisted of workers treading up and down in the baths to recreate the actions of a modern washing machine.

Evidence of the extraction of ‘white clay’ by the Romans has long been known - and it is more than likely that the original inhabitants knew of the properties of the good earth for ridding wool of lanolin and other oily substances to make it a useful textile.

From the Latin Fullonica for cleaning or laundry the Romano British, Saxons, Normans and Medieval Bathonians continued to

In Neil Macmillen’s A History of The Fuller’s Earth Mining Industry Around Bath he recalls how children were discovered to be using paperwork from the closed works at Odd Down for making fires in the 1980s. The Museum of Bath at Work were informed and hundreds of documents about the closed down business were recovered.

They were to cast light on the site where the earth had been excavated from 1811 to 1967. It was an ancient industry with the earth extracted and mined - often from bell pits which were essentially big holes in the ground - in Wellow, Combe Hay, South Stoke and Folly Down.

With the hey day of the extraction of the clay in the late 18th and early 19th century new industrial, pharmaceutical and cosmetic uses were found. At the same time alternatives to the raw

Odd Down Windmill at the Fuller’s Earth site destroyed by fire in the early 1900s ground. And the story may not finish there as new markets have opened up for the product so in time it may be viable to reopen the extraction of the substance the Romans in Bath found so useful.

material were being invented meaning by the early 20th century the industry had been struggling. Foreign competition was another factor with huge deposits discovered in the USA and Mexico lowering the price.

Soap, washing detergents and new binding substances were replacing some of the traditional uses of the earth.

One by one as the 20th century wore on the companies mining the earth began to close with the last one near Bath at Combe Hay shutting in 1979 despite there being many years of clay left in the

From cat litter to the cleaning of recycled oil, and from the process of making safe waste fission material to cosmetic mud packs and skin treatments the world has continued to discover the extraordinary qualities of the clays laid down at the bottom of the sea during the Cretaceous age when 100 million years ago dinosaurs ruled the world.

Religious crisis as the Rev Bacon downs four Tequila Sunrises

By Phil Saunders: Racing Demon. The Mission Theatre. November 2022.

Next Stage theatre company could not have timed things better. With recently published census data showing that less than 50 percent of the English population now identify as Christian, they chose to stage David Hare’s 1990 drama about Church Of England politics. What is more important – adherence to the Christian faith or the good works of those working for the established Church at local level? This is the dilemma at the heart of the play. Played by Brian Fisher, just as magnetic as he was in Next Stage’s production of Pinter’s “The Hothouse,” The Reverend Lionel Epsy prioritises social work over dogma. But is he guilty of focussing on cure rather than prevention? Would the people he helps be better off, in the long term, being recruited as full on practicing Christians? His young rival Reverend Tony Ferris - Joshua Tenn valiantly reading in due to a sudden bereavement in the cast – clearly thinks so.

Hare’s writing is at its strongest when these debates begin to play out

in the higher echelons of Church bureaucracy. In one memorable scene, the right on, cycling Reverend Donald “Streaky” Bacon downs four tequila sunrises before a meeting with two purple clad Bishops. As Streaky, Brian Hudd is simultaneously the “happy priest” and an effective back room operator. These well-meaning men –and they were all men back in 1990 – can be frighteningly ruthless when it comes to factional infighting. Matters come to head at a synod meeting where ordination of women is being discussed. There is surprising common ground between the

outraged, conservative Bishop of Southwark and the increasingly messianic Tony. Lionel finally buckles under the weight of authority.

Meanwhile, the gay Reverend Harry is cruelly outed by the press.

Some well-drawn female characters are unavoidably on the fringes of this male dominated milieu.

Tiana James as Stella shows how vulnerable individuals can suffer unintended consequences when large institutions change practice to fit in with policy. Lionel’s wife Heather and Tony’s on/off girlfriend Frances both have to live with the knock on effects

of being with two, very different, men of commitment. In the end, only the cheerful Streaky seems to be coping well.

Next Stage did well to deal with the last minute casting changes. The pack was shuffled, the crew stepped up and there was no serious detriment to the audience experience. Perhaps surprisingly, the potentially dry subject matter made for an engaging evening. It was refreshing to experience sophisticated dialogue, nuanced argument and complex characters being allowed to unfold.

The promotional image of the show to be staged at the Mission Theatre

Employment News: Metro Mayor Dan Norris met Ukrainian women refugees at The Hub, in Mulberry Park, who had taken part in Curo’s Power Up workplace skills programme.

Residents can apply to take part in future sessions of the programme which includes an introduction to new ‘green’ jobs and roles in construction and trades. You can join the course at The Hub in Mulberry Park, or booking online at www.curo-group.co.uk/ news/news-stories/power-upprogramme/. When you complete the course, you’ll get a personal grant to help you cover any expenses with your employability or training goals after the programme, and an Amazon voucher worth £25 from Curo.

To book your free place email Workwise@curo-group.co.uk or call Laura Hemings, Employability Assistant Team Leader, on 07966 993227; or Katie Houlden, Work Placement Support Worker, on 07814 040697. The in-person course is one day a week for five weeks. They are recruiting for courses running from now until March 2023.

Entry Hill: Plans for a mountain bike and activity park at the site of the former Entry Hill golf course site in Bath will not proceed said the Council last month.

An increase in costs to the Council to ready the site for the Bristol firm Pedal Progression plus the costs to the cycle company as well have made it financially unviable.

The council had planned to fund the project through a combination of its own capital funding and by attracting external support which was unsuccessful.

The Entry Hill Community Association had voiced opposition to the plans as it would they say increase car traffic plus exclude a large section of the park from those not wishing to use the cycle section. There were also concerns over wildlife due to the planned construction of a fence and of ground work that could disturb the land fill site beneath much of the

park which until Covid had been a golf links. Since its closure the green space has become a de facto public park, wildlife reserve and a dog walkers paradise although the cafe has not reopened.

Bath Phil: Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, praised the work that the Bath Phil does with young carers in Parliament at Business Questions on 8th December. She called on the Government to consider young carers in their plans for music education.

The Bath Phil does a significant amount of work with young carers in the city. They deliver a series of immersive day-long workshops to enable young carers to compose and perform their own music.

In response, Ms Mordaunt MP said she would raise the point with the Department of Education and get them to write in detail to Wera Hobhouse MP about the Government’s plans for music education.

Council Reserves: Bath and North East Somerset Council’s reserves have increased by more than £10m over the past council term despite Covid and financial pressures, said Richard Samuel, the council’s cabinet member for resources by using underspending on projects. However the Conservatives challenged the figure saying in reality the Council overspent by £4.5 million and question where the extra cash from central Government went during Covid and there were concerns about a possible overspend in 2023 they said.

In an exchange in the Council meeting about the reserves Cllr Winston Duguid asked: “So just to clarify that during this administration, you have actually built the reserves from that which you inherited? In the time of Covid and crisis and everything?”

Richard Samuel said the reserves had increased as stated.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris meets Ukrainian women refugees on Curo’s Power Up programme

Adult Fiction

The Last Library – Freya Sampson

“You are never alone when you have a good book” and so beings this delightful debut book by Freya Sampson, of course am biased. The story is set in a fictional local library in Chalcot where we meet Library Assistant June. She lives a solitary life –with ready meals and a cat! Her whole life evolves around the colourful characters who visit the Library daily.

From making up stories about the customers by the books they take out to Mrs Bransworth who gives a very colourful description of “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro.

However, after a very traumatic RhymeTime, June is told by her Manager that the library is threatened with closure. She is devasted but the community railes around and

establishes the Friends of Chalcot Library campaign. This loveable band plan all sorts of activities to save their beloved Library and from this June’s life is also changed forever. A real treat of a story and a real homage to local libraries.

Adult Non-Fiction

Testament of Youth –

Vera Brittain

A timely classic, this is a heart-breaking, beautiful story and always extremely relevant as Remembrance Day approaches.

Vera Brittain was twenty in 1914 and had been living a very comfortable, tranquil life and was destined to go to Oxford University.

She lives with her brother Edward and is love with his friend Roland. However, when the First World War begins, both men join up.

Vera and Roland’s love story is poignantly described here as well as the dramatic changes that the war

brings on Vera and Britain. She does not take up her position at Oxford but volunteers as a nurse. This role gives her some purpose, travel to Malta and nursing the wounded, both British and German. However, she emerges from those terrible years into a muchaltered world.

Slow Cooking – Catherine Atkinson

As slow cookers become very popular this winter and that the nights are drawing in why not try this mouthwatering cook book.

Filled with 135 recipes that include Seafood Chowder; Boston Bakes Beans, Cider-glazed ham, Baked Stuffed Apples and a delicious golden ginger cake – yes you can bake in a slow cooker! All explained in a simple style and great photos.

There is also a handy practical guide which explains preparation and cooking techniques to help you get the most out of your slow cooker. A great introduction to the joys of slow, tasty and winter fuelling food!

Young Adult Fiction

Letters from the Lighthouse – Emma Carroll, Emma Carrolls ‘Letters from the Lighthouse’ is an artfully written book set in World War 2. It is February 1941, and with months of bombing raids on London, twelve-year-old Olive Bradshaw and her little brother Cliff are evacuated to the Devon coast. The only person with two spare beds is Mr Ephraim, the local lighthouse keeper. But he’s not used to company. However, Olive is desperately trying to uncover a mystery that she knows will tell them where her missing sister is.

The grown-ups, however, seem to be intent on hiding something important and connected somehow.

An intricately woven tale of secrets and intrigue. World War two fiction fans will love this book.

Childrens’ Fiction

When the war came home – Lesley Parr

Set in Wales after the First World War, and Natty has moved to her Aunt and Uncle’s - Fferm Fach (little farm) with her Mum. Work is scare and this new village also has wounded soldiers stationed nearby. Natty meets two young soldiers – Huw and Johnny. Both have seen terrible things and poor Johnny has complete memory loss.

A very sweet friendship develops between Johnny and Natty as they embark trying to solve a local mystery while everyone is trying to recover from the war. There are many interesting characters and great historical details. You really cheer Natty on with all her grand plans and ambitions.

Library News

Always remember the two super free apps: Libby and BorrowBox where you can download newspapers, magazines and audio books all with the use of your library card.

The Bath and North East Somerset ‘Virtual Library’ is still offering something for everyone. We are sharing facts, Baby Bounce and Rhyme, competitions, Storytime and crafts for children in the mornings and information, support, news and recommended reads for adults in the afternoon.

Never miss a thing by following us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ bathneslibraries1, Instagram www. instagram.com/bathnes_libraries and Twitter www.twitter.com/BathnesL

Moorland Road Community Library (pictured)

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.

DECORATING

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

Victoria Art Gallery. Peter Brown exhibition until 15 Jan. This exhibition features over 100 new oil paintings and prints by the ever popular Bath-based artist, ‘Pete the Street’.

Holburne Museum. Rodin – Degas: Impressionist Sculpture. Until Jan 8. Focus on the artists’ representation of the human body and their expression of its energy through both dynamic poses and static poise; Elisabeth Frink: Strength & Sensuality. Until Jan 8; My Reality is Different Until 8 Jan; From Sat 21 Jan to 23 April: Illustrating the World of Woodcuts in the Age of Durer. This is a rare opportunity to view the complete set of woodcuts known as The Great Passion, produced by the most famed artist of the German Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528); Alberta Whittle: Dipping below a waxing moon, the dance claims us for release: newly commissioned sculptures. 28 Jan to May 8 2023.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Commemorating 200 years since the death of William Herschel. The museum will be exhibiting some artefacts on loan from the Royal Astronomical Society and Herschel Family Archive which will showcase William’s achievements. The exhibition will also acknowledge the important contributions of those working with William, including his sister Caroline Herschel. Until Dec 31.

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.

John Akomfrah – Mimesis: African Soldier. Mimesis is a film by John Akomfrah that uncovers the story of the Commonwealth soldiers who volunteered to fight in World War I: the war of their colonial masters. Until 8 January.We Were Everywhere: World war experiences from pre-Partition India. This exhibition explores the experience of Indians and Pakistanis during the world wars and the partition of India. Until 5 March 2023.

Sweet Patootee Arts: Turning Point. A series of four short films by Sweet Patootee Arts inspired by oral histories about the Black Caribbean experience after WWI. until 5 March 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.

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.