The Bath Magazine October 2014 by MC Publishing Limited

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ISSUE 145 • OCTOBER 2014

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BATH

£3.00 where sold

CODED EDITION

A/W FASHION SHOOT A DASH OF 70s GLAM

LIDO RE-SHUFFLE THE PAST & FUTURE OF CLEVELAND POOLS

THE OLIVE TREE AWARD-WINNING DINING

BEATON’S BEAUTIES IMAGES FROM THE MASTER PHOTOGRAPHER

SPLASH DOWN CREATING A HOME SPATHROOM

T H E C I T Y ’ S F I N E S T M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L I F E A N D L I V I N G I N B AT H

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THE | CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2014

@ thebathmagazine

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THE ‘MUST-DO’ LIST

From autumn colour to Jolly’s makeover: five things to do in Bath this month

THE CITYIST Catch the buzz and find out who we’re following on Twitter

MRS STOKES Our columnist finds herself starstruck by the Theatre Royal door

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FACE THE MUSIC

Topping & Co devotes an evening to the master of photography 6 THEBATHMAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2014

FOOD & DRINKS FOOD REVIEW

WINE COLUMN Celebrating the vineyards of South America

BATH AT WORK Neill Menneer’s portrait of the month is Paul Robinson of Walcot Street

BATH PEOPLE News from the movers and shakers

THE WALK October’s outing begins in Marshfield and takes in the slopes of the beautiful Cotswolds

FOUNDING FATHERS The noble history of King Edward’s School

CHILDREN’S LIT FEST Five minutes with Michael Morpurgo

IN HER OWN WORDS Wine expert Angela Mount shares her story on life with and after breast cancer

BEAUTIFUL INTERIORS Designer Clair Strong on home spathrooms

Dining at the award winning Olive Tree

Sir Roger Carrick celebrates the unveiling of a memorial to Arthur Phillip

BEATON’S BEAUTIES

GREAT BATH FEAST

EDUCATION NEWS Reports from the city’s schools

News from the kitchens

We turn the spotlight on the creative industry that nets Bath £183m

OUR LOVELY LIDO

Six of the best gourmet events this month for the citywide food fest

Bath dentist Paul Vivian chooses his top ten favourite pieces of music

Comedy, music, theatre: highlights from Bath’s rich cultural calendar

The past and future of Cleveland Pools

38 WHAT’S ON

ART & EXHIBITIONS

FAMILY FUN Half term and Halloween activities

All the latest from city galleries

FASHION SHOOT

36 SALUTE TO A HERO

Premiere of an oratorio to Wilfred Owen

Our homage to the glamour of the 1970s, using clothes from Bath stores

32 DIGITAL CITY

TRIBUTE TO POET

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GARDENING Bringing in the pumpkin harvest

101 PROPERTY PORTFOLIO Homes for sale and to rent

Even more online at www.thebathmag.co.uk Cover: designed by Graphic Clinic

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his month’s magazine is dedicated to the creative people of Bath – and there are legions of them. I am lucky to regularly meet some of them, which is one of the great joys of this job. Fired up with enthusiasm, talent and energy, they are the people who drive this city forward. So it’s fitting that we have two major features dedicated to the spirit of creativity in Bath. The first is our autumn/winter fashion shoot, in which an ensemble of talented types got together to style and photograph the beautiful model Koo Stallard against the romantic backdrop of Bath’s historic lido, the open air Cleveland Pools. My contribution was slight. I simply provided the sandwiches and made encouraging noises as they worked. Hair, make-up, styling and photography all came together delightfully – you can see the results of our 70s influenced shoot beginning on Page 21. The second salute to the creative community comes in our feature on the largely unsung heroes and heroines of the brave new digital world. In the last decade this sector has grown enormously and in Bath, designers, programmers and multi-media entrepreneurs have grown an industry that’s estimated to bring over £180m to the city economy every year. Read our collaboration with the Craneworks project, writer Hannah Sturgeon and designer Brian Copeland of Graphic Clinic on Page 32. Our cover design is also by Brian. More creative energy comes from Bath photographer Neill Menneer who each month captures a portrait for our Bath at Work feature, and also from the pages of a gorgeous new glossy book of photographs of the great and good, from Mick Jagger and Marlon Brando to the Queen and Audrey Hepburn, taken by Sir Cecil Beaton. We’ve a reminder that the Great Bath Feast runs throughout October – giving us the perfect excuse to indulge in locally grown and perfectly prepared food and drink. We’re just in time to catch the last few days of the inspiring Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which has been supported by local sponsors including schools. Half term and Halloween beckon, so our Family Fun pages and What’s On are packed with things to go and see and enjoy, while award-winning garden writer Jane Moore looks at how Halloween pumpkins are locally grown and harvested. The Bath Magazine prides itself on some of the best writing in the city, bringing insight and depth to our lives. The former High Commissioner of Australia, Sir Roger Carrick, has kindly written about the achievements of Arthur Phillip, one of the founding fathers of modern Australia, who retired to Bath and is now honoured with a memorial to his name. By contrast, Angela Mount, who writes so engagingly about wine, has written a personal piece about her experience of breast cancer. As she says, if her story can bring even the teeniest bit of comfort to any one woman recently diagnosed, she’ll be satisfied. Read her account on Page 90. Finally a big congratulations to Sam Moody, head chef at the Priory, for retaining his Michelin star in the recent bestowing of gastronomic garlands. Am I allowed to say that, while his is very much deserved, quite a few of us thought there were a couple of others in Bath who should have been recognised too? Maybe the Great Bath Feast will encourage more of us to get out there and enjoy our fabulous restaurant scene. Tuck in!

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

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ZEITGEIST Eat

October

Visit

Bath Abbey is hosting the biggest bring and buy cake sale the city’s ever seen as part of the Great Bath Feast, a month-long celebration of food and drink. Support three good causes and treat yourself at the same time by buying proper homemade cakes, biscuits and bread from Bath community groups on Sunday 18 October, between 1pm and 4pm. There’ll be lots of free fun activities for children too, including bread making workshops with delectable dough boy Richard Bertinet. Bakers are also invited just to turn up on the day and donate a cake. It’s our own #gbbo (Great Bath Bake-Off).

Watch Stand in the centre of Bath and look up and chances are your eyes will find trees. As a city surrounded by hills we are ideally placed to enjoy autumn and watch the leaves slowly turning from green to sear yellow, burnt orange, fiery red and bronze.

At the time of writing the builders are still working on Bath’s oldest department store as Jolly’s undergoes the biggest makeover in over a generation. But we’re told all the dust will settle and departments old and newly created will be in their rightful place when the old lady of Milsom Street reveals her new image in time for Thursday 23 October and the official re-opening. House of Fraser has brought in new brands and the first floor menswear department is particularly impressive. Designers have been sensitive to the building’s listed status and the sash windows, painted friezes and stained glass have all been reverently respected, while old fireplaces have been uncovered. We’d urge you to go for a wander inside the new-look Jolly’s – we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how light and airy the old place feels. The staff deserve a medal for continuing to work through months of chaos going on around them.

Support A campaign has been launched in Bath to persuade more restaurants and cafes to support the StreetSmart charity which raises money to help the homeless and vulnerable. The charity already runs very successfully in London and other cities but, up until now, has had a relatively low profile here in Bath. A handful of establishments, including The Mint Room, the Allium at the Abbey, the Ring O Bells in Widcombe and Yammo! in Walcot, support the scheme already, but it is hoped that more will get involved following this month’s push. At participating restaurants, using a tablecard, or a reference on the menu, a

Shop Until this year the Mary Howard Christmas Fairs had been a delightfully well kept secret between shoppers who enjoy browsing among beautiful and unusual items, while also benefitting charity. But this year the secret is being shared between more people in the hope that the 2014 charity, Kids Company in Bristol will gain. Charity founder Camila Batmanghedlidjh, pictured with Patrick Howard, will be talking about the important work Kids Company is doing when she visits the Mary Howard Christmas Fair in Hullavington, near Chippenham, which runs from 11 to 14 November. Entrance to the fair is by pre-booked tickets only – it’s a great excuse to start some Christmas shopping. Visit: www.maryhowardsales.co.uk. Tickets are £9, or, to attend the VIP day on 11 November, tickets are £14, to ensure a quieter shopping experience.

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voluntary £1 is added to the bill at the end of the meal during the months of November and December. At the end of each month, the restaurant passes on the money raised to StreetSmart. All those pounds are then used to support reputable charities in the city. So participating London diners are helping out London organisations, and Bath diners are helping organisations in Bath, including Julian House, which does such valuable work with vulnerable people in the city. Find out more about StreetSmart, visit: www.streetsmart.co.uk. Look out for the yellow logo too when you dine out.

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ist

THE CITY The buzz

My BATH We ask Bathonian born Dave Longstaff ,delivery driver with TR Hayes, what he’ll be doing in September

Visit

Somerset based clothing range Henry Hunt, set up by designer Phoebe Garlick, is opening a new pop-up shop in Milsom Place, Bath from Monday 13 October. All made in Britain and inspired by British country life, Henry Hunt’s range includes tweed skirts, tops and jackets and evening wear.

Shop The last time online designer brand Fashion Bloodhound held a pop-up sale of pre-loved clothing and accessories it attracted crowds of around 500 bargain hunters. It’s holding another, an autumn showcase event on Wednesday 15 October at the Francis Hotel in Queen Square, Bath from 5.30pm to 8pm, when entrance is free. For those who want to avoid the crush, and to get first dabs on the Chanel, Mulberry, Burberry etc, there are VIP tickets available for £10 each. These will entitle early birds to so much more. Visit: www.fashionbloodhound.com for tickets. Stylist Gaby of Voila Styling will be on hand on the day to help and advise shoppers.

Gaby at Voila Styling, who styled our fabulous fashion shoot this month, has picked out five key trends to help us when we’re choosing our autumn/winter wardrobe. Here are her tips: 1 Fringing. I’ve seen this everywhere, on skirts, jackets, ankle boots and on bags. But my advice is just pick a little of this trend, such as a fringed bag, to avoid looking as if you’re joining a line dancing club. 2 Knee-high boots are high on my wish-list his season. Wear with midi skirts or a loose shirt dress.

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What brought you to Bath? I was brought up in Bath but lived in Australia for seven years. I moved back with my wife some 40 years ago as our parents were getting older and needed us close by to help look after them. I’ve also been really lucky with work, working in removals for 28 years and then TR Hayes in Bath for the last 15 years. What are you reading? As my day to day life being a delivery driver is so busy I’m not currently reading anything. However, I am going on holiday to Tunisia in a few weeks with my wife, (no kids) and intend to make time to relax with a good thriller, perhaps something by Wilbur Smith or Stephen King. What is on your MP3 player? This will probably show my age but I would say I’m definitely stuck in the 60s when it comes to my favourite music. I love listening to the Beach Boys, or anything Motown such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Drifters, you name it. It takes me back to some really good times and great memories. Which café or restaurant takes your fancy? I must admit I do love a good British fry up in a traditional café. But if I’m looking to go out for a meal one of my favourite restaurants in Bath is Martini on George Street. It is a lovely friendly, authentic Italian restaurant. Wonderful food and superb atmosphere. What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing?

My main interests involve keeping fit and keeping tropical fish – they are beautiful and relaxing to watch and don’t need much looking after. Weight lifting is also a passion of mine which comes in handy given my job as a delivery driver for TR Hayes. What local outdoor activity or event will you be doing or visiting? I’m quite partial to the local car boot sales in Bath and there are loads to choose from. You just have to be up early to grab a bargain. I do also enjoy walking around Bath, which is easy and enjoyable when you live in such a beautiful city. Film or play? What will you be going to see this month? Definitely a film, I really enjoy movies and spend most of my free time relaxing watching movies or reading. This month I plan on going to the cinema to see the new Captain America movie. Bath’s largest furnishers, family run TR Hayes is proud to support the local community and has recently continued its sponsorship of Bath City Football Club, in Twerton Park, for a further three years. This has included providing the club with brand new furniture for its members only supporters and sponsors lounge, called the TR Hayes Premier Lounge. For more information on TR Hayes visit: www.trhayes.co.uk. For news of club fixtures and other events at the Twerton ground visit: www.bathcityfc.com.

3 Suits have worked their way back into the trends. The new suit can be worn casually with plimsolls or platform trainers. 4 The colours for autumn are inspired by red wine – burgundies and rich merlots. Add a splash by choosing a scarf a hat or some gloves in one of these warm shades. 5 Isabel Marant and Burberry have both done some fabulous long dresses this autumn. The bohemian, long floaty dress and hippy chick prints are big too. Buy new or visit some of the amazing vintage shops in Bath and find an original.

We’re following @NT SouthWest, the account for National Trust properties in the region. It has more than 22,000 followers who enjoy the beautiful photos it posts and the chance to hear news of upcoming events, from food fairs to family events

OCTOBER 2014

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Mrs Stokes

Star struck by the stage door

©www.robbiddulph.com

takes a sideways look at life in Bath

ack in the noughties, when I lived in London, the streets were paved with celebrity gold. You couldn’t pop to the local rare-roast coffee shop without falling over the likes of Kate Moss or one of the Libertines shambling back in skinny jeans from one of their infamous all-nighters celebrating Albion with all the stimulants money could buy. Stars in the capital were rock and roll, wore their combats with heels and their Ugg boots without any sense of irony. I like to count celebrities – popstars, politicians, presenters – and in London I’d see them all around town, but would never point or stare, unlike my mum. She’s never lived in a city and I assume that’s why she becomes possessed with the spirit of an X-Factor contestant who’s just taken a selfie with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini whenever she sees someone famous. When we bumped into Donna Air in Harvey Nicks for instance, she started whispering in a not too silent way: “Look! It’s whatsaname, who’s going out with that Middleton man.” Shame does not even come into it. Four years ago, however, I moved to Bath and my celebrity hunting dwindled. It all started with the myth of Johnny Depp living at The Circus (Please tweet me if you have actually ever seen him or I will continue to think it’s all a clever marketing ploy by Visit Bath). Whatever the truth, I fell for it, reassured by the fact that, if Captain Jack lived here, stardust does exist outside the Smoke. Sadly, I never saw him and neither did I lay eyes on Nicholas Cage – of whom there IS photographic evidence (he switched on the Christmas lights in 2009). Mr C sold off his Bath townhouse shortly after to pay for a crushing tax bill and although he does still winter in a little village in Somerset, I haven’t yet spotted him. I realised recently that there is another a very real source of a different type of famous person frequenting the city – the thespians of the Theatre Royal. Most weeks there’s a famous face of yesteryear to be seen – just a few months ago I glimpsed Natalie Imbruglia looking shifty (ie pretending she didn’t want to be spotted) sitting in that narrow bit outside Jamie’s Deli in Milsom Place. I also recently spotted Barry from EastEnders making his way up past Sainsbury’s near Kingsmead Square, and I once ordered a double chocca mocha in front of Anthony Head in Starbucks (although he does actually live here so perhaps he doesn’t count). You can also play your own drinking game of Spot the 70s TV Star if you sit outside the Garrick’s Head in the evenings, particularly if there’s an Oscar Wilde playing next door. Just recently you could have scored points for Nigel Havers, Cheri Lunghi, Martin Jarvis and Sian Phillips, all starring in The Importance of Being Earnest. And if it’s award-winning performances you’re after, hang round the stage door later this year for Kenneth Cranham and Anthony Sher appearing in Moliere and Shakespearean classics. The reason I’ve become more aware of the theatre’s starry benefits is that I’ve newly discovered it as a much more pleasurable pastime than the cinema (albeit it a mortgage-risking one, seeing as I don’t qualify for senior citizen, child or student rates and the cost of two tickets in the stalls is around £70). Perhaps the price is the reason it’s not a young person’s hobby – although being in a room full of silver-haired, cashmere-wrapped baby boomers makes me feel positively teenage by comparison. And once you’re inside, you get to sip a small white wine as you walk round in the interval, admiring the black and white photos of all the other famous folk who’ve trod the boards in Bath – from Rebecca Hall (now a Hollywood hottie) to Peter Bowles (was a To the Manor Born heartthrob) and realise that if you live in Bath, this is the place to increase your celebrity count. The last time I went, not only did I actually see Barry from EastEnders on the stage, I also saw a genuine celebrity in the audience. “Look, it’s him off the telly!” I shrieked and pointed as I saw John Cleese towering above his companions on the pavement after the show. It was at that point I realised I’d truly left London forever. n

@mrsstokeschina

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION

Vusta Antique Oak

Flooring is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner makes so it is important to get it right when planning for your home. Richard Hayes of TR Hayes Bath store looks at the different types of flooring options available, to ensure you make the best decision when choosing carpets or hard flooring for your home.

BATH’S LARGEST FURNISHERS

or some it’s a matter of practically, for others it’s a question of aesthetics, but either way there is a lot to consider when choosing carpet or hard flooring for your home. The key things to think about are the size of your living space, budget, style and the lifestyle you live. It’s also always worth popping in store and speaking to a specialist to ask their professional opinion, as they will often give you samples that you can take home to see first-hand whether or not it works in your living space. Carpets come in a range of textures, styles and colours and are a great option for families with little ones, older individuals or those or simply prefer the look and feel of a carpet in their home. Thermal resistant, and great for keeping the house warmer in the winter months, carpet is also ideal for

Brockway - Vogue - Fusion Stripe Carpet

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reducing noise pollution throughout your home, cushioning your footsteps and softening any slips and falls. Certain newer carpet brands with the lower VOC-emitting flooring choice available are also suitable for asthma and allergy suffers as the carpet acts as a passive air filter, trapping dust, pollen and other particles and removing them from the breathing zone. The perfect neutral foundation, or a focal point, carpets also allow you to be as bold or creative as you like and are fast coming back in fashion, with Stripes making the biggest ripples amongst high end markets. Great for making a statement in your home, striped carpets and runners can lengthen rooms, whilst bold wide stripes open up a room making them ideal for hallways and staircases. Mohawk carpets are also proving revolutionary and a hit with the Bath market. Stylish and family friendly, they offer carpets that are luxuriously soft, durable, and stain resistant so the protection will never wear off, definitely something worth investing in. Hard floor on the other hand is sometimes seen as more ‘luxurious’ and ‘high’ end because it is a natural material, not to mention easier to clean and long lasting, but it can also be expensive which is why more and more people are turning to laminate and vinyl solutions. Vusta Vinyl Flooring has a special PU coated surface which is virtually maintenance free and comes with a 25 year warranty for domestic use. Vusta is suitable for use with underfloor heating and offers you natural and elegant designs without any of the practical drawbacks of a natural floor. TR Hayes has professional fitters and knowledgeable staff who offer a free flooring estimation service with no obligation. For more information on this and any of their carpets or hard flooring please visit the TR Hayes stores at 15 – 18 London Street, Walcot, Bath, BA1 5BX or call on 01225 465 757.

Axminster Mondrian wentwood

Brockway - Vogue-Opulence Carpet

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Hand-made,beautifully crafted traditional rugs from all over the Orient.

Oriental rugs of bath at Bookbarn International

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Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises. All types of jewellery remodelled. Efficient repair service. Established 1970

Gold & Platinum Studio, 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR | Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk | email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Jenny Hayes jenny@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Commercial Production Lorna Harrington Email: lorna@thebathmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos stevem@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Contact the Advertising Sales team tel: 01225 424499

SCOTTISH CASHMERE SALE www.capitalcashmere.com

Advertising Sales Email:

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

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

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Racecourse, Bath Friday/Saturday, 17/18 October

10.00am - 4.00pm Free Entrance Probably the largest collection in the UK All at huge reductions on normal shop prices All Top Makes from Scotland

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2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmagazine.co.uk ÂŠ MC Publishing Ltd 2014 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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ROCKING a VIBE

70s

Gaby of Voila Styling takes the glamour of the disco divas of the 1970s and gives it a fresh look to inspire your wardrobe for autumn/winter 2014 Model: Koo Stallard Photographer: Dean Jode

MAKE A SPLASH: original 1970s sparkle dress, £55, Scarlet Vintage, worn with gilded headband, £32.50, from Anthropologie

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GOT THE BLUES: Hoss Intrepid navy silk dress, ÂŁ196, from Grace and Mabel, Dita suede boots, Duo and Matthew Williamson scarf from Fashion Bloodhound

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MIX IT UP: Dries Van Noten dress, £120, Fashion Bloodhound, Puffa jacket, stylist’s own, Miro party shoes, £125, from Duo

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MAKE AN ENTRANCE: Kriss bustier jumpsuit, £245, Belluci-Hamme metal belt, £69, Minty embellished clutch bag, £95, all from Reiss. Glitter shoes, £125, from Duo, tippet, stylist’s own

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WRAP IT UP: Prosa coat by Malene Birger £489, from Grace and Mabel, Custommade Otto Mine top, £130, from Grace and Mabel. Miu Miu sunglasses, £95, from Fashion Bloodhound

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e were lucky to get model Koo Stallard for our shoot, as she arrived in Bath fresh from working at London Fashion Week. Koo is currently in demand and is a finalist in this year’s South Wales Next Top Model competition. You can follow Koo on Twitter @Koo_Stallard. Our hair stylist for the day was Jess, assistant manager at No.3 Hairdressing in Saville Row, Bath. The salon has recently launched the city’s only blow dry bar where customers can pick a style from a handy menu of looks. No.3’s friendly team of experts can cut or colour any type of hair. Contact them on: 01225 443222 or follow on Twitter @No3Hairdressing. Styling the shoot and sourcing the looks was Gaby of Voila styling, who also teaches Pilates in Bath. Gaby says of her clients: “Having a fresh pair of eyes to look at your wardrobe is always refreshing, as seeing your buying habits can be an eye opener. We want our clients to feel happy. Everyone has an amazing feature – it could be a small waist, great legs, beautiful arms or a lovely bottom – a lot of being successful in your dressing is discovering what it is and showing it to its best advantage. Then you don’t need to show everything else!” Contact Gaby: www.voilastyling.co.uk or tel: 0787 651 6048, or follow her on Twitter @VoilaStyling.

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Photographer Dean Jode specialises in commercial and social photography. He has wide experience in fashion and food, as well as social documentary and events. Visit: www.deanjode.com to see more of his work or follow him on Twitter @DeanJodePhoto. The make-up was expertly applied by Rebecca Marks, Bath-based freelance professionally trained make-up artist. Becky enjoys applying make-up for all kinds of occasions, including weddings. Follow her on Twitter @MUAMarks. Part of our fashion shoot took place at the historic Cleveland Pools, which you can read about elsewhere in this month’s magazine. We’d like to thank the Cleveland Pools Trust for allowing us to use the historic site, in particular Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst, Ann Dunlop and Sally Helvey, who all worked to make it happen. Sally runs City Secret Tours suitable for visitors and locals as she takes her tours to interesting, often overlooked fascinating corners of our city. Contact Sally: 07836 2525 69. Stockists who helped create the looks included Bath independents Vintage to Vogue, Grace and Mabel, Scarlet Vintage and the online shop Fashion Bloodhound. We are also indebted to Anthropologie, Reiss and Duo.

GMc

Ossie Clark original dress, £29, from Vingate to Vogue

Our autumn/winter fashion shoot : with thanks

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A STYLISH AUTUMN FOR LESS ££s

SHOPPING | SCENE

A gem of a shop The Bath Magazine highlights one of the city’s independent businesses, jewellery designer Jody Cory Jody Cory Goldsmiths celebrates its 10th year anniversary at the Abbey Churchyard shop in Bath this November. Jody is an established independent goldsmith and a member of the National Association of Goldsmiths. She has 28 years’ experience in making, repairing and remodelling jewellery, all carried out on the premises. There is a commission service where Jody will create a unique piece of jewellery to be adorned and adored exclusively to each customer. With her creative abilities and extensive design ideas, Jody enjoys working alongside her clients to take them through the process in a relaxed and friendly manner. She can offer technical experience and there is the opportunity to view precious gem stones on approval, all to fit in with the clients’ desires and budget. There is also an interest free PayaWay service available. (Please enquire in store for more information.) The remodelling service offers the sentimental significance of the jewellery to carry on while making it aesthetically pleasing to be enjoyed once more. It’s a great way to recycle those old broken or tired pieces into an original new piece. Jody also offers an unrivalled fitted wedding ring service where brides can have a unique wedding band created to fit perfectly against any shape engagement ring. For those who are not sure how it will look, a 3D wax replica can be made. Brides to be can try it on alongside their engagement ring before it is created in a matching precious metal. Even green gold is available along side silver, 9ct, 14ct,or 18ct yellow, white or rose gold, palladium and platinum. Jody often sources rare and beautiful gem stones which she mounts for the shop. Expect to find unusual treasures such as colour changing sapphires, natural coloured diamonds and even rare gem stones such as certificated Alexandrites which change colour between natural and artificial light. Jody successfully completed a diamond grading course in 2008. She recommends choosing a good colour, G or above. The clarity is graded using a 10x magnification. Jody offers free, expert advice and can break down the classic four Cs – clarity, cut, colour and carat – to enable people to choose the right diamond. Jody was pleased to welcome Naomi Jago to her team last year. Naomi has a Bachelors degree in jewellery design and silversmithing from Birmingham School of Jewellery and has been working as a professional Goldsmith for the last six years. Working alongside Naomi in the in-house workshop is Catherine Tutt. Jody and Catherine have worked together for 15 years. Catherine is a highly experienced goldsmith and has picked up many great techniques from her travels, working in many different workshops around the world. Naomi and Catherine make their own range of jewellery which can be found in store. And with the workshop on the premises there is always an experienced goldsmith to discuss individuals’ requirements. The retail team is headed by Jane Harrison. Jane always goes that extra mile to accommodate the customers wishes whereever possible. New recruit Camilla completes the friendly, and helpful team with 20 years of retail jewellery experience between them. Other services include repairing, re-stringing, fingerprint jewellery, Rhodium plating and valuations. The shop is holding an anniversary open day on Saturday 1 November between 10am and 5pm. 10% discount will be offered throughout the store, including sale items, and some bargain buys. Customers will also receive a £10 gift voucher with every purchase on the day. Visitors can enter the competition to win a 0.10ct diamond. A great opportunity for some early Christmas shopping. Jody Cory Goldsmiths, 9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY. Tel: 01225 460072. www.jodycory.co.uk

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• GLOVES • HATS • SOCKS • • GIFTS • SCARVES • UMBRELLAS • • WALLETS • BELTS • OUTERWEAR • and MUCH MORE! Established 1777

Furnax Lane, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8PE Telephone: 01985 217367 Opposite recycling centre

Opening Hours, Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm

Free Parking with Disabled Access

Dent's merchandise is either discontinued from our international collection or samples. All merchandise is offered subject to availability.

www.dents.co.uk OCTOBER 2014

THEBATHMAGAZINE 27

Nicholas Wylde Event Bath.qxp_Layout 1 25/09/2014 13:52 Page 1

An Evening of Magical Gems Nicholas Wylde hosts a spectacular evening of gems and jewellery at The Royal Crescent Hotel on Thursday 23rd October at 7pm (by invitation only)

NICHOLAS WYLDE launches new Wylde Art Guests will join Nicholas and the team to celebrate the launch of a stunning new piece of Wylde Art which has been designed exclusively for The Royal Crescent Hotel and incorporates particular features attributed to the Hotel and Spa and its magnificent surroundings. Nicholas is delighted to have been asked to create this Wylde Art piece for The Royal Crescent and is proud to unveil his artwork “Gem of Bath” which combines beautiful gems, precious metals and bath stone, emphasising the ambience and overall atmosphere of this luxurious and beautiful hotel. Nicholas has been designing and hand-making jewellery in Bath for over 25 years and is regarded as one of the top 50 jewellery designers in Britain. “Wylde Art” is his brand new concept; jewellery lovers and those passionate about art and sculpture can enjoy the combination of precious metals and gorgeous gemstones. These works of art enable Nicholas to be totally fluid and impulsive without the restrictions that are accustomed to making jewellery.

EXPLORE THE WORLD OF GEMS An exciting presentation by Guy Clutterbuck with a huge array of wonderful loose gems to see To make this event a spectacular evening, Nicholas has invited a very popular and charismatic speaker as a special guest. Guy Clutterbuck is an international gemstone merchant, and he is renowned for his fascinating talks and his extensive knowledge and insight as a global gemhunter. By sourcing these beautiful gems worldwide, he has many wonderful stories to tell and a wealth of advice and experience. Guests will have the opportunity to view a vast selection of gemstones and many will be direct from the mines. This is a wonderful occasion to choose something special which can be designed and made in time for Christmas.

There will be canapés and wine for invited guests and the evening starts at 7pm until 9pm at The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath, BA1 2LS. For more information about the Wylde Art event or to book your place, please contact: Bath@nicholaswylde.com or Tel: 01225 462826

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FACE | THE MUSIC

The man behind the mask Mick Ringham talks to dentist Paul Vivian about how modern dentistry need not be anything to fear and why, although he loves good rock music, he plays classical music in his Widcombe surgery to put his patients at their ease

o be honest, it’s the chair that most of us would do our utmost to avoid. As a bit of a dentophobe, even the mere thought of walking into the dentist’s waiting room would send a shiver down my spine and that problem tooth would miraculously stop aching. However, things have dramatically changed since I was a gob-stopping sherbet obsessed youth and nothing more so than in the dental profession. Paul Vivian entered the world of root canals and cavities in 2006 when he joined the British Army Dental Corps after completing a five year degree course in dentistry at Manchester University. In many respects our Armed Forces based in the UK and Germany, gave him the opportunity to develop his skills on a somewhat captive supply of patients with a large variety of problems. After leaving the army in 2012, Paul and his wife Sally took over the Widcombe Dental Practice, following in the footsteps of his father who had run

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the surgery for a number of years. As he says: “I had always wanted to work in dentistry, mainly because I grew up in that environment, but I can honestly say my Dad never influenced me one way or another, I guess it was just in the genes.” For some patients bad memories of childhood visits stopped them regularly attending the dentist for check-ups, but advances in technology have improved to a degree that treatment can now be completely painless. Paul acknowledges this and suggests that “the future is about care and maintenance, checking any tooth decay or gum problems before they have chance to cause trouble. Both hygiene and cosmetic work are increasingly now becoming normal practice. The anxiety that used to be encountered in the past has largely disappeared, however it’s vitally important to have those regular check-ups to prevent any difficulties occurring later on.” Paul and Sally live in Bradford-on-Avon and in January became proud

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FACE | THE MUSIC

TOP TUNES: left to right, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, The Beatles, Sweet Child of Mine, Guns n Roses and Some Might Say by Oasis parents for the first time. As yet there are no plans for the third generation of the family to follow into the business, however it’s true to say that we only get one set of adult teeth and if we don’t care of them, someone else will have to! As for his musical preferences he manages to combine a healthy mix of contemporary pop and the classics, the latter being played on a daily basis in the surgery to help relax the patient and hopefully inspire the dentist. I asked him of all his musical heroes who would be the one that he would like to have in his dentist chair? “Without doubt that would be Nick Mason from Pink Floyd, the band were a great inspiration for me when I was younger, and for that matter still are.” Hindsight is a wonderful thing especially when it involves pain and expense and surely there can be no greater warning for us than that famous Pam Ayres ditty, “I wish I’d looked after me teeth” now proudly framed and displayed in Paul’s surgery, raising a wry smile in many of his patients as they take to the chair like reluctant Mastermind contestants.

Paul’s choices: ❶ Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb This is without doubt my favourite number from The Wall album. They recorded this in the same year I was born, 1982, so I can say in a way we grew up together. I never tire of listening to this utterly beautiful piece and the two soaring guitar solos, quite frankly there’s nothing else like it. One of my biggest regrets is that I will now never get the opportunity to see them live. ❷ Oasis – Some Might Say They were a prominent band when I was at school in Bath. I hadn’t listened to much music before that time but then I got my first hi-fi and rigged up a couple of old speakers. I sat between them playing the opening of this track over and over again. I love the way the guitar sounds on this just before the drums come in, a real surge of energy. ❸ Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D Major I play the flute, however, I would have loved to have learnt the violin when I was younger. I really enjoy listening to or experiencing something that I cannot do perfectly. It gives me a feeling of motivation in other areas, to achieve the best results I possibly can. This concerto starts simply enough but ends in an awesome crescendo; it staggers me that someone can actually play like this. ❹ Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under the Bridge This song typifies the music of my summers, when I was at the age where I could go away all day with my mates messing about and get back home in the evening to the security of home and a late supper. They are a truly great band, pumped up and inspiring, contemporary music at its very best. ❺ Guns n Roses – Sweet Child of Mine Again a record from my teens. Memories of going out with friends and just having a good time, feeling happy, young, and a bit foolish at times. This is probably one of those numbers on the pub jukebox that generally no one complains about. And wow, what utterly astonishing guitar work, recently voted the second greatest guitar riff ever. ❻ The Rolling Stones – Honky Tonk Women I was listening to this (now favourite) Stones track on my way back to my really dreadful digs in Manchester after finding out that I’d just passed my dentistry exams. It did seem at the time that I had been studying all my life, but in reality the course had been five years and now there were no more exams to take. WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

There was a real feeling of a new chapter in my life opening up with the Army and this record will always remind me of that time and place along with a genuine feeling of optimism and excitement. ❼ Albinoni – Adagio in G Minor This amazing piece for strings and organ sets the mood from the first few notes. In my daily work I tend to listen to classical music more than anything else, mainly for its ability to relax the patient, which in turn creates a calming environment throughout the surgery. ❽ Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now The truth is that I’m no John Travolta on the dance floor. In truth and according to my wife my dancing skills are less than zero. But when I do let go, which is as rare as hen’s teeth, I can clear any floor in the blink of an eye. This record does what it says on the tin and really does have my name stamped all over it! ❾ Bryan Adams – Summer of 69 I remember going to this cheesy dance in Farnham a few years ago and met a fabulous girl called Sally. This record was playing when we shared our first kiss, which I will never forget. She has been a huge support to me over the years and I love her more each day. As well as becoming a new mum to our son she is also the practice manager at the surgery. ❿ The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps I had to pick a Beatles record even though they broke-up 12 years before I was born. George Harrison was definitely my favourite Beatle and the songs he wrote appear simple but, my goodness they were so beautiful. He and the other three guys inspired generations of kids like me to listen and love creative music and that stays with you forever. n

Oh I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth, by Pam Ayres Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth and spotted the dangers beneath. All the toffees I chewed and the sweet sticky food, Oh I wish I looked after me teeth When I think of the lollies I licked and the liquorice allsorts I picked Sherbet dabs big and little, all that hard peanut brittle My conscience gets horribly pricked My mother, she told me no end, if you got a tooth, you got a friend I was young then and careless, my toothbrush was hairless I never had much time to spend I showed them the toothpaste alright; I flashed it about day and night But up and down brushin’ and poking and fussin’ Didn’t seem worth the time – I could bite! How I laughed at mother’s false teeth, as they foamed in the waters beneath But now comes the reckonin’ it’s me they are beckonin’ Oh, I wish I’d looked after my teeth!

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CREATIVE | BATH

CITY’S HIDDEN INDUSTRY Hannah Sturgeon turns the spotlight on the creative digital industry in Bath, which brings in around £183m to the city

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IMAGE: from Graphic Clinic

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CREATIVE | BATH

IMAGE: from Large Evil Corporation animators of Bath

ath may attract tourists by the coachload, but behind the many Farrow & Ball painted Georgian doors in the heart of the city, lies a creative, digital industry beating fast and furious. A myriad of technical masters, software engineers, illustrators, animators, freelancers, designers and more are industriously working on online and offline campaigns, creating companies, building out-there software and forging dynamic collaborations in a hive of co-working spaces. According to stats from Bath and North East Somerset Council, the creative industry in Bath generates some £183m in GVA (Gross Value Added, which is a measure in economics of the value of goods and or services produced in an area, sector or industry) from 700 businesses and 2,500 individuals in selfemployment. The city is a melting pot of creative, digital energy and it is currently riding high on the wave of Bath’s USP as a digital heartland. UNESCO awards World Heritage Status to sites which: “represent a masterpiece of human creative genius” and “exhibit an important interchange of human values” and there you have it in a nutshell: in the heart of our inspiring city the reason for our UNESCO status, two intangible, beautiful commodities, both of which lure creative talent and business to the city. The question is: how do we keep them here? At just 27 Dave Kelly is bursting with ideas, energy and success through his co-founded interactive, software and app consultancy, Storm, which works across global projects, and the creation of The Bath Digital Festival, now in its third year, and a recognised global event, running this month, with international partners including TEDx and Smashing Conferences both making an appearance. Dave says: “It is extremely important to have events that celebrate success – good news makes people happy.” Storm also supports other fledgling tech businesses through seed-funding and co-sharing office-space. For Dave, a graduate of Bath University, the city offered him the opportunity to start a tech company in the south west, where potentially it could become a big fish in a small pond. He says there is a wealth of highly enterprising minds hidden in the city, who support and help each other in the tight knit digital and creative industry. He points out: “Unlike Bristol or London, where due to size the business community can become far more fragmented, the smaller community of Bath means less fracture and far more support.” Brian Copeland at branding and graphic agency Graphic Clinic agrees: “The small community is thriving, it shares knowledge and works together, rather than competing with each other.” Rosie Bennett, the founder of Storenextdoor.com says: “Bath is a great

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

breeding ground for entrepreneurship, we have an eco-system that fosters ideas.” Rosie, who is a mother of two, entrepreneur in residence and mentor at the Innovation Centre, adds: “Bath is the perfect place for start-ups,.with inspirational setting, somewhere beautiful to work, a large pool of freelance talent, wealth in the city for funding and it is open to mentoring young businesses.” This is exactly what Rosie does, after her day job and getting the children to school, she mentors start-ups, including other female entrepreneurs like Emma Smith and her online community business: MyEnvolve.com. The Innovation Centre was created by Bath University and SETsquared, (a multi-university incubation centre recently hailed as one of the best in the world), to serve the business community in Bath, by fostering new jobs, creating wealth and encouraging business and students to stay in the city. Award-winning ecommerce agency, Meanbee, was started by Tom Robertshaw and Nick Jones while studying at Bath University, they graduated three years ago but decided to stay on in the city as, they say: “there were signs that the tech scene was trying to grow and we were happy to do our small part in that.” Meanbee also offers serviced office space to freelancers and people that work in other companies, because, Tom Robertshaw adds: “it can be useful in terms of adding to the office dynamic with complementary perspectives and skills.” Meanbee is not alone in offering shared or coworking space to start-ups and other freelancers: Storm, Graphic Clinic and more specialist environments such as the Innovation Centre, The Guild’s Co-working Hub and The Glove Factory all offer shared co-working office space offering individuals and small businesses a very different approach to working in the city. Digital business and services do not need to be in a specific location, today freelancers and remote workers can collaborate with global businesses from home or from a hot-desk in a co-shared space. These so-called co-working environments combine a hotbed of talent and diversity where freelancers specialise in a host of complementary industries, inspiring, collaborating, supporting, knowledge-sharing and it doesn’t stop there – together these small businesses and freelancers are creating a dynamic community, a wealth of knowledge which collide to create new things in the heart of Bath. More small co-working environments are popping up as freelancers look for different ways to work without the isolation of working from home and more are, without doubt, desperately needed following the demise of former creative co-working space; The Dispensary.

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CREATIVE | BATH For Dave Kelly, Tom Robertshaw, Rosie Bennett and others the lack of modern, affordable, open-plan office space and faster internet in the heart of the city are the largest roadblocks to a continuing flourishing future for the digital industry in Bath. Dave Kelly says of the council: “BANES needs to provide more affordable office space, but office space that has been modernised and not left to the companies to update the interiors. If BANES created the right environments for businesses to work in there would be no gap between companies moving in and out and therefore money made. As business grows BANES has a responsibility to create a good space for growing industries.” Red Davis, lead iOS engineer at Togethera, works remotely from his London-based company and hot desks at Meanbee, agrees: “A lot of the offices that you can rent in Bath used to be houses, which means they have been split up into tiny useless rooms. We need buildings specifically designed to be offices.” Despite the lack of competitive and affordable co-work-space the digital community continues to thrive. Alongside the Digital Festival runs BathSPARK, Invest Bristol and Bath, both founded by, respected digital entrepreneur, and Bath local, David Maher Roberts, Bathhacked, Bath Camp, Bath Bridge and co-working Bath to name a few. Seth Watkins, graduate of Bath Spa University and creative director at a Large Evil Corporation – a successful character animation studio working with the advertising industry says: “I recently heard Bath described as ‘the place where creativity goes to die.’ I find Bath gives me a better quality of life and a better work/home balance that many people I work with in London simply can’t imagine. Getting around the city is easy and getting to London in 1½ hours means we can meet our clients quickly when a phone call or Skype won’t do the trick.” So how we do keep this exciting industry here in the city?

Rhodri Samuel, one of the driving forces behind the Craneworks development plans explains what this project would contribute to the creative economy and the community at large

raneworks is a project to transform the derelict Stothert & Pitt factory buildings fronting the Lower Bristol Road into a world-class centre for invention. This would combine exciting public facilities for learning, making and culture, with new warehouse-style workspaces for creative and tech businesses. The listed buildings, which are currently owned by the Bath and North East Somerset Council, form part of the Victorian crane factory that was once the headquarters of world-famous engineers Stothert & Pitt. Their beautiful industrial character, large open-plan spaces and central location make them the perfect location for the Craneworks project. Photos of the buildings can be found on Facebook: www.facebook.com/craneworksbath. The idea behind Craneworks is to provide an inspirational place where people of all ages and backgrounds, especially young people, can learn new skills, be creative, make mistakes and turn their ideas into reality. It will offer

a combination of high-tech and traditional ‘dirty’ making spaces, where individuals and groups can develop the fusion of creative, technical and practical skills they need to succeed in the workplace of the future. The public facilities will also include art and design exhibition spaces, two auditoria for film and digital media – which would also be used for conferences – and a really great café and gathering place. The upper floors of Craneworks would provide a hub of serviced workspaces and studios for small and medium sized creative, digital media and tech businesses. This would house a total of 400+ jobs and generate an economic impact of around £25m each year (GVA). Craneworks is a Community Interest Company, a social enterprise that will use its profits and assets for the public good. It has been developed by a large group of entrepreneurial and experienced Bath people, many of whom are globally successful in the fields of design, technology, engineering, education, business and development, who have the skills the deliver a successful and sustainable enterprise. They have volunteered their time and expertise because they want something extraordinary to happen in these buildings that will directly benefit local people long into the future and put Bath on the map as a contemporary city. Everyone involved is committed to making Craneworks socially inclusive and accessible to the whole community. Craneworks is backed by a strong business plan and is identified as a priority for Government funding in the Strategic Economic Plan for the West of England. The project team has also been in talks with charities, major funding bodies and financial institutions who would actively consider funding Craneworks if it can secure a serious option on the buildings. The team is now in discussions with the council and with the prospective new owners of the site to seek to achieve that outcome. To find out more about Craneworks, to download the prospectus or to watch the latest film about the project visit www.craneworks.org or follow it on twitter @cranewrks to keep up to date with the latest news. The project needs the vocal support of the Bath community and further information on how to register your support is provided on the website. n

The story behind our cover Graphic Clinic, which is based in the heart of Bath in offices at Bartlett Street, believes that design works best when it creates a clear dialogue between brand and customer. It is run by Brian Copeland, who says: “By knowing who the audience and client are we can actively engage with them. We’re responsive to the demands of clients; experienced at listening and understanding their goals and their customers’ needs; and identifying the best solutions to ensure those are met and built upon. We believe all businesses should have access to strategic creative thinking, not just those with the deepest pockets. Which is why we offer our clients brand strategy, management and delivery at an affordable price. We have the experience to tailor creative solutions across any channel and actively thrive on working in all of them. From high street banks and international drinks labels to local SMEs, we are adept at giving businesses more than just graphic design.” Graphic Clinic was founded nine years ago. It has a wide ranging remit, from designing logos and posters to working alongside PR firms on campaigns and to enhance businesses’ search engine optimisation (SEO). The studio has also designed book covers and, of course, worked alongside The Bath Magazine to come up with graphics to illustrate the powerful and largely invisible engine of creativity that lies at the heart of Bath. This engine of creativity is fed by many sources, with collaborations and partnerships from businesses ranging from one-person outfits working out of their homes, to eally big organisations. As you can see from Brian’s two designs – one our cover and on the previous page – creative Bath is fuelled by talent from all kinds of places, including our respected two universities, the museums and galleries, festival makers, programmers and designers.

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HISTORY | MAKERS

A HERO AND A GENTLEMAN Sir Roger Carrick, former high Commissioner to australia and Stephen Bird, head of heritage services at Bath and north east Somerset Council on the British commemorations to admiral arthur Phillip

A CITY SALUTES: left, a portrait of Arthur Phillip by Francis Wheatley, on loan from the National Portrait Gallery to the Victoria Art Gallery until March. Right, the unveiling of the Arthur Phillip memorial near his home in Bennet Street, with Councillor Martin Veal, Chairman of B&NES Council, Sir Christopher Benson, Chairman of the BAS Education Trust, Lady Elizabeth Gass, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and Her Excellency Dame Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales, escorted by Bath Sea Scouts and the Royal Australian Navy. Inset: the stone in Westminster Abbey, dedicated in July

aptain, (later Admiral) Arthur Phillip, Royal Navy, (1738-1814), CaptainGeneral, Commander of the so-called First Fleet to Sydney, First Governor of New South Wales and Founder of modern Australia, has been far better known in Australia than in his own country – at least until this year. Phillip, who spent his retirement happily in Bath and is buried in Bathampton, was well described by Sir Anthony Eden as “one of the most eminent men of the 18th century.” Yet Phillip was not honoured in his own time, when England lionised Phillip’s contemporary and admirer Lord Nelson and other victors in great battles. Phillip, consummate leader, administrator, linguist, sailor, former farmer, devoted government servant and, above all, humanitarian, fought tough battles of his own: initially against Whitehall to ensure his convict convoy and naval escorts were properly victualled, and that he was equipped to govern a penal colony. The month before the convoy sailed from England, in 1787, The Bath Chronicle predicted that no more than one in five of the convicts would survive the arduous sea voyage – an 80 per cent death rate. Phillip’s 15,063 nautical miles voyage (1787-88) to Sydney Cove, half a world away, was the healthiest convict voyage ever, with deaths only about two per cent. In constructing the colony of New South Wales, Governor Phillip had to contend with extraordinary and often unforeseen obstacles: a contumacious No.2, insubordinate marines, recidivist convicts, crop failures, seriously short supplies, control of very tight rations, and governance in hard times – even the arrival of a thoroughly unhealthy Second Fleet which discharged half its convicts seriously sick. Phillip’s Governorship was determined yet forbearing; thoughtful yet dynamic; intelligent, imaginative, wise and far-sighted. He treated the Aborigines with kindness. He envisioned that the convicts, if decently treated, could become new men and women in a new world; and that New South 36 TheBATHMagazine

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Wales would “hereafter be a most valuable acquisition to Great Britain.” The close ally Australia is today is a modern reflection of that prediction. Phillip left Sydney for England in 1793 for health reasons, after nearly five years of extraordinary and enduring achievement. He hoped that the Bath waters would restore him, and that he would return to Sydney to complete the colony’s progress to longterm viability. The Admiralty decreed otherwise, sending him to command several ships in the Napoleonic Wars. Having served with real distinction as a

Commander with the Portuguese Navy (on what we would call secondment), Phillip also conducted a delicate diplomatic mission in Portugal. Back ashore in the west of England, he took on senior but backroom naval jobs, running the Sea Fencibles (a Royal Navy Home Guard against Napoleonic invasion) and the Impress Service. In these roles, he travelled throughout Britain, and did his country serious but mostly unrecognised service. As a boy, Arthur Phillip had visited aunts in Bath: the city was a natural option for retirement. He and his second wife Isabella (née Whitehead) joined the Bath Circulating Library on consecutive days, and may have met there. Phillip lived for a time at 3 South Parade.

Isabella and he married in May 1794, and lived in Bath and London. While Rear-Admiral Phillip was travelling, Isabella lived for a time in Bathampton, where the couple had friends; and they evidently spent some time together there, in Osborne House, in the summer of 1804. In December 1806, they bought the house at 19 Bennet Street, Bath, a ‘Commodious and Gentlemanly Dwelling House’, for £2,200. The Phillips could thence easily socialise in the Circus, the Royal Crescent, the Park and the Assembly Rooms just across the road. In 1808, Phillip suffered a stroke, which caused some paralysis in his right side. He could later be seen being wheeled in a Bath chair to take the air in the Circus. Nevertheless he continued to advise on New South Wales, and to see naval and other friends – Sir Joseph and Lady Banks, Lord St Vincent, the Nelsons, and his former Second Lieutenant in the First Fleet, Philip Gidley King, later third Governor. At home on 31 August 1814, now a full Admiral, Arthur Phillip was found dead. He was buried in the quiet country church of St Nicholas in Bathampton. Two hundred years later, Admiral Phillip has been nationally commemorated: by a memorial stone in Westminster Abbey, dedicated in a service in which the Duke of Edinburgh, an admirer of Phillip, participated; and in Bath when the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and the Chairman of the Britain-Australia Society Education Trust unveiled an impressive memorial sculpture in the Assembly Rooms’ north east garden. It was excellent and fitting that the present, 37th, Governor of New South Wales, Dame Marie Bashir, visited Britain for the ceremonies, and spoke in admiration and honour of Admiral Phillip at Westminster Abbey and at the Guildhall, Bath. Several leading Bath heritage organisations, the National Trust and the Britain-Australia Society should take the organisational credit. They are delighted that Bath has a new “most valuable acquisition.” n

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WHAT’S ON in October Katherine Ryan

Events are listed in chronological order To promote your event visit: www.thebathmag.co.uk

Play Strindberg Until Saturday 11 October The Ustinov Studio theatre, Saw Close, Bath This critically acclaimed black comedy is a UK premiere of a new translation by political satirist Alistair Beaton. Set on a desert island, it sees a surreal love triangle played out in painful detail. Look out for the other black comedies in the Ustinov season, The Father starring Kenneth Cranham, Lia Williams and Brian Doherty (16 October – 15 November) and Exit The King starring Alun Armstrong (20 November – 20 December). Tickets, tel: 01225 448844 or visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov.

St Mary’s Church, Charlcombe

★ Editor’s pick Kathryn Ryan: Glam Role Model Wednesday 8 October, 6.30pm for 8pm

Tony Robinson

Rambert: Rooster

Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath, www.komedia.co.uk/bath Canadian stand-up comedian, writer and actress Katherine Ryan is one of those rare north American acts whose humour matches so well with our British view of life – she’s self-deprecating, sassy, irreverent and sarcastic. She’s a regular face on TV as a panellist on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock The Week. The product of a strict Irish father and a glitzy Canadian ‘stage mom’, she says she won neither friends nor pageant titles growing up. Try as she might to shed her questionable perspectives and super sparkly nature, she’s not sure we can ever truly escape our childhood indoctrinations. Tickets from £12.

Commemoration of Charlcombe 1914 – 18 Friday 3 October, 7.30pm The Kingswood Theatre, Fonthill Road, Lansdown, Bath An evening of recollection, poetry and song to commemorate the men of Charlcombe who went to the Front in the First World War. There’ll be music by Elgar and Vaughan Williams and poetry by Thomas Hardy and Wilfred Owen. Money raised will go to the British Legion and to protect St Mary’s Church, Charlcombe, which is over 1,000 years old and is Bath’s oldest church still in use. Tickets: 01225 424224, tel: 01225 424224.

Lucy Ward Band Friday 3 October, 7.30pm

Tamsin Little

Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1QR Nominated for BBC Folk Singer of the Year 2014 this talented British folk singer is joined by five musicians, including the engaging duo O’Hooley and Tidow, for a musical treat. Tickets: £12. Visit: www.chapelarts.org or tel: 01225 461700.

Also at Chapel Arts this month Karla Milton Collective Friday 10 October, 7.30pm Enjoy some funk, soul and groove with this collective, which has just released a new album. The nine-piece band’s mission statement is ‘groove and play songs.’ Tickets £12.

A Night with the BelleFleurs Saturday 25 October, 7.30pm This local three-piece presents songs in classic harmony – it’s just not the usual slightly sweet material you’d expect from this style of singing. Instead, Tanya, Kate and Emma re-work everything from heavy metal and punk to disco and the present day hits. The corseted trio will be using this gig to launch their new album, Fluerting. Tickets: £10.

Step class: suitable beginners to advanced Every Wednesday 10.30am – 11.30am Visit our website for more great events and things to do. To promote your event: log-on and get it listed 38 TheBATHMagazine

OCTOBeR 2014

St Stephen’s Church Hall, Lansdown Road, Bath Experienced fitness teacher Jane Braham is holding a weekly step class to get those lungs and legs working. Classes, £6, tel: 07866 604 341.

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The personal world of the Victorian lady Saturday 4 – Sunday 19 October, (except Tuesdays) 11am to 4.15pm Lacock Abbey kitchens, Lacock, National Trust property, Wiltshire This is a rare opportunity to get close to 100 carefully restored original items belonging to Victorian women, including clothes and personal items, lent from a private collection. Normal abbey admission applies. NT members and under 5s go free. Tel: 01249 730459 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock.

Flowers Band and the Best of British Brass Sunday 5 October, 3pm Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1DZ One of the world’s finest brass bands will stir your soul with a programme of evocative and entertaining music. Tickets: £12 Tel: 01225 860100. Son Yambu

Jesus Christ Superstar Tuesday 30 September – Saturday 4 October Theatre Royal, Bath Bath Light Operatic Group, which each year produces a big show at the theatre, takes on Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic rock opera. Songs include Everything’s Alright, Hosanna and I Don’t Know How to Love Him. Tickets: 01225 448844.

Also at the Theatre Royal this month The Hypochondriac Wednesday 8 – Saturday 18 October From Richard Bean, the writer who brought us the brilliantly funny version of One Man, Two Guvnors, comes this new translation of Moliere’s drama. This riotous farce stars national treasure Tony ‘Baldrick’ Robinson.

Ballet Rambert presents: Rooster Thursday 30 October – Saturday 1 November The rock and roll swagger of The Rolling Stones is turned into dance – one of three elements in this programme. Expect sharp-suited, snake-hipped men and strong sassy women, with music including Paint It Black and Little Red Rooster.

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Also at the Wiltshire Music Centre this month Tamsin Little violinist Friday 10 October, 7.30pm International violinist Tamsin Little is joined by pianist Martin Roscoe for a recital which comprises of Beethoven’s Sonta Op24, Spring and Op47 Kreutzer, and Schubert’s Sonatina in D D384. There’s a pre-concert talk at 6.30pm by Charles Wiffen, head of the department of music at Bath Spa University. Tickets: £21.

Son Yambu: The Soul of Cuba Saturday 18 October, from 6pm for dance workshop This is just what the doctor ordered for those darkening days of autumn. The red hot, fiery sound of the streets of Cuba brought to a corner of Wiltshire for our pleasure. The seven-piece band will bring an irrestibible fusion of Spanish and African rhythms. The evening begins at 6pm with an invitation to take to the dance floor and learn a few steps to get you in the mood. Tickets: £14 (suitable for families, children’s tickets are £1).

Build a Dream Self Build Association meeting Tuesday 7 October, 7.30pm The Dolphin Inn, Locksbrook Road, Bath Join other people who are building or have built their own homes. There’ll be a talk by self build expert David Hilton on energy efficiency in self building. Meet other friendly self builders, and chat about your own dream project, whether it’s a new build, a renovation, a refurb or an extension. Visit: www.badsba.co.uk.

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The Rules of Seduction: an 18th century guide Wednesday 8 October, 6.15pm

Dr Rowan Williams

No1 Royal Crescent Museum, Bath From the reserved courtships of Jane Austen’s novels to the romping exploits of Moll Flanders, our vision of romantic relationships in the Georgian era tend to be either highly idealised or thoroughly debauched. Using contemporary prints, etiquette guides and suggested chat up lines, Emily Brand takes a look at seduction in the Georgian era.Tickets £8, visit: www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk.

The Memory of Water Wednesday 8 – Saturday 11 October, 7.30pm The Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall Bath Drama present Shelagh Stephenson’s award-winning play. Three sisters are forced to meet up on the eve of their mother’s funeral. As their memories converge and distort, they realise that, rather than throwing off their mother’s influence, they have become diluted versions of the very person they wanted to escape. Tickets: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk, tel: 01225 463362. Bath Choral Society

★ Editor’s pick

Last American Ghost Tours Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October, 6.30pm The American Museum, Claverton, Bath The museum’s evocative Period Rooms are the perfect setting for a sinister tale on a dark evening. Take part in a chilling journey through some of the darkest chapters of American history, starting in a 17th-century home in colonial Massachusetts at the height of the Salem witch trials. £15 (£13 members). Booking essential. Not suitable for children. Tel: 01225 460503.

Bath Cantata: Come and Sing workshop Saturday 11 October, 10am – 5pm St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5SX Join a day-long workshop to sing Duruflé’s Requiem with Bath Cantata Group. The day will end with a performance. Places are £15 with £2 to hire music. Email: bcgworkship2014@gmail.com, or tel: 01225 722381.

Also hosted by Bath Cantata this month Paddy and the Three Volcanoes: an illustrated talk Saturday 25 October, 2.30pm St Stephen’s centre, St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown Road, Bath An illustrated talk about Java by Alastair Chalmers. Tickets are £8, to include afternoon tea. To book, email: helenchalmers@tiscali.co.uk, tel: 01225 310624. Profits to Bath Cantata Group.

Cake sale in aid of the British Heart Foundation Saturday 11 October, 10am – 1pm Fairfield View/Raglan Road, Larkhall (look out for the red balloons) A chance to buy delicious home made cakes and meet some friendly locals as Emma Louise Gilbert has given up chocolate for 42 days ending this Saturday, as a tribute to her father Leslie, who died 15 years ago. She and her mum, Moira can be found selling cakes in the family front garden to raise funds for British Heart Foundation.

Nick Mulvey

Lucy Ward

Corsham Festival Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 October Various venues, Corsham, Wiltshire Corsham Festival 2014 brings you exciting contemporary music, theatre, visual arts and workshops whatever your age. This autumn’s festival is loosely based on a light and dark theme. See a full listing of events in the Pound Arts brochure or online at www.poundarts.org.uk.

The Bellefleurs

Nick Mulvey Tuesday 14 October Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath This summer has proved a breakthrough for this singer songwriter, having played on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury and at the Green Man and Bestival festivals. This young British musician studied in Havana, Cuba and was a founder member of Mercury nominated band Portico Quartet. With the launch of a debut album and a new single, Cucurucu he has now emarked on a national tour. For tickets visit: www.komedia.co.uk/bath.

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brand of comedy to Bath. As he puts it . . . one man. One small keyboard. With batteries. And a chair. And a mic. And cables. And a sound system. And then a room, obviously. With more chairs.

Rich Hall’s Hoedown Wednesday 29 October Join American comedian and musician Rich Hall and his virtuoso musical mates for a late-night mash-up of music and comedy featuring very special guests each night. Performing each night will be the Hoedown regular band of talented and chronically unemployable urchins. The floor will reek of liquor and spent Rich Hall dreams. Suitable for ages 16+ years.

Invisible Friends by Alan Ayckbourn Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 October, 7.30pm The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath Next Stage Youth Theatre Company’s production sees Ayckbourn on familiar family turf, with his eye for comedy and pathos. Lucy Baine’s bright and sunny nature seems at odds with the rest of her ordinary family. She has invented an imaginary friend, Zara. But when Zara becomes real and moves into Lucy’s house, she draws her into a world which becomes increasingly sinister and threatening.Tickets: £11 (£9 concs) from tel: 01225 428600 email nextstagebath@aol.com or Bath Box Office 01225 463362 online at www.bathboxoffice.org.uk.

Also at The Mission this month Bleak House by Charles Dickens Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October, 7.30pm Join The Pantaloons Theatre Company for a fog-filled adventure in Victorian London. When a body is discovered in Mr Krook’s rag-and-bone shop, a web of mysteries starts to untangle, with far-reaching consequences. Dickens’ darkly comic masterpiece is retold by The Pantaloons in their own inimitable style, as five actor-musicians bring the novel’s cast of over 50 characters to life. Tickets: £10 (£8 concs) tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk.

Shopping evening at LK Bennett in aid of Dorothy House Thursday 16 October, 6.30pm – 9pm LK Bennett, New Bond Street, Bath Book a £10 ticket to take part in this special shopping evening, which will include a fashion show, a glass of fizz and the chance to get 20% off items bought on the evening. There’s also a free goody bag worth more than £50. For tickets tel: 01225 721480 or call into the shop.

American History on Television Thursday 16 October, 6pm The American Museum, Claverton, Bath Award-winning producer/director Colin Thomas discusses the challenges involved in creating engaging historical documentaries. Thomas draws on his experience of producing series such as The Dragon has Two Tongues, Cracking Up, Rebels and Redcoats, examining the American War of Independence, and The Dragon and the Eagle, an enhanced ebook on Welsh emigration to America. Tickets: £7 (£5 members) Tel: 01225 460503.

First World War Symposium Friday 17 – Sunday 19 October Bath Literary and Scientific Instiution, Queen Square, Bath This examination of various aspects of the First World War, organised by Woody River, includes nine diverse talks plus an exhibition of militaria and memorabilia. Dr Emily Mayhew will examine the rapid medical advances which occurred, while Richard Van Emden, BBC producer and author of The Last Fighting Tommy and The Soldier’s War will talk about the wives and children the soldiers left behind. Tickets: £40, or £20 BRLSI members/ students. The ticket includes entry to all nine talks and the exhibition. Visit: www.brlsi.org.

Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury Wednesday 22 October, 7.30pm St Swithin’s Church, the Paragon, Walcot Theologian and thinker, Dr Rowan Atkinson is coming to Bath to talk about his book The Edge of Words: God and the Habits of Language, which explores different ways of speaking about God. Tickets for this

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stimulating evening are £10 (redeemable), from Topping & Co bookshop, tel: 01225 428111.

Graham Norton Live: the Life and Loves of a He Devil Friday 31 October, 6.30pm

From outside the Pump Rooms Restaurant in Bath city centre Theatre and performance artist, Bill Aitchison presents a unique tour of Bath, a guided tour of guided tours. The Bath Spa University project presents (it says here) a unique style of work that occupies a slippery space somewhere between tourism and contemporary art. Amusing and critical, it offers a new and original way to experience the city. It is a tour for people who never take tours, but are curious to know what they are like. Tickets: £5 free for B&NES Discovery Card holders and University of Bath first year students, visit: www.bath.ac.uk/icia or tel: 01225 386777.

The Forum, Southgate, Bath He’s been entertaining us since his early days in Father Ted, as a stand-up comedian turned TV and radio host. Now Graham Norton has put pen to paper to tell his life story. Expect his usual chatty style, laced with laughter and bitchy asides. Tickets: £30 (redeemable) from Topping & Co.

The Bath Choral Society Choral Workshop: Tippett’s Child of Our Time Saturday 25 October, from 10.30am to 5pm St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LY

Also hosted by Topping & Co this month Sir Richard Eyre Friday 24 October, 7.30pm St Swithin’s Church, the Paragon, Walcot Sir Richard Eyre, former director at the National Theatre, will be talking about his book What Do I Know? People, Politics and the Arts, giving insights into the ideas, people and events which shaped his life and career. Tickets: £8 (redeemable)

The annual Beckford Birthday Lecture:Terror and Wonder: the Gothic Imagination Wednesday 22 October, 6.30pm The Building of Bath Collection, the Paragon, Bath Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto – the first Gothic novel – the British Library exhibition’s Terror and Wonder: the Gothic Imagination will be the most comprehensive survey to date of British Gothic literature, tracing its story from

An exploration of Gothic literature 1764 to the present day. Tim Pye, the British Library’s curator of British Printed Literature 1501-1800 and the exhibition’s lead curator, showcases the Gothic themes, highlights and exciting discoveries that feature in the show. In aid of repairs to Beckford’s Tower at Lansdown. Tickets £10 from beckford@bptrust.org.uk or tel 01225 460705.

The Tour of all Tours Friday 24 – Sunday 26 October, 11am and 3pm

A musical workshop open to everyone who would like to participate. Learn more about Tippett’s work from musical director, Will Dawes, polish your choral skills and sing with Bath Choral Society. The workshop will conclude with a studio performance of A Child of our Time. Participation: £15, £7.50 if 25 or under. Scores available to hire: £5. Refreshments available to buy from St Swithin’s Church Café. Bring lunch. Tickets and scores from: Choral Workshop, 3 Stourton Park, Hilperton, Trowbridge, BA14 7TY. Make cheques payable to Bath Choral Society. Enclose an A4 size SAE. Visit: www.bath-choral-society.org.uk.

LIGHTING SPECIALIST

8 BATH STREET, FROME, BA11 1DH. TEL: 01373 473555 WWW.FIATLUX.CO.UK

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Rooms. Thoughtfully timed at 1pm, to allow people to attend traditional Remembrance Day observances at 11am, this promises to be a thought-provoking tribute to those lost and those bereaved in the First World War. Tickets: 01225 463362.

Highlights of Bath Abbey Tours Tuesday 28 October, 10am-4pm, on the hour Bath Abbey As part of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Heritage Open Week, there will be a series of 45 minute guided tours of the Abbey offering locals and visitors a unique insight into its rich and fascinating history. The guides will pick out the best stories from the Abbey’s 1,300 year history, sharing little-known-facts and anecdotes of conflict, rise and falls in fortune and of the building’s transformation from an AngloSaxon monastery in 973 AD to its present incarnation.Tours are free but must be booked, tel: 01225 422462 or office@bathabbey.org. Please book by 20 October.

Westonbirt Fair in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Home-Start in Gloucestershire Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October, 10am – 4pm Westonbirt School, near Tetbury. Gloucestershire Packed with colourful stalls, with a range of imaginative gifts including exciting home decorating ideas and lifestyle trends, gourmet treats and delicacies, luxury clothes and accessories, and a glittering array of Christmas presents for children, family and friends. Tickets, visit: www.westonbirtfair.org) or on the door, also include free access to Westonbirt’s gardens on the day of your visit. There’s plenty of parking, a coffee shop and restaurant. There’ll also be a silent auction and a raffle.

Rotary Club Fireworks Saturday 8 November

Planning ahead The Mozart Festival Friday 7 – Saturday 15 November Various venues in Bath

Mozart concert at Bath Abbey Saturday 8 November, 7.30pm The Bath Philharmonia and Bath Camerata combine under the direction of Paul McCreesh to perform the powerful, tragic G minor Symphony, followed by Mozart’s unfinished Requiem in D Minor. This concert is being staged as a tribute to the late Brian Roper, who contributed so much to the cultural life of the city. Tickets from 01225 463362.

In Pale Battalions Sunday 9 November, 1pm Actor Samuel West, a member of the Wildred Owen Association, will be reading poems he has chosen by men and women during the First World War and afterwards. In Pale Battalions will take place, fittingly on Remembrance Sunday on Sunday 9 November at the Assembly

The Rec, central Bath This is an annual treat laid on by volunteers of Bath Rotary Club and sponsored by stalwarts Bath Building Society. Buy tickets from Bath Tourism Office or any branch of the building society. Tickets: £5 in advance, £6 on the gate, £3 for children, £4 on the gate.

Michael Palin Wednesday 26 November The Forum, Southgate Bath Traveller, writer, comedian, actor and one of the genuinely nicest people you could meet, Michael Palin will talk about the third volume of his diaries, Travelling To Work. The book covers 1988 to 1998 and takes in his TV series Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole and Full Circle, his role in Alan Bleasdale’s GBH and writing two novels. Tickets: £15 (redeemable) from Topping & Co.

Ian McEwan Thursday 27 November St Mary’s Church, Bathwick The critically acclaimed author comes to talk about his new book The Children Act. Expect intellectual fireworks. Tickets: £10 (redeemable) Topping & Co, tel: 01225 428111. n

Visit our website for more events and things to do. To promote your event log on and get listed. www.thebathmag.co.uk

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MALICE IN WONDERLAND A new biography of photographer Cecil Beaton by Hugo Vickers not only contains his evocative portraits but his witty and sometimes bitchy comments about his sitters

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A LIFE IN PICTURES: clockwise from main pitcure, Audrey Hepburn, The Rolling Stones, Marlene Dietrich, John Betjeman and Cecil Beaton, the man behind the lens, whose nickname was Malice in Wonderland

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he photographs of celebrated British photographer Cecil Beaton capture a time, a mood and a sense of style like almost no other in the 20th century. His picture of the exiled Duke and Duchess of Windsor, taken at the French chateau in 1937 where they peer mournfully from a narrow window, like a pair of elegant doomed birds, or his beautifully lit studio portrait of film star Marlene Dietrich, her eyelashes as arched and fine as butterflies’ antennae, capture a lost era of olde world glamour. Perhaps best known to modern audiences is his portrait of Audrey Hepburn, clad top to toe in black and white for the racing scene in the film My Fair Lady. In Portraits and Profits we can enjoy the art of his photography, created over a career which spanned the Bright Young Things of his youth, in the 1920s, through the war years, in which he was an official war photographer, to the post war years when he photographed everyone from the young and pretty Princess Margaret through to the brooding actor Marlon Brando and the peacocks of the Swinging Sixties, The Rolling Stones and Twiggy. We can also hear what he thought of his subjects as he made searingly honest notes about their encounters. Beaton on artist Walter Sickert – at the artist’s Batheaston home, 1940 By this time Sickert was very elderly and showing signs of senile dementia. He was being cared for by his third wife Therese. ‘In spite of his infirmities his brain is powerful and grandiose. He used beautiful English and spoke in a flowery way that is no longer fashionable, but no less delightful. In his happiness with his wife there is a smooth and mellow friendship . . .’ Beaton on author Evelyn Waugh – notes on news of his death, 1966 Waugh had bullied Beaton on his first day at prep school, sticking pins in him, which perhaps explains his dislike of the man. ‘So Evelyn Waugh is in his coffin. Died of snobbery. He did not wish to be a man of letters . . . he wanted to be a duke.’ ‘He became pompous at 20, and developed his pomposity to the point of having a huge stomach and an ear trumpet at 45.’ Beaton on Marilyn Monroe – at a shoot at the Ambassador Hotel, New York, 1956 The famously capricious star was an hour and a half late for her sitting but she charmed Beaton – ‘as spectacular as the silvery shower of a Vesuvius fountain.’ ‘She is strikingly like an over-excited child asked downstairs after tea. The initial shyness over, excitement has now got the better of her. She romps, she squeals with delight, she leaps off the sofa . . . It is an artless, impromptu, high-spirited infectiously gay performance. It will probably end in tears.’ Beaton on poet John Betjeman – photographed in 1957 ‘In appearance he is like an Edwardian vaudeville tramp . . . his face has the anonymity of an oyster and the sad innocence of a Murillo cherub.’ ‘With infinite Christian piety he sees the wistful crushing of souls under the weight of modern industrialism.’

Beaton on Mick Jagger – spending time together in Marrakech, 1967 ‘His skin is chicken breast white, and of a fine quality. He has enormous inborn elegance.’ ‘He is sexy, yet completely sexless. He could nearly be a eunuch. As a model he is a natural.’ Beaton on Winston Churchill – photographing the Prime Minister in the Cabinet office at 10 Downing Sreet, 1940 ‘Churchill, still with cigar in mouth, looked so lonely and alone in this large room.’ ‘The PM settled himself and stared into my camera like a bulldog guarding its kennel . . . He glowered into the camera, and by slow degrees dissolved into a half smile.’ Beaton on actor John Gielgud – meeting at Portofino, 1953 ‘Something about John appeals very directly to one’s sympathy. Often he appears to be deeply unhappy, and seems to make life hard for himself.’ ‘One of his most disarming aspects is his knowledge and devilish enjoyment of his own shortcomings. He says: “I’m spoilt, I’m niggardly. I’m prissy. I come home in the evening and count the books on the shelf to see if one’s missing.”’ Beaton on Katharine Hepburn – photographing her in 1937 ‘Suddenly this obstreperous hoyden . . . became a household word.’ ‘With the rocking horse nostrils and corncrake, cockney voice had become the new heroine in succession to the spangled glamour girl.’ Hugo Vickers will be at Christ Church, Julian Road on Thursday 20 November from 7.30pm to introduce Cecil Beaton: Portraits and Profits, his coffee table book, published by Frances Lincoln, which uses Beaton’s own words and pictures. The book costs £30 in hardback. Tickets for the Topping & Co hosted event are £10, redeemable against the price of the book. Tel: 01225 428111. n

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The experiences of two significant figures from the First World War – the poet Robert Graves and the nurse Edith Cavell – will be celebrated with a commemorative evening in Bath Abbey

War: the poet’s view

he Cool Web is an oratorio for orchestra, choir and soloist created to commemorate the centenary of The Great War. This new work, composed by musician Jools Scott with a libretto compiled by Sue Curtis, based on the work of Robert Graves, will have its premiere at Bath Abbey on Thursday 30 October at 7.30pm.The internationally acclaimed Endymion Ensemble will be joined by Philharmonia Voices in a performance conducted by Robin O’Neill (known to Bath music-lovers for his work with the English Chamber Orchestra). Baritone Edward Grint will sing the role of the young Robert Graves, accompanied by a children’s choir from Bath schools. Robert Graves is one of the greatest English poets of the 20th century, and author of perhaps the most famous memoir of WW1: Goodbye to All That. He enlisted straight from school, aged 19, in August 1914, and fought in the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 where he received the serious injury which ended his active service. He went on to write many other works including, I Claudius and The White Goddess and a substantial catalogue of poetry. Bath-based, Jools Scott and Sue Curtis have worked in partnership for seven years, during which time they have written two operas and a musical for children in addition to The Cool Web. Jools has written the music for three short films and is just about to embark on his first feature film, whilst Sue has recently completed her first screenplay. The inspiration to create The Cool Web came from Jools and Sue’s desire to somehow pay tribute to the young men who made such extraordinary sacrifices a century ago. Leonard Pearcey’s introduction to William Graves, who subsequently gave his enthusiastic permission to use his father’s poetry, and Sue’s extensive knowledge of Graves’ poetry, made the idea a reality. The oratorio takes the form of a series of meditations on the plight of a poet faced with the task of articulating the most unexpected, intense and terrifying of human experiences. The poetry chosen for the libretto was all written around the time of the poet’s service at the front and has the vivid immediacy of a young and rather innocent man writing about the shocking experience of combat. The work is framed by Graves’ 1927 poem The Cool Web. The oratorio begins with an evocation of the peaceful, bucolic, pre-war English countryside – gradually darkening as the portentous clouds of war gather, and ending with the flight of the birds and a chilling anticipation of disaster. The second section begins with the romantic vision of war as an adventure with comrades in arms and ends in the terror and hell of the Somme. Then to the shell-shock Graves’ suffered after his near-fatal injuries, and finally a return to the post-war peace of the English wood featured at the start of the work. The oratorio will be followed by a performance of The Edith Cavell Story by Bath broadcaster and writer, Leonard Pearcey, and the actor Sophie Ward. Adapted from Diana Souhami’s biography of the British nurse, this is the story of the woman who saved the lives of soldiers from both sides without distinction and helped some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. For this, having been betrayed by a collaborator, she was arrested, found guilty of treason and shot in October 1915. Her execution by a German firing squad received worldwide condemnation. Today there are memorials to Edith Cavell across the world, from Norwich Cathedral to London, in Brussels, Paris, and Melbourne, Australia. Money raised this evening will be donated to the Cavell Nurses’ Trust which was set up to support the UK’s 650,000 registered nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants plus retired and student nurses in the UK. Tickets for The Cool Web from Bath Box Office: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel 01225 463362 priced £10 to £30. n

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

GALLERIES’ RICH HARVEST

Black Swan Arts, Frome Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm Jim Whitty: Keep Going, Don’t Stop 31 October – 29 November In this new work being created especially for Black Swan Arts, Jim is exploring the point at which a painting is finished. Working on two large canvases he is pushing himself to keep painting beyond the point when he would normally down brushes and call the painting complete.

Patang by Gillian Thompson

Shadow of Elegance’ Jay Charnock FRPS (Royal Photographic Society)

Black Swan Open Art Competition Deadline: 26 October Entries are now being invited for the 12th annual, Black Swan Open Art competition, which attracts some of the best contemporary artists and makers in the UK. Prizes for the Somerset competition include a first prize of £750 and the Bax Family Fine Arts Prize of £250, plus the chance to have your work displayed in the Black Swan Arts main gallery later this year. The Rabley Graduate Prize offers artist mentoring and a drawing/printmaking course plus a one day course with the Glass Hub glassmaking school. For news of more prizes visit: www.blackswan.org.uk or find updates on the Black Swan Facebook page. Judges include Meryl Ainslie, artist and director of Rabley Drawing Centre; Shelley James, glass artist and artist and sculptor Stephen Haines. The deadline for submissions is 26 October, visit: www.blackswan.org.uk/artopen2014.

Quercus Gallery Queen Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 428211 www.quercusgallery.co.uk Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.30pm

Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath Open in the main corridor of the hospital 8am – 8pm

Contemporary Prints 4 October – 1 November A mixed exhibition exploring a range of printmaking techniques. Includes work by Martine Baldwin, Christopher Binding, Sally James, Stef Mitchell, Sandra Porter and Gillian Thompson. Also showing ceramics by Elisabeth Barry, Desa Philippi and Matt Waite and new jewellery collections by Rhiannon Lewis and Heather McDermott.

The Visual Art Group of the Royal Photographic Society 24 October – 15 January The society’s members’ exhibition illustrates the diversity and quality of photographic interests within the group. Also on display will be Simple Beauty: The William Scott Project, an exhibition by Action on Hearing Loss artists, all of whom are deaf with additional needs. This selection of 2D work has been specially chosen by founder of 44AD Art Space Kate O’Brien, for Art at the Heart’s central corridor. The artists hope the simple beauty of the work will shine through, and lift the spirits of those who encounter it. All works are for sale and admission is free to anyone visiting the hospital.

Bath Contemporary 35 Gay Street, Bath Tel: 01225 461230 www.bathcontemporary.com email: gallery@bathcontemporary.com Towards Abstraction 10 October – 1 November Traversing landscapes of abstraction and journeying through new perspectives and environments, we reveal three elemental forces; the calmness of Dorset-based Boo Mallinson, the boldness and strong form of Italian painter Vanni Macchiagodena and the relentless creative energy of Justine Lois Thorpe. Left High Land by Justine Lois Thorpe

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

Secret Lives 13 October – 8 November, 10am – 5pm An exhibition which attempts to show how painting and sculpture have a particular facility to shed light on hidden or not quite hidden aspects of lives being lived. Also new bronze sculptures by Christopher Marvell plus new ceramics by Takeshi Yasuda. White Blue Purple by Raoof Haghighi

Rostra Gallery George Street, Bath Tel: 01225 448121 The A-Z of Printmaking Saturday 4 – Thursday 30 October The A-Z of Printmaking will guide visitors through the techniques and processes used by exciting and innovative artists. Highlights include Peter Blake whose work focuses on all streams of popular culture, many of his screen prints feature found materials such as photographs, comic strips or advertising texts. Dan Baldwin creates multi-layered screen prints with edgy brushstrokes and sinister themes combining children’s storybook illustrations with images of war. Simon Tozer makes prints primarily from his imagination; he enjoys using the idea of movement and stasis, and the use of animals, particularly bears to embody states of mind. Jane Ormes’ work is instantly recognisable and highly praised for its blend of quirky characters, colours and a sense of humour and Ed Boxall’s lino prints are warm, earthy images of family life mixed with magic and myth. Many of his handmade prints capture moments from life: children’s encounters with animals and walking on the beach. The gallery will be hosting its first printmaking workshop. Contact the gallery for more details. Beano by Peter Blake

Holburne Museum Great Pulteney Street, Bath High Spirits: the Comic Art of Thomas Rowlandson 27 September – 8 February Nick Cudworth Gallery London St, top of Walcot Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 445221, visit: www.nickcudworth.com

Round Midnight by Nick Cudworth, featuring Gustav Mahler and Thelonius Monk

Music Counts Wednesday 1 – Friday 31 October Inspired by an early career as a rock and roll piano player in the 60s, Nick has created an exhibition which includes several paintings and prints that honour jazz, rock and classical musicians who have become heroes of Nick over the years. These include Earl Hines, Delius and Chuck Berry. Round Midnight features Thelonius Monk and Gustav Mahler playing the same piano in New York where both musicians had strong connections.

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On show in the Roper Gallery is this exhibition loaned from the Royal Collection. The absurdities of fashion, the perils of love, political machinations and royal intrigue were the subject matter of Thomas Rowlandson, a leading caricaturist of Georgian England. Supported by Bath Gin, entrance to the exhibition is £7.95/concessions £6.50 (includes audio guide).

Hilton Fine Art 5 Margarets Buildings, Bath Tel: 01225 311311 Martyn Brewster and Modern British 4 – 25 October New work by artist Martyn Brewster – abstract, colour rich and mood evoking works much inspired by the coastal light of Dorset. He describes his work as ‘a lyrical and poetic response to nature’; all his works are painted outside enjoying the complexity of light, shade, atmosphere and space that this brings. Accompanying this show will be a selection of modern British works by artists including Mary Fedden, Sandra Blow, Roger Hilton.

Joseph and his coat of many colours by Jane Ormes

Beaux Arts 12 – 13 York Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464850 www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Modern Artists in Print: Matisse, Picasso, Dali and Warhol Until 23 November £3.50 / concs. / under 21s free

David Simon Contemporary 3-4 Bartlett Street, Bath Tel: 01225 460189 Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm Field of Vision 11 October – 8 November A multi-media exhibition exploring the subject of landscape through painting, ceramics, glass and silk. Peter Ceredig-Evans, a recent graduate from Bath Spa University, and David Ralph Simpson are two painters from the west country, who have developed their own semi-figurative approaches in their response to British landscape painting. Ceramics by Sarah Purvey use references to earth, horizons, clouds and sky. Drawing inspiration from the rural surroundings of the Yorkshire Moors, Gillies Jones, a husband and wife team, have created a beautiful range of bowls and vases in glass. These bold one-off pieces are hand-blown and then etched on a diamond lathe with designs examining patterns in the landscape. Textile designer Penny Seume has created a unique range of silk scarves using designs from her own paintings of the landscape of Bath. Top: Bath silk scarf by Penny Seume and, below, Porth by Peter Ceredig-Evans

Drawn from the Victoria & Albert Museum’s world famous collection, this show explores the work of four great artists: Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol. Together these artists spanned 75 years that saw the birth of the modern age. Their work represents one of the most creative and diverse periods of printmaking. This is a fantastic opportunity to see these 55 pieces here in Bath while they are on tour from the Victoria & Albert Museum. There are lunchtime exhibition tours every Thursday, 12.30pm –1.10pm, which are free to ticketholders.

Right: Untitled from Flowers by Andy Warhol © Victoria & Albert Museum, London / The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / DACS, London 2014

Anthony Hepworth Fine Art Dealers 16, Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 310694 Pictures from Private Collections 9 October - 1 November Opening hours: Thurs - Sat 11 - 5 Keith Vaughan: Bathers at Highgate II Anthony Hepworth's series of Pictures from Private Collections exhibitions continues from 9 October at his gallery in Margarets Buildings. Specialising in the works of Keith Vaughan (1912 - 1977) he is excited to be now showing a group of five pictures by the artist recently acquired from an Australian collection together with the oil 'Bathers at Highgate II' (illustrated) previously thought to be a lost picture. Included in the exhibition is Christopher Wood's 'Dahlias in White Jar, Treboul'(aka: 'The White Vase') 1929. This special oil painting was given to the galleriste and collector Lucy Wertheim on the occasion of her birthday in 1930 and has remained in her family ever since. A slightly earlier Wood oil, the atmospheric 'Vence' 1927 is also exhibited together with works by Ivon Hitchens, Prunella Clough and Elisabeth Frink. Emma Rose Art Works Upstairs @78 Walcot Street, Bath Eye of the Beholder Wednesday 8 – Saturday 11 October Emma Chapman and Emma Rose show their beautiful artwork and jewels – bringing the opulence of the East and emotional impact of colour together with their joint use of luminous and bold colour combinations, creating highly original works of art on canvas and jewellery. Contemporary and collectable.

Adam Gallery 13 John Street, Bath Tel: 01225 480406 New works by Colin Kent Until 17 October Adam Gallery has a long history of exhibiting Colin’s work, originally exhibiting more than 20 years ago in East Anglia, where Colin lives. Adam has exhibited his work as far afield as New York and Geneva. This show evokes landscapes from the romance of Venice to the English countryside.

Evening Farmstead by Colin Kent

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nick cudworth gallery

The Duke, Earl and The Count – Oil on Canvas

MUSIC COUNTS Exhibition from 1 – 31 Oct

Paintings and prints by Nick that honour jazz, rock and classical musicians that have become heroes to him over the years

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

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CITY | LANDMARKS

PICTURE:courtesy of Bath in Time

We do love to be beside a lido Linda Watts a volunteer with the Cleveland Pools restoration project and The Bath Magazine look at the fascinating past and bright new future of the city’s Georgian lido – the country’s longest surviving open air baths

hose of us who enjoy regular outdoor swimming – whether in the sea, at Farleigh Hungerford, or at one of the country’s few remaining lidos, at Clevedon or Cheltenham, will have been delighted to hear the news this summer that Bath’s own open air swimming baths have won funding for their restoration. The Cleveland Pools are the country’s oldest surviving open air baths and have a place in many Bathonians’ hearts as the site where they used to go as children or teenagers, to play, flirt and even to learn to swim. It’s also fair to say that a lot of younger Bath people didn’t even know this little gem existed, a romantic quiet spot betwixt main railway line and the River Avon, tucked away among the trees in Bathwick. But thanks to a very hard working team of volunteers more of us are re-discovering the baths and people are putting their time and money behind the restoration project. At the recent Heritage Open Days weekend, in which historic sites threw open their doors to visitors, more than 1,300 people made their way down the sloping path to see the old pools and their 19th century changing rooms and central cottage. What made this even more of a living history project was that visitors were invited to share their memories of their times at the pools and of the characters who worked and played here over the years before its sad closure. The pools opened in 1815 – the year of the Battle of Waterloo, strictly for the chaps, who had been prevented from enjoying their regular swims in the Avon by a new by-law which forbade naked bathing in public. There were 90 original gentlemen subscribers who paid one or two guineas for the first year, depending on their age, to bathe in the secluded riverside setting, which was owned by the Duke of Cleveland. They included the Mayor of Bath, Charles Phillott, members of the Stothert family who ran the iron foundry that was to develop into a worldwide business and Henry Goodridge, who went on to design Beckford’s Tower, the Cleveland Bridge and the Corridor of shops opposite the Guildhall. Another subscriber was Frederick Gye, a printer and bookseller initially with the family business. Gye was instrumental in the relaunch of the popular and notorious Vauxhall Gardens in London in 1822. He maintained links with the Bath area after moving to London and stood as general election candidate for 52 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Chippenham, elected unopposed in 1826. Among the original subscribers were engravers, picture framers, shop owners, lawyers, bankers, carriage builders, medics, musicians etc – a diverse range of trades and professions. Many of them were involved in running the city. Some of them were ex-soldiers, returned from serving in the War of Independence in America. The baths were opened to wider use by women bathers and schoolchildren in the 1820s by the Reverend Race Godfrey after he had bought the site. The Reverend headed schools in Bath and Somerset including Grosvenor House College in Bath and he valued the health benefits of open air activities . Swimming was available almost continuously through decades that saw huge crowds in the Victorian period attracted by schools swimming races, stunts and spectacles organised by eccentric swimming instructor Captain Evans. He was quite a character, keeping a baboon as his pet and performing dangerous stunts at the pool, such as diving from high platforms into just a few feet of water, only protected by a tall hat. There were many interesting people who used the baths over the years, one became recently famous again almost by accident. Ron Gray, who was a policeman, with eight children, and was a champion diver with the Bath Dolphin Swimming Club. He was photographed in 1960 executing a neat handstand on a diving board. When his family recently saw the photo reproduced they were very excited, and stories of Ron’s prowess in the water and their family’s happy days at the lido inspired the volunteers to choose this image of Handstand Man as a poster which represented the past and the future of the site. Large numbers of people visited the site to swim right through until 1986 when the baths were closed for swimming as the warm water pool on North Parade beckoned, with its new style of indoor luxury. The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded an initial development grant of £366,000 with a total of £4.1m earmarked to pave the way for the full restoration of the Cleveland Pools, incorporating naturally treated warm water open air swimming in the original 1815 pool. The Georgian lido will be sympathetically restored and developed as a key heritage site and a year-round community asset. A key step will be fundraising to meet the matching funding total of £400,000 that will be essential for the project.

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PICTURE: courtesy of Bath in Time

HAPPY DAYS: main picture, children in the 1970s (pic from Bath in Time, www.bathintime.co. uk) above, the Handstand Man, inset poster image by Souter & Stanley, the pools today and in the 1970s

Thousands of people in Bath and the wider area swam in the pools in their youth before the pools closed in the 1980s. Some of those swimmers have shared their memories with pools trustees or volunteers. Go online at www.clevelandpools.org.uk. Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst MBE, a B&NES councillor and former Mayor of Bath, who runs an events marketing consultancy in the city, grew up here. She has fond memories of swimming in the pools with family and friends when she was a teenager in the 1970s. Sheila Stevens who lives in Bath, remembers the fun of regular swimming with a group of ten school friends â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they had a ritual of starting their bathing season on 1 April every year, regardless of

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the weather. They regularly cycled to the open air swimming baths and for four years the group of teenagers swam every school night until the end of the season in September. Keith Williams, who is now a volunteer with the trust, remembers swimming in the pools and the adjacent river in the 1960s. He still swims in the river, near the pools, on a regular basis during the summer and is looking forward to swimming in the pools once more. The Cleveland Pools Trust is now busy fundraising to bring back outdoor swimming for everyone on this very special site. Take a look at the Cleveland Poolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; website: www.clevelandpools.org.uk. n

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THE DINER’S

SIX OF THE BEST

DIGEST

of the Great Bath Feast

October sees a month-long celebration of west country produce and cooking. Food writer and blogger Melissa Blease pulls up a chair, tucks in her napkin and picks some highlights Tenner Feasts and other treats

Blunos Wine and Seafood dinner

Make the most of the special £10 meal-deals and promotions unique to the Great Bath Feast at dozens of restaurants, including Culture and Cure, Green Park Brasserie, the King William, Yammo!, Nonna’s and Tilleys – just present your copy of the programme to claim your Tenner Feast bargain. The Feast Pavilion in Stall Street will host free food and drink-related demonstrations, masterclasses with some of Bath’s top chefs, tastings, debates and more from Saturday 2 to Sunday 12 October. Gascoyne Place and the Bath Street Feast are hosting a lively Street Food Festival on Saw Close on Sunday 12 October, while Green Street, SouthGate and North Parade/Abbey Green will all transform into street markets throughout October: party on with Green Street’s independent traders, find special offers and free demonstrations courtesy of the thriving food businesses around North Parade and meet local and Mediterranean food producers at the SouthGate market. Pick up a programme or visit website: www.greatbathfeast.co.uk for specific dates and times.

Wednesday 8 October. Price: £95, to include matching wines Book: www.blunosrestaurant.com; tel: 01225 481188 Walrus-moustachioed chef Martin Blunos is known around these parts as Bath’s own national treasure. Friendly, fun and quietly charismatic in a charmingly self-effacing manner, his skills in the kitchen have earned him decades of national acclaim including a duo of Michelin stars, guest spot demonstrations at food festivals and regular appearances on national TV. Enjoy a spectacular evening of food and wine in Martin’s latest eponymous venture: an understatedly glamorous, quirky but chic dining room, home to a gleaming open kitchen dedicated to serving the freshest, sustainable fish and seafood dishes for miles around. Martin and his chef Tom Scade will be serving a sumptuous six course menu to include some classic Blunos signature dishes, all of which will be matched with a selection of wines from wine merchants Liberty Wines. The evening will be hosted by Martin and wine expert and The Bath Magazine columnist Angela Mount, who will talk guests through the menu and the wine matching selection.

Menu Gordon Jones Banquets Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November, lunch and dinner Price: £99 for seven courses, including wine flight Book: www.menugordonjones.co.uk; tel: 01225 480871 From his tiny open kitchen in a tiny former café at the top of the Wellsway, superchef Gordon Jones has spearheaded his own food revolution, putting novelty, adventure, drama, a soupcon of rebellion and a healthy dose of personality firmly back on the Bath eating out menu options. If you’ve never sampled the delights of dining Gordon-style (a youget-what-you’re-given menu served in intimate, laid-back, no-frills surroundings), his Great Bath Feast Banquet experience is the way forward: meet Gordon, mingle with your fellow diners and prepare to be thoroughly enthralled by an array of imaginative, playful, technically-challenging dishes that you’re unlikely to have ever encountered before . . . and probably won’t again, even if you were lucky enough to eat at MGJ every night for the year ahead.

The Garrick’s Head: a History of Bath on a Plate Friday 3 October Price: £35 Book: www.garricksheadpub.com Tel: 01225 318368 From the Romans to right here, right now, via the Georgians, the Victorians and the Great War Years, Bath has made history . . . not least of all when it comes to food. And while the city’s museums, art galleries, guided tours and more all offer what they may promote as “a taste of history”, very few of those fascinating experiences mean what they say in the literal sense of the word. Congratulations are due, then, to The Garrick’ s Head for putting together an event that promises to take foodies on a fascinating trip back in time in order to give further understanding, appreciation and context to bang up-to-date contemporary tastes. Historical experts will be on hand to set the scene and share fascinating facts while head chef Tony Casey will be hard at work at the hob creating a five-course gourmet feast guaranteed to offer his own very tasteful version of magnificent food for thought.

The Great Tweet Feast at the Bath Priory Thursday 9 October Price: £50. Book: Tel: 01225 478388 If you’re one of those annoying people who insist on taking photos of every single course of your dinner both before and after you’ve demolished it and then sharing it with the world via Twitter, (other social media is available), then this event is most definitely for you. This one-of-a-kind gourmet event is designed to showcase the best of Michelin star holder Sam Moody’s Bath Priory kitchen in a way we’ve literally never seen it before: the five-course menu will be paired with live video feeds directly linked to the kitchen, and diners will be positively encouraged to share the whole dynamic experience with the outside world through the preferred virtual community networking facility of their choice – and there will be prizes for the best tweets. But even if the networks, satellites and/or technology in general put all these best laid plans to waste, diners are guaranteed fully-charged fun for all (hey, we might even all end up actually chatting live to each other).

TASTE OF SOMERSET Taste of Somerset Gourmet Dinner, Bailbrook House Friday 10 October Price: £75 . Book: www.bailbrookhouse.co.uk Tel: 01225 855100 Are we thankful we live in Somerset? Yes we are! And does living here taste good? Oh yes, as this glorious celebration of local food will prove. We are celebrating Somerset against the perfect backdrop of the Cloisters Restaurant (in the lower levels of a breathtakingly grand, 18th century mansion) which offers an ambience that takes full advantage of the architectural features of the historic building, set in acres of gardens that promise to be at their beautiful best during the season of mellow mists and fruitfulness. The very best seasonal, locally sourced produce will be given the dedicated, stylish, imaginative attention it deserves courtesy of a kitchen team renowned for creating dishes that are as beautiful to behold as they are to eat – the price includes a pre-dinner drink and canapes on arrival and a four-course feast with matching wines.

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THE FOOD | SCENE

OCTOBER’S HARVEST OF PLENTY The Bath Magazine brings you foodie news and events to look forward to this month

The Fine Cheese Co Festival A free festival, held on Saturday 25 October in Milsom Place, Bath, in which visitors can nibble their way round the British isles, tasting and buying artisan cheese from more than 30 cheesemakers. This annual celebration of great cheese is hosted by the Fine Cheese Co, overseen by Anne Marie Brennan, founder of the Walcot Street emporium and one of the country’s leading experts on cheese. There’ll also be plenty of opportunities to explore different accompaniments to cheese, from fruity chutneys to red hot chilli crackers.

An introduction to British Royal Etiquette: the Bath Priory, a lunch on Thursday 23 October

Andrew Foulkes, hotel manager, joins the awardwinning Abbey Hotel Ian and Christa Taylor, owners of the Abbey Hotel in Bath city centre, have appointed Andrew Foulkes as general manager. Andrew, a familiar face in Bath, was until recently manager at the Priory Hotel in the city. He joins head chef, Chris Staines, who runs the Allium restaurant in the Abbey, with three AA rosettes. The Taylors have been refurbishing the hotel, to include creating the Artbar, with more refurbishments planned. The Allium is celebrating winning the Imbibe Magazine’s Hotel Wine List of the Year – the only Bath restaurant to reach the final stages of the competition. The wine list was compiled by our very own columnist Angela Mount, working with Chris Staines to pick wines which match his style of cooking. Value for money and clear tasting notes were key factors the judges took into consideration.

Investment in The County Hotel

HRH Princess Katarina, Princess of Serbia and Yugoslavia and Grant Harrold, a former butler to the Prince of Wales, will be hosting this lunch, in which they will be lifting a very discreet lid on the finer aspects of Royal good behaviour. Their conversation will include a guide to modern-day etiquette and tips on how to be the perfect host or guest. Places are limited. Tickets, which include lunch, a glass of wine and coffee, are £45. To book tel: 01225 478388.

Bath’s foodie cognoscenti have already had their radar tuned in to the return of Bath’s own celebrity chef Martin Blunos, who has set up his restaurant just across the mighty Bath Rugby ground the Rec, in The County Hotel. The Blunos Fish Restaurant specialises in fresh seafood, beautifully cooked. The hotel’s owner, Barry Hurley, who has already developed the lower ground floor as a showcase for Martin’s talent, is now to invest a further £1m in the hotel. It is planned that work will begin next year on more refurbishment at The County. Martin, who has spent time away from his home city, is now happy to be back full-time and getting involved in community events. He’ll be hosting a Seafood and Wine matching dinner on 8 October and on Sunday 16 November has kindly agreed to cook for his fellow professionals at the Bath Good Food awards presentation ceremony, a daunting role undertaken in previous years by Sam Moody of the Priory Hotel.

Meat-free food at Topping & Co, with Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen Chef Richard Buckley will convert you to making beautiful looking, exquisite tasting dishes that just happen to be meat-free, with this tastings supper and talk hosted by bookshop Topping & Co on Thursday 30 October from 7.30pm, as part of the Great Bath Feast. Forget all preconceptions about veggie food being brown and heavy, Acorn’s offering is light, modern, seasonal and blummin’ delicious too. Tickets for this talk and taste are £20, which includes copies of Acorn’s first and latest cookbook, a £10 book voucher and a chance to sample some goodies from the Acorn kitchen, which is based in central Bath, off Abbey Green.

Guilty pleasures: cigar evening The Tasting Room in Green Street is hosting a number of evenings in the Great Bath Feast, but the naughtiest of all is on Tuesday 14 October, 7pm, when a guest from cigar company Hunters and Frankau (importers of Cuban cigars) will be talking and demonstrating the pleasures of smoking a fine cigar. This event for enthusiasts of the forbidden pastimes of the past, will take place in the garden, where smoking is very much allowed, and will be matched by two whiskies. Tickets: £25 from The Tasting Room.

A Serial Award winning Restaurant with International reputation Recent Awards: November 2013 British Curry Awards November 2013 Asian Curry Awards Connoisseurs choice for 33 Years. Open Daily.

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4 Argyle Steet, Bath BA2 4BA Tel. 01225 466833 / 464758 www. Rajpoot.com

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

R E V I EW

Beautiful down to the last morsel Y

ears ago Mick Ringham and I came up with the genius (we thought) idea of launching a food porn phone line for dieters to get their kicks by ringing in to hear some delectable voice describing in sensual detail the dish they were enjoying at the other end of the phone. I have now found the chef who could provide the sort of dishes which would provoke the ‘I’ll have whatever she’s having’ classic response. Plates of food that are so beautiful and so delicious it makes you wish you were a slower eater. After recently sampling the genius of Chris Cleghorn’s cooking, I have now had to extend my list of Bath’s top five chefs to six. Take me aside sometime and we’ll talk through just who my other five are. The Queensberry Hotel is a very stylish city centre venue, that you like to think is a bit of a hidden gem, undiscovered by the hoi polloi. It oozes British charm, with just a touch of eccentricity, which makes it all the more endearing. We used it as a backdrop for a fashion shoot in the spring and very stylish it looked too, with our model perched glamorously on a barstool in The Old Q cocktail bar. My days of perching glamorously on barstools may be over, but I’m still a sucker for an expertly made not-too-sweet cocktail. A White Lady perfectly mixed and just the right side of chilled, with a bowl of olives, enjoyed in this elegant bar set the scene for a note perfect evening. We began dinner prosaically enough with fresh, steamy-inside warm bread rolls and butter. Simple, but the stuff of life. An amuse bouche of chilled cucumber, tomato and basil, like a sort of gazpacho foam, whet our appetite beautifully, giving the tastebuds a fresh, clean experience to stir them and leave them raring to try more. I had no idea what a crab lasagne might look like, but when it came it was an exquisite little roundelle of palest pink and green, adorned with a basil leaf on the top. A swirl of basil infused bisque was added at the table with a nice theatrical flourish. Across the table, inducing momentarily an ‘I wish I’d had that’ moment, John was dismantling another masterpiece, a work of art constructed from poached lobster with a truffled Jersey Royal, pickled intensely flavoured girolles and little cubes of startlingly refreshing watermelon – an imaginative taste combination. To say every mouthful was a pleasure would be understating it. They’re the sort of dishes you look back on and wish you could have again. I am only sorry I wolfed mine so fast. Our main courses arrived, mine lamb done two ways – crispy belly, pink 58 TheBATHMagazine

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herb crusted tender-as-you-like loin, with a puree of smoky aubergine, a halved baked artichoke and a slender immature courgette. John, in mushroom mode, had a plate of fresh tagliatelle tossed with fresh sweetcorn, summer truffle and that lovely foresty girolle flavour – this is pasta like we’d never make it at home. The service at the Olive Tree is uber professional and efficent, the tables are formally laid with gleaming glass and crisp white napery. We enjoyed a very fine bottle of Chateau d’Abzac Bordeaux with our dinner. The Olive Tree has just won the national AA Hospitality award for its wine. That’s down to owner Laurence Beere and to restaurant manager Joss Roussanne, who between them have created a wine list to please the novice and the connoisseur. Instead of a stuffy list of wines grouped by region you’re offered to select by flavour, for example, ‘black fruits full of body’, or ‘aromatic whites with rich flavours.’ There’s quiet music so you don’t feel you have to whisper, but we did hear the couple at the next table heaping compliments on Mr Cleghorn’s talents as he was invited to come out of his kitchen. Another amuse bouche followed, where the last of the summer raspberries waltzed on with a sort of zabaglione light froth, all with a sweet, crispy crumble at the bottom of the glass. The blackberry parfait I ordered is one of Chris’s signature dishes. It arrives, a perfectly smooth dark sphere of chocolate, like a very posh Easter egg, made from dark, rich Valrhona chocolate. And then, tap, tap with a spoon and the egg opens like a little alien spaceship to reveal a pair of plump, sweet blackberries inside sitting on a bed of blackberry sorbet cut through with shards of stem ginger. I’m ashamed to report that at this stage the reviewer was lost for words, reduced to an inarticulate ‘wow’ at the sight and taste of it – pretty hopeless as a verbal delivery of food phone porn. We felt satisfied but not over-full, but mostly we felt we’d enjoyed an experience that was much more than the sum of its parts. Starters range from £8.95 to £14.95, while main courses are priced from £18.50 to £26.50. Wine can be ordered by the glass and bottles are from £18. I was invited by the man himself to take a peep into his kitchen, the engine house where he cooks up his masterpieces. It was surprisingly small and cramped and very, very hot. This is a young chef, working damn hard and who is already creating culinary magic. I predict we’ll be hearing a lot more about him in years to come. Georgette McCready

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic visits the wines of sunny South America

@angelatalkswine

t’s all about South America this month, with wines as vibrant and sassy as the people themselves. So turn up the heat and enjoy some delights full of Latin charm. Vina Leyda Riesling Neblina Vineyard 2010 (Great Western Wine £11.95) It’s fabulous to see a Riesling on the shelves that has a bit of age. While many white wines fade quickly and need to be drunk very young, the searing acidity levels in Riesling mean it’s a wine that will develop and open out into a cornucopia of exotic aromas and flavours. It’s produced in Leyda, Chile, west of Santiago and close to the Pacific Ocean – cold nights, sunny days, and cooler than many Chilean regions. This is a treat, as the 2010 vintage is showing some lovely, mature aromas and flavours – hints of wild honey, pickled lime, and dare I say it, a classic description of great Riesling, petrolly aromas – but in the best way possible. Musky, opulent and exotic, chill it down and serve it with smoked fish, and Asian-influenced dishes. Tomero Torrontes 2013 (Great Western Wine £11.50) This heady white is full of beguiling, ‘come and get me’ charm. Torrontes is a white grape variety, most famous in Argentina; and like the people, it’s not shy and retiring, it’s vibrant, voluptuous, and overtly sexy, a kind of Marilyn Monroe white. Bold, busty, perfumed, yet slightly mysterious in its powers. Torrontes is a gloriously ripe, scented, exotic grape, which can be overpowering, but when

made well, produces a riot of glorious aromas and flavours. This one, from one of Argentina’s leading producers Carlos Pulenta, manages to combine the sultry, seductive aromas of rose petals, violets, and honeysuckle, with the bright, vibrant taste of lychees, and freshly crushed table grapes, balanced by a streak of lime-fresh acidity. It’s deliciously fruity on its own but powerful enough in character to stand up to some pretty hot curries, and spicy Thai dishes – also fabulous with poached fruit. Falernia Carmenere Reserva 2012, Elqui Valley (Great Western Wine £12.95) If I’m comparing Torrontes to Marilyn Monroe, then this Carmenere is the Antonio Banderas of Latin wines. Sultry, dark and brooding, it oozes a deep, intense richness and a mood-enhancing velvet texture. It is made by one of my favourite Italian winemakers, Giorgio Flessati, who has decamped to the wilderness of northern Chile, 500km north of Santiago. It’s a remote, desert region, where you see cacti growing close to the vines. But it’s high up, close to the Pacific and benefits from the perfect climate for winemaking – a top region to watch. Brimming with super-rich blackberry and raspberry aromas and flavours, it has cinnamon spice and a touch of toasty oak; above all it’s sumptuous, and intriguing. As nights draw in, this is great with rich stews, braised beef, and perfect with spicy curries – a hug in a glass. Vistalba Corte C 2012, Mendoza (Great Western Wine £11.75) Another stunner from Argentinian producer Carlos Pulenta. This is a blend of Argentina’s national red grape Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Malbec is currently the darling of the wine world, with its inky, spicy depth and brooding charm; here it’s tempered with the bright blackcurrant and mint character of Cabernet Sauvignon. The result? A stylish, warming red, with layers of black cherry, blackberry and rich spice with just a hint of espresso coffee and a rich, herb-infused, lingering depth. It’s a rib-eye steak for this one, or roast beef. Great Western Wine is offering 12% off all South American wines throughout October (or 20% off full cases of 12) and will be holding a free tasting in the shop on 18 October. n

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

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

Paul Robinson Shop manager, Walcot Street

grew up in Harrogate, and went to St Aiden’s High School there. Unfortunately I rather fluffed my A levels and drifted to London in search of a job. My mum had always been interested in antiques and so I ended up walking into Sotherbys to see if they had any vacancies. They said the usual polite thing about “keeping my details on file.” But I didn’t let them off the hook that easily and rang continually for six months until they gave me a place. Naturally I started at the bottom as a general porter but was quite quickly promoted to a more specialist position in the Impressionist and Contemporary Art Department. I was there for nine and a half years so my persistence really paid off. I loved the excitement and razzmatazz of London after my rather quiet country existence in Yorkshire. Ironically though it was all about to get quieter again as I was offered a wonderful opportunity in deepest darkest Wiltshire. The Bruton Gallery run by the LeMarchants had built up an international reputation offering top end 19th and 20th century figurative sculpture. I was to manage this wonderful space for another nine years. As an art lover it was so exciting to be handling iconic works by Rodin, Degas and Bourdelle. I was introduced to Bath when the gallery opened a branch in Gay Street in the early 90s. The nine year itch was beginning to tickle however, and walking along Walcot Street one day I saw an advert for a shop manager with an art background. That would be me then, I thought. The Looking Glass of Bath is owned by Anthony Reid and we specialise in bespoke custom made mirrors. The antiqued mirror glass with all the black specks and mottled patina is currently very popular. We make these faux 18th century mirrors to almost any size and in the right setting they look absolutely gorgeous. Trevor does a lot of the picture framing and gilding upstairs and he’s been here even longer than me. It’s a great job because Walcot Street is so special. The customers cover every spectrum of society and what we offer as a street is awesome. Tiles, photography, retro clothing, kitchens, paint, carpets, bongs, furniture, art, second hand clothes, sausages and five good restaurants to name a few. I deal with a lot of the customers on a very personal level and some have become close friends. I don’t actually live in Bath but commute to work from our house in Wiltshire. We are renovating an old Georgian pile – very slowly. It’s a beautiful county and Pip and I love our walks especially if it takes us past The Angel in Heytesbury (Hot tip: it’s great place to eat). Everything’s a bit crazy at the moment as the shop is moving over the road to smaller premises. It’s quite a bike ride from Harrogate but I am so grateful that my life journey included Bath.

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic www.capturethespirit.co.uk Tel: 01225 483151.

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OCTOBER 2014

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CITY | BUSINESS

NEWS IN BRIEF

■ Moon Design and Build, which already has an established business in Bristol, has transformed an empty shop in Claverton Street. Acting as both the architect and the builder, Moon started in 2002, and is now one of the leading residential design and build companies in the south west. With an excellent track record of dealing with listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, the team is excited about taking on more projects in and around Bath. View completed projects, like this one, pictured, on the website: www.moondesignandbuild.co.uk. ■ Property expert Tony Farr is now working from Davis Meade estate agents’ office in 4 Edgar Buildings, George Street in central Bath. He will be specialising in city centre apartments and will be liaising closely with the Marshfield branch of Davis Meade, which specialises in Cotswold properties. Whether buying or selling in town or country, contact Tony: 07775 109 388 or email: davismeade@icloud.com. ■ Bath businesses have rallied round to support writer Stan Frith, who has brought out his second volume of poetry, Behind the Smile, to raise money for the charity Depression Alliance, which runs support groups for people with depression. Stan, who was inspired to action by the death of his eldest son Jason, has been helped in the funding of the book by Withy King solicitors, Fidelius Ltd, Helphire and the Andrew Brownsword Foundation, among others. Behind the Smile is on sale on Amazon and in bookshops from mid-October, price £10 or via www.justgiving.com/BehindtheSmile.

£35m hotel to replace office block An empty office block on the junction of Charles Street and James Street West in central Bath is to be demolished and a 177-bedroom hotel built on the site. Apex Hotels, a British company which owns and runs four star hotels, is the buyer. The new hotel, complete with conference rooms, lies within the Bath Conservation Area. The site was once used by the Department of Social Services and the JobCentre. Detailed detailed planning consent has been granted for the hotel. The full development costs will be in the region of £35m. Work to demolish the current building will begin later this year, with the construction of the new hotel scheduled to begin in May 2015 with an estimated opening date of autumn 2016. I S Architects, based in Edinburgh, has been appointed to oversee the development project. Norman Springford, chairman of Apex Hotels said: “This is a rare and exciting growth opportunity for Apex to add to our portfolio and have presence in a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our properties have developed a great reputation and we hope to emulate this with the opening of our property

in Bath” Angela Vickers, managing director of Apex Hotels, added:“Bath is a beautiful city with world class attractions, festivals and events that attract visitors all year round. We are looking forward to getting to know and working with new partners within the local community.”

Children’s charity appeal

New leader joins team

A south west charity which offers hospice care for terminally ill children in their own homes is launching for the first time in Bath. Jessie May has been providing nursing care to children with life-limiting illnesses for 18 years in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. A small number of families in Bath and North East Somerset will benefit from the charity’s services, which launched its new services at Thrings solicitors on Queen Square. The charity is only able to provide respite services to eight families in need in the area. Other services such as end-of-life care, bereavement support, social occasions and emotional support for parents cannot yet be provided. Fundraisers are appealing to Bath businesses to fundraise through the Caring @ Work campaign. Each company will be able to support a Jessie May nurse allowing them to provide a full end-of-life service for these families and eventually help even more children. Chair of trustees Roger Harper said: “At the moment there is no service for terminally ill children in Bath and North East Somerset. At present funding is only available for eight children and just for the respite service only. We know that there are three times as many children in Bath and North East Somerset who could benefit from the service provided by Jessie May nurses. We are asking Bath businesses to join our Caring @ Work scheme which involves them pledging to fundraise £1,000 for us in a year. If just 40 Bath businesses sign up these eight children will be fully cared for by a Jessie May nurse.”

Bath Rugby Foundation has appointed Mandy Gardner, pictured, as the general manager for the charity. Mandy is joining Bath from the Football League Trust where she worked as a regional manager looking after 24 charities linked to professional Football League clubs. Her role was to ensure that they were well-managed and correctly governed. Mandy started her career as a special needs teacher and has experience of working with young people with learning and behavioural difficulties. In 1999 she moved to Bristol City Football Club to set up and develop their Playing for Success Centre at the Stadium and later developed the Playing for Success Centre at Bristol Rovers FC. Mandy said: “I have seen at first hand the power that sport has to motivate and inspire young people and to support them in reaching their full potential. This is a very exciting time for the foundation and I am thrilled to be joining such an excellent team. Working closely with Bath Rugby enables us to teach the young people we work with the core values of rugby and gives them the foundation that they need to succeed. I am looking forward to the foundation working closely with the club to become as strong within our community as we are on the pitch.” For information on Bath Rugby Foundation’s projects see: www.bathrugbyfoundation.com.

Producing Resolution Not Prolonging Conflict As the largest firm of solicitors in Bath devoted exclusively to family law, Sharp Family Law helps divorcing clients to protect children, preserve assets, and reach an efficient resolution.

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PLANS: a new Apex hotel (artist’s impression)

sharp F A M I LY L A W 5 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2PH, UK email: info@sharpfamilylaw.com t: 01225 448955 / 07798606740 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com

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CITY | PEOPLE

News in brief

Award for bringing history to life

■ Racegoers to the Excalibur Charity raceday at Bath Racecourse helped to raise more than £10,000 for The Forever Friends Appeal, the official charity of the Royal United Hospital in Bath, which is currently working towards building a new cancer centre at the hospital. The raceday was hosted by Swindon based Excalibur Communications which has committed to raising £50,000 towards the new cancer centre. The company sponsored four of the day’s races, and hosted a charity lunch for 130, which featured a fundraising raffle and auction. A cheque for £5,000 was also presented from the Reuben Foundation, which is the official charitable foundation of the Reuben Brothers, owners of Arena Racing Company (ARC) and Bath Racecourse.

Polly Andrews, education officer for Bath Preservation Trust, has taken the education programme offered at No 1 Royal Crescent to new heights by winning a Sandford Award. Ratified by the Heritage Education Trust, these national awards recognise quality and excellence in the education service at historic sites. “No.1 Royal Crescent deservedly receives its first Sandford Award,” read the citation, “Students who are lucky enough to find themselves attending a workshop under the guidance of the education officer can be assured of an inspiring day during which their understanding of the lives, social attitudes and daily occupations of 18th century society will be explained through the use of artefacts, illustrations and practical experiences.” The museum, which underwent major redevelopment and re-opened just a year ago, receives approximately

■ Two new appointments have been made at Bath Abbey as part of its Footprint development project, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Oliver Taylor is the new interpretation officer, developing and managing the Abbey’s interpretation programme which includes exhibitions, education and learning, and activities for visitors. Oliver is joined by Anna Riggs who is a cataloguing archivist. Anna, who was previously working at the University of Bristol, will be working on the archives using software to ensure it is all catalogued to industry standards. Bath Abbey needs to raise £7m for the Footprint project. Its congregation and the Friends of Bath Abbey have so far pledged £1.1m towards the appeal.

Bath Tourism Plus has joined forces with Bristol Airport to promote Bath and North East Somerset to international airlines at the world’s largest commercial aviation event, as it aims to tempt more Americans to visit the city. Nick Brooks-Sykes, chief executive of Bath Tourism Plus, says: “We will be supporting Bristol Airport’s ambitions to secure a new direct route from the US into Bristol Airport. North America remains the most important inbound market for tourism to Bath and a new direct flight would significantly increase the numbers of high spending American visitors to Bath.”

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CLASS ACT: Polly Andrews with some happy young learners 60,000 visitors per year and is currently ranked by Trip Advisor as the second museum in Bath, behind the Roman Baths.

Fresh bid to attract US flights to south west The World Route Development Forum took place in Chicago, giving airports and tourism organisations the chance to meet with airlines to discuss new route opportunities. As well as attending meetings with airlines, Bath was represented on the VisitEngland stand in the international exhibition hall, showcasing iconic images of the west of England to 3,000 delegates, including representatives of 300 airlines, including 40 of the top 50 global carriers. Bath Tourism Plus was part of a delegation which included representatives from both Bristol Airport and VisitEngland.

La Clusaz: the stats In our September magazine travel writer Naomi Price wrote a feature about her visit to the French alpine ski resort of La Clusaz. Due to an oversight at The Bath Magazine’s printers, the second page of the feature was not printed. We are happy to include the missing information about the resort here. Prices at the centrally-located three star Alpen Roc for four nights half-board, from £700 to include flights and transfers. For more information visit www.skiweekends.com call Ski Weekends on 02380 206971. Ski hire can be booked through Ski Weekends. For information on La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt, visit: www.lakeannecy-skiresorts.com, or

information on La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt. Request ski instruction from Emmanuel Schiltz, head of Le Grand Bornand ESF at Le Grand Bornand. The riding school at Lanchy offers instruction for all levels. Contact +33 (0) 6 15 65 11 11 or email info@aravis-passion.com.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

KEEP CURRENT WITH YOUR TAX AFFAIRS! Before you know it we are half way through another tax year and important personal tax deadlines are approaching. Also, the Chancellor’s Budget earlier in the year has finally been debated in Parliament, and many of the announcements have become law. TWO IMPORTANT DATES: • 6 October 2014 Have you notified HMRC of any possible charge to tax in the 2013/14 tax year? If not then you may still have time to write to them before 6 October 2014. This could prevent a penalty and will bring you into the Self Assessment system. • 31 January 2015 Your self assessment tax return for 2013/14 needs to be filed online by 31 January 2015. We can prepare this for you and advise you what needs to be included (e.g. see next paragraph for the High Income Benefit Charge), how to present the return and maximise reliefs. We will also consider if there might be a more tax efficient way of managing your affairs. HIGH INCOME BENEFIT CHARGE This was introduced part way into the 2012/13 tax year and certainly caught some people out. Whilst not a tax as such, it is collected through Self Assessment and broadly applies if either parent in the household earns over £50,000 and have been receiving Child Benefit. NEW LEGISLATION AND DEVELOPMENTS 1. In general, for 2014/2015, individuals with income less than £10,000 (the personal allowance) pay no tax at all. In certain circumstances it will soon be possible for an individual to reduce their personal allowance by a specific amount, and transfer this to their spouse or civil partner. 2. If you own more than one property, which one is your main residence for tax purposes? The main residence relief used to continue for 36 months after you moved out so that owners who struggled to sell were not penalised. However, this has now been reduced to 18 months for all disposals after 5 April 2014. If you have two homes and have resided in both, consider making an election for your second home if it is standing at a larger gain or you are likely to sell it first. However, the rules for the election are set to change from 6 April 2015, so resolving the position before that date may prove to be tax-efficient. There have also been quite a few recent tax cases which have demonstrated that the owner must establish a period of residence (the quality, rather than quantity being important). 3. Contributions into a personal pension scheme can provide tax relief at the individual’s top rate of tax. The tax benefits of pensions and their beneficial use in your business are often misunderstood, and with the new significant changes applying from April 2015 there are potentially even more options for you to consider. 68 TheBATHMagazine

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4. Since April 2008, most businesses have been able to claim the 100% Annual Investment allowance (AIA) for investment in plant and machinery, bought outright or on HP. This encompasses not only machinery but also loose fixtures, computer and office equipment, motor vehicles such as vans and lorries (but not cars) and certain fixtures that are part and parcel of the business premises structure. The announcement in the recent Budget that the AIA was to temporarily increase to £500,000 from April 2014 up until 31 December 2015, was welcomed by those businesses that typically buy expensive plant, commercial vehicles etc.These businesses should now review their planned capital expenditure to achieve the maximum tax benefit. If you have an accounting period that spans 1 January 2016, the date on which you incur expenditure could be crucial in terms of the tax relief you receive. It is worth also bearing in mind that in addition to the AIA, there are other 100% deductions available for investing in certain energy and water efficient technologies, as well as R&D equipment. AND NOW SOMETHING DIFFERENT There are a number of investment assets that have specific tax advantages and should be considered if you already have a diversified investment portfolio. For example, personal motor vehicles are exempt from capital gains tax so investing in classic and vintage cars can yield tax free gains. Wine is regarded as a wasting asset that is tax exempt, so again, shrewd investments can yield tax free profits. However, any losses you make cannot be set against other gains. Investment in woodlands can also be tax-efficient but is clearly for the longer term. There is no initial income tax relief but a realised capital gain could be deferred by reinvesting in woodlands, until the land is sold. Income from timber sales is tax free, and the value of the investment can escape Inheritance Tax. If you sell the whole woodland for gain, only the land element is taxable, not the increase in timber value. Please contact Jon Miles to discuss any of the above in more detail on 01225 325580 or jm@richardsonswift.co.uk

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

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Incorporate your business and save tax! If you are starting a new business – or own a small business - you should consider incorporating the business (setting up a limited company) to take advantage of the favourable tax situation. Owners of limited companies can pay themselves dividends from the profits of the company and so save paying national insurance at ever increasing levels. The structure of a limited company also provides the opportunity to include other people (particularly family members) as shareholders, allowing them to benefit from dividend payments in addition to perhaps receiving a small salary (and utilising personal allowances that might otherwise be wasted). Corporation tax starts at 20% and is very attractive for higher rate tax payers; amongst other benefits the ‘limited’ structure allows them to ring fence the profits from their higher rates and choose when to distribute them - or to have them available for reinvestment in the business. Incorporating your business is very quick and costs around £100; the savings are available to any business making profits where drawings, by whatever form, are subject to national insurance contributions; the benefits can therefore be seen even with low profit and turnover figures. You might even be able to use losses made as a sole trader against profits / income generated in your limited company. We’ve been looking after small businesses (start up to £5 million turnover) for more than twenty years and have clients who have been with us throughout.

Good advice saves money, bad advice costs…. Call Mike Wilcow or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no obligation meeting – we’re pleased to help. 141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL

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OCTOBER 2014

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We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £25.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £50.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 To subscribe just send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment

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THE | WALK

VIEWS ARE YOUR REWARD There are some hills to tackle in this walk on the edge of the Cotswolds, but, says, Andrew Swift the effort is worth making for the spectacular valley views and the chance to see autumn colour in the leaves

ctober’s walk heads a few miles north-east of Bath, to where the breezy Cotswold plateau tumbles southwards along the St Catherine’s Valley. Muddy in the driest of seasons, this is terrain that calls for robust footwear. You are also likely to encounter cattle, sheep, the occasional alpaca and over a dozen stiles, but this glorious valley, and the views from the slopes above it, should be ample compensation. The walk starts in Marshfield, whose long street is lined with a magnificent array of stone houses, testament to its former importance not only as a major staging post on the road from London to Bristol, but also as a centre of the wool and malting trades. At the far west end of the High Street, head south beside an old tollhouse along Green Lane (ST772737), which soon degenerates to a rough track winding downhill. At the bottom, follow it as it bears right and, after another 120 metres cross a stile on the right to head down St Catherine’s Valley (ST772732). After going through a kissing gate (KG), head through a tunnel of trees beside the brook, carry on and go through another KG. When you see several paths ahead, take the path most-trodden on the left. When you come to where another valley branches off uphill to the right, follow a path curving left between trees to carry on down St Catherine’s Valley (ST760726). Although the path is less distinct here – seemingly disappearing altogether at times – if you stick roughly to the contour line, after 400 metres you should see a fence a little way below you on the left. Go through a KG at the end and head left downhill, bearing to the left of the overgrown hedge ahead and crossing a slab bridge across the brook at the bottom (ST759721). Follow the path as it bears right uphill and cross a stile, where you join the Limestone Link (LL) Long Distance Footpath. Don’t be tempted to turn left alongside the fence, but head uphill for a few metres before turning left and following a rough path as it curves along the contour line. After crossing a stile, carry on alongside a hedge on the left, cross another stile and, when you come to a lane, turn left for a few metres before crossing a stile on the left (ST760712). After emerging from trees, a superb view opens up as you descend a ridge between two valleys. Go through a gate at the bottom, and continue through a KG on the other side of the lane. 72 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Carry straight on along the valley, continuing to follow Limestone Link footpath waymarks. After crossing a stile, a gated bridge, another stile and two farm gates, a small gate leads onto a lane, along which you turn left. Follow it as it curves right, but, just after it starts curving left uphill, turn right, following a footpath sign along an overgrown track (ST774710). This soon widens into a muddy holloway, which, after a few metres, you will find yourself sharing with the brook. Follow it as it curves right, crossing a fence and bearing left before crossing the brook and heading up to a stile. After crossing the stile, carry on through a meadow, following a rough, indistinct path down the valley. After 350 metres, down by the brook at the far end of the meadow, you will see two stiles. Take the one on the left and carry on, gradually bearing left uphill towards the far corner of the field. Follow a grassy farm track through a gap in the hedge and carry on along it, crossing a stile by a six-bar gate. To your right, across the brook, you will see St Catherine’s Court, which was originally a grange belonging to Bath Abbey. Follow the track as it curves along the contours. When you see a waymark post on the right, cross a stile in the hedge on the left (ST782701). Follow a permissive path waymark up to a gap in the hedge, and, once through it, bear left to follow another waymark. Don’t head up to the gate you can see above you on the left, but carry on through the meadow, crossing a stile at the end (ST785704). Carry on through another meadow, cross a stile at the end, turn right across another stile and turn left up a lane. After 150 metres turn left to follow a footpath sign for Ashwicke. After 50 metres, just before a gateway, turn right up steps, go through a KG and head steeply uphill. Carry on past a KG in the fence on the right, and, after a few metres, go through a KG ahead. Follow a faint track running parallel with the fence below you on the left. Head up to a KG at the far end, with a superb view down the valley (ST786712). Turn left along a lane, following it as it bears right past Ashwicke Home Farm. After 100 metres, bear left through a seven-bar gate, where a waymark post points along Dukwick Lane. For the first 300 metres, you follow a rough track alongside a hedge, but at the end of the field, you come to a fully-fledged green lane. When you come to a tarmaced lane, bear right to carry on along it. After 120 metres, bear left along a bridleway signposted to Marshfield

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THE | WALK

ENJOY THE JOURNEY: scenes along the route, as photographed by Andrew Swift

(ST777718). In another 250 metres, carry straight on across another track, and, after another 1,000 metres, you will come to a lane with an 18th-century pillar on the left. The inscription on it, now very worn, reads, ‘TO BEEKS HOUSE / Turn on the right track / Over the down / Drivers of carriages / are desired to / Keep the road made / Over the down.’ Turn left along the lane for 50 metres before turning right along a bridleway, which is the green lane leading back to Marshfield. Level of challenge: Some steep and muddy sections, with numerous stiles, although otherwise straightforward. n

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FURTHER INFORMATION ■ ■ ■ ■

Length of walk: 7 miles Map: OS Explorer 155 Approximate time: 4 hours Refreshment stops: the Lord Nelson Inn and The Catherine Wheel in Marshfield High Street both serve food

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

Fun for Halloween and half-term There’s lots going on in and around Bath throughout October, from the last few days of the Children’s Literature Festival to all kinds of family-friendly activities over half-term

Just So Stories Thursday 2 & Friday 3 October 4pm & 6pm The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath Come, oh best-beloved and see how the elephant’s trunk, the leopard’s spots and the camel’s hump were made. Venture into the High and Far-Off Times and uncover the mysteries of how everything came to be. Using live music, puppetry and just a little bit of magic, Apollo Theatre Company tackles Rudyard Kipling’s best beloved tales that take us on a journey back to where it all began. Tickets: £10 (£8 concs) tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk.

Bath Children’s Literature Festival events We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Saturday 4 October, 10am The Guildhall Bring your own bear or dress up as one as storyteller Middleton Mann gets everyone involved in Michael Rosen’s rhythmic adventure. Suitable for aged five plus. Tickets: £6. Fancy Dress Photo Shoot Friday 3 October, 10am – 1pm Bath Central Library Dress up as your favourite book character and join the free photo shoot with Spirit Photographic, who will then upload your photo to their Facebook page. The best character will win a family portrait sesson. There’ll be another session on Saturday 4 October between 10am and 4pm. 10 Years of Muddy Puddles with Peppa Pig Saturday 4 October, 10am The Guildhall Giggle and snort your way through this show which contains lots of audience participation, storytelling and the chance to meet Peppa herself. Suitable for ages three to five. Tickets: £4. Animal War Heroes Saturday 4 October, 11am Mission Theatre David Long tells true stories of animals who were war-time mascots, messengers and even spies. He’ll be joined by Damian Kelleher, author of Dog in No Man’s Land. Suitable for children aged eight and over. Tickets: £6.

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Simon Mayo introduces Itchcraft Saturday 4 October, 11.45am The Guildhall Simon Mayo, he of Radio2’s Drive Time, introduces the third book of his series about Itch. See some of the experiments that Itch conducts in the books and hear Simon read extracts. Suitable for aged nine and over. Tickets: £6. David Almond: A Song for Ella Grey Saturday 4 October, 5.45pm Mission Theatre Ella Grey is an ordinary teenager . . . but then she meets the strange and handsome Orpheus and falls in love, getting them entangled in mythic forces. The author, and festival’s guest artistic director will be in conversation about his new novel. Suitable for aged 12 and over. Tickets: £6. The Big Draw: We Built this City Sunday 5 October, 12 – 4pm The Holburne Museum, at the end of Great Pulteney Street, Bath Join this free family event for an afternoon bursting with creativity. This is your chance to let your imagination run riot and re-design Bath. Find out more, visit: www.holburne.org. Buried Treasure Sunday 4 October, 11.30am Roman Baths, Stall Street entrance Join Janine Amos, author of Walking on Gold for a workshop inspired by Bath’s hoard of Roman coins. There’ll be coins to handle plus step-bystep advice for writing your own adventure. Bring your own pen and paper. Suitable for eight to 12-year-olds. Tickets: £10.

One Giant Leap Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 October The egg theatre, next to the Theatre Royal, Bath Wee Stories presents, in the words of the Daily Telegraph: ‘one of the most ambitious works of children’s theatre ever created.’ This is an impossible attempt to bring our whole universe into a theatre with a one-man show by Iain Johnstone. Suitable for aged ten and over. For tickets tel: 01225 448844 or 01225 823409. Also at the egg this month The Falcon’s Malteser Monday 20 – Saturday 25 October New Old Friends present Anthony Horowitz’s story about the hopeless inept private detective Tim Diamond and his sharp-witted brother Nick. This show – suitable for eight and over – comes highly recommended by Nick Steel, the organiser of the annual Bath Comedy Festival. Bath Kids Holiday Club for half term Beechen Cliff School, Bath Action packed days are run from Beechen Cliff School. No day is the same and that there are always two activities running simultaneously. Email: info@bathkidsholidayclub.com, tel: 0785 096 1033. The club runs daily from 10am to 4pm through half term. £20 per day or two days for £35. Suitable for children over five.

Bath architects practice DKA, which is a sponsor of The Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival, has launched a competition for children to design their dream school. Unlike many competitions, there are very few rules and regulations – the more imaginative the better. What sort of school would you like to go to – let your ideas flow. The competition is open to entrants aged 16 and under, attending an educational facility in Bath and the surrounding area. The winning entries within each of three age categories will win a selection of art supplies for their class. A selection of the most creative competition entries will be displayed in Bath Central Library for a week at the beginning of November. To find out more about the Be The Boss drawing competition, please visit www.dka.co.uk/ dreamschool.

Apple and Pumpkin Day Tuesday 28 October 11am-2pm Bath City Farm, Kelston View, Bath Join in a free day of apple and pumpkin related fun, including apple tasting, bobbing and juicing, and pumpkin carving. No need to book. Wizard School Saturday 25 October– Sunday 2 November, 10.30am – 5.30pm Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and village, Wiltshire: the National Trust Do you have what it takes to be a wicked witch or a wise wizard? Complete the tasks of Lacock Abbey’s self-led wizard school. Stroll through the medieval corridors and imagine yourself at Hogwarts – two of the Harry Potter movies were filmed at Lacock. From broom racing to spell making, test your spooky skills. Normal admission fee applies. Tel: 01249 730459. Continued on page 76

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At Hopscotch Nursery in Wellsway there’s a large, spacious and free flow room with a wide range of toys and fun activities, most of which the children are able to access themselves, giving them freedom of choice. For outdoor play there’s an enclosed, safe and fun garden with various areas ranging from an exciting climbing wall to a sheltered quiet corner, where children can flick through their favourite books or take part in an adult-led activity. Parents and carers are welcome to book a visit to meet the staff and have a look round. Address: 98 Wellsway, Bath, BA2 4SD, Tel: 01225 448 191 Email: info@hopscotch-bath.co.uk

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON www.facebook.com/HerschelMuseumofAstrono my. Free admission with a Discovery Card. Halloween event: The Haunted Chapel Friday 31 October, 6.30pm - 8.30pm Drop-in at The Building of Bath Collection in the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, in the Paragon, Bath Explore The Building of Bath Collection by torchlight. Are you brave enough to win a Halloween treat by finding all the hidden ghouls? There’s an extra treat for anyone wearing a creepy costume. The Big Draw: Rhythm - ning Saturday 25 October 11am – 3pm Victoria Art Gallery This drop in activity takes a line for a rhythmic walk around the gallery. Also at Victoria Art Gallery Tuesday 28 October, 10.30am – 12 Plasticine pets. Explore using Plasticine, which was invented in Bath by William Harbutt.

Halloween Trail 25 October – 2 November, 10am – 3pm Prior Park Landscape Garden, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH Dress up in your best Hallowe’en costume and take part in the spooky trail around the garden. Follow clues to find scary scarecrows and plump pumpkins. Don’t forget to solve the secret word at the end of the trail to receive your treat. £1 per trail, (including National Trust members). Normal admission charges also apply, (NT members and under 5’s free admission). Crazy Creatures: family show Saturday 25 October, 3pm The Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon Musicians from Ensemble 360 will be joined by narrator Polly Ives for an afternoon of music and storytelling. Aimed at children aged three to eight, and their families, there’ll be The Duck with No Luck and A Cat Called Scratch. Expect lots of audience participation. Tickets: £10, £5 for under 18s. Tel: 01225 860100. Also at the Wiltshire Music Centre this month Bath Philharmonia with Wiltshire Young Carers Wednesday 29 October, 6pm This is an extraordinary and uplifting project in which young people who care for disabled or ill family members, get to spend time in musical workshops with professional musicians. The young musicians will perform this free concert with music and words. Although free, you will need to book a seat. Heritage open week (all events free with normal admission) in Bath’s museums and galleries Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November, 10.30am – 5.30pm No. 1 Royal Crescent museum, Bath The Butterfly Garden, in association with the Big Draw. Be inspired by the artists in the collection and create a butterfly picture. Pin up your drawing on the garden display board. Miss Herschel Invites… The Herschel Museum of Astronomy, New King Street, Bath Astronomer Caroline Herschel is holding a dinner party for important, influential and inspiring women past and present. Add a name card for the woman you think deserves to be at Caroline’s dinner table. Vote on Facebook: 76 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Masks mash up Wednesday 29 October, 10.30am – 12 Make masks using characters from the gallery’s collection of portraits at this drop-in session. Plasticine bugs and butterflies Thursday 30 October, 10.30am – 12 Drop in activity. More moulding of mini beasts using the material invented by Bath’s very own William Harbutt. Print perfect Friday 31 October, 10.30am-12 Drop in activity. Try mono-printing, a great technique to get started with printing. Make prints you can turn into cards and pictures. A flare for fashion Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 October, 2pm – 4pm The Fashion Museum A drop in activity for children. Use a variety of simple shapes to create amazing outfits. Top of the pops Monday 27 – Friday 31 October, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm The Roman Baths Make marvellous pop-ups using characters from our amazing hoard of Roman coins. Kachina Dolls with Superpowers Thursday 23 October, 1 – 4pm The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7BD Learn all about the kachina dolls made by Pueblo Native Americans to teach children about the spirits they believe exist in the natural world, and make your own kachina. Drop in, ages 3+ Also at the American Museum this month Falconry Demonstration

Tuesday 28 October, 12.30pm and 2.30pm Ray Prior is one of the leading falconers in the country, with a wide selection of beautiful birds. Come along to see his owls, eagles, hawks, and falcons swoop over the museum grounds. Family Fun: Happy Halloween Thursday 30 October, 1pm- 4pm Celebrate Halloween American style. Join Wiltshire Scrapstore for an array of creepy crafts. Fancy dress welcome. Drop-in, age 3+ Family Fun: Day of the Dead Fiesta Friday 31 October, 1 – 4pm Join the fiesta to celebrate the Mexican festival Day of the Dead, in which families honour deceased loved ones with sugar skulls, dancing skeletons, and piles of marigolds. Create your own decorations for the altar and then join the parade. Drop-in, age 3+. Workshops 1- 3.30pm, parade at 3.30pm. Family welly walk Saturday 25 October & Saturday 1 November, 11 – 11.45am Dyrham Park, National Trust property, north of Bath on the A46 A short walk through the squelchy areas of the park. Bring with you a sense of adventure and dress for the outdoors. Look at autumn trees and wildlife and have fun stomping through the mud and completing a couple of 50 Things activities. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Also at Dyrham this month Skulls and bones discovery Saturday 25 October & Saturday 1 November, 12pm Join the rangers at Old Lodge. Handle some animal skulls, bones, antlers and more. You can even tick off another 50 Things Activity. Family Nature Day Sunday 26 October, 10.30am – 4pm Get outdoors and closer to nature with Dyrham Park’s Rangers and the Bath Natural History society to learn all about autumn wildlife. Help hunt for bugs, spot autumn birds and learn about hibernating animals and insects. Short guided walks available into the park.

Jay Foreman Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children Tuesday 28 October, 4pm The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham Award-winning comedian Jay is back with charmingly sickable songs, stories and poems for the whole family. Age guidance 6-14. £6 (£5 concessions), £20 family. Tel: 01249 701628. n

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EDUCATION | NEWS

News in brief

n Families from St Mark’s School in Larkhall, Bath gathered for a barbecue to welcome new headteacher, Barnaby Ash, pictured, to the school. The event was organised by staff and parents from the PTA and the governors. St Mark’s was judged Good by OfSTED in 2013 and was recognised as an Outstanding Church of England school in its most recent SIAS inspection. Barnaby Ash said: “My ambition is to further improve the provision in the school by building on its current strengths whilst retaining the school’s unique character. We will be hosting a series of open events and I warmly invite prospective fanilies to visit the school and see all that St Mark’s has to offer.” There is an open morning on Thursday 9 October, from 9am till 11am, which will enable visitors to see the school on a normal working day, and an open evening on Saturday 11 October from 10am to noon. For more information tel: 01225 312661.

n Dauntsey’s School at West Lavington near Devizes, has announced a stellar line-up of speakers for its Mercers’ Lecture series. The first evening will see veteran politician Baroness Shirley Williams, pictured, deliver a lecture on Friday 17 October. Future guest speakers include; John Redwood, politician, Jonathan Dimbleby, broadcaster, Keith Williams, CEO of British Airways and David Nussbaum, CEO of the World Wildlife Fund. Lectures are open to all and are held in the Memorial Hall at Dauntsey’s School, from 7.30pm. Contact the school if you wish to attend, email: info@dauntseys.org or tel: 01380 814500.

n Parents and students looking into sixth form study options for September 2015, are being invited to visit The New Sixth, which has been set up on the same campus as St Gregory’s School in Odd Down. The new school is a joint project between St Gregory’s and St Mark’s schools and is supported by the dioceses of Bath and Wells and of Bristol, with funding from Bath and North East Somerset Council. The open evening is on Thursday 23 October from 6.30pm to 9pm. For more information tel: 01225 838232. n A group of Bath volunteers has launched a campaign to make ours a Child Friendly city, as part of an international bid by communities to achieve Child Friendly status from UNICEF. This requires a city to provide services such as access to health care and education, protection from violence, exploitation and abuse, to walking safely in the streets on their own, meeting friends and playing, having green spaces for plants and animals and influencing decisions about their city. Find out more, visit: www.cfba.org. Mayor of Bath Cherry Beath, Bath Festivals, Kate Cross, director at the egg theatre and Penny Hay, director of research, 5x5x5=creativity and lecturer at Bath Spa University are among those behind the scheme.

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AMBASSADOR: Lorenzo Niyongabo, whose family fled Burundi, third from left, who is now president of the Students’ Union at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, with fellow union members

College wins sanctuary status Lorenzo Niyongabo, a student at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College was a guest speaker at the UK’s first ever Sanctuary in Parliament, where he spoke about life as a refugee and about the importance of places which offer santcuary. The event was hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees and was designed to give MPs an opportunity to learn more about the City of Sanctuary movement from refugees and volunteers. Around 30 MPs attended, including Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East. St Brendan’s, which is the only dedicated sixth form college in the Bristol and Bath area, is one of only ten schools or colleges in the country to have been awarded sanctuary status. A College of Sanctuary is a college that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for people whose lives were in danger in their own country. Lorenzo was asked to speak at this event after

Young talent celebrated in school anthology A new book of poetry and short stories by senior pupils at King Edward’s School’, Bath has been launched by Steve Voake, children’s author and lecturer in writing for young people at Bath Spa University. This is the second edition of The Anthology which brings together winning entries from the poetry and short story competitions together with some of the very best pupil artwork in a rich and exciting collaboration. Published editions of the collection are £5, on sale at Waterstones, Mr B’s, Toppings and at King Edward’s School. The annual short story competition is now in its fifth year and regularly attracts nearly 200 entries from pupils of all ages. It is judged each year by a different children’s author. This year best-selling author, Steve Voake, author of titles including The Dreamwalkers Child, Fightback and Bloodhunters, judged the winning entries. Catherine Bruton, English teacher at KES, editor of The Anthology and author of teen fiction books We can be Heroes, Pop! and I Predict a Riot, believes that the publication of the book is an important step in helping young writers’ transition to becoming professional authors.

the speech he gave earlier this year at The Mansion House in Bristol when the college was awarded its College of Sanctuary status by Alastair Watson, the Lord Mayor of Bristol. Lorenzo spoke knowledgably and from the heart as he was himself a refugee – his father who is a lawyer escaped from prison in the troubled African country of Burundi and fled with his family to England. He is studying A-levels in history, drama, politics and philosophy and is also President of the Students’ Union. He said he was really happy and proud to take part in this event and to help raise awareness and change people’s perceptions of refugees. St Brendan’s is at Broomhill Road, Brislington, where its purpose built campus caters for 1,700 students aged between 16 and 18. It offers more than 70 courses, including a choice of more than 50 at A Level.

Childline works towards preventing abuse Supporters of children’s charity NSPCC attended a Bath reception as part of the charity’s drive to tell more people in the city about the ChildLine Schools Service provided by the NSPCC. Chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council, Martin Veal hosted a reception along with NSPCC supporter Loraine MorganBrinkhurst at the Guildhall. More than 40 guests attended, including representatives from businesses, Rotary clubs and schools. Author Lesley Pearse, who is president of the Bath Branch of NSPCC, said: “We want to reach every child in our local area and help them learn more about ChildLine and how it can help them, and our guests this evening could help us make that happen.” The ChildLine Schools Services is run by trained volunteers and is provided free to primary school children across the UK. The free number to call is 0800 1111. The service is a major shift towards preventative work designed to help children act with confidence if they fear abuse, before it does lasting harm. The service has already reached 333 children in Bath and North East Somerset.

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SCHOOL | HISTORY

PROUD PAST: above, the 1st XV rugby team of 1897/8, right, the 1st XI cricket team of 1912 – many of these boys were shortly to be killed on active service in the First World War Below, Founder’s Day at Bath Abbey, parading a copy of the 1552 Charter

School honours its legacy a petition from the citizens of Bath to King edward Vi more than 400 years ago led to the founding of a city school which still annually honours its founding fathers

ach year pupils, parents and staff of King Edward’s School congregate at Bath Abbey to mark the founding of the school and its link to the city that goes back over 450 years. The monks of the Priory of Bath were the original teachers at the city’s grammar school, but following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Bath was left without a suitable school for the sons of the city’s leaders and its merchants. In 1552, the corporation petitioned King Edward VI, the young son of Henry VIII, to establish a new grammar school in the city. Their petition was successful and the new ‘free grammar school of King Edward VI’ was established in Bath. Edward VI founded 33 schools across the country, although seemingly without any overall plan; Edward and his advisers instead responded reactively to petitions and tended to look favourably on those from city corporations. Most of the schools established by Edward VI’s Charter followed the same model, having one master (a pedagogus) at an annual salary of £10, sometimes with an assistant, and with the schools being awarded a portion of former Church lands and properties, which could be rented to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the schools. In Bath, the new school was provided with 102 properties that had been in the ownership of Bath Priory. While apparently generous, at an annual rental value of £25, this represented a very small portion of the £617 2s 3½d, which had been the original value of the Priory’s lands in 1535. In fact, by the time the school was established, most of the former Priory’s property had already been sold to pay off royal debts and there were rumours that, had it not been for the foundation of the school, the remainder of the former Priory’s property would have gone the same way. Originally located in Frog Lane, the site of today’s New Bond Street, the newly established school provided education for fee-paying boys, aged 7-15, who were selected on academic merit. Most boys were day pupils, with just a few boarders, and they studied only two subjects: Greek and Latin. On completion of their education in Bath, most continued their studies, mainly at Oxford. 82 TheBATHMagazine

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By 1583 the school had transferred to St Mary’s, a disused church by the city’s North Gate. The former nave of the church became the school’s single classroom where the boys were taught together, sitting on benches according to their age. Interestingly, the tower of the church was the city’s jail. One can only speculate as to whether the noise from the prisoners above disturbed the boys’ lessons. The school was to remain at this location for nearly 200 years, only closing for a short time during the Civil War. As the school’s reputation grew, the Corporation of Bath and the school’s trustees recognised the need for a more fitting, purpose-built school and in 1754 they agreed to Thomas Jelly’s plans for a new property to be sited in Broad Street, to include playground and dormitories. The building – no longer owned by the school and sadly empty – can still be seen on the left hand side going up the hill of Broad Street.

During the 18th century the school was prosperous and had established the reputation for academic excellence that it still enjoys today. Famous old boys from this period include Admiral Sir Sidney Smith who fought in the French Wars, defending the city of Acre against Napoleon’s army and Thomas De Quincey, friend of Wordsworth and Coleridge, who at the age of 13 could converse fluently in Greek and Latin and wrote Confessions of an English Opium Eater. Sport only began being played at the school in the late 1800s, with playing fields being rented at what is today’s Bath Rec. Rugby tended to be a mix of current scholars, old boys and staff, although

football was the school’s official game. Boys also took part in cricket and boating, as well as swimming at Cleveland Baths and physical training, firstly at Bath’s YMCA then at the Paragon. In 1900, against the backdrop of the Boer War, the Cadet Corps was established (later to be called the Officer Training Corps, OTC). The school contingent was the first of its kind in the city. As well as taking part in summer camps, shooting competitions and learning semaphore and morse, cadets became part of the city’s pageantry to mark George V’s Coronation Day in 1911. The OTC was later to be seen as good training for actual warfare and inevitably many Old Edwardians fought in the First World War. Among the 560 former pupils and staff who fought, 74 were killed, among them many of the boys who had played in the school’s 1st XI cricket team of 1912, including the team’s captain CA Symons, who was the headmaster’s son. The Broad Street building continued to be in use for the Prep School right up until 1988, although by the 1960s senior school pupils had already transferred to today’s North Road site. There the school has grown and flourished, with girls joining for the first time in the sixth form in 1986 and the school becoming fully co-educational in 1997. More recent alumni include comedian, musican and actor Bill Bailey and rugby player and coach Andy Robinson. Today, the school continues to develop, with a new building now taking shape, which will house a light and airy library, a large dining hall and space for concerts, dance classes and socialising, as well as balconies opening up to views over the city. In many ways, today’s school has moved far from its origins, yet the link between city and school remains strong and is renewed each year as the school celebrates its Foundation Day. This is held at Bath Abbey in July and the year’s new senior school pupils meet the Bath city archivist to see the school’s original sheepskin parchment Charter and find out how it all began. n With thanks to historian and former headmaster of King Edward’s School, Dr John Wroughton.

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ts 2014 n e v E n e Op Autumn gs

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AUTHOR | INTERVIEW

Stories that bring real life to children We snatched a few minutes with children’s writer and family favourite Michael Morpurgo ahead of his visit to the Bath Children’s Literature Festival

f you ask any child to name an author of a book that they have enjoyed reading, chances are, Michael Morpurgo will crop up – a lot. The former Children’s Laureate and best-selling author has written over 130 books for children, including Private Peaceful, The Butterfly Lion, Kensuke’s Kingdom and the popular War Horse, which was adapted for stage with wonderful puppets and first performed at the National Theatre in 2007. It continues to be performed at the New London Theatre to packed audiences and the story was also released as a film directed by Steven Spielberg in 2012. Michael Morpurgo is, in his own words, “oldish, married with three children, and a grandfather six times over.” Born in 1943, he attended schools in London, Sussex and Canterbury (one at least of which was horrible enough to inspire him to describe it obliquely in The Butterfly Lion). He went on to London University to study English and French, followed by a step into the teaching profession and a job in a primary school in Kent. It was there that he discovered what he wanted to do. “We had to read the children a story every day and my lot were bored by the book I was reading. I decided I had to do something and told them the kind of stories I used to tell my kids – it was like a soap opera, and they focused on it. I could see there was magic in it for them, and realised there was magic in it for me,” says Michael. Living in Devon, listening to Mozart, and working with children have provided most of the stimulae Michael needs to discover and write his stories. He spends half his time mucking out sheds, feeding sheep or milking cows; and the other half he spends dreaming up and writing stories. “For me, the greater part of writing is daydreaming; dreaming the dream of my story until it hatches out – the writing down of it I always find hard. But I love finishing it, then holding the book in my hand and sharing my dream with my readers.” In 1976 Michael and his wife, Clare, started the charity, Farms For City Children (FFCC), which aims to relieve the poverty of young children from inner city and urban areas by providing them with a week in which they work actively and purposefully on farms in the heart of the countryside. They now have three farms – in Devon, Pembrokeshire and in Gloucestershire. “As a teacher I realised many children had little real contact with the world around them – to them the television was real. I wanted them to experience life at first hand.” In the last 30 years, 50,000 children from cities and towns have spent a week of their lives living and working on one of the three farms. Michael’s latest novel is called Listen to the Moon, which is set to be published soon. Michael is also patron of the Family Arts Festival (17 October – 2 November) which will see events taking place in arts venues around the country in collaboration with The Big Draw. There will be familyfriendly events at the Roman Baths as part of the festival. n Michael Morpurgo: Private Peaceful, The Concert is on Sunday 5 October, 4pm at Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath. The author joins a cappella trio Coope, Boyes and Simpson to narrate a concert based on his book about Tommo Peaceful’s path from a Devon village to the trenches of the First World War. Suitable for children aged eight and over and their families Tickets: £15. For tickets visit: www,bathfestivals.org.uk 86 TheBATHMagazine

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& s u Help he t n i Jo ! b u l C

Dear Friend,

We would like you to become part of a special project that will help to provide children with the opportunities to participate, grow, and perform through the medium of sport. The Trust aims to use sport to widen young peoples’ horizons and form higher expectations for themselves in every facet of their lives. Every training session, each festival, and all trips foster the development of resilience, a sense of responsibility, their compassion for others, and their intellectual curiosity. We aim to: • Offer in-school PE support to all schools in BANES & West Wiltshire • Host a variety of free sport festivals for children across the two counties • Provide a free football programme for 120 boys aged between 8 and 14 (BWB 03) This is provided at no cost to the children or their parents, but there is a significant cost implication for the Trust, particularly as we wish to expand our intensive sport programmes to other girls’ and boys’ sports. And this is where we need your help. Could you become one of our sponsors or do you know someone that could be one of our sponsors? We ask that you pass on this appeal to family, friends, employers and associates who can help. We are looking for 100 local people or organisations to donate £100 each. Becoming a member of this Club 100 has benefits beyond goodwill. In addition to our thanks on our website and in our annual magazine (distributed to all schools and youth clubs), every sponsor will feature at our fixtures and will be invited to our end of season party If you know of sponsors who can contribute more, there are two further tiers of support: Club 25, and the Club 5. Please contact us for details. Donating is easy. You can: • Phone Sarah Harding on 07767 069815 or email admin@bpsfa.com • Send a cheque, made payable to the Bath and Wiltshire School Sport Trust. Our charity registration number is 1153593. We hope to hear from you soon. Regards, Tim Curtis, Chair of Trustees

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FIRST | PERSON

CONQUERING THE FEAR

Wine expert and writer Angela Mount has forged a career in the male-dominated world of wine, but she endured her toughest challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She tells her story here in the hope that other women and their families might take something positive to bring to their own situation

our small words – ‘Fear is the cancer’, plus a date and the outline of a pink ribbon are tattooed permanently on the ribs of my 21 year old son. The date, 05/02/13, is the day my family and I received the news of my all clear from breast cancer. It brought home to me, in the most powerful way, the deep impact that my diagnosis and fight, has had on my three children over the course of five years, and a reminder of the fear that any cancer brings to families. But what is powerful and oddly symbolic, are the words that Sam chose. As a family, we didn’t know what would happen at first; any person, any family, faced with a serious cancer diagnosis experiences the hell and confusion of numbing, gut-wrenching fear, terror even, and the sickening sense of uncertainty. What my son’s tattoo states is simple, but true . . . it’s not easy, but if you can deal with the fear, you will deal better with the disease. I write and talk about wine. That’s my day job. This is different. This is the hardest piece of copy that I have ever written, because I can’t hide behind the ‘wine expert’ façade. Georgette McCready, editor of The Bath Magazine, knows my story. I told her that when I was diagnosed, I wished that I had had someone to talk to, who had been through it, to help me cope. She has now asked me to pen some words that might give a teeny bit of support to any woman reading this, who has recently been diagnosed, and also their families. If what I write can help even just one person, or maybe make them smile, then it’s worth it – even if this means curious stares at my not inconsiderable embonpoint for the next month. The good news is that today, although one in eight women will get breast cancer, over 70% survive. Not good enough, but a dramatic improvement on 30 years ago. Yet those facts mean nothing, when it’s you in the frame, when you are first given the news – that’s when the fear sets in. I can’t help cure cancer; but I can write and talk about it. Here are a few things that helped me get through:

Acceptance and attitude I have always been lucky; I still think I’m lucky, in fact luckier now than I’ve ever been. I have also always been a bit of a control freak. On 17 December 2007, the day before my eldest son’s birthday, that all changed, when I was diagnosed with multifocal breast cancer, and told that I needed a mastectomy. I’ll admit I am unconditionally vain; appearance has always been important to me. Being told, gently but firmly that there was no alternative than to remove my breast were the most sickening words I’d ever heard. What would I look like? Would I be deformed? Ridiculously, but 90 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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understandably, I was almost more scared of the impact on my appearance, than of how to face the surgery and the subsequent treatment. My doctor asked me when I could book in for surgery; I flicked through my work diary, which looked pretty packed and asked if we could possibly postpone it until Easter. I was in denial. My surgery was booked for 19 January 2008; I spent two weeks in total misery, spiralling further and further into a pit of depression and disbelief. For anyone who has recently been diagnosed, they will know that those dark days of uncertainty are often the worst – that suffocating, dull pain of fear, lost hope, where you wake up and don’t want to get up to face another day, and you go to bed hoping you don’t have to wake up. That sounds dramatic, but it’s absolutely true, however wonderful a family you have. My ‘epiphany’ moment came on a reflective walk along the canal in Bradford on Avon on New Year’s Eve 2007. I sat on a bench and cried and thought about what lay ahead; and then I realised – rather than viewing this as the end of ‘me’, I had to see 19 January as the first step in getting well again. It was then that I learnt the single most important lesson of my life, and one, which I live by now, every single day, and that I repeat like a mantra to my three children: ‘You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to that situation.’ I knew the operation had to happen – so did I really want to spend the next 18 days in this pit of despair, or did I face up to the facts and take enjoyment out of every day, however tiny, however simple? My mindset changed, and my smile returned – I enjoyed cuddles with my children, realising what was most important in my life, and deciding that I was bloody well going to fight for it.

Talking about it One of the reasons that I became very public about my breast cancer in the early days, was because I sensed people were embarrassed and, in some cases, tried to avoid me. My reaction was to take it to them; as soon as I talked about it, I could almost see a sense of relief in their eyes, in that they didn’t have to avoid ‘the subject’. That was my coping mechanism; others retreat into themselves – but if you know someone, don’t avoid them, as people did me, and ask them how they are. They can take it from there. One final thought: Never use the word victim – there are no cancer victims, there are only fighters, heroes and survivors.

Dealing with the diagnosis We all react and deal with crises in different ways; mine was slightly extreme, in that I spent the week before going into hospital for 21 days, becoming the

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FIRST | PERSON authority on ‘how to look glam in a hospital bed’ – for me the only way of dealing with this was to surround myself with pretty things. There were comic moments; I threw a party the night before I was due to go in for surgery, and knocked back my last glass of fizz on the dot of midnight (in order to follow the ‘nil by mouth’ instructions). I spent the first few hours in hospital pre surgery, with a massive hangover, begging the nurses to slip me a couple of Nurofen. Not to be recommended, but my way of dealing with what was to come. My hospital wardrobe was spectacular – all marabou negligees, little mohair cardis, and three inch heeled satin slippers, which I tottered around in, trailing my four drains in a Gucci handbag. Within 24 hours of surgery I’d painted my nails, and was in full make up – ridiculous, I know, but my personal way of telling myself that I was not going to lose my femininity. Others prefer a quieter, more reflective attitude. A friend, who has just completed her final chemo session, has a fabulous collection of multi-coloured wigs, switching from tomato red to turquoise and looking wonderful. Her face is beautiful – the haunted look of terror has gone, and her eyes shine with the determination and love of life that have got her through her ordeal. If there’s a message here, it is to do whatever it is that is going to help you cope. The moment that you start to face the diagnosis positively, and view surgery/treatment as the first step in getting better, rather than the negative ‘I won’t let this happen to me’, you have taken a massive step towards winning the battle. I can’t help anyone beat cancer, but maybe I can help take a little bit of the fear away but sharing my idiosyncratic way of dealing with the terror. The prospect of a mastectomy, and the probable ensuing loss of hair through chemo is about as much of a double whammy as any woman can get. I elected for an immediate reconstruction – it was the only way that I could cope. By contrast my sister, who was diagnosed two years after me, didn’t have reconstruction – it’s entirely down to the individual. What does anger me is the unnecessary additional fear and stigma that many women experience about losing a breast due to misguided information, such as the ridiculous story I read by a Z-list celebrity, who refused to have a mastectomy, because ‘it would rob me of my femininity and stop me wearing lacy lingerie.’

❝ YOU CAN’T CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, BUT YOU CAN CONTROL HOW YOU REACT TO THAT SITUATION

❞ I was furious – how irresponsible, and what a negative message to those recently diagnosed, who might make the wrong decision based on this selfish, and quite frankly, stupid, piece of writing. Every situation is different, and I am under no illusions that I was very lucky; but, without going into further detail, I am more than happy with my femininity, and my lingerie. In many respects, my personal journey through breast cancer has empowered me. I used to constantly worry about my size and my weight, and loved it when I got to a size 8; I now have curves – the result of five years of drug treatment. To any of you fearful of the impact on your body, I would say this – wear your scars with pride, and be confident in your shape. ‘like me on my own terms’ is my motto these days. Your body is testament to the fight that you have undertaken. Having starved myself to stay thin for years, I now eat healthily, I understand the impact that five years of drugs have taken on my body and I accept the way I look now with gratitude. My boobs tell a story! There’s a wonderful shop in George Street, called Aria, which actively supports and cares for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. The staff are knowledgeable, understanding, and are trained in helping women who’ve had mastectomies, to find the right bra. And there are some gorgeous, lacy versions.

Normality In many respects the fear is worse for the family around you. When you have cancer, you realize, sooner or later, that you just to have to do the treatment, in order to stay alive; then you just get on with it, although there will be times when you will sob and almost give up, as the side effects kick in. But as I’ve WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

STRONGER: Angela with daughter Ellie PICTURES by Anna Barclay witnessed by watching women with terminal cancer, there’s a grittiness that sets in, and a steely determination. Loved ones, however, feel helpless; children especially – they have to learn to live with with the word that puts dread in every person’s mind; they don’t know what’s going to happen. If I can give any advice to mothers, then it’s this: in the early, oppressive days of my diagnosis, I became so wrapped up in my own dismal thoughts, that I didn’t think enough about the impact on my three children. After I had my ‘epiphany’ moment I was able to focus on them – what they needed was reassurance, however insecure the situation. I pulled myself together largely for them. We did fun things, including a trip to London the day before I went in for surgery. I made sure that when they visited, I looked happy, and looked, as normal as I could – seeing me dressed, and looking like I normally did, made it easier for them than seeing me lying wan and grey in a hospital gown. I may not have felt like smiling – but it gave them confidence, my own positivity reflected onto them, and they left feeling that everything would be fine. Which, fortunately, it was. My children and I are stronger, and have a far better sense of what is really important in life, because of the journey that we all had to travel through, me physically, but them emotionally. It hasn’t been easy for them, but they now all wear the pink ribbon with pride and help fundraise; I am immensely proud of their values, and about how they look out for me, and each other. If you are facing this now, as a mother, be strong for them, they will be strong for you; and your relationship with them will reach another level, which brings the most gratifying joy. This is one of the most beautiful good things that came from a bad situation. It’s not easy, and I won’t pretend that the treatment isn’t vile; I also understand that some women may not be as lucky as me. If you want to talk to other women experiencing this, then head up to the Porter on the first Wednesday of every month, where there’s a support group, run by a wonderful breast cancer survivor, Nina Rack, which could give you that little bit of help that you need to stay strong. Sharing the fear will double your strength. Cancer still destroys far too many lives; but the fear of cancer is the insidious snake that coils itself around and tries to suffocate. I do realise that I’ve put my personal life (and my boobs) out there in the public eye, but if telling part of my story can help give strength to even one or two women and their families, then it’s been worth writing. I’ve met some incredible women, facing the very worst, who are strong, positive and empowered. It’s a humbling experience. As someone who was often impatient, I’ve learnt to be philosophical. Deal with negative situations, accept them and move on. I have learnt to take at least one positive out of every single day, however bad that day may seem. And that’s a fantastic feeling. I am grateful for every day. The right mindset can’t cure cancer – but it will damn well help get you through each day of your own battle. n Angela can be contacted on Twitter, @angelatalkswine OCTOBER 2014

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the directory

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Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

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WELCOME TO THE SPATHROOM

Bath-based interior designer Clair Strong shares her expert tips on banishing the rubber duck and ditching the soggy bathmat as part of the transformation from humdrum bathrooms to decadent spathroom

he bathroom is a haven of tranquility, the one room in the house where you can truly be alone . . . unless you have a cat of course. It’s one of the hardest working rooms in the house and yet the bathroom is something of an unsung hero. When it comes to renovating, the bathroom is often neglected, left until last, or worse – given a lacklustre makeover. The living room is lavished with love, the kitchen crafted by the finest artisans and the bedrooms bedecked with glorious furnishings. And then comes the bathroom’s turn with a basic white suite, a few cursory tiles and a splash of neutral hued paint. Well, this simply will not do. I have a passion for transforming neglected bathrooms into something much more worthy of what should be their lofty status. You don’t need a colossal budget or huge amounts of square footage to make more of your bathroom. Nor do you need to be particularly revolutionary with the decor if you prefer a more reserved look. Designing a spathroom is all about creating a space that meets your requirements and reflects your personality. So whether you love long, luxurious baths or prefer a quick inand-out shower, it’s about making the room work for you.

The Essentials Every bathroom needs, well, bathing facilities. If it’s time to upgrade that 1980s avocado-green suite, you’ll be pleased to hear that your options are numerous. Bathroom suites can now include huge walk-in waterfall showers, Hammams, saunas, Jacuzzi baths and hot tubs. Even small spaces can indulge in rainfall showers or claw foot baths. Basins come in all shapes and sizes too, so you’re no longer limited to the practical but often stylistically underwhelming pedestal basin. The essentials are the building blocks of your new spathroom. I would recommend choosing a scheme that makes you feel good, provide an atmosphere of calm and relaxation and is pleasing on the eye too.

Decor and Lighting Bathroom decoration should be treated like any other room; start from the bottom and work your way up. 94 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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You’ll need to give extra consideration to the decoration in the bathroom because it will endure a great deal of heat and humidity. The floor will get wet, so for the most practical and easy to maintain choose water resistant, easy-toclean tiles, as slip resistant as possible – they could be rubber, stone or ceramic for instance. If you’re using stone then these will need to be sealed before use and at intervals over the years. Natural materials like slate and stone look fantastic in the bathroom; they’re style classics, ultra hardy and add an element of cool, spa-like Zen to the room. As for the walls, your options are open. Many people shy away from wallpaper in the bathroom, but it’s actually a really rewarding style choice. Avoid wall papering directly around the bath and shower and create a single accent wall (away from water sources) instead. This works better in a room such as a cloakroom with only a loo and basin as there’s far less chance of the paper getting wet, or peeling from humidity. Paint is a great alternative and you can choose the dark, relaxing tones of a hotel spa or go for bright and breezy hues to wake you up of a morning. Don’t be afraid to experiment, bold colours look fantastic when combined with neutral, natural materials. Finally, lighting will give your spathroom the ambience you require. Choose overhead lights that can be dimmed, so you’re always in control of the mood. Spotlights around the mirror, feature lights at skirting level around showers for instance add that touch.

Storage When you’re finally ready to sink into the tub the last thing you want is to be fighting for space with your children’s bath toys. Plucking a rubber duck from your beautifully scented, bubbly water might kill the mood a bit. Storage is an issue in many bathrooms as they’re not naturally equipped with cupboard space and shelving. Fortunately, there are a number of bathroom-friendly options that will keep the spare shampoo, clean towels and extra loo rolls out of the way.

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INTERIORS | BATHROOMS

DELUXE AND DELIGHTFUL: all pictures from Clair Strong’s collection of past projects

For items that need to be close at hand or are worthy of display consider shelving. Little alcoves cut into the wall provide a home for soaps and sponges or decorative accents like candles and sea shells. Alternatively, you could build floating shelves into oddly shaped corners and nooks. Cupboards can be incorporated in innovative ways too; around or above the basin and even underneath the bath, if necessary. If you’ve got the room, a vanity unit along one wall, with the sink built-in, provides plenty of storage space, with room for the toys too.

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The Finishing Touches A few final embellishments will bring your spathroom to completion. Small, seemingly insignificant items like candles; a vase of flowers; towels in a complementary colour, and window treatments will make a huge impact on the overall finish of your room. It’s like accessorising an outfit, that one piece of jewellery can take the ensemble from drab to fab. Find out more at: www.clairstrong.co.uk. n

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SIMPLIFY E YOUR HOUSE, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE!

ver felt that your house is taking control of you rather than the other way around? You don’t know where to start because everywhere you look you see furniture, bric-a-brac or antiques? With the consumerism of modern life combined with the desire to keep what we have from the past, so many houses now have too much everywhere you look, and when time comes to change or move, it becomes impossible. Where do you start? Now a new business has been launched in Bath to help you by German Diaz Pocquet and Clare Willcox. The House Doctoring Agency provides exclusive, personal decluttering advice and solutions to anyone who needs to move, wants to free up some space in the house, is overwhelmed by clutter and possessions, or wants to downsize and realise some value. The business is already helping solve all of these problems in a kind, objective, professional way, working side by side with clients in their homes with discretion and confidence to help decide what items you don’t need in your home. The firm can help identify items for disposal, which charities to donate to, how to remove things safely, advise on redecoration and suggest ways of improving a house for sale. German says “I am really excited about launching the House Doctoring Agency in Bath. Since coming here, I am amazed by the extent of beautiful old buildings but also by their legacy inside. Since childhood, I have loved to help others, and now I can simplify someone’s life through decluttering and restyling”. Bath local Clare, who has spent her working life caring for others and in business administration, knows that through decluttering, hard though it can be to say goodbye to sometimes precious things, each person can make their life easier. Both German and Clare are looking forward to helping Bath residents make a difference to their lives and their houses!

Please contact German and Clare on 01225 422235 or at www.housedoctoringagency.co.uk

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CITY | GARDENING

THE CINDERELLA OF THE VEG PATH Don’t dismiss pumpkins as just being for Halloween says Jane Moore as she visits market gardener Gerald Rich at Northend

f you could only grow one vegetable, what would you grow? Without hesitating long enough to say Halloween I would choose a stonking great pumpkin, because when you get right down to it, there are few fruits or vegetables that fill my heart with joy but a big, orange, Cinderella pumpkin is surely one of them. Having said that, I’m not that particular about variety. I actually love all pumpkins and squashes in all their many guises and differing shapes and sizes. Whether they’re big or small, round or flattened, orange, red, green or even warty, they’re all lovely to me. I can’t resist growing them either, much to my assistant Anna’s amusement (although she’s in no position to talk as she’s a bit bonkers about brassicas and there really isn’t much to love about a cabbage, is there?) You see pumpkins and squashes tick all the boxes in my opinion. Not only are they easy to grow and pretty quick (tick, tick) but also they’re nice to eat (tick), store well (another tick) and they look utterly fantastic growing away in the kitchen garden (so many ticks I can’t keep up). Now I know which varieties I love and mostly those are for their looks first and flavour second. So for the meat of the matter, so to speak, I’ve turned to Gerald Rich, market gardener extraordinaire, to enlighten me as to which are best for eating first and foremost. Gerald’s farm at Northend has been supplying Bath with vegetables for some four generations so he should know his onions, pumpkins and brassicas better than anyone else around here. “They’re all great for hearty soups but Crown Prince is generally the most popular for flavour,” says Gerald. “The West Indian community love it and one lady is even driving up from Southampton to pick up 50 or so.” Gerald and his son Luke grow hundreds of pumpkins and squashes on their 15 acres of south facing hillside in Northend. On a glorious September day, the sight of rows of ripening lantern pumpkins alongside the squat blue spheres of Crown Prince and the knobbly stripes of Turk’s Turban is one to fill an avid pumpkin grower like myself with joy. “They look too good to pick,” I say to Gerald. “I know,” he agrees. “I hate 98 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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harvesting anything really, ‘cos I like growing it and seeing it all in the fields.” By the time you read this, however, the pumpkins and squashes will all be harvested, waiting to be sold at Tony’s in Larkhall and the Chelsea Road greengrocers, with a few going into the veg boxes that Gerald’s son Luke markets on their website. “Most of the big orange pumpkins will be sold for Halloween for carving rather than eating but all the smaller ones are good for cooking,” says Gerald. Like most of us vegetable growers Gerald tends to stick to several tried and tested varieties such as Crown Prince and Harvest Moon, his Halloween pumpkin. I keep on coming back to my favourite variety, an impossibly named French heirloom called Rouge Vif d’Etamps which looks straight out of a book of fairytales. But Gerald also likes to try new things and a couple of years ago tried a few experimental plants of Uchiki Kuri which has since become a firm favourite due to its early cropping, manageable size and lovely colour. “It’s not as popular as butternut squash and that surprises me,” says Gerald. I’m surprised too, as it’s a firm favourite of the French as well as Sarah Raven, that doyenne of middle class good taste. But the butternut squash reigns supreme in most recipes where other squashes would be just as good if not better. Turk’s Turban is a prime example as it’s sadly overlooked as a vegetable and dismissed as merely good looking rather than good eating. “Turk’s Turban is good all round,” says Gerald. “It grows well, looks great and tastes good too.” Good looks and good eating – that’s a lot of boxes ticked in one go. I might be adding Turk’s Turban to my growing list for next year. But in the meantime, I’d better buy one from Gerald and make some soup – just to test it, of course. Jane’s choice: Rouge Vif d’Etamps A real Cinderella’s carriage pumpkin. An ancient French variety which is the most beautiful rich orangey red colour, with deep ribs in a flattened shape like a red cheese wheel. Extremely ornamental, surprisingly beautiful, great yield & sweet flavour, also good for the famous USA pumpkin pies. Recorded as

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CITY | GARDENING

GOLDEN GLOBES: main picture,Harvest Moon waiting to be harvested. Above, Gerald Rich with his son Luke, centre Gerald with a Turk’s Turban, right, French variety Rouge Vif d’Etamps

having been the variety cultivated by the Pilgrims and served at the second Thanksgiving. Jane’s choice: Baby Bear One of my favourite pumpkins. This pumpkin is excellent to use for an individual pumpkin bowl in which to serve soups, stews and chilli. The seeds are semi-hull-less and are excellent roasted. Jane’s choice: Marina Di Chioggia An architectural Italian heirloom variety with deep blue-green, knobbly skin reminiscent of a sea urchin. It has a sweet orange flesh and is excellent in pies and so on. Gerald’s choice: Turk’s Turban Impressive fruits with a distinctive shape, each fruit has its own cap on top making it a popular choice for ornamental autumn displays. Excellent flavour for roasting, baking, as a steamed vegetable or used in soups. Sadly today its cooking qualities are overlooked and it is most often used as a decorative gourd. Gerald’s choice: Crown Prince An old variety of winter squash but still popular for its attractive,

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flattened fruits with a steely-blue skin, each weighing up to 4kg (8½lb). Crown Prince is renowned for its colourful rich orange flesh with a sweet and nutty flavour. Also stores particularly well, lasting up to three months if kept in frost free conditions. Gerald’s choice: Uchiki Kuri Uchiki Kuri is known by a variety of names, including Potimarron or Onion Squash because of its shape, and is also known as Japanese squash, Orange Hokkaido or Red Kuri squash. Lovely teardrop shape, bright orange and a nice, manageable size, this squash also has butter-coloured flesh that is smoother than butternut squash, and a distinctive chestnut flavour. As well as being very early to mature, these also store well. For vegetable and fruit boxes take a look at Luke’s website: www.richfresh.co.uk, or www.bathboxes.co.uk. n Jane Moore is the head gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel. Look out for Jane’s Garden Guide to Autumn supplement in The Telegraph Saturday 11 October .

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PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

elcombe Road is located close to beautiful Wiltshire countryside yet only half a mile from the centre of Bradford On Avon and is a mere eight minute walk to the train station. Number 18 is a substantial detached family home built in the 1930’s and extended in recent years. The house is beautifully presented and decorated in calm, neutral colours which enhance the light and space. The ground floor accommodation comprises an open plan kitchen diner in a modern/rustic style with Aga, a large sitting room and a separate living room. Each of the principal rooms has double doors which lead out into the front garden. There is also a utility room and cloakroom. Upstairs are five, well laid out bedrooms including an en suite master bedroom, and a modern family bathroom. The property has landscaped gardens to the front and rear which make the most of the far reaching countryside views. There is also a shared paddock of approximately 2.3 acres with stables, a garage which is suitable for storage and the house benefits from solar panels. For an appointment to view this spacious family home contact agents Pritchards. Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

WWW.THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

BELCOMBE ROAD BRADFORD ON AVON • Five Bedrooms • Family friendly layout • Shared paddock with stables • Short walk to station and town centre • Landscaped gardens and far reaching views • Solar panel efficiencies

Price: £795,000 OCTOBER 2014

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Sydney Buildings A charming 3 storey, double fronted Grade II Listed Georgian town house in a quiet tucked away, highly sought after position. * 2 double bedrooms, bathroom & en suite, dining room/bedroom 3, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room * Delightful courtyard garden * Residents parking permits available * Adjacent to the Kennet and Avon Canal & under 1 mile from the centre of Bath.

Guide Price: ÂŁ750,000

Stothert Avenue A very well presented modern Town House arranged over 3 floors with secure private parking for up to 2 cars. *3 bedrooms, bathroom & en suite shower room * Sitting Room leading onto South facing balcony * Well fitted kitchen /dining/family room with French windows into garden * Cloakroom & Utility * Attractive level easy to maintain South facing garden * Internal area: 1381 sq ft.

Price: ÂŁ635,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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Worcester Terrace, Larkhall A classic 3 storey Grade II listed town house retaining many period features and potential for development (subject to necessary regulations). * 2/3 bedrooms, bathroom, en suite * Mature gardens * Driveway parking and a dilapidated garage * Scope to extend (planning permission lapsed) * Internal area approx. 1124 sq ft (104.5 sq m)

Price: ÂŁ605,000

Corsham A impressive Grade II Listed period property situated in the heart of this popular market town. Sensitively restored by the current owner and offered in excellent order throughout. * 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen/breakfast room, en suite shower room & cloakroom * 3 receptions * 3 useful cellar rooms * Delightful Italianate garden * Private parking * 8 miles from bath * Floor area approximately 2,443 sq.ft. (227 sq.m.)

Price: ÂŁ595,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

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SALE AGREED Bathwick Hill

Warleigh, Bathford

An impressive, elegant Grade II Listed garden maisonette in need of modernization. Super views and large level garden. * 3/4 double bedrooms * 3 receptions & conservatory * Bathroom, en suite & cloakroom * Vaults * Large level garden * Garage * A few minutes’ walk to city centre * Floor area approx. 2015 sq.ft. (187.2 sq.m.)

A stunning penthouse apartment with delightful private roof garden within a fabulous Grade II listed Manor House. Spacious light and airy accommodation. * 3 double bedrooms all with en suites * Elegant drawing room * Private roof garden and communal gardens * Garage and additional parking * 5½ miles from Bath * Floor area approximately 2095 sq.ft. (195 sq.m.) (Illustration of Manor and grounds)

Offers In Excess Of: £695,000

Price: £685,000

Abbey Churchyard, City Centre

Henrietta Street

A top floor apartment ideally located and benefiting from panoramic views across the City & of Bath Abbey. * 2 double bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen & bathroom * PREVIOUSLY USED AS A HOLIDAY LET (4* RATING) * No onward chain * Floor area: approximately 867 sq.ft. (80.5 SQ.M.) * Easy walking distance to station.

A beautifully presented 2 double bedroom top floor apartment in a sought after location just a few minutes from Bath City Centre. * Kitchen/sitting room, bathroom & hallway * Zone 1 Residents Parking * Offered for sale with no onward chain this top floor apartment is ideal for a first time buyer or investor * Internal area: 677 sq.ft./62.9 sq m * Easy access to centre and station.

Price: £325,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Price: £285,000 Tel: 01225 466 225

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Guinea Lane, Bath

£1600 pcm

Goose Street, Beckington

£1650 pcm

Superb centrally located 2 bedroom Grade II listed mid terrace home with garden. EPC D

Exceptional mid Terrace double fronted stone built 19th Century Cottage with fascinating structural history attached.

Allington Grange Barn, Allington

The Stoneyard, Bath

£3500 pcm

Equestrians paradise, delightful four bedroom barn conversion with stables set in 2 acres of land in a pretty village location. EPC C

£2250 pcm

Unique riverside property which includes a ground floor terrace, private roof terrace plus a large private garage, moments from the city centre. EPC C

Bath Office

Lettings 01225 458546 | Sales. 01225 459817

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The Circus The Circus is one of Bath’s most prestigious and recognisable Georgian terraces, situated just a stone’s throw from the world-renowned Royal Crescent. This elegant two bedroom garden maisonette occupies two floors of an impressive Grade I Listed former townhouse, and tastefully combines modern comforts with period features and charm.

*An administration fee of £350.00 + VAT applies.

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PROPERTY | MATTERS

Promote Your Property on Park Lane with The Apartment Company! By Peter Greatorex, Managing Director of The Apartment Company

ath is a real magnet for London and International buyers and landlords. With excellent commuter links, stunning architecture, high calibre shops and superb schools it’s no surprise that we at The Apartment Company get enquiries on a regular basis from the capital and overseas. As members of the Guild of Professional Estate Agents we are privileged to be able to showcase our properties at the National Property Centre on London’s Park Lane. The high-tech showroom, adorned with touchscreens and plasma displays, attracts clients from all over the world who are looking for a property outside London but with a prestigious address. And there are few cities more prestigious than Bath! Why the Park Lane National Property Centre is important to your property sale: • Over 2000 square feet of showrooms giving your apartment a valuable presence in prime central London • Prominently situated at the top of Park Lane in Mayfair, near Marble Arch, so that visitors and residents alike have easy access to the Centre, meaning more potential buyers for your property. • Displays of over 30,000 of the very best properties for sale across the UK and many more from around the world, making the National Property Centre a real must-visit destination for anyone interested in property. • Its state of the art touchscreen technology, so that buyers can view details of any property they want, whenever they want to see it. • It provides access to the lucrative London and international investor markets, so the type of potential buyers seeing your property is of the highest calibre. • A winning combination of a world class address and brilliant technology. If you would like to discover more about how The Apartment Company can help you reach this hugely valuable market, please contact Peter Greatorex or Sharon Clesham on 01225 471144 and they will tell you more about how it could benefit you.

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OCTOBeR 2014

Bath’s Premier Removals Company Thomas Firbank Removals and Storage is a family run business that offers a personal and business service of the highest quality. For seventeen years we have ensured that all of our clients enjoy a stress free move and a great deal of our business is generated by referrals from satisfied customers. We tailor your packing and removal to suit your needs, and give you a prompt quotation without any hidden costs.

Tel: 01225 31 44 33 • www.firbankremovals.co.uk BAR Number T050

Selling your property? Choose an agency that will promote your best interests If you are currently thinking of selling your property, then consider using one of The Bath Magazine’s featured estate agencies to give you the best possible promotional coverage. These agents advertise with us as part of their broad selection of print and online marketing to ensure your property is presented to the highest standard and to reach the greatest audience.

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Woolley Terrace, Bradford-on-Avon, Guide Price £475,000 FIRST TIME ON THE MARKET, EVER! Bradwood was privately built in the 1950’s and has remained in the same family since. An attractive bay fronted detached home in an excellent location. Three bedrooms, two receptions and sunroom looking over the south facing garden. Happily there is driveway parking to the front and a garage. Woolley Terrace is a sought after location tucked away on the popular north side of Bradford-onAvon. The busy town centre isn’t so far away with its eclectic mix of shops, various places to eat and drink, railway station. The Georgian city of Bath offers high street shopping, entertainment and night life. No chain.

Tory, Bradford-on-Avon, £289,950 A beautifully presented period home with frankly jaw dropping views over the town and for miles & miles beyond. Tory is nestled into the hillside below the ridgeline forming a “bowl” on the town’s northern slopes. The ground floor has a smart kitchen dining room with an attractive bay. Next we come to a more formal lounge with fireplace. Upstairs we find main bedroom which is a good double with fireplace & modern wet room. On the fourth floor is a study or occasional bedroom. Pretty south facing garden just over the front path. Tory is pedestrianised and a short, steep walk from the town centre. This one is run as busy holiday lets. No Chain.

☎ 01225 866747 27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk

Fidelis

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01225 421000 www.fidelisinbath.co.uk

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Residential Sales & Lettings

Bath Road, Saltford

Offers in excess of £600,000

Oldfield Lane

£375,000

Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

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01225 421000 www.fidelisinbath.co.uk

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Residential Sales & Lettings

Devonshire Mews

£519,950

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The Mead, Timsbury

£385,000

Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

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BLOOMFIELD ROAD - ÂŁ865,000 This large and sophisticated Grade II listed Georgian town house is beautifully appointed, with accommodation ranging over five floors, and conveniently situated only a short distance from Bath City Centre and Railway Station. Hall, drawing room, study, dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, 2 vaulted cellars, 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and workshop/cellar room. Walled west facing rear gardens with off-street parking. Approximate gross internal floor area: 2,725 square feet / 253 square metres.

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01225 422 224 1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath

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LONGFELLOW AVENUE - ÂŁ575,000 A superbly appointed and beautifully presented Edwardian terraced house, set in this ever popular tree-lined Avenue on Poetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Corner just south of the City Centre. Entrance vestibule, hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, garden room, 3 bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor, attic conversion with 4th bedroom and en-suite shower room. Gardens. EPC RATING: D Approximate gross internal floor area: 1,620 square feet / 150 square metres.

01225 422 224 www.mark-naylor.com

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

SALE AGREED

Park Gardens Guide Price ÂŁ575,000

This spacious apartment is situated on the first floor of a significant Grade II Listed Victorian Villa just a stroll from the Botanical Gardens of the Royal Victoria Park. This is a superb home with a stylish interior, communal gardens and parking, in this desirable location close to the city.

Grosvenor Place

Guide Price ÂŁ500,000

This fantastic Grade I Listed maisonette located on Grosvenor Place is arranged over three floors. The apartment offers two bedrooms, a stunning drawing room situated at ground floor level as well as private garden and a garage.

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546

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SALE AGREED

Dover Place Offers in Excess of ÂŁ425,000

Dover Place is a fantastic example of a stylish refurbished three bedroom Grade II Listed Georgian cottage, situated on the lower slopes of Camden with the benefit of off-street parking, lovely gardens and a home office.

SALE AGREED

Cavendish Place Guide Price ÂŁ500,000

This Grade I Listed garden apartment is in sought after Cavendish Place, being located in walking distance of the city centre. It offers two bedrooms along with a private courtyard garden and two off road parking spaces.

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Bath Substantial family home in this sought after location overlooking Bloomfield Park, with Victorian features throughout including fireplaces and corniced ceilings, and within level walking distance of local amenities. “The house has a lot of its original features from 1864 and is a very quirky property, full of character,” says Sylvia. “The property is beautiful and has some wonderful decorative features, which we've carefully maintained,” adds Peter. The house is located in a particularly attractive and versatile area of Bath. “We are just a short walk away from the local shops and nearby we have some lovely parks and local schools. There are also restaurants, gyms, museums, pubs and much more, all within a short drive,” says Sylvia. “We have easy access to the motorway, bus stations and train station as well. Commuting into

London is very easy from where we live,” continues Peter. “Probably our favourite area is at the top of the property, which has a beautiful balcony overlooking the garden. We also love the way you can follow the sun around the house throughout the day,” continues Sylvia. The property benefits from having a stunning, generous garden. “The garden is like an oasis, it is a haven for birds, bees and butterflies,” says Sylvia. “It is great for children to run around and explore in, as it is a very safe area,” continues Peter".

“The house s magnificent size means it is also great for entertaining. We have had many memorable family parties and lots of visitors over the years”

BLOOMFIELD ROAD DETACHED VICTORIAN VILLA • MANY ORIGINAL FEATURES • FOUR BEDROOMS • DRESSING ROOM • THREE RECEPTION ROOMS • GARDEN ROOM • FRONT AND REAR GARDENS • EPC RATING: E

Contact: 01225 320032

£889,950

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Freshford Three bedroom semi-detached cottage located in the sought-after village of Freshford. This delightful three-bedroom cottage, is located on a quiet lane in the centre of the much sought-after village of Freshford just under five miles from Bath. It has a detached garage, driveway parking, private rear garden and to the front there are pleasant views over the fields to Turleigh. ”We came here 11 years ago,” says Julie, “we loved everything about it, the whole package. We loved the flow of the rooms and the happy feel of it - it’s light and airy. We loved the convenience of being in the centre of a lovely village in a quiet location but within walking distance of an excellent primary school, yet having driveway parking, a garage, a garden, and even a view.” Rob says “We had a dormer window put in the third

bedroom, so we could use more of the floor space, and we added a utility room, which provides space for laundry appliances, the fridge freezer and has a pantry and a WC. We also rebuilt the front porch, keeping its original style. The hallway still has its original flagstones but we put wooden floors in the reception rooms and added a Jetmaster open fire with a Bath stone surround that sits in the large inglenook fireplace.”

“At the back of the house, there is now a cottage-style garden with areas of lawn, flower beds and a vegetable patch. It’s partially walled and there’s a patio adjoining the kitchen.”

FRESNOY • SOUGHT AFTER VILLAGE LOCATION • THREE BEDROOMS • TWO RECEPTION ROOMS • GARAGE • PARKING • GARDEN • VIEWS • EPC RATING: E

Contact: 01225 320032

£625,000

Great Pulteney street

Offers in excess of ÂŁ525,000

Grade I listed | Georgian apartment | Beautifully refurbished | Quality kitchen | Two double bedrooms | Two luxury bathrooms | Period features A stunning ground floor apartment that boasts spacious and luxury living in a Georgian Town House located in the City Centre. With newly decorated communal hallways, you will not be disappointed when entering the apartment itself. The open plan living area offers high ceilings and ornate cornicing, with a modern kitchen and a utility room adjacent. It has the advantage of two double bedrooms, both with built in wardrobes, one offering an en-suite shower room, and an additional bathroom. Properties of this calibre are rare and we envisage a considerable amount of interest, therefore early viewing is highly recommended!

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Southbourne Mansions

Offers in Excess of £325,000

Grade I listed | Georgian | Second floor apartment | Two double bedrooms | Original features | Views | City Centre | Newly decorated Located in the highly sought after South Parade, moments away from all Bath has to offer, including the World famous heritage sites, fabulous restaurants and bespoke shopping. The apartment itself offers bright and spacious living with two double bedrooms boasting views, a large sitting room with sash windows with window seats and a fabulous feature fireplace. Just off of the sitting room is a high gloss kitchen, with many cupboards and work surfaces, with the advantage of a space for a breakfast bar. Properties of this calibre are expected to generate a considerable amount of interest.

Park Street

Offers in Excess of £295,000

Neo-Georgian | Second floor apartment | Two double bedrooms | Stunning views | Private parking space | Communal garden | Central location | Highly recommended A superb opportunity to purchase a two bedroom apartment boasting far reaching views over Cavendish Place and the golf course. The apartment comprises: sitting room, fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and bathroom. Located on the highly sought after Park Street, adjacent to St. James’s Square, which is only a short walk away from all Bath has to offer including, award winning restaurants, famous historic attractions and bespoke shopping.

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Henrietta Street

£1,250 pcm

Second floor | Two double bedrooms | No students | Two parking permits zone I | No pets | Agency fees £350+vat | Available Oct 7th Quietly located opposite Henrietta park and gardens in a much favoured road with level, quick access to world famous Bath city centre with its Georgian architecture, Roman Baths, Abbey, shops and amenities and the Holbourne museum. The accommodation comprises hall, open plan sitting room with modern kitchen area, newly refurbished bathroom and two double bedrooms. Easy access to Bus and Train stations and Motorway. Highly recommended.

Vine House

£995 pcm

Maisonette | Private entrance | Two bedrooms | Six month tenancy | Stunning views | Unfurnished | Agency fees £350+vat | Available immediately A well presented spacious unfurnished two bedroom Maisonette on the upper floors of a Queen Anne town house located to the West of the City with easy access to the Royal United Hospital and all that the Heritage City of Bath has to offer (including The Royal Victoria Park, Museums, Theatres, Restaurants, shops and amenities). This delightful property positioned over three floors comprises a sitting room, kitchen with space for dining, two large double bedrooms, study, bathroom and cloakroom. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the bedrooms and this property is one not to miss!

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Royal Crescent

£1250 pcm

Grade I listed | One bedroom | Lift access | Views | Superb central location | No pets | Part furnished | Agency fees £350+vat | Available Now Grade I listed Georgian one bedroom First floor apartment in much sought after location and offering spacious accommodation throughout. There is a communal hallway with lift to all levels. The apartment comprises a stunning entrance hall with limestone flooring and wall moulding, a drawing room with dining area, luxury fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, a double bedroom and a bathroom with shower. There is a wealth of period features and incredible views. This apartment comes highly recommended.

Portland Place

£1250 pcm

Grade II listed | Two double bedrooms | No pets | Newly decorated and refurbished | Cellar | Unfurnished | Agency fees £350+vat | Available Now This is a Georgian spacious conveniently situated 2 double bedroom apartment offering well-proportioned accommodation. The apartment benefits from new decoration throughout and newly laid carpets together with a new bathroom. The accommodation comprises hallway, cellar, vault, sitting room/diner with oak flooring, fitted kitchen, new bathroom and 2 double bedrooms. Outside there is a private enclosed garden with seating area. Recommended.

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Combe Hay An unusual opportunity to acquire a detached modern house positioned in this highly sought after village

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Lansdown A family home set in one of Lansdown’s finest locations

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Sydney Buildings A charming Grade II listed house in an exceptional location on the lower slopes of Bathwick Hill with fine views

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Rivers Street A stunning Grade II listed townhouse with fine open views to the south

Guide Price: ÂŁ1,450,000

Crisp Cowley Ralph Allenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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