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CONTENTS September BATH:Layout 2 copy
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contents
September 2012 36
56 118
67 8
98
ZEITGEIST
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TALK OF THE TOWN My cultural life profiles head of Royal High School, Rebecca Dougall plus Book of the Month, Sebastian Faulks’ A Possible Life
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LAYING FOUNDATIONS The inspirational Bath Rugby Foundation
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EDUCATION Our comprehensive guide to some of the best schools in Bath for your children
A/W FASHION Our very own photo shoot showcasing the trends and styles of the coming season
BATH HALF 13 TBM is the race’s magazine media partner
Five must-do things for September
90 LOVE A GOOD BOOK A preview of the Children’s Lit Fest
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COMPETITION Your chance to win front row tickets to Bristol Fashion Week
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PORTRAIT OF BATH Photographer Neill Menneer’s subject is film maker Marion Milne
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WHAT’S ON The new season of theatre, music and more in September
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PROUD CITY How the local Olympians we profiled got on at the London Games
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118 DEERHAM PARK The rutting rituals of Dyrham’s stags
120 INTERIORS A nose around One Bathwick Terrace
124 CITY GARDENING Top tips in shopping for plants
131 PROPERTY The finest collection of homes in and around Bath
ALL ABROAD Tapas and trains across Northern Spain
100 FACE THE MUSIC Chilli farmer Alex Duck picks his tunes
102 EATING OUT We review the new Allium Brasserie
104 WINE & DINE Our new wine columnist, Angela Mount
108 THE WALK
www.thebathmagazine.co.uk
ON THE COVER 1912 beaded dress from Vintage to Vogue. Photograph by Marko Dutka
Enjoy Bath to Box via Brunel’s Railway
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ARTS & EXHIBITIONS What there is to see and where in the city this month
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110 FIT & FABULOUS The latest beauty news and reviews
@ thebathmagazine
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EDITOR’Sletter
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here’s an awful lot going on in this bumper September issue that I’d like to share with you. Firstly, we’re delighted to welcome wine expert Angela Mount as our new columnist. She writes about pairing food and wine in a knowledgable and refreshingly unstuffy way. We’re also pleased and proud to announce that The Bath Magazine has been appointed as official magazine partner for the 2013 Bath Half Marathon. As this is one of the major events in the city’s calendar, raising millions for charity and bringing thousands of runners to Bath, we’re really happy to be involved. Some of us have even started training so we can literally support the race, step by step. For anyone cynical about the Bath Half, take a look at our feature on Page 56, which details just how much the race does to help local charities and voluntary groups. As a city of festivals, there’s always something cultural going on and this month we’re previewing the hugely popular Telegraph Children’s Literature Festival, the Jane Austen Festival and an autumnal literature festival being staged by independent bookshop Topping & Company, bringing some big-name writers to Bath in October. On the independent front, we’ve produced one of our fabulous fashion photo shoots with photographer Marko Dutka in the historic Octagon chapel and featuring some of the city’s independent boutiques. There are all our usual features, from Mick Ringham’s engaging Face the Music interview to Andrew Swift’s ever reliable country walk, along with food, art, what’s on in Bath, plus property and a special education section. Phew!
A glamorous catwalk evening showcasing the latest in luxury British Lingerie Design from Hannah Dulcie, supported by Stratstone Aston Martin, Cardiff. Enjoying complimentary Champagne on arrival and canapés whilst our very special guest, X-Factor star Lucie Jones, presents our ‘Loved by’ Hannah Dulcie catwalk show and the exclusive launch of ‘Loved by’ Lucie, a stunning co-designed collection from Lucie Jones and Hannah Dulcie Lingerie.
A PRIVATE PARTY
Be part of our charity auction and the opportunity to win an exclusive competition from Stratstone Aston Martin, Cardiff.
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.
THEBATHMAGAZINE Editor Email: Tel: Deputy Editor Email:
Georgette McCready georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk 01225 424499 Samantha Ewart sam@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Editorial Assistant Email:
Rosie Parry rosie@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Production Manager Email: Commercial Production Email:
Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk Catriona Stirling cat@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Publisher Email:
Steve Miklos stevem@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Contact the Advertising Sales team on tel: 01225 424499 Advertising Sales Liz Grey Email: liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk Advertising Sales Email:
Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk
Advertising Sales Email:
Lauren Palmer lauren@thebathmagazine.co.uk
The Bath Magazine, The Bristol Magazine and West Country are published by MC Publishing Ltd and are completely independent of all other local publications.
WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
THURS 18TH OCTOBER 2012 £20 7.30-10PM HALL & WOODHOUSE, BATH Tickets are available from Artizan Hair in Bartlett Street, Hall & Woodhouse, and online at www.hannahdulcie.co.uk Each ticket includes a glass of Champagne on arrival, canapés and entry into Stratstone Aston Martin, Cardiff’s exclusive competition.
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ZEITGEIST
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things to do in September
Debate
Roll up Carters Steam Fair a travelling vintage fun fair is coming to Royal Victoria Park over the weekend 8/9 September, opening at noon each day and running until after dark. Carters was founded in 1975 by John and Anna Carter and has a loyal regular audience but is always finding new converts who can't get enough of the 1950s dodgems, blaring rock 'n roll and old transport. There are rides for everyone, from the more sedate 1895 Steam Gallopers to the 1949 Victory Divebomber. Carters was the subject of a Channel Five series Fairground Attractions last year, which followed the lives of three fairground families and the highs and lows of life on a travelling fair. This is a weekend which will make many older Bathonians go all misty-eyed for the fairground attractions of their own mis-spent youth.
Observe
Sign up Make a note of the date for Ted’s Big Day Out, in which people do silly things for the Forever Friends Appeal. This year’s event is on Friday 19 October – or Fluorescent Friday as it is now being dubbed. Team up with colleagues, schoolmates and friends to put on your brightest, glowin-the-dark clothes. To sign up, tel: 01225 825825 or register online at www.tedsbigdayout.co.uk. This annual fundraising event is organised by the Royal United Hospital Forever Friends Appeal, with money going towards a new cancer centre at the Bath hospital.
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We predict that there will be a few eyebrows raised in Widcombe as an army of street artists turns the walls of the Widcombe Social Club into a contemporary gallery at the start of September. It will start with the professionals, led by the team from King of Paint, wielding their spray paints. They will then invite enthusiastic teenagers from Bath to spend a week in a street art workshop. At the end of the month the building, which is at the foot of Widcombe Hill, will be demolished, to be followed by a two-year programme to build a new social club, which will share the site with commercial and residential use.
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The city’s street scene is being enhanced thanks to a project by Bath Preservation Trust, in partnership with B&NES Council and the World Heritage Site Steering Group to re-incise carved stone street names. A spokeswoman for the fund said: ”Sadly, many names have eroded or been defaced, and often replaced by modern street signs. The fund has now faithfully restored six incised and two painted signs on seven city streets. This work is particularly rewarding where it reveres unsympathetic alterations, such as the removal of a plastic downpipe at Spencer’s Belle Vue, and the piecing in of a lost letter ‘e’ at Charles Street.”
Festival time Bonnets and britches will come out in force this month for the 12th annual Jane Austen Festival, which sees Janeites from all over the UK, and abroad, gather in homage to their heroine. The festival starts with a Grand Regency costume parade on Saturday 14 September – giving photographers the ideal opportunity to take pictures of people set against Bath’s famous crescents not wearing plastic raincapes for a change.
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TALKofthe TOWN
Book of the month A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks Published by Hutchinson Hardback £18.99 Reviewed by Georgette McCready
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his is described as a novel, but it turns out to be five short stories, each linked by Faulks’ exploration of the unfathomable power of the human mind to remember, to forget and, sometimes, to come to terms with the unbearable. He takes us to some of the places we’ve visited in his past books, from the Englishman parachuting in to occupied France to work with the Resistance, to the doctors obsessed with trying to pin down the mechanics of where the sense of self is held – is it in the physical brain or in some intangible soul? But he also takes us into the future in one tale, without laying on the sci-fi gadgetry too thick. As always with Faulks’ writing, I was drawn in from the first page by his engaging style. He may
My Cultural Life be a literary heavyweight but he never makes the reader feel like a duffer. He cares about his characters yet he can stand back dispassionately. We are immersed, each time, into his central character, so that others – lovers, parents, siblings – are more background figures. And when you think that is how we live our lives, as central characters in our own life dramas, that makes sense. Faulks is coming to Bath on Saturday 6 October as part of Topping & Company’s autumn literature programme. This reader fully intends to be at St Swithin’s Church that day to hear him.
We ask Rebecca Dougall, head at the Royal High School, Bath what she is doing this month What are you reading? The Fire Season by Philip Connors.
What’s on your MP3 player? An eclectic mix, including Alt-J, Animal Collective, Richard Hawley, Hot Chip, The Smiths, The Blue Nile, Cesar Franck, Vaughan-Williams and Dolly Parton.
Which museum or gallery will you be visiting? There is lots to look forward to this autumn, notably the Bronze exhibition at The Royal Academy. And time spent at the Holburne Museum is always to be treasured.
Where do you like to eat?
IN THE ASCENDANT: Bath artist William Balthazar Rose’s work has been collected by Jeremy Clarkson and celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr and Country Life profiled the artist’s Red Shoes in its July feature My Favourite Painting, chosen by the art critic John McEwen. William’s exhibition of English and Italian landscapes is at Quest Gallery, Margarets Buildings, Bath until October.
NEWS IN BRIEF
2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2012 Every month The Bath Magazine is circulated free to over 20,000 selected homes and businesses in Bath and the surrounding areas. A certificate of print and publisher’s statement are available on request. 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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Writing magazine’s agony aunt Diana Cambridge is running a writing workshop in Camden during the Jane Austen Festival this month. Participants in the Write your Way to Happiness workshop on the morning of Saturday 15 September will include a personal critique with Diana for everyone. “I ask that every student e-mail me a small sample of their work ahead of the workshop.” says Diana. E-mail: diana@dianacambridge.co.uk. Students can bring fiction, non-fiction, articles or an outline to the workshop. Coffee, biscuits and a goodie bag containing a copy of Diana’s book How to Write for Magazines…in One Weekend plus a relaxation tape are included in the fee of £37.
The Circus restaurant. Weekends are always improved by either a virtuous salad at The Loft or an indulgent fish finger sandwich at Hall and Woodhouse.
Film or play – what will you be going to see this month? Two of my favourite Hitchcock films are on at the BFI this month so I hope to get to them. There’s also a documentary about Diane Vreeland I shall be looking out for. I’m going to The Tempest at the Theatre Royal and looking forward to The Plough and the Stars next month.
Hobbies and passions. What will be taking up your leisure time? Leisure time is in pretty short supply at the start of the school year but I’ll spare a moment to dream (foolishly) that my beloved West Ham won’t be relegated this season, start getting excited about the jump racing season ahead and this school year I am determined to keep my reading up in term time.
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NOTES ON A SMALL CITY By Bigwig
SELLING LIKE HOT . . . SHIRTS
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an one spring clean in September? I think I’ve just done it. Bigwig is moving to a smaller apartment, so choices had to be made. Do I really need that pig-shaped piggy bank with the hole in the bottom? Do I want to pay the removal men to carry that drawer of never worn socks halfway across town? Or do I chuck? As for those single sheets – I haven’t possessed a single bed in living memory, so why are they still neatly folded in my linen press? And what possessed me to purchase purple sheets in the first place? Don’t get me wrong, my current abode is immaculate. People come for miles to admire my sock drawer, all laid out and colour coded. But orange polka dots? And a pair bearing the legend ‘50 and proud.’ I’m 64, dammit! Those horrendous examples of the hosier’s art have been lurking there for 14 years. Time for a car boot – or two even. I couldn’t believe the amount of tat I’ve been harbouring in what is supposed to be a neat, tidy and verging on minimalist (in my mind) bachelor pad. So in went the sheets, the knickknacks, the tatty holiday souvenirs (though I kept my lump of the Berlin wall. Why??), the books on marzipan cookery (moi?) and the countless pairs of sandals that had gone crisp at the bottom of the wardrobe. Not to
mention the plaster statuette of Winston Churchill and three musical bottle openers. Best of all, and perhaps most heart-wrenching was my collection of Hawaiian shirts. Bigwig is known for his inappropriate shirts. But these were ones that had somehow become slightly tight. Bottom button hanging on for dear life, you might say. But all very beloved. And all, in my crazed mind’s eye, one day to be revived when I lose just a little bit of weight. Just a little bit? Who was I kidding? I spent a whole morning going through the lot. Shirt on, shirt off, shirt on. Pull the stomach in, yank the shirt-tail. It was no good. Try as I might, some of them needed a full six inches of extra material if they were ever to accompany me to Bora Bora again. Blimey, was I ever that slim? So into the car boot sale they went, a kaleidoscope of palm trees, retro racing cars, tropical flowers, hula maidens and the odd parrot or two. To my horror there were 50 of them. Yes, 50 shirts that I had grown out of over the years. And every one my favourite. It was heart-wrenching. But I faced facts bravely. I’m never going to capture my svelte figure of yore. And the Pickford’s bill was looming.
People come from miles around to ❝ admire my sock drawer all laid out and colour coded ❞
So, there they were, flapping in the breeze in the middle of a rainy meadow somewhere near Bath. A veritable Kasbah of colour. And at a quid a shot, they were the bargain of the day at the car boot sale. My dears, they sold like, well, hot shirts. Many of my happy customers decided to put the shirts on there and then, and soon there were loads of slightly slimmer me’s parading round the field. Eventually only the duller ones were left, but a bloke came along who was organising a South Seas theme night in his pub. He made a bulk purchase and we all went home happy. You see, that’s me all over folks. A ray of sunshine on a dull grey day. Aloha nui loa everyone! ■
FURNISHERS OF DISTINCTION FOR OVER 95 YEARS
15 - 18 LONDON STREET WALCOT I BATH BA1 5BX TEL: 01225 465 757
www.trhayes.co.uk
F R E E D E L I V E R Y TO A LARGE AREA F R E E C U S TO M E R C A R PA R K
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INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: left to right, Emma wears 1950s velvet and net ballerina ballgown, £395, long leather gloves and bespoke top hat from Vintage to Vogue with necklace from Quadri; Megan wears Vivienne Westwood Anglomania print dress, £290, with Alexander McQueen booties, £315, from Garment Quarter and hat from Pretty Eccentric; Sarah wears a 1930s red velvet evening gown, £395, from Vintage to Vogue, Vivienne Westwood Midnight Glitter shoes, £180 from Garment Quarter, and hat from Pretty Eccentric
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The new season’s wardrobe defies the economic climate with a flagrantly opulent stance. Fabrics are tactile, colours are rich and the look is unashamedly feminine 14 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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SUMPTUOUS: Megan wears a velvet devoré dress, £120, from Vintage to Vogue, silk and pearl choker, £28, Vintage to Vogue, shoes from Chanii B
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SEDUCTIVE: Emma wears elegant dress with bow from Pretty Eccentric
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CLASSIC: Emma wears cream lace dress and shoes by Pretty Eccentric
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PRINT: Sarah wears Vivienne Westwood skirt, jacket and blouse andAlexander McQueen shoes, all from Garment Quarter
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MAKE A STATEMENT: Megan wears Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Saloon print dress, £290, with Alexander McQueen booties, £315, from Garment Quarter, with hat from Pretty Eccentric Inset: Sarah wears 1920s silk kimono from Vintage to Vogue, shoes from Chanii B
Thank you Photographer : Marko Dutka • www.studiomarko.com Models : Emma Jane, Megan and Sarah Luisa from Gingersnap Models www.gingersnap.co.uk Hair : Artizan • www.artizan.co.uk Make up artist : Tracey Lear www.tracey-ann.com Clothes : Garment Quarter, Cabot Circus, Bristol; Fashion Bloodhound (www.fashionbloodhound.co.uk); Pretty Eccentric, Little Southgate, Bath; and Vintage to Vogue, off Milsom Street, Bath Shoes : Garment Quarter, Pretty Eccentric and Chanii B, Milsom Place, Bath Fabrics : Eton Design, Walcot Street, Bath Additional jewellery : Quadri, Milsom Place, Bath Picture frame : The Looking Glass Outlet shop, Walcot Street, Bath Chair : Feather & Black, London Road, Bath Photographer’s assistant : Sophie Blakeley Location : The Octagon at Milsom Place, Bath Shot for The Bath Magazine A/W 2012
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BEJEWELLED: military inspired ankle boots with a skinny heel, in a rich jewel tone blue, £170 Duo. Also available in black. 33 Milsom Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 460745. www.duoboots.com
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ON POINT: the pointy toe is back with a vengeance. Embrace the more structured look seen on the catwalks in this season’s key berry colours. Bernie shoe, £85, Dune. 4 Union Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 422286. www.dune.co.uk
SUITED AND BOOTED: Modern Vintage boots, available in black and tan, £195, Lux. 9a Bartlett Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 333998. www.luxshoes.co.uk
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If the shoe fits... As the autumn/winter trends hit the shelves, make sure you are dressed to impress from top to toe with the new season shoes and boots
TONED DOWN: If the extravagance and opulence of this season isn’t quite up your street you can still embrace the trend with carefully selected accessories to jazz up any outfit. Try the beaded heel shoes, £48, Dorothy Perkins. 24 Stall Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 448547. www.dorothyperkins.co.uk
MICRO TREND:
RIDING HIGH: the easiest way to embrace this season’s take on equestrian chic – the riding boot. Try Faith’s Mango boot with contrast detailing to lift the look. £120, Debenhams. 17 Southgate Place, Bath. Tel: 0844 5616161. www.debenhams.com
TREND WATCH: leopard print sandals, £155, Karen Millen. 11 Harris Court, Bath. Tel: 01225 447324. www.karenmillen.com
slipper shoes
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The slipper shoe is a trend that is sticking around this season from high street to high end. Try a pattern, motif or stud detailing to toughen the look up. 1: studded slipper, £39.99, Zara. www.zara.co.uk; 2: leopard print slippers, £40, Next. 33 Stall Street, Bath. Tel: 0844 844 5536. www.next.co.uk; 3: Emerald slipper, £28, Office. 3 Burton Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466 055. www.office.co.uk 22 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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S annon F U R N I T U R E LT D
Helsinki celebrates "The world design capital 2012" Shannon appreciates fantastic Finnish design, quality, innovation and colour from Marimekko, iittala,Vallila and Arabia
8 Walcot Street Bath BA1 5BD 01225 424222 www.shannon-uk.com
HOLT EMPORIUM
IMPORTANT NOTICE Opening Hours: Thurs/Fri/Sat 10 - 4.30pm. Sun 11 - 4pm
Unit 20, First Floor, The Tannery, The Midlands, Holt, Wiltshire BA14 6BB
Tel. 01225 782906
Over 100+ Items on the floor £295 Our best price ever!
£395
Our best price ever!
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“LOTS OF INTERESTING PIECES JUST IN AT OUR LOWEST PRICES EVER”
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ARTscene
STREET-WISE ART Bath may be a city packed with art galleries, but – hand on heart – how many of those stock cutting edge street art? The sort done with a spray can rather than a paintbrush? Ever since Banksy had crowds queuing down the street to see his exhibition in Bristol, the art world has been alerted to a fresh genre for collectors and fans. Paul Villalba, of Bristol’s King of Paint – fresh from the phenomenal success of this year’s See No Evil festival of street art in Bristol which attracted 50,000 people this summer – is opening KOP, a new gallery in Little Southgate, along with Bathonian Grant Robson. KOP is to open on 6 September with a private view. It will concentrate on featuring the stars of street art, including Stik, Filthy Luker, Mr Jago and Bradley MacMath. There will also be a smattering of Banksy limited edition prints in the Little Southgate gallery, which may help attract visitors to this little corner of Bath’s newest shopping zone, SouthGate. Paul said: “This kind of work goes down really well in our Bristol gallery and we’re expecting there to be a bit of a buzz in Bath when people see what we’ve got. It’s really different.” FOR THE PEOPLE: top, a portrait of Bath by Bradley MacMath, below artist Stik’s distinctive round-eyed figures
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DRESS TO IMPRESS at Milsom Place
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September sees the autumn and winter fashions hit the streets. Discover how the catwalk trends translate into stunning looks for the season at Milsom Place
The colour purple takes centre stage and berry hues are big. The colour of princes has a strong impact on the designer palate for autumn. This Chloe pencil skirt in rich tones from Hobbs reflects the elegantly waisted look, smart and feminine
Milsom Place Vintage Weekend with the Secret Tea Party 29 & 30 September Milsom Place is planning a Vintage Weekend with The Secret Tea Party, Saturday 29 (9.30am to 3.30pm) and Sunday 30 September (10.30am to 5 pm). For this free weekend event head to the Octagon; a hub of activity with a pop-up vintage tearoom (think Lyons Corner House comes to Bath) and Vintage Market for fashion and home wares. Get the retro look, with a fifties style makeover by Pop Up Parlour. Shh... The Secret Tea Party comes to Milsom Place with a ticketed event from 5 – 8pm on Saturday 29 September. Fun and fizz, a burlesque show, best dressed competition, dance with distinction with Hoppin’ Mad and three hours of vintage excitement. Tickets: £25 per person from www.secretteaparty.com
Find your style this autumn at Milsom Place Traffic People’s Autumn Falls collection includes this Glorious jacket (above). The great outdoors is reflected in country kit with the Downton effect very much in evidence. This smart padded quilted jacket (left) by Phase Eight is a new take on the country classic.
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Florals this winter are dark with intrigue and ornate with faded roses and baroque inspired prints. Eastern inspiration comes with exotic prints and shapes stolen from Japan. The colourful Jasmine print dress by Phase Eight which tucks at the waist is sophisticated and feminine.
Can’t wait for Carluccio’s? If ever there was a fashionable eaterie, it’s Carluccio’s. As well as authentic Italian food, Carluccio’s prides itself on sensible prices. Check out Carluccio’s deli for lunch on-the-go and gorgeously packaged Italian products direct from artisan producers in Italy. Opening in Milsom Place on 10t September.
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Wrap up warm with oversized woolies. This jumper from Hobbs is worn with slimline trousers to emphasize the generous lines of the sweater.
Thursday 4 October – 5 – 8 pm If you like what you see gather up your friends for some style counsel. Hobbs, Phase Eight and Traffic People can create an autumn capsule wardrobe just for you. If you need a helping hand their staff will give one-to-one advice and the drinks will be flowing too. Register in Hobbs on arrival for a free goodie bag. When you are all shopped out call in to the Octagon where Medikas Medispa will be offering free mini treatments and then visit YO! Sushi for supper that evening, and enjoy a 25% discount on production of this magazine. All three participating stores are offering 20% off any purchase made on the night, and there’s a prize draw to win £100 to spend in Phase Eight.
Milsom Place, Bath Tel: 01225 789 040 www.milsomplace.co.uk Follow us on Twitter / Join us on Facebook
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Gold & Platinum Studio Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises
Shown here: silver stacking rings set with sapphires and right, hammered finish silver and gold bangles
1 9 N o r t h u mb e r l a n d P l a c e , B a t h B A 1 5 A R Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk
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STYLISH: singer Delilah
DRESS WELL FOR LESS Swindon’s one-stop shopping destination, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is hosting a month-long fashion event – backed by a trio of expert fashionistas who share some of the secrets of clever buying to stay bang on-trend
Bath’s Flooring Specialist
• Wide selection of quality carpets • Free measure & quotation • Knowledgeable staff
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or fashion lovers who can’t resist the allure of designer labels but want to stretch their shopping budget to the max, McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlet Fashion Month is the diary date for them. Celebrating the thrill of seeking out designer labels for less, this month will see the launch of the UK’s first Designer Outlet Fashion Month at McArthurGlen Swindon, as part of a national initiative hosted by Europe’s leading designer outlet group. McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlet Fashion Month will be championed by model and cultural ambassador for the British Fashion Council, Laura Bailey; singer songwriter currently on tour with Prince, Delilah; and style blogger Sandra from 5inchandup (www.5inchandupblogspot.co.uk). Each with their own style, the trio are self-confessed shopping thrill seekers who share a passion for finding designer gems for less. All three have been styled and snapped in their favourite finds from McArthurGlen’s A/W collections and will share their How to Shop Outlet tips, style guidelines and sartorial advice for the new LONG AND LEAN: model season. Laura Bailey in this season’s Continuing their on-going support of young leopard print and tweed British design talent, McArthurGlen has also teamed up with Holly Fulton – one of Britain’s bright young things – who has designed an exclusive tote bag to help celebrate McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlet Fashion Month. Shoppers will have the chance to pick up one of the limited edition bags at the centre throughout the month. Nick Williams, marketing manager at McArthurGlen Swindon says: “Designer Outlet Fashion Month is a brilliant opportunity for us to show label lovers that they can find on-trend and seasonal pieces at McArthurGlen Swindon for up to 60 per cent less than the high street. With brands including Osprey London, LK Bennett and Kurt Geiger, shoppers can discover the secret of outlet shopping and find stylish fashion and accessories for A/W 12.” The month-long event will see McArthurGlen Swindon host exclusive shopper evenings and offer enviable discounts on more than 90 premium high street and designer brands, in addition to the usual reductions of up to 60 per cent less than the SASSY: blogger Sandra Hagelstam advises on how to recommended retail price. ■ dress to make the best of your shape
• Skilled fitters • Leading brands
Free customer car park at side of store WALCOT I BATH BA1 5BX TEL: 01225 465 757
www.trhayes.co.uk
For more details visit: www.swindondesigneroutlet.com
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WIN FRONT ROW SEATS AT BRISTOL FASHION WEEK his month sees the return of Bristol Fashion Week to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, from 26 – 30 September, bringing catwalk glamour to the south west. While the debate about catwalk model size continues, you’ll find a refreshing array of models of all sizes, shapes and ages on the runway, to give a real take on how to wear this season’s must have trends. Trusted fashion advisor Mark Heyes and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton present each show, combining style advice, celebrity gossip and valuable fashion knowledge. Signature hair is the ultimate fashion accessory and Andrew Barton will be talking through the season’s hair trends. A trusted voice in the industry, Andrew has worked with many celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss. But it’s not all about fashion, make a day of it and book yourself into the pamper pods for some beauty therapy. There will be mini-manicures, colour and style advice, Indian head massage, reflexology and mini makeovers as well as eyebrow threading and tinting on offer. Get the best view in the house with a
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platinum front row ticket (£13.95) or enjoy the view of the catwalk from a standard seat (£8.95). Tickets are on sale at The Mall’s Information Desk or online at: www.mallcribbs.com. Guests will be treated to complimentary M&S refreshments, a free stylish goody bag full of things to sample as well as an event guide packed with discount vouchers, fashion advice and competitions. There is also the chance to win a stylish gift from John Lewis. We are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of front row tickets to the fashion show on Wednesday 26 September at 8.30pm. To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question: What is the name of the celebrity hairdresser who will be co-presenting the fashion shows? Email your answer marked Bristol Fashion Week Competition to: competitions@thebathmagazine.co.uk, along with your full name, address and telephone number. Deadline for entries: Thursday 20 September. ■ To find out more about Bristol Fashion Week visit: www.mallcribbs.com
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Bath@Work Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work
Marion Milne Film maker lot of people in Bath have jobs that end in the word ‘maker’: bread maker Richard Bertinet, jewellery maker Tina Engel, sign maker Dick Major. We’ve got cake makers, cabinet makers, violin makers, even the occasional trouble maker. And of course we have makers of beautiful art like the sculpture in the photograph, which is by Patricia Volk. So I guess being a film maker fits in well. I like being professionally creative and practical, but also enjoying the lifestyle I choose. It’s not unique to Bath, but it’s the perfect city for coming up with ideas, in my case documentary films. Or to think about, dream up, devise, and plan films as, in the end, most – but not all – my actual filming takes place elsewhere. Over the last few years I’ve been lucky enough to go filming in India, Morocco, France, America and Canada, and will soon head out to Sydney to make a series. I’ve been in cutting rooms in Paris, Montreal, London, Bristol, Glasgow and Belfast, but all roads end up leading back to Bath. Bath is the perfect size, with the ideal mix of people. It’s got that London glamour without the London angst, it’s got places to breathe and walk and dream up new ideas and it’s cosy and elegant all at the same time. Sometimes I even get to film locally which is nice. A few years ago we closed down Victoria Park overnight to dramatise Princess Anne’s 1974 kidnap for a series on the Queen for Channel Four. I’ve transformed Orchardleigh House into Rommel’s military HQ and filmed Richard III in Englishcombe Tithe Barn. Stourhead House has doubled for Buckingham Palace and Windsor Palace, and Freshford Mill has been a commando camp and Caen in flames after an Allied bomber raid. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to make documentaries. It’s been a bit of a Bridget Jones career as after university I worked as a publisher’s publicity girl and then found my way into television. Luckily I never had to slide down a fireman’s pole! The great thing about Bath is that I have been able to do what I love as a career and then come home and do what matters the most – standing around in the kitchen having a laugh with my family. Film maker meets home maker.
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WHAT’Son THEATRE, DANCE & COMEDY – listed by venue Good Grief, Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 September, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm
Mansfield Park at the Theatre Royal Bath
Adapted by Keith Waterhouse from his own best-selling comic novel, Good Grief tells the story of June Pepper, the recently bereaved widow of the editor of a tabloid newspaper, who discovers there is far more to life than death. Penelope Keith stars as June, and following her late husband’s instructions to keep a journal of her feelings, June concludes that grieving is not the straightforward process she had imagined... especially when she finds herself surpisingly drawn to a stranger she sees wearing her husband’s suit.
Mansfield Park, Monday 1 – Saturday 6 October, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm
STATUS QUO T he atr e R oya l
Relatively Speaking
The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is one of the most beautiful theatres in the country. Founded in 1819, its company pays its first visit to Bath with this new adaptation of Jane Austen’s captivating novel. Uprooted from her humble family home, intelligent young Fanny Price is dropped into the bustling, aristocratic household of her uncle, Sir Thomas Bertram, where she finds herself buffeted from one crisis to the next in the company of her cousins and their well-to-do friends. Yet throughout this one thing remains – her love for the generous and steadfast Edmund Bertram.
M er l i n T h e a t r e
Sawclose, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 448844. www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Bath Road, Frome. Box office tel: 01373 465949 www.merlintheatre.co.uk
The Tempest, Until Saturday 8 September, please contact the theatre for times
Churchill, Saturday 15 September, 7.45pm Big Ben chimes and strikes a magical hour. In Parliament Square, London, the ten statues come to life for just 60 minutes. Descending from his pedestal the Winston Churchill looks back, looks forward and entertains with his famous lines and speeches.
The isles of wonder are brimming with romance, magic and humour in Shakespeare’s extraordinary lyrical final work. Here on a distant island Prospero, played by Tim PigottSmith, has been marooned for many years with his daughter Miranda. When he learns that a ship bearing his old enemies is sailing near the island, he uses magic to conjure up a torrential storm.
Rough Justice, Monday 10 – Saturday 15 September, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday & Saturday, 2.30pm Tom Conti stars in this play about television journalist James Highwood, who has made his career out of challenging the British justice system in his documentary programmes. Now, suddenly, it is Highwood himself who is challenged when he is brought to court on a charge of murder. Highwood admits the killing but perversely chooses to conduct his own defence, pushing the tolerance of the court to its limits and framing his plea in terms calculated to incense the judge. 36 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Relatively Speaking, Monday 17 – Saturday 22 September, 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 8pm; matinees: Wednesday & Saturday, 2.30pm Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents Felicity Kendal and Jonathon Coy in this comedy of misunderstandings by Alan Ayckbourn. Greg only met Ginny a month ago but has already made up his mind that she’s the girl for him. When she tells him that she’s going to visit her parents, he decides this is the moment to ask her father for his daughter’s hand. Discovering a scribbled address, he follows her to Buckinghamshire where he finds Sheila and Philip enjoying Sunday breakfast. The only thing is, they’re not Ginny’s parents.
Churchill
Calendar Girls, Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 October, 7.45pm When Annie’s husband John dies of leukaemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new sofa in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow WI members to pose nude with them for an alternative calendar, but as the success
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of the women’s charitable venture spirals, they all face their own journeys of self-discovery. This play is based on a true story and funds raised will go to the Merlin and the Leukemia Research Fund.
Jerusalem
Jane Austen Festival
B r i s t o l H i p p o d ro m e St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol. Box office tel: 0844 847 2325 www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk
The Lion King, Friday 31 August – Saturday 17 November, contact the theatre for times Disney’s The Lion King begins its first ever UK tour this month and first stop is the Bristol Hippodrome. Involving 52 performers, 150 people in production and 700 costumes, the show has been ingeniously adapted from Disney’s classic film and this spectacular production explodes with colours and effects, all set to the enchanting rhythms of Africa. With impressive staging and highly imaginative costumes, masks and puppets, The Lion King uses theatrical magic to tell the story of Simba’s journey to reclaim his kingdom. The Lion King
Th e Ron d o T h e atr e St Saviours Road, Bath Box office tel: 01225 463362 www.rondotheatre.co.uk
Seconds Out, Thursday 13 September, 8pm Tom and Simon have been mates since school; shared everything – homework, cars, girlfriends, you name it, they’ve both had their hands on it. But while Sy has always played it safe, Tom likes to push things to extremes... with occasionally violent repercussions.
Hot Potato Syncopators, Friday 14 September, 8pm Three eccentric English gentlemen present a comical musical revue of 1930s jazz and dance band melodies interspersed with visual gags, delightful humour and novelty moments. Thrill to the dulcet tones of The Duke of Nostalgia and his jumping ukulele, Mr Dennis Teeth serenades you with the heart-melting sound of the musical saw, and enjoy tea chest bassist, Sir Maris Piper.
The Sundown Syndrome, Thursday 20 & Friday 21 September, 8pm
T h e M i s s i o n T h e a t re 32 Corn Street, Bath Box office tel: 01225 428600 www.missiontheatre.co.uk
Jerusalem, Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 September, 7.30pm Next Stage’s acclaimed production of Jez Butterworth’s award-winning smash hit is back in Bath by popular demand, following a sell-out run in January. It’s St George’s Day, the morning of the local county fair and Johnny “Rooster” Byron, local waster and modern-day pied piper, is a wanted man embattled in the Wessex woodland.
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Mildred died and left very little behind. Gerald, her brother, is about to do the same. The care home’s new domestic help is understandably upset about this – and now he wants to help out more than usual. He’s got an idea – it’ll be a legacy for Gerald: his old life, repackaged. Proof of a life lived. As his pet project progresses, though, this ‘proof of life’ gets weirder – whose life were we talking about again? PirateClown return to The Rondo with this one-man show.
The Tallulah Show, Saturday 22 September, 8pm Talullah Windmill, who was born in Bath and Anthony Stephen Springall bring you songs spanning genres and eras to take you on a journey through one woman’s first encounter with love, from its first introduction to haunting goodbye. Talullah’s talents for both singing and acting combined with Anthony Stephen Springall’s magician-like piano, take you on an emotional rollercoaster with passion and excitement at every turn.
The Grand Regency Costumed Promenade
The Jane Austen Festival (14 – 22 September) brings more than 60 events to the city over the course of nine days, to celebrate all things Austen. We’re excited for some of this year’s highlights: ✿ Grand Regency Costumed Parade, Saturday 15 September, 11am – Join more than 500 people dressed in Regency costume for this world famous, official opening of the festival. Departing from Queen Square this year, and accompanied by red coats and led by a town crier and drums, it is sure to stop the traffic in Milsom Street. It takes about an hour and finishes in Parade Gardens. Tickets £7.50/£3.50 ✿ An Evening with Mr Wickham! Sunday 16 September, 8pm – Adrian Lukis and Caroline Langrishe present a selection of Austen duologues at the Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street. Adrian will be forever remembered as naughty George Wickham in the 1995 Andrew Davies’ adaptation of Pride & Prejudice for the BBC. Tickets £25. ✿ Regency Costumed Masked Ball, Friday 21 September, 7pm – 11.30pm – A drinks reception beside the Roman Baths is followed by a masked procession to the Pump Rooms for the ball. Tickets £82 per person. Tickets on tel: 01225 463362 or book online at: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk. Pick up a full programme from The Jane Austen Centre, 40 Gay Street, Bath.
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WHAT’Son M USI C – listed by date
Doric String Quartet © George Garnier
Wiltshire Music Centre The Bradford-on-Avon concert hall is 15 years-old this year and the £2 million, 300-seat venue is celebrating with a host of world-class artists. Here’s what’s to come... • The Bookshop Band & Patrick Gale, Tuesday 2 October, 8pm The bestselling novelist Patrick Gale joins the fantastic Bookshop Band, established by Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath. A night of reading and live music.
• Doric String Quartet, Saturday 6 October, 7.30pm The Bookshop Band © Owen Benson This award-winning quartet tours the world but is remembering its roots with this concert, to celebrate 10 years of performing at Wiltshire Music Centre.
• Seckou Keita, Saturday 27 October, 7.30pm World Mucsic Award nominee and master of the West African harp or kora, Keita was a member of the Bath-based global fusion pioneers, Baka Beyond. He brings his seven-piece band to the centre.
• Jacqui Dankworth, Friday 30 November, 8pm The Grammy Award-winning jazz singer is joined by an all-star line up with piano, violin and cello.
• Nicola Benedetti,
Seckou Keita Friday 7 December, 7.30pm © Paolo Hollis A magnificent gala concert to celebrate 15 years of Wiltshire Music Centre. The violinist of the moment, Nicola Benedetti, performs Christmas concertos with cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and the European Union Chamber Orchestra.
Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford-on-Avon Box Office on tel: 01225 860100 or visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk
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Nicola Benedetti
Dana & Susan Robinson, Wednesday 12 September, 8pm The Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.rondotheatre.co.uk From Asheville, North Carolina, Dana and Susan Robinson are two guitar-playing, banjo-frailing, fiddle-sawing, and harmony-singing interpreters of the American experience. Their unique blend of contemporary songs and traditional Appalachian music bring to their performances a deep understanding of America’s musical heritage.
Edana Minghella, Friday 21 September, 7.30pm Chapel Arts Centre, St James’ Memorial Hall, Lower Borough Walls, Bath. Box office tel: 01225 461700 or visit: www.chapelarts.org Edana is from a talented and creative Anglo-Italian family. An opportunity to sing with renowned jazz trumpeter, Guy Barker, who worked with her brother (the Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella) on The Talented Mr Ripley, inspired Edana to embark upon a journey as a jazz vocalist and she hasn’t looked back. Expect sublime standards, seductive torch songs and some down and dirty blues.
City of London Sinfonia, Friday 21 September, 7.30pm Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford-on-Avon. Box office tel: 01225 860100 or visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk Michael Collins conducts Prokofiev’s Symphony No 1 In D, Crusell’s Clarinet Concerto No 2 In F Minor and Beethoven’s Symphony No 4 In B Flat.
Bath Philharmonia with soloist Nicola Benedetti, Thursday 27 September, 7.30pm The Forum, St James Parade, Bath. Tickets from the Bath Box Office on tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk Nicola Benedetti performs Brahm’s masterpiece Violin Concerto and Sibelius’ Symphony No 2 is also performed.
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WHAT’Son OTH ER EVENTS – listed by date The Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show, Saturday 8 September,
Wine Events, Thursday 13 & 27 September, 7.30pm – 9.15pm
West Woodlands Showground, West Woodlands, near Frome, Somerset. For further information and to purchase tickets visit: www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk A great day out for all the family the Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show enables you to not only learn about cheese but to taste it too. Expert cheese graders will share their tips on pairing cheeses with other flavours and drinks for delicious results, TV chef Lesley Waters will demonstrate how to create delicious cheesy recipes and there will be a host of other rural activities including livestock shows, a funfair, and stalls with produce, food and gifts.
Great Western Wine, Wells Road, Bath. Tickets £20 per evening. Tel: 01225 322810 or visit: www.greatwesternwine.co.uk. At the first event taste Rieslings from Reichsrat Von Buhl hosted by the estates Christoph Graf. At the second enjoy a fun and informative tasting hosted by Susy Atkins who regularly appears on Saturday Kitchen and has a column in the Sunday Telegraph magazine.
Big Festival Weekend, Friday 15 – Sunday 16 September Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath. Tel: 01225 424609 or visit: www.bath-racecourse.co.uk Expect fun, excitement and an on the edge of your seat atmosphere perfect for a fun-filled and action packed afternoon. With music from a live jazz band and inflatable activities for children, there’s something for everyone at the Big Festival Weekend.
Lecture: The Monstrous Regiment of Women in Tudor & Stuart England, Thursday 27 September, 7.30pm
The Frome Agircultural & Cheese Show
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Bath Society Meeting Room, Green Park Station, Bath. Tel: 01225 812945. The Bath Branch of the Historical Association presents Professor Jackie Eales of Canterbury
Christ Church University, president of the Historical Association, who will talk on ‘The Monstrous Regiment of Women’ in Tudor and Stuart England.
Textile & Fashion Fair, Saturday 29 September, 10am – 4pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, South Gloucestershire. For further information visit: www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk The Vintage and Handmade Textile & Fashion Fair is a must visit for anyone interested in vintage fashion and home textiles. Whether you are looking for that special dress or jacket, fabrics and haberdashery or a special gift or you just want to be surrounded by like-minded people, the fair is a great day out with more than 40 stalls.
Author Event: Eoin Colfer, Monday 8 October, 6pm Bristol Grammar School, Bristol. For further details visit: www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk or email: lshepherd@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Eoin will be taking the audience on an adrenalin-fuelled exposé of teenage criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl and he will talk about and sign copies of Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian – the final instalment in the globally best-selling Artemis Fowl series.
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In the first part of our new series, we’re celebrating Bath’s cafe society, with a run down of the best coffee shops and delis around the city With one in ten Brits visiting a coffee shop every day and spending an average of £3.18 per visit, the UK coffee market is certainly not one to be taken lightly. In a fiercely competitive market independents are still occupying an impressive percentage of the market share, standing at 36.3% in 2011, and beating the branded chains share of 32.5%. Whether it’s an early morning take-out, mid-morning coffee meeting, or afternoon pick-me-
up, enjoying quality coffee has become an essential part of most people’s day and Bathonians are no exception. Bath’s baristas serve up an estimated £15 million worth of espressos, lattes, capuccinos and flat whites, every year. But where to go? We’ve been on a delicious tour of the city this month and rounded up some of the city’s best cafés and delis to pick up your favourite coffee blend, sweet treat or savoury snack.
JACOB’S COFFEE HOUSE Jacob’s is one of Bath's favourite locally owned independent coffee houses, nestled among the Bath Abbey and Bath Pump Rooms in the Abbey Church Yard. The café provides an ideal place for a welcome break where you can enjoy the finest speciality coffee, including seasonal blends and single origins to go with its carefully selected range of food offerings including a fantastic array of homemade cakes, Pieminister pies and locally made fresh soup from the Bath Soup Company. Jacob's is open seven days a week from 8am through to 7pm. Jacob’s Coffee House, 6 Abbey Church Yard, Bath. Tel: 01225 758132
BEST OF BRITISH DELI Tucked away on Broad Street, the Best of British Deli is a haven of peace away from the shopping crowds. Best known for its homemade soups, quiches, cakes and pies, everything is baked on the premises, using the finest British produce including local organic cheeses, breads and pickles. Sandwiches are prepared to order to eat in or take away, but the deli also offers business lunches, picnics packed in a wicker hamper, and private catering, all tailored to specific requirements. On the shelves you’ll find a range of organic products, from English sparkling wine to the finest organic chocolates - perfect for gifts or just to treat yourself. So whether you are after lunch for one or canapes for 100, the Best of British Deli is well worth a look. The Best of British Deli, Broad Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 448 055. www.bestofbritishdeli.co.uk. Follow them on Twitter for updates and deals @bestbritishdeli
TIME OUT One of Bath's true great little coffee shops has to be Time Out Espresso Snack Bar situated under the magnificent dome in Bath's historic Guildhall Market. A stylish cross between an American diner and a 50s English milk bar this little gem serves some of the best espresso in town from its classic vintage Gaggia coffee machine. The owners Mike and Wendy are also very proud of the fact that all their 100% arabica beans are freshly roasted every couple of days by Gillards of Bath – the specialist tea and coffee purveyor also in the Guildhall Market. Time Out also serves a wide range of hot and cold snacks as well as thick and creamy milkshakes – the espresso milkshake is well worth a try. So, if you fancy a step back in time, sipping a great espresso and watching the hustle and bustle of Bath's lovely working market don't miss a visit to Time Out. The bar opens for breakfast from 8.30am daily and closes at 5pm (except Sundays). Time Out, Guildhall Market, Bath. Tel: 07854 808849
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JIKA JIKA Jika Jika, in the centre of Bath, is the brainchild of Bath, England and British Lions rugby players, Lee Mears and Matt Stevens. Now in its third year the café is going from strength to strength and was awarded one of the coveted Bath Good Food Awards in 2011. Born from a love of great coffee, Jika Jika prides itself on the quality of its products with an array of loose leaf teas, a simple, fresh and locally sourced food menu and barista led coffee. Everything on the menu has been researched, tasted and adapted with that one key requirement – quality – in mind. A place of creature comforts combined with cutting edge design and artwork, Jika Jika is a stylishly eclectic space, offering free wireless internet, daily newspapers and magazines. There is also a library of books for customers to enjoy in store supplied by Mr B’s Bookstore, making it the perfect place to settle in for an afternoon or take a break from the hustle and bustle. Now open till 11pm, Monday to Saturday, Jika Jika has a new dinner menu, classic cocktails and a fantastic selection of new world wines on offer. There is also a glass atrium dining room available for dedicated private meetings and parties. Jika Jika, 4A Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 429903 www.jikajika.co.uk
METROPOLITAN CAFÉ The Metropolitan Café was founded 12 years ago and is one of the leading vegetarian dining establishments in the Bath area, with a great menu filled with locally sourced organic ingredients and gluten and dairy free produce. Proud to be independent, Metropolitan Café serves a wonderful selection of homemade cakes, the best cup of Illy coffee in town, as well as a large variety of Fairtrade tea and Green and Blacks hot chocolate. A wide range of cold drinks including fantastic fruit smoothies is also available. The café’s reputation has ensured that it is one of only a handful of local cafés to have been selected for this year’s Bath Christmas market where it will be selling a selection of soups, wraps, ciabattas and cakes along with drinks, including the superb gluwein mulled wine to help keep you warm. Metropolitan Café, 15 New Bond Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 482680 Buy a coffee and get a second free.* Quote ‘The Bath Magazine’ to receive this fabulous offer. *cheapest coffee free, for a limited period.
SOCIETY CAFÉ Society Café on Kingsmead Square, which opened in April, is already changing the way we view cafés. “We wanted to create a sort of Urban Living Room,” says owner Adrian CampbellHoward. “A place where you can come, hang out, flick through amazing coffee table books and the best art house magazines, plug a laptop or iPad in and get connected to super fast, free wifi without pressure to drink up and leave. The coffee clearly has to be amazing. Our Baristas know what they are doing, where the coffee is from, who roasted it and they are obsessive about creating the perfect cup.” The high standards spread across the board. Society Café boasts a huge variety of quality loose-leaf teas and three different hot chocolates, as well as artisan juices and soft drinks. All drinks and the mouth-watering array of cakes, cookies, pastries, sandwiches and salads are also available to take away. With a large space inside as well as outside, a creative area for children and a projection showing video clips and photography downstairs, this is one very nice addition to the café scene in Bath. Society Café, 4 & 5 Kingsmead Square, Bath. Tel: 01225 519074. www.society-cafe.com
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TO THE ONES WE WATCHED... In our July issue TBM profiled five of the Bathonian athletes or teams representing Team GB in the London 2012 Olympic Games – here’s how they got on
© Intersport Images/GB Rowing Team
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s summers go, this has been a pretty special one. The Olympic and Paralympic Games have boosted the spirits of the entire nation and while the Paralympics is still under way as we go to print, we have watched in awe as Team GB took us to third place in the Olympics medals table, with a total of 65 medals – 29 gold, 17 silver and 19 bronze. It is with great pleasure that we can say that three of those medals were helped along by four of the athletes we included in our July issue, and that the other athletes put everything into their performances and certainly did GB, and Bath, proud. Sprint kayaker and now local sporting hero, Ed McKeever exploded over the line at Eton Dorney in the men’s K1 200m kayak final, and led the way for the entire race to claim gold. He was greeted by a huge crowd as he arrived home to Bradford-onAvon and secured the town its very own golden postbox. For Ed, now dubbed the Usain Bolt of the water, a commemorative Royal Mail stamp was also created. Another medal on the water came from Helen Glover and Heather Stanning of Bath Minerva Rowing Club. They raced to the finish line in the rowing women’s pair to win the first gold medal of the London Games and to become the first British female rowers to win an Olympic title. From the GB Modern Pentathlon team, with all four trained at the University of Bath, it was Samantha Murray who swam, rode, fenced, shot and ran her way to the silver medal in the women’s event. Her training partner Mhairi Spence finished in 21st place and Sam Weale and Nick Woodbridge finished 13th and 10th respectively in the men’s event. All significant placings in a tough competition. Self-funded and together for just two years, the rhythmic gymnastics team of Rachel Smith, Lynne Hutchison, Francesca Fox, Georgina Cassar, Jade Faulkner, Louisa Pouli and Annie 44 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Bartlett all based in Bath came last but showed that they could compete on a world stage and will only improve. As for four-times world sailing champion and graduate of the University of Bath, Alexandra Rickham, we shall have to wait and see as she competes in
BATH’S OLYMPIC ATHLETES: main image, Ed McKeever winning gold as painted by Bradford-on-Avon artist Allan Clifford entitled A Golden Moment; left, Helen Glover and Heather Stanning; below, the modern pentathlon team, and the rhythmic gymnastics team
the Paralympics this month with her sailing partner, Niki Birrell – we wish them the best of luck. We congratulate all of the athletes from Bath and we will certainly be cheering them all the way to Rio 2016 – we don’t doubt you will be too. ■
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AUTUMN BOOK FESTIVAL Topping & Company is set to host a literary feast with its varied programme of author events
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hey say that in a digital world the printed word will not survive “but that’s not true” says Saber Khan, bookseller at the magnificent Topping & Company bookshop, “in Bath it’s thriving.” Indeed, he says, “the variety of authors and people coming to the Bath Autumn Book Festival 2012 is a testament to the wealth of writing and reading that people are doing.” And he’s right – what a festival it is set to be. The independent literary festival runs from Friday 5 – Tuesday 16 October in various venues across the city and is a celebration of books and reading. Saber says: “It’s all about welcoming people, bringing them together and creating a friendly space in which they can not only nurture their existing tastes but discover new ones.” If you are a foodie then you may enjoy the opening event, lunch with Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi at St Mary’s Bathwick. You can indulge in a buffet lunch with food from the cook’s own recipes, as well as a talk and signing. Renowned chef, food columnist and restaurateur Yotam is the author of Ottolenghi, Plenty and in his latest book, Jerusalem, he has joined forces with his fellow chef Sami to explore cuisine of their shared home city. As a festival for Bath it is fitting
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that local authors are also attending – Andrew Swift and Kirsten Elliott will be at the Museum of Bath at Work on Sunday 7 October. They will present a talk and signing with coffee and cake about their historic books on the city, One Foot in Bath and Literary Walks in Bath. Big national names follow, including Clare Balding speaking about her new book My Animals and Other Family on Monday 8 October at St Mary’s Bathwick and Michael Palin, who will give an illustrated talk about the vast, exotic and disparate nation of Brazil as he prepares to publish two books this year – a novel, The Truth and a travelogue, Brazil, which accompanies a major BBC TV series. It will be an evening talk and signing at The Forum on Wednesday 10 October and a certain highlight of the festival’s calendar. Caitlin Moran, author of How to be a Woman and Moranthology will be at St Mary’s Bathwick on Friday 12 October and is another highlight this year. Pre-festival and post-festival author events will also take place in September, November and December. For all tickets drop in to Topping & Company Booksellers, The Paragon, Bath, visit: www.bathbookfestival.co.uk or tel: 01225 428111. Tickets range from £6 – £14 and Topping’s is offering a cheaper ticket price to those who pick up their tickets in store before the event day.
BIG NAMES: left, Michael Palin © John Swannell; right, Caitlin Moran
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Following a long and successful career as a surrealist artist Philip Bouchard has turned his attention to the skies above Bath for inspiration. He tells Georgette McCready about his dramatic change of artistic direction
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hould you spot a man wandering through the streets of Bath, head in the air and apparently oblivious to the scene around him, don’t disturb his reveries – that’ll be artist Philip Bouchard working on his Bath Sky Diary. So entranced is this artist by the changing skies above us that he’s even admitted to driving round a roundabout several times in order to commit a particular cloud formation to memory. For more than 40 years Philip has been a surrealist painter, inspired originally by his hero Rene Magritte, putting many, many months of painstaking work into his intricate large canvasses. He has built up an international reputation, with followers and collectors, including supporters in the Middle East who encouraged him from his earliest beginnings as a painter.
I think of these small studies as ❝ more of a tune, whereas my other works are symphonies with lots of twiddly bits
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Born in France, Philip came to England as an eight-year-old with no English and was sent to a brutal Dickensian prep school, where he was as unhappy as all the other small boys. From there he went to Downside Abbey where he found the monks more sympathetic and he spent a happy few years. As a young adult he developed his painting style and spent 48 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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many years in the Middle East, inspired by the big open spaces and vast skies. Philip was living in London with his wife Belinda and daughter Harriet when he had a yearning to come back to Somerset. He contacted the monks at Downside and before long found himself as the Abbey’s artist-in-residence. Belinda became a teacher at the school and a housemistress. But much of Philip’s Bath Sky Diary has been done from his studio in central Bath, from where he can literally look out of the window and capture the sky’s myriad moods. “The great surrealist artist Magritte used to say when he painted skies that he was trying to create visual poems,” said Philip. “And that is what I am trying to do. And rather than tackling my surrealist paintings, which can take years to finish, this has been very liberating. “I think of these small studies as more of a tune, whereas my other works are symphonies, with lots of twiddly bits.” Philip hasn’t abandoned his surrealist pictures. His latest work in progress shows many of Oxford’s finest buildings in intricate detail, rising up like some floating medieval city. When finished this will be a painting which absorbs the viewer in all its minutiae. But his studies of sky are vibrant and seem joyfully spontaneous. They will also strike a chord with those who, like Philip, manage to lift their eyes from the every day to enjoy the sky above. ■ Bath Sky Diary is at the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, – which is owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council – from September 8 to 18 November. Admission is free.
EVER CHANGING: a sample of Philip Bouchard’s studies for Bath Sky Diary Clockwise from top left: a sunset over Abbey Green, the sky above Bath Abbey, evening light, St John’s Church and Brock Street in the evening All the original work displayed at the Victoria Art Gallery will be available to buy
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jessica cooper rwa ‘an open book’ ‘orla kiely purse on the table’ acrylic on canvas 38 x 76 cm
6th - 20th october 2012
Edgar Modern Bartlett Street, Bath BA1 2EE. enquiries@edgarmodern.com • 01225 443746 07940 597757
‘Square Rectangle Square’ oil on panel 80 x 80 cms
Heath Hearn Icons and Curious Charms 9th - 22th November 2012 Edgar Modern
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ARTSgardens &EXHIBITIONS CITY Roxana Halls, Suspended Room
LIFELINES
Lucy Owen, Before the Storm
Walcot Chapel Walcot Gate, Bath.
25 – 30 September This is a new initiative in which 10 local painters and one ceramicist have been invited to interpret the theme Lifelines. The result is a diverse range of subject matter and style – from abstract, landscape and figurative painting to 3D ceramic objects. BEN KELLY
▲ ROXANA HALLS & ANTHONY SCULLION
THE RADEV COLLECTION: PISSARRO – PICASSO
Bath Contemporary 35 Gay Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 461230 www.bathcontemporary.com
8 – 30 September
Beaux Arts 12 – 13 York Street, Bath.Tel: 01225 464850 www.beauxartsbath.co.uk
Bath Contemporary presents a solo exhibition of recent works by rising talent, Ben Kelly. Looking at the passage of time though our interaction with landscape, Ben’s atmospheric scenes are characterised by shafts of light, which seem to fuse different points of time together, questioning our experience of those moments and time itself. Ben has also won the Football and the Fine Arts Prize.
10 September – 6 October Two much anticipated artists return to Beaux Arts – Roxana Halls with her colourful scenes of domestic disturbance, and Anthony Scullion’s haunting portraits. ARS POETICA Hilton Fine Art 5 Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 311311 www.hiltonfineart.com
8 – 29 September This is a showcase of paintings by seven artists concentrating on the subject of landscape painting. The variety of styles travels the British landscape through representational painting with a focus on tonal appreciation.
Amedeo Modigliani, Portrait of Chaim Soutine
Victoria Art Gallery By Pulteney Bridge, Bath. Tel: 01225 477233 www.victoriagal.org.uk
8 September – 18 November
Linda Weir, FY47 and Fisherman
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This is a rare opportunity to view this collection of modern British and French art. The collection is named after Mattei Radev, an émigré from Bulgaria who became a prominent picture framer. Artists include Vanessa Bell, Alfred Wallis, Ben Nicholson, Amedeo Modigliani, Duncan Grant and Graham Sutherland.
Ben Kelly, Park Walkers
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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS SUE BINNS
ITALIAN JOURNEY William Balthazar Rose, Monterchi
Sue Binns, ceramics
Gallery Nine 9b Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 319197 www.gallerynine.co.uk
Until 2 November This is a collection of contemporary blue and white ceramics. The collection ranges from the tiny bud vases to large bowls and jugs. Plus works from Richard Batterham, Walter Keeler, Richard Bawden and Guy Royle. NICK CUDWORTH Nick Cudworth Gallery 5 London Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 445221 www.nickcudworth.com
1 – 29 September Nick Cudworth will be exhibiting a series of stiles he painted in the south west with one stile for each month of the year.
▲ Quest Gallery 7 Margarets Buildings, Bath. Tel: 01225 444142 www.questgallery.co.uk
Until 6 October Two contemporary fine artists, William Balthazar Rose and Francis Hamel, who have spent time in Italy bring their accounts to Bath. Their paintings include landscapes and picturesque views.
JIAO XINGTAO
PATRICK HAINES & ROSE SANDERSON bo.lee Gallery 1 Queen Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 428211 www.bo-lee.co.uk
1 September – 6 October Nocturne showcases the work of Patrick Haines and Rose Sanderson. Their work takes you on a journey from the green and pleasant meadows to the dimly-lit woodland habitat of plants and insects. LOUISE MCCLARY Adam Gallery 13 John Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 480406
24 September – 4 October Cornish artist, Louise McClary presents her new works which explore her immediate surroundings – the ever-changing and dramatic landscape of the Lizard Peninsula. But the paintings also incorporate a variety of themes such as poetry and writing.
Jiao Xingtao, The Powerful Dragon Nick Cudworth, September Stile
MIXED SUMMER SHOW Edgar Modern Bartlett Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 443746 www.edgarmodern.com
8 – 30 September Edgar Modern continues its series of mixed summer shows with a beautiful selection of works by new artist Kimia Kline, canvases from Henrietta Dubrey and Mungo Powney and bronzes by Mark Hall and Janis Ridley
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The Museum of East Asian Art 12 Bennett Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464640 www.meaa.org.uk
22 September – 15 January This is a flagship event for the museum as it will be the first in its 20-year history to focus exclusively on contemporary sculpture. Jiao Xingtao is well developed among the Chinese contemporary art scene. He graduated from the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, one of the most innovative art academies in China, and is currently a professor and the head of the sculpture department at the same art academy. He has been exhibiting extensively in China and around the world.
Louise McClary, Memory River
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BRIDGE SCHOOL OF BATH Bridge Lessons in Queen Square (daytime and evenings)
Classes start October 2012 • New: Beginners classes •
• New: Gentle Supervised Play • • Improvers classes •
• Club play sessions • Teacher: Christine MacFarlane (EBUTA) www.bathbridge.com/bathschool Tel: 07989 440238
THEBATHMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBATH PERFECTLYCOVERED BATHSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 01225 424499 WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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WYLDE ABOUT DIAMONDS Goldsmith Nicholas Wylde is marking his silver jubilee in business by creating a bespoke diamond
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icholas Wylde, who has shops in Bath and Clifton Village, is celebrating 25 years in the business with the creation of his own bespoke diamond, the perfectly cut Wylde Flower diamond. To reach his place among the country’s top jewellers, Nicholas has worked hard. He grew up in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham where his father had a tobacconist shop. He began doing paper rounds and serving behind the counter of the family business. Surrounded by some of the best craftsmen in the world Nicholas decided to learn the jewellery trade himself. He was an award-winning student and when he’d finished at college got a job at Taylors Diamond Workshop in Bath when he was just 19. Supported by his parents and his sister Corrinda, he opened his first jewellers in Bath at the age of 24 with just 12 rings in the window made by him. While he worked on the bench his sister did the buying and the accounts and it wasn’t long before they had a successful business. Nicholas’s creative flair, attention to detail and consistent customer service skills soon won him regular clients. Now he is creating beautiful pieces of jewellery for the third generation of his original customers. His sister Corrinda said: “Nicholas prides himself on his customer service. He wants people to go out of the door happy and nothing is too much trouble. I think he’s great at building up a rapport with his clients and I feel immensely proud of him.” Although his sister no longer works with him Nicholas now has 18 staff and 25,000 clients on his database. He not only has a reputation as a master craftsman but has loyal staff some of whom have been with him for many years. Nick Wood, manager of the Bath shop has been there for 14 years. Nick says he’s still enjoying the job because it’s always varied and there are exciting opportunities. He said: “Staff are encouraged to design their own pieces and everything we do here is unique. We have bespoke jewellery and no repeats. But it’s not just the quality of the jewellery that counts but it’s the advice that goes with it.” All of the staff who work for the Wylde Jewellers comment on how well they’re looked after. Sue Shearn who has worked for Nicholas for 14 years, says she loves the fact that in her job she has to do everything from the administrative side of the work to selling and promoting. She recently won Employee of the Year and her prize was a holiday. “I never want to retire from here. In fact if they ever want me to go they’ll have to push me out of that door,” laughs Sue. Janet Pike is one of the sales assistants at the Bristol shop and she worked for another jeweller in the same premises for 30 years before working for Nicholas. “Clifton is unique with a lot of characters but we all respect each other and I think shoppers love the individual shops here. I think anyone coming from outside the village faces a challenge but Nicholas is extremely likeable and people have taken to him,” says Janet. Nicholas has won many awards, including the Best Retail Image in the UK when he was up against Links of London and Mappin &Webb. His clients include members of the royal family, Jamie Cullum and Sophie Dahl, singer Richard Ashcroft, Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams and author Susan Lewis. But the ‘Wylde’ secret is that every single customer is treated like royalty and Nicholas wants each customer to love their piece of jewellery whether it’s new, restored or redesigned. He was inspired to create his own diamond after a chat with a gemstone dealer who asked him how he was going to celebrate 54 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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his 25th anniversary. “I jokingly said that I would like my own branded diamond and the dealer said he was developing a new cut which looked like a flower. Then we came up with the name Wylde Flower – a perfect name for a perfect cut,” says Nicholas. It has taken months to get the cut patented, branded and marketed. The Wylde Flower is cut from a rough diamond by craftsmen in Antwerp. It has 32 more facets than a standard brilliant cut which not only gives it the unique flower image but an extraordinary sparkle. Each stone comes with a certificate from the International Gemological Institute and the words Wylde Flower and an individual number is lasered on its girdle. Nicholas and his staff have already received numerous enquiries about this exclusive stone but the first one has been commissioned by one of his long term clients. Poignantly, Jo Challis who was recently bereaved asked Nicholas to make her a gold and diamond pendant in memory of her late husband. “Peter wanted to have something made for me to remember him by and insisted I go to Nicholas to have something created. He adored his pieces and always described him as the next Faberge,” says Jo. “This beautiful and distinctive pendant is a one-off and Peter was a one-off. To own the very first Wylde Flower is very special. It’s a bit like owning the first Van Gogh.” Nicholas’s 14-year-old son Kieran has been doing a Saturday job at the Bath shop where he’s been cleaning and sorting the stones. He said: “I’m very proud that he’s created his diamond. It’s beautiful and special.” For Nick the Wylde Flower is an absolute symbol of his journey with jewellery: “I’m thrilled and privileged to have a diamond branded with my name. What a way to celebrate 25 years in the industry. My challenge is to provide clients with a unique design and now I can also give them a unique stone.” One thing’s for certain Nicholas’ talent for creating innovative jewellery will just continue to grow and grow. ■
A GEM: A young Nicholas Wylde with one of his pieces of bespoke jewellery Below, the Wylde Flower cut diamond
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THE GREAT HUMAN RACE The Bath Magazine has been appointed magazine media partner for the 2013 Bath Half Marathon. To celebrate our new partnership we look at what the annual event brings to the city and to the many good causes helped by the thousands who take part
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nyone who’s ever run the Bath Half Marathon will tell you there’s something very special about being among that human river of thousands of runners flowing down Pulteney Road after the start of the race in Great Pulteney Street. No matter how fast or slow, at this point there is a surge of emotion that you are a small but important part of something big – and every time a cry of encouragement goes up from the crowd lining the route, it helps to lighten the step and make that long 13.1 mile course seem not quite so far. The Bath Half Marathon – or the Bath Half as it is affectionately known – is one of the longest established and most popular city centre road events in the UK, bringing thousands of runners to the city each spring. The 2013 race will be held on Sunday 3 March – a very neat 03.03.13 on the dateline. The course is fast and flat, making it suitable for runners of all abilities – for beginners whose key objective is to complete the course, to more regular runners looking to beat their personal best time, and elite British and overseas athletes often using the Bath Half in their preparation for the London Marathon. The course covers a unique two-lap, 13.1 mile traffic-free route, straddling both sides of the River Avon. Founded in 1982, the year after the first London Marathon, management of the Bath Half was taken over by Bath-based family business Running High Events in 2000. Since then the race has expanded from 2,500 to 15,000 entries per year and has sold out within weeks of entry launch every year since 2000. Running High has also developed the Bath Half as a successful multi-layered fundraising platform with reserved allocations of places for more than 70 official race charities each year, incentives for ‘own place’ runners to fundraise for charities of their own choice, plus a direct grant scheme funding smaller local charities and voluntary groups. Andrew Taylor, Bath Half race director said: “Whether a beginner, an experienced runner, elite athlete or a spectator, the 56 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Bath Half captures the heart and minds of those involved when they experience the ecstasy of race day. We are ever grateful to local residents for their continued co-operation when we close the roads in Bath each year for this one-day event. “Thanks to the generosity of our runners and the people of Bath, the event raised in excess of £1.5m for charity in 2012 alone and it has continued to grow year on year. In addition to being the south west’s single biggest fundraising event, it provides a boost to the local tourism economy with runners travelling from right across the UK and further afield to take part.” In the last 13 years, since Running High Events took over
our ambition is to see continued growth ❝ of charity fundraising year on year so we have now announced a new target of raising £2m per year by 2015
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management of the event in 2000, the Bath Half has raised more than £12m for charity, making it the largest single-day fundraising event in the south west and one of the biggest fundraisers of its kind in the UK. In 2000, the event was raising just £30,000 a year for charity, but since then, the event has grown year on year, pushing new boundaries and smashing fundraising targets much quicker than anticipated. Mel Taylor, charity director at Running High Events said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the friends, family and work colleagues who donate to the chosen charities of our Bath Half entrants and the passion instilled into our runners who continue fundraising year on year.
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THE CHARITIES
COMMUNITY EVENT: joining the runners last year was TV presenter Dermot O’Leary, running with a group for the Coppa Feel charity which promotes cancer awareness
“Over the years, we have developed the fundraising platform from a single official charity in 2000 when we first took the event on, to more than 70 carefully selected local and national charities in 2012. Fifteen per cent of the half marathon entries are reserved for our official race charities who distribute these to their supporters in return for a fundraising commitment. 1,000 entries reserved for the Corporate Challenge for business team entries carry a similar fundraising commitment, and the remaining ‘own place’ runners are also incentivised to choose a cause close to their own hearts.” The organisers are keen to continue building on the money raised for charities each year. Mel added: “In 2007 when charity fundraising reached £1m per year we announced a new target of £1.5m by 2011. It seemed like a world away at the time but we achieved it. We don’t want to stop here, our ambition is to see continued growth of charity fundraising year on year, so we have now announced a new target of raising £2m per year by 2015.” ■
So you think youʼll run the Bath Half. . . We’ve got six months in which to train to run the Bath Half, so even complete beginners can start now. Here are a few tips to get you going: ● Invest in some proper running shoes. If you start running wearing the wrong shoes you’ll soon get pains in your shins. If you’re a woman make sure you’re wearing a sports bra. ● Start by running slowly round the block or to the end of the street and back, then gradually build up the length of time you can run without running out of breath. Keep a diary of distances you’ve run. Try using runkeeper.com to plan your routes. ● Train with a friend. If there’s someone expecting you, you’ve got no excuse not to get out there and run. ● Try to adopt a positive mental attitude. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how tall or short, or how fast. It’s not about how everyone else is doing, it’s how you’re doing that counts. Getting round the 13.1 mile course is your goal and achieving that will give you a huge boost of self-esteem that’ll carry through to other aspects of your life.
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Keen to invest directly in the local community which suffers the inconvenience of the event, in 2003 the Bath Half set up a fund through the Quartet Community Foundation. In the last ten years, Bath Half runners have enabled more than £100,000 to be paid out by the Bath Half Marathon Fund to more than 120 small local charities and voluntary groups. With judicious use of match-funding under government schemes, the event has also invested a further £150,000 in endowment funds through Quartet to create a source of grants in perpetuity for the city. Running High charity director, Mel Taylor said: “We see the Bath Half Marathon Fund as a way to invest directly in the smaller local communities and help groups who are too small to benefit as official race charities. It’s also a great opportunity for race participants to give directly to projects for local residents, as a thank you for their support each year.” Events and community officer for PICK A CAUSE: you can The Forever Friends choose to run for your Appeal Jo Hones, said: favourite charity “Every year we have a truly incredible team of runners in the Bath Half Marathon that are passionate about fundraising for their local hospital. Ted’s Team has raised hundreds of thousands over the years – helping purchase state-of-the-art equipment such as the new Gamma-CT Scanner and the new Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care. We were so thrilled to be able to dedicate a room in the new unit to all our Bath Half Marathon runners. “Now is the time to sign up for the 2013 event – and we would love you to join our team and fundraise to help build a pioneering new cancer centre for the hospital.” Visit: www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or tel: 01225 821535. The Bath Half Marathon is the biggest single day fundraising event in the south west; raising £1.5m in 2012 for more than 70 local and national charities. Some of the local charities who have benefited include: The RUH Forever Friends Appeal – Dyson Centre The RNLI in Bath & North East Somerset Bath & North East Somerset Age UK Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) Children’s Hospice South West Bath & District Samaritans Friends of Young Carers, Bath & North East Somerset The Golden Oldies Julian House In addition, the majority of national charities that benefit distribute funds to help local projects.
■ The Bath Half sells out fast each year, but there is still time to secure your place by going to www.bathhalf.co.uk. SEPTEMBER 2012
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Arty challenge Gourmet addition to the city Fringe Arts Bath has opportunities for aspiring curators to devise and organise a show as part of next year’s Fringe Arts Bath (FAB) festival 2013. Anyone can apply with any level of experience, whether they are art students, graduates or professional artists. FAB curators’ shows can include: performance, intervention, installation, multi-media and video work, photography, drawing, painting, sculpture and all disciplines in between. Submit a 500 word proposal detailing the underpinning themes with supporting images (optional) and CV, as a PDF or Word Doc. Email: fringeartsbath@ymail.com or post a hard copy to: Fringe Arts Bath, 103 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BW. The deadline is 12 October.
Charity event An Indian Extravaganza, with supper and an auction, is to be held in Bath in October, to raise money for an orphanage for girls that the Kerala Crafts project has been supporting. One of the items up for sale that night is a pair of signed dance shoes worn by Felicity Kendal during her time on Strictly Come Dancing. The actress is a patron of Bath-based charity Kerala Crafts, which works in partnership with a community in India. The event is on Saturday 20 October, at Bath University’s Claverton Rooms, starting at 7pm. Tickets are £30 each, to include a three-course Indian meal and half a bottle of wine per person. It is hoped that the evening will be the final push needed to finish work on building the orphanage. For details and to book tickets visit: www.keralacrafts.co.uk, or tel: 01225 319642.
Guilt-free treats PurePots frozen yogurt and smoothie bar is a welcome addition to SouthGate centre, offering a range of six flavours of delicious fat free frozen yogurt to Bath’s shoppers. This is the second branch for this young and brand, which was launched by two young entrepreneurs, Sam Halliday and Marcus Carter. They began the business with a trial stall at the Cheltenham Literature Festival which was so successful they gave up their day jobs and opened a shop in Nottingham. Now arrived in Bath, PurePots has a wide range of fresh and healthy fruits and nuts on offer to see people through from breakfast – berries and granola with froyo (as we must now learn to call frozen yogurt) – to a pick-me-up smoothie on the way to the gym. The business has a lively website, visit: ilovepurepots.co.uk and it looks as though PurePots has the potential to make it big.
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Bathonians and our visitors always enjoy the chance to pick up some tasty titbits for lunch or a picnic, and from the beginning of this month we’ll be able to call in to the new Quails Deli in Bridge Street to do just that. It’s being run by former hoteliers, husband and wife team Peter and Glenda Botes whose careers have spanned the world, from South Africa, Canada, Ireland and Somerset. The deli is just round the corner from their home in Henrietta Street. The couple found the vacant premises after contacting Bath property specialist Carter Jonas. Glenda said: “Our years in the hotel business have been an unforgettable experience, meeting so many wonderful people but when the time came for us to opt for a lifestyle with slightly better sociable hours it was an easy choice. Our key focus is on providing a service to Bath. We believe in competitive pricing for brilliant food in a clean, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.” Quails Deli offers charcuterie, cheeses, wines, cakes, breads, olives, oils and salads and produces sandwiches using bocadillos and ciabatta buns
NEW BUSINESS: Peter and Glenda Botes outside Quails Deli with Finola Ingham of Carter Jonas (centre)
combined with a variety of healthy fillings. The on-site kitchen will produce daily specials such as soups, casseroles, frittatas, gallettes, cakes, patés and terrines and will provide light breakfasts, lunches or tapas after work. Award-winning chef Peter was brought up in Fish Hoek, Cape Town and after leaving university he owned and ran several restaurants before leaving for Dublin where he was appointed CEO at the Royal Irish Yacht club.
South African born Glenda spent 20 years in Canada before returning to her home in 2004 where she met Peter. They married a year later and have enjoyed several joint business ventures ever since. She says they can both multitask which came very much to the fore when they moved to the UK and bought the Woodlands Country House Hotel in Brent Knoll six years ago. The couple have five children, living in various parts of the world – London, Birmingham, Cape Town and Hong Kong.
School report for a great end of year The annual prizegiving at the end of the summer term at Port Regis School near Shaftesbury, marked the end of an era for 72 Year 8 pupils, who have now moved on to their senior schools. Each and every one of them passed Common Entrance and their collective results were the best ever for the school. In addition, the 28 awards which Year 8 pupils picked up to go to their senior schools represented a remarkable tally of scholarships. Art, music, sport, ICT and the all-rounder were all represented. The 11 academic awards gained included a major scholarship to Marlborough College and scholarships to Rugby, Bryanston, Canford, Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Prior Park, Kingswood and St Mary’s, Shaftesbury. This litany of success owes
BRIGHT BUNCH: school leavers at Port Regis School
much to the efforts of hardworking and motivated pupils. It also owes a great deal to the supportive and inspirational teaching they receive at the school.
If you would like to visit Port Regis or attend the next open morning on Saturday 6 October, please contact the school office on tel: 01747 857 800 or register online, visit: www.portregis.com.
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TAX PLANNING WHERE ARE WE? It has probably not escaped your attention in the papers and media generally, that the issue of “tax avoidance” has been very much on the political agenda, seemingly hot on the heels of other sensitive issues such as the banking crisis. We thought it would be a good time to summarise the current situation in the tax profession, as well as try to remove some of the “political spin” by clarifying some key definitions and distinctions.
WHAT IS TAX AVOIDANCE? In light of the recent media coverage you would be forgiven for thinking that there is no distinction between tax avoidance and tax evasion, particularly due to the way in which certain tax avoidance “schemes” have been portrayed to the public. However, tax avoidance is legal, whereas tax evasion is illegal. There are some commentators though who believe that although tax avoidance is legal, this is not the only thing that matters and so the moral argument typically then unfolds.
Jon Miles
THE MORAL QUESTION The moral question regarding what is the correct amount of tax has been widely discussed in the press. The problem is that when you drill down to the detailed cases you end up with a wide spectrum of moral views. We would argue that the aggressive tax avoidance strategies recently highlighted are in reality just at one end of the tax planning spectrum. Successive chancellors from both sides of the political divide have introduced hugely complex legislation which has in the past directly led to a change in behaviour. One of the best examples is that many years ago a chancellor introduced a 0% Corporation tax rate for the first £10,000 of company profits and was WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
surprised when as a direct result there was a rush to incorporate to take advantage of this. If the legislation creates an opportunity to save tax accountants are duty bound to advise clients about it. If we don’t, you can be certain that somebody else will. If a small sole trade earning £20,000 a year could save £2,000 by incorporating is that morally wrong? Some will say yes and some no, it depends on your own moral viewpoint.
OUR ROLE AS YOUR TRUSTED ADVISER Our role as a trusted advisor is to do exactly that, advise. We tell clients about all the legal options open to them and the implications attached to each option. It is not our responsibility to take a moral view, it has to be down to the individual taxpayers own moral compass as to what they decide to do. Our clients expect us to do exactly that.
GAAR (GENERAL ANTI-ABUSE RULE) A new General Anti-Abuse Rule is currently being proposed by the Government, although this differs from that which was originally intended, and represents a narrowing down of the original proposals, which is some comfort. Originally back in late 2010 a broad spectrum general antiavoidance rule was being considered, but the concern was where the line would be drawn and in the end the Government accepted the independent report’s findings that a “broad spectrum anti-avoidance rule would not be beneficial for the UK tax system”....and that.......... “Such a rule would risk compromising the certainty that is vital to provide the confidence to do business”. There had been concerns that a broad rule could catch familiar tax planning measures such as genuine transfers of assets between spouses which result in the couple subsequently saving capital gains tax, or grandparents transferring assets into their grandchildren’s names such that income earned on those assets used their personal allowances. At least now it seems that this type of planning will not be affected. The current proposals are for the introduction of a rule which is targeted at “artificial” and “abusive” arrangements and avoidance schemes and the Government announced at the 2012 Budget that it would consult with a view to bringing forward legislation next year that was both effective in tackling such schemes and also practical both for taxpayers and HMRC. At this point in time, it seems that these rules would largely only effect aggressive income tax strategies but we cannot be sure. The Government has been quoted as saying “Through collaborative consultation and welldesigned legislation, our aim is to prevent avoidance at the outset, reducing the need for counteraction”. Only time will tell what type of “avoidance” will be caught, but there is a school of thought that says such schemes are only devised because the existing tax rules are so complex.
Derek Swift
Please contact Jon Miles or Derek Swift on (01225)325580 or email info@richardsonswift.co.uk if you would like to arrange an initial free no obligation meeting to discuss your specific business and/or personal circumstances and what options might be available to you in the context of the current developments in the tax profession and the public domain.
www.richardsonswift.co.uk 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL 01225 325 580 SEPTEMBER 2012
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- Sharp Family Law client, 2012
Divorce and conflict often go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, you may be worrying that the process will only exacerbate matters, adding to the cost and tensions. Sharp Family Law is committed to the very opposite. As the largest firm of solicitors in Bath devoted solely to family law, we offer the resources to help you reach the best possible resolution. Our individualised approach guides you to the right process – collaborative law, family mediation, constructive negotiation or court litigation – to protect your children and priorities. In everything we do, we work to minimise conflict and maximise results so you can move forward with peace of mind.
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THE NEED TO PLAN FOR EDUCATION FEES
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he number of pupils attending private and independent schools is on the rise – but affording this and then having to fund university tuition fees is becoming an ever-increasing burden for parents.
Charles Bailey, Chartered Financial Planner, Jelf Financial Planning
At some of the UK’s top schools, boarding fees now top £25,000 a year. Yet private education remains popular and a recent survey by the Independent Schools Council revealed that the numbers of children attending independent schools has increased.
With private education representing the largest investment people will make after they have bought a house, a Bath based Independent Financial Adviser said the need to plan ahead to finance school fees has never been greater. Charles Bailey, Chartered Financial Planner for Jelf Financial Planning in Bath, said: “The cost of private school education has risen significantly in recent years and outweighs inflation. And with much higher university tuition fees to contend with now, funding education all adds up to a daunting financial commitment to families already facing bigger living expenses.”
Local Part Time Distributors 5+ hours a month - Excellent rates of pay Would you like to join us in the distribution of our wonderful magazine? We currently have vacancies to cover some delivery areas in and around Bath during week days You will need to be fit, trustworthy and reliable, prepared to spend a little time and effort ensuring an accurate delivery of our magazine. You will need to have use of a car, a mobile. Sorry no children.
We will also be interested in ‘mini’ distribution teams, eg husband & wife or family teams who would like to take on larger distribution areas
“If a child is to be funded through prep school, senior school and then university, you can be looking at a span in excess of 16 years which represents an enormous financial investment in a child’s future. A prudent solution is to start making financial plans at the very earliest opportunity.” Saving early gives your money more time for any growth. There are several investment schemes available to help make school fees more affordable, and various tax reliefs can be achieved. Experienced Financial Advisers can advise on drawing up the best schemes for tax efficiency and flexibility. For those parents who find they cannot save ahead, there are always other fall-back options. “Releasing equity from your property is one route towards raising capital,” said Charles. “Another is grandparents. Trust planning is useful for those grandparents who are in a position to make provision for school fees and obtain inheritance tax benefits at the same time. “Making regular payments as gifts can bring estates below current inheritance tax thresholds. Another way is to give a lump sum towards a grandchild’s education. This gift is free of inheritance tax provided the grandparents survive for a further seven years after making it,” he said. A bespoke investment plan that allowed access to funds remained one of the best routes to making school fees more affordable, enabling parents to give children a head start with a good education, he added. In an uncertain world with volatile economic conditions the need for high quality financial advice has never been greater if people are to realise the dreams and aspirations for their children. If you feel an initial meeting would be beneficial to help you plan for your family future then please contact Charles Bailey on 01225 572012 or via email on charles.bailey@jelfgroup.com
CALL STEVE on 01225 424 499
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BUSINESSnews
News in brief ■ Bath jeweller, Fabulous has opened a Pandora Concept store in SouthGate, Bath and to mark the occasion is creating a tree of life to raise money for charity. People will be invited to write about five unforgettable moments in their life on a paper leaf and attach it to the tree, to enter a draw to win a £500 voucher to spend in the new Pandora store. The prize draw will take place at midnight on Saturday 8th September to coincide with the Bath Midnight Walk in aid of Dorothy House Hospice Care. For every entry 50p will be donated to the hospice. The 8km walk sets off from SouthGate at midnight and Fabulous are mustering a team to take part in the walk. ■ Booker Prize-winner, Ben Okri, will be reading extracts from his work and talking about his life as a writer at Bath Central Library on Wednesday 5 September. His best-known work, The Famished Road, was awarded the Booker Prize in 1991. The event, which takes places from 8pm to 9pm, costs £4 in advance (with 75p booking fee), visit: www.benokri.eventbrite.com, or £6 on the door, cash only. ■ Bath restaurant Rajpoot has been named the Best South Asian Restaurant in South West of England at the 2012 Tiffin Club awards in London, run by MPs. Bath’s own MP Don Foster was on hand to see his home city triumph with a Rajpoot signature dish of freshwater giant king prawns. Owner Ahmed Chowdhury paid tribute to his dedicated staff and regular customers. ■ Mad Max Tours, which takes tourists from Bath on day trips to places such as Stonehenge, Lacock and Avebury, is celebrating its 21st birthday this year. It takes its name from Maddy who started the company and Max, her dog, who would join her on many tours in the early years. To celebrate Mad Max Tours’ birthday the company is offering a £10 discount for locals who hold a Discovery card, on any full-day tours between October and 15 March 2013. Contact Sari or Cori on tel: 07990 505 970 to book a place. ■ The Priston Festival will take place over the weekend of 14/16 September, with free live music and activities around the village green. Concerts will be staged in the village hall and church. In the village hall on Saturday local author Sarah Fisher will talk about her world-renowned work on animal health and behaviour therapy, particularly with horses and dogs. Visit: www.priston.org.uk/festival.
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City candle makes scents Bath has now got its very own signature Roman Spa candle, made in England and created for Roman Candles of Bath. The new candle, which is made from pure soy wax and carries scents of lemon zest, jasmine, lily and calming musk and cinnamon, was developed by Roman Candles in response to popular demand from visitors for a Bath candle. It has a burn time of 40 hours and costs £9.99. Roman Candles, in Terrace Walk, is owned and managed by Bathonians Helen and Steve Bennett. The shop is a major stockist for the Yankee Candle range of scented candles. Helen said: “We never imagined that we would be launching our own brand candle with just over a years trading under our belts.” Other popular souvenirs from Bath include Bath Aqua Glass, made in studios in Walcot, Bath Soft Cheese, Bath Buns and Bath Oliver biscuits.
UPLIFTING: the new Roman Spa scented candle
New city guide at the touch of a thumb Bath Tourism has launched a mobile app to guide visitors around the city. The Official Bath App is available to download from the Google Play and iTunes stores. The Official Bath App is available across the Apple and Android platforms and is designed to promote the city, encourage visitors and provide an invaluable source of information for tourists and locals alike. It has been funded by Bath Tourism and Bath Business Improvement District (Bath BID). It includes a directory of events, attractions, shops, restaurants and accommodation – providing the user with directions, opening times and prices to help plan their visit. The app will also contain a range of
constantly changing deals and money saving vouchers that can be redeemed at businesses across the city. Nick Brooks-Sykes, chief executive at Bath Tourism Plus said: “The Official Bath App will showcase Bath as an exceptional cultural and tourist focused city, with listings for all attractions and amenities in the area. Tourists will benefit from the App’s ability to work completely offline, negating the need for expensive roaming charges, but more importantly, it will function as an interactive ‘guide in your pocket’ and will provide access to a huge amount of information and guidance at the tip of their thumb.” Other features include the latest Augmented Reality
capability, enabling the user to explore the city and locate the best deals by using their phone’s camera. With built-in GPS mapping, a handy ‘Where am I?’ is also able to pinpoint your exact location and detects things to see and do in your vicinity. Andrew Cooper, manager of Bath BID said: “Nearly a third of internet use is now done via a smartphone or similar device and people are increasingly expecting to access information on the move. The partnership model of the BID working with Bath Tourism Plus means users of the app get a comprehensive picture of what is on offer. The fact that everyone has contributed makes the Bath App a fantastic free resource.”
Bringing an archaeologist’s eye to design Interior designer Maximilian Buston, pictured, who was educated at Prior Park College, has decided that like many before him, he cannot bear to be away from his beloved Bath and has just moved into Marlborough Buildings with his business Distinctive Interiors. Maximilian is currently working on the home of an American client in Texas while he is busy seeking work in the Bath area. Having studied at Prior Park College and gone on to read two degrees in the art and archaeology of the Aegean it comes as no surprise that he loves Georgian architecture. He grew up among
the sumptuous fabrics and collectable pieces that his mother, Ursula used in her business as an interior designer, and the pair now work together. Past projects include townhouses in various parts of London. Maximilian’s design style is about combining comfort with individuality and aesthetics. He said: “It’s also about the statement pieces that provide each room with a focus and direction.” He also enjoys sourcing original pieces at auction rooms and sales. Distinctive Interiors’ brochure Detailed Design, can be enjoyed on its new website, visit: www.distinctiveinteriors.co.uk.
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YOURfuture
Buy-to-let property: own it privately or through a company?
Five tips for buying an annuity
We have been asked this question by clients with their own companies looking to invest profits they generate in property and also by private clients looking to spread their investment portfolios and considering incorporation. Generally the tax on rent received can be reduced if it is put through a company and where you are otherwise paying income tax at the higher rates – 40% or 50% The downside is that if you are a higher rate tax payer and need to draw that income from the company, you’ll suffer additional personal tax and the benefit is lost. The position however becomes entirely different if you can retain the profits within a company and time your drawings for future years, when you can manage your income below the higher rate tax thresholds. This may be because of reduced business activities, lower income from other sources or because you have retired and are deferring income from pension funds. It’s important to remember that you can structure a company’s ownership to allow spouses and family members to receive dividends, spreading the income and the tax burden. There is an additional benefit. If during ownership the property has increased in value, then when it is sold the Capital Gain is taxable at 20% in the company, whereas personally you could be paying up to 28% Whilst there are specific allowances that can affect the final result, these principles generally apply. Individual circumstances need to be considered properly and the above reviewed as part of your overall tax planning and property investment portfolio, together with your expectations regarding future rental and capital growth. At OCL we have been looking after small businesses (turnovers from £20,000 to £3 million) for more than twenty years and have clients who have been with us throughout. We would be pleased to meet you to discuss the above and any other tax, financial and accounting matters that would help you, including how we can help you save money.
Deciding how to take your pension benefits is one of the most important financial decisions you'll ever make. Roger Perry of Monahans Financial Services Ltd shares five key tips that could help you boost the income you receive in retirement. 1. Shop around You don't have to take your annuity income from your pension company. In fact you should shop around to find the best deal. Some annuity providers also take your health into account, so you could boost your income depending on your health and lifestyle. 2. Consider your options carefully You can't change an annuity once it's set up. On the one hand this can offer valuable security as your income won't change, no matter what happens in the future. However this makes it vital to choose your annuity carefully at the start. You can build in 'extras' such as an increasing income. 3. Keep an eye on events that could affect your income In December annuity rates become unisex, due to new legislation from the EU, and as a result male annuity rates could fall by up to 13%. 4. Consider the alternatives The main alternative is income drawdown which offers greater flexibility than an annuity but it is higher risk and therefore not suitable for everyone. 5. De-risk your pension If your pension is invested in the stock market, then its value will fluctuate. As you approach retirement you should consider gradually switching it out of the stock market into less volatile assets, and eventually cash (the value of these funds can still fall) to protect your fund from sudden falls. Contact Roger on 01225 785570 email him at roger.perry@monahansfsl.co.uk or visit Monahans website for further information on this subject.
www.monahans-fsl.co.uk
See our website for more – and download our FREE guides Call Marie Maggs or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no obligation meeting – we’re pleased to help. 141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL
www.oclaccountancy.com WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS The Bath Rugby Foundation is dedicated to inspiring, supporting and helping young people in the Bath area under the umbrella of sport – Rosie Parry met its founder and manager, Jimmy Deane
W
ith the London 2012 Olympics over and the Paralympics well under way, attentions are now turning to the all important legacy of London 2012 – to inspire a generation. But here in Bath this mission was taken on long before the hype of the London Games’ by ex-Bath rugby player, Jimmy Deane, and has since helped around 120,000 young people in sport and in other aspects of their lives. The Bath Rugby Foundation has evolved organically since its modest beginnings in November 2003, with Jimmy at its helm encouraging a team spirit with his infectious passion and unremitting energy to give something back. “I was one of the kids who came to see Bath play and I then played for the team for 11 years when it was amateur, so it’s is close to my heart. I was born and bred in Bath so to be able to do something for local people and under the Bath Rugby banner, I feel incredibly lucky. What we get back from helping young people – you can’t put a price on it.” Of the Olympic and Paralympic Games’ message, Jimmy simply says: “The legacy is a thought process to get people doing more. Our response is that we will continue to support and facilitate those people doing exercise – we are not trying to get people to the Olympics or make them into rugby players, we are just inspiring them and helping them learn through sport.” The Foundation works across three broad areas – Inclusion, Education, and Sport – in schools and hospices and uses sport as a driving force to help motivate and inspire young people – to help them to achieve their best academically and to encourage them to lead a healthy and social lifestyle. The specialised programmes include the Hitz Project which targets young people 64 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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at risk of exclusion and anti-social behaviour and introduces them to touch, tag and contact rugby as a means to raise their aspirations and the bursary scheme which encourages young people to volunteer in the community and in return receive funding and support to complete accredited professional courses. Another programme is tackling writing, a pioneering literacy project that uses a behind-the-scenes visit to the Rec and the opportunity to interview a Bath Rugby player, to inspire youngsters to improve their writing skills – Jimmy says that often their behaviour also improves. Many of the people the Foundation team work with are from disadvantaged backgrounds or are disabled and the programmes are
What we get back from helping ❝ young people – you can’t put a price on it ❞
particularly tailored to enhance self-esteem. Jimmy remembered one case that touched them all: “A parent rang up whose son had been involved with our tackling writing project – he had really struggled with English at school. But she rang to say that he had ended up doing his GCSE in English early.” The bursary scheme has also developed into an apprenticeship programme which proved extremely successful in 2010. Of the three people who gained a placement, two qualified with an NVQ Level 2 in sports coaching and got a job with the Foundation. This year, although two places have already been filled there is one place still available. This type of achievement is a testament to the benefit of having a charity like this in our city.
SPORTING HEROES: main picture, ex-Bath Rugby players Andy Beattie and Lewis Moody with a young person taking part in the Inclusion project
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RUGBYfoundation AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY: right, the Bath Rugby Foundation team teaching movement, co-ordination and rugby skills as part of the Up and Unders programme; the team in front of the Bath Rugby Transport Incubator Bay at the RUH with Jimmy Deane (foreground)
The Foundation steers the young people in the right direction over a number of weeks or years, tackling not only issues that affect them at school but also in their later years such as when attempting to find employment or when tackling different social situations. This is something the Foundation hopes to build on as unemployment remains a national issue. The Foundation team also hope to expand their fundraising events, volunteering programme and to continue to work with all age groups. Fundraising events are essential to spread its message, to help continue its work with children, and to provide funds for cornerstones of the local community, such as the RUH. The next confirmed event will be Light at the Rec on Saturday 3 November where the Foundation team will be handing out lightup branded balloons from 6.30pm. They also utilize rugby players to act as role models for the children and allocates each of them a position within the charity – ex-England captain Lewis Moody is the writing ambassador –
as well as paralympic ambassadors and sports coaches. Jimmy says that they often go above and beyond what they are asked. “At our annual awards ceremony in the Guildhall there was food left over and it was late, about 11pm. But the players that were there said let’s not waste it, and they packed it up and took it there and then to Julian House as a gift to the night shelter – this encapsulates everything we stand for.” Out of the 12 premiership rugby clubs only around half have a Foundation and Bath Rugby Foundation is quite rightly up there in the success rates. Its success is perhaps down to its uniqueness. It was never planned, there was no strategy, it just evolved from the bottom up with the help of dedicated and passionate staff offering support and encouragement to children who may have never had any before. ■ To find out more about the Foundation’s programmes or the apprenticeship space, visit: www.bathrugby.com/foundation or for Bath Rugby’s new season fixtures, visit: www.bathrugby.com
BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS FROM £10,000
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EDUCATING Bath Our comprehensive guide to education in and around Bath Choosing a new school for your child is no mean feat, whether they’re about to start primary school for the first time or make the jump up to secondary education. As a parent the best way to ensure you find the right school for your child is to do a bit of your own homework. If you’re considering independent schooling now is the time to start looking ahead to next autumn and researching the options available in the Bath area. Schools are becoming increasingly aware of the need to offer an all-round education and a broad range of extra-curricular activities to engage pupils outside the classroom. Most parents will be looking for a school that balances a strong academic reputation with this extra-curricular provision and the result is schools with an evergrowing list of clubs and activities to offer. If your child isn’t particularly academically minded a school strong in the extracurricular department can provide the perfect opportunity for your child to really engage at school and become part of the community. While some schools may be highly selective there are plenty that cater for a more average ability, or even specialise in helping children in need of individual attention. Other considerations should include the size of a school – while some children may thrive in a more
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competitive environment, others will benefit from being able to progress at their own pace without pressure from peers. Pastoral care is an important factor, especially if you are looking at full-time or part-time boarding. Will the school nurture and emotionally support your child, while also teaching them the skills to become a confident, independent individual? Equally as important is the social aspect. Children will be hoping for a school where they can make plenty of friends and develop a wide and welcoming social circle. Open days provide the best opportunity to really get a feel for a school – the staff, facilities, current pupils and the general atmosphere. These visits will enable you to see which school is the best fit for your child’s skills, personality and educational needs. Bath is home to a number of schools which offer a unique combination of facilities and opportunities. In our education guide you can discover a little more about what each school offers and find out what they think makes them stand out above the rest. Main picture: the back to school range from Florence and Fred at Tesco. www.clothingatttesco.com
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Alfresco adventures
GO WILD IN THE COUNTRY: Steve Sutherland with pupils from King Edward’s Junior School
An English wood of oak trees, streams and birds has become the latest classroom for children in the Bath area, since Steve Sutherland extended his Hidden Woods experience to offering a weekly forest school. Several local schools, including Freshford Primary, Newbridge Primary and King Edward’s Junior School, have already enjoyed alfresco adventures and there are opportunities for home-educated and flexischooled children too. Sessions are led by Steve and outdoor leader Barney. Steve, who is CRB cleared and is qualified in first aid says: “Outdoor learning is being increasingly recognised as playing a key role in holistic child development, and we’re very excited to be establishing this weekly group which will embrace all the opportunities that our natural classroom presents.” Hidden Woods is a mix of woodland activities for adults as well as children, such as overnight camps for families and a parent and toddler group, and is set in 80 acres of woodland near Norton St Philip.
Creating a young chamber
The big red chair in school ■ The Paragon School is to host a series of events for other schools as part of this month’s Telegraph Bath Festival of Children’s Literature. As a sponsor of the event, the school will also be supporting five of the most renowned authors of children’s contemporary literature – Michael Morpurgo, Michael Rosen, Lauren Child, Debi Gliori, and Michelle Paver. As part of the partnership between Bath Festivals and The Prior Foundation the Paragon is hosting public events and a series of author events for other schools. Lindsay Bloom, who is head of literacy at The Paragon, said: “We want to instil a deep love of stories and a passion for reading. As Dr Seuss would say ‘Be awesome. Be a book nut’. That’s why we love the Kids’ Lit Fest; it has the same ethos. “
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There’s a very exciting opportunity for young musicians in Bath as the University of Bath launches its Chamber Music Project under the watchful baton of Professor Robert Turrell of the Royal Academy of Music. Players who are of at least Grade 8 standard and are aged between 16 and 25 will be able to audition from Monday 3 October for a place on the autumn music project. This eight-week experience gives musicians the chance to work with Professor Turrell
and to create chamber ensembles which can then go on concert tour. There will be a charge for the eight-week course, but bursaries are available. For information, or to apply for an audition, email: ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk. A second music project – all part of the university raising its musical profile prior to the opening of a new arts centre in 2014 – will be focussed on jazz and will take place next spring with Somerset-based musician Pee Wee Ellis as tutor.
Drama school equips young for real life While not everyone will be the next Daniel Radcliffe, there is no doubt that developing the confidence learned through drama can help equip people for the challenges of every day life, including job interviews and work-based presentations. The Bath-based TK Theatre School provides a fun environment in which children aged six to 17 learn to sing, dance and act, whether they have experience or not. Classes are split into age groups, and cover the main areas of performance – including musical theatre and pop singing, drama and improvisation, streetdance and jazz dance.
Students can enter for Trinity Musical Theatre exams and take part in productions. Recent shows include 13 The Musical, High School Musical, The Jungle Book, The Wiz and Beauty and The Beast. They have also recorded a CD and are featured on the BBC Children In Need album performing with Lee Mead. For more information about TK Theatre School and to enrol for a free trial taster session on Saturday 15 September, visit: www.tracykingtheatreschool.com or contact Tracy King on tel: 07990 527299.
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Hayesfield Girls’ School Upper Oldfield Park, Brougham Hayes, Bath, BA2 3QU. Tel: 01225 426 151 www.hayesfield.com Autumn Term: 3 September – 21 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 22 July 13 Age of Pupils: 11 – 16 girls, 16 – 18 co-educational Number of Pupils: 1,127 Day Fees: N/A Religious Denomination: Nondenominational The Curriculum: Innovative curriculum design offers a range of stimulating learning opportunities which support the development of good habits of learning – a wide range of sporting activities, independence of thought, intellectual curiosity, creativity and resilience. The outstanding range includes access to more than 40 A Level subjects and the AQA Baccalaureate in the sixth form. Extra Curricular Activities: Pupils participate in a variety of activities and events geared towards building on current talents while encouraging new interests, intellectual pursuits and development of leadership and research skills. Clubs in all subjects directly support the curriculum while others provide more general enrichment, such as the school magazine, an environment group and the school debating society. Pastoral Care: Hayesfield is a happy, caring and safe community where every individual is valued, respected and nurtured to develop their full potential. There is a strong community spirit and sense of belonging in the school and pupils learn together in an atmosphere of co-operation and trust. In 2009 Ofsted noted that “pupils receive excellent care, guidance and support and there is a strong ethos of tolerance and mutual support.” The campus style setting creates small unique schools within one larger community which is appreciated by pupils and parents. Name of Principal: Ms Erica Draisey (pictured above) Outstanding Characteristics: Hayesfield is an outstanding school where sustained high standards are expected and excellence encouraged. One of its greatest strengths is the range of opportunities offered for all students whatever their interests, aptitudes and abilities. Pupils are supported and challenged to stretch their intellects and their talents, to find their own voice, to shoulder responsibility and, above all, to be positive about themselves and their futures.
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Beechen Cliff School
Oldfield School
Alexandra Park, Bath, BA2 4RE Tel: 01225 480 466 www.beechencliff.org.uk
Kelston Road, Bath, BA1 9AB Tel: 01225 423 582 www.oldfield.bathnes.sch.uk
Autumn Term: 3 September – 21 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 12 July 13
Autumn Term: 3 September – 21 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 22 July 13
Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years
Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 boys and girls
Number of Pupils: 1,160 boys
Number of Pupils: 800
Day Fees: None (for pupils outside the UK £4,500- £5,500 pa).
Day Fees: N/A
Religious Denomination: None The Curriculum: A wide-ranging academic curriculum which includes GCSEs in classical civilisation, Latin and psychology. At A Level the school offers more than 40 courses of study, and the AQA Baccalaureate. Extra Curricular Activities: A huge range of extra-curricular activities on offer include cricket, rugby, hockey, football, tennis and shooting. Debating, public speaking, F1 and robotics are supplemented by the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and the Combined Cadet Force. Pastoral Care: Personal care and guidance is exceptional at the school, with each boy and sixth form student being looked after within the house to which he is allocated on entry. Name of Principal: Mr Andrew Davies Outstanding Characteristics: A school which provides great food, incredible extracurricular provision and a highly successful academic curriculum. “Beechen Cliff School provides an outstanding education for its boys and sixth form students, which reflects its values of high aspirations and success for all. A significant strength of the school is the way in which it identifies differing ability groups, thus enabling the most-able boys to gain the highest grades possible and yet successfully supporting those who find learning more challenging to achieve examination results of which they can be proud.” Ofsted Report 2011.
Religious Denomination: Nondenominational The Curriculum: Oldfield provides a broad and balanced curriculum which celebrates the achievements of each and every individual. At KS4 GCSE courses are offered including business studies, dance, physics, chemistry and biology. In the sixth form students take AS and A Levels including philosophy and ethics, dance, applied science, photography, psychology and computing. Students can also take the Sports Leaders’ Award, and Food Hygiene Award and the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness. Residential experiences are built into the curriculum so that students may choose to go on outdoor activities in Bude, Oxenwood or Aberdovey, on languagebased visits to France, on World Challenge Expeditions to Morocco, Costa Rica or Cambodia or ski trips. Extra Curricular Activities: Students have access to an extensive extra-curricular provision including public speaking, creative writing, drama, music, rowing, judo, dance, fencing and Duke of Edinburgh Award. Pastoral Care: Ofsted said: “The personal development and well-being of the students is excellent. Their personal development is underpinned by exemplary provision for their care and support. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is excellent.” Name of Principal: Mrs Kim Sparling Outstanding Characteristics: Oldfield has been designated a High Performing Specialist School with three separate specialisms: arts (with English as the lead subject), science and sports. As a school rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted it converted to academy status. The headteacher is a National Leader of Education and the school is a National Support School (tasked to help other schools improve). Boys were admitted to Year 7 for the first time in September 2012.
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St Mark’s C of E School St Mark’s Church of England School, Bay Tree Road, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6ND. Tel: 01225 312 661 www.st-marks.bathnes.sch.uk Autumn Term: 3 September – 21 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 22 July 13 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18. The New Sixth, the joint sixth form provision for St Mark’s C of E School and St Gregory’s Catholic College, opens September 2013 Number of Pupils: 255 Day Fees: N/A Religious Denomination: Church of England The Curriculum: St Mark’s is a co-educational C of E School founded on Christian values with a strong family and community ethos. Academic achievement and excellent pastoral care is the force behind every aspect of life at St Mark’s. In 2012 the school achieved a second successive year of record-breaking GCSE results. Extra Curricular Activities: Students are encouraged to take part in a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities to promote wellbeing and increase participation in the community. These include residential visits, after-school clubs and community projects, including Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Pastoral Care: “St Mark’s School is a distinctive caring Christian community with a strong and inclusive family ethos.” SIAS Report. The personal development and wellbeing of students is paramount and Christian values are central to their educational purpose. Pastoral care is based on a house system and each young person becomes a member of a supportive ‘family’. The Sanctuary is the school’s own Chaplaincy provision and is supported by a full-time Chaplain to provide a quiet space for contemplation. Name of Principal: Mr Raymond Friel MA (Hons), NPQH, National Leader of Education. Outstanding Characteristics: St Mark’s is an ‘Outstanding Church of England School’ (SIAS) and rated by Ofsted as ‘Good’. It has around 500 places, below the national average, making it an attractive option for parents looking for a small, distinctive school for their child. Since September 2011, St Mark’s has been working with St Gregory’s Catholic College, under the framework of the Bath Christian Federation, with the overriding educational philosophy for Christian personalisation and deep attention for all.
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St Gregory’s
King Edward’s School
St Gregory’s Catholic College, Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA. Tel: 01225 832 873 www.st-gregorys.bathnes.sch.uk Autumn Term: 3 September – 21 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 22 July 13 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18. The New Sixth, the joint sixth form provision for St Mark’s C of E School and St Gregory’s Catholic College, opens September 2013 Number of Pupils: 803 Day Fees: N/A Religious Denomination: Catholic The Curriculum: The school has a reputation for academic excellence, based on consistently strong performances in public examinations, with GCSE results among the best in the country. In 2012, 50% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate, more than double the national average, and 30% of all GCSE entries achieved A*– A. Extra Curricular Activities: The extracurricular activities at St Gregory’s provide all students with enriched opportunities to support their learning. There is a vibrant sports culture at the school with many regional awards for rugby, football, netball and basketball, as well as having some outstanding individual athletes of national reputation. Pastoral Care: As a catholic school, St Gregory’s aims to promote the dignity and well-being of every child to ensure that they flourish in an inclusive atmosphere with a high level of pastoral care. Not all children are catholic and the school welcomes applications from families who share their sense of values and want their children educated in a high achieving Christian environment. Name of Principal: Mr Raymond Friel MA (Hons), NPQH, National Leader of Education. Outstanding Characteristics: St Gregory’s, in the words of their most recent Ofsted report is, “an outstanding college where students thrive.” Every aspect of their provision was judged as outstanding. The Good Schools Guide 2011 describes St Gregory’s as a, “top choice non-fee paying catholic secondary in the area, in our view. Long journey times from huge catchment areas and hotly contested places are testament to the thirst for this kind of spiritually-led education, which turns out great results and thoroughly nice kids.”
King Edward’s Senior and Junior School, North Road, Bath; King Edward’s Pre-Prep Nursery, Weston Lane, Bath. Senior School tel: 01225 421 681; Junior school tel: 01225 463 218; Pre-Prep tel: 01225 421 681 www.kesbath.com Autumn Term: 5 September – 14 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 10 April – 10 July 13 Age of Pupils: 3 – 18 across senior school, junior school and pre-prep Number of Pupils: Senior school 697, Junior 195, Pre-Prep and Nursery 100 Day Fees: Sixth form £3,905; Senior school £3,655; Junior school £2,890; Prep-Prep £2,755; Nursery £2,265 Religious Denomination: Non-denominational. Spiritual development is nurtured by a well developed sense of community, supportive relationships and the vital contribution of tutors and the school chaplain. The Curriculum: Every individual is encouraged to strive for excellence and to acquire a life-long passion for knowledge, discovery, creativity and culture. There is breadth in the curriculum as well as academic rigour. A range of subjects are taught at GCSE, AS and A Level. Extra Curricular Activities: Pupils’ educational experience is enhanced by an extensive programme of activities including expedition society, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force, drama, music, sports, Model United Nations, debating society, astronomy, philosophy, society, first aid, literary club and recreational clubs such as modelling, jewellery and book club. Pastoral Care: A recent ISI report found the quality of pastoral care, support and guidance to be ‘outstanding’. The school offers a strong, caring and supportive pastoral framework, working closely with parents to ensure that all members of the school community feel respected and valued. Name of Principal: Mr Martin Boden Outstanding Characteristics: The school is in The Telegraph’s top ten independent coeducational day schools based on A Level and GCSE results.
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The Royal High School
Kingswood School
Church Road, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 7ET. Tel: 01225 837 912 www.monktoncombeschool.com
Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 5SZ. Tel: 01225 313 877 www.royalhighbath.gdst.net
Lansdown, Bath, BA1 5RG. Tel: 01225 734 210 www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk
Autumn Term: 3 September – 12 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 15 April – 6 July 13
Autumn Term: 5 September – 14 December 12 Spring Term: 8 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 11 July 13
Autumn Term: 5 September – 13 December 12 Spring Term: 8 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 16 April – 6 July 13
Age of Pupils: 2 – 13
Age of Pupils: Girls aged 3 – 18
Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years
Number of Pupils: 352
Number of Pupils: 680
Number of Pupils: 670
Day Fees: Pre-Prep £2,675 – £2,865 Prep (day) £3,495 – £4,900 Prep (boarding) £6,580 – £6,995
Day Fees: £2,562 per term (nursery) – £3,710 per term (sixth form college).
Day Fees: Day pupils, £4,059; boarding, £7,302 (weekly) – £8,747 (full) pa
Religious Denomination: Non-denominational Religious Denomination: Christian The Curriculum: Pre-Prep: Nursery, Kindergarten or Reception: National guidelines for the teaching of under fives. Year 1 and 2 follow the National Curriculum at Key Stage 1. Prep School: year 3 to year 6: National Curriculum at Key Stage 2. Year 7 to year 8: National Curriculum at Key Stage 3, Common Entrance and Scholarship. Extra Curricular Activities: Riding, fencing, tennis, cub-scout group, swimming, football, drama, choir, art club – the choice of activities at the Prep is extremely varied. The activity programme is one of the most exciting parts of life at Monkton Prep. Pastoral Care: Maintaining the delicate balance between academic success and personal development is one of the school’s great strengths and the happiness of every child is of paramount importance. The pastoral care system is designed to make each child feel valued and supported as well as identifying any problems at a very early stage. The headmaster and his family and house parents with their families all live on site, creating a warm, family atmosphere. Name of Principal: Mr Chris Stafford Outstanding Characteristics: Monkton Prep has recently been inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and achieved the most remarkable results of ‘excellent’ in all five main categories and each of the 15 sub-sections. This means that every part of the school from nursery through to boarding was judged to be at the level of excellence. The school is proud of this but what Monkton Prep stands up for is traditional and lasting Christian family values, defending the right of children to be children, and ensuring that every child who passes through Monkton Prep goes into the so-called real world a decent, upright, moral and emotionally intelligent human being, able to play a part in transforming society.
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The Curriculum: Each girl is encouraged to achieve a balanced programme of study across the curriculum and beyond it, so that their options for their future education and beyond, are broad and enjoyable. If girls love what they do, they will do it much better, which is why the girls consistently achieve some of the best academic results. As girls progress through the school they will enrich and extend their abilities and broaden their knowledge beyond traditional horizons. Please visit the website for curriculum details. Extra Curricular Activities: To enable the girls to develop fully as independent learners and to strengthen their connections to and understanding of the world around them, it’s important for them to build a healthy balance between academic and non-academic life. Whether it’s fencing or French, swimming or science club, debating or digital photography, the school encourages the girls to take up one or two activities, to develop a passion, have fun and make new friends. Pastoral Care: The school is renowned for its outstanding one-to-one pastoral care. Pastoral care and academic development go hand-inhand. The school knows that girls perform best when they are happy and secure, so have developed a caring and supportive community providing a real sense of belonging. The school recognises the pressures and uncertainties moving from childhood to adulthood so if the girls have any worries at all, there is always someone qualified to talk to. Name of Principal: Mrs Rebecca Dougall MA Outstanding Characteristics: The all-through, girls education is unique in Bath. The school embraces all-round excellence and helps every girl to be happy and to be who she wants to be. This is achieved via a rich curriculum, with every opportunity for girls to focus on their strengths but also to develop their skills and talents across the broadest academic, social and personal spectrum. The school develops the confidence, capabilities and character needed to underpin success at university, and beyond, to achieve ambitions in every aspect of life. The Royal High is the only school within the Girls’ Day School Trust to offer boarding in addition to day provision and the only one to offer the International Baccalaureate at sixth form.
Religious Denomination: Methodist Foundation The Curriculum: Kingswood School provides a broad and balanced curriculum to foster every individual’s educational development – spiritual, moral, social, academic, cultural and physical. Kingswood has a tradition of dedicated teachers who give generously of themselves. This results in high academic standards and excellent performances in public examinations. Extra Curricular Activities: Kingswood offers pupils around 100 recreational activities, clubs and societies. Creative, sporting and musical activities are positively encouraged, providing a high level of fun and fulfilment for all ages. Pupils are also able to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and join the local CCF. Pastoral Care: Pastoral care has been judged as ‘exceptional’ at inspection and the relationships between staff and pupils in the school are highly regarded by parents. Each senior school pupil has a personal tutor who mentors them. The tutor keeps in close contact with parents or guardians and is responsible for assisting each tutee with their own independent learning plan, so that, through discussion, personal targets can be set regularly and support provided to achieve pupils’ aims. The boarding and day pupils combine throughout the house system which ensures a strong sense of community. Name of Principal: Mr Simon Morris Outstanding Characteristics: Kingswood welcomes students from many parts of the world to enrich the learning experience of all pupils. Particular strengths in music and drama enhance the academic reputation. A school that embraces all round excellence and prepares children for their adult lives.
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The Paragon School
Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH. Tel: 01225 831 000 www.thepriorfoundation.com
Lyncombe House, Lyncombe Vale, BA2 4LT. Tel: 01225 310 837 www.thepriorfoundation.com
Autumn Term: 3 September – 13 December 12 Spring Term: 6 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 15 April – 6 July 13
Autumn Term: 5 September – 14 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 16 April – 9 July 13
Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years
Age of Pupils: 3 – 11
Number of Pupils: 580+
Number of Pupils: 240+
Day Fees: Per term: Day: Years 7 – 8 £4,219, Years 9 – 13 £4,701; full boarding: Years 9 – 13 £8,478; weekly boarding: Years 9 – 13 £6,718
Day Fees: Years 3 – 6 £2,792; Years 1 – 2 £2,657; Reception £2,506; Nursery £2,386
Religious Denomination: Catholic The Curriculum: The school offers 23 AS and A2 subjects including philosophy, classical civilisation, music technology, dance and theology. Most pupils study 10 or 11 GCSE subjects with drama, classical civilisation, Latin and PE on offer as some of the options. Broad-based curriculum in lower years.
Name of Principal: Mr James MurphyO’Connor Outstanding Characteristics: A happy, purposeful, high achieving community in which talents can blossom without censure from peers.
Age of Pupils: 5 – 13 years Number of Pupils: 48 Day Fees: £4,900 per term (£14,700 per year) includes all remedial support required to meet each pupil’s individual needs. Religious Denomination: Christian The Curriculum: Broad, balanced curriculum, with cross-curricular links and some topicbased work. Emphasis on core subjects and attaining high academic standards, with engaging humanities curriculum and crosscurricular ICT. Sport, art and music are strong. Extra Curricular Activities: A fantastic choice of extra-curricular activities from pottery and chess to conservation and gymnastics. Staff run around 50 lunchtime and after school clubs and children can join whichever clubs they want, regardless of ability. There is also a rich mix of school trips and activity days including a week in France for children in Year 6, visits to local theatres and a residential adventure centre, and many themed days that make full use of the grounds. Pastoral Care: Every child at The Paragon should feel secure and affirmed, valued for who they are regardless of their ability. Children feel comfortable about approaching a teacher to talk about something that’s bothering them. Strong relationships with parents help identify problems at an early stage. Each class has a prefect, chosen from the eldest year group, to support and advise them. A school council, with democratically elected representatives from Year 2 up meets monthly with the headmaster. Name of Principal: Mr Andrew Harvey Outstanding Characteristics: The friendly, ‘family’ atmosphere is what makes The Paragon so special.
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Thickwood Lane, Colerne, Wiltshire, SN14 8BN. Tel: 01225 742 329 www.CalderHouseSchool.co.uk Head@CalderHouseSchool.co.uk Autumn Term: 10 September – 19 December 12 Spring Term: 8 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 11 April – 19 July 13
Extra Curricular Activities: More than 60 weekday activities. Saturday Active is a range of exciting courses available for boarders on a Saturday morning; optional for day pupils. Pastoral Care: Classed as outstanding. Housebased pastoral care addresses the needs of the individual student.
Calder House
Religious Denomination: Non-denominational The Curriculum: Pupils follow the National Curriculum in full. Morning lessons focus on reading, writing, spelling and maths while afternoons are spent studying history, geography, science, religious studies, PSHE, information technology, spoken Italian and Latin and in small age-appropriate classes. Pupils are also taught a wide range of sports and activities including swimming, PE, football, touch-rugby, netball and cricket. A specialist approach: Calder House is a small co-educational day school for children who, for various reasons, are out of step with their potential. It offers a friendly, non-competitive environment in which children with dyslexia and other specific learning/language difficulties are encouraged to enjoy school while developing the skills they need to successfully return to mainstream education. Average class size is just eight with a staff to pupil ratio of one to four. Name of Principal: Mr Andrew Day Outstanding Characteristics: A typical pupil: - arrives with an unmeasurable reading age or one that is more than two years behind their chronological age - spends just over two years at Calder House - leaves with a reading age appropriate for their chronological age or (in the case of one in three pupils) an adult reading age - returns successfully to mainstream education.
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Sabis International Ashwicke Hall, Marshfield, Wiltshire, SN14 8AG. Tel: 01225 891 841 admissions@sisuk-sabis.net www.sisuk-sabis.net Autumn Term: 31 August – 13 December 12 Spring Term: 6 January – 11 April 13 Summer Term: 28 April – 20 June 13 Age of Pupils: 11 – 16 years (sixth form opening in 2012) Day Fees: £4,980 – £5,340 per term Religious Denomination: Non-denominational The Curriculum: SIS-UK, like all members of the worldwide SABIS® School Network, implements the SABIS® Educational System which has been developed, refined and tested for over a century. Students follow a cohesive, motivational and exciting curriculum that emphasises a well-balanced body of knowledge, skills and experiences, and prepares them for the challenges they may face in university and beyond. Strengths of the curriculum are the core subjects of English, mathematics, science and world languages. The school offers several programmes: IGCSEs followed by A Levels (starting September 2014); the International Baccalaureate (as of September 2015 and pending approval); as well as the American Advanced Placement Programme (AP). Extra Curricular Activities: Housed on the Ashwicke Estate, SIS-UK benefits from expansive grounds which are the idyllic backdrop for our students to engage in a variety of sports and activities. The school’s facilities include a football pitch, squash and tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool. Students are encouraged to join the SABIS® Student Life Organisation (SLO®), a studentled prefect system that empowers them to contribute to the managament of the school, to make a positive difference and to play an active role in their own education as well as the education of others. SLO® also provides our students with the chance to get involved in a variety of academic and non-academic activities such as tutoring other students, planning sports and social events, organising community projects, writing the school newspaper, and much more. Pastoral Care: Teaching staff and houseparents are at the heart of the care network at SIS-UK, providing all students with a supportive environment to flourish. Name of Principal: Mr David Bryson BSc (Hons) PGCE, NPQH, ML Outstanding Characteristics: Situated on 148 acres of British countryside, combined with our modern facilities, SIS-UK is the idyllic environment for our students to develop and achieve their full potential, both academically and personally. With a multi-national student body, students have the opportunity to form life-long friendships and join the international network of SABIS® alumni.
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Monkton Senior School Church Lane, Monkton Combe, Bath, BA2 7GH. Tel: 01225 721 102 www.monktoncombeschool.com Autumn Term: 3 September – 12 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 15 April – 6 July 13
St Brendan’s St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, Broomhill Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5RQ. Tel: 0117 977 7766 info@stbrn.ac.uk www.stbrn.ac.uk
Age of Pupils: 11 – 18
Autumn Term: 31 August – 21 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 12 July 13
Number of Pupils: 410
Age of Pupils: 16 – 19 years
Day Fees: £4,900 – £5,950 Boarding Fees: £6,995 – £9,400
Number of Pupils: 1,170
Religious Denomination: Christian
Day Fees: No fees for those aged 16 – 18 and resident in the UK.
The Curriculum: GCSE, AS and A Levels. Extra Curricular Activities: Rowing, cricket, rugby, tennis, swimming, gym, cookery, riding, Mandarin, choir, squash, big band, ballroom, dancing, drama, chess club, football, and bugs and bones club are among the activities on offer. The school believes that educating young people means helping them develop all their gifts. The school has also recently opened a new £3.2 million music centre. Pastoral Care: The school’s exceptional pastoral care creates a warm, friendly environment. The pastoral system means that every pupil has a choice of adult to whom they can turn for confidential advice and support – tutor, houseparent, teachers of the Chaplain. Parents have a huge role to play in the school lives of their children and so the school welcomes their involvement, celebrating successes and developing joint strategies for dealing with any problems. Name of Principal: Mr Richard Backhouse Outstanding Characteristics: At Monkton pupils grow in capability and confidence in all three areas: academically they do well – this year one of the pupils scored the top grade in Step 3, the hardest Maths paper set for school pupils; pupils are happy, articulate, sensitive to others, outward looking and thoughtful. In addition to both of these, pupils are taught to establish clear values and boundaries in a healthy and thoughtful way. A Christian ethos provides a platform to set boundaries, establish values, relate well, and seek the best. Living out those values, and for many living out their faith too, enables the school to be a purposeful and positive community experience for pupils.
Religious Denomination: St Brendan’s is a catholic college that seeks to serve the catholic and wider community. The Curriculum: St Brendan’s has more than 60 subjects at Level 2 (BTEC) and Level 3 (A Level and BTEC) to choose from including the International Baccalaureate. Extra Curricular Activities: Learning is not just about the qualifications you gain but also about growing and developing as a person. At St Brendan’s, opportunities are endless, with over 25 different activities to choose from. These range from activities that enhance the courses you take (Young Enterprise, Cine-Club); ones that you feel passionately about (Fair Trade, Social Justice and CAFOD); or ones that offer a challenge or chance to keep fit (Duke of Edinburgh, aerobics, rugby). Pastoral Care: St Brendan’s is an ambitious college with high aspirations for students. The highly skilled teachers specialise in post16 teaching, delivering excellent teaching and learning opportunities. In addition, the level of care and support was judged ‘outstanding’ (Ofsted 2010). The college has a dedicated team who provide additional learning support, which is tailored to individual needs. The learning support team offers one-to-one help or small group support to allow you to develop the necessary skills to succeed. All this, combined with a distinctive catholic ethos, where each individual is regarded as a unique creation of God in an environment of respect, care and tolerance for each other, means that all of the ingredients are there for you to fulfil your potential and realise your aspirations. If you are ambitious to achieve highly in a more adult atmosphere, the school would be delighted to welcome you and guide you to success. Name of Principal: Mr Michael Jaffrain Outstanding Characteristics: St Brendan’s Sixth Form College is the only dedicated sixth form provider in the area and our self contained campus and state-of-the-art buildings provide a unique community feel.
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All Hallows
West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 4HE. Tel: 01380 814 500 www.dauntseys.org
Cranmore Hall, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4SF. Tel: 01749 881600 www.allhallowsschool.co.uk
Autumn Term: 7 September – 15 December 12 Spring Term: 8 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 17 April – 6 July 13
Autumn Term: 6 September – 12 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 27 March 13 Summer Term: 22 April – 6 July 13
Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years
Age of Pupils: 4 – 13 years
Number of Pupils: 770
Number of Pupils: 310
Day Fees: Day pupils: £5,350 per term UK boarders: £9,020 per term
Day Fees: Pre-Prep: £2,350, Prep: £4,425, Boarding: £6,550
Religious Denomination: Inter-denominational
Religious Denomination: Catholic Foundation welcoming all faiths
The Curriculum: The curriculum throughout the school is broad and balanced, offering all pupils the opportunity to study an extensive range of subjects. Lessons are delivered by specialist teachers in a challenging and stimulating environment that is conducive to a positive and enjoyable learning experience for the pupils. Dauntsey’s is keen to promote independent learning, enabling pupils to fulfil their potential and develop a range of key skills needed in later life. The timetable offers a great deal of flexibility with a well-structured weekly lesson arrangement and the extensive options system provides well for the different interests and aptitudes of all pupils. Extra Curricular Activities: All pupils discover a breadth and depth of education that takes them beyond academic achievement. Drama, music, art and sport all flourish and the rural surroundings provide an ideal setting for many outdoor activities which include sailing on the school’s very own Tall Ship, the famous 56’ gaff cutter, the Jolie Brise. Pastoral Care: At Dauntsey’s each pupil joins a boarding or day house and is supported by his or her housemaster or housemistress and a team of tutors. Their aim is to ensure each pupil fulfils their potential and makes the most of the varied opportunities on offer at Dauntsey’s. Name of Principal: Mr Mark Lascelles MA Outstanding Characteristics: The equal balance of boarding and day pupils, the wide range of facilities, and the excellent pastoral support ensure that everyone feels part of the community. Visitors comment on the happy and friendly atmosphere; the energy, purpose and determination to do well.
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The Curriculum: The all-round development of children is at the heart of the ethos at All Hallows. The school promotes an individualised, holistic approach to learning, to inspire each child to fulfil their potential. The experienced team at All Hallows works with parents to prepare children for the changing world they are growing up in, encouraging them to live responsibly and compassionately and to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Children in Reception to Year 5 follow the International Primary Curriculum. This cutting-edge, thematic curriculum helps to produce resilient, adaptable, and confident learners, well prepared for secondary school. All Hallows runs a Saturday enrichment programme endorsed by some of the country’s leading lights in education, psychology and motivation. The programme is focused on pupils all-round personal development and includes a range of innovative activities to inspire and engage the children. Extra Curricular Activities: The individualised Activities Programme and the wide-ranging opportunities afforded to the children is a critical part of the All Hallows ethos and so many children embrace this. Opportunities exist across an extensive range of interests including sport, art, performing arts, music, LTA Tennis Academy, forest school, cookery, photography and many more. Pastoral Care: Pastoral care at All Hallows is outstanding – ensuring the happiness, welfare, health and safety of our pupils is the highest priority. Catholic, Christian values underpin all that the school does. In a recent Ofsted Inspection, the links the school has with its parents and the community were recognised as being of a high quality and the report noted that “pupils are exceptionally well cared for.” The results of a recent inspection of the Boarding provision were exceptional with ratings of ‘outstanding’ in every category with no recommendations for improvement.
Westonbirt School
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QG. Tel: 01666 881 400 www.rhwestonbirt.co.uk Autumn Term: 2 September – 15 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 16 April – 6 July 13 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of Pupils: 220 Day Fees: Day girls: £5,485 – £6,755; boarders: £8,190 – £10,240 per term Religious Denomination: Church of England The Curriculum: Girls in the lower school benefit from a full range of core subjects plus geography, history, IT, sport, art, drama, design technology, music, textiles and food technology. In the sixth form, the sciences, English and mathematics are among the most popular courses, and numbers have increased by a third in the last couple of years, with nearly all students gaining a place at their first choice university. Extra Curricular Activities: Art, drama, music and sport are very well represented, but there are also all kinds of other activities and clubs, from science to swimming and fencing to polo. With a leisure centre (25m heated pool, fitness suite, sports hall and aerobics studio), there are plenty of options. Weekend activities, which include the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and organised outings, are open to day girls as well as boarders. The school is particularly good at Young Enterprise and girls often reach the regional finals and beyond. Pastoral Care: “The arrangements for the pastoral care, welfare, health and safety of all pupils are excellent and fulfil the school’s aims to provide a stimulating education within a friendly environment,” – ISI 2011. The headmistress knows all the girls individually and the girls have an excellent rapport with teachers, tutors and housemistresses alike. The Christian ethos underpins all that the school does.
Name of Principal: Mr Ian Murphy
Name of Principal: Mrs Mary Henderson, MA. From January 2013, Mrs Natasha Dangerfield
Outstanding Characteristics: An independent and innovative prep school promoting individualised learning and personal growth, underpinned by warm relationships and characterised by the Catholic Christian ethos and values.
Outstanding Characteristics: The beautiful house and grounds create an inspirational and safe environment in which to learn. Girls achieve their full potential and develop into confident and well-balanced individuals.
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Grittelton House School Grittleton House School, Grittleton, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6AP. www.gritteltonhouseschool.org
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Wells Cathedral School 15 The Liberty, Wells, BA5 2ST Admissions Tel: 01749 834 213
Autumn Term: 3 September – 19 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 3 July 13
The school has a six-term year, typically running from September – October; November – December; January – February; February – April; April – May; June – July
Age of Pupils: 2 – 16
Age of Pupils: 3 – 18
Number of Pupils: 223
Number of Pupils: 700
Day Fees: £6,840 – £10,200
Day Fees: Junior school: £2,141 (reception and pre-prep) – £5,069 (years 10 – 13) per term
Religious Denomination: Non-denominational Religious Denomination: Christian Extra Curricular Activities: Grittelton House offers a broad range of extra-curricular activites, including tennis, judo, guitar, science club, piano and brass. Pastoral Care: In the Infant and Junior School, each class has a form teacher who is responsible for the overall learning and care of each child within their class. Parents are encouraged to visit the classrooms in the infant school when dropping children off to admire their work and keep in contact with the form teacher. As the children move through the Junior School they become more independent, and so visits by parents to the classroom become less frequent. Each pupil has a home message book or homework diary. For those parents who do not visit Grittleton on a regular basis, this is usually the first method of communication. The teachers can of course be contacted at any time should the need arise. In the Senior School pupils will usually have the same form teacher for at least four years. The form teacher is responsible for their pastoral care and the supervision of each individual’s progress. Time is allocated each day for form business, advice and guidance. Name of Principal: Mr N Dawes Outstanding Characteristics: Grittleton House School is a small, family-run independent coeducational school. It is set in 30 acres of Wiltshire countryside and has a staff of highly qualified and dedicated teachers. The school believes in traditional family values, courtesy, consideration and responsibility for oneself. The aim is to help each child achieve their full potential in every field, and the school motto ‘To strive is to Accomplish’ is, it hopes, a daily fact of life. As a non-selective school, there is always a large range of abilities – the brightest children are encouraged to accept more challenges: those who need it will be given extra help. By the time the children leave Grittleton House, the school hopes that not only will they have achieved excellent academic results, but that they will have a feeling of self-worth and the confidence and values to equip them for a happy and successful life in society.
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Ralph Allen School
The Curriculum: English, maths, science, history, geography, geology, ICT, drama, music, art & design technology, games, PSHE, PE, religious studies, modern foreign languages including French, German, Italian and Mandarin. Extra Curricular Activities: Music, dance, drama, art plus a full range of sports activities including cricket, tennis, athletics, hockey, rugby, netball, swimming and football. Excellent facilities allow for this. Duke of Edinburgh, Combined Cadet Force, choir, computer club, Mandarin, Latin, Green Club, gymnastics, orchestras and ensembles to name a few. The choristers enjoy a full programme of choral practice and performances in the cathedral. Pastoral Care: The school prides itself on its good pastoral care. The school motto ‘Be what you are’ (Esto Quod Es) is strongly advocated; there is great emphasis on nurturing the individual. Name of Principal: Mrs Elizabeth Cairncross Outstanding Characteristics: Specialist music school, excellent pastoral care, varied curriculum, strong sporting tradition. Emphasis upon the performing and creative arts. Specialist maths scheme started September 2011 for outstanding mathematicians entering Year 7.
Claverton Down Road, Bath, BA2 7AD. Tel: 01225 832 936 enquiries@ralphallen.bathnes.org.uk www.ralphallen.bathnes.sch.uk Autumn Term: 5 September – 21 December 12 Spring Term: 7 January – 22 March 13 Summer Term: 8 April – 22 July 13 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of Pupils: 1,100 Day Fees: None Religious Denomination: Non-denominational The Curriculum: Full range of subjects available at GCSE and A Level, with applied courses available in some subjects. Extra Curricular Activities: A wide range of extra-curricular activities at lunchtimes and after school, linked to all areas of the curriculum including PE, dance, drama, music, the arts, science, maths, foreign languages, debating, photography, rockets, chess and girls’ football. The Wednesday Windows project is a menu of extended curricular activities for young people. The school runs residential and day curricular and noncurricular enrichment trips. Pastoral Care: In the 2011 pilot Ofsted inspection inspectors noted that the school’s commitment to equality of opportunity is outstanding, as is the school’s provision for students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The Head of Inclusion works with a large, experienced team of HLTAs, learning mentors and teaching assistants. Name of Principal: Ms Libby Lee MA (Cantab) Outstanding Characteristics: The school is celebrating outstanding A Level results, featuring in The Times list of top 500 schools nation-wide. In June 2011 Ofsted inspectors noted that in the sixth form there is ‘inspirational teaching’ and that ‘relationships are excellent’ and students benefit from ‘high quality support’. Inspectors said that students enjoy lessons and 95% of parents agreed that their child is happy at school. The team said: ‘Attitudes to learning are generally highly positive and students exhibit confidence and respect for others’. The inspection team wrote to the students saying: ‘The headteacher, school leaders, teachers and governing body are all determined that you should have the opportunity to succeed whatever your interests and abilities’.
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FORGING BONDS FOR LIFE Boarding school life is heavily represented in children’s books, but is the reality anything like the fictional accounts? Teenage boarder Emily James tells of her own experiences
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or many people, boarding school conjures up the grim abode between holidays of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five, or maybe the imposing, draughty castle of The Worst Witch or the physically challenging Hogwarts of Harry Potter. My own experiences are far from any of those. My prep school’s boarding house was a cosy annexe, optimistically painted yellow and smelling slightly of bleach. My second, St Mary’s at Prior Park College, Bath, was a gift to gothic literature. It is set inside the old priory, complete with its own dungeon. An aspiration is to one day lock my little sister down there. I was 11 when we moved to Singapore. To me that was as far away as Jupiter, so my parents suggested I try boarding. So, with a suitcase packed full of clothes with nametapes sewn into each of them, I arrived, alone at my new prep school. Breaking into a community as tight-knit as young boarders at a prep school was very difficult. I decided it wasn’t for me and seven months later, after a string of expensive long distance phone calls, I rejoined my family abroad. A couple of years later, I wanted to go back to England and try again. At Prior Park College I was put in a dorm with five other girls. We fought. I don’t mean we had arguments; there were serious feuds that lasted weeks. Nicknamed Boarder Wars, money passed hands on how long they’d endure. Boyfriends changed hands and plaintive pleas made to the housemistress to move rooms. Despite this, we came to realise that you have to make up and move on. When I started boarding, we had a designated half-hour of time to call home, and a mobile phone wasn’t the given it is today. I remember St Mary’s computer room – trying the six computers to see which was the one that was working that day, or huddling up in the phone booths for a long conversation on a Sunday afternoon. Homesickness racked us all more often than we’ll admit. Now, though, most have a mobile and your family is just a dial away. 84 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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DORM MATES: main picture, St Mary’s boarding house. Inset, Kirstie Ryder, Bryony Exton, Holly Feeney (with Kathy Dicken below her) and Emily James (the author of the article)
Growing up as a boarder, your life is timetabled, yet you are very independent. We had to do homework without mummy or daddy to help us. We were in charge of what we ate, how we dressed, how tidy our rooms were. We did our own laundry. The opposite problem to the one I’d had years ago struck us: we, the boarders, were our own social clique. To begin with, day pupils didn’t bother much with us, because we couldn’t just be invited over to play Xbox or have dinner. “Day pupils,” I remember saying to somebody, “don’t make friends like we do.” I still hold this to be true. The bonds you forge in a boarding house, living, sleeping, eating together, are stronger than anything. You learn how to deal with every part of somebody’s personality, all the time, not just the bits you like when it suits you. You learn to establish rapport with your peers and with adults. There are very few who have what it takes to be housemistresses and boarding tutors: who can be mother, sister and guide to 50 volatile, homesick teenagers. Our housemistress told us off for being on our phones after lights out, laughed with us when we had fun and held us while we cried when things got tough. Boarding is life, condensed and intensified into five years of highs and lows. I consider myself privileged to have had these experiences and opportunities. ■
Left, the five friends as they were when they first started boarding together at Prior Park College
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BEECHEN CLIFF ACADEMY SCHOOL Headmaster: A Davies
Boys 11-18 School 1160 pupils Popular Co-Educational Sixth Form of 300
Excellent Academic Standards GCSE 2012:
80% achieving 5 or more A* - C grades 72% achieving 5 or more A* - C grades including Maths and English
Prospective Parents’ Evening Tuesday 25th September 6.00pm - 8.30pm Open Morning Wednesday 3rd October 9.00am - 1.00pm Alexandra Park, Bath BA2 4RE Telephone: 01225 480466 Fax: 01225 314025 Email: headmaster@beechencliff.org.uk Company No: 07551986 (limited by guarantee) exempt Charity
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STUDY LANGUAGES IN BATH
Evening classes starting September in
• ITALIAN • GERMAN • • FRENCH • SPANISH • • CHINESE •
St Gregory’s Catholic College, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA
For information contact 07894 913322 or email: info@languagesinbath.co.uk
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A PENCIL CASE OF FUN Georgette McCready meets Gill McLay, one half of the couple who founded the annual Telegraph Bath Festival of Children’s Literature which opens later this month
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f you ever doubted that a literature festival aimed at children would be a success, you only have to attend one of the events at the annual Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival. Face to face with their favourite authors – big names including Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo or Horrible History’s illustrator Martin Brown – and the young audience is transfixed, their attention held, their imaginations in full whirring motion. The Bath festival, which opens on Friday 28 September, is bigger than ever, with new specialised sessions aimed to entertain toddlers or engage teenage readers. So popular is the ten-day event that some workshops are already sold out. But, when husband and wife team John and Gill McLay first brought the idea of a literature festival exclusively for young readers to the city back in 2003, not everyone thought it would be a success. Gill says: “Some people frankly thought we were nuts. So that’s why we decided we had to get a serious broadsheet to support us, and a bookshop. The Telegraph and Waterstones lent their support then and have continued to be our sponsors ever since.” The couple, who met when they were working for separate publishers in London, are children’s book scouts by professionals. Their role is to seek out the new authors and illustrators who will charm, amuse and enthrall future generations. “We’re really lucky,” says Gill, “as we have long and close working relationships with a lot of the writers, so when we invite them to the festival they know us and they know it will be well organised.”
When you think of the size of our ❝ country we have a huge impact on the world with British children’s literature – it’s one of our greatest exports
❞
One of the guest authors at the 2012 festival is Frank Cottrell Boyce, who has recently published a sequel to Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in which the magical car flies again. Frank also happens to be the writer who helped Danny Boyle realise his astonishing celebration of all things British for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. I asked Gill whether she had enjoyed the fact that children’s literature had formed such a big part in the drama of the opening ceremony, with Peter Pan, Mary Poppins and Harry Potter all featuring. “John and I were watching the ceremony (at their family home in Bath) and we loved the fact that the influence of British literature was acknowledged on the world stage. When you think of the size of our country we have a huge impact on the world with British children’s literature – it’s one of our greatest exports.” The McLay household has another Olympic follower and book lover. Their son Charlie attended his first Bath children’s lit fest at 90 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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just eight weeks old in a papoose, when someone joked that it might be funny if the boy grew up with no interest in books. John looked aghast and is reported to have said, seriously: “No, that wouldn’t be funny.” And, as you’d expect from parents who love children’s stories and the magic of picture books, three-yearold Charlie has absorbed books into his life as easily as taking in sunshine. “Bedtime has had to be expanded,” confesses Gill, who loves reading to Charlie just as much as her son enjoys story time. Bath is fortunate to have Gill and John as the creative forces of this extended story time. They’re bringing along Babar the elephant for his 80th birthday, the exuberant Peppa Pig, Fireman Sam and the Mr Men. The opening event of the festival is free to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Where’s Wally? Bathonians are invited to dress up in red and white stripes, don bobble hats and glasses and join hundreds of others for a Where’s Wally birthday parade through the streets of Bath. The first 250 ticket holders will be given a limited edition goodie bag. Gill and John are passionate about all kinds of children enjoying all kinds of books and have laid on all sorts of hands-on and interactive book-related events, with some of the creative writing workshops already sold out. “We want people to understand that reading books isn’t just something you do indoors on rainy days,” says Gill. As we’re talking a family, with children and a pushchair, spot Gill through the café window from the street. They wave and come in to say hello. She is clearly as happy as the children about the prospect of what promises to be a page-turning best seller – the 2012 kids’ lit fest. ■
ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY: Gill McLay in the iconic red chair that’s always included in the festival programme – and which will make an appearance in this month’s children’s literature festival
Inset, Baz, created by illustrator Cathy Brett, represents KLF, the teenage strand of the festival
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HIGHLIGHTS
Ju l i a D o n a l d s o n & A x e l S c h e f f l e r
Friday 28 Sept, 7-8pm, Guildhall, £7. Age 10+ & adults An evening with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, who brought the Gruffalo to life and whose books include The Highway Rat, Zog and The Snail and the Whale. Meet their new hero, Superworm.
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Bab ar’s 80 th Bir t hday
Friday 5 Oct, Guildhall, 4.30-5.30pm, £6. Age 5+ Michaela Strachan is one of the star presenters of the BBC nature programme, Springwatch! All the way from South Africa, she’ll be coming to talk about her love of animals and her latest book for children, Really Wild Adventures.
Saturday 6 Oct, Forum, noon – 1pm, from £6.50. Age 8+ Immensely popular, both as a writer and man, the creator of War Horse, Why the Whales Came and Private Peaceful, among others, will be talking to Radio4’s James Naughtie about his life, work and his latest book, A Medal for Leroy.
Saturday 6 Oct, Guildhall, 2 – 3pm, from £6. Age 10+ The popular Radio2 DJ has won widespread acclaim for his first novel, Itch the Element Hunter. He’ll be talking about his science-mad, accident prone hero Itch and conducting some live experiments on stage.
Sunday 7 Oct, Waterstones, 4 – 4.45pm, £5. Age 5+ The loveable royal elephant and his family have fans aged from very small to very venerable. There will be lots of your favourite Babar stories and an appearance from Babar is promised too.
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This year’s book that everyone is being encouraged to read is from the festival’s in-house illustrator Martin Brown. The Horrible History of Britain and Ireland is a Horrible Histories production, written by Terry Deary.
Sunday 30 Sept, Guildhall, 5.30 – 6.30pm, from £6. Age 7+ Illustrator Martin Brown, who draws all the nastiest bits of history, will be sharing the secrets of how he brings executions, plagues and pestilence to the page – without putting us off. As the festival’s illustrator in residence he’s keeping a blog we can follow.
Throughout the festival, by teenagers for teenagers This is the first year for KLF, the section of the festival aimed at teenagers and their various genres. This has been planned with input from Bath young people and includes workshops, horror, fashion, adventure, mystery and What Really Matters in Life. ■ For more details and to book tickets online visit: www.bathkidslitfest.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362.
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Curtain UpTheatre School
Sing, Dance and Act! The family grows again - now for children aged from 4 years!
www.curtainup.org.uk 07974014490 Book now for a free trial session this September SEPTEMBER 2012
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FAMILYfun Enjoy an outdoor screening of Happy Feet 2 at Royal Victoria Park in aid of the RUH Forever Friends Appeal
AUTUMN ADVENTURES The city has plenty of events and activities on offer for all the family to enjoy this month; from a magic show to climbing trees and children’s theatre and dance to an outdoor movie. Use our guide to help plan quality time with your children
Movie by moonlight Royal Victoria Park, Bath. www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk
Happy Feet 2, Saturday 6 October, 6.30pm Take a picnic and enjoy time as a family at this outdoor showing of Happy Feet 2. Entry to the event is free but all funds raised on the evening will go towards the RUH Cancer Care Campaign to purchase a new cancer centre.
Back to nature Dyrham Park, near Bath. Tel: 0117 9372501 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park
Toddler Trails, every Tuesday from 4 September until 23 October For some fresh air and family fun, join one of Dyrham Park’s garden trails designed for toddlers; they can learn about shape, colour and numbers while exploring nature.
Family theatre The egg, Theatre Royal Bath. Box office on tel: 01225 448844 www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Elmer, Thursday 20 September, 11am Dinkies Story Time presents David McKee’s fun story about Elmer the patchwork elephant; suitable for early exploration of the themes and issues relating to the concept of diversity. Join Jackie and Pooja from the Dinkies group as they 92 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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bring Elmer to life in this fun storytelling session for pre-schoolers and their parents.
where you can learn how to make a Japanese weather doll and Samurai hats.
Ready or Not, Saturday 29 September, 11.30am & 3pm
Have a magical time
This is an imaginative and fun performance for children aged 3 – 7 years-old. Using movement, music and a host of imaginative props, dancers from Commotion Dance create a lively playground on stage. This captivating and colourful performance shows children the nature of playing together, making friends and individual play as well as how to share and trust.
Dizzy heights Stourhead Estate, Stourton, Wiltshire. Tel: 01747 841152 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead
Big Family Tree Climb, every Saturday & Sunday until 23 September, 11am – 4pm Join qualified tree-climbers Joe and Luke for an exciting tree top adventure in the landscape garden. This tree climbing event is great fun and suitable for all ages.
The Centre at St Luke’s Church, off Wellsway, Bath. Tickets £8/£5 or £20 family of four. Tel: 01225 463362 www.rice.org.uk
The Magic Show, Friday 14 September, 7pm Enjoy a wonderful magic show from the Bath Circle of Magicians in aid of RICE – the Bathbased dementia research charity and the Circle. There will be specialist entertainers performing magical feats appealing to all the family, including: the unique balloon act of master twister Dave Hickory; Paul Preager who will combine magic and comedy to levitate someone from the audience – it could be you; and zany illusions from Adrian Burholt.
Animal action
Asian art
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire. Tel: 01993 823006 www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464640 www.meaa.org.uk
Rhino Week, Monday 10 – Saturday 15 September
Fun Japan, Saturday 15 September, 2pm – 3.30pm
There will be a series of rhino-themed activities and talks all about rhinos and their habitat to highlight Cotswold Wildlife Park’s conservation work with the Tusk Trust.
Join in with this Japanese-themed workshop
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Advertisement Feature
THEATRE ARTS SCHOOL
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STAGECOACH
tagecoach Bath has been providing quality part-time training in singing, dancing and acting for over 10 years. As part of the longest running and most successful children's performing arts schools network in the world Stagecoach Bath is more than just a stage school, theatre school or drama school. We are proud to offer a full and rounded education, teaching life skills to build confidence and stretch imaginations through singing, acting and dance classes. Our Early Stages sessions are suitable for 4-6 year olds and act as a gentle introduction to the main schools. Early Stages classes are 90 minutes long and focus on allowing the children to express themselves whilst building up confidence, poise and self-esteem. Young children flourish in this safe environment, where they can develop, grow – and have lots of fun and meet new friends. Perfect for little ones with big imaginations!
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Our Main School is for children and teens aged 6-18 years, they work in groups dependent on age and maturity in the format developed by its Founder. Every school is led by its Principal who is responsible for the standard of education, discipline, care and control of the students. While experienced professionals take the classes, Principals do not teach. This enables them to monitor closely all aspects of the school in their role as Head Teacher. Main School runs for a continuous period of three hours a week. During this time students take classes in dance, acting and singing. For children already doing drama in school, Stagecoach complements the skills learned by improving diction, concentration and improvisation technique. For those not already involved with drama in schools, our drama classes are perfect for building confidence, introducing role play techniques and memorising scripts. If you are looking for dance classes, singing lessons or acting classes for young people, Stagecoach Bath has it all and under one roof! All pupils are taught by experienced teaching staff, many of who are professionals in their own right. All staff members are screened through the Criminal Records Bureau for their suitability to work with children. Stagecoach Bath is also dedicated to developing its staff through one day workshops and in-service teaching courses. We pride ourselves in giving the best possible tuition and in order to monitor and maintain this high standard, all Stagecoach schools are inspected at
least once a year. This is carried out by an independent School Inspections Agency. We keep parents up to date with their child’s progress by way of an individual written report twice a year. Stagecoach Bath is now recruiting for the autumn term, which begins on Saturday 15th September; we have limited spaces available for our part time classes, so act now! Classes are held on Saturdays during term time at Hayesfield Upper School, Bath. Why not come along to our Open Meeting at Hayesfield School on Thursday 27th September at 6pm to meet the team and learn more about our classes. For further information please call Sandra Mayo on 01249 655900, or visit our website www.stagecoach.co.uk/bath
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A SPANISH ADVENTURE A holiday abroad needn’t break the bank as Peter Cullimore discovered when he enjoyed a trip to Spain, taking in some luxury en route
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he Spanish debt crisis? What crisis? That was my immediate reaction as we strolled through the Humedo or ‘wet’ district in Leon city centre, so called because of its huge array of tapas bars. At around nine o’clock on a balmy Saturday evening we found the streets packed and the bars heaving with friendly locals. Even with one in four Spaniards out of work they can afford it because Leon’s watering holes traditionally offer a free snack with your first drink. I and my partner Sue followed everybody else’s example and went on a tapas bar crawl, ordering the standard corto (miniscule beer) each time. It came accompanied by small but deliciously cooked dishes of garlic mushrooms, morcilla (black pudding), chorizo and potato casserole or the best home-made crisps I’ve ever tasted. Our night out in Spain, joining local people of all ages including parents with their children having a great time together but nobody getting drunk, cost us about £6 each. Could you do that on a trawl of pubs or tapas bars in Bristol? In your dreams. Sue and I are 50 somethings who both love Spain and share a backpacking past from our student days. In this age of austerity we planned a fortnight’s budget holiday travelling across Northern Spain, via its beautiful historic cities like Salamanca, Leon and Oviedo, by train and coach, but with a bit of affordable hedonism thrown in. Before our trip and several decades after my Spanish course at university I even brushed up my rusty language skills by dropping in a couple of times at La Ruca café on Gloucester Road, where many of Bristol’s Hispanic community gather to chat on Monday evenings.
We again copied the locals by ❝ going for the menu del dia which never cost more than about £10 each, involved three courses and a glass, or even a bottle of wine
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We took an EasyJet flight to Madrid from Bristol, each with a wheelie suitcase instead of a rucksack, and returned on the ferry from Santander to Portsmouth. Otherwise we used public transport all the way, even including a train from Portsmouth back to Bristol - by far our costliest journey - followed by the Severn Beach Railway to our home in Montpelier. You don’t need a car in Northern Spain if you stick mainly to the cities and seaside resorts. The trains and buses we took were punctual, comfortable and a bargain compared with First Great Western or Wessex. The affordable hedonism really kicked in at every destination after we wheeled our cases from the station. In Salamanca we stopped with our luggage in the huge Plaza Mayor, said to be Spain’s finest, to look at a street map and met two elegantly dressed women straight out of the local WI. They insisted on escorting us to our luxurious hotel, the NH Palacio de Castellanos, converted from a medieval palace. I had pre-booked this and several other smart boutique hotels in historic city centre locations, all offering big discounts outside 98 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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July and August. At the QH Centro in Leon, for instance, we paid £50 for B&B and a room with a view of the city’s magnificent gothic cathedral. On the Asturian coast we stayed in the delightful resort of Llanes at a hotel run by an 88-year-old woman. Milagros Ampudia, owner of the Posada del Rey, must surely be Spain’s oldest innkeeper. She opened it when she was 75 with her husband Benito, who died three years ago. This tiny hotel, in the walled town centre, is built on the site where Holy Roman Emperor Charles V is said to have stayed in 1517 after landing nearby on his first visit to Spain. It has just six rooms, all fully modernised and painted in a bold red and blue. Milagros, who was previously a shopkeeper in Llanes for many years and is a well-known character in the town, gets help looking after the hotel from some of her ten sons and daughters and 22 grandchildren. She told me: “They all think I’m mad dong this at my age and say I should retire. But I’ve worked hard all my life and don’t want to stop now.” Throughout Northern Spain we found foodie heaven at rock bottom prices – not only the tapas in Leon and elsewhere at night but also fabulous restaurant lunches. We again copied the locals by going for the menu del dia, which never cost more than about £10 each, involved three courses and a glass or even a bottle of wine and took most of the afternoon to eat. The final stretch of our Spanish travels was on a picturesque narrow gauge railway known as FEVE, which runs along the whole north coast from Galicia to Bilbao. We boarded the FEVE at Oviedo and travelled on it to Santander with overnight stops at Llanes and another attractive resort, Ribadesella.
UNSPOILT COASTLINE: the beach at Llanes
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A CHANGE OF CULTURE: enjoy a real taste of Spain in a tapas bar Right, the picturesque town of Lanes
The entire 130-mile route takes an incredibly slow four and a half hours because the train stops at every village on the way. It really irks people who live there – most prefer the motorway – but for us the snail’s pace meant we could savour even more the deep river gorges, glimpses of the sea and spectacular views of the Picos de Europa. For this great railway journey we paid just £12 each. Just over two weeks in Spain, with no frills but plenty of treats and opportunities for me to practice my Spanish, cost a grand total of £2,000 for both of us. If in these hard times you fancy a posher version of your backpacking days why not try something similar? All you need is an independent spirit – plus a wheelie suitcase of course. ■
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TRAVEL FACT FILE
An EasyJet flight from Bristol to Madrid in late May cost £36pp. They paid £125pp as foot passengers with cabin accommodation on a Brittany Ferries sailing from Santander to Portsmouth in early June. A double room at the NH Palacio de Castellanos in Salamanca cost £70pp per night (nh-hotels.com). They were charged £50pp per night (breakfast included) at the QH Centro Hotel in Leon (hotelqhcentroleon.com) and at the Posada del Rey in Llanes (laposadadelrey.es) and similar prices at four other hotels in Northern Spain.
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MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY & HOT After 20 years in the printing industry Alex Duck gave it up to become a chilli farmer in Somerset. He tells Mick Ringham why he enjoys his Wurzel lifestyle
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EMOTIONAL LINKS: from left, the theme tune from Forrest Gump, Nizlopi’s JCB Song and Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit
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or many of us our first introduction to the colourful world of the chilli was a formidable vindaloo sampled at the local Indian restaurant after a somewhat ‘worse for wear’ night out with friends. Yet the chilli pepper has been part of the human diet for almost 9,000 years, with 400 known varieties that come in all shapes, sizes and colours as well as strength. Alex Duck and his wife Louise run the Upton Cheyney Chilli Company, midway between Bath and Bristol in a tranquil village setting reminiscent of that of The Darling Buds of May, but unlike those buds these seeds pack a fiery punch. Alex entered the world of the jalapeno and habanero four years ago after a 20 year career in the local printing industry. He takes up the story: “I knew Dave Hawkin who is the owner of Manor Farm in the village and called into the farm shop one day for lunch. I was looking for a small recycling site in connection with the printing industry, but after an afternoon chatting to him, I was hooked on the fresh air, views and lifestyle of farm life. That evening I discussed it with my wife Louise and came up with the idea of growing chillies.” Eventually Alex gave up his printing job and set to work cultivating chillies, creating sauces and meeting a growing demand for chilli chocolate. Most chilli plants are grown as annuals although they can live for a few years in a warm climate. New plants love heat and for this purpose Alex erected a series of polytunnels to give his crop the best conditions in which to flourish. From Upton Cheyney, where they sell their sauces, jams and chutneys at the farm shop, they also travel to farmers markets and festivals across the UK as well as supplying Bristolbased Barts Spices. Every year the chilli farm hosts a chilli festival with familyfriendly fun and games. This year’s festival is on Saturday 8 September with highlights including a chilli eating contest, live music and a chilli cook-off in which the audience can sample the dishes. This year sees the company expanding into chilli oil which Alex says will satisfy demand from the ever increasing number of chilliholics who contact him. At the end of a busy day bottling and packing sauces, there is nothing he likes more than enjoying a pint of cider at the village pub. As for Alex’s musical choices, it’s perhaps a surprise to find that The Red Hot Chilli Peppers do not make it into his top ten.
Alex’s top ten: ● Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here An easy choice as it reminds me of two major events in my life. The first being my dad putting a huge pair of head-phones on me at a very early age and playing Dark Side of the Moon. He sadly died when I was eight but this song has come to symbolise that moment. The second reason is that it was played by a string quartet in 2000 at my wedding to Louise, my lovely wife. ● The Doors – Not to Touch the Earth At the age of 17 I watched Oliver Stone’s film The Doors. My brain was like a sponge at that time and soaked up the Jim Morrison legend. He has influenced me ever since and is to thank for some of the best nights out and worst mornings I will ever remember. This song symbolises his crazy and chaotic life which WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
I loved in my 20s and did my best to replicate. ● Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit Kurt Cobain – another one of my heroes. I listened to his track at roughly the same moment that I first became a fan of The Doors. I was 19 at the time and it was almost like a forbidden kind of music. Many nights were spent moshing to this in Bath and Bristol nightclubs. It’s really great that Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters has continued to rock and keep those memories alive. ● Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata When I was young Dad would play this on the piano. I dabbled with playing for a while but it was not until a few years after his death that I decided I wanted to play like him. At the age of 13 I took lessons and within a couple of years had mastered the Moonlight Sonata. It’s a dark yet lovely piece and regardless of nostalgia I am happy that it remains a favourite. ● Alan Silvestri – Forrest Gump theme This is another song that I play (badly) on the piano. It’s such a lovely recording full of joy on the one hand yet rather sad, it reflects the film so well. A few years ago I made a photo slideshow of our daughter Jess from a baby, then growing into a young girl. I used this music as a background to it and it had a very emotional effect on me. ● Nizlopi – JCB Song One here for our daughter Jess and also that reminds me to be as good a Dad as possible. The opening line says it all: “I’m sitting on a JCB and my Dad’s a giant sitting next to me.” It makes me think of the way young kids look up to their parents and how we have such an important role to play in bringing them up. ● The Levellers – One Way Individuality is important to me and this track reinforces that fact. The line: “There is only one way of life and that’s your own” has been the way that I have tried to live my life. In recent years, surrounded as I am by beautiful countryside, I feel that I have come some way to living this song. ● Pearl Jam – Black Apart from Jim Morrison the only other man I would like to be is Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. As a long haired teenager I remember vividly hearing a song called Alive. It inspired me to live that life that revolved around extreme sports, surfing and partying. ● Led Zeppelin – Going to California As I was born in the early 70s I missed out a decade or so of contemporary music. However if I could change this it would be without doubt to listen to the strength of music from that particular period. ● The Wurzels – Blackbird Being a cider drinking chilli farmer this sums me up perfectly. I came to work on Manor Farm after 20 years working in an airconditioned printing laboratory and wearing a suit every day. What an escape, to become a real life Wurzel on a real farm in such a beautiful village. Next year (after trying for ages) I will book The Wurzels for our chilli festival and that’s a promise. ■ The Upton Cheyney Chilli Festival will be held on Saturday 8 September at Manor Farm, noon to 5pm. Visitors are also welcome to visit the farm during the rest of the year and there is a farm shop selling chilli sauces, jams and other chilli-related products. Fo more information visit: www.uptonchillifarm.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2012
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Allium Brasserie Abbey Hotel, North Parade, Bath. Tel: 01225 461603
REVIEW
GREAT TALENT ON PARADE
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s a youngster dining out with my father, me looking nervously at the menu and wondering what to choose, he would advise me to try something I wouldn’t get at home. It’s a piece of advice I still heed today. And with the menu at the newly opened Allium Brasserie that’s pretty much everything – I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I prepared mandarin segments stuffed with shrimp jam, peanuts and coriander, or went to the trouble of making lemon thyme flavoured ice cream. The arrival of chef Chris Staines on the Bath foodie scene has been much talked about. There are two things you should know about him: first he’s a really nice guy, not full of ego as you might expect from a chef who held a Michelin star in London for seven years. Second, the man is a genius. Locals should ignore the fact that the Allium Brasserie is a restaurant attached to a hotel in North Parade (on the square affectionately known as Bog Island). Let’s say instead that it’s a great restaurant which just happens to have a nice hotel at the back of it. In warm weather it’s great to sit outside and watch the sky grow dark over Parade Gardens while sipping a glass of wine and nibbling on some crispy whitebait with garlic mayo (£4), or sharing fried pea pods with garlic and chilli (£3.75). Inside, the old place has been given a light, open feel with an impressive display of big, bold, contemporary art. Music is playing softly, the staff are brilliant at managing that balance between making it a special occasion while not being too formal. The menus are simply written and if you’re an old duffer like me, you’ll be pleased to hear you don’t need your reading glasses. Here’s a typical entry: “slow cooked belly of pork, aubergine sambal, fried garlic, cured shrimp omelette,” – no poncing around with convoluted sentences and flowery phrases. Following Dad’s golden rule about venturing beyond the humdrum, I choose a salad of beetroot, raddiccio and goats cheese with hazelnut dressing (£7), which is as pretty as a picture, a subtle mix of flavours that work beautifully together. John picks flame grilled mackerel, with pickled vegetables and warm salt cod brandade (£7.50), and is so enamoured that he insists I try it. He’s right, it is very good indeed. For my main course I opt for posh fish and chips, a pan fried
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skate wing, which has a lot of ‘meat’ on it, served with chargrilled fresh sweetcorn, girolles mushrooms and smoked onion. I would never have dreamed of mixing fish with this combination of veg, but this guy knows what he’s doing. The addition of a scattering of garlic popcorn was one of those little touches that makes you smile as you eat them. The triple fried chips, as a side dish (£3.95), were among the best chips I’ve ever had – plump and crispy and almost too hot to eat, which is just how I like them. John’s grilled plaice is served on a bed of linguini, turned a fetching pink by an infusion of crab bisque and topped with plump, juicy, perfectly cooked prawns (£17.50). Again, we applaud the kitchen for a great combination of flavours.
WELCOME NEWCOMER: left, the airy, contemporary dining room at The Allium Brasserie Right, the terrace outside the Abbey Hotel, from where diners can watch the world go by
The addition of a scattering of garlic popcorn ❝ was one of those little touches that make you smile ❞ I’m not a great reader of wine lists, but the Allium’s has the brevity of wit to help you make your choices. There are but five whites, two rosés and seven reds to choose from, and one Champagne, which we watched a romantic couple outside enjoy, toasting their union. We enjoyed a bottle of crisp pinot grigio (£19.50) and our chilled glasses of tap water were topped up throughout the meal. John’s not a pudding eater, so he was delighted to find a good selection of unusual cheeses and crackers, with celery and grape chutney (£7.50). I am a pudding eater at any opportunity, so was more than happy with a strawberry themed trio, comprising fresh fruit served with basil leaves (it brings out the flavour better than sugar), strawberry sorbet and a slice of sweet, jelly topped creamy, cheesecake. We stroll into the balmy city night, very happy indeed and determined to return again soon. I recently raved about the kitchen wizardry of Gordon Jones, up the hill in Bear Flat, but I am genuinely equally excited about Chris Staines’ ability to pull off some truly impressive dishes in GMc a delightfully understated but stylish way. ■
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A GLASS HALF FULL WOMAN Our new wine columnist Angela Mount, whose tastebuds were famously insured for £10m, talks to Georgette McCready about how she enjoys debunking some of the myths and misconceptions about enjoying wine
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he next time you pop in to a supermarket to choose a bottle of wine and stop to think about the immense choice we have now, compared to only 20 years ago, you should thank people like Angela Mount, the buyers who forged a revolution in the way we enjoy wine at home. Gone are the days when we’d proudly plonk a bottle of Muscadet and one of Beaujolais on the table and simply give our guests a choice of red or white. When qualified wine expert Angela – who first honed her skills in winetasting with the Oxford University Wine Society as an undergraduate – joined supermarket chain Somerfield at the start of the 90s, she says their wine selection was ‘dire.’ “They had a couple of Australian wines and some cheap Spanish wines. But I relish a challenge,” she says. Over the years Angela built up the Somerfield wine list, including picking what were to become own brand labels. She was named as one of the top 50 most influential people in the wine industry by The Drinks Business, and was shortlisted for the Business Woman of the Year award. She also won International Wine Challenge award for the most improved wine range and her personally blended Somerfield Prince William Premier Cru Champagne, pipped all the top brands in a Which? magazine blind tasting.
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I am a champion of wine for the consumer – there was too much elitism
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Her career as a wine expert has also included many live appearances and presenting roles, such as at the BBC Good Food Show, hosting the main theatre shows for celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, James Martin, Gary Rhodes, John Torode, Lesley Waters, and others. Since leaving Somerfield she has continued to build her career, with her engaging non-stuffy approach to wine. Most recently Angela has been on the expert panel of judges for the Bristol Good Food awards and the 2012 Bath Good Food awards, and this year is chairing the two cities’ good food awards. As a well known face in the region she can sometimes find it hard to remain anonymous when dining out – which, as she says, can be a trial or a blessing. A mother of three who enjoys an active life with friends and family, Angela’s path has not all been strewn with flowers and Champagne corks. A few years ago, just after launching her freelance career, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Being a busy woman, used to juggling, she snapped open her diary for the hospital consultant and said she might be able to find time to fit in surgery in five months’ time. The consultant gently, but firmly, pointed out that cancer doesn’t work like that. Now Angela looks back at that time as when her life changed: “I used to be a total control freak and always believed I would be able to get everything I wanted in life. But when I was diagnosed with cancer I learned that you can’t control what 104 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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happens in life – but you can control how you react to what happens. And I am a much happier person for having learned that.” She finds herself taking informal wine tastings for friends, advising for instance, on which wines accompany certain types of cuisine, such as curry or fish. “I am a champion of wine for the consumer,” she says. “There was too much elitism. I’m not the archetypal image of a wine buff – a chap in a pin-striped suit – I know that some people don’t particularly care whether this wine was grown by a 48year-old left handed, beret-wearing man in a north facing field. They just want to know, does it smell and taste good? I think it should be fun to learn about wine in a non-threatening way and I am especially keen on food and wine partnering.” “There will always be a role for the wine merchant. I love spending time in Great Western Wine’s shop in Bath. They know so much in there and there is always something interesting. I’m like a child in a sweet shop.” Angela enjoys the opportunity to get people to try something new. She laughs at the tale of working alongside chef Ken Hom as he prepared a sizzling aromatic Asian dish. Angela held up a glass of wine and told the audience she’d recommend a Reisling as a good foil to the spices and ginger in the recipe. “There were a few shocked faces,” she says, “but someone contacted me later to say they had tried it and it worked.” We’re delighted to welcome Angela as The Bath Magazine’s wine columnist, where each month she’ll share some of her expert but down-to-earth knowledge. We’ll also be rooting for her as she puts on her trainers and prepares to train for the Bath Half Marathon in March, which she is running to raise funds for Breakthrough breast cancer charity and for research projects at the Marsden Hospital. ■ Follower Angela on Twitter @angelatalkswine.
MAKING WINE ACCESSIBLE: wine and food critic Angela Mount joins the magazine as our new wine columnist
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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic, is our new wine columnist. For September she chooses wines for an Indian summer
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venings may be drawing in, and we have stoically dealt with the mere flashes of occasional summer weather, but let’s keep the barbecues alight, and enjoy any late sunshine that is bestowed upon us. I’m being optimistic and am not prepared to give up on my summer wines just yet. I’ve selected wines for enjoying outside at weekends, inside if the weather’s bad, and wines which will work well with all that’s in season. Freshness, flavour and character are the main ingredients to keep the taste buds perky.
Marques de Riscal Rueda Blanco 2011, Spain – Sauvignon fans, try this one. Zesty, fresh, and brimming with pink grapefruit and lime flavours, this is a delightfully crisp wine from the Rueda region of northern Spain, made from the Verdejo grape, by the best known and most established wine producer in the region – it’s more subtle than Sauvignon, but with delightful tangy freshness. Perfect with seafood and simply grilled fish; top notch. Camel Valley Bacchus Dry 2011, Cornwall, England – there is no more perfect glass of wine to enjoy, as we reflect on the glories of the Jubilee and our Olympic athletes. Hailing from Cornwall, and from one of the most acclaimed English wine producers, it’s a celebration of national pride, this is an award winner itself, winning gongs and accolades in just about every wine competition. Tingling, dry white which trips over the tongue with an incredible intensity of citrus flavours, and a sea-salty tang – perfect for early season oysters, and a cornucopia of seafood. Riesling, Reichsrat von Buhl 2011, Germany – look no further for the perfect match with anything vaguely spicy. My favourite white grape variety, Riesling is still much-maligned and misunderstood. Riesling today is all about incredible freshness, aromas, and is probably one of the most foodfriendly grape varieties that we have; this beautiful example of a dry Riesling from southern Germany has aromas of honeysuckle and fresh lime, which lead to a mouthful of tangy, citrussy, passion fruit and lime streaked fruit flavours; try it with Thai, mild Indian, and chilli based dishes, it might just be a revelation. Badiola, Mazzei 2009, Tuscany, Italy – this lively, cherry-soaked wine works with a simple pasta supper or chargrilled steak with herbs and a hint of chilli. It’s from one of the longest established Chianti producers, who’ve chosen to make wine using some Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, so because of Italian law, they can’t call it Chianti but who cares? It’s still mainly from the Sangiovese grape (the main grape used for Chianti), with all its wild cherry ripeness and savouriness, but with a bit of added rich plum and currant spice.
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SEPTEMBER’S CHOICE Wine with game: Classic Burgundy is a great match, but New World Pinot Noirs, such as Yarra Valley from Australia, or Martinborough and Central Otago from New Zealand have a rich velvety sumptuousness, which match perfectly, as do some of the Chilean Pinot Noirs. My current favourite: Carrick Unravelled Pinot Noir 2010, Central Otago, New Zealand, with its multi-layered richness, violet scents and decadent, silky forest fruit flavours, is irresistible. ■ SEE PAGE 107 FOR CHRIS STAINES’ GAME RECIPE Great Western Wine is offering readers the opportunity to taste these wines free on Saturday 15 September between 2 and 5pm, with 10% discount on all purchases, using code BMSUMMER10. Great Western Wine, Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AP, tel: 01225 322810. Visit: www.greatwesternwine.co.uk. Angela will be in the shop to answer questions about wine and food matching. WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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■ Celia Adams, who runs popular cup cake decorating workshops under the guise Country Cupcakes and bakes cakes for all sorts of special occasions, wearing her Bath Cake Company hat, has expanded to open a new shop at the foot of Lansdown Road. Here keen bakers are able to find everything they need for the art of sugarcraft. Putting the icing on the cake you might say.... ■ Box Steam Brewery at Holt is offering people the chance to enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the brewery. Tours take place on the second and last Thursday of every month, at 7pm. The tours are £9.50 per head, which includes tasting of handcrafted beers. For an extra £3, you can finish the tour with a buffet in the brewery’s bar. It gives a whole new meaning to organising a p***-up in a brewery.
ongratulations to the half dozen Bath restaurants which have been singled out for inclusion in the 2013 Good Food Guide, due to be published this month. Owners Geoffrey and Alison Golden at The Circus restaurant are delighted to have been chosen as one of the six. Alison said of the restaurant’s rating: “We’re delighted to find ourselves with the third highest score in Bath.” Independent gastro pub The Marlborough Tavern and the White Hart Inn in Widcombe both made the guide, as did French restaurant Casanis, run by husband and wife team Jill and Laurent Couvreur. Over in the kitchens at the Bath Priory, head chef Sam Moody is another worthy recipient. The Queensberry Hotel, also run by a husband and wife team, Laurence and Helen Beere, is the sixth Bath venue to be honoured.
FAVOURITES: The Circus Restaurant in Brock Street has been picked by the national Good Food Guide as a destination worth visiting
Marshfield Farm Ice Cream has won two awards in the Great Taste Awards. One gold star was awarded to its Christmas Pudding Luxury Ice Cream and a second gold star went to its Strawberries in Clotted Ice Cream, packed with fruit from the Vale of Evesham.
Charming Italian is welcome arrival
■ Drinkers at Abbey Ales pub The Trinity in Bath are being asked to sign a disclaimer and don protective gloves if they order a shot of super-strong Naga Jolokia vodka. The blow-your-head-off drink is made by fermenting vodka with fiery chilli peppers. It’s the most potent chilli vodka ever to be sold. ■ Editor Georgette McCready will be at the Frome Cheese Show on Friday 7 September as one of the judges of the Global Cheese awards. The main show opens on Saturday 8 September at West Woodlands Showground.
Milsom Place is fast becoming a great little corner of Bath for foodies and this month it’s welcoming another addition to the Milsom menu, with the arrival of Italian chef Antonio Carluccio’s new restaurant and deli. Antonio is no stranger to Bath, having visited the Bath Fine Cheese Company and other city venues in the past. He said: “Bath is a beautiful city with a rich cultural heritage and interesting culinary landscape. I am delighted to see Carluccio’s opening in the city
and hope that we will become a popular destination for shoppers and diners alike. I can’t wait until the opening party.” Both businesses open on Monday 10 September, with the restaurant offering a place for coffee and a pastry, a light lunch or a delicious homemade pasta supper in the evenings. The deli, like Jamie’s nearby, will offer food to go, including salads and ciabatta sandwiches, as well as a range of genuine Italian artisan treats including olive oil, coffee and sauces.
Chefs lined up to offer foodies masterclasses A day of foodie related fun is being staged in Bath on Sunday 23 September by the Bath Good Food Awards and sponsored by Waitrose and Great Western Wine. Celebrating the best of west country produce and cooking there will be cookery demonstrations, celebrity appearances and a market of stalls for shoppers in Sawclose. The egg theatre will host a coffee masterclass from UK Barista Champion, Maxwell ColonnaDashwood at 11am, followed at noon with Food & Wine Question Time. Audience members will be
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able to fire food and wine related questions at a panel of experts including Martin Blunos, Sam Moody, Richard Bertinet, Dhruv Baker, the 2010 Masterchef winner, Daily Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay and Fiona Beckett of The Guardian. Tickets are £10. There will also be cooking demonstrations from chefs Martin Blunos, Richard Bertinet, Richard Buckley of Demuths and Dhruv Baker. Tickets are £7.50 per session. In the cafeteria of the egg theatre
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there will be food and wine pairing classes all afternoon, compered by The Bath Magazine’s new wine columnist Angela Mount, food and wine connoisseur. Classes will include: cheese and wine matching, Allium chef Chris Staines on food and wine, and matching wine with Indian and Asian dishes. Tickets to these classes will be £5 per class. For all those interested in food for free, expert food forager, Andy Hamilton, will be providing an introduction to foraging including practical tips as well as a cooking demonstration.
WISE WORDS: Xanthe Clay
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Recipe: Roast grouse
FREE BOTTLE OF WINE
When a table is booked for 2 or more. Valid in September 2012 Mon-Fri. Please mention code TBM09.
Chris Staines, head chef at the Allium Brasserie at the Abbey Hotel, Bath, shares his recipe for roast grouse, with caramelised endive tart and wild mushrooms – a delicious, warming dish that’s perfect for autumn.
For the grouse Pre-heat the oven to 220°C or gas 7. Season the grouse inside and out with salt and milled pepper. Push some herbs (thyme and rosemary are good with grouse) inside the birds. Brush with soft butter. Place in a hot pan with a little dripping and seal until golden brown on all sides. Place in the oven and roast for 15 mins (medium rare), basting every so often. When cooked, remove the grouse from oven and allow to rest in a warm place.
Ingredients for the endive 1 tbsp butter 4 heads endive, sliced lengthways into 2cm strips 150g caster sugar For the tarts 4 tbsp softened butter, for greasing 150g caster sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 sheet of all butter puff pastry (Jus-Rol is a great product and widely available) Flour for dusting For the endive: melt the butter in a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Add most of the endive, reserving a few strips for garnish, and fry for 5 minutes, until softened. Sprinkle the sugar and 1 teaspoon salt over the endive, reduce the heat to low and cook gently for about 5 minutes, until the sugar has caramelised and the endive is golden brown. Tip the endive into a colander placed over a bowl and set aside for 5 mins to drain. For the tarts: preheat the grill to medium. Using a pastry brush, generously butter the insides of four 4cm metal ring moulds or individual tart tatin pans. Sprinkle the sugar into the moulds, rotating them so the sugar sticks to the butter. Put the moulds under the grill for 2-3 mins, or until the butter and sugar have caramelised. Remove from the grill and set aside to cool slightly. Lay the sheet of pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut out four 9cm circles. Prick each circle all over with a fork, then cover with cling film and chill for 15 mins. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. To assemble the tatins, arrange the caramelised endive in neat strips inside the moulds. Top each one with a circle of puff pastry, gently tucking the excess pastry down inside the mould. Brush with beaten egg and place the moulds on a baking tray. Bake for 20-25 mins, or until the pastry is deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and loosen the edges of the pastry with a knife. Turn out the tarts onto serving plates, so that the pastry lid becomes the base of each tart.
For the Wild Mushrooms 400g/14oz mixed wild mushrooms (pied de mouton, girolle, chanterelle and trompette de la mort) 30g/1½oz unsalted butter ½ banana shallot or ¼ onion, peeled, chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled, puréed 100ml/3½fl oz dry white wine 4 pinches sea salt & 4 pinches freshly ground black pepper 10g/½oz fresh flatleaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped 1 sprig fresh tarragon, leaves only, finely chopped 2 sprigs fresh chervil, finely chopped 1 tbsp lemon juice Brush the mushrooms to get rid of any dirt. Briefly wash them in fresh water then lift them out and place onto a clean tea towel. Pat dry, then cut off the base of the stalks and discard. Heat the butter in a pan over a medium heat until foaming, then add the shallots and garlic and fry for 30 seconds. Increase the heat to high, then add the pied de mouton mushrooms and cook for one minute. Add white wine and cook for one minute, or until the liquid has reduced slightly, then add the girolles. Cook for a further minute before adding the trompette de la mort, herbs, lemon juice and tomatoes. Stir well. Add a splash of water if the mixture is becoming too dry, then season, to taste.
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OUT&ABOUT
MAKING TRACKS Andrew Swift follows in the footsteps of railway builder Brunel as he walks from Bath to Box, where the Box Tunnel has recently been awarded Grade II listed status
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his month’s walk follows Brunel’s Great Western Railway from Bath to Box. Although it goes without saying that you won’t be walking along the line, the route takes in fields, a canal towpath, muddy footpaths and a pavement beside a main road. Turning right out of Bath Spa station, go under the railway, cross the river and turn left. After 75 metres, turn left over the canal, carry on alongside the river, go under the railway and turn right. Carry on alongside the viaduct until the way ahead is blocked. Turn right, walk along to Pulteney Road and turn left. Cross to the right at the lights, turn left and then right up a footpath under the railway bridge. Carry on up steps to the canal and turn left. Walk up steps to Bathwick Hill, cross the zebra crossing and turn left downhill. Turn first right along Sydney Wharf. Across the road, to the right of the Seer’s Coal office sign, the railway can be glimpsed over the wall. Carry on past a grey gate and turn left over the railway. Go down a path, turn right, cross Sydney Place, turn left and then right into Sydney Gardens. Bear right over to the railway, where, after 171 years, Brunel’s balustrade is now screened by tawdry fencing. A plaque to Brunel’s memory is on the bridge abutment to the right. Turn left alongside the railway and walk under a bridge. After going under another bridge, walk up a flight of steps and cross the bridge. Bear right up a path, go through a gate and turn left along the canal towpath. Carry on through a tunnel and, when you come to a wall on the left, look over it to see the railway. Originally the canal curved round where the railway now runs. When the railway was built, the canal was realigned and set back behind this retaining wall. When the wall ends, turn left down steps to a bridge which marks the site of Hampton Row Halt. It closed in 1917 and no photograph of it is believed to exist. Don’t cross the bridge but turn right along a footpath. When you meet another footpath, bear left. This takes you past the site of the Folly Tavern, owned 108 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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by the GWR and bombed in 1942. When you come to a railway bridge, turn right then left along a footpath overgrown with Himalayan balsam and nettles. (For a less overgrown alternative, carry on up to the towpath and turn left.) Carry on across a stile and, after going through a kissing gate (KG), head for the path opposite to rejoin the towpath. Carry on along it, past the George and under a bridge, before bearing left and continuing along a lane. At the end – if the light is showing – cross a stile, cross the railway, go down a flight of steps and cross another stile. Follow a path across the field towards a pylon. Go through a KG and follow a path across the railway bridge. Carry on down the other side to the road. The footpath opposite, behind a locked gate, led up to Bathford Halt (1929-65). Cross the road and turn left under the bridge. Follow the pavement round, cross two sets of pedestrian lights and turn right. Opposite Bathford Nurseries, cross and take a nonwaymarked footpath under the railway and past Bathford Mill. Go through a KG and head up the field. Go through another KG, walk up to the lane and turn left. Carry on past the playing field, go through a gate by a hollow tree and bear left along a bridleway. After 50 metres, when the hedge curves left, carry straight on. Go through a metal gate, cross the By Brook and go under the railway. At the road, cross and turn right. Just past the entrance to Dick Willows, cross and follow a footpath through a tunnel of trees, across a stile and up steps to the railway. Cross the line with extreme care. The golden rule is that, if you have to wait for a train to pass, check there isn’t one coming the other way before crossing. After going down steps on the other side, turn left just before a KG. Go through a KG and follow the path as it bears left uphill past another KG. Carry on past a Second World War pillbox and the terminus of a tunnel down which ammunition was conveyed from an underground depot at Monkton Farleigh. Carry on alongside the line. Where once were sidings for ammunition trains, now ragwort, rosebay, teasel and evening
FORGOTTEN STATIONS: a steam engine passes by where Hampton Row Halt used to be – it closed in 1917 and there are believed to be no photographs of it remaining
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OUT&ABOUT
TUNNEL VISION: the Middlehill Tunnel, which allows farmers and their animals access from one side of the railway line to the other, and the iconic Box Tunnel, which has been given Grade II listed status
primrose bloom. Carry on until you come to a metal gate, cross a stile beside it, carry on to the lane and bear right. After 350 metres, shortly after passing Shaylor’s farm, turn left down an unwaymarked footpath. Cross a footbridge over the railway, cross the road and turn right. After 1,000 metres, you reach a turning for Colerne, Ditteridge and Middlehill. Looking along the line from here, you can see the site of Box station (1841-1965) and Middlehill tunnel. Turn left along the road and after 250 metres turn right along a footpath past Meadowbrook Cottage, across a stile, along a muddy path, under a bridge and across another stile. Follow a faint track across the meadow. After 400 metres, look for a fainter track crossing at right angles. Turn left uphill and, after 125 metres, look for a wall to the right. This is the eastern portal of Middlehill tunnel, from where there is a superb view of Box Tunnel. Retrace your steps down to the meadow and continue along the path you were on earlier. Go through a gate and follow a footpath alongside a stream. Go through a KG at the end, turn left under the railway and right up a footpath. Carry on up to the
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main road. After crossing the road to the Box Tunnel viewing platform, cross back and head downhill into Box village. On the right, a plaque on Lorne House records the residence of WV Awdry, the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. From the bus stop opposite Box post office there is a regular service back to Bath. ■
FURTHER INFORMATION ■ ■ ■ ■
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Length of walk: 7½ miles Approx time: three to four hours Map: OS Explorer 155 & 156 Refreshment: Raft Cafe Boat, Bathampton, Pepperpot Cafe at Dick Willows, Box Road, Bathford and there are pubs at Bathampton and in Box For more information, and details of other railway walks, see www.akemanpress.com/brunel-trail
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News in Brief • A Bath mother and daughter, Glenna Gillingham and Jessica Boston, have joined forces and are working together in the Bath Bowen Clinic. Glenna has owned The Park Clinic for 29 years and specialised in acupuncture, however demand for the Bowen Technique has made it necessary for the two practitioners to expand and dedicate their business to Bowen. The Bowen Technique, or Bowen Therapy, was introduced to Britain from Australia 15 years ago and is a remedial, hands-on therapy that is applied using very gentle pressure. Using the Bowen Technique prompts the body to reset, repair and balance itself and clients report the experience of pain relief, improvement of function and recovery of energy. “We use the therapy for any age and for any ailment from infant colic to bad backs, shoulder problems, sciatica or sore knees. As we look at the body as a whole, the list of health issues that Bowen can aid is long and comprehensive.” says Glenna. They are offering new clients a free consultation. To find out more, visit: www.bathbowenclinic.com or tel: 01225 333021. • Spence Fitness is a new fitness training company in Bath, offering a fun, inspirational and effective approach to keeping fit. The company, owned and run by Christian Spence prides itself on its flexible ‘train hard, play hard’ mentality. Christian provides his clients with the tools, knowledge and confidence to be healthier, fitter and happier in a way that suits them. Christian offers a range of fitness services; his outdoor boot camp style workouts are suitable for all fitness levels and are a great way to get fit, meet like-minded people, make new friends and most of all have fun. If you want to take your fitness to a new level, Christian can offer bespoke personal training sessions, enabling you to challenge your comfort zone and reach a new potential. Post exercise, Christian can also offer a regular sports massage, preventing niggling injuries and encouraging speedy recovery. For further information contact Christian on tel: 07518 297572, or visit: www.spencefitness.co.uk • On Sunday 16 September join RICE, the Bath-based dementia research charity, on its annual sponsored walk. This year The Memory Trail takes you through the Bath countryside around the villages of Newton St Loe and Stanton Prior and past the lakes at Bath Spa University. The starting point will be the Village Hall in Newton St Loe from 10am. It’s a fabulous day out for all the family, while helping RICE support people with dementias such as Alzheimer’s. Entry fees are £5 per adult; £2.50 per junior or £12 per family. To register visit: www.rice.org.uk, or tel: 01225 476435
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Get fitter, stronger & happier
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ith Olympics fever still in the air, more and more people are wanting to feel the buzz of being fitter, stronger and happier. If you are one of those people, Jane Braham is urging you to join one of her fitness classes, which she has been running in Bath for 13 years. The aero-tone-ilates classes have taken on board the latest research that suggests 3x20 second bursts of high intensity exercise will improve fitness and encourage weight loss, especially if performed at the end of some aerobic exercise. The class also includes resistance training and functional Pilates which is all about strengthening muscles at all angles so to prevent injuries in everyday life plus the best Pilates exercises. You can work at your own level of fitness and it is suitable for all ages. Visit: www.aero-tone-ilates.com for listings of all the classes. The Pilates classes have all the up-to-date ideas on adaptions and incorporates toning, catering for all different levels of strength and flexibility. Also included is some balance work and functional Pilates. It is mind-body conditioning to relaxing music, allowing you to tune in to your body and take control. The Walks are your time to breathe in the country air and get fit in the scenic surroundings of the magnificent Bath countryside. If you can talk, you are working at the right training level, but if you want to have space for your own thoughts that’s fine too. There are currently 300 members of the Walking Fit Club and on average about 20 on each walk. There are 35 different walks and they are one hour circular fitness walks from the best pubs and restaurants in Bath. Go to www.walkingfitclub.com for the list of walks for the month. Jane will be leading the Dorothy House Midnight Walk on Saturday 8 September and the aerobic warm up. Why not join in and help raise money for Dorothy House? Visit: www.bathmidnightwalk.co.uk. For further information on Jane Braham’s fitness classes tel: 01225 852634.
SKIN DEEP
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The latest health and beauty news and product reviews from Samantha Ewart
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▲ NEW IN STORE: ❶ For autumn/winter 2012, Tom Ford presents a limited edition makeup collection that contrasts demure, floral pinks and lavenders with deep, intoxicating shades of black cherry and emerald to create a spectrum of hedonistic, feminine looks – from whimsical and enchanting to daring and hypnotising. Available at Harvey Nichols, Quakers Friars. ❷ The latest fragrance from Jo Malone London for the new season is Blackberry & Bay – a deep autumnal scent featuring tart blackberry juice and sparkling grapefruit blended with the freshness of bay and cedarwood. Available from September at Harvey Nichols, £38/30ml. ❸ For the first time ever, bareMinerals has introduced rich, creamy concealers that combine SPF 20 protection with superior coverage. Available in eight shades. £21 from Debenhams.
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unwanted hair?
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problem skin?
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nail polish that doesn’t last?
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Another Spectacular Offer Sun Damaged & Tired Looking Skin £399 £125
A course of 3 IPL Skin Rejuvenation Treatments for removal or reduction of age spots, visible blood vessels, redness and uneven pigmentation whilst improving skin texture. This includes a FREE Jan Marini Skin Care Management System worth £150
A course of 3 Beauté Neuve Peeling Treatments using Glycolic acid, AHAS and pure Vitamin C to remove dead cells and allows your skin to breathe again, restoring a radiant complexion. This includes a FREE Guinot Skin Care Set worth £35
IPL Permanent Hair Reduction Treatments £249
A course of 6 IPL Permenant Hair Reduction Treatments on either bikini line, under arm, lip or chin
Threading Treatments now available the orangery l a s e r
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Tel: 01225 466851 No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath.
www.theorangerylaserclinicbath.co.uk
All offers are only available until the 30th September 2012
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Personal Trainer Sports Massage Therapist Outdoor Group Training Specialist Offering a fun, inspirational and effective approach to training, my mission is to provide you with the tools, knowledge and confidence to be healthier, happier and fitter in a way that suits your lifestyle. Tone up, drop a dress size and reach your goals quickly with 121 personal training. Complement your training plan with a regular sports massage to alleviate stress and tension.
T: 07518 297572 | E: info@spencefitness.co.uk
www.spencefitness.co.uk
Free consultation!
Save 10% on your first 121 training session or sports massage if booked before 30th September.
THEBATHMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBATH PERFECTLYCOVERED BATHSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 01225 424499
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ORGANIC MONTH September is the Soil Association’s month-long celebration of all things organic. In light of this, Samantha Ewart takes a look at the benefits of using organic beauty products
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our skin is the largest organ of your body and what you put on it is absorbed in tiny amounts. So it’s no surprise that a growing number of beauty products are now being produced with organic ingredients. Certified organic products are made with ingredients that are grown free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms. They also don’t include harmful additives such as petroleum waxes, fillers and artificial chemicals. Simply put, certified organic products are healthy and natural and work better because they are made with superior ingredients. Not only that, organic beauty products are better for the environment – organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilisers, all of which have a destructive effect on our water, soil and health. Organic plants are also grown without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as they may pose a significant threat to both human and environmental health. Therefore, through looking out for your own health, you’re also helping to protect the environment. To celebrate and raise awareness of the benefits of going organic, natural health and beauty brand, Neal’s Yard, has introduced a wonderful range of organic makeup. The collection includes mineral pressed eye shadow in two shimmering shades with natural light-reflecting mica, superfine organic corn starch and moisturisers, for lasting even cover; lip gloss enriched with organic beauty oil and tasty organic sweet orange oil; mineral eye liner; and a mineral bronzer and blusher. Each item includes natural mineral shades, antioxidant white tea (also proven to help skin fight the signs of ageing) and skin-nourishing organic ingredients, all certified by the Soil Association. The collection is suitable for all skin types and doesn’t just enhance your natural beauty, it also protects and cares for your skin too. For further information pop into the Neal’s Yard Remedies store on Northumberland Place, or visit: www.nealsyardremedies.com. There are plenty of fabulous organic brands out there – look for the Soil Association symbol on organic cosmetics, skin care, hair products and soaps to ensure the product you buy is certified to a standard you trust. Make this month the one where you choose natural beauty. ■ For further information visit: www.soilassociation.org
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Missing Teeth? Call us on 01225 447600
Our resident fitness and nutrition expert, Paul Isaacs, looks at ways that we can stay focused on our healthy eating plans
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et’s be honest; it’s tricky for most of us to stick to a bog-standard healthy eating plan, let alone a full-blown diet, where the obsession with counting calories or adding up points can be all-consuming. Discipline and temptation are the two biggest factors that stand in the way of success. Some of us just don’t have the will-power to stick to eating healthily. It all sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Even when it’s written down in front of us, or pinned to our fridge. We know what we SHOULD be doing, but it seems so difficult. Most of us are tuned to breaking the rules now and again, so the meal plans that I provide for my clients incorporate the odd treat here and there. The problem with some diets is that when we do have a naughty moment and reach for the biscuit tin, the feelings of guilt and failure become so overwhelming that we can often be tempted to quit altogether. The general rule that I follow with clients is the 70/30 ratio. This means that they eat healthily for 70 per cent of the time. Trust me, although it sounds easy, in most cases this represents a vast improvement on normal day-to-day consumption, and improvements to health and shape can be seen pretty quickly. If a client is keen to move things along, we shift the ratio to 80/20. The majority of us find it easier to shift through the gears in this way rather than become a superhuman overnight. Of course, it’s all well and good having a sensible, well-crafted meal plan to work with, but another challenge for us to cope with is handling that impromptu invitation for lunch with a friend, or even overcoming a trip around the local supermarket without popping those extra treats into our shopping basket. I spent the last 12 years in Spain, and when I returned to the UK I couldn’t believe how much choice there was in the shops. Ready meals haven’t really caught on in the Med, and although a lot of Spanish food is fried, at least most of it is cooked from fresh. Merchandising in UK supermarkets is designed to lure us into buying a range of processed foods and tasty treats. And we are often powerless to resist, especially with the plethora of 3 for 2 and Buy One get One Free offers in every aisle. It’s all designed to make our life easier… or so it seems. To counter the issues of discipline and temptation, some of my clients opt to take advantage of our home-delivered healthy meals, each of which is individually prepared in conjunction with Harley Street nutritionists, and delivered direct to your front door three times a week. Each delivery comprises two days worth of food, including three meals and two snacks per day. Clients can be assured that they are eating meals that are designed specifically for them, with the daily intake of nutrients and calories monitored under the watchful eye of your personal trainer and nutritionist. And what’s more, there’s no food shopping and no meal preparation. So, whichever option you choose for your healthy eating plan, and however much you may despair that you won’t be able to stick to it, rest assured that solutions do exist. ■ For further information, contact Paul Isaacs on tel: 07712 454074 or visit: www.paulisaacspt.com 114 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Dental Implants Free implant consultation and our fully restored implants from £1500 To find out if dental implants can help you improve your smile simply book absolutely FREE, no risk appointment
Circus House, Bennett street, Bath BA1 2EX Email: info@circusdental.co.uk
www.circusdental.co.uk
Aero-tone-ilates www.aero-tone-ilates.com
s aerobic g in n to pilates
Royal High School, Lansdown Monday 6.30pm-7.30pm St Luke’s Church Hall, Wellsway Tuesday 10am-11am Culverhay Boy’s School, Southdown Tuesday 6.30pm-7.30pm St. Stephen’s Church Hall, Lansdown Thursday 9.15am-10.15am St Bart’s Church Hall, Oldfield Park Friday 10am-11am
Pilates Lansdown Grove Hotel, Lansdown Monday 9.30am-10.30am mind-b o dy condit St Luke’s Church Hall, Wellsway ioning Tuesday 9.10am-10am St Bart’s Church Hall, Oldfield Park Friday 9.10am-10am
Walking Fit Club www.walkingfitclub.com 35 nt differe fitness walks
MONDAY - 11am-12 noon TUESDAY - 12 noon - 1pm WEDNESDAY - 12 noon - 1pm THURSDAY - 6.30pm - 7.30pm FRIDAY - 12 noon - 1pm
01225 852634 • jane_braham@hotmail.com Register of Exercise Professionals R0048007
JANE BRAHAM HAS 16 YE ARS EXPER IENCE 07866604341
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Lifestyle medical beauty clinic
10 years younger Known as the “London Lip Queen”, Dr Rita Rakus has made her name as a leading cosmetic doctor through her sensitive approach to aesthetics and her patients Many signs of ageing on the face can be lessoned by the use of “fillers” to restore natural fullness and volume to multiple areas. These products can smooth away the lines and folds that occur. Treatment can usually be performed depending on the filler, with minimal discomfort and downtime. We use various products including Juvederm™ and Restylane™. There is no “one size fits all” and so we invite you in for a free consultation to discuss which of these products would benefit you most as well as fit your budget
the orangery l a s e r
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Tel: 01225 466851 No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath.
www.theorangerylaserclinicbath.co.uk
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One of Dr Rakus’s associate doctors visits The Orangery Laser and Beauty Clinic, to perform dermal fillers, facial volumisation, hand improvements, muscle inhibitors plus consultations for all our other major treatments. Please visit her website on www.drritarakus.com for information, or telephone The Orangery to make an appointment for your free consultation.
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WILDLIFEwatch
STAG PARTY If you go down to the woods this month, you may hear the sounds of male fallow deer locking horns in mortal combat. Martin Phillips visits the National Trust’s Dyrham Park in rutting season
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heltering under ancient oaks against sodden, late summer skies, the bucks stand alert and watchful, their antlers crimson with blood from strips of gory skin hanging like battle trophies. But the rut has not yet begun among Dyrham Park’s fallow deer. This gruesome display is the deer equivalent of medieval knights unsheathing their weapons in preparation for violent clashes yet to come. Although a natural, annual event in the life of male fallow deer, so dramatic is the display that one well-meaning park visitor threatened to report ranger John Cotton, to the RSPCA for his failure to intervene in the bucks’ apparent suffering. John said: “Each year around late August to early September male fallow deer prepare for the coming rut by removing the antler velvet to reveal the hard bone beneath. Blood vessels in the velvet dry up and become very itchy which encourages the deer to rub them against any hard surface to help the process. Bucks at this stage are said to be ‘in tatters.’ It looks shocking but is completely normal.” Unfortunately the bucks are indiscriminate in what they use which is why John and his 15 volunteers spend a large proportion of their time in late August and September repairing damaged tree guards throughout the park. Bucks grow a new set of antlers every year – an impressive feat since they can be up to 70 cm long, yet grow for 90 days until velvet rubbing begins in August. In March, the year’s growth is knocked off and at this time visitors may come across discarded antlers lying on the ground. For the majority of the year, bucks wander the park together in a small harmonious group separate from the main herd of does and fawns. In September however, the mood changes – the rut has begun. Their antlers are completely unsheathed and the bucks scatter and prepare to do battle for the does. They dig a ‘scrape’, urinate and roll in the strong smelling paste to broadcast their scent to does and competing bucks alike. At the same time, they undergo dramatic physiological changes. Their 118 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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shoulders broaden and their throats widen to accommodate an enlarged Adam’s apple which adds depth and volume to their mating calls. Clashes are frequent and fierce but serious injury is rare. But titanic battles between these powerful creatures are not without incident. John describes an occasion when a buck was lifted and tossed bodily over an iron railing fence by a more powerful adversary and needed to be recaptured and returned to the park, whereupon his opponent continued to pursue him, intent on continuing the fight. By the end of October, the bucks can be so seriously depleted by their exertions that John and the team sometimes begin winter feeding earlier than usual to help them recover before the advancing cold weather. Although Dyrham’s deer are managed to ensure the health of the herd as a whole, they are essentially wild. Winter feeding is the only intervention by the park team. For the rest of the year, the deer are left to wander freely as they have for a thousand years.
FAST BUCK: main picture, one of Dyrham’s stags grazing quietly under the trees Top right, a herd of bucks provides a majestic sight for visitors
a buck was lifted and tossed bodily over an ❝ iron railing fence by a more powerful adversary and needed to be recaptured ❞ Does generally give birth to a single fawn away from the main herd between May and July, though births as late as October are not unheard of. Newborns are left concealed, often in clumps of nettles strategically left to prosper by the park team, while the mother moves a short distance away to graze and distract possible predators. Instinctively, a young fawn will keep perfectly still even if walkers pass within a few feet of its hiding place. On more than one occasion, well-intentioned park visitors have picked up a fawn and carried it to the park rangers, suspecting its stillness to be due to abandonment or illness. The young one is quickly returned to where it was found, usually within metres of its mother. Once the fawn is old enough to join the herd, the does
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WILDLIFEwatch
form an impromptu crèche, taking it in turns to alternatively graze or perform childcare duties. Dyrham has an impressive record when it comes to infant mortality, with more than 90 per cent surviving into their second year. Cold and dampness tend to be the main killers, but foxes will take an occasional fawn if it is already weak or sick. A female stays with the main herd for life. But for a male, the stay is temporary. During his first year he becomes a ‘pricket’, developing small antlers in the form of short spikes. At this stage he leaves his mother and joins the other males to await full maturity when he too can compete in the annual rut. Numbers are kept at a constant 185 animals through culls which occur in September and November, before and after the rut. One buck had already been selected for culling due to the abnormal growth of its antlers which, during the jousting to come, could easily cause the death of other bucks. Rather than growing wide and graceful, this individual’s antlers had formed
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into two narrow spikes. John said: “These are sometimes called killer bucks. Normal fighting between bucks is mostly a test of strength with no lasting harm done, but the killer buck’s misshapen antlers would slip below an opponent’s antlers and could easily kill them.” When animals are culled, nothing is wasted. Venison is sold through the park’s own restaurant (and other National Trust properties) and through registered game dealers. Antlers often become the handles of hand crafted walking sticks. You could say that for ranger John Cotton, caring for the park and its deer has become a lifelong labour of love. He first joined the staff as a teenager in the late 1980s and now lives within the park boundary. “It’s just a lovely place,” he said, “It sort of draws you in somehow. Where else in Britain could you be this close to these beautiful wild animals?” ■ Dyrham Park is open daily, For house and tea room opening times visit: www.thenationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park.
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CLASSIC GOOD LOOKS One of Bath’s most handsome landmark buildings, Bathwick Terrace, is a delightful late Georgian home. Georgette McCready takes a peek inside to find a quintessentially English interior HANDSOME: Number One Bathwick Terrace
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ome people think that Georgian houses were all painted drab shades with names like Cold Porridge or Ash of Claypipe, but in fact the fashion in the late Georgian period was veering towards bright colours, decking out rooms in hues of pea green, buttercup yellow and sky blue. When the current owners of Number One Bathwick Terrace – built in 1825 – first set eyes on the house some 14 years ago they immediately fell in love with its big, well proportioned windows and its splendid portico, with a stone balconette large enough to indulge in a spot of royal waving. Once inside the building all was a little less impressive. The rooms were in need of some tender loving care, but before long the new occupants set about introducing a cheerful colour palette they felt more in keeping with the property’s age. The house is now a tasteful tribute to the best of English style, with pristine cornices, handsome fireplaces and beautiful chandeliers. It may well be described as a property fit for a gentleman, one who enjoys fine dining, likes a study he can retreat to, and relishes the fact that his home is his castle, tucked away from prying eyes – while at the same time it’s an easy five or six minute stroll to Bath Spa station and the city centre itself. The shops in Bathwick Hill are just around the corner and there are walks to be enjoyed along the nearby Kennet and Avon Canal. Bathwick Terrace is a quiet corner, lying behind a gate. The residents have a huge forecourt on which to park and there are some panoramic views of the city to be had from inside the house. It has had a chequered history. Although built as private homes it became the Palma Hotel in the 1920s, while for a time it served as offices for the local gas board workers, before being converted back to domesticity in the late 1970s. Number One has five floors in all, from the useful vaulted 120 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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Left, the hall, with a classic stone cantilevered staircase
cellars right up to the attics. There’s a handsome stone cantilevered staircase rising up from the entrance hall and, because there are currently two kitchens, the lower ground floor would make an ideal granny annexe. Although it is a basement it has a lightwell which lets in the sunshine, and has access to a courtyard. For formal entertaining there’s a magnificent dining room which, unlike some other Georgian homes in Bath, is right next to the kitchen, so food can easily be served piping hot. Those
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STYLISH SETTING: left, the yellow drawing room and, right, the green dining room
who enjoy a more informal party will relish the size of the kitchen/breakfast room, 17ft 10 by 15ft 3, which also has a huge window. The drawing room is on the first floor, as is the master bedroom – a big room with access to the stone balconette. You could take a morning coffee out here and survey the world before launching into the day. An en suite bathroom has been installed next door. All three bathrooms in the house have been recently installed and the lower ground floor one has a double, walk-in shower. There are five more bedrooms, a wine cellar and a study which could be used as a home cinema. At the back of the house is a romantic, secret garden with
mature trees and shrubs screening it from prying eyes, while to the side and front there are formal plantings and a lawn. It also looks out over the adjacent allotments. As the current owner points out this is a house with flexible accommodation. The new owners can easily adapt it to their needs. An artist, for example, might want to use the main bedroom on the first floor as a studio, making the most of the natural light. Whoever buys it will be privileged to enjoy the full panorama of Bath city centre laid out in front of them. The fun is in learning the names of all the churches and other buildings you can see on the skyline. The agent is Carter Jonas, tel: 01225 747250 and the guide price for Number One Bathwick Terrace is £1.15m. ■
Lowerfield Barn, Upton Noble, Somerset, BA4 6AP Phone: 0773 098 6782 • 01749 850760 www.paulvincentkitchens.co.uk WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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We hold a vast range of stock with special sizes made to order
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INTERIORdesigns Advertisement Feature
One of Homemakers’ recent installations for Anna Mcquaid, featuring luxury contemporary units by top German brand; Hacker
I love my kitchen!... Homemaker Bath’s Kelly Hicks praised by customers again
Anna Mcquaid and designer Kelly Hicks. Anna says; 'Kelly's flair has given me special features such as my shelf!I love it! Its amazing!
Customers love the enthusiasm and expertise of Homemaker’s chief designer Kelly Hicks.
C
hief designer and face of Homemaker Bath, Kelly Hicks, is enjoying much praise from an ever growing list of very happy customers. With a degree in art and a background working at the BBC ’s props department, Kelly creates detailed and comprehensive designs to give her clients the best guide of how their new kitchens will look. Using top quality German kitchen brands primarily Hacker, her finished projects have been delighting customers for over four years. Indeed, Kelly has a stunning portfolio of projects for over 200 customers who are more than happy to show off their kitchens to help her success of word of mouth leads. But it’s not only the design and consultancy that Kelly manages, Kelly has established a team of highly skilled craftsmen to fit and finish the kitchens while Kelly oversees every step from concept to completion. Kelly says: “What keeps me motivated is the fact that every individual customer is a new and totally different challenge. To me there is nothing more exciting than starting on a new project and striving towards realising my clients vision. My aim is to achieve the combination of a truly beautiful kitchen that is also completely practical and user friendly. To see my customers dreams come true is the ultimate buzz.” Kelly recently designed a kitchen for ex-Londoner Anna Mcquaid, who moved to Bath and wanted an installation of the highest specification, for her new home; Anna says; “I have had five kitchens and by far this was the most stunning and best experience ever.” “Kelly came to my home and I instantly fell in love with her vision, flair and creativity for the space. I had some ideas but Kellys’ experience and skill made my ideas 100% better. She went away and called me in to see the 'designs'... and WOW were they good!” “The designs were glossy and detailed and even had all those little details such as my cats and plant pots. The installation was smooth, Kelly knows
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all the most friendly and professional men to do all aspects of the job, all lovely people who I was very happy to have in my home. 12 months down the line and the kitchen is still as new, and being quality German engineering nothing has dropped off, broken or deteriorated. I would recommend Kelly’s designs to anybody and anybody is welcome to come and see my amazing kitchen!”Anna also adds - ‘As a female,I want to work with other successful women and Kelly being a stylish lady I knew she would make my kitchen look gorgeous’. Once inside the Homemaker showroom you can really appreciate this is a hidden gem of designer kitchens and everything you could wish for, from a whole range from glassfronted and high gloss doors to solid wood in-frame kitchens and a good selection of granites, silestones, woods and corian. As well as fully fitted kitchens, Homemaker sells appliances and door makeovers and they have a fantastic built- in studio with popular brands such as Siemens, Neff and Bosch. Please call Kelly on 01225 480880 to book your free design consultation.
Homemaker Bath, 8 Pulteney Terrace, Widcombe, Bath BA2 4HJ homemakerdesign@btconnect.com Visit the new website: www.myhomemaker.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2012
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SOMERSET ILLUMINATIONS: Hestercombe’s 18th century gardens near Taunton is hosting an unusual light display this month. Over the weekends of 7,8 & 9, and 14, 15 & 16 September, artist Ulf Pedersen is using a variety of light installations to illuminate the facade of the house and the grounds. For ticket details visit: www.hestercombe.com
LOVELY PLANTING WEATHER Shrugging off the dreary summer our gardening writer Jane Moore finds solace in shopping
W
hat a year for us gardeners! I cannot remember a wetter one in all my years as a gardener and that sentiment was echoed by Keith, next door’s gardener, as he leaned over the wall for a chat. “It’s a job to find a window to cut the grass in,” I sighed woefully. Keith agreed, shaking his head and tutting but adding cheerfully that it was lovely weather for planting. He’s quite right and, although I wouldn’t usually recommend planting this early in September, the ample rain and mild temperatures are ideal for getting ahead with some autumn planting. Late September and early October is my favourite time of year to plant because I’ve spent all summer pinpointing annoying gaps or mistakes and thinking what needs to go where. And, as the summer events and the weed growth slow down, I’ve also got the opportunity to get out and about visiting some of my favourite nurseries and indulging in a spot of shopping.
❝
Don’t be afraid to slip the plants out of the pots gently to take a look at the roots
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I’m always getting asked by hotel guests at the Priory where I buy my plants and I really like to give the local nurseries and garden centres a bit of a boost. My list is by no means exhaustive and there are bound to be great places I have yet to come across. The Priory is home to a somewhat eclectic mixture of species ranging from positively cottagey herbaceous plants to the wildly exotic sub-tropicals. The autumn is not the best time of year for planting tender plants, spring is infinitely better for those tender and expensive sub-tropicals, but it’s a good time to make a list and order them, but autumn is perfect for most trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. And, if we get a bit of an Indian summer, what’s better than the odd day out browsing around, buying plants and rewarding your endeavours with afternoon tea. Always look for nice, leafy, healthy looking plants with no mosses or liverworts growing on the tops of the pots as this tends 124 THEBATHMAGAZINE
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to mean the plants have been hanging around in their pots for a long time, so at best the compost is spent and at worst they’re horribly pot-bound. Don’t be afraid to slip the plants out of the pots gently to take a look at the roots – again nice healthy roots filling the pot and holding all the compost together is what we want, not a pot full of tightly wrapped roots and nothing else.
On the doorstep
Regular readers will know that I am a big fan of our local Prior Park Garden Centre. Not only does it sell a lovely selection of plants in excellent condition but the staff are beyond helpful. It’s wonderful for giving you seasonal planting ideas but also has a wide selection of fruit trees and bushes. It’s also good for picking up a birthday present, some fish food or a ball for the dog and the cakes and deli things in the farm shop are rather too tempting.
Further afield
If I can’t find what I want at Prior Park I can nearly always get hold of it at Lowdens Garden Centre at Shaw near Melksham. As well as a great selection of plants including specimens there are gifts and farm shop goodies. For more unusual plants Special Plants at Cold Ashton is handy and always interesting. It’s purely a nursery but there’s also a lovely hillside garden that opens under the National Garden Scheme, or Yellow Book, several times a year. The nursery boasts a quirky collection of interesting plants that reflects the owner’s dramatic tastes. Most of our herbaceous plants come from West Kington Nurseries, a no frills wholesale nursery which supplies some of the best garden centres in the country and boasts a marvellous collection of coloured heucheras among countless other treasures. Normally you need to be a professional or to be buying in bulk but there are public sales which are open to everyone a couple of times a year including the weekend of the 8 and 9 September.
Further still
The Mead Nursery near Westbury is a charming family run nursery with a great selection of plants. It centres on a mature
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PICK UP A PLANT: left to right, ever popular hydrangeas, plant sales are a good place to pick up bargains, and roses, such as the Aphrodite, can be planted in autumn
garden designed to give you ideas on colour combinations and planting ideas. There are also alpine beds, a gravel garden, herbaceous borders and a wildlife pond so you can see what plants look like in a garden setting. That’s invaluable when you’re planning a garden but also useful to jaded old gardeners like myself who just need to be inspired every now and then. People rave about Downside Nurseries fantastic selection of plants – they stock more than 2,500 varieties of herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs that should thrive in our local gardens. They also have a great selection of larger specimen sized trees and shrubs which are great for giving a new garden a sense of maturity. You can combine a visit to Downside with a trip to Iford Manor for horticultural inspiration or to nearby Bradfordon-Avon for a spot of lunch. ■ Jane Moore is the award-winning head gardener at The Priory, Bath. Follow her on Twitter, @janethegardener or read her blog, www.janethegardener.wordpress.com
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❀ Prior Park Garden Centre, Prior Park Road, Bath BA2 4NF. Tel: 01225 427 175. Web: www.priorparkgardencentre.co.uk ❀ Lowden Garden Centre, Bath Rd, Shaw, Wiltshire SN12 8EZ. Tel: 01225 702345 Web: ww.lowdengardencentre.com ❀ Special Plants, Greenways Lane, Cold Ashton, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN148LA. Tel: 01225 891686 Web: www.specialplants.net ❀ West Kington Nurseries, West Kington, Chippenham,Wiltshire SN14 7JQ. Tel: 01249 782822. Web: www.wknurseries.co.uk ❀ The Mead Nursery, Brokerswood, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4EG. Tel: 01373 859990. Web: www.themeadnursery.co.uk ❀ Downside Nurseries, Upper Westwood, Bradford-onAvon, Wiltshire BA15 2DE. Tel: 01225 862 392 Web: www.downsidenurseries.co.uk
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AMAZING WORKTOP TRANSFORMATIONS
we go over the top to transform your kitchen! Our beautiful granite finish surfaces are only 7mm thick and are expertly laid over your existing worktops to transform your kitchen in just one day Also in order to complete your transformation we offer a full range of sinks, taps and appliances too. We offer a free home survey and no obligation quotation, contact us for more information.
Telephone: Heat Resistant
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01225 738425 Website:
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PETcorner
CAN AGE TWENTY BE ACHIEVABLE FOR A CAT?
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any of my clients are hopeful that their cat will live to a ripe old age of twenty. However there is one disease common in geriatric cats which stacks the odds up against them, and that is kidney disease. Chronic renal failure, a more precise medical term, can be caused by a number of diseases which target the kidneys, from infections, toxins and tumours to inherited disorders such as polycystic kidney disease. In fact one out of every 5 cats over the age of fifteen is prone to getting renal disease and it is even more frequent in cats than dogs at this age. In most cases a specific cause can’t be found so treatment is usually aimed at managing chronic renal failure over the long term. The kidney plays a unique and important role, filtering out waste products and returning electrolytes, protein and water back into the body. It also controls the amount of circulating red blood cells by producing a hormone that will initiate their production and help regulate blood pressure. To a certain extent the kidney is highly adaptable, with one taking over all of these functions if the other fails. With the advent of time or disease processes healthy kidney cells will be replaced with fibrous nonfunctioning tissue and chronic renal disease ensues. Initially the signs of chronic renal failure are vague. Lethargy, weight loss, loss of appetite, and increased drinking are fairly common. You may notice that your cat is urinating more. The urine will become dilute and copious in volume. Obtaining a small urine sample for analysis by your vet will detect early renal changes. A blood sample will reinforce the diagnosis since it will measure the levels of specific renal enzymes which increase when kidney cells are diseased, circulating in the bloodstream. Unfortunately at least two thirds of the functioning kidney can be lost before diagnostic blood tests are able to detect disease. Management of the chronic renal cat involves a conscientious daily effort on the part of the owner. Dietary management is very important since specialized renal diets will provide the necessary balance between much needed electrolytes while maintaining adequate protein levels. When starting any new diet introduce it gradually over many days to ensure that the change is barely detectable as cats are quite fussy eaters. Medications that prevent high blood pressure are effective as high blood pressure is a serious concurrent problem which will eventually lead to retinal detachment and blindness. Top the water bowl up frequently since these cats are often thirsty, unable to concentrate their urine so water is lost from the body eventually leading to dehydration. If your cat becomes inappetant from the increase in circulating renal enzymes, intravenous fluid therapy which will help to dilute the enzyme levels in the blood and replace much needed electrolytes and water. At this stage hospitalization for several days while on intravenous therapy until appetite returns, is indicated. Regular health checkups with your vet will monitor these chronic problems and ensure that your cat maintains a relatively good quality of life whilst on treatment. Many chronic renal failure patients can live comfortably for months to years on medical management. So the question is, will your cat live to twenty? My answer to that question would be if renal disease among other health issues is caught at its early stages and can be addressed promptly, then with crossed fingers, you may just have a chance! If you have any questions, local vet Jenny Keen will be pleased to help and can be contacted on 01225 428921. All Bath Vet Group surgery contact details and further information are available at www.bathvetgroup.co.uk. WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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 P r in c e s B u il d i n g s , G e o r g e S t r e e t , B a t h B A 1 2 E D o r Te le ph o ne 0 1 22 5 4 2 4 4 9 9 f or c ar d p a y me nt
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the directory Business to Business
Bath’s Leading Stationer with all your office needs, all under one roof
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Mulberry Horticultural Service All aspest of Garden work undertaken Quality & Professional Service offered Over 20 years experience Please contact James Carmen on 07785 505784 mulberry.hort@ymail.com
Health, Beauty & Wellbeing Computer Services
Hypnosis For Change with Jayne Norman D.Psy. D.Hyp. AAMH. HA. UKCHO. NHSTA.
What is hypnotherapy? It is the therapeutic practice of inducing hypnosis. Using a very pleasant method of relaxation and concentration. It is a natural state of altered consciousness. In this state you can work with your subconscious mind to change and improve your life.
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Back pain • Asthma • Sciatica Infant colic • Joint pain and other conditions FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
www.bathbowenclinic.co.uk Call Glenna on 01225 333021 The Bath Bowen Clinic is part of The Park Clinic. Established in Bath since 1983.
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Health, Beauty & Wellbeing
POOR POSTURE? BACK PAIN?
House & Home
Acupuncture for Fertility, support alongside IVF, Pregnancy and Womens Health.
Strengthen, lengthen &
Holly Woodward (MBAcC, Reg Nurse) is an experienced fertility acupuncturist, having worked for leading fertility expert Zita West.
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ALEXANDER LESSONS Hellie Mulvaney MSTAT
Call Holly on 07759 684552 Address: The Practice Rooms, 26 Upper Borough Walls. Situated above ‘Lush’. E: holly.woodward@yahoo.co.uk W: www.hollywoodward.co.uk
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01225 353397 helliemulvaney@blueyonder.co.uk www.helliemulvaney.co.uk
LifeFit - Fresh Air Fitness Classes Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9am till 10am at The Green on Richmond Road, Lansdown (behind St. Stephens Church) £6 per session
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Come along to our fun friendly classes designed to build core strength, flexibility, balance and co-ordination mixed with cardio-endurance. The classes are designed to suit all ages and levels of fitness. I look forward to seeing you.
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House & Home
Plumbing
The Furniture Care People. Furniture, door, wood and metal stripping. Restoration techniques, unique non-toxic, non caustic System 2000. Suitable for both hard and soft wood. Non harmful. Our customers range from Home Owners to the V&A Museum
Recommended for Grade I Listed buildings
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Call Maria on 01225 315541 • www.kwikstrip.biz
House & Home
Miscellaneous
Tutorial
Family Tree Research
Deciphering Old Deeds Alice Kingma Lee
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Pet Services
Top Cat Country House Hotel Real Care for the Cat you Love by the owner Diana Dickson Featured on National TV & Radio Bristol
We are a small luxury cattery for those who prefer their cats to have extra special attention
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the directory ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE AND REACH MORE OF BATH Feature your business or service in full colour and reach Bath’s biggest readership Our monthly shelf life means The Bath Magazine lasts longer and keeps working Here’s our basic price list.
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PROPERTYin FOCUS
T
his is a stunning and deceptively spacious detached period house standing in wonderful gardens, in all approximately an acre, in the heart of the sought after village of South Wraxall, which lies south east of Bath, and near Bradford on Avon. Believed in parts to date back some 400 years the property has been the subject of almost complete refurbishment and decoration and with meticulous restoration of the stone mullioned windows. Arranged over two floors this substantial and well presented family accommodation comprises of five bedrooms, two fabulous en suite bathrooms, an additional guest bathroom, a family room, dining room with impressive inglenook fireplace, sitting room with a further inglenook, study, conservatory, well fitted kitchen leading into an impressive dining/breakfast room, utility room and cloakroom. The property also benefits from a fabulous detached stone built annexe comprising sitting room with mezzanine area above, kitchen/dining room and wet room which would be ideal for au-pair, dependent relative or for use as a home office. There’s two detached stone outbuildings; one which serves as a gym and another that incorporates a triple open fronted car port, 2 garages and workshop. Around the property are large mature and beautifully maintained lawned gardens giving a great deal of privacy. This is a truly substantial family home and needs to be viewed to be fully appreciated. Further details are available from agents Prichards.
THE GABLES SOUTH WRAXALL, Nr BATH • Spacious, detached period house • Sought after village location • Fully refurbished • Five bedrooms, two impressive en suites • Self contained annexe • Detached stone outbuilding • Large private gardens
Price: £1,650,000 Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225 WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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pritchard-partners.co.uk
Bathford, Bath
Swainswick, Bath
An most impressive Victorian property (circa 1870) set in this sought after village. Italianate style gardens & off road parking. Approx. Gross Internal Area 4346 sq ft - 403.74 sq m
A fine detached country house enjoying far-reaching views and standing in glorious gardens and grounds of approx. 6 acres.
Wonderful canopied entrance to large reception hall, 3 elegant receptions & hall, kitchen/ breakfast rm, study, utility, 2 double bedrms en suite, 4 further bedrms, bathrm & shower rm. Cellar with original flagstone flooring. Far reaching views.
Charming well appointed accommodation 5 bedrooms, bathroom and en suite shower room, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, family room, utility room and cloakroom. Detached stone built 20’ x 16’ office/games room. Ample driveway parking for numerous vehicles. Total approx. area: 220 sq m / 2368 sq ft.
Guide Price: £1.5 million
Guide Price: £1.2 million
Camden
Claverton Down
A stylish & wide bayed 5 storey Georgian townhouse with unrivalled views over the City & beyond. Total floor area (House) 2324/216 sq m. Outbuilding & garage 197 sq ft/18 sq m.
A fabulous detached contemporary house, newly built to most impressive environmental standards offering versatile, light and airy accommodation in a quiet, sought-after road close to Bath University.
Reception hall & dining room, kitchen & utility, cloakroom, drawing rm, withdrawing room/ bed 5, 3 bedrooms, bed 4/study, 2 bath/shower rms. Very pretty gardens. Garage.
Stunning kitchen/dining/living room with wood burning stove and French windows into garden and folding doors into sitting room, 4 bedrooms, 2 at GF level and 2 en suite & further bathroom. Low maintenance planted roof. Level gardens to front and rear. Parking for two/three cars.
Price: £895,000
Guide Price: £795,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB
PRITCHARDS Sept.indd 1
Tel: 01225 466 225
24/08/2012 16:46
pritchard-partners.co.uk
North Road
Laverton, Bath
A spacious individual semi detached modern house with well presented accommodation close to King Edward’s School, Sydney Gardens and the centre of Bath. 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and en suite shower room, sitting room, newly fitted kitchen/ breakfast room, dining room, large utility room and cloakroom. Attractive landscaped gardens to the side and rear with decked terrace. Double garage and driveway parking. Approx. Total area: 2211 sq ft / 205.4 sq m.
A most attractive & beautifully appointed Grade II Listed 3 bedroom cottage enjoying an idyllic rural setting with countryside surrounding. Immaculate décor throughout. (Total internal area: 1265 sq ft/117.5 sq m).
Price: £699,500
Price: £595,000
Sion Hill
Combe Down
An impressive period townhouse in one of the most desirable areas in the city and less than a mile from the City Centre. Approx int. area: 1077 sq ft/100.05 sq m.
A charming Grade II Listed Georgian house retaining a wealth of character forming part of a small and highly select terrace in the heart of Combe Down Village.
2/3 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, elegant dining room & drawing room/bedroom 3. Small paved courtyard garden. No onward chain.
Price: £595,000
2 receptions & hall/study, utility/WC & kitchen. Underfloor heating. Good sized garden & further parcel of land (poss outside office - subj to nec consents/land for small livestock.
Three bedrooms, shower room, entrance porch, hallway, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room, conservatory/utility room and WC. Delightful 35 ft walled south facing garden.
Price: £529,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB
PRITCHARDS Sept.indd 2
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24/08/2012 16:47
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HELPING YOUR CHILD ONTO THE PROPERTY LADDER Q: My daughter and her boyfriend would like to buy their first home together but do not have the money to do so. My wife and I would like to help them out financially but wonder how best to go about it. We are also concerned about the longterm future of their relationship – and how any breakdown might impact our investment and ultimately, our daughter’s inheritance. What are the main issues to consider? The first thing to decide is whether you would like to gift, loan or invest the money. Each decision has implications which are explored on our website www.withyking.co.uk For those looking to invest in their daughter and her boyfriend’s property, there are two options to consider: 1. Full Co-ownership If you fully co-own the property and your daughter and her boyfriend require a mortgage, you will be required to enter into that mortgage deed, effectively putting the house up as security for the initial mortgage advance and any additional loan that your daughter and her boyfriend may require. This will make you jointly and severally liable for the entire mortgage. It’s wise to ensure your daughter and her boyfriend are not able to increase the debt without your consent or take out any other loans with the same lender which may inadvertently be secured by the initial mortgage over the property. It is not uncommon, for example, for a car loan to be covered by the terms of the mortgage deed. Capital Gains Tax may be payable on your share of the property while the element owned by your daughter (or held on trust for her) may avoid CGT in the event of a sale.
(the right to receive a share of the sale proceeds or rental income) in the property, then your daughter and her boyfriend will own the legal estate on trust for you and themselves in the shares that you specify (usually done in percentage terms). You will need to consider how any increase or decrease in the property value would be divided if different from the initial contributions. There are various ways to record your arrangement but the simplest is via a declaration of trust. This can be referred to in brief in the transfer deed or recorded separately in more detail. Lawyers will always advise that detail is best – for example, outlining your respective shares, how any increase or decrease in market value is to be shared and what should happen if one party wants to sell and realise their contribution. The mortgage lender will need to be made aware of the arrangement and it is likely that you will be asked to sign a deed of consent and postponement of interest, ensuring they are repaid before you. The same CGT issues arise as for joint ownership
Angus Williams, Partner, Residential Property, Farms and Estates
Cohabitation issues As difficult as this subject may be to broach, you will need to consider whether you would like your daughter’s boyfriend to benefit from your investment, should the relationship breakdown. You need to think carefully about whether or not the property should be in joint names and whether you wish to protect your interest. One of the best ways of protecting all parties is via a cohabitation agreement which clearly sets out:
Sharon MacDonald, Partner, Family
• Who is bringing in what and how it will be retained • What happens to assets bought during the relationship and who retains those afterwards
2. A share in the beneficial interest If you simply wish to have a beneficial interest
WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK
• Who pays bills and who has responsibility for the same
James McNeile, Partner, Tax and Estate Planning
SEPTEMBER 2012
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■ Gay Street, Bath
■ Macaulay Buildings, Bath When the little enclave on the hillside above Widcombe was built, the horses pulling carriages up outside Macaulay Buildings must have been exhausted by the time they’d got up this far. But being up so high it means these houses have fabulous views over open fields to front and rear. Number 3 has been modernised to suit family life, with a dining room that has been knocked through to the kitchen. On the ground floor the house has the luxury of a second drawing room, currently used as an elegant library. There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a cloakroom, plus a handy utility room and attic storage. A garage can be found around the corner, although the mainline station is but a healthy half mile or so walk and Bath’s Guildhall just over a mile away. Dog owners will relish the chance to enjoy some country walks right on the doorstep, with all of Bath laid out below. Price: £1.175m. Contact: Crisp Cowley, tel: 01225 789333
If we do get an Indian summer this town garden has got to be one of the best spots in central Bath to make the most of it. There’s a shaded gazebo where one can lounge out of the sun, or at the end of the garden a pretty summerhouse easily large enough to hold an intimate candlelit dinner, while the garden has been laid out Georgian style with gravelled walkways softened by roses, lavender and box hedging. There’s even a water feature in the form of a rill. A gate leads out to The Gravel Walk on Royal Victoria Park, while the front door of this immaculate five bedroom house takes you right into the heart of the city. A listed building, the house has been cleverly modernised while retaining its original features. The ground floor has an open plan dining/kitchen space ideal for modern family needs, while whoever ‘bags’ the study as their own will be able to wander straight from there into the garden for inspiration. The lower ground floor is currently used as a big family room, next to the utility room. There are two formal rooms on the first floor, making the most of the high ceilings and views down over Gay Street to the front and the park at the rear. Price: £1.65m. Contact: Hamptons, tel: 01225 312244
A HOUSE in
TOWN City homes built of Bath’s famous honey coloured stone
■ Cleveland Walk, Bathwick Hillside was built in 1918 for the Wills family, of tobacco fame, and it retains its air of Edwardian splendour. Surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, complete with a specimen Cedar of Lebanon tree, this solid villa provides enough space for even the largest of families. Some may recall it being used as a boys’ boarding school but all traces of that are long gone in this comfortable family home. There are seven bedrooms and reception rooms for all seasons and occasions, from the formal drawing room to the snug, from the kitchen with its Aga to the study. On the second floor there’s an arrangement of rooms, with a second kitchen and sitting room which could provide a bolthole for grandparents if three generations were to share the villa – there’s certainly enough room to do so. Outside there are paved terraces overlooking the lawns and there are far-reaching views over Bath. There’s a summerhouse and a triple garage too. Price: £2.4m. Contact: Cobb Farr, tel: 01225 333332
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■ Semington House, Semington Arrive at Semington House, sweeping up the gravel drive to stop in front of the porticoed entrance, and you really feel you’re arriving at a grand country house. Inside, all is beautifully decorated and presented in keeping with its listed status, with big sash windows and high ceilings. The house has five bedrooms and a grand drawing room with a marble fire surround, while the playroom is a very sunny, light space. Outside there are level lawns to front and back, plus a vegetable plot with some fruit trees and a sunny terrace. Semington is a busy village, with a school and a pub, making it suitable for growing families. Price: £1m. Contact: Hamptons, tel: 01225 312244
■ The Old Vicarage, Hinton Charterhouse They knew how to look after their country clergymen in Georgian times, if this fine looking Regency villa in the village of Hinton Charterhouse is anything to go by. It’s a well presented family home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and extra guest accommodation. There are separate sitting and dining rooms plus a kitchen/breakfast room, along with a handy utility room and a ground floor cloakroom. The Old Vicarage has a two and a half acre plot of gardens, presumably where the old clergy used to wander in search of inspiration for their sermons. Price £1m. Contact: Fine & Country, tel: 01225 320032
A HOUSE in the
COUNTRY Retreat to a rural home built of stone
■ The Old Parlour, Oakhill Tucked away in the peace and quiet of the Mendip Hills is this detached five bedroom house set in eight acres of its own land. Beyond the lawns and beds of the grounds there are a further six acres of pastureland – space for a herd of alpacas maybe? The old stone barns have been cleverly comverted into a light and airy home. One of its greatest assets is that every single bedroom has its own en suite bathroom or shower room, plus there’s a cloakroom to ensure there’s never a queue. The kitchen/dining room is a generous size, opens on to a patio for al fresco meals, and has a four-oven Aga plus an American style fridge-freezer. There’s a utility to take care of the family washing and in the sitting room they can cosy up beside the Jetmaster fire while watching a film on the projector screen which drops down handily from the ceiling. What a great place to bring up children in the Somerset countryside, with plenty of space to enjoy the great outdoors. While secluded, The Old Parlour is also only three miles from Downside School. Price: £895,000. Contact: Whitfield Nash, tel: 01225 483198
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Tel: 01225 904 904
The Estate Agents People Recommend 1 Harrington Place, Bath BA1 1HF
www.wentworthestateagents.com
Englishcombe Lane, Bath
Guide Price £775,000
A beautifully presented and imposing five double bedroom semi detached Edwardian residence, commanding stunning far reaching views across the City. This delightful property has been thoughtfully upgraded and improved in recent years, and now provides exemplary living accommodation arranged over two floors. A seamless blend of modern and period detailing makes this property highly desirable, with notable features such as the open fires, centre roses and spacious, well proportioned rooms. The accommodation provides ample living space for any family, including two spacious receptions, a light and airy kitchen/breakfast room with utility, and a cloakroom with further benefits including two en-suite bathrooms and a separate family bathroom. Externally this handsome property sits in an elevated position, enjoying large private gardens to the rear and formal gardens to the front. A detached double garage can be found to the rear with driveway parking to the front. This exceptional property is well worth an internal inspection.. Exceptional Living Accommodation • Five Double Bedrooms • Large Reception Rooms • Beautifully Presented • Period Detailing Throughout • Stunning Views • Popular Location • Good Sized Gardens • Detached Double Garage • Driveway Parking
01225 904 904 •-www.wentworthestateagents.com WENTWORTH The Estate Agents People Recommend rightmove
.co.uk
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PROPERTYin FOCUS
A
shford Homes Ltd is reporting sales success on it’s new development, Holburne Place, situated on the corner of Bathwick Street and Henrietta Road, due to be completed in mid-2013. Five plots have already been sold or reserved while a further three of the 14 apartments and maisonettes in the development have been sold. Holburne Place has attracted interest from overseas investors and benefits from its prime location with Henrietta Park directly to the rear and being only a short walk from the city centre. Ashford Homes offers a high level of specification and the development offers secure parking in a gated area and two lifts, making it a feasible luxury retirement home. Philip Cobb of Cobb Farr, who have acted on behalf of Ashford Homes on a number of developments, has commented on Ashford Homes successful presence in Bath and the surrounding region, with developments in Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge and Swindon all selling well. The recently completed city developments in St Johns Road and Claverton Down have also proved a success. Stuart Morgan, director at Ashford believes this is due to the high specification, attention to detail and quality of finish that Ashford provides. Cobb Farr and Crisp Cowley, acting as joint agents, have reported that they have successfully sold the majority of the 14 apartments at St Georges Place – a new Georgian style development of apartments and maisonettes constructed over four floors. With yields ranging from 4% to 5% against investment the potential returns are of particular interest to investment buyers. For full details on Holburne Place, where prices range from £249,500 – £540,000, or to arrange a viewing at St Georges Place, where prices range from £270,000 – £295,000, either visit www.ashford-homes.co.uk or contact their sole agents Cobb Farr on tel: 01225 333332 or Crisp Cowley on tel: 01225 789333. Ashford Homes is looking to build on its success in Bath with three new developments at Crescent Lane, Sydney Lawn and Monmouth Place. Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 333332
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SEPTEMBER 2012
The new development at Holburne Place
The new Georgian style development at St Georges Place, with its high-spec interiors (left)
Darlington Mews A unique and truly impressive two bedroom Georgian mews house which has been entirely refurbished to the very highest standard, providing spacious and contemporary accommodation over two floors. Situated in a private and secluded courtyard behind Darlington Street, the property enjoys convenient access to Bath Spa railway station and the city centre.
Rent oieo ÂŁ2,350 pcm newly refurbished | stunning open plan kitchen / living room | exposed architectural steelwork | contemporary fitted kitchen | 2 double bedrooms | 2 modern en-suite shower rooms | cloakroom | study | utility room | 2 private garages
Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | e info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk
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Bath Office Lettings. 01225 445646 bath@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Warminster Road, Bath
£1950 pcm
A traditional 3 bedroom, 3 reception room semi detached house refurbished to a high standard and with a large garden, off road parking and elevated views. Approx 1500 sq ft. Available Now.
Seymour Road, Bath.
£1750 pcm
A refurbished Georgian cottage with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, utility, guest cloakroom and lovely garden with super views. Approx 1301 sq ft. Available late September.
Manor Road, Bath.
£1650 pcm
A modern 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom semi detached house with sitting/dining room, fitted kitchen, garden and off road parking. Approx 1109 sq ft. Available Now.
Chapel Lane, Hinton.
£1950 pcm
A 4 bedroom semi detached cottage in this village north of Bath with farmhouse kitchen, sitting room, study, large garden, paddock and double garage. Approx 2443 sq ft. Available Now.
Hamptons Office 01225 445646 bathlettings@hamptons-int.com
Hamptons Letting Sept.indd 1
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Following a busy summer for Fidelis join in our success and instruct us to sell you property this Autumn www.fidelisproperties.co.uk
01225 421000
134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH Fidelis Sept.indd 3
24/08/2012 16:56
Fidelis
Bloomfield Avenue
ÂŁ2200 PCM
A Particularly Spacious Family Home Rich in Period Detail Occupying a Sought After Location just below Bear Flat Living Room | Dining Room | Garden Room | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Ground Floor Shower Room | 5 Double Bedrooms | Family Bathroom | Further Shower Room | Enclosed Garden | Off Road Parking
www.fidelisproperties.co.uk
01225 421000
134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH Fidelis Sept.indd 1
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SOLD - Similar required in Bradford-on-Avon
SOLD - Similar required in Winsley
“Strong sales over the Spring and Summer have been very encouraging! We have sold a lot of the beautiful homes and met some wonderful people. I am now building a portfolio of quality property to sell over the busy Autumn months. We have a waiting list of buyers for properties like those pictured and for many others too.” For a confidential chat about your move call in or ring me.
SOLD - Similar required in Bradford-on-Avon
SOLD - Similar required in Holt
SOLD - Similar required in Winsley
SOLD - Similar required in Winsley
SOLD - Similar required in Bradford-on-Avon
SOLD - Similar required in Bratton
☎ 01225 866747 27 Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1LL email: info@jeremyjenkins.co.uk • website: www.jeremyjenkins.co.uk
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1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 4QW.
k Mar r o l y a N
01225 422 224
ST LUKES ROAD
ÂŁ595,000
This beautifully appointed, Victorian terrace enjoys large family accommodation over 3 levels (plus cellarage). Convenient location within walking distance of the City of Bath. A property not to be missed! Entrance porch, hallway, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, 2nd bathroom, 4 bedrooms, cloakroom and bathroom. 2 cellar rooms. Front and rear gardens. Approximate gross internal floor area: 1,970 square feet / 183 square metres.
www.mark-naylor.com
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1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 4QW.
k Mar r o l y a N
01225 422 224
BEECHEN CLIFF
ÂŁ895,000
A highly individual and stunningly beautiful detached residence that offers contemporary living on a grand scale. Wonderful location, perched on the cliff, that allows for easy access down Holloway to the City Centre and Bath Spa railway station. A truly amazing home and viewing essential to fully appreciate. Hall, walk-in cloakroom, open-plan living accommodation including large sitting room and kitchen/dining room, small utility, master bedroom with en-suite dressing room and bathroom, 2 further ground floor bedrooms and family bathroom. Upstairs, with children’s sitting room, 2 further double bedrooms and shower room. Beautifully landscaped and mostly walled gardens, with formal lawns, borders, kitchen gardens and off-street parking. Approximate gross internal floor area: 2,900 square feet / 270 square metres.
www.mark-naylor.com
Bath Office Sales. 01225 459817 bath@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Lyncombe Hill, Bath This fine end of terrace Georgian townhouse is arranged over four floors with a flexible layout of reception space and offers stunning views from the upper floors. Occupying an elevated position on the south side of Bath, the property further benefits from attractively landscaped walled gardens as well as a parking area to the front of the double width garage. Approximate gross sq.ft 2454.
Guide Price ÂŁ995,000 4 Bedrooms Superb Kitchen-Dining Room Elevated Georgian Townhouse Stunning Upper Floor Views Landscaped Gardens Double Garage & Parking
Bath Office 01225 459817 bath@hamptons-int.com
Hamptons Sales September.indd 1
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Bath Office Sales. 01225 459817 bath@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
Chatham Row, Bath Chatham Row is a handsome Georgian terrace situated to one side of a no-through road elevated above the River Avon and within a level walk of the beautiful Georgian city centre. This four bedroom townhouse offers versatile accommodation over four floors with well proportioned rooms retaining fine period detail plus a pretty courtyard garden. Approximate gross sq.ft. 2755.
Guide Price ÂŁ765,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Receptions Grade II Listed Georgian Townhouse Popular Walcot Location Walled Garden
Bath Office 01225 459817 bath@hamptons-int.com
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Hayesfield Park
Hayesbrow is an enchanting and fabulous home to be found hidden away from the road behind mature trees in elegant Hayesfield Park. Built in 1885 from traditional ashlar stone, the house combines grandeur, convenience and the luxury of ample space. It is close to a range of excellent shops and is just a gentle 20 minute stroll to the centre of historic Bath with all its amenities, culture and heritage.The grounds at the front open out to reveal Hayesbrow standing proudly above it with an imposing front door and stone porch.The first impression is of a house of some splendour, but this is also a comfortable family residence which the current owners describe as exuding a magical quality that is both warm and hospitable.This is immediately apparent on entering the house with the etched glass screen shielding the entrance from the hallway and its beautiful staircase with wrought iron balusters. The rooms are spacious with glorious sash
windows that allow copious amounts of light to radiate through the house.The feeling of space and light is further enhanced downstairs by the very large conservatory which is integral to the character of the house. It is an important and wellused addition to the living space and really comes into its own for entertaining.
Hayesbrow also benefits from its mature setting, with terraced gardens professionally cared for where guest’s can be entertained Al Fresco, areas for vegetables and fruit bushes with apple and pear trees aplenty at the rear.
HAYESBROW 5 bedrooms [master en-suite], 2 Reception rooms, Conservatory, Kitchen/breakfast room, 2 Bathrooms, Beautiful grounds, Period features, Vegetable gardens, Swimming pool
Contact: 01225 320032
ÂŁ1,450,000
Fine & Country September:Layout 12
Wick
When the current owners discovered The Stables over twenty years ago, it was a derelict eighteenth century barn but in an excellent location, along a pretty country lane within walking distance of Wick village and only a short drive from Bath, Bristol and the M4. With love and hard work they have created a spacious home of great charm and tranquillity that is finished to the highest specification. The house has a pleasing choice of reception rooms with each one used and enjoyed to the full.The bright Aga-warmed kitchen is the hub of the home where the family gather round the table for daily meals whilst the dining room provides an elegant setting for formal entertaining.The beamed sitting room with its inglenook fireplace is the perfect winter retreat but in summer, throw open the double French doors and the sun comes flooding in. There is a graceful yet relaxed air throughout the house and nowhere more than the conservatory which
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even in the winter has a definite summery feel. House and grounds lend themselves to entertaining and the annual paella party on the lawn is hugely anticipated by the owner’s seventy guests. Rain does not hamper the proceedings as the function-sized garage can provide the shelter needed. It is perfect for parties and has also doubled as a games room.
The South facing garden has also been a labour of love, each tree planted with care, so that it has matured into a restful oasis.
THE STABLES 5/6 Bedrooms [4 en-suite], 3 reception rooms, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, 2 Bathrooms, Garaging, Beautiful Gardens, Potential for separate dwelling/office
Contact: 01225 320032
ÂŁ1,100,000
St Swithin’s Yard
Offers in Excess of £285,0000
Popular location | Open plan living | Two bedrooms | Spacious terrace | Short level walk to city centre | Allocated private parking A first floor two bedroom apartment with a private terrace, conveniently located for the city centre. Includes secure off road parking, access to communal bike and bin stores - plus communal gardens that overlooks the river. Highly recommended.
St James’ Square
Offers in Excess of £285,000
Georgian apartment | Grade I | Two double bedrooms | Sought after location | Large living space | Top floor | Highly recommended This is a superb chance to acquire a two double bedroomed top floor apartment in one of Bath’s most desirable squares. Just a short walk from the Royal Crescent and the Circus with a small selection of shops in the square including a wonderful delicatessen and café, local newsagent and the ever popular Marlborough Tavern just around the corner.
The Apartment Company September.indd 1
24/08/2012 16:58
The Academy
Offers in Excess of ÂŁ270,000
Arranged over two floors | Spacious living | Two double bedrooms | Allocated parking | Views over Bath | Short walk to the city centre A stunning two bedroom duplex apartment located in a central location and affording fine far reaching views. The property has excellent storage, access to communal gardens and the rare advantage of allocated parking.
Lansdown Road
Offers in Excess of ÂŁ210,000
Georgian apartment | Grade II listed | Two bedrooms | Lift access | Top floor | Central location A charming grade II listed apartment, perfectly located in the heart of Georgian Bath and with sweeping views over the Paragon and countryside. Being on the top floor this apartment also benefits from a lift access.
The Apartment Company September.indd 2
24/08/2012 16:58
The Property People Offices throughout the UK including 5 in London
Ashlety,
BATH
Lansdown
Guide Price ÂŁ1,875,000
A superb Grade II Listed 5 bedroom regency townhouse, recently refurbished with a lovely garden, elevated views and secure parking. (Approximately 3,698 sq ft / 344 sq m)
Bath 01225 747250 bath@carterjonas.co.uk
Carter Jonas Sept Sales.indd 1
24/08/2012 16:59
carterjonas.co.uk
WILTSHIRE
Biddestone
Guide Price ÂŁ1,350,000
A handsome 9 bedroom former rectory set at the end of a long drive within this picturesque village near Bath. (Approximately 3,531 sq ft / 328 sq m)
Bath 01225 747250 bath@carterjonas.co.uk
Carter Jonas Sept Sales.indd 2
24/08/2012 17:00
The Property People Offices throughout the UK including 5 in London
Ashlety,
BATH
Bathwick Hill
Guide Price ÂŁ1,150,000
A substantial 5 bedroom landmark townhouse with secure gated access, parking area, gardens and lovely views. (Approximately 3,089 sq ft / 287 sq m)
Bath 01225 747250 bath@carterjonas.co.uk
Carter Jonas Sept Sales.indd 5
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carterjonas.co.uk
BATH
Sion Hill Place
ÂŁ3,000 pcm Unfurnished
Magnificent lateral first floor Georgian apartment across 3 townhouses. 2 double bedrooms, dressing room, 2 en-suite bathrooms, drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room with south-facing balcony.
Bath 01225 747250 sharon.hunter@carterjonas.co.uk
BATH
St Catherine Valley
ÂŁ2,250 pcm Unfurnished
Pretty, detached period former old school house in an elevated position in the St Catherine Valley. Tremendous undulating views. 3 bedrooms, sitting room, conservatory, 2 bathrooms. Gardens surround the house and parking for two vehicles.
Bath 01225 747250 sharon.hunter@carterjonas.co.uk
Carter Jonas September Letting.indd 1
24/08/2012 17:01
Lyncombe Hill – Simply stunning views Elegant, stylishly refurbished Grade II Georgian (c 1825) four storey townhouse with many original features | hall | drawing room | study | kitchen with Aga | dining room | cloakroom | 4 bedrooms | bathroom | shower room | double car port | gardens front and rear with kitchen garden | Guide Price: £950,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
Crisp Cowley September.indd 1
24/08/2012 16:43
Limpley Stoke Commanding stunning views from an elevated hillside position. A highly individual detached home standing in gardens of approx 0.86 of an acre | sitting room | spacious open plan dining room, breakfast room leading to kitchen | master bedroom suite with dressing room/ bed 5 and bathroom | 3 further double bedrooms (1 en suite) | family bathroom | utility room | mature level gardens and area of sloping woodland | double garage | parking | Offers in excess of ÂŁ750,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
Crisp Cowley September.indd 2
24/08/2012 16:43
Wellow A handsome detached Victorian house positioned in an exceptional part of this highly desirable village with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. | entrance hall | drawing room | sitting room | dining room | kitchen | cloakroom | utility/laundry room | boiler room | 4 bedrooms (1 en suite) | family bathroom | outbuilding providing studio, 2 bay car port and workshop/storage | gardens | orchard | 3 field enclosures | Guide Price: ÂŁ1,150,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
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Lyncombe Vale Road A spacious modern detached house with south facing aspect and beautiful views across wooded Lyncombe Vale | hall | spacious drawing room | dining room | breakfast room/kitchen | cloaks | utility | 5 bedrooms (2 en suite) | family bathroom | self-contained studio apartment | triple garage and useful mezzanine storage/workshop | summerhouse | mature gardens and grounds with parking for several vehicles | Guide: ÂŁ925,000
Crisp Cowley Ralph Allen’s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333
www.crispcowley.co.uk
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