WHAT’S ON

The Enchanted Garden of Light Milsom Place

n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park, Bath Enjoy live jazz/funk/soul/swing at Green Park Brasserie on Weds and Thurs from 6.30–8.45pm and Fri and Sat from 6.30–9.45pm. Music includes dynamic duos, modern trios and a Hot Club style quintet. greenparkbrasserie.com

n Bath Abbey Climb 212 steps to the top of the tower, with stunning views from the highest point in the city. 45-minute guided tour, with free mulled wine or hot chocolate at the top of the tower. Tours run Monday to Saturday, times vary. bathabbey.org/christmas

n Iford Manor Estate Enjoy fantastic, live jazz from top musicians alongside a delicious, leisurely lunch prepared by award-winning head chef Matthew Briddon and team. Food sustainably and locally sourced, much reared, grown and foraged on the Iford Estate. See the Iford website for details of performers, menu and to book. ifordmanor.co.uk

n Elf-o-Matic machine, Abbeygate Street Children can bring an old toy to the Elf-oMatic machine in Abbeygate Street, exchange it for a golden token, before it is upcycled by the elves for a new lease of life. Children can then exchange their golden token for a newly upcycled toy, spreading Christmas cheer and encouraging a sustainable approach to the season. Children will also be able to meet Father Christmas who will be hot-desking from the Swapshop! To purchase tickets for the Elves’ Swapshop, visit welcometobath.co.uk/christmas

n The American Museum & Gardens,

A look at the life of dinosaurs through their eggs, nests and embryos. Captivating for all ages, visitors are invited to touch real dinosaur bones and reconstructed nests, dig for eggs, and see animated videos. This multi-media experience gives credence t o the theories that dinosaurs and birds are closely related. americanmuseum.org

n No.1 Royal Crescent Christmas –but with a period twist! The 12 Tales of a Georgian Christmas experience immerses you in all the stories, sights and scents of a Georgian Christmas. See how Christmas was celebrated in this authentic Georgian home, and try to find all the country mice who are helping prepare for the festive season. no1royalcrescent.org.uk

n Royal Pavilion, Royal Victoria Park Monday to Friday 11.45am to 10pm, Saturday to Sunday 10am–10pm. Prebooking required. bathonice.co.uk

n Milsom Place Visit Milsom Place and feast your eyes upon a magical winter woodland scene, capturing

Reindeer at Wild Place Project

the essence of this wonderful time of the year. Acelebration of the beauty of the natural world in the heart of the city, this wondrous diorama created by Planet Gold Decor exclusively for Milsom Place takes viewers into a dazzling polar landscape illuminated to enchant all ages. milsomplace.co.uk

n The American Museum & Gardens Families and friends will be transported into a magical after-dark adventure through light displays which will emblazon the entire house, gardens and woodland in glorious magical colour. Tickets available at americanmuseum.org

n St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon Join Bath Minerva Choir for a heartwarming concert of beautiful Christmas music featuring Vaughan Williams and Gerald Finzi and including carols for audience participation. Tickets £15/£12, from bathboxoffice.org.uk

n St Mary the Virgin, Bathwick, BA2 4EB The Handful presents a festive programme that centres around two major works: four movements from Ringeltanze by Libby Larsen, written in 1983, and Quatre motets pour le temps de Noel written by Francis Poulenc in 1951–52. The concert will also feature choral favourites and new discoveries from the 16th century to the present day. The Handful will be joined by the talented

Bath Philharmonia: The Snowman at the Forum City of Bath Brass Band

music students of Prior Park College. Tickets £15 (£5 for under 25s, free for under 16s). bathboxoffice.org.uk

n Wild Place Project Grab your hats and gloves and head to Wild Place Project to go on a magical adventure on the Winter Walking Safari. Experience the beautiful nature trails across the 50-acre site, while spotting amazing animals from around the world. wildplace.org.uk

n Methodist Church Hall, off Wellsway,

Bear Flat Artists present a fair and market to showcase local creativity, with unique artwork and handmade gifts for sale including ceramics, painting, jewellery, sculpture, photography, printmaking, glass, illustration, cards, festive tree decorations and more. Buy direct from artists and makers and find out about the making processes. Free entry, all welcome. bearflatartists.co.uk

n Bath Pavilion The amazing and dynamic vocalists from the Vocal Works Gospel Choir pay tribute to the Funky Divas of the soul and pop world –with a show bursting with inspiring and uplifting songs. VWGC will be giving classic songs the full on ‘gospel choir’ treatment together with their band – the VW Soul Collective. Expect incredible versions of hits from the best and funkiest divas, such as Diana Ross, Lizzo, Gloria Estefan, Beyonce and Mariah. Tickets £19. bathboxoffice.org.uk

n SS Great Britain For two weekends, the award-winning SS Great Britain attraction will be transformed into a Dickensian winter scene, complete with falling snow and a host of 19thcentury characters. ssgreatbritain.org

n University of Bath Gardening Club,

Gardeners have got to adapt, not only to climate change, but to a more sustainable way of gardening. Mary will talk about the use of fossil fuels, plastics, composts and pest controls, along with water management and planting styles. Open to all, Membership £20, Visitors £6. ubgc.org

n Bath Recreation Ground With traditional carols, a live brass band, mince pies, mulled wine, family fun and a message about the reason for the season, there’ll be something for everyone in what’s set to be a merry and memorable occasion. Enjoy an evening of festive fun for the whole family at this year’s Carols at the Rec. carolsattherec.com

n Milsom Place The ‘Unearth’ work-in-progress exhibition showcases a range of responses to national and international design competition briefs (from Design Innovation for Plastics, the Royal Society of Arts, Porada and Starpack) by Bath Spa University Furniture and Product Design final year students.Work includes furniture, product and packaging design, as well as more conceptual solutions – rooted in material or social sustainability principles. milsomplace.co.uk

n Theatre Royal Bath Wishing for the best family pantomime this Christmas? Your wish is the Theatre Royal Bath’s command! The amazing story of a boy, a lamp, and a genie returns to spread magic across Bath. Tickets from £9, available at theatreoyal.org.uk

n BRLSI An exclusive evening of Christmas carols, fun festive readings and warming mulled wine (or mulled apple juice) in a candle-lit venue within the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution. Music will be provided by Tim Snowden’s Bath Celebration Choir and friends. Tickets £15–20, available from brlsi.org/whatson

n St Michaels Without Join the City’s Brass Band in its centenary year with a festive concert of traditional and seasonal music. Join in with carols and listen to ever popular arrangements of beloved tunes. Tickets £10 Adults; £5 under 16; family ticket £24 (two adults and three under 16), available from bathboxoffice.org

n The Forum, Bath Join Bath Philharmonia for its annual familyfriendly Christmas show with orchestral music to delight every age. With Raymond

It Happened One Night with Clarke Gable and Claudette Colbert

Brigg’s charming and poignant animations projected on the big screen, the orchestra will play Howard Blake’s score live to the film. Adult tickets £18.50/ £12.50 (child 2–18), available from bathboxoffice.org

n Bath Abbey A selection of well-known Christmas classics for choir, organ and audience. Tickets from £10, available from bathboxoffice.org.uk

n Chapel Arts Centre Five leading lights of the British roots scene join forces to create a festive folk band like no other. Expect soaring harmonies and exquisite musicianship in a repertoire of brand new songs and fresh arrangements of traditional carols. Advance tickets £18 (£20 on the door) available from chapelarts.org

n The Mission Theatre, Bath ‘Cold and Magic: Winter Baroque’ invites audiences to experience the music of 17thand 18th-century Europe, with a distinctly icy and mysterious tone. Join countertenor Joe Levy accompanied on the piano by Leila Kermani, for a selection of Baroque pieces. You will hear the works of Handel, Purcell, Bach and Vivaldi, alongside lesser known composers such as Lambert and Grandi. Tickets £12, available from joelevymusic.com/live

n Bath Abbey The Abbey Choirs are joined by Baroque instrumentalists Rejouissance playing on historic instruments. Tickets from £10, available from bathboxoffice.org.uk

n BRLSI, 16–18 Queens Square, Bath Frank Capra’s screwball comedy won all five major Academy Awards. The comic rapport between pampered socialite Claudette Colbert and puckish reporter Clark Gable crackles with sexual chemistry and innuendo –in ways unheard of once Hollywood’s prudish Hays Code took effect after the film’s release in 1934. To join Bath Film Society, contact the Membership Secretary: mail@bathfilmsociety.org.uk | bathfilmsociety.org.uk

n St Stephens Church, Lansdown, Bath Popular Bath-based choir, CitySound Voices, directed by William Stevens, perform Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols and other traditional and modern seasonal music. Baritone Alexander Learmonth, members of the Cardiff Chamber Orchestra and The Harmonics from Corsham will also feature. The concert will support the Alzheimers Society. Tickets are £15, under 16s free, from choir members or at the door. citysound.org.uk

n Chapel Arts Centre Bath’s cult cabaret crooners swing their sleigh ride into town to kick-start the festive season as only they can! Their uplifting blend of stylish swing is a heady Yuletide tonic flavoured with the spirit of Christmases past, sprinkled with knockabout shennanigans and served smooth. Advance tickets £20 (£22 on the door) available from chapelarts.org

The Belgrave House Band play Fleetwood Mac

n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath

Komedia Bath and Bath Mencap are proud to present a festive edition of the club night exclusively for adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers. Tickets from £5, carers go for free. komedia.co.uk

ReLive presents one of the most critically acclaimed and culturally significant albums of all time: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours - performed by Leeds based sensation The Belgrave House Band. Tickets from £15. komedia.co.uk

Prepare to witness amazing aerial displays, breathtaking feats of human grace and the daring antics of scantily clad showgirls. Hear songs from the sultriest of sirens and be entertained by the edgiest comedy and cabaret maestros. Tickets from £10–£17.50. komedia.co.uk

Knowing Me, Knowing Yule Christmas Special. Let’s ABBA Good Night –expect a jam-packed 90 minutes with classics including Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Take a Chance On Me! and Super Trouper. Tickets £10/£15. komedia.co.uk

The team behind Bath’s biggest Saturday night out will be throwing the ultimate New Year’s Eve Party to see 2022 out in style – with with guilty pleasures and pop anthems to keep your feet stomping right into 2023! Advance tickets £16, from komedia.co.uk

Family Carol Service at Bath Abbey

n Widcombe Hill, Bath ‘The sheep upon the meadow, the ram, the lamb, the ewe, are watching with their shepherd and must thou needs watch too.’ With words by Eleanor Farjeon, A Christmas Lullaby is a carol written especially for Bath chamber choir Cappella Nova by the Icelandic composer Hafliði Hallgrímsson. This beautiful carol will receive its first performance at the concert, in a programme of carols, other Christmas music and readings. Tickets £12, under-18s free. Advance online booking at widcombeassociation.org.uk. Tickets also available on the door | cappellanova.org.uk

n Bath Abbey Children are invited to come dressed as a shepherd, angel, wise man or citizen of Bethlehem to take part in a retelling of the Nativity with a real donkey! Arrive early to avoid disappointment (no reserved seating). Tickets from £10. bathabbey.org

n Bath Abbey Join Bath Camerata for an uplifting celebration of music for the festive season. Tickets £10–£30, half price for under 25s. bathcamerata.co.uk

n The Pump Room, Bath For Bath Bach Choir’s 75th annual entertainment of Christmas music, lighthearted banter and audience participation, the choir bring you two maestros for the price of one: introducing new director of music, Benedict Collins Rice, who will share the podium with retiring conductor Nigel Perrin. Tickets from £12, available at bathboxoffice.org.uk

n Bath Abbey A beautiful service based around nine Bible readings interspersed with Christmas hymns and carols sung by the Bath Abbey Choirs. Tickets at bathabbey.org/christmas

Festival of Nine Lessons at Bath Abbey

n The Pavilion, Bath Monthly talks start at 10.30am. Doors open at 9.45am for coffee. Admission is free for members but a donation of £2 for non-members. If you join U3A in Bath at the meeting then your admission fee is refunded. u3ainbath.org.uk

n Widcombe Social Club The third Bath Jazz Weekend features a remarkable line up of bands and soloists of international standing from across the British jazz scene. Performers include the Parisian-inspired Esprit du Jazz quartet, newcomer violinist Theo May’s folk-intojazz Odd Unit quintet, solo pianist Matthew Bourne and many more. Tickets available at bathjazzweekend.com

n Bath Abbey To mark the church festival of Ephiphany,

Bath Jazz Weekend

Abbey Girls’ choir sing Benjamin Britten’s beautiful and challenging work A Ceremony of Carols in the magical setting of Bath abbey, accompanied by harp. Tickets from £15. bathboxoffice.org.uk

n Widcombe Social Club / Zoom Joshua Reynolds wanted to establish a new

Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Creation of Celebrity. Etching and engraving by John Keyse Sherwin

golden age for British art in the grand style of Italian History painting; he raised portraiture to the top rank of art whilst simultaneously elevating his patrons’ –as well as his own –reputation. Become a member of The Art Society Bath at theartsocietybath.com n

DUNCAN CAMPBELL Antique silver specialist

We have been aware for some time now that newly manufactured goods contribute to emissions of CO2 and what are the consequences. What we may be less aware of is the quantity of CO2 emitted by seemingly innocent consumer purchases. According to a study conducted by Small World Consulting, the carbon saving to be made by choosing second-hand over new is staggering. We can all make some serious reductions to our personal carbon footprints simply by avoiding the new. Whether you fancy an exotic 17thcentury cabinet at auction or a scratched-up old coffee table from a charity shop, there is zero carbon involved in either decision.

It came as a great shock to me to learn that a newly manufactured mechanical watch uses approximately 800kg of carbon. Given that the average individual carbon usage for the UK, including travel and all consumption, is 13 tonnes, 0.8 of a tonne is quite a big deal. A secondhand sofa will save over half a tonne of carbon and a vintage gemstone set ring will save 0.42 tonnes over a newly made one. Even a humble handbag uses about 200kg of carbon to make.

The world is changing fast. The same survey found that 18–25 year olds are most likely to seek out old clothes, jewellery and watches, while 25–44 year olds are more likely to buy collectables and furniture second hand than any other age group.

The reasons for this shift are various. The main stated reason for buying second hand for 62% of those questioned is, “we love a bargain”. Then comes eco-friendliness, followed by quality of craftsmanship and then the individuality of non-mass produced goods. The stories, history and potential increases in value still all have some appeal, but in smaller ways.

This all may sound very convenient for an antiques dealer to spout off about, but that doesn’t make it any less true. The antiques trade may yet play its part in saving the planet? n beaunashbath.com; 01225 334234