The Bath Magazine March 2024

DOUBLE THE ACTION

David Morrissey talks about taking on Pinter

HIGHWAY CRUISING

Iconic road trips with The American Museum & Gardens

ROOM TO GROW

Let your ideas bloom with our Spring Homes, Interiors & Gardens special

VETERAN REPORT

Jeremy Bowen shares his insights into the Middle East

ELECTRIC CHARGE

Powering cars for racing at the University of Bath

Contents

8 5 T H I N G S

12 B AT H P R O F I L E

38 TA K E TO T H E R OA D

Great things to look forward to this month

Meet Luana Sasarman, Youth Ambassador for the D uke of Edinburgh’s Award

16 N OT E S O N A S M A L L C I T Y

Columnist Richard Wyatt wonders why we don’t have a city museum when BRLSI have a ready-made collection

18 H O L D I N G T H E S TAG E

Melissa Blease talks to actor David Morrissey about a doublebill of Pinter at the Ustinov

20 H A R D TA L K

Emma Clegg asks Jeremy Bowen about his book on the Midd le East, ahead of his arrival in the city

22 W H AT ’S O N T H I S M O N T H

O ur rundown of great things to do and see in Bath

30 A S U P E R S TA R I N WA I T I N G

Melissa Blease speaks to Shaq Taylor on playing the lead in Hamilton and his journey to the stage

32 A R T S & E X H I B I T I O N S

A round-up of the great art on display in our local galleries

F ind out about the new exhibition at the American Museum & Gardens, The American Road Trip

40 S C U L P T U R E I N A T R E E

Nicola Turner ’ s new installation involves a sawtooth oak tree

44 F O O D & W I N E

W ine choices and a plant-based recipe from Ella Mills

48 FA S T C A R S

Electric cars for racing at the University of Bath

58 G E T S U M M E R R E A DY

Get on top of your game with treatments at The Oranger y

62 T H E WA L K

Andrew Swift uncovers fascinating landmarks in Nailsworth

64 I N T E R I O R S S P E C I A L

News, company profiles and a director y of local resources

88 G A R D E N I N G

As the days lengthen Jessica Stokes creates a spring window box

O n o u r c o v e r t h i s m o n t h

It ’s our Interiors Special – tap into the design trends, the produc ts and our direc tor y of local suppliers and resources to get your home and garden in shape

F R O M T H E E D I T O R

What ’ s life like in the fast lane? Well, it ’ s pretty similar to reading our March magazine F irst of all we ’ ve inter viewed three high-achieving and respected figures within their profession. David Morrissey – who has played roles as diverse as Gordon Brown, an imposter Doctor W ho, and Julius Caesar –shares his thoughts on page 18 with Melissa Blease on taking on a double bill of Pinter at the Ustinov

Melissa also catches up with Shaq Taylor on page 30 who is playing the lead in Hamilton at the Bristol Hippodrome and has had his own share of illustrious roles – including Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Javert in Les Misérables. I also talked to the BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen – who is appearing at the Curious Minds festival this month – who shared some insightful obser vations on the political, cultural and religious differences in The Midd le East (see page 20), and how they inform the current tragic war in Gaza

Another ‘fast ’ link comes on page 38 with The American Road Trip, an exhibition at The American Museum & Gardens Kate Hebert and Harriet W ilson together explain what inspired the exhibition, its interactive approach and the iconic appeal of the road trip. Then we zoom on to the University of Bath on page 48 who do fast without the carbon impact, because they have an electr ic Formula S tudent team who design and build a single-seater racing c ar each year and compete in competitions internationall y

We are also in the (highl y charged) mode for inter iors trends with profiles of The Cotswold Company (page 70) and S ofas and S tuff (page 68), a host of ne ws from the region inc luding a ver y yellow room from Maison et O bjet in Par is (page 64), and our comprehensive listing of loc al inter iors and garden specialists (page 72)

We ’d also like to introduce you to baker Basil Athanasiou (see page 42) who agreed to be the ver y first of our new series of Portrait of Bath profiles. Basil, his wife and their three children travelled a great many miles to Bath from Thessaloniki, a port city on the Aegean. But eight years later they are here to stay, as they supply their customers with an array of British and Greek baked classics from soda bread to sesame rings, also known as koulouri Thessalonikis

Thanks for accompanying us on our March journey!

News about travelling by bus...

Emma Clegg, Editor

The Bath Magazine

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Editor Emma Clegg

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Talking of travel, we’ve discovered that England has lost 22% of its local bus provision since 2011 (source: FactCheck analysis). And when the study accounts for increases in population, the decline is even greater: 28% The analysis finds that every region of England has been hit, with those outside the south east seeing the sharpest falls.

Some of the worst affected local authority areas have lost more than half of their bus provision per head of population since 2011. In the s west, we have lost 27% in local bus miles p person. Most significantly we discover that Bath and Nor th East Somerset are one of the top five worst hit councils, having lost almost two thirds of our bus provision in that time

Bath and Nor th East Somerset Council sai wants to see bus decline “reversed” and tha has increased funding for suppor ted ser vic I t said it needs the regional mayor to use b funding to “ensure ser vices in our area mee needs of our residents”

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

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

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5 things to do

Watch the runners

Suppor t the marathon runners in the Bath Half Marathon on 17 March where spectators are able to line the whole route. There are par ticular recommended viewing and enter tainment points, including Royal Avenue where the race star ts and finishes; Royal Victoria Park playground; Chelsea Road; Weston Lock Retail Park; Great Pulteney Street; Churchill Bridge; and Green Park Station The first race with the fastest runners star ts at 10 20am, with other groups star ting at 10 35am and 10 50am bathhalf co uk

Dance to Taylor Swift

Visit Komedia on Thursday 14 March and enjoy a night dedicated to worshipping at the altar of Taylor Swift Yes, it ’s non-stop Swifty all night: deep cuts, extended mixes, fan favourites and all the hits Join fellow fans in a celebration of the genius of the Swift – because she’ll never go out of style Admission (standing) £10 Bring valid ID, such as a driving license or passpor t Doors open 11pm; last entr y strictly 12 30pm komediabath co uk

Cultivate ideas

The Bath Ar ts Collective brings Curious Minds: a festival to ignite ideas to Bath from 7–28 March, with over 30 book talks, live per formances and film screenings Festival highlights include insights from the BBC ’s International Editor, Jeremy Bowen on the situation in The Middle East (see page 20); and a discussion of climate change with writer and historian Peter Frankopan and writer and scientist Adam Ruther ford You can also hear the thoughts of Ellen J Jones, the author of How Film and T V can Solve Racism and Save the World; consider The Life and Lies of Charles Dickens with Helena Kelly (author of Jane Austen, the Secret Radical); and discover authors and books with writers Judith Robinson and Scott Pack at their event Around the World in 10 Books See the website for the full range of events. bathar ts.co.uk

Celebrate Motown

On 13 March enjoy a celebration of Motown legends, The Temptations The material inc ludes their first hit, The Way You Do The Things You Do in 1964, through the career highs of My Girl, Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Just My Imagination. Featuring a cast of dynamic West End performers, Just My Imagination bring a fresh, exhilarating and incomparable night of sing-along, dance-along magic at Bath Forum T ickets £19.50–£75. Doors: 6.30pm, show : 7.30pm. bathforum.co.uk

Feel uplifted

The standout event at Bath Abbey this Easter is a concer t per formance of St Matthew Passion on 27 March at 7pm by the Abbey Choirs of Boys Girls and Lay Clarks, alongside baroque specialists Rejouissance (book tickets at bathboxoffice org uk) For families and schools there is a family Easter Trail at Bath Abbey, from 25 March – 14 April, involving Easter baskets and quiz questions Just pick up a trail sheet at the Welcome Desk, and when you’ve decoded the myster y messa celebrate with a free mini egg Holy Week and Easter at the Abbey sees the standard seasonal ser vices, including the Good Friday Family Ser vice at 10am on 29 March, Church Family Communion on Easter Sunday (31 March) at 9.30am and Choral Evensong at 3.30pm. bathabbey.org

Adam Ruther ford, credit Stefan Jakubowski

City updates

MURDER MYSTERY IN MANHAT TAN

The former director of the American Museum & Gardens in Bath Richard Wendorf has recently published his book, The Subtle Thie f, with the Conrad Press.

This is a witty, elegant, and intriguing murder myster y set in stylish Manhattan You won’t find street-wise thugs or master criminals, but a heady mix of writers, curators, collectors, art dealers, and enticing sirens whose world is turned upside down when one of them is found dead in their Manhattan apartment A large number of artists are presented and a good deal of tention is given to collecting as a ultural enterprise. Richard says, As a collector, art historian, and ormer museum and librar y irector, I’ve spent a good deal of me in New York – it has an abundance of museums and galleries, and a beautiful antiques fair as well, so he setting is perfect for my book.”

The Subtle Thie f, Conrad Press, £10.99 at all good bookshops

BLOOMING SUCCESS FOR 60 YEARS

Bath in Bloom is celebrating 60 years of participation in the Royal Horticultural Society ’ s Britain in Bloom competition Since its inauguration in 1964 (when Bath won the first of many Gold Awards), this voluntar y group has gone from strength to strength This year the Bath in Bloom group hopes to follow their Gold successes with new and inspiring initiatives

As well as enhancing and maintaining key areas in the centre of Bath, Bath in Bloom will continue supporting the fantastic community groups developing and maintaining local areas and parks Working in partnership with B&NES Parks Department and Bath Businesses Improvement District, it will also continue to play a vital role in making Bath a beautiful and inviting place.

bathinbloom.org

BEE-ING BOLD IN BATH

With funding from The West of England Combined authority, B&NES Council has worked with Blooming Whiteway, artist Marian Hill and local communities to create eight new pollinator-friendly landscapes in forgotten green spaces across the district. In Weston, a roundabout verge has been turned into a pollinator haven with a new wildflower meadow and spring bulbs and a series of insect hotels to provide the full range of habitats needed by pollinators

For many of these species, long grass and untidy corners are as important as flower-rich meadows The caterpillars of butter flies like the gatekeeper will only feed on the unmown blades of common grasses like cocksfoot and early flowers like daisies and dandelions are one of the few nectar sources for bumblebees early in the year.

Spaces like this, and schemes like the Neighbourhood Nature Area initiative where residents can adopt a verge, will hopefully inspire residents to help transform some of the unloved corners of the city beta.bathnes.gov.uk/bee-bold-pollinator-project

RHS PARTNER GARDEN IN BATH

The American Museum & Gardens has been selected to be a RHS Partner Garden for 2024 – the only RHS Partner Garden open to the public in the Bath and Bristol area Opening from 9 March, the first visitors can enjoy Daffodil Month in the gardens, when a cascade of 70,000 daffodils bloom between March and April.

RHS members will have free access to the gardens at selected times, on Wednesdays when open, plus Thursdays from 9 March to 30 June, and from September to December 2024

The American Museum & Gardens is located on a hilltop with spectacular views over the Limpley Stoke Valley Set in 125 acres of rolling green topography, the Grade II-listed gardens feature 2.5 acres of formal gardens, which were renovated in 2018 by US garden designers Oehme, van Sweden (O vS). Open 9 March to 31 December 2024, 10am – 5pm; amer icanmuseum.org

Above: Chairman of Bath in Bloom Stephen Brook and committee members receiving their Gold award at the 2023 Royal Hor ticultural Society awards ceremony

IN SEARCH OF MUSICAL TALENT

Marion McNeir – who is Chair of the Bath-Aix en Provence Twinning Association – is on the look out for local musical talent that would like to represent Bath on a trip to France

Ever y year Bath’s twin city, Aix en Provence, holds a music festival to celebrate its twinning links. This year it will take place from 3–5 May and the group – be it a choir, an orchestra or a band – will be invited to perform two concerts on Saturday evening and Sunday af ternoon Marion says, “I would love to hear from any interested groups, as it ’ s a great opportunity to travel and perform in lovely venues in our beautiful twin city Aix is ver y generous and will pay for two nights hotel accomodation for a maximum of 20 musicians. All the musicians from all the twin cities are also invited to join together for a fantastic dinner on the final evening – a real coming together to celebrate music and international friendship ” In recent years, Bath has been represented by the Camerata Choir, the Paragon Singers, the Silver Ring Choir and the Ukelele Band of Bath Anyone interested and needing further information should contact Marion: marianmcneir@yahoo co uk

INNOVATION GOLD MEDAL

Principal Clinical Scientist Darren Har t who has led or suppor ted a number of highly successful innovation projects at the Royal United Hospitals Bath Foundation Trust, is this year ’s recipient of the prestigious Innovation Gold Medal by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)

The Gold Medal is awarded to those who have consistently contributed at an outstanding level to the advancement of healthcare innovation. Darren suppor ted the development of the RUH’s Back to Basic’s Vir tual Reality ( VR) videos, which are par t of the RUH Patient Safety Programme Developed by a small project team and funded by a grant from Health Education England, the VR videos are a different and memorable way to refresh people’s knowledge of the RUH’s patient safety priorities

Darren has also been collaborating with Dorothy House Hospice Care to explore the use of VR and 360° cameras to create immersive recordings that vir tually transpor t patients receiving end of life care to local outdoor surroundings to aid wellbeing ruh.nhs.uk

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Bath profile

LUANA SASARMAN

Luana Sasarman, a pupil at King Edward’s School, is one of just 35 young people in the UK who have been chosen as a Youth Ambassador for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Luana is a Bronze and Silver DofE Award holder, and is now doing her Gold DofE Award

Tell us when and why you moved to Bath

I moved here six years ago because my parents both wanted a change in career. I must admit, I was not a fan of the idea at first. I was scared and did not know the city, let alone any children my age... I didn’t even speak English! Luckily people were ver y welcoming, and I made many friends quickly, all of whom helped me better my English

How long have you been at KES and how have you found it there?

I moved schools at the start of September, and I’ve loved ever y second! I was so excited to meet new people and to grow my friendship group I was specially grateful to join the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent within the school. I also chose to become a DofE charities and careers prefect because those are things I love doing and thinking about I have done many things with the teams inc luding speeches, supporting events, and planning fundraisers

You speak multiple languages – how did this come about?

I have family all over Europe I was born in Paris and French became my second language at a young age, af ter Romanian Then I learned English. I love being able to communicate with so many people around the wor ld – I’m learning Spanish in school and I have started to learn Arabic as part of my silver DofE skills section. I am now looking to learn some basics in Swahili before my school trip to Kenya next year, as well as Italian to communic ate with morepeople at work, and Esperanto as part of my Extended Project Q ualification (EPQ)

W hat is your experience with the Air Cadets and your DofE Awards?

The Air Cadets have been a large part of my life since I was 12, giving me so many opportunities, ranging from shooting to drill camps and gliding and flying to expeditions to Canada. I had the opportunity to teach a few intakes for children aged from 12–16, and I’ve enjoyed seeing

their evolution into eager cadets My DofE expeditions rank high in my list of favourite experiences I love meeting new people and pushing past my comfort zone boundaries, especially being able to do that while enjoying breathtaking views

W hat physical activities do you love and why?

I’m an adrenaline junkie and this has led me to tr y lots of crazy things such as bouldering, archer y, sprinting, horse-riding, mountain biking, semi-marathon running and go-karting DofE gave me the chance to explore some of these, including boxing for my silver DofE Sometimes my love for adrenaline has gotten me into trouble – when I crashed on my rollerblades going down a hill at 30mph However, I used my Bronze DofE’s ‘physical activity ’ section to build my skills back up, re-learn the tricks I could no longer do af ter having broken so many bones, and rekindle my love for rollerblading and ice-skating.

How do you feel about Bath now after being here for six years?

I do love the city! Its architecture is extraordinar y, gorgeous, and inspiring and, although I do wish it had more activities such as rock climbing and a permanent ice rink, it ’ s easy to travel to nearby cities with these facilities Bath has a wide array of people and you hear so many interesting stories from visitors My favourite places right now are where I work: The Holiday Inn, where I can speak a variety of languages; and Square Grill House Piano Bar and Edesia restaurants, which are both beautiful and friendly and enable me to make good dishes alongside my hilarious co-workers. My favourite secret place in Bath is a little bench in the woods in Clarks Way Playground, close to my old house I loved going there to read when I walked my dog Jacky (he’s a Jack Russell and Pomeranian cross), because he could explore and chase the squirrels without pulling me along

W hat are your ambitions for the future?

I want to get into a good university and study languages, particular ly French and Spanish. If I study in the UK I’d like to join a university air squadron and continue with my love for the RAF; however, if I go abroad, it will give me more authentic experience using the languages I’d be learning W hatever I decide, my parents will support me through it, and I love them dearly for it! After finishing my studies, I’d love to be a fighter jet pilot in the RAF I’d also love to travel and experience many cultures W ho knows, I might pick up another couple of languages along the way?!

DofE org

Notes on a s m a l l c i t y

Columnist Richard Wyatt talks to Matt Williams at BRLSI and discovers that what is on view from their substantial collection of objects and books is the tip of an iceberg Is it at last time for Bath to have a city museum?

The original title of my bathnewseum.com blog used to be The V irtual Museum of Bath. That ’ s because I arrived in this cit y of museums 12 years ago to find there wasn’t one dedicated to the cit y itself I have since discovered that, tucked away on one side of Q ueen S quare, such a facilit y exists and it ’ s one that could c laim that ‘cit y museum ’ title – at least unofficially The Bath Royal Literar y and S cientific Institution is a place that has always been one of Bath’s best kept secrets, even though it ’ s been going for 200 years The name is a bit of a mouthful, isn’t it? Just recentl y the y ’ ve emphasised the ‘ Bath Royal ’ bit, but that sounds like the name of a hospital. But, whatever the billing, it ’ s a bit of a sur vivor.

According to its Collections Manager Matt W illiams, the fact it didn’t go under like many other similar institutions around the countr y is the reason why there isn’t a cor por ation-funded cit y museum This was a “ historical accident ” , says Matt because when other such bodies folded, the collections would usually go to the local authorit y Having said that, Bath’s ‘cultural hub’ is still here by the skin of its historical teeth because in the past it was “forever teetering on the edge of insolvency ” , according to Elizabeth V incent ’ s detailed histor y of the BRLSI

How many know that it was once housed in a pur pose-built c lassical pile down on Terrace Walk and demolished in the 1920s to make way f or a road-widening sc heme? It tr ansf erred to its present address in Q ueen S quare onl y to be requisitioned by the Admir alt y dur ing the S econd Wor ld War when its massive collection was put into storage Later its assets were transferred to the old Avon Count y Council and there was a real fear for the future of the remaining collections

L uc kil y, in the late 1980s, a group of Fr iends of the BRLSI was formed and secured Trusteeship The Institution got a relaunch in 1993, attracting many new members, and since then has become a flourishing cultur al centre with o ver 150 lectures delivered annual l y by leading thinkers and researchers.

The Institute has just had a big grant from the Heritage L otter y Fund whic h wil l help it spread the word amongst ne w audiences This wil l enable the recr uitment of an Educ ation Officer to de velop an imaginative programme aimed at younger people.

They ’ ve also recently appointed local businessman James Hamilton as General Manager and he will be looking at more commercial ways of funding BRLSI Maybe a museum shop could be on the way and, with L otter y help, a permanent galler y for the collection

Matt W illiams has his own anniversar y this year Back in 2004, as a young and newly qualified palaeontologist with a Master ’ s Degree, he successfully applied for the role of Collections Manager at BRLSI He is stil l lo ving his job 20 years on, and is currentl y busy prepar ing an anniversar y special exhibition which opens on 23 March.

The World Revealed - Curious Collections brought back to Bath will be a tribute to all those who have helped build up an amazing repositor y of 150,000 items Matt told me “ The public perception is that a museum is what you see, but what is on view is the tip of an iceberg ” He senses a new energ y in the place, with a real desire to turn up the self-promotional volume

“Up until last year the most visitors to an exhibition was 3,500, but last year it went up to 8,500 We are working harder to promote things and reach new audiences.”

Matt would love to see a permanent galler y in the near future, but it has to be financially viable. “It ’ s one thing establishing such a facility, but you have to factor in running costs,” he said

Part of the Q ueen S quare building is sub-let to other businesses, which br ings in much needed funds – and sometimes even donations That ’ s not going to change any time soon “ We are doing well as an institution; we just have to be cautious,” says Matt

I was invited to the celebr ator y launc h of this bicentennial year and I must say I approve of the new exter nal blue flood lighting whic h cer tainl y pinpoints where BRLSI is at night

In my opinion, they just have to persuade the planners to let them have proper signage to pinpoint their location during daylight hours There is a small ‘ museum ’ sign –but it ’ s currently over the wrong front door Ssssssh!! Don’t tell anyone, but could it be on the move?! n

Richard Wyatt r uns the Bath Newseum blog: bathnewseum.com

The Bath Royal Literar y and Scientific Institution at the end of York Street c 1920

Left: Collec tions Manager Matt Williams; Right: A plaster cast of a Roman statue and General Manager James Hamilton

David Morrissey takes on Pinter

The various dramatic conf licts in the plays of Harold Pinter present serious challenges for his characters and his audiences Here comes a double bill of Pinter to the Ustinov Studio with director Lindsay Posner, and they are both in the safe, interpretative hands of David Morrissey, says Melissa Blease

There was a Martin McDonagh piece in the West End called Hangmen, in 2015; I really loved doing that And Mark Antony in the National Theatre’s Julius Caesar a couple of years ago And Sher wood on TV, which I enjoyed – oh, and The Long Shadow, about the Yorkshire Ripper It ’ s hard to pick! I have a lot of work behind me But I don’t think there’s one particular role that I would stand up for as a highlight, for myself – that ’ s for others to decide ”

But other people have as tough a choice as David Morrissey when it comes to nominating our favourite of his characters Gordon Brown in Stephen Frears’ 2003 TV film The Deal? Ruthless Philip ‘ The Governor ’ Blake in US post-apocalyptic horror drama The Walking Dead? The confused Next Doctor in the BBC’s 2008 Doctor Who Christmas Special? All distinct characters, for sure; as the British F ilm Institute puts it so succinctly, Morrissey is “ one of the most versatile English actors of his generation ”

Preparation for Pinter

This month, Morrissey will be showcasing his chameleon-like, definitiondefy ing versatilit y yet again as he begins a four-week residenc y at the Ustinov Studio leading the cast (inc luding Mathew Horne, of Gavin and Stacey fame) in a compelling double-bill of The Lover/The Collection, two of hugely influential British dramatist Harold Pinter ’ s most emotionally complex works, directed by Lindsay Posner Two plays, in one night, for four consecutive weeks? Phew! Is there at least a link between them, to lighten the Morrissey load?

“Only in the sense that they ’ re both written by the same author,” says Morrissey, talking to me on the ver y first day of rehearsals “Also, they were both originally written and conceived for TV But there are no other distinct links apart from the fact that, in true Pinter fashion, both plays are to do with the human condition, and there are certain parallels between the two in terms of how people interact with each other.”

So is it a challenge to play two characters in one double-bill, if there isn’t a distinct link? “Actually, you could say I play three characters, in that in The Lover I play a person who takes on another character as well!,” he says. “But it ’ s fine, they ’ re all ver y, ver y different. I suppose that ’ s where the challenge is; to disappear into three characters during one matinee, or evening.”

Researching roles

Now if you know Morrissey beyond ‘knowing’ the multiple roles on his CV, you ’ ll be aware that he’s noted for his intensely methodical approach to the job in hand. “I’m not a Method actor, though,” he explains. “Method describes an actor who lives in the life of a character, and I don’t do that. W hat I do is a lot of research around my work: if I’m playing a teacher, I’ ll go and meet teachers; if I’m playing a copper, I go and meet coppers. I do a lot of work outside the script around my character, but I’m definitely not in the character 24/7, which is what governs Method – I just like to do research.”

Research for this production probably relies more on intellectual analysis of Pinter ’ s own, unique perception of the machinations behind love, relationships and the human condition: The Lover is described as a ‘quirky, tense and intriguing glimpse at the private intricacies of modern marriage’; The Collection, ‘ a comic play of suspense and sexual jealousy between two couples, sparked by an anonymous phone call ’ Intriguing?

Unravelling the characters

“From my perspective so far, The Lover examines the relationship between a middle class couple and how they interact with each other around their sexuality,” says Morrissey

“But my character is also ver y funny; he’s ver y witty, and ver y cutting The Collection is about a man tr ying to find out whether his wife is lying to him or not – also ver y funny; quite dark, but also quite musical in its language ”

If any actor’ s going to bring these roles to life, it ’ s going to be Morrissey ; I can already feel the intensity, plunder the depths and scale the heights of two plays that sound like rollercoaster emotional journeys with him, just talking to him on the phone

As we ’ re in Pinter territor y : will there be any controversy punctuating those journeys along the way? The writer’s apparent attitudes to women and female characters has always been a source of debate, to say the least

“I like Pinter's writing – I think he challenged conventions,” says Morrissey “If you see a bad Pinter production, it might be easy to think he was a misog ynist, or that a lot of his characters are misog ynistic But I honestly don’t think that was his own, actual attitude I think he knew –and saw, in our society – how some men have a misogynistic, women-hating attitude, and they ’ re triggered by women, and can only categorise them as madonnas or whores But Pinter is commenting on those attitudes and exploring them, not condoning them In The Lover, for example, my character is ver y triggered by women – it ’ s always a power struggle to him, and he questions his masculinity being challenged, and he reacts in ver y neanderthal ways, sometimes ver y violently, or highly insultingly

“But I think that Pinter shone a light on that immaturity and that sort of misog yny in a way that ’ s really important to see: yes, some men do react to women like that But the play is not a period piece; when you look at society today, I think that misog yny is, sadly, still alive and well ”

“I think [Pinter] knew – and saw, in our society – how some men have a misogynistic, women-hating attitude...”

Journey from The Everyman in Liverpool

From our conversation so far, it ’ s clear that Ustinov audiences are set to be confronted another spectacularly thought-provoking production from the Ustinov. But taking a quick step back to where Morrissey ’ s own stor y began before we watch him get on with his future, I have a personal connection with him that I can't help nudging.

Morrissey was born in Liverpool in June, 1964 – a month after me, just down the road from where I lived. Inspired by seeing Ken L oach’s 1969 film Kes, Morrissey wanted to be an actor from a ver y young age. There were no drama classes to encourage his ambition at secondar y school so he joined Liverpool’s Ever yman Youth Theatre (EY T) – at around the same time that I did. But where I’d joined the EY T for the sole reason that I was shoehorned into the EY T to meet people who ‘got ’ the fact that I was a bit of an odd kid, Morrissey clearly had innate aptitude and aspirations waiting to be fulfilled; he swiftly bagged a part in the EY T production of Fighting Chance (a play about the 1981 riots in Liverpool) and, in 1983, a starring role in W illy Russell/Gordon F lemyng’ s TV drama One Summer – and a ver y big oak from that little acorn grew

Ah, David: I remember you as being one of the clever kids at the youth theatre – the ones that not-so-focused kids like me looked up to from a respectful distance “I don’t remember there being a specific group of clever kids!” he laughs; “I just remember us all being in one big group – it was a wonderful, wonderful time I was there with my fellow actor Ian Hart, who also appeared in One Summer – we ’ ve known each other since we were about five years old And Cathy Tyson, too; we all live near each other today, in north L ondon – we ’ re all still close ”

David Morrissey has ‘ been’, in his career to date, many things to many people But he is ultimately, I believe, an actor who has always remained true to his authentic self, with the lifelong friends to prove that point Me?

I’m still the odd kid, all told But you ’ re never too old to have a c lever kid to look up to and Ustinov audiences are poised to be presented with a ver y c lever actor taking on Pinter to look up to this spring season

The Lover and The Collection, Ustinov Studio, 22 March-22 April; theatreroyal.org.uk

Jeremy Bowen on the Middle East

Veteran war correspondent Jeremy Bowen is visiting Bath this month, as part of the Curious Minds festival He took the time to answer some themed questions from us about his book on the Middle East, recently brought out in paperback, and to talk about his many years ’ experience reporting on the conf licts there

Iwrote The Modern Middle East because so many people have said to me over the years, “Jeremy, can you give me the name of a book that will help me understand?” These have all been intelligent people, but if you didn’t study the Middle East at school or university or didn’t live there, why would you know? And it ’ s such an important thing to understand in terms of the way the world is. So I wanted to write a book that people could pick up with little or no knowledge of the region and think ‘Oh yes, OK, this is why people think the way that they think’.

Understanding the region’s history

In terms of the civilian population’s understanding of their past, I think histor y is more alive in parts of the Middle East than it is here in Western Europe People have a strong feeling that they understand how they got to where they are

Having said that, sometimes it ’ s not the full story because they absorb things in a very partial way. Jerusalem is a place where history is everywhere and people are conscious of it. A notable Israeli writer said once that Jerusalem is the only city where the dead are more important than the living In other words, the weight of history bears down on the present

This does mean that the conflict is extremely embedded and that things are ver y polarised, and the war in Gaza since 7 October has really deepened that There is a potential resolution to all of this and that is the two-state solution, finding a way to split off an area for the Palestinians and the Israelis. If they don’t manage that, then they condemn themselves to perpetual war.

International intervention

The histor y of international inter vention in the Middle East has been pretty disastrous. We haven’t made things better, because powerful western countries in the 21st centur y have had their own agendas. And these agendas matter more, in terms of where they are in the global race for power Perhaps if we left the people of the region to tr y and sort things out for themselves it might have been easier

Having said that, we are where we are and that ’ s not going to happen Could the international community have done more since 7 October?

They have been ver y invested in what has been going on, but there is a ver y different view between different foreign countries The big countries in the European Union, along with the British, the Americans, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, have been supportive of Israel, but they are now thinking more and more strongly that there really does need to be a ceasefire

“Impartiality actually is truth... and sometimes the truth is complicated... So the challenge for a journalist is to explain all of that complexity

The Americans have some leverage but it ’ s limited, although it ’ s clear they haven’t yet used the leverage they have to get the ceasefire That ’ s because they have a lot of sympathy with Israel’s desire to get rid of Hamas

The question that the Americans particularly raise – because they are Israel’s closest ally – is that while they support its right to defend itself, they are not happy with the way Israel is fighting. We hear constant reminders to the Israelis in public, increasingly strongly worded, that they have to respect international humanitarian law We can surmise that the Americans don’t believe Israel has done that, so perhaps more could be done For example the Americans could say to the Israelis ‘Do not use heavy weapons against heavily populated civilian areas ’ , but then again, those heavy weapons were originally supplied by the US

Impartial journalism

Impartiality is ver y important in journlism, but this does not mean some kind of false balance It doesn’t mean ‘he says this, she says that and the truth lies somewhere in between’ Impartiality actually is truth It is tr ying to establish a way of finding the closest to the truth of what is happening And sometimes the truth is complicated And for journalists reporting in the Middle East it sometimes means having to hold five or six contradictor y things in your mind at the same time and find a way to explain those. It ’ s not black and white. So the challenge for a journalist is to explain all of that complexity. That ’ s not easy actually. At the BBC we do tr y ver y hard to get to that place, and what that means is being fair, and talking to as many different sides of the argument as you can

Interviewing leaders in the region

I have met many of the senior leaders in the region, and the only way to talk to them is to be ver y direct, particularly important when you are dealing with powerful people These are men, mostly, who can look after themselves You must not pull your punches, but you don’t have to be rude You can be perfectly polite, but you have to ask the hard questions or you don’t have credibility.

I’ve inter viewed president Bashar al-Assad of Syria three times. He gave me an interview in 2015 and we were really prepared for that The template used by the BBC’s HARDtalk programme is ver y good, because they base their questions on things that people have actually said So if a leader comes back on something you have mentioned and says “ Well that ’ s actually not true because ” , then you can say, “ Well, I’ve got this statement that you made two years ago and you said this” You have to know what you are talking about and you have to push. I interviewed the late Colonel Gaddafi of Libya, which was the last big inter view he did before he was murdered by his own people. He always said to me, “My people loved me ” . I think he actually believed it

People have often said to me, “Oh my goodness you ’ ve been to see Gaddafi or Assad and isn’t it dangerous?” Actually it ’ s not dangerous for foreign journalists, because you are there with their permission – it ’ s ver y public and they are tr ying to put a point across Going to see a leader in a palace is not dangerous They are ver y polite and they offer you tea I’ve never felt one iota of danger in these situations. What is dangerous is when you meet someone at a road block, miles from anywhere, someone who is a ver y bad mood that day and may not like your countr y or your

broadcasting organisation, or may have some strong belief that isn’t true about how people like me are against him. That is the dangerous moment.

A relevant commentary

A lot has happened since I wrote the book, which was published in September 2022, but that was always predictable in the Middle East Of course since 7 October the situation has lurched into one of the most profound crises in decades But does the book stand up? Yes, I hope so, because what the book is really tr ying to understand is why there is an Israeli Palestinian conflict and how the region got to where it is. Clearly now there is more to be said, but I wouldn’t want to do that until this immediate terr ible cr isis, this war in Gaz a, has ended and we c an see more c lear l y what the ne w shape of the region might look like

The Middle East: A personal Account with Jeremy Bowen, 21 March, Komedia Bath, 7.30pm, £15. Par t of the Cur ious Minds Festival (bathar ts.co.uk).

The Making of The Moder n Middle East by Jeremy Bowen, £10 99, available from bookshops.

What’s on

LO CA L LI F E D RAW I N G C LA S S ES

Ever y Wednesday in March, 7pm–9pm

n T he Common Room, 2 Savil le Row, Lansdown, Bath

Join a growing artistic community in the heart of Bath. Drawing boards and a wide array of art equipment are provided but feel free to bring your own tools and get as experimental as you like! The sessions are relaxed and untutored The model will sit a variety of different nude poses, including some short and some long poses There will be a 15-minute break in the middle of the session. Instag ram: citylifedrawing; eventbr ite.co.uk

WELSH DI NNER

1 March, 6 15pm for 7pm

n Bath & County Club, Queen’s Parade, Bath BA1 2NJ

Black tie dinner, three courses with coffee £35 Book by emailing secretar y@ bathandcount yc lub com; or tel: 01225 423732

I FORD MANOR SUP P ER CLUBS

1 and 15 March

n Iford Manor Kitchen, Iford Manor, Iford, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 2BAh Award-winning Iford Manor Kitchen has relaunched their popular fortnightly supper clubs, from 1 March Book your table for a fantastic foodie experience, with expertly crafted food and drink largely sourced and

made on the wider Iford Manor Estate

The evening kicks off from 7 30pm with a drink and dinner is ser ved at 8pm £65pp to include the six-course tasting menu, a welcome drink, tea and coffee with petit fours and live music. ifordmanor.co.uk/fooddrink

U3A: T H

A N D AVO N CA

7 March

n T he Pavilion, Nor th Parade

The histor y and restoration of the Kennet and Avon canal by Graham Horn Doors open at 9 45am for coffee Admission is free for members, and a donation of £2 for nonmembers. u3ainbath.uk

DA F F O D I L M O N T H AT T H E

A M ERI CA N M U S E U M & G A RD EN S

9 March – 30 April

n The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down

Enjoy a feel-good start to spring and experience the sensational beaut y of 70,000 daffodils in bloom during March and April, with waves of different varieties opening in succession throughout the month across the contemporar y and historic gardens amer ic anmuseum.org

D O ROT H Y H O U S E: M EN ’S WA LK

TO S U P P O RT

9 March, 11am

n Dorothy House Hospice, W insley, Bradford-on-Avon

Team up with your brother, your son, your dad, your best mates, or take on the walk solo ! The Men’s Walk to S upport is a great

chance to chat and share experiences while supporting the charit y ’ s vital work at Dorothy House Hospice Care Entr y £25 dorothyhouse org uk

BAT H SYMP HONY ORCH EST RA: REACH FOR T H E STARS

9 March, 7.30pm–9.45pm

n Bath Forum, 1a For um Buildings, S t James Parade, Bath

Listen to Bath Abbey Girls’ Choir and Hayesfield Girls’ School Choir sing with Bath Symphony Orchestra as they present a space-themed programme of music featuring Gustav Holst ’ s The Planets; John W illiams’ Star Wars Suite for Orchestra and Star Trek music by James Horner and Michael Giacchino bathfor um.co.uk

T H E F ULLTONE ORCH EST RA:

T H E Q UEEN SYMP HONY

9 March, 7 30pm

n Bath Abbey, Bath

The ‘Q ueen Symphony ’ is a classical piece, in six movements, taking inspiration from a number of Q ueen songs. It is a sensational and enthralling musical work. The inspirations include Radio Ga Ga, Another One Bites The Dust, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and We Are The Champions fto.org.uk

M OT H ER’S DAY AT T H E

A M ERI CA N M U S E U M & G A RD EN S 10 March

n The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down

Celebrate Mother ’ s Day with a day out for the whole family at the American Museum

Daffodil Month at the Amer4ican Museum & Gardens

Supper clubs at Iford Manor

Maga

& Gardens Capture treasured moments with a free family photoshoot (book online) and enjoy prosecco and cake in the Deli amer ic anmuseum org

MOTHER’S DAY AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE

10 March

n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park Road Green Park Brasserie is extending its Sunday Roast with last bookings being taken up to 6pm Bath Pizza Co will be open all day until 9pm Booking essential greenparkbrasserie.com

A lD RI D G E’S O f B AT H Au c T I O N

12 March, 10am (vie wing Sat 9 March)

n Online

Decorative and household sale, inc luding V ictor ian, Edwardian, 20th-centur y and modern household furniture and furnishings, decorative china and glass, pictures and pr ints, mirrors and r ugs; also garden furniture, tools and general household goods aldr idgesofbath com

uNIvERSI T Y Of BAT H

GARDENI NG cluB: A BuZZ I N T H E

GARDEN – GARDENI NG fOR BEES

13 March, 7 30pm-9pm

n Room 1 Level 1, East Building, East Car Park, University of Bath, Claverton Down Richard Rickitt is co-editor of BeeCraft. His fascinating and richly illustrated talk introduces many of the 330 bee species found around the UK and explains how gardeners can make a valuable contribution to the sur vival of these essential pollinators Open to all, annual membership £25, visitors £8 ubgc org

ScOT lAND TO SI NGAPORE

BY 43 T RAI NS

15 March, 6pm for 6 30pm

n Bath & County Club, Queen’s Parade, Bath BA1 2NJ

Listen to experienced travel writer Patrick Horton tell of his extraordinar y journey through Europe and Asia to Singapore Twocourse supper and coffee to follow £25 Book by emailing secretar y@ bathandcount yc lub.com; or tel: 01225 423732

BAT H P ROBuS cluB

14 March

n Bath and County Club, Q ueen ’ s Parade The Probus Club is offering a talk on ‘Policing in the Sixties’ Membership of the c lub is open to professional and business people who are aged 55+ and are wholly or partially retired The c lub has recently voted to welcome female members to the group Talks take place on the second Thursday of each month. You can also enjoy a two-course lunch with coffee, priced at £22.

Tel: 01225 469722; Email: br ianwebber3@outlook.com

SAM KEllY ’S STAT ION HO uSE

15 March, 8pm

n St James Memorial Hall Avon, 9 Lower Borough Walls, Bath

L egendar y dr ummer S am Kell y ’ s S tation House band has featured on the music scene for many years O r iginating from L ondon’s “S tation Tavern ” in the ear l y nineties, the band has seen a wealth of qualit y musicians come and go, all with one constant goal – to mix instinctive funk/soul rhy thms with the blues. T ic kets £15. chapelar ts.org

J O Y f u l cO N N E c T I O N S:

cO M M u N I T Y c EI lI D H

16 March, 6.30pm–10pm

n Batheaston Ne w V il lage Hal l

A Communit y Ceilidh organised by Jamie Colston Inc ludes live music and dancing, curr y and conversation, and an alcohol-free space designed around intergenerational, anti-racist, LGBTQI* and disabilit y fr iend liness and inc lusivit y T ic kets pr iced to be inc lusive jamiecolston.com

fAu RE RE Q u I EM

16 March, 7.30pm

n S t Mar y ’ s Church, Bathwic k Bath Cantata Group per form Fauré Requiem, and Fauré ’ s Cantique de Jean R acine, along with 15th to 20th centur y motets and ar ias, with Neil Moore as music director T ic kets £20/£5/U18s free bathc antatag roup.co.uk

BATH MINERvA cHOIR: J S BAcH

ST JOHN PASSION

16 March, 7.30pm

n Bath Abbey, Bath

Join Bath Miner va Choir for St John Passion, Bach’s monumental masterpiece, featuring a cast of international soloists led by James Gilchrist as the Evangelist, with Bristol Baroque Ensemble on period instruments under the inspiring baton of the director Gavin Carr. Tickets £30/£25/£15 side aisles. Tel: 01225 463362 bathboxoffice.org.uk

cIT YSOuND vOIcES

16 March, 7.30pm

n St Michael’s Church, Bath

Popular Bath-based choir CitySound Voices, directed by W illiam Stevens, together with soloists from Cardiff Opera, present an original programme of choral arrangements of Shakespeare’s works, including George Shearing’s Songs and Sonnets, Verdi’s Macbeth Choruses, Vaughan W illiams’ Serenade to Music and a West Side Story medley citysound org uk

REvIvE YOuRSElf AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE ON HAlf MARATHON DAY

17 March

n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park Road

Big terrace action, plenty of rehydration and great food at Bath Pizza Co and Green Park Brasserie Swing by whenever suits and soak up the pre, during and post Bath Half party atmosphere all day from 10am until 10pm.

greenparkbrasserie.com

WH Y BRITAIN lOST THE AMERIcAN WAR Of INDEPENDENcE

19 March, 12pm for 12 30pm

n Bath & County Club, Queen’s Parade, Bath BA1 2NJ

Talk by Betty Suchard, with lunch and coffee to follow. £27. Book by emailing secretar y@ bathandcountyclub.com; or tel: 01225 423732

Sam Kelly ’s Station House, Chapel Ar ts

Gardening for Bees, University of Bath Gardening Club

BATH’S BIG DAY OUT

Join Bath Racecourse on Sunday 7th April for their first raceday of the year!

They’ve pulled out all the stops this year with an action-packed day showcasing the best of what Bath has to offer!

Whether you ’ re looking for a pub garden feel where you can sit back, listen to live music and enjoy a pint or prosecco with friends, or you ' re on the hunt for familyfriendly fun that’ll keep everyone entertained – Bath’s Big Day Out is perfect! And, what makes it even better… Kids go FREE!

There’ll be live music all day long, a free fun fair for everyone to enjoy, lots of children’s entertainment including stilt walkers and free facepainting, PLUS you can bring your own picnic!

Book your tickets now at www.bath-racecourse.co.uk

JohN gRay oN ‘ the New LevIathaNS

19 March, 7.30pm–9pm

n BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath, or online

Join Professor John Gray exploring a wor ld af ter Liberalism. In The New Leviathans, John Gray allows us to understand the wor ld of the 2020s with all its contradictions, moral horrors and disappointments through a new reading of Hobbes’ c lassic work £4–£8 br lsi org

fIRSt Day of SpRINg at gReeN paRK bRaSSeRIe

20 March

n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park Road Bath P izz a Co and Green Park Brasser ie are refreshing their famous terrace Expect Happy Hour coc ktails (2 for £14, 12-5pm) great music and award-winning pizz as, burgers, salads, fish and chips and more while watching the wor ld go by. g reenparkbrasser ie.com

S u LI S h o S p I ta L: p ReD I a b e t eS; p Rev eN t I N g a N D M a Nag I N g D I a b e t eS, t h e RI S K faC to RS yo u Ca N b e at

20 March, 6.15pm–8pm

n Combe Grove, Brassknoc ker Hil l, Bath “ Pre vent Diabetes and Take Control of Your Life!” This e vent is your chance to learn about the latest research on diabetes r isk factors, pre vention and management Exper t speakers D r Bhattachar ya, a consultant in diabetes and endocr inolog y, and D r Rebecc a Hiscutt P hD provide practic al tips on how to maintain good metabolic health and pre vent disorders, such as diabetes £5 per person (donated to The Elmhurst Foundation). sulishospital.com

bath oRCheStRaL gaLa CoNCeRt 2024: ouR DIveRSe woRLD

20 March, 7pm

n

Bath Forum

King Edward’ s School, Bath presents O ur Diverse World, in partnership with Bath’s professional orchestra, Bath Philharmonia. In a celebration of diversity and our planet, the extensive repertoire encompasses a wide range of musical choices, featuring pieces such as Laura Karpman’s Mar vels theme tune, Higher, Further, Faster, Together; Hans Zimmer’s hypnotic Earth; and F lorence Price’s rhythmic Juba Dance bathboxoffice org uk

MoMeNtS of pLeaSuRe: the MuSIC of Kate buSh

23 March, 8pm

n W iltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road Bradford on Avon

A five-piece Kate Bush tribute band, featuring the amazing vocals of Lisa-Marie Walters Celebrating Kate Bush’s 1978 iconic debut album, Moments Of Pleasure will perform The Kick Inside. wiltshiremusic.org.uk

bath & weSt fooD & DRINK feStIvaL

23–24 March

n The Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset

The Food & Drink Festival will be built around the British Cheese Awards judging arena. Stands bring together the region’s best in cider, beer, jam, gelato, cheese and chocolate. A diverse line-up of guests will cover topics from farming to feasting and visitors can immerse themselves in the world of real ales and craft beer while the Kids Zone will keep little foodies entertained bathandwest yourticketbooking com

J.S. baCh St Mat thew paSSIoN

27 March, 7pm

n Bath Abbey, Bath

In Holy Week hear the beautiful sounds of baroque players Rejouissance as they lead the nationally acclaimed singers of Abbey Girls, Boys and Lay Clerks in this most uplifting and inspiring piece of music. bathboxoffice.org.uk

Max haStINgS – the CubaN MISSILe CRISIS

27 March, 7 30pm–9pm

n BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, or online Legendar y journalist Sir Max Hastings comes to BRLSI to discuss his latest book on the Cuban Missile Crisis and what relevance this key event in histor y holds for the world of today £4–£8 brlsi.org

IfoRD behIND the SCeNeS gaRDeN touR

28 March, 10am – 11.30am

n Iford Manor Kitchen, Iford Manor, Iford, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 2BAh

This special out-of-season tour will look at the work currently being done in the garden, and provide a preview just before the gardens reopen. You will also visit Iford’ s private walled garden (with vegetable garden, glasshouses, andcutting garden)

The tour concludes with a hot drink in the Iford Manor Café £28 ifordmanor.digitickets.co.uk

LOOKING AHEAD

u3a: t h e t I ta N I C D I S a S t eR

4 Apr il

n T he Pavilion, Nor th Parade

Paul Barnett explores the events before and af ter the tragic sinking of The Titanic on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in April 1912 A number of ideas and theories have been put for ward as to why the tragedy happened Paul attempts to dispel some of these theories with his own facts and reasoning. Doors open at 9.45am for coffee. Admission free for members, and a donation of £2 for non-members u3ainbath.uk

b at h ’S b I g Day o u t at b at h

RaC e Co u RS e

S unday 7 Apr il

n Bath R acecourse, Lansdown

Join Bath Racecourse for their first race day of the year! This fixture is one of the 170 Premier Racedays across British horseracing that showcase the best quality of racing in the sport It ’ s also a real family day with live music all day long featuring talented local artists; non-stop fun at the massive free fun fair; and for the little ones there is face painting, stilt walkers, and a whole lot more! Bring your own picnic to enjoy throughout the day. Gates open 12pm; first race 13.58pm. Book your tickets at bath-racecourse.co.uk n

Hidden treasures @ BRLSI

Here are some of the highlights of BRLSI’s programme this month, and we feature the oldest fossil in the collection, which was donated by Adela Breton.

BRLSI’s Extraordinar y Women series is providing a strong focus for the institute’s events in March. Scottish scientist and popular writer Mar y Fairfax Somer ville (1788–1872) is the first subject of a talk by Elisabetta Strickland on 1 March There is also a talk on 4 March by Professor Ursula Martin on Ada Lovelace (1815–1852), referred to as the world’ s first computer programmer Then on 9 March comes the Extraordinar y Women Symposium (10am–4pm), a day with talks on the greatest female artist of the Baroque Age Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1652); writer and philosopher Mar y Wollstonecraf t (1759–97); Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) and a showing of the documentar y on Paula Rego, Secrets and Stories directed by Rego’s son Finally on 15 March comes a talk looking at two women who changed the face of music across three centuries, Dolly Parton (b 1946) and Clara Schumann (1819–1896) brlsi.org

CO LLE C T I O N CO R N ER

From the BRLSI collection we bring you a contribution from another extraordinar y woman Brought up in Bath, Adela Breton (1849–1923) was an archaeological copyist, researcher and watercolourist A lady of leisure and private means, she devoted her time to her interests in histor y and geolog y She was an intrepid traveller and failed to conform to the stereotype of the V ictorian spinster, journeying extensively across the American continent and especially Mexico. Adela’s father W.H. Breton was a member of the Institution and both father and daughter gave objects to the museums, inc luding this fossil trilobite (the oldest fossil in the Institution’s collection at around 510 million years old in the Cambrian Period) It ’ s from Mount ephen in British Columbia, a ation that contains exceptionally preser ved fossil material Adela collected it while traveling in Canada, and it comes from a fossil locality that preser ves many and diverse species, sulting from a sudden radiation omplex life around that time in Earth’s histor y

Ar temisia Gentileschi and Simone de Beauvoir

This is Shaq’s shot

Hamilton is nearly here. Ahead of the Founding Fathers f inding their feet at Bristol Hippodrome next month, Melissa Blease speaks to leading man Shaq Taylor, who takes on the iconic role of Alexander Hamilton

Shaq Taylor as Alexander Hamilton

Amusical set in the late 18th/early 19th centur y telling the stor y of the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton: on paper, maybe not a pitch for sure-fire success But American songwriter, actor, singer, filmmaker and rapper Lin-Manuel Miranda had a dream Miranda saw something in Alexander Hamilton’s stor y that most people would have missed: a stor y from way back in the past, wholly pertinent to the right here, right now generation.

Miranda wrote a rap about Hamilton that he performed for the White House Evening of Poetr y, Music and Spoken Word in May 2009 By 2012, he was performing an extended set of pieces based on his life Three years later, Miranda’s own Hamilton premiered off-Broadway to sell-out audiences, massive acc laim and a c lutch of illustrious gongs Miranda describes Hamilton as about “America then, as told by America now ” –and the rest is, quite literally, modern day histor y.

Getting under Hamilton’s skin

“I would have loved to have seen Hamilton when I was 8,10,12 years old,” says actor Shaq Taylor “ To see people that looked like me, doing those things and telling amazing stories like this musical does – like, wow!” So it must be an even bigger wow for Shaq now he is Hamilton?

“It honestly, really is amazing,” he concurs “It ’ s really, really exciting The whole musical has impacted on so many people around the world – because it ’ s such a new, vibrant take on a historic stor y. And it brings together so many genres that are of today, while still telling that major, world-changing stor y. It ’ s literally one of a kind.”

But how easy was it for Shaq to get himself under the skin of a man who died 220 years ago (the loser in a duel with fellow Founding Father Aaron Burr) and today acknowledged as being the foremost champion of a strong central government for the ‘ new ’ United States?

“It wasn’t difficult at all,” says Shaq “I became really interested in where Alexander came from: a small island in the Caribbean, which was really a down-and-out countr y. Prisoners were sent there as punishment – and that ’ s where he grew up. It was Alexander’s intelligence and far-reaching view of the world that got him out of that situation; he wrote a pamphlet about the effects on poverty-stricken families of a hurricane he witnessed, and his prosperous merchant guardian saw him worthy of sending off to America to get an education That part of his stor y parallels with the backstor y of many rappers, and people who live in underprivileged areas, who use their talents to get out, and do something with their lives ”

Journey to the stage

Hamilton’s stor y also has personal resonance for Shaq. “Both my parents are of Jamaican descent – my grandparents were first-generation immigrants to the UK”, he explains “I’m the first in our family to go into theatre – and that is quite a unique stor y W hen I was about 8 or 9, I did a drama c lass in primar y school and it rocked my wor ld – I thought, what is this art form that will allow me to really express myself, and tell stories in exciting ways? My mum sent me to Stagecoach Theatre School and then one day I got this letter that said my application for this young people’s thing at the Young V ic in L ondon had been accepted – I had no idea who sent the application off ! But I went to the audition, and I got it, and that was my first taste of being on stage.”

W hoever sent that letter off must be ver y proud of Shaq; his CV is littered with illustrious roles including Beast in Beauty and the Beast at the L ondon Palladium, Javert in Les Misérables at the Q ueen ’ s Theatre, Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent ’ s Park Open Air Theatre and the ‘Show Off Your Savvy ’ guy in the latest IKEA TV ad campaign Ah, Shaq, do people recognise you from the ad?

“All the time! I c an’t get away from it!”, he laughs “ I said to my mum, ‘people keep recognising me in the street – it ’ s a bit over whelming!’

And she was like, ‘do you realise how much joy you give to people? They ’ re seeing the guy who they keep seeing in their living room, in real life!’ To be honest, it ’ s really nice – it ’ s a ver y human thing ”

Shaq’s modest, ego-free attitude to his career is ver y human too. “I haven’t done too bad so far, but there’s still a way to go!”, he says. “I always tr y to take something with me from job to job, because each one of them brings benefits Right now, I’m ver y focused on Hamilton O bviously, the play book has been set and that never changes But in terms of acting and intention, it can change all the time, and other actors bring something different that makes you react in a different way ; you kind of have to be on your feet with it, and I like to keep it fresh But portraying my character and telling his stor y : that ’ s entirely my responsibility It ’ s not simple, and that ’ s the fun thing about it – I don’t think I’d love what I do as much as I do if it wasn’t as complicated as it is.”

Complicated – and, surely, exhausting? By the time Hamilton lands at the Bristol Hippodrome, for eight weeks from the end of April, Shaq will have been with the musical’s first tour of the UK, since last autumn

“ The thing is, because we set down in cities for so long it doesn’t feel like a tour,” says Shaq “Right now, we ' ve been in Manchester for four months and it ’ s a luxur y, to be honest, to get to know the city you ’ re in I visited Bristol for a period of time with Beauty and the Beast, so I do know it a bit, and I’m ver y excited to be back – there’s so much art, so much culture going on in Bristol. And I’m definitely going to tr y to get to know Bath this time around too – it ’ s high on my list!”

“Just you wait”

Before I let Shaq go back to his iconic role as a man realising his own potential as he strives to do the same for his countr y, I have one more question for him, focusing not on Alexander Hamilton, or the journey that led to him and Shaq coming together as one or even the IKEA man! Here we go: who is Shaq Taylor, in just three words?

“Ha, that ’ s is the toughest question I’ ve ever been asked in an inter view!” he laughs. “ You’ve put me on the spot! It ’ s like a dating app! But okay, here we go: I guess I’m calm – and down-to-earth And active! I reckon I’m active That ’ s me!”

So, that ’ s Shaq’s summar y of himself But to quote one of Alexander Hamilton/Shaq Taylor ’ s lines in the phenomenally successful musical itself, “there’s a million things I haven’t done, just you wait ” – and Shaq Taylor is a calm, down-to-earth, active superstar-in-waiting, “passionately smashin’ ever y expectation.” Go, Hamilton! n

Hamilton ar r ives at Br istol Hippodrome from Tuesday 30 Apr il and r uns until Saturday 22 June; atgtic kets.com

Charles Simmons as George Washington, and Company

Arts & exhibitions

Day Bowman at sandrahiggins art

Much of Day ’ s work refers to the sea, the beach and the littoral, near her childhood seaside home Through the use of colour, scribbled lines and drip marks, contrasting with the blocks of background painted area, Day Bowman captures the tides and occasional gleam of sunshine

To view works by Day, visit the online galler y or email Sandra to arrange a private viewing by appointment sandrahig gins.art; sandra@sandrahiggins com

Bath Textile Artists: Textures of Time, 29 March – 27 April, The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham SN13 9HX

This year marks the 40th anniversar y of the foundation of Bath Textile Artists In this exhibition, this versatile group of currently 12 members explores and interprets the theme of Textures of Time in many ways Different techniques used inc lude hand and machine embroider y, printing and painting on fabric, weaving, collage, silk painting and felting. Recyc led materials are of ten utilised Altogether there is a varied and exciting body of original work to be enjoyed at the exhibition bathtextilear tists.com poundar ts.org.uk

The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath

Gwen John: Art and Life in London and Paris, until 14 April

This exhibition brings together paintings, watercolours, drawings and sketches to chronologically trace Gwen John’s 40-year career, focusing on her work in Paris and L ondon

Gillian Lowndes: Radical Clay, until 21 April

The exhibition showc ases a small number of tabletop and wall pieces from Gillian L owndes (1936-2010) one of the most dar ing and or iginal ar tists of the post-war per iod

Lubaina Himid: Lost Threads, until 21 April

Lost Threads will see 400 metres of vibrant D utch wax fabric transform the museum ’ s spaces. holbur ne.org

Sustainable Art Open, until 21 March, Atkinson Gallery, 8-16 Glaston Road, Street BA16 OYD

As we navigate this pivotal moment in our planet's history, the call for sustainable practices and a rekindled connection with nature has never been more urgent. In response, the gallery presents an array of artworks transcending traditional boundaries, captivating the senses, and challenging us to reconsider our relationship with the environment Weds–Sat 9 30am–5pm millf ieldschool com/atkinson-galler y

For tress Four, oil, charcoal and conte on canvas, by Day Bowman

Piece from Bath Textile Ar tists, Tex tures of Time

Two Woman in Church, by Gwen John

Snow ar t by Simon Beck

With the Wind and the Wild by Stewar t Edmondson, mixed media on paper

Stewart Edmondson: new paintings, until 8 April

Beaux Arts Bath, 12-13 York Street, Bath

For the first of its spring exhibitions Beaux Arts galler y hosts the work of Stewart Edmondson Stewart visits his favourite haunts up on Dartmoor, along the river Dart, with guest appearances by rivers Avon and Frome, and some crashing waves on the south coast for good measure Ceramics are by the redoubtable Adam Buick

Open 10-5 Monday to Saturday beauxartsbath.co.uk

Art from the Kitchen Garden at the Dyson Cancer Centre at the RUH

Natasha Clutterbuck is currently working as a commissioned artist at the D yson Cancer Centre, inc luding the creation of a series of murals and vinyls inspired by precious pollinators and the forest garden

Insects such as honeybees, bumble bees, butterflies, hoverflies and dragonflies are vital to support a healthy ecology and Natasha likens these pollinators to the precious lives of the people who will use the Macmillan Hub, meaning both patients and staff.

For each mural created, the artist has planned the use of key plants such as hazel, wild rose, blackberr y, and wild parsnip with its beautiful umbellifers Ideas will incorporate the different seasons of each

The 35th Bath Decorative Antiques Fair

Thursday 14 March – Saturday 16

March, The Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath

Celebrating its 35th edition, the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair is a premier e vent showc asing a wide range of decorative items, countr y house furniture, ar t from renowned exhibitors and an array of accessor ies for both indoor and outdoor spaces This year ’ s fair promises to be an exceptional exper ience, blending histor y with contemporar y design

Expect to see a c aptivating selection of English, French, and Nordic antique furniture and designs. Exhibitors will be

plant from spring shoots to summer blooms, the fruits of autumn and delicate winter y seed heads. This idea will be woven through the designs, so wild rose and blackberries might c limb around the pillar on the ground floor, a crab apple branch might cascade across the wall in the large seminar room, then meeting adjoining delicate grasses and seed heads and hazel branches with a shower of catkins

A key part of this mural project is to inc lude the pollinators in each mural. Some of the pollinators will be highlighted with a touch of gold leaf, symbolising just how precious they are, like the lives of people using this space n

The Dyson Cancer Centre is due to open in spring 2024. ruh.nhs.uk

showing grand painted c abinets, distinctive chateau furniture, commanding statuar y, c ast iron urns, and garden benches tailored for outdoor elegance Discover farmhouse tables, r ustic oak furniture, intr iguing architectural elements, unique sal vage pieces, and diverse lighting options An opulent mix of antique textiles, intr ic ate need le works, and r ugs sourced globall y, complemented by folk ar t, mirrors, ear l y glass, and English and Continental potter y will be shown The fair also boasts a wide spectr um of ar t, ranging from per iod por traits to modern and contemporar y pieces by celebrated ar tists A list of exhibitors is available on the website Pre vie w on 14 March 12pm – 5pm; 15–16 March open from 10am – 5pm. Admission £5 (pre vie w : free entr y with trade invitation or business c ard, or £10). Complimentar y tic kets available via website bathdecorativeantiquesfair.co.uk

IThe Human Connection

CYNTHIA WIHARDJA & RON PRINGLE

Beau Nash Antiques, Bath

n today’s fast-paced world, the convenience of online shopping has become a dominant force in the retail landscape. With just a few clicks, consumers can browse through endless options, select their desired items, and have them delivered right to their doorstep It’s undeniably convenient, but is it really the epitome of the shopping experience?

Shopping is not just about click and buy; it’s an immersive journey that engages all the senses It’s about stepping into a physical store and being surrounded by a myriad of products, each with its own unique texture, scent, and appeal. It’s about running your fingers over the upholstery of an armchair, feeling its quality, and envisioning how it would look in your home It’s about picking up a piece of silver, feeling its weight and history, and imagining it adorning your dining table. In essence, it’s about the tangible connection that comes from physically interacting with the products

Moreover, shopping is not just about interacting with automated systems; it’s about engaging with real people. While chatbots and shopping carts offer convenience, they lack the personal touch that comes from conversing with knowledgeable shopkeepers. It’s about striking up a conversation, seeking advice, and receiving personalized recommendations based on your unique preferences It’s about building relationships with the individuals behind the counter who are passionate about their products and dedicated to providing exceptional service.

In this era of digital dominance, the art of good oldfashioned shopkeeping lives on While the click-and-collect mentality caters to those unable to visit physical stores, there’s simply no substitute for the experience of wandering through independent shops It’s about the thrill of discovery as you explore the eclectic array of items on offer It’s about the delight of stumbling upon hidden gems and one-of-a-kind treasures that you wouldn’t find online. It’s about embracing the serendipity of the shopping journey and relishing in the joy of making a purchase that feels truly special

So the next time you’re tempted to simply click and buy, consider the richness of the traditional shopping experience. Take the time to step away from the screen, venture into a brick-and-mortar store, and immerse yourself in the sensory delights of the shopping journey. After all, some things in life are best experienced in person. n

beaunashbath com; info@beaunashbath com; 01225 334234 @beaunashbath

Full team of specialists available for home visits throughout Bath and surrounding areas to value your art, objects, jewellery and antiques.

Beauty and the Beast

We are a nation with a longstanding fondness for horses and dogs Such subjects have enjoyed a dependable popularity at auction for many decades However, the endearing sentimentalism of some Victorian artists who gave farmyard horses an anthropomorphic quality did not enchant Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) As the daughter of an amateur jockey, she grew up with a workmanlike respect for the animals and her studies of them are stripped of any whimsy. Frink was moved more by the energetic spirit of the animal The intriguing antipathy between the mastered, saddled mount and its independent energy and caprice enchanted the artist ‘ The horse has done so much for man, ’ she commented in 1992 ‘It works for him, carries him into battle and yet it has retained its independence it can in a flash transform ever ything by chucking him off ’ For Frink, the horse was a metaphor for the irreconcilable, unknowable animus: in her art, both the biddable and the beastly defined the independence of these mighty animals

A charming study of a peaceable horse attracted keen bids in our sale in January The watercolour, 63 x 44cm, had been a gift from the artist to a dear friend upon his 50th birthday in 1991 The recipient’s death brought the work to market and keen bids pushed it to £12,250. The eagerness of the bidding was more of a canter than a trot - and I like to think that Frink would have admired that

Lawrences are welcoming consignments for their upcoming Spring and Summer sales Get in touch if you have an item you would like to sell

Silver | Vertu | Pictures | 19th/20th Centur y Design | Ceramics

Oriental Works of Art | Jeweller y | Watches | Furniture | Clocks | Rugs

Militaria | Coins | Medals | Collectors | Sporting | Textiles | Wine | Spirits

Books | Maps | Manuscripts | Photography

Free valuations are available online at lawrences co uk

Home visits also available throughout Bath and the West Countr y without charge or obligation.

South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB

T: 01460 73041 E: enquiries@lawrences co uk

1A Woodlands Estate, Westbur y, BA13 3QS

T: 01373 822337 E: wessex@lawrences co uk

The American Road Trip

From driving Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles to following the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as you travel from Washington D.C. to Nashville, The American Road trip has become a rite of passage. Kate Hebert, Chief Curator, and Harriet Wilson, Exhibitions and Interpretation Off icer at the American Museum & Gardens share their thoughts about the museum ’ s new exhibition...

One of the things that we notice when people visit the American Museum & Gardens is that they are keen to tell us about their own experiences in America Ever yone has a stor y to share and often these stories centre around holidays and road trips. This got us thinking that it would be fun to create an exhibition in which people were invited to share their experiences. American Road Trip has been a really collaborative experience and is the culmination of lots of individual conversations

The best thing about working on this exhibition has been getting to hear so many incredible road trip stories from members of our community, and beyond These include getting stuck in the middle of the Arizona desert, to befriending a group of Nor wegian tourists on a Hell’s Angel experience, and travelling thousands of miles following the rock band Grateful Dead, ever yone ’ s experience is totally unique.

Collaborating to create the exhibition

Working with exhibition designers Smith and Jones has been so rewarding. We chose them as we like to work with local businesses and they are based in Spike Island, Bristol We also loved their approach, which felt contemporar y and exciting Their focus on interpretation has been vital in helping us to refine and shape this topic

As a team we are juggling multiple exhibition projects at once, but with this project we ’ ve been able to fully immerse ourselves in research, connect with a wealth of experts – including input and feedback from our resident road trip expert David Cornwell, and the team at Haynes Motor Museum – and collect lots of amazing road trip stories from staff members, volunteers and other community members.

The American Road Trip is such a huge topic, so Smith and Jones have been incredible at helping us streamline our ideas into a final exhibition which we all feel our visitors will love

Creating an interactive experience

It was important to us that this exhibition inc luded opportunities for visitors to contribute to the content So ear ly on we discussed ways in which we could inc lude response sections – this means our visitors become guest curators and the content is ever-changing as new people visit. Road trips are opportunities for shared experiences, so we wanted this exhibition to encourage social interactions and to recreate some of the sense of discover y that you encounter on a road trip That ’ s where the interactive elements are crucial

W hen we plan in our exhibitions we look for a mix of more traditional museum-style exhibitions and those that are designed to be more immersive and famil y-fr iend l y W ith all our exhibitions we encourage visitor feedback and use this to help plan future exhibitions and changes to our permanent displays.

Incorporating music and theatre

O ur amazing road tr ip exper t David Cornwell has spent months craf ting the per fect road tr ip play list He has put together a mix of

Below: Group of Florida migrants on their way to Cranberry, New Jersey to pick potatoes. Shawboro, North Carolina, Jack Delano, 1940, Library of Congress

familiar road trip favourites like Get your Kicks on Route 66 as well as some off-the-radar tunes that will appeal to musical connoisseurs.

In terms of lighting, roadside business owners quickly learned that the easiest way to encourage drivers to stop and spend was by attracting them with oversized characters, gigantic billboards, and curious places of interest The entire route effectively became an open-air amusement park Af ter dark, business owners needed a ne w way of enticing customers, so they used neon to light up the road The exhibition is packed full of iconic light-up signs and structures

The exhibition narrative

The exhibition begins with a brief histor y of the American Road Trip and a commentar y on the earliest trips – which were not on tarmac but steel rails By 1869 railroads crossed America, providing the opportunity for wealthy Americans to experience the nation’s richly diverse landscape as part of a carefully managed package

As automobile ownership became more affordable in the 1920s, the popularity of road trips soared Motorists making long journeys would find a pleasant spot along the route, pull over, and either set up a tent or sleep in their car This ‘autocamping’ craze led to the creation of motor hotels, or ‘motels’.

As the highway system was improved it opened up new opportunities for making money, from truckers moving goods, to families moving to

new states in search of better jobs

The road trip reached its heyday in the decades following the end of World War II, due to increases in car ownership, disposable income, and paid leave. Business owners were quick to recognise the opportunities of this boom in road travel, and motels, diners, gas stations, and gift shops became common roadside delights The idea of an American road trip remains popular today, as seen in books, movies and music

The automobile and the promise of freedom

For Black motorists in the mid-20th centur y, the automobile’s promise of freedom coexisted with the Jim Crow era of segregation and discrimination. Instead of seeing where the road would take them, a road trip required careful planning. In the exhibition we explore the amazing histor y of V ictor Green’s The Green Book, which was a lifeline for Black Americans navigating across the country, showing safe spaces to eat, sleep, refuel, and be entertained V isitors will be able to look through several facsimile copies – inc luding the 1964 international edition which mentions Bath!

The exhibition also explores the exploitation of Indigenous American culture along the roadside W hen it was constructed, Route 66 tore through the lands of more than 25 individual tribal nations. Native American stereotypes were used as a major lure for tourists all along the highway Travellers were presented with inaccurate, and often offensive, images inspired by popular Hollywood films As business owners thrived on the exploitation of Indigenous American cultures and histor y, they were simultaneously excluding Indigenous People from many of their businesses Signs declaring ‘ no dogs, no Indians’ were hung in roadside shop windows

A final thought from the curators

The draw of the American landscape, and the opportunity to experience it for real, will always call people to the road. From arid deserts to pine tree laden mountainsides, swampy bayous to coastal views, as well as the sense of space and the beckoning of open roads, America promises a road trip full of discover y n

The A mer ican Road Tr ip exhibition is open to the public from 9 March to 31 December 2024, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm (last entr y at 4pm). It is also open on Bank Holidays and Mondays during Bath & Nor th East S omerset school holiday s. The American Museum & Gardens, C laver ton Manor, C laver ton Down, Bath;

org

americanmuseum

Above: Denali National Park and Reserve, Kent Miller, NPS Photo

Above: Greetings from Arizona, Tichnor Bros Inc, c 1930–1945, Boston Public Library

Neon sign for the Supai Motel at dusk, Seligman, Arizona, Carol Highsmith, 2016, Library of Congress

A tree in waiting

With a background in set and costume design, Bath sculptor Nicola Turner has designed for companies such as The Royal Opera House, San Francisco Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company and Sydney Opera House. Now she’s applied her particular brand of sculpture to a sawtooth oak tree in Hampshire.

Nicola Turner is one of eight early career sculptors selected from the south west and east regions in September 2023 to take part in a residential course held by The New Art Centre in W iltshire and Chapel Arts Centre in Hampshire, designed to boost the careers of emerging artists Nicola’s work – and that of the other eight artists – will feature in a group exhibition at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire That ’ s where the sawtooth oak tree comes in

Trained as a stage designer at Central St Martins in L ondon, over the years Nicola has worked as a designer for major ballet, opera and theatre productions. Recently she decided on a career change and returned to her studies at Bath Spa University, graduating in Fine Art in 2019 and setting up a solo practice as a sculptor. Both careers share the common element of telling stories, but the move to sculpture allows Nicola to select themes that are wholl y personal and that relate to the vie wer in a completel y different way

Nicola’s sculpture emerges from an awareness that we are living in a time of c limate, political and personal emergencies She uses waste such as discarded furniture and dead materials like horsehair and coir which slowly degrade over time. These are transformed into abstract forms that are placed in a landscape or in relation to a building. Her sculptures challenge our thinking about our relationship with the natural wor ld, our built environment and the relationships we have with both and with each other

Nicola reflects on people’s reaction to her work, “I am fascinated by how different people bring their own experiences to my sculpture Some feel disgust; some are moved to tears Some share stories that my pieces provoke, and some are stories of trauma ”

In order to make this mid-career change, in 2023 Nicola decided to downsize her home and use the proceeds to buy a disused industrial unit in Bath. This has been transformed into seven artists’ studio spaces, including one for Nicola herself. The new space, called FORM-ica, is now an independent collective of artists and it will soon be hosting events, including life-drawing classes Sculptor Anna Gillespie, whose work is represented by Bath’s Beaux Arts, has a studio here It ’ s an impressive set-up presented in a industrial warehouse style with elements reclaimed from old panelling and doors sourced from the inherited factor y space F lexible walls and divisions within the main ground floor unit allow for its reinvention for events and workshops

Nicola exhibited her work at three London shows last autumn and has a variety of exhibitions on her calendar or 2024. We’ ll definitely be checking on the sawtooth oak tree’s transformation at @nicolaturner.art. n

• Sculptural Inter ventions at Hilliers at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire runs until 15 April (hants gov uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens)

• Casting Shadows, Royal Society of Sculptors, ACEARTS, Somerton, Somerset runs from 2 March – 6 April (acearts.co.uk/2024-2).

• Death in Venice (Britten opera) is at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff from 7 March (wno.org.uk).

• Instagram: @form i c a; @nicolaturner.art

The Uninvited Guest from the Unremembered Past, Wells Cathedral, 2023, photo by ar tist

Myth and Miasma, Iceland, 2022, photo by ar tist

The final installation on the sawtooth oak tree in Hampshire

The sawtooth oak tree waiting for Nicola’s installation

Portrait of Bath

Basil Athanasiou, Basil’s Bakery

From Thessaloniki, Greece to Bath is a long journey for a family with three young children, but for Basil and his wife Noula it has proved to be a rewarding decision.

Basil Athanasiou and his wife Noula are from Thessaloniki, a port city on the Aegean Basil used to own and run two bakeries there and Noula had a regular job as a chemical engineer That all changed during the Greek economic crisis, which was triggered by a worldwide recession

Basil’s bakeries were open but none of their customers had enough money to buy ver y much, and bread was the only staple that they were buy ing. Then Noula lost her job. “ I couldn’t find anywhere as an engineer because unemployment was ver y high – and then there just wasn’t enough money to raise a family with three kids,” she says.

So in 2013, with three young children aged 3, 6 and 8, the couple had to take action They decided to sell the shops to raise money to start again, and came up with the idea of coming to the UK The next stage was to find a job as a baker for Basil, and af ter appl y ing for numerous positions, he was offered a job at Bertinet Baker y in Bath He c ame to work there and stayed for three months to be sure it would work, and then Noula followed with their three boys.

“Basil was very determined”, says Noula. “He said that everything would be alright – and he was right”

Noula admits that she was so anxious when they first c ame, especially for the children, but they found nothing but friend liness from the local community in Bath, and this really helped them settle in Af ter a couple of years, Basil wanted to start his own baker y and found a suitable location in L ocksbrook “Basil was ver y determined,” says Noula “He said that ever ything would be alright – and he was right ”

“ W hen we opened the baker y in L ocksbrook it was just me ser ving and Basil in the kitchen at the back, but ever ything went ver y well and the business started to take off,” she says.

Now Basil and Noula have taken over the premises next door to give them more space and they will be offering seating for customers

The baker y produces a combination of British baked goods, such as white tins, har vester and wholemeal loaves and the e ver-popular sourdough, alongside Greek specialities such as sesame rings (koulouri Thessalonikis), cinnamon rolls, olive bread, mpougatsa breakfast pastries, baklava and the recently introduced spinach and feta pie, or spanakopita.

Basil’s Baker y, Locksbrook Works, Unit 1 Locksbrook Road, Bath; basilsbaker y.co.uk

A look at Hattingley

Valley winery

Recommendations by Tom Bleathman from the Great Wine Company

With the Great British climate now comparable to Champagne in the 1980s, it ’ s no wonder a plethora of high-quality still and sparkling wines are now being produced in the UK. One stand-out producer is Hattingley Valley The Hampshire-based winer y started production in 2008 and now lays claim to some of the best wines England has to offer Here’s a selection of my favourites, all available from The Great Wine Company Discover more at g reatwine co uk

e Hattingley Valley Classic Reser ve he best-selling sparkling wine in the ge and the perfect choice for any ebration It boasts aromas and flavours zesty lemon, hedgerow blossoms and aked apple, complemented by hints of oasted brioche Notably, this blend follows a Champagne-style composition, with Chardonnay as the dominant grape variety, accompanied by Pinot N and Pinot Meunier £35

Hattingley Valley Blan de Blancs 2015 is an outstanding example of an English sparkling wine. Made from 100% Chardonnay, the 2015 vintage is an elegant, bronze-gold colour with delicate aromas of brioche, orange peel and zesty citrus Its juicy, bri ht acidity and lex, long finish es this wine utterly stible! £44

re is also a ver y

gant Chardonnay, Hattingley Valley Still Chardonnay 2022

This has wonderfully pronounced citrus, blossom, and grapefruit aromas with a hint of honey and pear The palate is clean and fresh, with a mouthful of green-apple flavours and a creamy texture that is nicely balanced. Dare I say it, who needs Chablis? £27.50

FOOD & DRINK

COSY ROASTED SHALLOT AND BUT TERBEAN BOWLS

MIDWEEK SUPPER • SERVES 2 TIME 30 MINUTES

Roasting shallots in their skins ensures they’re perfectly sweet and tender...

• 5 shallots, quar tered lengthways, keeping the root intac t and the skin on

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra to ser ve

• 4 garlic cloves, skin on

• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves,

• finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• pinch of dried chilli flakes (optional)

• 2 leeks, sliced

• 120g green beans, trimmed

• a 400g tin of butter beans

• 2 large handfuls of baby spinach (about 100g), roughly chopped

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

• grated zest of 1 lemon

• sea salt and black pepper

• sourdough toast, to ser ve (optional)

Recipe by Ella Mills, from her latest book , Healthy Made Simple

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan Toss the shallots with a tablespoon of the olive oil and a pinch of salt P lace on a baking tray, cut-side down, add the garlic cloves and roast in the oven for 25–30 minutes, until soft and caramelised

2. Warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large fr ying pan or shallow casserole, over a medium–low heat Add the thyme, chilli flakes (if using), leeks and a pinch of salt and cook for 10 minutes, until the leeks have softened but not coloured

3 Next, add the green beans and the butter beans, along with the liquid from the tin Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 4–5 minutes, until most of the liquid has reduced Stir in the spinach, and allow to wilt, then add the white wine vinegar and season to taste.

4. W hen the shallots are ready and cool enough to handle, peel their skins off and stir the flesh into the beans Peel the garlic, gently mash it with a fork (it should be ver y tender) and stir it into the beans too

5 To ser ve, divide the braised beans between ser ving bowls, top with a generous drizzle of olive oil, the lemon zest and plenty of pepper This is delicious as it is or ser ved with some sourdough toast n

Healthy Made Simple – Delicious Plant-Based Recipes by Ella Mills, published by Yellow Kite, £16.99, from local bookshops

A racing certainty

Team Bath Racing Electric (TRBe) is a student team who operate from the University of Bath. The students taking part are from a variety of courses, including Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and produce bespoke, in-house designs to optimise cars for racing conditions We spoke to the team to find out how they are preparing for this year ’ s competitions

Team Bath R acing Electr ic ( T BRe) is an electr ic Formula S tudent (FS) team based out of the Universit y of Bath’s Faculty of Engineering and Design. Formula Student is the l a r ge s t s t u d e n t e n g i n e e r i n g c om p e t i t i on wo r l d w i d e, i n which teams from over 600 universities design, build and compete with a single-seater racing car in competitions internationally For most of its histor y, TBRe has held the title of the UK’s best electric team due to the hard work of its members Recentl y they have been c l i m b i n g t h e E u ro p e a n r a n k i n g s , p l ac i n g t h i rd o ve r a l l l a s t ye a r i n Por tugal This year the y are hoping to pro ve the y are the UK ’ s best team while aiming to better their European standing.

Your electric race car team has built up its presence on the track to achieve its ranking as one of the UK’s number one electric Formula Student teams Why has this been possible?

The main reason for our success is the hard work of the students involved, both currently and in the years since the team’s creation Ever y year we evaluate our performance and refine the design accordingly to allow us to build on previous students’ work In addition, ever y member who takes part does so because they love being involved, making not only a ver y efficient and productive team, but also a positive and fr iend l y environment in which members become c lose friends over the years..

TBRe racing revelations:

University of Bath Formula Student teams have been among the UK’s top per formers, with TBRe finishing third in the ‘Electric Vehicle’ categor y in Por tugal last year

In 2024 the team is competing at Silverstone in Nor thamptonshire, as well as in international

Many of the students who take par t go on to careers in the automotive and motorspor t industries, including within Formula 1 teams and top -tier car manufacturers.

How many students are involved in the electric car team?

Do students join from specific courses at the University?

The team has grown from around 10 students in 2015 to its current 50 core team members, along with countless others who get involved on a less regular basis Although the majority of the technical team comprises mechanic al and electr ic al engineer ing students, the rest of the team connects people with a passion for motorsport, studying degrees such as Politics, P hysics, Marketing and Psycholog y This is unique to TBRe Groups work on different aspects of the car based on their interests or specialist areas; among these are the chassis, power train, brakes and aerodynamics. Sub-teams are usually made up of experienced final-year students who oversee and support students with less technical knowhow. In addition, students can get involved with business operations to manage logistics and find sponsors

“With their huge passion and dedication, students find [the work] complementary to their degree due to the skills and experience they gain”

How does the collaboration between students work?

Ever y week we hold a meeting in which the core members discuss their progress, to ensure that ever yone is up to date with the status of different systems of the car, in order to integrate them successfully All new ideas are discussed and e valuated based on their r ule compliance, ease of integration, and feasibility The designers then make the required changes and the process repeats

How do the competitions work? What is the best achievement the team has had in a competition?

The team produces a different car each year. What are the stages involved in the design and build?

Work on the new car begins in September, right after the last race of the summer, giving us around 10 months to design, build and test the vehicle before taking it to competition First, there is the design and validation Shortly af ter, the manufacturing of the chassis begins, followed by the manufacturing of the components for sub-systems and, finally, testing However, these are not linear processes, as the teams work on different aspects simultaneously The design process is iterative, var ying from generating new ideas for the car, to simulations and testing

What is the technology you use in the cars?

The technolog y is similar to that of any professional motorsport team, yet with a lower budget This is seen in our single motor and brake for the rear axle instead of separate components for each rear wheel –something we are looking to upgrade in the coming years Another key par t is our accumulator (batter y), which powers the c ar Unlike the major it y of the UK ’ s Formula S tudent teams, the entire process of manufacturing was completed in-house, something we are so proud of

Can you tell us about the plan for the 2024 car?

The main change we ’ re introducing is the carbon fibre chassis, which replaces the more traditional tubular steel spaceframe used by the majority of our competitors in the UK Carbon is much lighter and stiffer than steel in this context Additionally, the monocoque allows for a lot more creativity and options for sub-system integration For the majority of the other components, we are building on last year ’ s designs to increase their quality and performance to make a faster and more reliable car.

Competitions involve dynamic and static elements. The dynamic areas test the speed, acceleration and control of the car in time trials on real racetracks across Europe The static aspects require teams to deliver a business plan presentation In addition, the team defends their engineering choices and deep knowledge in the ‘Design’ and ‘Cost & Manufacturing’ events, proving that the design and manufacturing of the car was done at the highest possible standard for our budget

Last year we competed in three events: at the S ilverstone circuit in England, as well as in Spain and Portugal. O ur greatest achievement was coming third in Portugal and completing in an official endurance event, a 22km race, for the first time since 2018 These are some of the best results the team has achieved, along with ranking 1st UK electric team in Silverstone in 2022

How do you finance the team and find sponsors?

W hile we receive funding from Bath University ever y year, the team also relies on its sponsors to be able to function S ecur ing sponsorship invol ves contacting and meeting companies through the universit y ’ s impressive industr y links. Many of the alumni or placement students who have gone on to work in different engineering roles act as contacts and help us to get in touch with the right people from these companies.

How much time do the students involved contribute?

Most students are incredibly passionate about their role on the project, spending countless hours with the team, and of ten describing it as being “ like a full time job” Yet with their huge passion and dedication, students find this complementar y to their degree due to the valuable skills and exper ience they gain. This leads them to of ten being among the university ’ s highest performers.

TBRe’s elec tric race car navigates the Silverstone circuit during time trial events in July 2023

What percentage of the students from the team have gone on to work in the car industry or in related fields?

B e i n g a m e m b e r o f T B R e i s a n i n c re d i b l e o p p o r t u n i t y a s we a re invol ved in what is eff ectivel y a smal l prof essional motorspor t team

The chance to appl y theoretic al concepts to a real-life scenar io means that we see our work pay off in terms of per formance. W hile it ’ s hard t o p u t a p e rc e n t a ge t o t h i s , a l m o s t a l l o f o u r m e m b e r s w h o w a n t t o pursue a c areer in the motorspor t or automotive industr ies are able to do so with the knowledge and exper ience they ’ ve gained

Can you outline some of the challenges the team encounters?

Raising funds for the team is a big challenge Compared to some of the teams in Europe, our budget is minimal, and without proper funding we can’t make significant progress That ’ s why this year, a lot more people are invol ved in the business operations team, contacting and arranging meetings with as many different companies as possible to ensure we have the funding to implement some of the more expensive changes we’d like to make, such as the carbon chassis or four-wheel drive

Can you tell us about some of the highlights from the team’s design and racing history?

One major highlight was being able to compete in Zhuhai, China, in 2018 Not only did we arrive at this event as the only UK team, but we were also the first UK team to ever compete there This shows the true international scale of Formula Student as a whole, proving that it ’ s not just a European competition Additionally, last year ’ s successes in Portugal and Spain, where we came third and fourth respectively, are matters of great pr ide. Despite extreme heat, our dedic ated team was able to complete the endurance event in Spain.

What are the team’s plans for the future?

From a technic al point of vie w, we have a long-term plan to graduall y upgrade components of the c ar, star ting this year with the c ar bon fibre monocoque One major goal is to replace the single motor on the rear wheels with two separate motors on each wheel, as par t of the process of moving from a rear-wheel dr ive to a four-wheel dr ive, which would hugel y impro ve manoeuv r abilit y From a more gener al point of vie w, we ’d also like to focus on building up the team culture and integrating professional standards of practice, with the aim of becoming the UK ’ s foremost Formula S tudent team n

• I f you would like to find out more about the Team Bath R acing Elect ric Team, see teambathracingelectric com

Successful, well-established year-round language school in the centre of Bath requires

HOMESTAY HOSTS IN BATH

to host both short-term and long-term students. We teach adults and teenagers, and need both single and twin-room accommodation

For further details, including rates of payment, please contact our Student Services Manager:

Sarah Wringer

Kaplan Inter national Languages Bath, 5 Trim Street, Bath, BA1 1HB

Direct Line (01225) 448840

Email: sarah.wringer@kaplan.com

The TRBe team celebrates their success at the Silverstone racetrack in July 2023, after coming second out of all the UK teams

Bath business

LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

MOST OU TSTANDING INTERN FOR STONE KING

An apprentice from Bath law firm Stone King has won a national award for the most outstanding intern.

Tag Rowe, an apprentice solicitor currently work ing in the law firm’s Employment Team, scooped the Alexander Paul Award at an event held by the 10,000 Interns Foundation Tag star ted at the firm last year through the 10,000 Black Interns scheme, the brainchild of the 10,000 Interns Foundation, before successfully applying for an apprenticeship.

The event at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium saw 25 longlisted candidates who had achieved places on the scheme shor tlisted to five, with Tag emerging as the winner for his work at Stone King stoneking.co.uk

NEW BAT H ESTAT E AGENCY

S imon L ord will soon be launching his own estate agenc y business in Bath. As a qualified member of RICS, S imon will continue to appl y his established, broad based knowledge of the proper t y sales market in the Bath region

S imon commented, “As the business owner I am reall y looking for ward to having a more direct, personal impact in helping c lients’ hopes and aspirations in proper t y become a realit y A real positive about this exciting ne w venture is that I will also be able to engage more c losel y with the loc al communities across the region and the business network which ser ves them ”

S imon c an be contacted by email at simon.lord@exp.uk.com, or by phone; 07394 040896

JOI N T H E BAT H WOMEN ’S F UND

The Bath Women’s Fund is looking for new members The Women’s Fund is a philanthropic giving circ le where local women come together to support women and gir ls in our local communities who are facing tough challenges

Members donate £25 per month (£20 plus Gif t Aid) These funds are pooled and

donated to local groups chosen by members together In 2023 65 members donated £23,000 to three groups making a significant difference in the lives of local women and gir ls facing the challenges of prejudice, poor mental health, and postnatal depression

Members also come together for regular events, visits, and walks to learn about local issues and hear from inspiring local women

For more information visit bathwomensfund.org.uk

ROBOT IMP ROVI NG LIVES

Thanks to £2 3 million of fundraising, a new Da V inci surgical robot is improving lives in RUH Bath theatres. This is due to the ongoing fundraising efforts by RUHX hospital charity ’ s supporters

The arrival of the robot has ushered in a new age at the hospital, supporting more than 400 complex surgical operations across the RUH The robot ’ s many benefits inc lude improving cancer-specific sur vival rates; removing health inequalities, as it ’ s more suitable for a wider range of patients; decreasing readmissions with lower risk of complications, pain and infection; and accelerating recover y times ruh.nhs.uk

EXCELLEN T I N T ERACT ION

I nterac tion, the work place design and build company, is in the running for a prestigious award for creating Osborne Clarke’s state - of-the -ar t office in Bristol Bath-based I nterac tion has been shor tlisted for a British Council for O ffices (BCO) award for the fit- out of the law firm’s flexible work place in the landmark Halo building, one of the UK ’s most sustainable office developments I nterac tion was commissioned to design and build Osborne Clarke’s Bristol work place with a focus on wellbeing, agile work ing and sustainabilit y H ighlights include indoor gardens with flexible workspaces, a yoga and spin studio, and restaurant with a roof top terrace. interaction.uk.com

Tax and the main residence

For most of us, the house in whic h we live – our ‘only or main residence’ – is our most valuable asset. Often, it is one that has increased in value substantially over time

Typically, an increase in value is subject to capital gains tax (CGT) on a sale or disposal, but there is a specific exemption for the only or main residence This applies to a house and garden or g rounds of up to half a hectare (or a larger area if this is needed for the reasonable enjoyment of the proper ty, bear ing in mind its size and c haracter)

Some per iods when a proper ty is not occupied as the main residence may still qualify for the exemption Examples are the last nine months of ownership, absences of up to three years in total for any reason, four years if employment requires the owner (or their spouse or civil par tner) to work elsewhere in the UK, or longer if they have to work abroad.

An individual (or spouses and civil par tner s) may only have one main residence elig ible for exemption from CGT If they own more than one proper ty that they use themselves (e g , a city flat where they live dur ing the week and a country cottage for the weekends), they can elect whic h is to be treated as their main residence This election must be made within two year s of the proper ties becoming available for their use and it can be c hanged from one proper ty to another

If the exemption applies only to a proper ty for par t of its per iod of owner ship, any gain must be appor tioned on a time basis to deter mine the exempt element

Generally, there must be ‘ a deg ree of per manence or expectation of continuity’ if a proper ty is to be treated as the only or main residence

If the whole proper ty is not occupied as a main residence (e g , because a par t is used exclusively for business pur poses or is let out as residential accommodation), any gain on disposal must be appor tioned on a time and area basis to establish the non-exempt element

If par t of the gain relates to residential letting while the owner occupies par t of the proper ty, there is an exemption of up to the lower of £40,000 and the amount of the gain that would otherwise be exempt. are unlikely to be trading and unlikely to be making a profit

Education matters

NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS AND LEADERS

INCLUSIVE SPORTS

The Palladian Academy Trust is providing a wealth of sporting opportunities designed to be accessible and engaging for ever yone, regard less of ability or previous experience To help achieve an accessible range of options it has introduced free sports c lubs and a mother and daughter strength c lass.

The Palladian Academy is a group of 11 schools based in Bath and W iltshire – inc luding W idcombe Infant school, Oldfield Park Junior School and Ralph Allen School – which prioritise sports and physical wellbeing alongside positive mental health and its main education curriculum provision The Trust ’ s free sports c lubs encourage pupils to easily explore and develop their interest in sports without financial barriers. Each school offers hockey, mixed football and other popular sports palladianacademy tr ust.com

T H E MAYOR AND T H E D O UBLE DECKER

Oldfield School welcomed the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Dine Romero and the team at ‘I Can & I Am’, a Bath-based mental health charity, for the opening of their second double decker bus Oldfield students were invited onto the brightly coloured bus where they got stuck into pizza-mak ing and were joined by the Mayor who got involved too She then went up to the top deck to view a wellbeing workshop where James Shone, founder of the charity, was explaining his philosophy of improving self- esteem and self-belief. The friendly and experienced team on board introduce the idea that we all have a metaphorical ‘balloon’ within us When this is full of air, we feel good about ourselves, we are resilient and we have self- confidence icanandiam.com; oldfieldschool.com

Mayor Dine Romero with pupils from Oldfield School

Education matters

NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS AND LEADERS

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AWARD

St Gregor y ’ s Catholic College has once again been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its repeated success in bringing the world into the classroom through its links with schools around the globe

The International School Award recognises the remarkable efforts of the school to carr y out exceptional work in international education, enabling young people to gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life work in today ’ s world

Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: “ The school has earned this prestigious award through its inspirational international work and links with schools abroad The desire to build on their international work shines through and it is with pride that we celebrate their achievements ” st-g regor ys.org.uk

Melissa George and Micahel Leaman from St Gregor y ’s with Wera Hobhouse

Royal High Bath: Designed for Girls

Royal High Bath is a proud member of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the UK’s leading family of 25 independent girls’ schools, united in the mission to help girls learn without limits, so they can lead lives without limits

Ethos and teaching philosophy

Designed for girls, Royal High Bath provides a supportive and empowering environment where girls can be themselves and embrace their unique qualities

O ur ethos is embedded in recognising ever y pupil’s potential We use current research on how girls learn, develop and thrive Learning at Royal High Bath is active and collaborative, and we help our girls to develop the ability to tackle real-world issues, write with passion and speak their minds effectively

From the moment she walks through the doors, your daughter will be encouraged to do more than she thought possible, and go on to excel personally and academically.

Learning without limits

We recognise school life is about much more than academic success and are passionate about equipping girls with skills they need We encourage and support our students on developing their Learner Q ualities, so they are: brave, reflective, inquisitive, collaborative, kind and sparky ; desirable for the classroom and beyond.

H EAD-I NG TO WI LTSH I RE

Mr John Davies, Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal at Kingswood School, Bath, has been appointed as the next Head of Dauntsey ’s School in Wiltshire. He will therefore be leaving Kingswood at the end of the academic year to take up this role

Since joining Kingswood, first as Deputy Head Academic and latterly as Senior Deputy Head and Vice Principal, Mr Davies has made an outstanding contribution across many areas of Kingswood School life, including guiding the senior school to a double excellent grading in the ISI inspection in the 2022/23 academic year. Mr Davies joined Kingswood from Abingdon School in September 2017 where he was Director of Teaching and Learning

Mr Davies said: “ While I am hugely excited to take up my new position as Head of Dauntsey ’s, I am also sad to be leaving the Kingswood community, which has been my home and family for the last seven years ” kingswood bath sch uk

Creativity is also nurtured with a wide range of activities From awardwinning Art and Design Technolog y departments to a state-of-the-art Steinway Music School, as well as inspiring Dance and Drama staff, we provide creative and stimulating environments to help our girls grow in confidence and ability

What makes Royal High Bath special?

W ithin impressive buildings and tranquil grounds, girls are adventurous in their thinking and ambitions – they support each other as they achieve high academic standards and build skills and confidence for life

F ind out why Royal High Bath is the right choice for your daughter. Book your place on one of the upcoming Open Houses: Senior School 13 March, Prep and Nurser y 24 April www.royalhighbath.gdst.net

Get summer ready

It’s March, but the warm days of summer are approaching and holidays beckon So if you want to look your best in the sunshine, it’s wise to start planning now, says Emma Clegg

You might not quite yet be dreaming of the summer sunshine – rather revelling in the gradual lengthening of the days as we move towards spring However if you do want to look your best on the beach, by the pool side or in the hot tub, it ’ s wise to put in the time now, says V ictoria Rawlinson at The Oranger y “ We offer a wealth of information here, but the important thing is that beauty is maintenance, and for this you need to plan ahead ”

W hile there are multiple options at The Oranger y for treatments that can be tailored around the individual, there are four broad categories that can be considered for a summer uplift.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments

The first is IPL treatments, which offer the safe and effective long-term reduction of unwanted hair Indeed there are multiple benefits: “If you ’ re having a regular IPL treatment to deal with unwanted hair, your skin will look automatically brighter and clearer,” says Victoria That ’ s because when you shave your legs you have a shadow on your skin from the hairs, but when you do IPL you are getting rid of the hair from the root.” A course of IPL treatments is recommended for the best results. It is important to keep away from the sun, or to use sunscreen, 30 days before and after the IPL treatments

Body conditioning

The second focus is body conditioning LPG Endermologie is a nonsurgical procedure that helps improve the appearance of cellulite, benefits circulation, and helps to tighten the skin. This breaks down fat, water and toxins and allows the lymphatic system to drain it away. Your body reacts to the massage stimulation through suction rolling with a pleasant tingling feeling, as if it is being woken up and stimulated “LPG Endermologie benefits from regular sessions because it keeps you energised, puts your skin in a good place and keeps the fatt y bits smooth,” explains V ictoria “ The treatment makes you feel alive, which in turn inspires you to look after yourself more ”

Another treatment is Velashape, involving suctioning and rollering alongside infrared and radio frequency, which effectively tightens the skin, reduces stretch marks and improves your body confidence.

Facial treatments

You might have long hair that will drape elegantly across your face as the waves break behind you (see above), but there’ s just no hiding a complexion that is dull and lacking in radiance. “ The sunshine can’t get through dirt y windows,” says S uzannah (founder of The Oranger y), who – with beauty and skin care specialist Hannah – offers a wide range of facials “ We need to clear the skin in order to let it radiate – we offer many treatments inc luding peels, microdermabrasion and radio frequency to help tighten and lift the skin, which also works to reduce the impact of lines and dark circles ”

Facial treatments include those with the M3 Matrix machine, which incorporates cavitation peeling for exfoliation; radio frequency for skin tightening, promoting collagen and elastin production; and non-needle mesotherapy for a brighter complexion and the reduction of wrinkles

Cosmetic teeth whitening

Another option to bring your smile into play is Cosmetic Teeth W hitening, an effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing the tooth enamel The teeth whitening laser works in conjunction with a powerful non-peroxide gel which is vegan friendly and causes no sensitivity – leaving just a beautiful natural smile!

V ictoria summarises the impact of these treatments: “O ur work at The Oranger y is about managing the ageing process and winding back the c lock – it ’ s all about management and maintenance, and it ’ s the simple things like having vibrant skin and a radiant smile that make the big difference ” n

Ar range an appointment at The Oranger y for a complimentar y consultation Many treatments work effectively in multiple sessions, where packages are available.

The Oranger y, No.1 Arg yle Street, Bath BA2 4BA Tel: 01225 466851; theoranger ylaserandbeautybath.co.uk

Wind back the clock

AESTHETICS

• Peptide injections for skin and hair rejuvenation

• Dermal fillers

• Lip enhancement

• Wrinkle treatments

• Profhilo

• Non surgical skin tightening & lifting treatments for face, eyes & neck

FACIALS

• Radio frequency facials

• Environ skin care & facials

• Bespoke facials to treat all skin concerns

BODY TREATMENTS

• Slimming

• Cellulite reduction

• Skin tightening and toning

• Massage therapy

IPL PERMANENT HAIR REDUCTION TREATMENT

• Scientific skincare that really makes a difference, outstanding results for all skin types and ages

• Skin peels

• Microdermabrasion

• Wow facial

• Guinot Hydradermie facials

• Suitable for face & body

• Offers permanent hair reduction for men and women

IPL SKIN REJUVENATION

• Reverse skin damage, tighten pores & skin

• Boost collagen & elastin production

• Reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles

• Treat vascular lesions (broken capillaries, blood vessels & rosacea)

Discovering Nailsworth

Nailsworth, only a 45-minute drive from Bath, is one of Gloucestershire’s best-kept secrets. Andrew Swift uncovers a succession of fascinating landmarks, including buildings that were 17th-century mills or the homes of mill owners and workers, and (appropriately) remembers the poet who wrote the couplet, ‘what is this world if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare’.

Many guides to the Cotswolds fail to e ven mention Nailsworth, and yet in 2014

The Sunday Times named it as one of the best places in Britain to live More recently, lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos awarded it a similar accolade, describing it as a ‘ buzz y, artistic haven full of cool boutiques, restaurants and galleries’

As you follow the A46 through its busy, narrow streets and turn off into the bleak 1960s town centre, it ’ s easy to see why it is not on most people ’ s must-visit list You don’t have to walk far, though, to discover what makes Nailsworth special, and, having parked in one of its free c ar parks, a good place to star t is opposite the c loc k tower by the roundabout in the town centre

From here, head up Fountain Street, cross at the zebra and turn lef t up Tabram’s Pitch. Through the gate way on the lef t at the top, you ’ ll see a building with a couple of ancient windows This started life in the 14th centur y as a chapel ser ving what was then an isolated hamlet on the borders of three par ishes –Horsley, Minchinhampton and Avening Nailsworth had to wait until 1892 to become a parish in its own right The ancient windows were not par t of the chapel, but bits of architectural salvage added by a Mr Tabram

who set up a museum here in the 19th centur y. Today, however, it is a private house.

Opposite the gate way, turn r ight along Church Street St George’s, on the right, is the second church on this site The first, built in 1794, was a delightful building with a pepper pot tower It was replaced by the present church around 1900

At the bottom, cross at the lights and turn lef t along Market S treet. At the end, c arr y straight on up Bre wer y L ane, passing Lion Cottage (former ly the Red Lion) on the lef t. Beyond it lay the massive Nailsworth Brewer y, only parts of which sur vive Follow the lane downhill towards L oc ks Mill, where an information board outlining its histor y can be found beside an archway on the right This is an ideal place to get an idea of the ec lectic variety of buildings, ranging from the 17th to the 19th centuries, in Nailsworth’s out-of-theway corners.

There were once at least 14 mills in Nailsworth, which by the mid-17th centur y was growing fast as clothiers were attracted by the fast-flowing streams that met in this steep sided valley Weavers’ cottages and mill owners ’ houses still characterise much of the town today

Go through the archway, and at the top turn lef t and then r ight into Barn Close, a

harmonious group of four ver y different buildings. At the end turn lef t along a path for 50m before turning right down to Price’s Mill, where there’s another information board Turn r ight past S hor twood Chapel to the Br itannia Inn, an impressive r ubble-stone building of around 1700 Opposite, on the corner of Chestnut Hill, is Stokescrof t, built around the same time, with its three gables pierced by oval windows. Behind it is the Wool L of t, incor porating a warehouse of 1726. A little fur ther up Chestnut Hill is a meeting house where we know that Q uakers first met around 1680 Nonconformit y and independence were strong here from the start – hard l y sur pr ising given the way the town c ame into being – and these qualities still character ise Nailswor th today, with its thriving independent businesses and friend ly, down-to-ear th vibe – not to mention the wor ld ’ s first vegan football c lub, Forest Green Rovers

Retrace your steps down the hill and turn lef t along O ld Market, which was dr iven through the site of the former cattle market in the 1960s New buildings were erected and the millponds which fed Day ’ s Mill – part of which sur vives fur ther along on the r ight –were filled in.

At the end, turn lef t up Spring Hill, which

The Red Lion (right) around 1910 The Red Lion today

The Red Lion (right) around 1910

leads past several former mill owners ’ houses S pr inghill House, ear l y 18th centur y, and S pr ing Hill Cour t, with a date of 1680, are especiall y impressive. At the top, just past S pr ing Hill Cottage, cross and turn r ight down a footpath

Cross the road at the bottom and turn right past Eg ypt Mill, now a hotel and restaurant Turn lef t past the Railway Hotel and follow the c yc le path as it cur ves lef t Ahead lies Nailsworth Station, opened in 1867, but long closed and now a private house The cycle path cur ves to the lef t of it before picking up the trackbed a little further on. Tall trees line the

path, while down to your lef t former millponds have been restored as a wetland habitat, making this an inspir ing wood land walk in ear ly spring.

Soon, though, you come to D unkirk Mills, their scale exceeding anything you ’ ve seen so far To full y appreciate it, follow a tunnel under the old line which leads into the heart of the complex, which was built between 1798 and 1855 and now houses flats along with a small museum Then, having retraced your steps through the tunnel, take a footpath leading steepl y uphill to D unkirk Manor, where the owner of D unkirk Mills once lived.

Then turn right along Watledge Road

Although there is nothing else on the scale of D unkirk Manor to look for ward to, this leads past a succession of splendid buildings perched on the edge of the wooded valley Among them is the honey-stone cottage where the poet WH Davies – famous for the couplet ‘what is this world if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare’ – died in 1940.

At the end – with one last mill owner ’ s house, High Beeches, on the lef t, turn right downhill, and, once past the cattle grid, you ’ re back in the heart of town The copper kettle on the right dates from 1887 when there was a tea merchants here Below it, a board

outlines the histor y of the mill that stood opposite, while a little further on is the c lock tower where the walk started

For details of D unkirk Mills Museum visit: stroudtextiletr ust.org.uk

Andrew Swift has written many books including On Foot in Bath: Fifteen Walks around a World Heritage City – available from bookshops or akemanpress.com.

The copper kettle, dating from when the building was a tea merchants

Day ’s Mill, which was fed by the millponds

Design notes

NEWS & UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S BEST INTERIORS BUSINESSES

Maison et Objet news

John L aw and the buy ing team at Woodhouse and L aw recentl y had a successful tr ip to Par is, seeking out some beautiful ne w finds at biannual trade fair Maison et O bjet. This year marks the fair ’ s 30th anniversar y, with over 2,500 exhibitors collectivel y representing 62 countr ies

This year, the fair celebrated multidisciplinar y creator Mathieu L ehanneur as its Designer of the Year Fresh from his commission to design the O l y mpic torch for this year ’ s Par is games, the designer was given c ar te blanche in his installation at the design e vent He used the oppor tunit y to create O utonomy, a thought-provoking, luminous yellow c abin that looked to

Home interiors club

offer a moment of c alm and c lar it y within an e ver-bustling e vent S parsel y furnished with items such as a punchbag, the installation prompted visitors to question how we live our lives, our consumption habits, and our interactions with the wor ld at large.

The e vent is an oppor tunit y to source items for c lients and the show room, and it also offers the chance to identify ne w, emerging trends This show was full of free-form, organic shaped furniture, of ten with ceramic legs or tiled tops Traver tine in my r iad colours had taken over as stone du jour from mar ble, ar tisanal pieces reigned supreme, and ear thy tones with depth – browns in e ver y hue, pigmented with aubergine, r ust and pinks – predominated colour palettes woodhouseand law.co.uk

Bath based Interior designer L ola S wif t has recently launched an exciting home interiors c lub, enabling you to design your own space with her simple step-by-step guide

Embarking on an interior project can be over whelming, but with L ola’s extensive experience in renovation projects, she understands the importance of a solid plan and a realistic budget The stress-free 6-step guide will help you on your design journey. It ’ s exc lusively available for interior c lub members (which is free to join).

The membership gives you access to a tried and tested design process, short video guides, mood boards and lots of tips and tricks!

Join L ola’s home interior c lub via the website: lolaswif t.co.uk/home-inter iors-c lub

Go with the Grain

A fair ly recent arrival at Magalleria is GRAIN, a sumptuous craf t, lifestyle and culture magazine from France, now published in a bilingual edition It's a magazine that will appeal to devotees of Hole & Corner and Cereal, but brings a slightly different blend to the lifestyle format, adding ssays, poems, inter views nd opinion pieces as well s touting some truly ublime photography to nvent what it regards as ts own medium, one that s both ‘subversive and poetic ’ This volume xplores the inter weaving hreads between inside nd outside, intimacy and ommunity, emancipation nd alienation, beauty, destruction and care. £20.

Magaller ia, 5 Upper Borough Walls, Bath; tore.magalleria.co.uk

Outonomy, a luminous yellow cabin by Mathieu Lehanneur at Maison et Objet in Januar y

Design notes

Treasures in the vaults

Interior designer Clair Strong has created some underground magic in a vaulted wine cellar and social space in a Georgian town house in Bath Vaults are a common feature of Georgian terraced houses, originally used for coal storage, laundr y and other ser vices The vaults in this house had already been tanked (meaning an imper vious barrier which prevents dampness) and the owners wanted to use the space for wine storage and occasional entertaining.

W ine racks were designed in walnut veneer to fit around the arc of the vault and a bespoke cur ved banquette maximised the seating area F looring was an oak effect herringbone vinyl and bronze spotlights and uplighters were fitted to create flexible mood lighting Existing kitchen units were spray painted in a strong blue and a dark brown quartz worktop was added to create a kitchenette area A guest c loakroom was painted a sof t pink and tiled in rose gold tiles to create a glamourous Art Deco look.

The vaulted area now provides an atmospheric and sophisticated area for entertaining as well as for storing wine c lairstrong.co.uk

35 years for Mandarin Stone

Known for their collection of natural stone, porcelain and decorative tiles, 2024 marks 35 years of offering the most innovative and exciting surfaces in the UK for Mandarin Stone

In 1989 owner and founder Alma Small was asked by a roofing company to sell some Chinese flooring slate Alma developed the product offering, sourcing from overseas and forming relationships with trusted suppliers. Expansion into the retail market came in 2000 when the first Mandarin Stone showroom opened in Bath. Now with 15 UK showrooms, each one is the ultimate tile shopping experience, with specialist advice given on design and technical aspects of projects

In 2010 the company expanded into man-made porcelain and ceramic tiles With the huge developments in digital technology the graphics and textures that can be translated onto porcelain tiles is outstanding because they mimic materials such as stone and wood With 35 years under their belt, new showrooms planned and always seeking out the latest new surface designs, there’s a lot more to come mandar instone.com

Light up your life with glass

These gorgeous and unique Garaffa Glass Bottle Lamps (£159) from The Cotswold Company are made from recycled glass creating the distinctive shapes in each lamp. Fittings and flexes are sourced from the UK, and the cork is ethically sourced from Portugal

V isit the new store in Bath to see the company ’ s range of products The Cotswold Company, 12 Northgate Street; bathcotswoldco com

New name for specialist store

One of Bath’s well-loved small businesses is changing ownership and its name from 1 March. The quirkily named ‘Knob Connection’ at the top of Broad Street will now be called Bath Homeware.

The Knob Connection has been trading since July 1995 when it took on the business of ‘Knobs and Knockers’ in Northgate Street Maurice Cousin has run the shop providing an impeccable ser vice to customers who need a bespoke solution to their home interior needs

Bath Homeware will continue to offer high quality furnishings and fittings for windows, doors and cabinets as well as locks and latches and all sorts of accessories for the home The shop remains a treasure trove of antique and contemporar y interior items with a huge range of products to suit all budgets. Bath Homeware will also be adding new items to its range including interior décor and lighting

Maurice and his long-standing assistant, Leasil Rule, will hand over to an enthusiastic and knowledgeable new team. The store will be open from 10.30am to 4 30pm, from Monday to Saturday Bath Homeware, 22 Broad Street, Bath

kitchen files

Kitchen insights from Sky Interiors

BY roBBi e hoWarD

W ith materials that are in vogue in the kitchen we ’ ve really seen a rise in r ibbed timber panels stained to dark tones, and even painted These are designed to be a bold contrast against sof t, warm paint colours giving depth, texture and character

Ceramic and porcelain worktops are ver y much part of the sustainable discussion right now an array of colours and designs is available within this now affordable product a hand-painted finish is still popular with our c lients, but we can also produce a spray-painted finish in any sheen level and colour, which can be matched.

Brass in different finishes is a big trend, inc luding aged brass, satin brass, and the odd concept with polished brass

Black is making a big statement appearance in cabinetr y, inc luding hand-painted or spray-painted finishes

‘Skinny Shaker ’ is a contemporar y, sleeker version of the

Modern or traditional kitchen?

BY james

horsfall of t h e Bat h ki tch en companY opting for a modern or traditional style is a weighty question when looking at kitchen designs. here are some thoughts:

MODERN

modern kitchens are chic, trendy, and more suited to those who want their kitchen to be a work of art Think integrated appliances, feature walls, thoughtful splashes of texture and a streamlined colour scheme modern kitchens are simple yet effective smart appliances, hand leless cabinets and c lever storage solutions all work together to create a tidy and sleek look – think c lean lines, bold colours and effortless functionality. modern kitchens keep up with the latest trends, at the moment emphasising sustainable materials, minimalist features and kitchen zoning.

c lassic Shaker style, which has evolved with the times to satisfy designs, and being a bespoke manufacturer, we can adapt to c lients’ requirements skinny shaker can be designed as a ‘ lay on ’ kitchen, ‘ inframe’ as well as a ‘ hand le-less’ concept

Splashbacks with colour ful tones have been making their mark in both muted pastels and vibrant colours, and they are not necessarily chosen to match the worktop.

Island configurations are still a huge deal in the kitchen, statement pieces that offer a good social hub for the ‘and how was your day ’ conversation while the evening meal is prepared skyinter iors.co.uk

T RADI T I ONAL

a traditional kitchen will never go out of style; it is homely and warm, with a touch of cosiness most of ten it will blend into the home’s original features, whether dated or new Despite the name, these kitchens are robust and geared up for modern life of ten drawing inspiration from the Georgian era, traditional kitchens ooze charm from ever y beam, brick and antique. typically, they ’ ll use lots of real wood finishes and tr y to maximise the use of pre-existing architecture. cream and grey hues are popular to complement the exposed brick and wood, and it ’ s not uncommon to see a splash of black for depth bathkitchencompany.co.uk

Above: Light Shaker cabinetr y was introduced to give space and prominence to the details. There is plenty of unobtrusive storage – such as rounded cabinets that seamlessly meet the old stone wall and bespoke larder cupboards with glazed tops.

Left: Visible from all areas of the house and garden, the kitchen sits in harmony with the rest of the building. Built-in cabinetr y and appliances merge into their surroundings while white worktops radiate light around this clean, progressive kitchen.

The Bath Kitchen Company

The Bath Kitchen Company

Timeless textiles

Sofas & Stuff has already produced two textile collections with the V&A: the Brompton Collection and Drawn from Nature A third collection that has just been launched draws inspiration from the museum ’ s archive of South Asian textiles.

Br itish furniture and fabr ic brand S ofas & S tuff has launched a new fabric collection, Threads of India, in collaboration with the V&A ( V ictor ia and Alber t Museum) D rawing inspiration from the illustr ious archive of S outh Asian textiles at the V&A, the collection tells a stor y of the Indian subcontinent ’ s unique textile heritage, with designs inspired by ceremonial fabrics, tent hangings and garments, inc luding an opulent, embroidered hunting coat.

The designs are presented on a linen and viscose blend that is sof t and luxurious but tough enough to withstand wear Using a palette that combines deep and rich tones with sof t fresh hues, each pattern is offered in an array of contemporar y shades that nevertheless reflect the histor y of the of the timeworn objects that inspired them W hether adorning a sofa, gracing an armchair or accentuating a footstool, these fabrics have the power to elevate interiors to new heights of sophistication.

Andrew Cussins, Founder of Sofas & Stuff, says “ This collection is not just about furniture, it ’ s about stor ytelling, cultural heritage, and the seamless blend of past and present We invite you to discover the Threads of India collection and immerse yourself in a wor ld of timeless beauty ”

This

Jahan, k nown for his architec tural accomplishments, also enjoyed wearing elaborate garments and beautiful fabrics

Left: Snape chair in V&A Threads of India, Regal Arabesque, Flame

fabric draws inspiration from an intricate lattice floral pattern from the time of Shah Jahan held in the V&A archive Representations of tex tiles at the emperor ’s cour t depic ted in miniature paintings suggest that

Brunel 3 seater sofa in V&A Threads of India, Mughal Garden S afari, Hunter

Mughal Arbour, Hunter

R ediscover the timeless char m of an 18th- centur y cotton tent hanging from the V&A collec tion and br ing echoes of the grandeur of M ughal ar tistr y to your fur niture. The design takes inspiration from the ageless M ughal motif of a flower ing tree enclosed in an arch, infusing it with a fresh t wist that merges the past with innovation Pr inted in Lancashire on a viscose linen union

Threads of India fabr ics can be used across any of Sofas & Stuff ’ s range of Br itish handmade bespoke sofas, chairs, beds, footstools, or purchased by the metre for other sof t fur nishing projects. Fur niture upholstered in Threads of India fabr ic is also available to purchase online. sofasandstuff.com/toi

R ight: Exbur y 3 seater sofa in V&A Threads of India,

Pugin 3 seater sofa in V&A Threads of India, Varanasi Wilderness, Pitch

V&A Threads of India, Mughal Arbour fabrics

Cotswold in Bath

You may have noticed that the shop in Northgate Street once inhabitated by Duck, Son and Pinker has been revamped and recharged to a state of calm, stylish, open-plan interior deliciousness. That’s because The Cotswold Company has opened a new branch in Bath We talk to Lisa Coppin about the Cotswold philosophy

We love beautiful things well-made and built to last, things that reall y make a home; where ver and whate ver that means to you ” cxxcxxcxxc

I ask Cotswold Company Chief Creative Officer

Lisa Coppin why this company statement is so important to the Cotswold Company brand. “It ’ s ever ything we stand for when we design and develop all our products,” she says. “ We are passionate about homewares and furniture that last and stand the test of time – both from a qualit y and a st y le perspective We want our customers to love our products and cherish them for a lifetime We put a lot of effort into the details – like our paint finishes, the quality of our hand les and the raw materials that go into all our products

The Cotswold Company style

The company offers a large range of furniture across the bedroom, living room, dining room, nurser y and kitchen. But is there a ‘Cotswold Company ’ common denominator underlying them all?

“All of our products are designed by our in-house team, explains Lisa “ We are passionate about our products and our designs blend c lassic English influences with updated shapes for modern living; consistently well-made and designed to last We source our products from around the world including the UK, Europe and Asia For example our upholster y

is made by master craftsmen in Long Eaton and our bed linen is handmade in Portugal from the finest yarns ”

Sustainability

“As the majority of our product range is made from wood, sustainability is high on our agenda – we really care about our people and the planet and want to tread as lightly as possible. We’ve removed 90% of polystyrene from our packaging and have nearly achieved our goal of sending zero waste to landfill The cardboard we take away during furniture deliver y is recycled into new packaging which we use to send out accessories deliveries O ur biggest commitment is to plant a tree for ever y one we use – we have planted over 50,000 trees so far, and we use only responsibly sourced timbers to make our cabinet furniture ”

Cotswold Company’s new Bath shop

Lisa tells us about the company ’ s new Bath store, and what makes the space unique. “ We’ve been wanting to open a shop in Bath for some time and it ’ s taken a couple of years to find the right building and location It ’ s a little smaller than most of our stores, but we fell in love with the space when we first saw it The shop was an old music store (D uck, Son and Pinker) and it has a wonderful ceiling, railings and other period features which give it a unique feel and help create the most beautiful

Jackson Chaise Large Right Hand

backdrop for our furniture and home accessor y collections I particularly love the two small rooms on the upper floor which we ’ ve transformed into cosy bedrooms – these reall y help customers visualise how our products might look in their own home “ We’ve managed to squeeze a lot into a small space with five bedrooms and three living and dining room sets for customers to browse. At the heart of the store is our Chester (Shaker) range with its distinctive pale oak tops and premium painted finish. It comes in five colours and works well in many homes – it ’ s our most extensive collection with a wide range of products covering all rooms of the house For a more contemporar y product we have our midcentur y inspired Berkeley oak range with its hoop back chairs Another favourite is our Winchcombe bedroom range – inspired by Georgian bow-fronted chests, it has a wonderful sleigh bed ”

On storage and organisation

“Storage and organisation are a big part of creating a practical home and we have plenty of this to choose from at The Cotswold Company! This ranges from free-standing larders and islands to organise your kitchen, to numerous shoe storage solutions for tidy hallways We are constantly looking for new product ideas to help with dec luttering and have recently launched a series of tall cloakroom storage and the ‘bootility ’ cupboard in our Chester range We also have some great new products to help young families – I particular ly love our Chester P lay Away Coffee Table – it has a clever lift-off top so children can play during the day and then their toys can be cleverly covered over in the evening, creating a toy-free adult space ”

New launches to watch out for

“ We are excited to be launching two new colours this spring in our Chester collection – cream and green We are seeing our customers really enjoying using green and I particularly love how this colour looks in our larders and kitchen tables. Green is such a versatile colour and really does bring a feeling of nature into your home. O ur new Bibur y bedroom collection launches in April – with a wonderful smoked oak finish, the pieces are larger in scale and timeless in design ”

Garden projects too!

“Investing in comfortable garden furniture creates an additional room in your home for the summer months – I am a big fan of outdoor wicker furniture like the Cerney, Chedworth and Aldsworth ranges. These are really simple to look after, don’t need any maintenance and are light and easy to move around I invested in a corner unit last year and my family all love it – from relaxing in the daytime sunshine to candlelit social evenings Adding a firepit just adds to the experience – we have a wonderful one from the English Firepit

Chester White Oak Cot Bed and (left of frame) Wittingham Chair

Inglesham Oak Kitchen Island and (right) Inglesham double larder

Aldswor th Sun Lounger

Rooms for improvement

Our S/S guide features all our favourite trades and services to help spruce up your home and garden

Whether it’s a small decorating touch or an ambitious major project, this directory has a treasured range of expert services to make all those home, interior and garden ideas become reality

AVONVALE CARPETS

37 Kingsmead Street, Bath BA1 2AA

Tel: 01225 427057 Web: avonvalecarpets.co.uk

Your choice of flooring is vital in transforming any room and the range of options can sometimes over whelm; fortunately, Avonvale Carpets is on hand to assist. It has ser ved homeowners and businesses throughout the city of Bath and W iltshire for over 50 years, providing an excellent choice of flooring, in-depth expertise and perfect fitting An independent, second-generation family-run business, Avonvale

Carpets uses professionallytrained fitters and deals directly with major manufacturers, offering customers a great selection of quality flooring solutions that ’ s second to none –LVT, natural, stain resistant, vinyl, wood, wool and tailor-made options too You’ ll be amazed at the variety on offer in the shop, located just off Kingsmead Square. Pop in and see.

WOODHOUSE & LAW

4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath BA2 4EN

Tel: 01225 428072 Web: woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Woodhouse and Law are a full-ser vice interior and garden design company, working from their showroom and studio on Bathwick Hill Founded in 2009 by Nick Woodhouse and John Law, the team take pride in developing stylish, individual and creative schemes across the residential and commercial sectors. Alongside their current collaboration with the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, the Woodhouse and Law studio is currently working on a number of projects across the city of Bath, and further afield, including London, Somerset, Devon and Dorset

BONITI

Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire SN14 8JA

Tel: 01225 892200 Web: boniti.com

Run by Giles and Simon Lunt, Boniti is a high-quality interiors (and exteriors) business The showroom is a destination for all types of natural stone, porcelain and timber flooring as well as decorative tiles, stoneware, Kadai firebowls, and the highly desirable Everhot range cookers and stoves. For large and small projects, the Boniti team are masters of their profession and it shows in ever y detail The showroom is easily reached from J18 of the M4

HOUSE OF RADIATORS

22 Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 2ªA

Tel: 01225 424199 Web: houseofradiators.co.uk

House of Radiators sells traditional and designer radiators that can be off-the-shelf sizes/finishes or bespoke sizes and colours. This popular, family-run business opened its Bear F lat showroom in 2011 and not only sells to Bath areas but throughout the UK and overseas. Following a major re-fit, there are over 100 radiators on display and due to increasing popularity the traditional cast iron and column radiator range has expanded W ith over 50 years experience in the heating and radiator industr y they offer a friendly and high level of customer ser vice This is key in helping customers choose the right radiator for their home that will not only look amazing but will heat their room and do its job Because the team work with leading manufacturers and distributors in the radiator industr y, there’s always something to suit all budgets and styles Locally the company are able to offer an at-home consultation where they ’ ll measure up and work out the correct heat requirements and size up radiators accordingly.

SELBY LANDSCAPES

Tel: 01225 571350

Web: selbylandscapes.com

KUTCHENHAUS BATH

5 Saracen Street, Bath BA1 5BR. Tel: 01225 634025 Web: uk.kutchenhaus.com

Kutchenhaus Bath are part of the Kutchenhaus German Kitchen family L ocated on Saracen Street in the heart of Bath, Kutchenhaus supply, design and fit German kitchens which with it bring innovation and the latest technolog y W hether you are looking for a modern kitchen or a traditional kitchen, the friend ly team at Kutchenhaus Bath has over 60 years of combined experience, so can guarantee a professional and five-star ser vice. All Kutchenhaus kitchens are manufactured and put together in Ver le, Germany and get shipped directly to customers fully assembled which means no flat-pack! The kitchens are also manufactured by intelligent machines which completely eliminates the risk of human error – guaranteeing your kitchen will be right first time! The team in Bath also design spaces for bathrooms, bedroom and living areas too So whatever your quer y may be, pop into the showroom today and get your dream project plans into motion

Selby Landscapes is the leading landscape gardening company based in Bath with an excellent reputation for crafting beautiful and enduring outdoor spaces Selby Landscapes offer a turn-key solution to your landscape requirements including landscape design and construction, garden design, planting and garden maintenance Frequently working alongside other garden designers in the Somerset region, as well as offering an in-house garden design ser vice, ever y garden project Selby Landscapes create, from city courtyards to large countr y gardens, is crafted to give a lifetime of pleasure

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

7–9 North Parade Buildings, Bath BA1 1NS

Tel: 01225 312003 Web: bathkitchencompany.co.uk

Established in 1990, Bath Kitchen Company is an award-winning, well-regarded family business based in Bath W ith vast experience, the company takes pride in its close attention to detail and its understanding of what each client requires. W hatever an individual client ’ s tastes, the team will find a bespoke kitchen that strikes a perfect balance between aesthetic and practical requirements Consequently ever y kitchen is unique, beautifully designed and perfectly functional Handmade using premium materials and to the highest standards, a beautiful kitchen can be carefully crafted to make the most of available space, existing features and the latest technolog y W hether designing for Bath’s oldest private homes or cutting-edge city apartments, the principle is the same – Bath Kitchen Company will create a place that enhances your lifestyle.

BLAKE & BULL

Hartley Farm, Winsley, BA15 2JB

Tel: 01225 434500 Web: blakeandbull.co.uk

Blake & Bull started life 20 years ago with a simple cleaning ser vice of Aga range cookers, this soon developed into complete Aga refurbishment business, bringing a beautiful new life to classic, old and fatigued Agas with re-enamelling [now available in a choice of 65 colours], electric conversions and also re-imagined Agas - brilliantly recreated and made to order from recovered parts. The company now employs over 40 people and has cleaned, refurbished and remade thousands of Aga cookers in its workshop and showroom at Hartley Farm near Bath In the showroom you ’ ll not only find a display of pristine restorations but also a range of thoughtful high quality cookware and kitchen accessories For expert advice or just to browse all the wonderful products a visit to the showroom is a must

GARDEN AFFAIRS

Trowbridge Garden Centre, 288 Frome Road, Trowbridge BA14 ODT

Tel: 01225 774566 Web: gardenaffairs.co.uk

Create space for home working, hobbies, a growing family or even a new business venture with a cost-effective, versatile, fully-insulated garden room Garden Affairs offer a huge range of high quality, sustainable garden buildings and will help you get the design, the installation, the quality and the price spot on V isit their extensive display centre at Trowbridge Garden Centre in W iltshire to see garden offices, art and craft studios, teenage dens, granny annexes as well as a range of ‘posh sheds’ and summerhouses.

SOFAS & STUFF

Woodchester Mill, North Woodchester, Stroud GL5 5NN

Tel: 01453 700812 Web: sofasandstuff.com/stroud

Blending contemporar y creativity with three generations of furniture-making expertise, Sofas & Stuff make timeless sofas, chairs, and beds by hand in their Lancashire factor y. Offering design advice, unmatched choice and customisation from their 23 showrooms, Sofas & Stuff lets you create furniture that truly fits your home and individual style Choose from their inspiring range of fabrics, which include exclusive designs created in collaboration with the V&A and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)

Shown here: Sofas & Stuff ’ s Hampton 3 seater sofa in Super Soft Velvet Highland Green

BEN ARGENT KITCHENS

Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire SN14 8JA

Tel: 01225 892270 Web: benargentkitchens.co.uk

Award-winning creators of bespoke contemporar y kitchens that successfully combine functional design with elegant simplicity. Ben has a background as a designer/maker and has extensive experience in the specialist furniture industr y. He launched the company in 2007 with a clear understanding of the subtleties and technicalities required to achieve sophisticated and highly individual contemporar y kitchens Their beautiful showroom is conveniently located near M4 J18 with plenty of free parking Please contact them to arrange a viewing

MANDARIN STONE

15–16 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ

Tel: 01225 460033 Web: mandarinstone.com

Renowned for its comprehensive natural stone collection, Mandarin Stone has gained quite a reputation for its on-trend and beautifully designed porcelain Ranging from tiles that cleverly mimic materials such as wood, concrete and marble to striking glazed and patterned tiles, the collection has endless surface design possibilities This year Mandarin is celebrating 35 years in business and with 15 inspirational UK showrooms, it offers dependable specialist knowledge as well as technical expertise. Almost the entire natural stone and porcelain collection is held in stock in the UK, so lead times are short.

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

2 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD

Meetings by appointment.

Studio: 01225 426905

Mob: 07855 797311

info@clairstrong.co.uk

Web: clairstrong.co.uk

Clair and her experienced team at Clair Strong Interior Design Ltd provide a full range of interior design ser vices for both residential and commercial projects

Established over 16 years ago, Clair works with a trusted network of professionals and trades to offer a complete interior design ser vice for projects of all types. From city centre apartments and shops to large family homes and hotels, her portfolio includes contemporar y projects through to listed Georgian properties The company ethos is to take a collaborative approach with clients, working with them to create spaces that meet their needs, improve their lives, and exceed their expectations Call or email Clair to discuss your project

H O P E N E O N

ORIGINAL NEON ARTWORK

enquiries@hopeneon com Web: hopeneon com

Original neon artwork for cool homes and businesses. HopeNeon artworks are designed and handmade in Bristol After discussing your preferences, artist and founder Wendy will create a unique neon sculpture to bring a wow! factor to your hallway, staircase, office building or restaurant interior Wendy uses glass sourced from Murano and genuine neon - not inferior LEDs or acr ylic The neon does not get hot, uses ver y little energ y and is safe. Your HopeNeon artwork will be original, valuable and a good investment, as well as being a stunning piece of art that is much admired Request a brochure to see current artworks for sale or make an appointment to visit Wendy ’ s galler y at Abbots Leigh and see the fabulous lights!

COOPERS HOME APPLIANCES

13–15 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN

Tel: 01225 311811 Web: coopershomeappliances.com

L ocated on the famous Walcot Street of Bath, Coopers Home Appliances is a store not to miss For many years running, Coopers has been a popular entr y in our ‘Best of Bath’ list and it ’ s easy to see why W ith over 70 years ’ experience, Coopers is a highly acc laimed and award-winning kitchen appliance retailer with an eye for the unusual. Their large showroom has undergone an exciting transformation and displays an extensive array of range cookers, refrigeration, laundr y, dishwashing, built-in appliances, small appliances, and much more. The showroom provides customers with a unique live experience where you can physically interact with the appliances before you buy them The store frequently holds demonstrations and events, and of ten collaborates with other local specialist traders The expert team at Coopers is always on hand and is competitive when it comes to purchase, deliver y, and installation W ith so much choice, the team will help you choose the right product to complement your taste and home environment W ith superb customer ser vice, Coopers aim to make buying home appliances a personal and pleasurable experience – independent retailing at its ver y best.

Photography by nicksmithphotography.com

CATRIONA ARCHER INTERIORS

Tel: 07823 884945 Web: catrionaarcher.com

Catriona provides half-day Interior Design Consultations to full Endto-End Renovations for homeowners, holiday lets and boutique commercial projects Working with the homeowner's existing items helps quickly identify where further investment is required: Because interior design should be accessible to all and needn’t cost the earth

KELLY MARIE KITCHEN INTERIORS

8 Pulteney Terrace, Bath BA2 4HJ

Tel: 01225 481881 (Mobile: 07796 554466)

Web: kellymariekitchens com

Kelly Marie has more than 15 years experience in the kitchen design industr y. She has had the pleasure of working on many luxur y kitchen projects in the Bath area and now owns her own unique and creative business based on a constant list of word-of-mouth recommendations

Her technical designs with intrinsic creativity allow spaces that are functional yet beautiful W ith a vast portfolio of luxur y German kitchen projects, Kelly works with each client ’ s budget, providing personalised attention throughout the design process Kelly believes that it is all about the little details and her approach combines purposeful variations of colour, textures and finishes. The careful selection of these elements endow the home with a sense of harmony, while reflecting the individual style of the client

JOEL BUGG FURNITURE & SPACES

Tel: 01225 583520 / 07779 236242 Web: joelbugg co uk

Joel Bugg Furniture & Spaces designs and creates elegant, bespoke fitted furniture and interiors, which are architecturally thought through to seamlessly fit and suit your property. Joel and his team offer a fully managed ser vice from initial space planning and concept designs, using teams of skilled cabinet makers in their manufacture through to final installation They will also recommend, source and provide lighting, flooring and other finishing touches as required Their expertise spans all interiors from kitchens and bathrooms to libraries and boot rooms, and as well as working directly with c lients they work collaboratively with architects and interior designers to deliver a truly tailored solution.

LOLA SWIFT INTERIORS

Tel: 07971 106546; Email: lola@lolaswift.co.uk

Web: lolaswift.co.uk

Interior designer and colour consultant based in Bath, Lola Swift offers a creative and comprehensive design ser vice, seamlessly combining style with practicality whilst integrating personality, colour and texture in your home or workspace W hether you have moved house, are looking to restyle a room or office space, let Lola remove the stress by creating a beautiful design scheme that reflects your style and budget Ser vices include residential and commercial spaces, from concept and space planning to room styling and implementation.

THE BATH FRAMER

14–15 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD

Tel: 01225 920210 Web: thebathpictureframer co uk

The Bath Framer, owned by Kelly, is a friendly boutique picture framers that has a beautifully quirky front of house and an amazing naturally lit workshop. Both are a joy to work in and to visit for customers wanting to see how frames are created Since opening, the business has gone from strength to strength, building a client list of local residents and businesses based in Bath, Bristol and beyond. A bespoke framing ser vice, tailored to suit all individuals’ needs runs alongside a gorgeous selection of cards, gift wrap and stationer y

CREAM CORNWALL

29, Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DG Web: creamcornwall.co.uk

Inspired by the Cornish coast, Cream Cornwall makes luxur y and exclusive homewares for people who love to be surrounded by beautiful things. Featured on homewares and fabric, their unique designs transform ordinar y objects into statement pieces Cream Cornwall’s overarching motto is ‘Beautiful things, beautifully made’ and Rebecca and Allison, the co-founders of Cream Cornwall, are committed to producing quality and unique homewares that inspire The two women are passionate keeping production as local as possible, with their candles, diffusers, lampshades and cushions all made locally in Cornwall Both Rebecca and Allison maintain the importance of having physical stores, and their shops in Falmouth, St Ives and Bath beautifully showcase the wide range of products

ROLLS INTERIORS LIMITED

DOMESTIC HEAT PUMPS

Tel: 07963 242943 / 01225 340684

Web: rollsinteriors.com/heat

Air source heat pumps are the low-carbon alternative to gas boilers They work a bit like a fridge-freezer, but in reverse. The clever technolog y uses electricity to take warmth from the air outside – even when temperatures get as low as -15C! Heat pumps are the greener way to supply your home heating and hot water, but with fewer CO2 emissions And, thanks to a government grant of £7,500, domestic heat pumps are now more affordable than ever

BATH CARPETS AND FLOORING

4 Kingsmead Street, Bath BA1 2AA

Tel: 01225 471888 Web: carpetsandflooringbath.co.uk

Supplying and fitting flooring throughout the South West since 2004 Bath Carpets and F looring (BCF) offers a wide selection of carpets, all made from a variety of different materials including wool, polypropylene, nylon and sisals W ith the combined experience of more than 100 years, the team’s extensive knowledge and expertise puts you at ease as they match your needs with the perfect flooring solution. BCF pride themselves on only giving impartial advice and hassle-free measuring and estimating, so there will never be any sales pressure or confusion. As the city ’ s largest Karndean flooring specialist, BCF ’ s luxur y vinyl tile showroom will give you the freedom to create impressive floors, where the only limit is imagination W ith showrooms over two floors offering an even greater selection of homely carpets, vinyl’s, LVT ’ s and modern rugs Commercial flooring from all leading manufacturers is available through Bath Contract F looring Ltd So if it ’ s flooring for your home or your business BCF have got it covered

BESPOKE ROOFING SERVICES

Tel: 01225 4805661, or Freephone: 0800 696 5760 Web: bespokeroofingservices.co.uk

THE URBAN GARDEN

Marlborough Buildings, Bath BA1 2LZ

Tel: 07877 846488 Web: theurbangarden.org.uk

The Urban Garden is ‘the smallest garden centre with the biggest heart ’ Located in Royal V ictoria Park just below the Royal Crescent, it sells locally sourced plants and houseplants (50% grown by the team), a range of beautiful garden-ware and gifts. Plants can be packaged in recyclable posipots and you can purchase peat free compost sold in re-fillable bags On site there is a café kiosk where customers can enjoy a coffee whilst enjoying the tranquil space The Urban Garden also offers a range of botanical courses throughout the year in the back of its beautiful glasshouse Loved by Bath residents as a calm oasis, its reputation is growing and last year it was featured in the Telegraph as one of their top 10 garden centres to visit As a social enterprise, a purchase made there helps support people to improve their lives in a number of ways. Open Thursdays-Sundays.

Bespoke Roofing Ser vices are an independent family company specialising in professional building and roofing and repairs to meet any residential or commercial need Typical jobs taken on include rendering, repointing, garage roofs, tiling, slating, felt roofing, ridge tile repairs, roof and guttering de-mossing, chimney repairs, EPDM rubber roofing and UPVC fascias, soffits and guttering requirements. The company offers a friendly, efficient and thorough ser vice by experienced trained professionals at competitive rates, and also provides free quotes and advice Bespoke Roofing takes pride in its professionalism, high standards and quality finishes From a single tile to a new roof, no job too big or small

MARMALADE HOUSE

Tel: 07733 263844

Web: themarmaladehouse.co.uk

Marmalade House is an award-winning, professional furniture painting and design company, based in Bath It specialises in French and Gustavian finishes that include the layering of colours, distressed paintwork and lime-washing as well as gilding, colour-washing for ageing and waxing ser vices. The focus is all about colour and style and how that fits into a customer’s home

The team of trained interior designers also offer a design and styling ser vice that brings together the client ’ s style and aspirations for change For those who prefer to do ever ything themselves, the company also offers popular training courses on how to paint furniture to professional standards, and the use of colour within your home Run by Vanessa Sayce, Marmalade House is an established, friendly company that has its clients’ interests at heart, whatever changes they would like to make, and at whatever scale

BEAU NASH BATH

28 and 31 Brock Street, Bath BA1 2LN

Tel: 01225 259 646 and 01225 334 234

Web: beaunashbath.com

Antique lovers, over the last year, Beau Nash has expanded their collection to include an Antique Mirror Gallery, the only one of its kind in the city of Bath With over 50 mirrors displayed in 4 floors and an updated online shop, they strive to make it easier for home owners to find stylish pieces for their homes They ship internationally and deliver to London on Tuesdays Situated between the Circus and the Royal Crescent, both of their shops now offer antique silverware, quality porcelain, and fashionable period furniture backed with personalised service. One of the loveliest shops in Bath, this is a must-see on your visit. instagram: beaunashbath

FRANCIS DIY

39 Moorland Road, Bath BA2 3PN Tel: 01225 427885, Web: francisdiy.com

Francis DIY, Bath’s original hardware store since 1966 can be found in the bustling area of Oldfield Park where the store supplies the widest range of DIY and hardware products imaginable. It is a family run business, and the team there have a wealth of experience and are reknowned for their friendly ser vice, great advice or simply helping new and existing loyal customers find DIY solutions The range is vast with hundreds of stock items immediately available including: domestic hardware, key cutting ser vices, locks and security products, lightbulbs and electrical accessories, small electrical appliances, heaters, fans, DIY and decorating products, paints and varnishes, kitchenware and cooking accessories, hand and power tools, fireworks and fair y lights and so much more The store is open Monday to Saturday 8.00am to 6.00pm and Sunday 9am to 4.00pm and also offers a local deliver y ser vice. It ’ s the best!

SKY INTERIORS

Bluesky House, Western Way, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8BZ.

Tel: 01225 707372 Web: skyinteriors.co.uk

The team at Sky Interiors (Bath) Limited have been designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke cabinetr y and joiner y for over 40 years Based at its showroom and joiner y workshop on the outskirts of Bath, experienced designers work closely with clients to guide them through the design process The company takes great pride in building a relationship with its clients through listening to their practical requirements and their tastes for colours, textures and finishes and Sky Interiors will always delight in incorporating the sought after ‘fine detail’ With total flexibility to produce all aspects of interiors to exceptional standards, from kitchens to bathrooms, bedrooms to boot rooms, as well as one off pieces, the company also collaborates with interior designers across Bath, the home counties and London.

BROWELL INTERIORS

Tel: 07510 843232 Web: browellinteriors.com

Bath-based interior decorator, Isabell Browell uses light and colour to help transform rooms The right lampshade has a vital role to play in the feel of a room Isabell produces one-off and limited edition handstitched lampshades that complement the colours and design in a room She also works with clients to research the right materials Her fabrics are handwoven silk and cotton Ikats from Uzbekistan and Turkey, cotton block prints and recycled vintage silk Saris from India As well as lampshades, Isabell offers a selection of Ikat and Suzani cushions from Uzbekistan and Turkey. V iew Isabell’s collection on her website or get in touch for a personalised ser vice.

HEIDI REIKI FENG SHUI AND REIKI FOR YOUR HOME

Tel: 07776 255875

Email: heidi@heidireiki.com

Web: heidireiki.com

“My family ’ s experience of Heidi’s professionalism and expertise and knowledge is beyond compare Combined with her kind and caring personality, it made the whole process of Feng Shui, reiki and space clearing for our home a ver y positive experience, I only wish we did it sooner!” - Melissa. Heidi offers bespoke packages for your home. Each living space is unique. Using her expertise in Reiki, Feng Shui and The ThetaHealing® Technique Heidi transforms your home and office to a calm, tranquil and harmonious place to live and work Contact Heidi Lerner Rearden for more details about her work

NEWMAN’S JOINERY

6 Locksbrook Court, 88-89 Locksbrook Rd, BA1 3EN

Tel: 01225 318378, Web: newmansjoinery.co.uk

In April 2015, Roland Newman took over the thriving Hulin & Hudson joiner y firm following the retirement of Mike Hulin. Based in W idcombe, the joiner y shop was a well-established local business providing high-quality joiner y for houses in Bath and the surrounding areas Chris, the foreman, worked with Mike for almost 20 years and continues to run the workshop, so the wealth of experience and local knowledge has been retained The company deals with ever ything from timber windows, staircases, doors and frames to alcove cupboards, panelling, timber conser vatories and shop façades and they have a specialist knowledge in listed buildings. Contact Newmans for a free, no-obligation initial visit to discuss your requirements.

ROLLS INTERIORS LIMITED

Tel: 07963 242943 / 01225 340684

Web: rollsinteriors com

If you are looking for bespoke kitchen and bathroom fittings, contact Rolls Interiors Ltd Rolls works closely with its customers to encapsulate their vision and design something that not only meets the requirements but surpasses their expectations. Projects range from a bathroom or kitchen re-fit, to altering walls to create kitchen/family rooms & even converting a couple of rooms into a self-contained annexe with separate entrance V ist the website for more information and to see some recent projects.

RIGHTIO

HOME REPAIRS & HOME SERVICES

Tel: 01225 458844 Web: rightio.co.uk

Founded in 2010, Rightio Subcontractor Limited has become a leading home repair company in the UK Rightio specialise in providing expert repairs including emergency appointments for heating and plumbing, drainage, electrics and locks As a customer-centric company, the team are on-hand seven days a week to assist with your problems, restoring your home back to normality All their 5-star engineers are accredited, trained and have at least five years ’ experience, and can normally attend your property within 1-2 hours Call today for a visit from one of Rightio’s experts!

RETROFIT WEST

Free advice line: 0800 038 6733

Web: retrofitwest.co.uk

Retrofit West is a Community Interest Company offering independent advice and support for retrofit projects, other wise known as energ ysaving home improvements, in the West of England Their expertise helps homeowners plan, design, and deliver energ y-efficient and sustainable home improvements Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Retrofit West aim to help more householders, upgrade their properties to reduce energ y usage and costs, create a healthier and more comfortable home environment and help fight climate change. Retrofit West is also offering up to £250 discount on energ y efficiency assessments from heat loss sur veys to full retrofit plans to kickstart your journey to a cosier, greener home

Retrofitting homes for the future

As we strive to achieve our net-zero targets by 2030, it becomes imperative to explore innovative solutions that not only address environmental concerns but also enhance our daily lives.

Arecent repor t commissioned by the National Tr ust, Histor ic England highlights the impact of our homes, which currently contribute a staggering 40% to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions The key to tac kling this is retrofitting our homes

At its core, retrofitting is about making our homes more energ y-efficient, a cr ucial aspect of our journey towards sustainabilit y. The simple yet impactful act of upgrading insulation, windows, and heating systems can significantly slash energ y consumption. This not only translates to lower energ y bills for homeowners but also plays a vital role in curbing the overall environmental impact of our structures

“ We ’ ve set ambitious targets for a net-z ero future, so addressing the carbon footprint of our homes is non-negotiable Retrofitting provides a practical and effective solution that allows us to preser ve the historical charm of our buildings while aligning them with the demands of the 21st centur y. ” Says Simon Andrews at Retrofit West.

The benefits of retrofitting extend far beyond reducing carbon emissions

One of the primar y advantages is the improvement of energ y efficiency, a key component in our journey towards a sustainable future By upgrading the insulation, windows, and heating systems of our homes, we can significantly reduce their energ y consumption This not only contributes to lower energy bills but also helps in mitigating the overall environmental impact of these structures.

Retrofitting your home is also about improving comfort and wellbeing. Comfort isn’t just about improving warmth and reducing draughts, it ’ s about the air we breathe Old buildings of ten play host to unwelcome guests like dampness and mould, causing respirator y issues and a general feeling of discomfort Retrofitting combats these issues with improved ventilation systems and insulation

W hile the upfront costs may seem daunting, the long-term savings are proven. Homeowners stand to benefit from reduced energ y bills, and the increased energ y efficiency adds value to the property. Additionally, the retrofit industr y itself can become a source of job creation and economic growth, supporting the development of a sustainable green economy

Retrofitting is not a one-size-fits-all approach but a tailored solution for each property, considering its unique charm and structural nuances It is especially important in a city like Bath which is built primarily of historic Georgian buildings full of period features which impact the character of a home. Commissioning an architect or retrofit designer will be best placed to advise on preser ving these features.

If you ’ re considering retrofitting your home and don’t know where to star t you can contact Retrofit West. Retrofit West are a community interest company funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Author ity to help householders plan, desig n, and deliver energ yefficient and sustainable home improvements You can contact their free advice ser vice or use their free home plan builder at retrofitwest.co.uk.

Creating a spring window box

There is no better way to herald in the season than to create a spring window box, says Jessica Stokes – it’s a chance to invite colour to your window sills and into your gardens at this otherwise slightly dull time of year

It ’ s March and the garden is starting to emerge – so maybe it ’ s now time to introduce some br illiant and uplif ting colours into the mix? Exper ienced gardeners may have cultivated bulbs for flowering in the spring themselves, planting them in early autumn to flower in March and Apr il We ’ re skipping that stage here, using ready-grown specimens to create a window box that brings some floral soul to proceedings.

The first priority when creating a window box is to find a suitable container. You can use anything, as long as it has drainage holes. If there is no drainage, then drill holes into the base, just enough to let water out, preventing the plants from becoming water logged and then dying

My method is then to add horticultural grit or stones, whatever you have to hand, so that you can no longer visibly see the drainage holes

Next use a peat-free potting compost – I add two-thirds compost and one third grit, with the grit allowing a more free-draining mixture that will allow your plants to thrive. F ill the container right up to the top, remembering that the compost will sink slightly once it has settled.

Sourcing your plants

The next stage is the fun part when you visit your local nurser y or garden centre I always take a trolley, allowing me to place the plants together, as I would when planting in a container, giving me an idea of what looks good together It helps me understand which colours work well together and which textures and heights I like I would recommend packing your container with plants, in order to achieve impact – I always buy more than I think I need, and inevitably end up using them all!

I love mixing potted spring bulbs such as Narcissus (daffodils), with Heuchera (coral bells), seasonal plants such as Pr imula, ferns, and grasses In this instance I chose Stipa tenuissima grasses for their texture, A thyr ium filix-f emina ferns for their vivid green leaves and P r imula ‘ V ictor iana Gold L ace ’ in reds, yellows and cream for their delic ate flowers I have also planted Helleborus ‘Rosado’ into the window boxes, as they have long stems with rosy pink flowers; Euphorbia ‘ Miner ’ s Mer lot ’ (spurge); and Heuchera ‘ Marmalade ’ , ‘ Boy senberr y ’ and

Primula (below); Heuchera (coral bells) and Dr yopteris lepidopoda fern (bottom); and Hellebores (bottom right) found their way into Jessica’s spring window box

‘Sparkling Burgundy ’ (coral bells) for their foliage in caramel tones, which contrast beautifully with the lively green ferns I have used Narcissus ‘ Têteà-tête’ for its yellow punctuation and snake’s head fritillar y (Fritillaria meleagris) for its nodding plumb and white heads.

Planting and structure

W hen it comes to planting I prefer to avoid symmetr y, and I like to use odd groupings of plants rather than even ones I find that taller plants look better in the midd le of the planter, and smaller, more delicate plants near the edges or front so that you can see and appreciate them Don’t place them somewhere behind a fern where you cannot enjoy them Mix colours and textures Create a pattern with your planting, but allow contrast.

Take the plants out of their pots and pull apart their root system. This won’t damage the plant, but will allow the roots to spread out and grow. This is especially true for those that are pot bound These are usually ver y difficult to extract from a pot, because they are dense with roots, which have grown round in a circular direction inside the pot By splitting the root system, you are helping the plant by giving it space, and allowing the roots to better take up water, creating healthier and stronger plants

The depth of your planting hole should be the same depth as the pot they came from. If you are unsure, place the plant into your planting hole and check that the soil level of your plant, is in line with the surface level of the soil in your planter.

Watering and aftercare

Al way s water your container once e ver y thing is planted This is particularly true for plants that sit on windy balconies, which will dr y out faster than those on the ground Water your container when the soil feels

dr y to the touch, dead head flowers, and cut away any leaves which go over Other wise you can expect to enjoy your spring window box until ear l y summer, when you will be ready to update your container with summer bedding and planting combinations.

You can always save your spring flowers af ter wards by saving the bulbs for planting in the autumn, or by planting ever ything in your garden beds once the spring box has gone over n

Jessic a S tokes, g ardener and sustainable floral desig ns. Instag ram: # flowerand land; flowerand land.com

Asuperbly appointed newly built 6 bedroom detached property, set within this exclusive village development overlooking open fields Cleverly designed landscaped gardens, a double garage and a stunning open plan kitchen, all enhance this very special property

Number 8 Longmeadow is the last property to be completed and sits comfortably within this superb development It is built using conservation stone roof slates and sits behind a stone wall with gated entrance It backs onto open fields with a westerly aspect and with far-reaching views visible from the hall as you enter. The house is laid out over three floors with an oak staircase rising to the first floor galleried landing and a superb specification with the involvement of interior designers providing a bespoke finish throughout

Designed to provide maximum light, the kitchen has two walls of floor to ceiling glazed doors meeting at a corner apex This floods the large, open plan space with light and brings the outside in. It also has a separate living room and spacious sitting room for easy entertaining together with a study/TV room and 6 bedrooms The elegantly and cleverly designed landscaped garden is laid out in three separate areas and extends towards the neighbouring field for an expansive, open feel but at the same time with a degree of privacy.

A viewing is strongly recommended by the sole agents Cobb Farr

Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, The Circus, Bath; Tel: 01225 333332

Beckington, Nr Bath

• Six bedrooms (two ensuites)

• Open plan kitchen & family room

• Large sitting room with wood burner

• Separate living room

• Generous study/tv room

• 3928 sq ft

• Double garage with sedum roof

• Paved driveway with electric gates

£1,795,000

Bennett Street, Bath

£250,000

A stylish ground floor one bedroom south facing apartment, located beautifully in the heart of Georgian Bath

• Ground floor, 1 bedroom apartment

• Newly refurbished

• South facing, sunny open plan living space

• Georgian sash windows with working shutters

• Well-appointed kitchen with fashionable parquet flooring

• Fine views towards the Abbey

Crescent Lane, Bath

£495,000

A beautifully appointed 2 bedroom 2nd floor apartment with a pretty wrap around SW facing balcony and private gated parking, located in a prime residential area, to the rear of the Royal Crescent

• 2 bedroom second floor apartment

• High specification, well fitted kitchen

• Wellappointed ensuite shower room

• Southwest facing balcony wraps around the property to the rear

• Private gated parking

High Street

Weston

£675,000

An unusually versatile house set in the heart of Weston village close to all the amenities It is offered either as a 4 bedroom single property or a 3 bedroom house with wonderful garden a separate studio flat (currently rented at £1050+ pcm through 2024)

• 3/4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms

• Separate rented studio flat below

• Super garden on two levels

• No onward chain