CITY NEWS Historic inn reopens

The Griffin Inn on Monmouth Street in Bath has reopened with Bath resident and owner of Robun Roger Payne taking over this Grade II listed pub with rooms. Working alongside Bath Ales, Roger and his team are initially opening The Griffin Inn as a drinking establishment with bar snacks, before launching its new food menu and refurbished rooms. A popular venue with locals and visitors, the

The Vegan Platform is Bath’s new monthly vegan market and will offer a haven for all things plant-based and sustainable.

Taking place on the first Sunday of every month at Green Park Station, with the first one on 4 June, The Vegan Platform offers a one-stop-shop for all your vegan needs, from delicious plant-based street foods, clothing, beauty products, and even household items. This market is a space for small businesses that promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

The Bath Independent Market is also returning monthly to Green Park Station, with the first event on Sunday 21 May from 11am–4pm.

theveganplatform.co.uk; @thebathindependent

From June to August, take a walk in Bath and discover the royals, rascals and religious folk who lived in the city along with fascinating facts and intriguing inventions. You can do this courtesy of the Mayor of Bath’s Honorary Guides who have announced their summer programme of free guided walks – each walk lasts for around two hours and they will run on certain Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the beginning of June to the end of August. This year sees a boutique series of eight different walks including Bath and the Monarch; Beau Nash – The Reign of ‘King’ Richard; The Benedictines in Bath; and Bath, India and the Nabobs, a walk highlighting Bath’s links with India. Booking is essential –and you can reserve a free place on the website.

The Mayor of Bath’s Honorary Guides also offer regular daily walks taking in the city centre and the main attractions including the Royal Crescent and The Circus, and Pulteney Estate Walks on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am. See the website for more details. bathguides.org.uk refurbishment will breathe new life into the taproom, parlour and snug areas, as well as the accommodation upstairs, while retaining the building’s unique character and charm. The bar list will include a number of Bath Ales favourites, a hand-picked wine list, high-end spirits and a selection of cocktails crafted by award-winning mixologist, Tony Vega. The new food offering is set to be eclectic and contemporary. thegriffinbath.co.uk

Susannah Way, a receptionist and frame stylist at independent Bath opticians Ellis and Killpartrick has achieved national and international recognition for her jewellery. Her piece Freedom 90 promoting diversity and equality was on show at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, while another of Susannah’s designs was recently on display at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Susannah’s design for the Freedom 90 trinket box is based on George Michael’s life and music, with the six tapered rods breaking through the picture in a frame referencing the exploding guitar in the video of his Freedom 90 song. Two of Susannah’s pieces of jewellery, her Mycelium necklace and earrings made in sterling silver with gold plate and eco friendly papier mache, were selected for the exhibition Verdant Bodies at the Armory Art Center.

Ellis and Killpartrick are having a Maui Jim Open Day on 3 June from 9am–5pm where you can visit to view the collection. ellisandkillpartrick.com

Judy King, mainstay of the Bathampton Art Exhibition has announced her retirement after 22 years at the helm. “It has been a privilege to run the exhibitions for so many years for such a vibrant, talented and diverse group of artists. I will of course stay in touch with the group, many of whom have become good friends.” Not least among these is Judy’s friend and painting partner Geoff Pollard who while also stepping away from admin duties, continues as an enthusiastic painter at the Thursday morning painting sessions. Local painter Jane Riley said, “Judy has created a great foundation on which our exhibition can continue to thrive.”

The Bathampton Art Group was founded in 1968 as a social leisure painting group in the village and grew to encompass a regular exhibition, which now runs as an annual, sometimes twice-yearly event. Anyone interested in joining a painting group, contact Jane Riley on 07801 444521 or georgeandjane@hotmail.com bathamptonart.com