Issuu

ISSUE 554 / AUTUMN 2026 / £5

IT’S A VERY VERY BATH WORLD FOR TEARS FOR FEARS’ CURT SMITH LOOK TO THE BEAUTY OF WOOD TO WARM UP YOUR HOME GETTING A TASTE FOR LITTLE ITALY AT THE NEW OSTERIA PARTENOPEA BATH FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH A BLOCKBUSTING PROGRAMME

large version

Small versions

large version

Small versions

ISSUE 554 / AUTUMN 2026 / TRUE COLOURS

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH PAUL WEILAND AND HIS BELCOMBE COURT RENOVATION

large version

THE SHADE SECRETS OF PRECIOUS JEWELLERY

large version

PHOTO BY NARR ATED FR AMES; W W W.NARR ATED FR AMES

NARR ATED FR AMES; W W W.NARR ATEDFR AMES.COM

EDITOR’S LETTER

hat I loved about being able to quiz Curt Smith of Tears for Fears (seen left) about his recent investment in Bath City Football Club and his role as the Club’s ambassador, is that it confirms what I’ve always believed to be true. To know Bath is to love Bath. Even if you move to the other side of the world, Bath remains a part of you. Curt may now be flourishing in California, but his roots remain firmly in the city that he grew up in. You only had to see him at Twerton for our photo shoot with Ray from Narrated Frames, where he was friendly to all before kick-off and then utterly immersed in the game when it started – to see this superstar is a Bath boy at heart. Bath City FC and Twerton may not have the glamour, prestige or affluence of Bath Rugby’s Recreation Ground but there’s an undeniable sense of pride, history and belonging that needs to be acknowledged and hopefully this £6million shot in the arm for the club will help do just that. It’s as much a part of Bath as the beautiful Georgian crescents, the ancient Roman Baths and the medieval Abbey. As Curt says in his interview over on page 28, “It’s where all the interesting people live.” So we wish the club all the luck this season. Come on, you Romans!

SARAH MOOLLA

@bathlifemag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 3

Branches at - Batheaston, Bear Flat, Camden/Larkhall

DANIEL STREET, BATH £1,000,000 x4

MOUNTAIN ASH, WESTON £900,000 x4

ASHLEY, BOX £975,000

WELLSWAY, BATH £800,000 x4

LD GARSTONS, BATHFORD £875,000

WARLEIGH DRIVE £760,000 x3

camella.co.uk

boutique lettings. timeless living

BOX ROAD, BATHFORD £3,000pcm x4

CAMDEN CRESCENT, BATH £1,600pcm

T COLLEGE ROAD, LANSDOWN £2,000pcm

HIGH STREET, BATHEASTON £2,000pcm

LE T

SCHOOL PLACE, CLAVERTON £1,495pcm

UPPER LAMBRIDGE STREET, LARKHALL £1,375

camella.co.uk

HEADLINE SPONSOR

AWARDS 2027

BATH’S BIGGEST CELEBRATION 4 MARCH 2027

PLATINUM SPONSOR

CATEGORY SPONSORS

SCAN FOR MORE

bathlife@mediaclash.co.uk | bathlifeawards.co.uk | #BathLifeAwards

COVER beBop 45 by Chuck Elliott, whose work can be seen as part of the Modern ArtBuyer open weekend, Turn to 37 for more.

BIG INTERVIEW

28 CURT SMITH Why it’s still a very very Bath world for the

STREET VIEW OF JAMIES FARM DESIGN BY HETREED. PHOTO BY PETE HELME PHOTOGR APHY

Issue 554 / Autumn 2026

Tears for Fears songwriter and musician

THE ARTS

37 ARTS INTRO Modern ArtBuyer opens its doors 38 WHAT’S ON People to see, places to go 40 CULTURE CLUB The arty picks of Lucy Briers 42 BOOKS Mr B’s novel ideas 46 FILMS Bath Film Festival returns

JEWELLERY

52 PRECIOUS TONES Jewellers on the use of colour and gems

FOOD & DRINK

62 RESTAURANT REVIEW The delizioso Osteria Partenopea 64 NEWS FEED Nuggets from the foodie scene

NETWORK

75 LEAD STORY The high fliers of the EntreConf Awards 78 WINNERS The EC champs in full

LIFESTYLE

82 GARDENS Paul Weiland and the Belcombe Court 85 SHOP LEAD The Cotswold Co and National Trust collab 86 EDITOR’S CHOICE Beautiful wooden accessories for the home

PROPERTY

88 ARCHITECTURE What makes a timeless build? 101 BATH PROPERTY AWARDS The city’s most prestigious industry

awards are set to return

107 PROPERTY SCENE Finalists and sponsors network 113 CAREER LADDER The working world of James Horsfall 114 SHOWCASE An award winning Bradford on Avon home

DEPARTMENTS

10 SPOTLIGHT Jamie Bellinger focuses on the Regency Parade 15 SCENE Hello Bath Life party people! 23 FLATLINE Flats on why London isn’t calling 25 UPPER CASE Georgia Fendley on true values 122 BATH LIVES Meet James Vincent of Imperidox

Editor Sarah Moolla sarah.moolla@mediaclash.co.uk Managing editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Jasmine Barker, Jamie Bellinger, Nic Bottomley, Elsie Chadwick, Georgia Fendley, David Flatman, Bethany Hewitt, John Mather and Nick Woodhouse Commercial director Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Business development director Annabel North annabel.north@mediaclash.co.uk Business development director Dan Nichols dan.nichols@mediaclash.co.uk Production and distribution manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bath Life MediaClash, Media House, 1 Widcombe Parade, Bath, BA2 4JT. tel: 01225 475800; www.mediaclash.co.uk. Instagram @TheMediaClash ©All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath and Bristol. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

10 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT

ON PARADE

Jamie Bellinger, the Bath-based award-winning photographer who normally specialises in documenting protest, activism and social issues, turned his focus on the spectacular Grand Regency Costumed Promenade on 12 September to deliver his unique perspective. Jamie says, “The promenade is always a fun event to photograph and I try to look forinteresting ways of capturing it. One thing I look for is collisions with modernity, like the costumed man passing by an ambulance, or the participants against a foreground of a Mini Cooper with its Union Jack roof pattern. These coincidences are something I look for in my social activism work too. They offer interesting compositions and a little dose of humour.” For more: www.jamiebellinger.com | www.janeausten.co.uk

12 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SCENE T H E L AT E S T A DV E N T U R E S I N PA R T Y- GO I N G AC ROSS BAT H

LIFE & SOUL

It was a balmy September evening, the perfect weather for a Bath Life Late Summer Party. Around 150 friends and supporters of Bath’s no 1 magazine gathered in the grounds for canapés, welcome drinks and networking. MediaClash chief exec Greg Ingham gave a welcome speech and spoke about the continued and growing strength of the magazine and thanked those assembled for helping make it so. Photos by Narrated Frames; www.narratedframes.com For more: www.mediaclash.co.uk

CONTINUED OVERLEAF www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 15

CONTINUED OVERLEAF 16 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

18 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

OPENING SOON

New menswear retailer – THE FORUM STORE opens this month on Broad Street

e’re proud to announce our move to Bath, with our standalone flagship store opening on 30th October at 8 Broad Street. Founded in 2002, the Forum has continued to grow alongside an ever-changing retail landscape, building our community that now includes over 650,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. This move marks an exciting new chapter for us from a small town to the city of Bath.

“WE LOVE BATH’S INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AND WARM, FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE”

We’re bringing a carefully selected mix of elevated menswear, heritage clothing and performance-led lifestyle brands to the city, including Universal Works, Gramicci, Wax London, Danner, Sebago, Acid Running, Carhartt WIP, Armor-Lux and more. We love Bath’s independent spirit and warm, friendly atmosphere and it feels like a natural fit for our hands-on approach to retail. We want every visit to feel personal, welcoming and inspiring, sharing our knowledge and helping you discover something new. That approach continues across our social channels, where we share brand introductions, fit guides, brand history and more, alongside a weekly YouTube vlog every Sunday. You can find us at @theforumstore across all platforms. To celebrate the move, we’ll be launching three limited-edition collaborations throughout November and December. First is our take on Sebago’s iconic Ranger

Lug shoe, featuring our own choice of leather and a signature red tab. Next comes our Wax London Whiting overshirt collaboration, with fabric designed exclusively for us and produced at a family-run French mill. Inspired by Bath Rugby’s colours, it’s a little homage to our new home. Finally, we’re proud to be collaborating with Solina, one of Bath’s exciting restaurants, alongside British chefwear brand Service Works. More details on this project will be announced soon. Bath is going to be our new home, and we can’t wait to open our doors, meet you all and share our love for the industry. See you on 30th October. n

The Forum Store, 8 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LJ; @theforumstore

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 21

FLAT LINE

“Who is earning all of this money? It all just feels a bit weird”

Capital gains

London’s not calling as far as Flats is concerned

ast week as I was using Netflix to look after my children while doing some aggressive research on Instagram, something popped up which almost – almost – made me sit up. “Let me show you,” said the elegantly dressed supermodel-come-estate-agent, “what four million pounds gets you in Dulwich Village.” Yeah go on then, show me. More on that shortly. I’m in Dulwich Village right now. Like, literally right now. I’ve driven up to support a friend who is doing a horribly long cycle ride for his charity, LooseHeadz, by giving him a hug when he pulls into the rugby club here. He’s late, though, and that’s nice because it’s given me a chance to wander into the Village and reminisce somewhat, having spent my sixth form years at Dulwich College. The nostalgia took a hit just now, mind, when my FIVE POUND piccolo coffee arrived and it was sufficiently tepid that I nailed it like a minging shot of vodka. Despite never going back and not truly feeling any connection to the college, I do feel very fortunate to have gone there for six terms. My parents weren’t skint, but neither were they so flush that school fees weren’t a gouge. I was sent there to pursue my dream of training and playing rugby with like-minded meatheads, and it was incredible. Success and hard work were embraced. Laziness and complacency were not. We weren’t

driven hard, we were encouraged and spoken to like young adults, and without knowing it we were part of what I’d still regard now as a truly progressive environment. Every race, religion and background were seemingly represented, despite understandable presumptions around how elitist it must have been. I had incredibly wealthy mates and I had mates who lived in overcrowded flats in Peckham. I had straight-A mates and mates who got crap results but were brilliant at sport, at music or on stage in our school theatre. Scholarships and ‘assisted places’ were a big selling point of the school and looking back, it was bloody brilliant. Elitist? Maybe. But it was by a wide margin more diverse in I think every sense than the Kentish grammar school I left to go there. You must feel free to reply as aggressively as you want when the subject of private schools comes up – extreme opinions are the thing these days if you want to be heard – but I’ve done both ‘free’ and paid and I land somewhere in the middle. My older girls have pretty much been at private schools in Bath since the start, but we don’t think we’ll send our younger two, and not just because of the cash (though that is of course a thing!). Anyway the world’s gone mad since then. Schools like that cost a trillion pounds a year plus VAT, scholarships are largely unaffordable now so the non-rich won’t have a chance, and tiny little coffees cost a fiver each (there’s a nine quid ham and cheese croissant in here too and

while that’s an outrage, I’m so hungry I’d pay it were I not on a diet…again). And I just had a peek at some lovely gaffs for sale here in the Village through the window of the estate agent next door to the coffee shop. It turns out that four million quid gets you…well, it didn’t get you in the window. Only the nice houses make the window. The Instagram house was nice, sure, but it wasn’t that nice. Really it wasn’t. It wasn’t special in any way. The truly lovely houses around here are six, seven, ten million quid. And I can’t get my head around it. What are their potential buyers doing for work? Who is earning all of this money? It all just feels a bit weird. This all chimes in with how my mindset has shifted – due to political change, the cost of borrowing, and uncertainty around future taxation – when it comes to moving house. I’m a Rightmove addict and have been keen to consider a rural move for some time. Not anymore, though. That desire has gone, and what’s kicked in is the notion of optimising our current home instead. There are areas – sodden vaults, for example – that haven’t been addressed and we’re going to address them. Tick every box. Not just to make it easier to sell one day, but because we might never sell it, which feels concurrently homely and bleak, when the national economy is considered. I’m using this London trip, too, to clear a flat we’ve owned for a decade and are selling. Contracts have been exchanged but we await a completion date, despite having no idea what the difference is between these two happenings. Always keen to time things right financially, we’ve sold it for a profit of…seven thousand pounds. In a decade. In London. In fact, less than two miles from Dulwich. What can four million quid get you in Dulwich? Who cares? Bath’s way nicer anyway. David Flatman is an ex-Bath and England rugby star turned TV pundit and rent-o-mic. Follow him on Instagram @dflatman and X @davidflatman

Awdry Law Have Arrived... Right in the heart of your City. Right by your side.

3 Northumberland Buildings, Wood St. | awdry.law | 01225 417111

GEORGIA FENDLEY UPPER CASE

“You simply cannot manufacture history”

The golden ratio of real estate and the true value of a Georgian home

n an uncertain world obsessed with the shiny and the temporary, Bath might just become the crown jewel of global luxury property. Beautiful houses have been an enduring fascination of mine and were one of the reasons I chose to move to Bath twenty years ago. The extraordinary beauty of the architecture, the historic elegance of the city and the finite supply of authentic Georgian property have created a magnetic pull that seems to get stronger over time. For generations, Bath property has quietly and discreetly accumulated value; what’s coming next might just supercharge this appeal. The global property market is currently enduring a spectacular bout of existential vertigo. For years, the international jet set operated on a hilariously simple playbook: they invested in property in the world’s fastest-growing destinations. This usually meant developments directed upwards into the sky, building glass and steel monoliths from Manhattan to Dubai and Miami. This audience bought

the status; they bought the view, and most of all, they bought into the grand illusion of the permanent boom. Just in case you hadn’t noticed, gravity has returned to the room. The cracks in the veneer of hyper-modern development and exponential value creation are widening. A toxic cocktail of shifting tax regimes, political instability, security fears and frankly the aesthetic exhaustion of living in a ninety-storey panopticon has triggered a quiet migration of capital. The smart money, having amused itself with the ephemeral thrills of the brand-new, is retreating to the permanent. There is no place quite so stubbornly, magnificently permanent as our beautiful city of Bath. To stack the gentle honey, coloured Bath stone of the English West Country against the glittering skylines of the world’s financial hubs might seem like provincial romanticism. It isn’t; it’s cold-blooded asset preservation disguised as good taste. What the newly minted deca-millionaire and centi-millionaire classes are discovering is that while you can always reclaim another

square mile of ocean or add more triple glazed floors to a penthouse you simply cannot manufacture history. You cannot build another Royal Crescent; you cannot replicate the mathematically flawless, late eighteenthcentury symmetry of the Circus. There will be no more John Wood and John Pinch houses designed. In Dubai luxury has been defined by how much gold leaf you can cover everything in. In Bath, by contrast, luxury is defined by the golden ratio. The supply cap here is an absolute geographical and historical reality. A Grade I listed Georgian townhouse is a finite luxury asset in the truest sense of the word. The appeal of Bath to today’s discerning global elite runs deeper than a defensive balance sheet. It is a question of how people actually want to live, how they want to provide a home for their families and enjoy a lifestyle they can develop and sustain as a legacy for future generations. The modern luxury audience is increasingly dissatisfied with the reality of the global hyper-city. From noise, pollution, inaccessibility of nature, transient or absent resident communities and a lack of access to serious culture to anxieties about stability of investment in a market in which the newest holds the highest value. Bath solves this challenge beautifully, we are an unusual city, a micro-metropolis, an architectural jewel box that offers the cultural density of a capital. Bath is home to a world-class theatre, endless fine dining, and provides access to breathtaking nature, elite education, sports and an enviable social season right on its doorstep. All of this is scaled down to a walkable, civilised and remarkably secure sanctuary. In a world that feels increasingly temporary, inauthentic and loud the enduring allure of Bath lies in its magnificent refusal to change. It has survived centuries of global upheaval with its elegance entirely intact. For the investor who has seen it all, done it all and bought it all, a home in Bath is the ultimate luxury; a piece of the world that is completely, delightfully and permanently finite. Georgia Fendley is a creative director, founder of Construct, ex brand director of Mulberry, NED of Cambridge Satchel Company, Crafts Council Advisor, Luxury Briefing columnist and D&AD judge. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 25

YEARS

AWARDS 2027

CREATIVITY CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY AWARDS 2027

Soon, all around him will be familiar faces

28 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

THE BIG INTERVIEW

“We have discussed Tears for Fears maybe playing at Twerton Park one day”

IT’S A VERY VERY BATH WORLD Why Curt Smith of Tears for Fears is investing in his hometown football club Words by Sarah Moolla Photos by Narrated Frames; www.narratedframes.com

aving become an international superstar, and now living in Los Angeles, it would have been easy for Curt Smith to pay tribute to his hometown with the occasional visit and a few token words about how this small Somerset city shaped his success. Instead, the Tears for Fears co-founder has demonstrated his commitment to his Bath roots by investing in Bath City Football Club, which can be found in the lowly Southern League Premier South – the seventh division of the English football league. Curt, who grew up in Snow Hill and attended Beechen Cliff School, was among a consortium of around 50 investors, led by executive chair Andrew Stalbow, that completed a takeover of the club in September, backed by £6million in seed funding. As well as contributing financially, Curt will serve as a club ambassador, helping to bring attention and investment to Twerton, where he spent much of his youth. He says, “This is a way of giving back to my hometown, especially the working-class areas that not a lot of visitors are aware of. Twerton is where I spent most of my youth, and for me it’s exciting that we can do something for the community around here. To be able to bring some attention to those underserved parts of Bath would be wonderful. If I can lend my name and make people a bit more comfortable investing and coming to the club, then I’ll do that.” Here we find out more about Curt’s love for the city and what it’s like being back around familiar faces…

You’ve been a football fan since you were young – and any fond memories from back in the day?

Football was always a working-class game when I grew up, there wasn’t a day when we didn’t play it at school or at Snow Hill where I spent my formative years. I played every weekend for Percy Boys’ Club and later at Beechen Cliff School. It taught me what it was like to be part of a team but also have a competitive edge. Does it frustrate you that after all these years, certain areas of Bath are still being neglected?

Yes, everyone of course knows about the picturesque centre of Bath and its history, but there were neglected areas that were there in my youth and are still there. Unfortunately, not much has changed, and as the wealth gap gets bigger and bigger in the UK (and everywhere else it seems), these areas demand even closer attention.

Looking back, what was the best thing about living in Bath?

Growing up in Snow Hill I would say community – the same as it is in any working-class area of Bath. Between living in the US, touring and recording, how many games do you realistically hope to get to see?

At this point I can’t say as I don’t know all my recording and touring plans for next year yet, but as many as I can. Have you grown to support any US teams?

I’m a season ticket holder at LAFC, my football team in Los Angeles. Do you happen to know Ken Loach – another A-lister supporter of BCFC?

I don’t yet, but I’m hoping that will change soon.

Are you concerned that getting involved at a highprofile level with a club that is struggling might be tough emotionally and for your stress levels?

In my opinion it’s worth the effort so I think I’ll be fine! As well as investing, you are a club ambassador. What does that role mean to you?

It’s really just about bringing awareness to the club and the community. Apparently, people are more likely to listen if you’re a semi-celebrity! Is Roland Orzabal a fan of the club as well? And any chance of both playing a concert in the grounds?

Roland is not that big of a sports fan, but we have discussed Tears for Fears maybe playing at Twerton Park one day and he fully supports my endeavours. Shout has been utilised a few times in football songs and lots of terrace chants. Any Tears for Fears song you’d like to hear adapted for Bath City?

Mad World and Shout seem apt right now. Hopefully, as we climb the ladder, we might get to Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Aside from Bath City FC, what brings you back to visit?

Friends and both my brothers and their extended families live in Bath.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 29

THE BIG INTERVIEW

BATH BOYS DONE GOOD

“Shout, shout!”

Where do you like to visit when you’re here?

Restaurant-wise it would be Walcot House. I always have lunch there with Chris Hughes (our old producer) and Dave Bates (the A&R man who originally signed us) every time I’m back. They both now live in Bath. What places did you go to growing up?

Born in the city in 1961, Curt grew up on the Snow Hill estate and attended Beechen Cliff School, and at the age of 13 met his future bandmate Roland Orzabal, a Culverhay School pupil. The teenagers bonded over music and in 1978 joined the ska band Graduate. After the group ended in 1981, Curt and Roland formed Tears for Fears, the name coming from a concept of Arthur Janov’s primal scream therapy. The Snow Hill post-war flats formed part of an upbringing that helped inform the emotional themes of their 1983 debut album The Hurting, which includes the now-classic anthem Mad World. Songs From the Big Chair, released in 1985, was a global smash, yielding the hits Shout, Head Over Heels, and the epic hit and US number one single Everybody Wants to Rule the World. The third studio album The Seeds of

Love, released in 1989, cemented the Bath duo as one of the defining and most influential acts of the 1980s. Their partnership fractured in the early 1990s, and Curt left the band. He moved to Los Angeles where he continued working on solo projects. Appropriately, Bath later played a part in their reconciliation: as Curt returned to regularly visit family, he and Roland began working together after almost a decade apart, which led to 2004’s Everybody Loves a Happy Ending album of melodic pop material. After years of steady international touring, the duo then released The Tipping Point, which received widespread critical acclaim for addressing themes of grief, loss, and resilience. Earlier this year, it was revealed Harry Styles is a Tears for Fears fan, and the duo are now joining him as special guests for three dates at Wembley Stadium next August.

Moles Club on George Street. I have a lot of good memories from a lot of good times spent there. It’s so sad it isn’t there anymore. I’m not familiar with all of the art places in the city now, but the Bath Arts Workshop on Walcot Street was like a second home to me and my friends. Later on in life, I lived on Lansdown Crescent, and I just loved that view looking out over Bath. Any local events that stick in your mind?

Bath Arts Workshop used to put on the Walcot Festival every year with music, local crafts and food. It was something to look forward to every summer. Hopefully something like it can be done again. Do you have a secret Bath?

The back of St. Thomas à Becket Church on Church Street in Widcombe – you get the best view of Widcombe Manor which is my favourite house in Bath. What would you say you miss most from Bath when you’re in California?

Schwartz Brothers burgers!

And what don’t you miss?

Being a public figure in a small city. What has changed here, if anything?

There are noticeably more tourists and students, but thankfully it’s mostly the same. What should never change?

Its self-deprecating humour.

Do you think you would ever move back?

I’ve been spending a lot more time in Bath over the last year as we’ve tried to get this deal over the line. There’s a new

30 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

QUICK FIRE WITH CURT Favourite Bath café: Sally Lunn’s – just for its incredible history Best shop: Square clothing store Book you’re reading now: The Unbearable Lightness of Being TV show: Slow Horses Record currently on your turntable: The Clearing by Wolf Alice Last live show seen: Harry Styles in Mexico City

found enjoyment now that there’s a different generation and I’m not recognised everywhere I go. So never say never, but I do like living in a big city far away where nobody pays attention to me at all! Also, my two daughters are American, and I can’t see me moving too far from them. Are you looking forward to the concerts with Harry Styles next year?

Of course – I always dreamt of playing at Wembley, just not quite like this.

Where would you take him if you were to bring him to Bath? (Aside from Twerton Park!)

Everywhere of course!

What’s the first thing Harry, and every newcomer, should know about Bath?

It’s not all the pretty city centre – there are working class areas all around the outskirts of Bath that are woefully under served. But this is where all the interesting people live. What’s next for you?

More immediately, it’s touring next year and then recording at some point. n For more: www.bathcityfc.com| www.tearsforfears.com

THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F B AT H ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

ART HOUSE

Looking for a little advice on how to bring more art into your home? Art gallery and consultancy Modern ArtBuyer is hosting its autumn Open House Pop-up Gallery 14 -15 November in Limpley Stoke. The setting is relaxed, the vibe friendly and the team are on hand to talk framing, placement, originality and all things art. The gallery, run by Jessica Lloyd-Smith, will show a vibrant new selection of original artworks including that of Bristol artist Chuck Elliott (seen here), a pioneer of digitally generated art. Modern ArtBuyer Pop-Up Gallery is on 14 - 15 November, at Sylvan Lodge, 1 Cliffe Drive, Limpley Stoke; www.modernartbuyer.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 37

WHAT’S ON 17 October – 27 November

EXHIBITIONS Until 7 November

BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS OPEN EXHIBITION Catch the last few weeks of the annual open exhibition showcasing a diverse selection of paintings, prints, and sculptures. Victoria Art Gallery; www.victoriagal.org.uk

Until 3 January

CIRCUS OF CURIOSITIES Developed and toured by the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, this playful exhibition brings together 25 circus-inspired, interactive, imaginative mechanical sculptures and automata. American Museum & Gardens; www.americanmuseum.org

Until 3 January

AMERICA 250 The American Museum & Gardens is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence with a trail, two special exhibitions, works in the permanent galleries, and a packed events programme celebrating American arts, artistry and culture. www.americanmuseum.org

38 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Until 3 January

PHOTOLOGY & THE AS-YET UNSEEN Photology at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy highlights John Herschel’s and Henry Talbot’s pioneering roles in early photography. The As-Yet Unseen by contemporary Irish artist Grace Weir and curated by Bridget de León, features installations inspired by the Herschel legacy, including embroidery based on the Milky Way map. www.herschelmuseum.org.uk

Until 27 June

LACOCK BY MARTIN PARR The final major commission by the late British photographer Martin Parr captures a year in the life of Lacock village. This intimate exhibition at the Fox Talbot Museum explores community, tradition and daily life, bringing Parr’s acclaimed documentary style back to where it began. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Until 10 January

RICHARD SLEE One of Britain’s most important contemporary ceramic artists, Richard Slee brings witty political satire and uncanny domestic objects

Experience Halloween the US way at the American Museum & Gardens

to the Holburne in Sunlit Uplands and Withdrawing Rooms, featuring 400 ceramic islands. www.holburne.org

Until 10 January

ANCIENT LANDSCAPE, MODERN TIMES Through paintings, drawings, prints and archival material, the exhibition reveals how the stark, rolling forms of the South Downs and related chalk landscapes inspired a generation of artists, including Eric Ravilious seeking to reinvent landscape painting for the modern age. Holburne; www.holburne.org

20 – 31 October

A PERSONAL VIEW Four diverse artists, Lynne Roche, Henrietta Smith, Julian Hyzler and Alice Mumford come together to share their Personal View in different media. Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution; www.brlsi.org

8 November & 13 December

BATH CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS’ FAIR The monthly Green Park Station Sunday event showcases the works of talented artists from across the

region. Since its creation in 2021 BCAF has supported over 2,500 spaces to exhibiting artists including Raymond Wirick, Kate Field, and Catherine Kennedy. www.bcaf.co.uk

THEATRE / FILM 23 – 24 October

APRIL IN PARIS A hilarious depiction, written by John Godber, of a quiet Yorkshire couple who win a trip to Paris but struggle with the cuisine, the Metro, and possible muggers. The Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk

1 November

DORIS (THE GIRL NEXT DOOR?) Kate McNab stars and sings in her hit show about the chirpy and chipper movie star Doris Day. Mission Theatre; www.missiontheatre.co.uk

MUSIC

13 – 21 November

BATH MOZARTFEST For over 30 years the annual Bath Mozartfest has built an enviable

ILLUSTR ATION BY A XEL SCHEFFLER

WHAT’S ON 20 November

DANIEL FOXX Join Daniel on his How Lovely tour as he navigates dating in your 30s, Le Creuset addiction and 12-step skincare routines, all while trying very hard to emanate love and light. Roper Theatre; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

HALLOWEEN & FIREWORKS clockwise from top left: Follow

the Room on the Broom trail at Westonbirt Arboretum until 2 November; Longleat gets Spooktacular the Aardman way; Tallulah Swirls brings her master shadow puppetry skills to The Newt in Somerset on 30 October; pick your own at the Avon Valley Pumpkin Patch; see Bath Society of Artists exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery; the Bath skies will be alight for fireworks night

reputation for artistic excellence in chamber and orchestral music. The new artistic director Adrian Brendel, has curated a thrilling programme of the finest classical music featuring 16 concerts over nine days by world-renowned artists including Nash Ensemble, Imogen Cooper and Samrat Majumder. www.bathmozartfest.org.uk

DANCING LIGHTS BY RACHEL WILCOX

19 November

BEANS ON TOAST The celebrated folk troubadour brings songs and stories of family, friendship, protest, nature and everyday life to Chapel Arts Centre, with warmth, wit, optimism, community and hope. Chapel Arts Centre; www.chapelarts.org

21 November

PARAGON SINGERS The Bath choir conclude their 50th-anniversary year with Bach’s much-loved Mass in B minor, and a fitting finale celebrating local musicmaking, commitment, continuity and community at Bradford on Avon’s Holy Trinity Church; www.paragonsingers.co.uk

COMEDY 30 September

SEANN WALSH Presented by the Fez Comedy Club, dishevelled king of stand-up and two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Seann brings his highenergy exasperation to the Roper Theatre; www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

Until 31 October

FEAR The UK’s leading multi-awardwinning scream park is back at Avon Valley. The two multi-layered immersive worlds are alive with roaming performers, thrill rides, fire and laser shows, live dance performances and terrifying mazes. New to the line-up is The Autopsy, a theatrical horror experience blending live performance, cinematic storytelling and psychological horror. www.fearscreampark.co.uk

Until 31 October

PUMPKIN PATCH Get down on the farm and pick yourself a pumpkin. There are also the apple slingshot, speciality market and shop, and a games bar. Avon Valley; www.avonvalley.co.uk

Until 31 October

REVOLTING WORLD OF ROMAN MEDICINE Step into the sandals of a Roman doctor and uncover the weird, wonderful and occasionally stomachchurning side of ancient medicine in a brand-new family adventure at the Roman Baths; www.romanbaths.co.uk

Until 1 November

HALLOWEEN AT THE AMERICAN MUSEUM & GARDENS Visitors can experience an enchanted night of lights and frights, with selected areas of the gardens transformed with glowing installations, eerie encounters and playful surprises. Inside the candlelit Manor House there’s Americaninspired bites, Halloween treats, and mulled wine. www.americanmuseum.org

Until 2 November

ROOM ON THE BROOM TRAIL Westonbirt Arboretum is the woodland backdrop to the interactive family quest to find the witch’s lost hat, bow, and wand, and collect spell ingredients. Visitors can also discover forest facts, learn about animal habitats, and cast spells. www.forestryengland.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 39

WHAT’S ON 23 – 31 October

MARY SHELLEY’S HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN AFTER DARK Experience The Watcher, stories and monsters across five floors of darknesss. www.houseoffrankenstein.com

24 October – 1 November

SPOOKTACULAR ADVENTURES Longleat celebrates the latest Aardman movie The Beast of Mossy Bottom with pumpkin trails, a Hallowe’en hoedown, puzzles and activities. www.longleat.co.uk

29 October

LANTERN CRAFTING An enchanting celebration of light, lore and the turning season, with lantern crafting and stories around the fire at the Newt in Somerset; www.thenewtinsomerset.com

30 October

ALL HALLOWS’ EVE PUPPET SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA Enjoy a joyful shadow-puppet celebration of life, light and remembrance with master puppeteer Tallulah Swirls. The Newt in Somerset; www.thenewtinsomerset.com

31 October

MINIONS & MONSTERS The totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood,

created mayhem, and then had to save planet from monsters. Little Theatre; www.picturehouses.com

The Sea is headed to Theatre Royal Bath with Lucy Briers

5 – 7 November

AVON VALLEY ADVENTURE PARK FIREWORKS Spectacular fireworks, flames and lasers, with a little bit of K-Pop come to Avon Valley. www.avonvalley.co.uk

6 November

BATH RACECOURSE FIREWORKS NIGHT Enjoy a choreographed musical fireworks display with hot air balloons, street food, bars and family areas. www.bath-racecourse.co.uk

7 November

BATH ROTARY CHARITY FIREWORKS FIESTA Marking more than four decades of charity displays, this final fiesta at Bath Rugby’s Recreation Ground features riverside seating, standing zones and entertainment. Advance ticket booking is required before the event. www.bathboxoffice.org.uk

7 November

KES BATH FIREWORKS DISPLAY King Edward’s School hosts a spectacular display by Northern Lights Fireworks at Bathampton Playing Fields. www.kesbath.com

CULTURE CLUB with LUCY BRIERS Lucy Briers plays the role of Jessica Tilehouse in The Sea, Edward Bond’s 1973 dark comedy play about a small community dealing with the aftermath of a drowning during a violent storm. Also starring Jennifer Saunders, it performs at Theatre Royal Bath from 22 October until 7 November. The last great film I saw: Riz Ahmed’s Hamlet. It’s a masterpiece. Ahmed plays Hamlet with such devastating vulnerability in a really clever version of this timeless play. A painting that means something to me: I am very lucky to have inherited a portrait of my late father, painted in the 1970’s by the prolific artist John Bratby. My mother never liked it, and it was put in a cupboard! I’d always loved it and when our mother passed away my sister (who wasn’t keen on it either) was happy for me to have it. It is now framed and has pride of place on my landing. My TV guilty pleasure: Queer Eye because I want a makeover from those amazing men and Professional Bake Off because I love watching people do something brilliantly that I can’t do.

When they call it The FEAR Scream Park, they really aren’t kidding

40 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

The book I could happily re-read: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. Just to experience the beautiful moment at the end again.

The book that changed my life: I studied at university, and it led me to read pretty much every novel Ballard ever wrote. He was a prophet. He wouldn’t be surprised about where the world is right now. Last live music gig I went to: A Stockhausen concert at the Festival Hall about six months ago. My husband is an ambient geek, and I have learned to love Stockhausen. You have to work at it, but it’s very rewarding. My desert island disc: The Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams. My husband introduced me to it when we were first dating, and it always reminds me of those heady first months. The first song I remember Lucy is a big JG hearing: I would Ballard fan say Hello Mother Hello Father sung by Allan Sherman. They played it on Junior Choice on Radio 1 which I loved, and it always made me laugh. Still does! My karaoke go-to: Careless Whisper by George Michael. You can’t beat it. For more: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

JONATHAN MULVANEY PAINTINGS

THE WEST BARN, POUND LANE, BRADFORD ON AVON BA15 1LF November 27th - December 1st 2026 | 10 am - 4.30 pm. jon.mulvaney@btinternet.com | @mulvaneyjonathan

NOVEL IDEAS NIC BOTTOMLEY

I Mr B on three books that explore travel, grief and refuge

“Grieving is a personal journey that doesn’t have rights and wrongs” 42 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

’m emerging from one of the periods of main character overload that occasionally spring into my diary. This last weekend I hosted the wonderfully collegiate Booksellers Association conference. And in the few days either side I’ve interviewed three very different authors at events here in Bath. Luckily the interviews also necessitated some time-sensitive reading of truly excellent books. First was Julian Sayarer’s The Cycle Diaries (Quercus, £25) in which the author manually pedals in the tyre tracks of Che Guevara’s motorcycle on an epic ride through Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia – with a dramatic coda in Cuba. Julian is one of our finest travel writers and, as with his previous books, The Cycle Diaries offers up a deep dive into the politics and human realities of the places he visits in equal measure to the insights into the landscapes he sees, and the food and drink he enjoys. Torn by his own grief at the state of the world’s affairs – and particularly the relentless atrocities committed in Gaza – Julian wallows a while in Lima and then Buenos Aires before truly setting off. Once he does, the cathartic power of travel becomes apparent – the journey might not solve the world’s problems, but seeing the iridescent blues of Lake Titicaca or folk going about their lives in remote Patagonia, becomes a balm and a source of hope. As do many – though not all – of the bar-stool conversations through which he explores the similarities and shifts of present-day Latin America to Guevara’s 1952 version. The second event was a beautiful and emotional privilege. An Ocean and a Day by Hannah Richell (Bedford Square, £16.99) explores the shifting sands of the author’s grief following the sudden death of her husband Matt in 2014 in a surfing accident. In raw, brutally honest but eloquent prose, Richell recounts her experience from the chaos of her family’s foundations being torn

away in a moment, through the ever-changing emotional responses of the months that followed. The book’s inspired chronology intersperses recollections of Hannah and Matt’s life together with the timeline of life following the accident. The result is a book that celebrates holding dear the everyday and that somehow offers up so much hope – as well as reassurance that grieving is a personal journey that doesn’t have rights and wrongs. This beautiful book is both a beautiful testimony to one particular beloved man and a personal story that will have resonance and value to so many readers who have or may have endured grief or tried to support those going through it. An Ocean and a Day is the best, bravest and most important book I’ve read in 2026. The final interview was with Monty Python legend Eric Idle who came to talk about Idle in Provence (Ebury, £22), his love letter to a shack acquired in the early 1970s and gradually transformed into a home with the proceeds of his successes. In book and on stage, Idle’s deep affection for his French hideaway is so very evident. For his first twelve years it was “a wonderful place to hide from the delusions of celebrity”. Even after a photo in the local paper of Eric at a Cannes film festival première blew his cover, the local community remained respectful and often oblivious to Eric and guests. He recounts Robin Williams dancing at a local festival, David Bowie joining him for lunch in a café in nearby Cotignac, road-trips with Art Garfunkel and of course drop-ins by every Python. The overriding takeaway is just how much Provence meant to him when he was alone after a hectic tour or filming schedule and he could just retreat and “stomp around the land writing and ranting”. If only we all had a spot for that! Nic Bottomley is the general manager of Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, 14/15 John Street, Bath; www.mrbsemporium.com

Upcoming Events 1

Bath Film Festival Various Locations | Fri 16 – Sun 25 Oct

Wildscreen Film Festival Various Locations | Sat 17 – Wed 21 Oct

Eddi Reader Bath Pavilion | Fri 23 Oct

Seann Walsh Roper Theatre | Fri 30 Oct

Remembrance Concert Bath Abbey | Sat 7 Nov

The Amy Winehouse Band The Forum | Fri 13 Nov

bathboxoffice.org.uk | 01225 463362 | @bathboxoffice The Forum, St James’s Parade, BA1 1UG | Open 10am – 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed Bank Holidays)

SCREENTIME

Discover, connect and experience movies with the return of the Bath Film Festival By Jasmine Barker

ath Film Festival returns from 16–25 October for its 36th edition, bringing ten exciting days of cinema to venues across the city. Discover more than 50 films, events and immersive experiences, from major previews and award-winning international features to documentaries, filmmaker Q&As, live music, food and industry talks. Expect world-class cinema in Bath’s cinemas, historic venues and unexpected spaces, plus the IMDb Awards with opportunities to hear from the people behind the films.

THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING

Sunday 18 October | The Little Theatre Cinema A fascinating true story, a stellar cast and, unexpectedly, a little Bath connection. The Education of Jane Cumming stars Clare Dunne, Mia Tharia and Fiona Shaw in the story of two respected 19th-century Edinburgh schoolteachers whose lives are shattered after a pupil accuses them of having a relationship. The real-life scandal later inspired Lillian Hellman’s celebrated play The Children’s Hour. It’s a compelling period drama about reputation, class, sexuality and the terrifying power of rumour. Eagle-eared Bath audiences should listen carefully too: our fair city gets its own mention in this extraordinary true story.

WICKER

Saturday 17 October | The Little Theatre Cinema Olivia Colman. Peter Dinklage. Alexander Skarsgård. And a husband made entirely from wicker. We’re listening. Wicker is a gloriously strange adult fairy tale starring Colman as an ostracised fisherwoman who asks the local basketweaver, played by Dinklage, to construct her the perfect husband. Unfortunately for the village’s men, he turns out to be rather too perfect. Add Elizabeth Debicki and Richard E. Grant to the mix and you have a funny, feminist, romantic and completely bonkers film that gleefully refuses to fit into any obvious box. One of the festival’s biggest and strangest starstudded treats.

46 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ARTS

SUPPER CLUB: TAMPOPO

Sunday 18 October | BLOC at Burdall’s Yard Film and food are a pretty irresistible combination, particularly when Bath Community Kitchen is doing the cooking. Japanese cult classic Tampopo inspires this special supper club at the newly taken-over Bath Laboratory of Culture, BLOC. The evening begins with sake courtesy of Bath’s Independent Spirit, alongside film-inspired canapés, before Jûzô Itami’s wonderfully funny foodie favourite hits the screen. Afterwards, everyone gathers around the table for a shared vegetarian ramen supper inspired by the film. Part screening, part dinner party and very much a social occasion, it’s exactly the sort of one-off experience that makes Bath Film Festival feel like a festival.

THE PARKING SPOT + Q&A

Thursday 22 October | The Little Theatre Cinema Anyone who has ever attempted to park in central Bath may find The Parking Spot alarmingly relatable. What begins as an ordinary dispute over the last available space soon escalates into something far stranger, pushing mild-mannered Jonathan into an increasingly surreal existential crisis. The Canadian thriller comes to Bath for its UK première, with director Louis Godbout joining audiences for a post-film Q&A. Tense, darkly funny and packed with questions it has no intention of neatly answering, it is exactly the sort of oddball discovery a festival does best. It may also permanently change how you approach a contested Bath parking space.

THE GENERAL + LIVE PIANO

Wednesday 21 October, 6.30pm | The Holburne Museum There are screenings, and then there are screenings you simply couldn’t recreate at home. To celebrate 100 years of Buster Keaton’s The General, Bath Film Festival brings one of silent cinema’s great comedies to the Holburne Museum’s beautiful Picture Gallery, accompanied live by local pianist Dominic Irving. Keaton’s extraordinary physical comedy, elaborate action sequences and famously deadpan heroics remain astonishing a century later, but silent film truly comes alive with live music responding to the action on screen. Add one of Bath’s most beautiful cultural spaces and this has all the ingredients of a very special festival evening.

ROSE

Friday 23 October | Everyman Bath Sandra Hüller gives one of the festival’s standout performances in Rose, a stark, beautifully shot period drama set in 17th-century Germany. Rose returns from the Thirty Years’ War living as a man, determined to claim a farmstead and the independence that identity allows her. But as suspicion grows within the isolated village around her, the life she has carefully constructed begins to unravel. Hüller won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at Berlin for the role, bringing quiet fury and resilience to a story about gender, freedom and the price of refusing to live by society’s rules. CONTINUED OVERLEAF www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 47

ARTS

I SEE BUILDINGS FALL LIKE LIGHTNING

Sunday 25 October | The Little Theatre Cinema Director Clio Barnard turns Keiran Goddard’s novel into a tender, bittersweet portrait of five friends who grew up together in Midlands social housing and are now navigating their early 30s. Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo, Daryl McCormack and Lola Petticrew lead an impressive ensemble as friendship collides with work, love, family, addiction and the uncomfortable realisation that adulthood hasn’t quite turned out as planned. Winner of the Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award at Cannes 2026, it’s funny, sad and sharply observed, with the kind of lived-in friendships that feel instantly recognisable.

9 7

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM WITH BATH CITY WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Friday 23 October | Bath City Football Club More than 20 years after Bend It Like Beckham inspired a generation of girls to kick a football, women’s sport has never felt more relevant. Bath Film Festival takes the much-loved comedy to Bath City Football Club as part of Rebel Moves, pairing the film with voices from the women’s game today. With Bath City Women’s Football Club involved, the evening connects Jess Bhamra’s battle to play the sport she loves with the huge changes in women’s football since the film was released. Nostalgia, female sporting ambition and a very Bath setting make this much more than simply another classic-film screening.

THE DEBUT

Saturday 24 October | The Little Theatre Cinema Community theatre has rarely looked this dangerous. The Debut, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, stars Julianne Moore as a meek, overlooked housewife who unexpectedly lands a part in a local theatrical production. Enter Paul Giamatti as the uncompromising director determined to tear her down and rebuild her as an actor. What starts as an amateur theatrical adventure becomes an increasingly obsessive battle over confidence, control and artistic integrity. Following A Real Pain, Eisenberg continues to establish himself as a filmmaker with a wonderfully distinctive comic voice, while Moore and Giamatti are exactly the sort of acting double act worth seeing on the big screen.

48 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

I LOVE BOOSTERS

Sunday 25 October | The Little Theatre Cinema Bath Film Festival is saving something suitably riotous for the closing night. I Love Boosters, the new film from Sorry to Bother You director Boots Riley, follows a crew of stylish female shoplifters taking on a ruthless fashion mogul. Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie and Taylour Paige lead a cast that also includes Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Don Cheadle and Will Poulter. Expect surreal humour, anti-capitalist bite, eye-popping fashion and Riley’s trademark anarchic energy. After ten days of cinema across Bath, it feels like an appropriately bold way to bring the festival to a close. High fashion meets class warfare, with considerably better outfits. n For more: www.filmbath.org.uk

Nigel Dando WE BUY Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition.

Nigel Dando 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY Tel/Fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk

Empower your fitness Bath-born fitness and nutrition coach EMMA DOHERTY has spent seven years helping women get the weightloss results that finally match their effort, without giving up the food, the holidays or the wine ASK MOST WOMEN how they’ve tried to lose weight and you’ll hear the same story: strict plans, cutting out food, Monday restarts, and effort that never seems to reflect in the mirror. Emma has heard that story hundreds of times, and she’s built a business on rewriting it. Emma turned down graduate scheme offers to launch Empower, a global online fitness and nutrition coaching business that has now transformed over 13,000 women, collectively losing over 65,000kg! More than seven years in, her message hasn’t changed: you don’t need to be stricter. You need a better approach. “Most of the women who come to us aren’t lazy, they’re exhausted,” says Emma. “They’ve been doing everything ‘right’ and getting nowhere. Our job is to show them there’s another way.” That other way starts with food. Empower’s coaching is built on a non-restrictive, 80/20 approach to nutrition. Nothing is off limits, and clients learn to build meals around protein, fibre and flavour rather than rules. The Empower app is full of recipes clients love, like high-protein smoothies, fakeaway recipes, poke bowls, pizza and loaded yogurt bowls. Clients

also keep the freedom to eat out, travel and enjoy a drink on a Friday. For Emma, though, health and fitness is only half the picture. She’s currently completing a master’s in neuroscience at King’s College London, and she brings the science of behaviour into every programme. Her coaching combines nutrition and training with mindset work and nervous system regulation. It helps clients understand why they’ve struggled before, and how their beliefs and past experiences shape the choices they make today. “You can hand someone the perfect meal plan,” she says, “but if their brain is running an old story, it won’t stick. We work on the story too.”

BEFORE

TEN YEARS ON

Every client gets fully personalised 1:1 coaching, access to the Empower app, which has everything you could possibly need, in addition to daily 1-2-1 support and weekly check-ins. The results go beyond fat loss. Clients become women who feel strong in the gym, calm around food and confident in their own skin, often for the first time in years. Emma’s own journey shows it works. She lost 30kg from her heaviest and has kept it off. Now she lifts, runs, does yoga, trains for Hyrox, travels often and eats out, living the balanced life she coaches. Empower’s values are simple: honesty over hype, freedom over restriction, and results that last because they’re built to fit real life. “I want every woman who works with us to leave not needing us anymore,” says Emma. “That’s the mission: freedom with food, with their body, and with themselves.” To find out more or book a call with the Empower team, visit empoweronlinecoaching.com or follow @emmafituk_ and @empower_training on Instagram, and quote BATHLIFE for your exclusive 20% discount.

PRECIOUS TONES How colour and creativity are transforming the world of contemporary jewellery

Cássila Dolman wearing her Lachesis London jewellery designs

ADDITIONAL PICTURE RESEARCH BY ABANG R ASYADAN NUH

By Sarah Moolla

JEWELLERY

ewellery has always been a masterclass in colour, from the deep red fire of rubies and cool blue glow of sapphires to the glint of gold and sheen of silver. But choosing a palette is about more than beauty alone. Colour can carry meaning, flatter the skin, set a mood or transform a familiar form into something unexpected. Here, leading local jewellers share their take on the world of colour when working with precious gems and metals.

COLOUR OUR WORLD

After a period in which diamonds took centre stage, coloured gemstones are once again commanding attention. “Colour is back,” says Chris Milton of CMS Jewellers, who specialise in quality custom handmade jewellery. “For a long time, diamonds dominated the conversation. But colour is back – and, as a designer, I couldn’t be happier. There is something wonderfully individual about a coloured gemstone. Colour brings personality to jewellery, while reviving the use of yellow and rose gold opens up even more possibilities. “A gemstone doesn’t have to be expensive to be beautiful. It has to make you feel something. This is where jewellery design becomes particularly exciting: bringing together a stone, a setting and someone’s personal story to create something they will love wearing. And perhaps that is the real joy of colour – finding the stone that makes you stop, look again and simply say, ‘Wow.’” That relationship between a gemstone and its wearer is equally important to Stephen Thomas, goldsmith and director of Marchbank Jewellery Design, who also starts with the individual. “Gemstones can define and elevate a jewellery design, giving it colour, meaning and structure. When designing a commissioned piece, the stones used are always down to personal preference. If it is for a chosen event or anniversary, such as a ruby wedding, or incorporates a birthstone, I will be guided by that. Durability and how often the ring will be worn are also considerations, as some stones are more robust than others.”

clockwise from top left: Diamond and tanzenite ring, diamond and pink sapphire pendant, diamond and black opal cocktail ring, diamond and ruby peacock feather ring all designed by Marchbank Jewellery: ruby and diamond earrings designed by CMS Jewellery

Alongside these personal and practical considerations, colour can have a powerful effect on the wearer’s emotions. Contemporary jewellery designer Alice Menter says, “I believe colour can change how you feel, ignite memories and create a sense of calm or excitement. Colours can convey moods and feelings, evoke nostalgia and memories, and often hold personal meaning for the wearer. The juxtaposition of a gemstone’s colour against gold or silver can be breathtaking.” The choice of colour can also establish the character of a piece, with different shades creating entirely different impressions. Nicholas Wylde, founder of Wylde, who opened his first jewellery shop in Bath in 1987, explains, “Colour gives a piece its personality. A rich blue can feel calm and elegant, while vibrant pink or orange brings energy and playfulness.”

MOOD MAKERS

clockwise from top left: Emerald and diamond trilogy ring from SP Green; multi sapphire

and diamond ring and a diamond fitted ring set both designed by Jody Cory: sapphire and diamond bracelet, and a pair of aquamarine and diamond rings both from SP Green

Colour often provides the first point of connection between a piece of jewellery and the person viewing it. Cássila Dolman, founder of Lachesis London, an online boutique of Brazilian fashion accessories, says, “Colour is what catches the eye first, often before shape or material. A coloured gemstone sets the tone for the whole piece and defines the story it tells.” That story can be shaped by the traditional symbolism of gemstones, although personal associations are often even more significant. Charlie Dalton-Ball, branch manager of S.P. Green & Co, says, “Rubies have traditionally symbolised love and passion, emeralds are associated with renewal and harmony, while blue sapphires represent loyalty and sincerity. However, the most meaningful connections are often personal to the client. A particular shade of blue might recall a special holiday, while a green gemstone

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 53

JEWELLERY could evoke a favourite landscape. We regularly help clients incorporate birthstones and meaningful colours into bespoke designs, creating jewellery that tells their individual story.” As well as carrying personal meaning, colour can determine the mood and character of a design. At Larkyn, the recently opened Bartlett Street shop, Florence Saumarez sees colour as central to a jewel’s character. “Colour gives jewellery much of its personality. Our giant spinel ring is wonderfully flamboyant: the intense pink against 18ct yellow gold is inherently dramatic, while the rather randomly scattered diamonds stop it feeling too formal. By contrast, the leaf earrings have a sophisticated gradation of blue sapphires, which I rarely see.” This ability to convey personality, atmosphere and emotion is also what distinguishes coloured gemstones for Nigel Dando, who has been a jeweller for 55 years and has a store on Pulteney Bridge. He says, “Coloured gemstones are the true storytellers of a piece of jewellery. While diamonds offer brilliance and structure, coloured gems bring personality, atmosphere and emotional resonance. A deep velvet-blue sapphire exudes quiet authority, whereas a fiery spessartite garnet or bright tsavorite brings energetic vitality. The gemstone’s optical character can define whether a design feels romantic, dramatic, architectural or playfully contemporary. “Colour is also deeply personal and often linked to life’s major milestones. Blue stones have long symbolised loyalty, calm and clarity, while deep reds represent passion and vitality. Clients often gravitate towards specific shades that evoke a memory.”

COLOUR COMBOS

When combining different gemstones, balance is key. “Colour combinations influence the design, with contrasting colours creating

clockwise from top: Sapphire ring by Christina Oswin; abalone shell tassel pendant from Icarus; pink sapphire ring by Christina Oswin

bold effects and complementary colours producing a timeless appearance,” says Jody Cory, whose goldsmith’s store can be found in Abbey Churchyard. “Costs can be reduced by using alternatives, such as white topaz or white sapphire instead of diamonds, or tsavorites instead of emeralds. The cut, clarity, size and shape of the stones should work together to create a practical, cohesive and visually appealing piece.” Jewellery designer Alex Monroe, whose new Scattered Seeds collection is part of his residency at the Bramley store in Shires Yard, prefers to experiment. “It is about playing with colours and seeing what works. The results can often be surprising – I love gold and pearls, but silver looks so good with a pearl too.” For Christina Oswin, a jewellery designer who specialises in recycled metal with Fairtrade gemstones, even describing the desired shade can be a creative process. “Sourcing gemstones is an in-depth but funny conversation with the suppliers: ‘I want blue, but not too blue – more greeny-teal-blue, but not turquoise.’” The choice of metal brings another dimension to these combinations. Alice Menter says, “Certain colours really pop against gold – green is my favourite – while others, such as citrine and smoky quartz, can blend in. I love setting emeralds and green onyx against gold. Silver provides a much cooler base while still allowing colours to stand out. Sapphires and emeralds look beautiful against it, while pink tourmaline or blushcoloured diamonds paired with silver create a delicate, gentle feel. I love rose gold and amethyst together.” Nicholas Wylde adds, “Teal gemstones with yellow gold make a beautiful combination, balancing cool colour with warmth. Pink and orange stones together also offer exciting possibilities, especially in a design that celebrates bold, individual style.”

UNIQUE PAIRINGS

clockwise: Kunzite and diamond wave necklace and a peridot and diamond ring, both by Wylde Jewellers; oval citrine ring designed by Alice Menter

54 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Cássila Dolman draws inspiration from both gemstones and natural materials. “I love the pairing of caramel and black agate with pearl and gold. It is unexpected, grounded and luxurious at once. I’m also drawn to designs that treat natural materials as equal partners to metal. Capim dourado, used in our Golden Grass collection, grows

“I believe colour can change how you feel”

Amethyst circle ring by Alice Menter

An independent silver jewellery shop located in the heart of Bath, on Pulteney Bridge. 3 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA24AX   @icarusjewellery Website: www.icarusjewellery.com Tel: 01225 463693 WhatsApp: 07376 416833 Opening Times: Monday-Friday 09:30am - 05:30pm, Saturday 09:30am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm

ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING RINGS HANDMADE BESPOKE JEWELLERY REPAIRS AND REMODELLING

9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY | 01225 460072 jody@jodycory.co.uk | www.jodycory.co.uk |

Marchbank Jewellery Design Ltd 6 Cheap Street . Frome . Somerset . BA11 1BN . 01373 455332 Member of National Association of Jewellers. Member of Guild of Valuers

JEWELLERY only in Brazil’s Cerrado and has a natural sheen resembling gold thread. Woven by hand and finished with gold-plated details, it creates a special dialogue between nature and precious metal.” Unusual effects within gemstones themselves can also inspire a design. Jody Cory says, “I love creating jewellery with unusual and rare gemstones, such as colour-changing sapphires and garnets, which can change colour in different lighting. I also love creating pieces that feel timeless, elegant and personal.” Charlie Dalton-Ball also enjoys stones that shift with the light. “I particularly enjoy teal sapphires set in rich yellow gold. These fascinating gemstones display combinations of blue and green, sometimes changing in appearance depending on the lighting. Their unusual colouring makes them particularly interesting for bespoke jewellery. I also love fine Colombian emeralds with yellow gold and brilliant white diamonds. When the gemstones are of exceptional quality, the contrast can be spectacular.” Alice Menter adds another favourite pairing: “Pink and purple have always been one of my favourite colour combinations. Green can also be really effective against the pink tones of rose gold.”

PRECIOUS STONES

For Cássila Dolman, colour connects jewellery to both its story and its makers. “Citrine is traditionally associated with abundance, joy and success, which makes it a meaningful gift. The golden tones also echo the brand’s name: Lachesis is the Greek goddess of fate who measures the thread of life, referenced by the gold thread running through our golden grass pieces.” Many of our jewellery creatives are drawn to the remarkable colours found in less familiar stones. Charlie Dalton-Ball says, “I particularly enjoy working with unusual gemstones, such as the extraordinary neon blues and greens of Paraíba tourmaline, the vivid green of tsavorite garnet and the spectrum of colours found in spinel. These stones can create truly individual pieces, particularly when paired with accent diamonds or contrasting gemstones.”

above from top: Vintage poppy brooch, sapphire earrings, and diamond and amethyst ring, all from Nigel Dando Jewellers

“It is about playing with colours and seeing what works” above: Pomegranate and garnet necklace, peridot hanging teardrop earrings, and tropical leaf charm bracelet, all by Alex Monroe

Particular stones inevitably become firm favourites, as Stephen Thomas explains: “After so many years working as a goldsmith, I have probably worked with every type of gemstone and material used in jewellery making, and opals are a favourite. I have a good friend and supplier of exceptional opals from Australia.” This connection with trusted suppliers is equally important to Alex Monroe, whose choice of sapphires is influenced by their provenance as well as their appearance. He says, “We’re really lucky to work with a brilliant sapphire supplier called Wennick Lefèvre, who are transparent and ethical at every step of the stones’ journey. The soft, natural colour palette of their stones is a perfect fit for us.” While Alex is drawn to soft, natural colours, Florence Saumarez is attracted to gems with distinctive characteristics and imperfections. “Personally, I enjoy stones with interesting inclusions or old mine cuts that look a little less pristine and perfect. Salt-and-pepper diamonds, for instance, are so characterful and warm when set in rich yellow gold – and who doesn’t love a rough diamond?!” The relationship between stones and metals is also central to the work of Dilek Koroglu, owner and designer of Icarus Jewellery on Pulteney Bridge: “The contrast between pearls and silver, and our gold-plated silver pieces with vibrant stones such as citrine, sultite and aquamarine, is wonderful. We use warm colours with warm metals and cool colours with cool metals. We also use abalone shell. Since each shell is different, every item of jewellery is unique.” Beyond their distinctive colours and characteristics, gemstones can hold powerful memories and meanings. For Alice Menter, emerald green has deeply personal associations. “Part of my love for emeralds comes from their vibrant green, which takes me back to a very happy time travelling around India. In Hampi, I swam in a beautiful

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 57

JEWELLERY

“Who doesn’t love a rough diamond?”

above: Vintage pieces available from Larkyn

emerald-green lake. It was one of the happiest moments of my travels, and seeing that colour takes me straight back to those memories.” Colour is similarly influential for Christina Oswin, who favours distinctive shades of sapphire and lets the central gemstone take prominence in her designs. She says, “I love teal blues and sea-green sapphires in natural dark 18ct white gold. I also use sapphires in solitaire rings rather than adding diamonds around the main gemstone. My current favourite is an orange-pink sapphire solitaire ring, set in 9ct yellow gold.”

METAL GURU

As well as being considered alongside a gemstone’s colour, the choice of metal can transform the way that colour is perceived. Stephen Thomas explains, “I often mix yellow gold and white gold in a ring design, as each will lift the stone’s colour in different ways. Yellow gold with emeralds is classic, but I also use rose gold and platinum. Some stones will ‘draw colour’ from the setting, so you need to ensure the final effect suits the client and the design.” This interplay of colour, reflection and finish is equally important to Jody Cory Goldsmiths: “The choice of metal affects the appearance and intensity of a gemstone’s colour. White metals work well with clear or pale gemstones, while yellow gold adds warmth and rose gold suits pink gemstones. Polished metals reflect more light, while matt finishes create a softer effect.” While those choices require careful consideration, Alex Monroe embraces the possibilities offered by experimentation. “Sometimes we imagine the collection working really well in silver, but then we get it plated in gold and it takes on a whole new life. You have to be brave, take a leap of faith and allow the piece to go where it wants to go.” Behind that experimentation lies an understanding of how metal influences the light and colour within a stone. Nigel Dando describes the metal frame as “an optical mirror and background filter for the gem”. He explains, “Yellow gold adds warmth, enriching warm stones and

58 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

creating a striking contrast against cooler gems. Platinum and white gold give a crisp, neutral backdrop, intensifying blues, greens and aquamarines. Rose gold softens high-contrast gems and creates romantic tones with pink sapphires, morganites or warm brown diamonds. The metal can make a stone’s colour pop through contrast or feel unified through harmonising tones.” This transformative effect is also highlighted by Nicholas Wylde: “The surrounding metal can really change how we see a stone. Yellow gold brings warmth and creates striking contrasts with blues and greens, while platinum and white gold can give colours a cooler, crisper appearance.”

TRENDS V TIMELESS?

While colour trends can influence jewellery design, longevity remains an important consideration. Jody Cory Goldsmiths says, “Balancing current colour trends with timeless designs involves understanding the customer. Bespoke services allow people to personalise their jewellery, while incorporating trendy colours as accents within classic, high-quality designs can ensure a piece remains fashionable, wearable and timeless.” Beyond balancing contemporary and classic design, personal taste is key. Charlie Dalton-Ball advises clients to prioritise what they genuinely love. “While jewellery trends naturally evolve, I always encourage clients to buy with their hearts rather than follow fashion. Jewellery should be timeless, reflect your personality and, above all, be something you genuinely love. We are seeing increased demand for fine natural rubies, but if red isn’t your colour, you shouldn’t be swayed simply because it’s fashionable.” This emphasis on individuality is shared by Nicholas Wylde. “We use trends as inspiration, but the client’s personal taste leads the design. Thoughtful proportions, beautiful stones and skilled craftsmanship help create jewellery they will love long after a particular colour’s moment has passed.” n For more: www.alexmonroe.com | www.alicementer.co.uk | www.christinaoswin.co.uk |www.cmsjewellers.com | www.icarusjewellery.com | www.jodycory.co.uk | www.lachesis.london | www.larkyn.co.uk | www.marchbankjewellery.com | www.nicholaswylde.com | www.nigeldando.co.uk | www.spgreen.com

GEM TONES

Stephen Thomas, goldsmith and director of Marchbank Jewellery Design shares the culturally agreed symbolic properties and meaning of gemstones • Diamond: Represents eternal love, strength, and invincibility.

• Emerald: Represents hope, rebirth, and enduring love. • Amethyst: Linked to inner calm, clarity, and protection.

• Ruby: Symbolises passion, vitality, and courage. • Sapphire: Stands for wisdom, loyalty, and sincerity.

• Pearl: Signifies purity, wisdom, and new beginnings.

HANDMADE PLATED CUFFS, COMMISSIONS FOR WEDDINGS, LANDMARK BIRTHDAYS OR SPECIAL OCCASIONS. ALICEMENTER.CO.UK | INFO@ALICEMENTER.CO.UK | @ALICEMENTERJEWELLERY

C H R I ST I N A O S W I N J E W E LL E RY 18 C H E A P ST R E E T F R O M E S O M E R S E T B A1 1 1 B N 0 13 7 3 4 72 5 0 5 w w w.c h r i s ti n a o s w i n .c o. u k

@ch r is tin ao s win

SPONSORED CONTENT

left: Pronounced face-framing layers,

volume and flicked ends; right Longer, softer layers and relaxed movement

JENNIFER ANISTON AS RACHEL GREEN (NBCU PHOTO BANK/NBCUNIVERSAL VIA GETTY IMAGES).

From behind the chair, the clever part was never simply cutting lots of layers. It was deciding where each layer should begin and how it should connect to the next. The shape around the face gave the cut its personality; keeping enough weight through the length made it feel healthy and full. Get that balance right and the hair moved beautifully. Get it wrong and the layers could feel disconnected or difficult to style at home.

THE MODERN RACHEL

THE RACHEL IS BACK

Catherine Hodges of TONI&GUY Bath tells us why an iconic hairstyle is making a comeback

hen I qualified as a hairdresser at 18, there was one haircut everyone wanted: The Rachel. Jennifer Aniston’s layers on Friends had become the look of the decade. For me, it wasn’t just something I saw on television. It was the cut clients were asking us to create in the salon, and learning to do it well felt like a real milestone. I can still remember how pleased I was when I finally learnt to cut it. Those layers had to do more than look good while a client sat in the chair. They needed to fall into place when she moved, frame her face and work with the hair she had. Our whole salon team was developing and comparing layering patterns, working out how to get that lift and movement without losing the shape. Everyone wanted The Rachel, so we had plenty of reason to keep refining it. I’d begun with an apprenticeship in an

independent salon and college training, and later retrained with Toni&Guy. I was a stylist in the salon I would soon go on to buy. At 21, I had my own salon. After 30 years in hairdressing and 25 years running my own salon, which is now Toni&Guy Bath, I still remember the excitement of mastering a cut that could make a client feel instantly current. The shape, then and now

WHY DID WE ALL LOVE IT? The original Rachel had a very particular energy. It was full, bouncy and unmistakably layered, with shorter pieces around the face and ends that could be styled into those famous flicks. It made a statement, but it was also wearable. I think it was certainly the most influential haircut of the 90s: people knew its name, brought in the picture and trusted their hairdresser to make it happen.

I love seeing the cut return, because today’s version gives us more freedom. We can keep the face-framing shape and movement that made the original so memorable, but soften the layers, leave more length and let the hair fall more naturally. You can have a polished, bouncy blow-dry when you want one, or wear it with a looser, more relaxed finish. It can flatter almost any face shape when it’s cut for the individual. On one client, I might start the face-framing pieces near the cheekbones; on another, closer to the jaw or below the chin. The length, the amount of layering and the weight left at the ends all matter. Fine hair may need a gentler approach to keep it looking full, while thicker hair may benefit from more movement through the shape. Natural texture deserves its own version too, rather than being forced into a 90s blow-dry. That’s the conversation I’d have with anyone bringing in a photograph of The Rachel today: what do you love about it, and how do you want to wear your hair on an ordinary morning? A good haircut should look lovely when you leave the salon, but it should also make sense for your life between appointments. For the hairdressers reading, perhaps that’s why this cut has stayed with us. It asks us to think about shape, balance and the person in the chair. For clients, it’s a chance to enjoy a little 90s nostalgia without feeling as though you’re wearing a costume. I learnt The Rachel at the beginning of my career. Thirty years on, I’m still excited by what we can do with it. The haircut is back, but the best version is the one that feels like you.n

Catherine Hodges Salon Owner, TONI&GUY Bath, 1 Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG; 01225 465300 www.toniandguybath.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 61

OSTERIA PARTENOPEA

A taste of Naples worth fighting a zombie apocalypse for By Sarah Moolla

’ve never seen the centre of town quite like this. Yes, it’s Freshers’ Week, bringing with it hordes of fresh-faced students with the volume turned up, and that just-lefthome level of excitement that we’ve all seen before. But this is off the scale, more Newcastle’s Bigg Market than Bath World Heritage Centre. Don’t get me wrong, I love the buzz and diversity the unis bring, but this Friday night feels like an undergrad zombie apocalypse. We can barely get down Upper Borough Walls, past The Sam Weller pub where a large, solid wall of noise, hormones and pints has blocked the road. All this makes stepping into Osteria Partenopea’s tucked-away courtyard feel like a dramatic scene change. The contrast couldn’t be starker. Fairy lights twinkle, a Little Italy soundtrack tinkles, and dozens of happy diners hum away – it’s an oasis of calm, promising us the dolce vita. Inside, it’s cavernous – true trattoria depths to it with large picture windows, uplifting turquoise walls, light wooden seating, dark brown leather banquettes, and even the occasional red and white chequered tablecloth. This Neapolitan tavern, as its name translates, is the former home of Bonghy Bo, the Asian-fusion, party-central institution

62 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

that served Bath for almost 40 years. I’ve danced there, dined there and seen in a few something-O birthdays there, so Osteria Partenopea, open only since July, has big shoes to fill. And already it seems to be stepping up. The place is packed. Locals, visitors from nearby, a few tourists, and maybe a few students in disguise. It certainly seems to be a family favourite already – during our visit, there are three enthusiastic rounds of Happy Birthday. It’s sweet that the team invites us all to join in, but I’ll confess that by birthday three, I’m just mouthing the words because I want to get on with my dessert. Because the food is good. Really good. But first, we get busy soaking up the atmosphere and recovering from our middleclass Bathonian Karen moments. “Were we like that back in the day?” we gasp. Then we take our first sip of the velvety, plummy yet light, with a hint of spice, Primitivo di Manduria, and we remember we probably were. There’s already a generous bowl of fat tangy black olives on the table, so these, coupled with the delicious wine and our trip down memory student lane, we keep getting sidetracked from ordering. Thankfully the waiting staff Fabio and Ellen check on us, but don’t rush us. It’s a lovely

RESTAURANT

“Structured layers of ragu meat, pasta sheets, bechamel and bubbling cheese” relaxed and welcoming vibe here – to take your time and savour the visit, not just the meal. Decisions finally made, we first each have a slice of airy toasted sourdough bruschetta scratched with garlic, piled high with chopped juicy deep red tomatoes, fresh basil and oregano and slicked with olive oil. Then, to start, my companion goes for caprese, the Italian classic of buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes. It arrives whole, a billowing pillow of porcelain-white milky freshness which is explained to us as the proper Italian way to eat it so it retains its soft, fleshy texture until cut at the table. My frittura di calamaretti, which is deep fried baby squid, are plentiful, tender with a perfect crunch. For my main, I go for the special, porchetta with mash, friarelli and chicken gravy. The pork is silky, flavoursome and aromatic, the mash soft, creamy and generous, while the friarelli is a new one on me. I’m told it’s like broccoli and a staple in Naples. But it reminds me more of kale – bitter, chewy and leafy – and I’m not its biggest fan. My companion, a veggie, loves her scarpariello bucatini, thick, hollow spaghetti-like strands in a glossy tomato sauce, with a chilli kick, fresh basil and a shower of Parmesan. To be honest though, her dish is giving me food envy. I wish I’d gone for pasta (I know, I know, when in Rome and all that – rookie error). The table next to us has ordered the lasagne. It looks so hefty and substantial, that

DINING DETAILS Osteria Partenopea, 2a Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RZ; 01225 462276; www.osteriapartenopea.co.uk Owned by Valeria Casolaro and Costantino Turco Established July 2026 Chefs Both Valeria and Costantino have worked in restaurants in Italy and the UK Type of food Regional Italian food with a focus on specialities from Naples. Recommendations The seasonal menu ranges from paccheri fritti, scialatielli seafood pasta and slow-cooked Neapolitan ragù to classics including the restaurant’s take on lasagna – ‘the real lasagna’ – and tiramisu Drinks A varied, predominantly Italian wine list and an extensive cocktail menu featuring classics,

even from where I’m sitting, I can see the structured layers of ragu meat, pasta sheets, bechamel and bubbling cheese. I have to lean over to ask them how it was. Best I’ve ever had he says. Alright mate, stop rubbing it in. My companion goes classic with a tiramisu to end – rich, creamy, and the perfect bittersweet blend of bold espresso, custard, and mascarpone cheese. I love my dark chocolate and coconut cheesecake – a sweet treat that manages to feel both comforting and grown up. It’s sad Bonghy Bo went of course, but it’s lovely to see something so spirited and genuine take its place. Here’s to many more birthdays, celebrations and catch-ups happening for years to come in this little corner of Bath. Even the students will love it, once they’ve calmed down a little bit and become a little more Bath-ified. signature drinks and seasonal cocktails Prices Starters cost between £12.50 - £24 for a sharing dish, mains £16.95 - £69 for a sharing dish and desserts £2.50 - £12.95. Nibbles are also available. Top tip Always ask the chef, as the menu changes with the seasons Covers Approximately 86 covers across the restaurant and courtyard Look out for Arrosto Misto, a sharing roast served on Sundays, and Aperi-Tea, a relaxed Italian combination of aperitivo and afternoon tea, available daily from 3-5pm Opening hours Open daily, 12-10pm Disabled access No, due to steep steps leading up to the courtyard and restaurant Did you know? The restaurant occupies the former home of Bonghy Bo, which served Bath diners for almost 40 years

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 63

FOOD AND DRINK

A CLASS ACT The award-winning and locals’ fave Noya’s Kitchen has recently opened up a

Noya shares her skills at her new cookery school; inset: Noya, pictured at the head of the table, with her students

cookery school with classes have nearly all sold out for this year, and bookings about to open for 2027. The purpose-built kitchen fitted out by Perfect Space Carpentry is located at the bottom of the restaurant garden, and welcomes groups of up to eight people. Costing £145 per person, they get hands-on lessons in chef Noya Pawlyn’s favourite Vietnamese dishes, including An’s Vietnamese chicken curry, summer rolls, and dumplings, while developing cookery skills they can use at home. “I actually started Noya’s Kitchen back in 2012, teaching people around my kitchen table at home, so the cookery school is a way that I can get back to doing what I love most,” explains Noya. “Cooking and sharing food with family and friends is a huge part of Vietnamese culture. Giving my guests that kind of experience in a fun and very interactive way is why I started Noya’s Kitchen in the first place. “From next year I plan to introduce specialist classes on noodles, dumplings, and broths, alongside team-building events, private classes, guest-chef collaborations and chef ’stable dining. But as well as teaching, this new area is also a wonderful space for me to retreat to from the busy restaurant kitchen when I need time to think, create new recipes, and plan new and exciting projects.” For more: www.noyaskitchen.co.uk

left: Co-owner Ken Yamada making noodles using mid-century noodle machines imported from Tokyo; below: Tonkotsu ramen comes to Bath

BOWLED OVER Ramen specialist Tonkotsu has opened up in Bath, bringing homemade noodles, gyoza and chicken karaage to Stall Street. Located opposite the Roman Baths, the city-centre restaurant will serve the brand’s signature ramen, including its unique pork-broth Tonkotsu, chilli chicken, and vegan mushroom miso. The noodles are crafted daily using mid-century noodle machines imported from Tokyo, and then cooked to order for precisely 32 seconds in boiling water. Co-founder Ken Yamada, who first launched Tonkotsu with Emma Reynolds in Soho in 2012, says, “I first visited Bath on a family holiday with my parents and have incredibly fond memories of exploring landmarks like the Roman Baths and John Wood’s Royal Crescent. To have opened a restaurant in such a beautiful and historic city feels really special.” For more: www.tonkotsu.co.uk

64 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

THE NICE LIST It’s not Christmas but tis the season to get that festive party booked

APEX CITY OF BATH HOTEL; James Street West, Bath BA1 2DA; 01225 418500; www.apexhotels.co.uk BANDOOK; 3–7 Milsom Place, Bath BA1 1BZ; 01225 300600; www.bandookkitchen.com THE BATH PRIORY; Weston Rd, Bath BA1 2XT; 01225 331922; www.thebathpriory.co.uk BATH RACECOURSE; Lansdown, Bath BA1 9BU; 01225 424609; www.bath-racecourse.co.uk BATH SPA HOTEL (MACDONALD); Sydney Rd, Bath BA2 6NS; 0344 879 9106; www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/bath THE BEEFY BOYS; 24 Milsom St, Bath BA1 1DG; www.thebeefyboys.com BIKANOS; 25 Claverton Buildings, Bath BA2 4LD; 01225 533591; www.bikanos.co.uk THE BIRD; 18–19 Pulteney Road, Bath BA2 4EZ; 01225 580438; www.thebirdbath.co.uk BISHOPSTROW HOUSE; Boreham Rd, Warminster BA12 9HH; 01985 804680; www.bishopstrowhotel.com BOOM BATTLE BAR; Kingsmead Complex, Bath BA1 2BX; 01225 634001; www.boombattlebar.com/uk/bath BOWOOD HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT; Derry Hill, Calne SN11 9PQ; 01249 822228; www.bowood.org BREAD STREET KITCHEN & BAR BATH; Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BJ; 01225 788488; www.breadstreetkitchen-bath.com THE CATHERINE WHEEL (MARSHFIELD); 39 High St, Marshfield SN14 8LR; 01225 892220; www.thecatherinewheel.co.uk

66 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

THE CORSTON WHEATSHEAF; Wells Road, Corston, Bath BA2 9HB; 01225 596070; www. thecorstonwheatsheaf.co.uk

MARLBOROUGH TAVERN; 35 Marlborough Buildings, Bath BA1 2LY; 01225 423731; www. marlborough-tavern.com

THE DEN; Unit 1, Sovereign Point, Bath BA2 3GJ; 07964 552240; www.thedenbath.co.uk

THE MINT ROOM; Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EB; 01225 446656; www.themintroom.co.uk

DUKES BATH; 53–54 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DN; 01225 787960; www.dukesbath.co.uk

THE NEWT IN SOMERSET; Bruton, Castle Cary BA7 7NG; 01963 577777; www.thenewtinsomerset.com

EMBERWOOD (FRANCIS HOTEL); Francis Hotel, 5 Queen Sq, Bath; 01225 473351; www.emberwoodbath.com

THE OLD BELL HOTEL; Abbey Row, Malmesbury SN16 0BW; 01666 822344; www.oldbellhotel.co.uk

THE GEORGE, 9a Edgar Buildings, George Street; 01225 400193; www.thegeorgebath.com

PEKING CHINESE; 1–2 New Street, Bath BA1 2AF; 01225 466377; www.pekingrestaurantbath.co.uk

THE GAINSBOROUGH; Beau St, Bath BA1 1QY; 01225 358888; www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

RENGEN HOUSE; 4 Argyle St, Bath BA2 4BA; 01225 562692; www.rengenhouse.com

HARTLEY FARM; Winsley, Bradfordon-Avon BA15 2JB; 01225 864948; www.hartley-farm.co.uk HOMEWOOD PARK (OLIO); Abbey Lane, Freshford, Bath BA2 7TB; 01225 580439; www.homewoodbath.co.uk HUDSON STEAKHOUSE; 14 London St, Bath BA1 5BU; 01225 332323; www.hudsonsteakhouse.co.uk THE IVY BATH BRASSERIE & GARDEN; 39 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DS; 01225 307100; www.ivycollection.com KOMEDIA; 22–23 Westgate St, Bath BA1 1EP; 01225 489070; www.komediabath.co.uk

ROBUN; Princes Bldgs, 4 George St, Bath BA1 2ED; 01225 698127; www.robun.co.uk THE ROMAN BATHS AND PUMP ROOM; Stall Street, Bath BA1 1LZ; 01225 444477; www.thepumproombath.co.uk THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA; 16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS; 01225 823333; www.royalcrescent.co.uk SARTHI; 88 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BD; 01225 462992; www.sarthibath.co.uk THE VILLAGE CAFE & BAR; 3–4 St Saviours Road, Larkhall, Bath BA1 6RT; 01225 312959; hello@thevillagelarkhall.co.uk THE WELLY BATH; 9 Green Street, Bath BA1 2JY; 01225 694966; www.thewellybath.co.uk WITCHMARK DISTILLERY; Fonthill Bishop, Salisbury SP3 5SG; 01747 356110; www.witchmark.co.uk

MEET THE

HEADTEACHER Local head teachers share insights into the challenges and responsibilities they face, both in managing their schools and supporting student wellbeing

JOHN DAVIES

DAUNTSEY’S SCHOOL 01380 814500; www.dauntseys.org What inspired you into teaching? Teaching has always been part of my life. My mum was a teacher and, from an early age, I saw it as a profession with real purpose. I clearly remember walking through our local town as a child and former pupils stopping my mum in the street to thank her for inspiring them and for the role she had played in their lives. I have also always loved English and had a passion for books and poetry. Becoming a teacher and helping others discover that same enjoyment felt like a natural fit. What attracted you to Dauntsey’s? I knew when I applied for the Headship at Dauntsey’s that it was a great school, but what really stood out to me throughout the process was its sense of community, warmth and modesty. It is a school that feels grounded and down-to-earth, which resonated strongly with me. As a prospective Head Master, you also need to connect deeply with a school’s vision and ethos. Dauntsey’s commitment to providing young people with as many opportunities as possible aligns closely with my own philosophy of what education should and needs to be.

68 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

How has Dauntsey’s changed since you were appointed Head Master? I was fortunate to inherit a school that was already in a very strong position. Over the past two years, however, I think we have strengthened the sense of togetherness across the community. The introduction of new social spaces and Sibling House events has helped bring boys and girls together, while still preserving the identity and traditions of our single-sex Upper School Houses. I would also like to think we have become more ambitious in our approach to academic achievement and outcomes, while remaining committed to protecting the joyful spirit that defines Dauntsey’s. We are a community that works hard, but one that laughs a lot and enjoys being together. What is something that your pupils and parents may not know about you? I imagine many pupils do not know, although they may have suspected when I took part in the Staff Strictly Come Dancing competition, that as a teenager I spent a lot of time dancing. I attended a fairly tough comprehensive school and so chose to join an amateur dramatics group outside school - tap dancing was my speciality. I also played county football, although that fact probably surprises people a little less!

SPONSORED CONTENT ANDREW GORDON-BROWN KINGSWOOD SCHOOL

01225 734200; www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk What is the school’s ethos? Kingswood is a wonderful community where people go out of their way to look out for each other. This flows from our commitment to caring for each individual and offering them a broad and balanced education of real excellence. Academic achievement is of course an important part of this, but only insofar as it contributes to our pupils becoming confident, compassionate and enthusiastic change makers. Being in Bath, with our 120-acre site and the countryside on our doorstep, also means pupils have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sense of green space and learn beyond the classroom. What exciting new developments are taking place at your school? One of the most exciting developments this year has been the launch of our new Digital Future and AI curriculum. We want pupils to understand how AI works and how to use it thoughtfully, creatively and responsibly, while continuing to develop the very human skills of collaboration, critical thinking and communication. Any recent successes you are particularly proud of? We’ve been delighted to receive national recognition this year, including a ‘Very Good’ value rating from The Telegraph, recognition in the Independent Schools of the Year awards, and shortlisting for Talk Education’s Innovation in Education and EDI awards. I’m incredibly proud of this year’s examination results too, with a quarter of our A-level year group achieving A*–A across every subject, while all seven Oxbridge offers were secured. What have pupils been up to outside of the classroom? We’ve had an amazing summer of trips, from mountain expeditions and surfing in Spain to music-making in Budapest and cultural immersion in Zambia, giving pupils the chance to give back and to grow from their interactions with people and places around the world.

CATHERINE WINCHCOMBE MONKTON PREP SCHOOL

01125 831200; www.monktoncombeschool.com What do you find most satisfying about the job? Without question, it is the relationships with our pupils and families. I start most mornings on the school gate welcoming children and parents, and it is genuinely one of my favourite parts of the day. From Nursery through to Year 8, I love being able to chat to families and share in their journey through Monkton. Watching children grow in confidence, discover new interests and become increasingly themselves over those years is an enormous privilege. It is particularly special to see a child try something new, perhaps something they never thought they would enjoy, and then watch their confidence grow from there. How does your school differ from others? There is a real sense of belonging at Monkton. We know our pupils individually, from Nursery through to Year 8, and that means we can understand what excites them, what challenges them and where they might need encouragement. Kindness is also a real hallmark of the school and something our pupils themselves often identify when they talk about what makes Monkton special. We also offer an incredible breadth of opportunity. Whether a child loves sport, music, drama, design, art or the outdoors, there is space for them to discover what they enjoy. Our bespoke Innovate & Elective Curriculums also add another dimension, encouraging pupils to collaborate, be creative, take risks and become increasingly independent in their learning.

What exciting things are coming up at your school? Our performance space was completely renovated over the summer, which is incredibly exciting. Drama, music and performance are already a big part of life at Monkton Prep, and with improved ambience and acoustics, the space is designed to support the ambition we are already seeing on stage. Already pupils have loved working in the new space and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing our first productions come to life there.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 69

SPONSORED CONTENT

GIFTS TO CHILDREN

Local legal expert HELEN STARKIE explains transferral of ownership of property

he issue of handing on property to one’s children during one’s lifetime to minimise Inheritance Tax liability and ring fence assets against means-testing for care fee funding is one which is at the top of many people’s minds. All too often we are consulted by people who have already (a) transferred ownership of their home or other properties to one or more of their children and/or (b) laid out several thousand pounds for fancy looking schemes advertised in the Sunday supplements which, rather than solving problems, cause them. What should you bear in mind when thinking about handing on property? • First, do you need to make a gift at all to minimise your exposure to taxes and care fees? There may be other ways of doing that. Your solicitor can advise you what those are. • What will be the effect on your child(ren) of receiving the gift? How will it affect their own tax position? • A gift made to ring-fence assets against care fees can, if it brings the value of your remaining assets below the threshold at which the Local Authority will be asked to contribute to the cost of your care at any time during which you need it, be treated as a ‘deliberate deprivation of an asset’ and be disregarded by the Authority for means-testing purposes. You may be assessed as if the asset is still in your ownership even though you have given it away – and your choice of residential home will be restricted.

• What will happen if a child to whom you have given an interest in your home divorces? Or cannot maintain mortgage payments on their own home? Or has a business which fails owing money to the bank and or Revenue? Or dies before you? Do you want your home vulnerable to claims by third parties in any of these situations?

• A gift of your home is fraught with potential problems. For example -

• The ‘deliberate deprivation’ point mentioned above may apply

• If you remain living in it after the gift is made it will not be effective for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes until you either die or move out. Whilst you are there you will be deemed to have a ‘reservation of benefit’ in the property which makes the gift incomplete for IHT purposes.

• A gift of other property can also be problematic

• A gift to a child or children will be treated as a gift at the value of the property when the gift is made – and your children may be left with a substantial Capital Gains Tax (CGT) bill to pay if they later sell at a value higher than that. If the gift were, instead, made when you die, the value of the property for your children’s own CGT purposes is likely to be higher and a CGT bill on later disposal therefore lower.

• Again, the base value of the asset for your children’s own CGT position may well be lower than it will be when you die

• It will trigger a CGT liability for you if you are transferring an asset at a value significantly higher than when you acquired it.

• If you retain an interest in the asset – for example by continuing to receive rent from a property or dividends or interest on investments – you will be treated for Inheritance Tax purposes as if you still own it when you die.

• A gift of a property by way of a Trust such as those sold by the companies advertising in the Sunday supplements (which are a ‘one-size-fits-all product, not crafted to suit individual circumstances) can reduce or in many circumstances completely wipe out IHT exemptions on gifts between spouses and/or the additional IHT exemption attributable to your home. The sellers of these schemes are not required to be regulated and often shut up shop and disappear leaving no possibility of claiming compensation for poor advice. And this is just scratching the surface of this topic! The lesson here is to take advice from a comprehensively qualified, regulated (and fully insured!) professional – a solicitor - who can produce solutions appropriate to your own specific circumstances. n

Helen Starkie Solicitor 38 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT; 01225 442353; www.helenstarkie.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 73

NETWORK HIGH FLIERS!

PHOTO BY ADAM CLUT TERBUCK PHOTOGR APHY

THE CITY’S HOTTEST BUSINESS NEWS

ALL THE ACTION AND WINNERS FROM THIS YEAR’S ENTRECONF AWARDS

SPONSORED CONTENT

BUILDING SUCCESS

AWDRY LAW is a proud sponsor of the Bath Property Awards

wdry Law is incredibly proud to be a partner of the Bath Property Awards, celebrating the people, businesses and organisations that play such an important role in Bath’s thriving property community. We are really looking forward to attending the awards and joining so many familiar and new faces from across the local property sector. It is always a fantastic opportunity to come together and celebrate success. Most importantly, we would like to wish all of this year’s finalists the very best of luck. Being shortlisted is a brilliant achievement in itself and a reflection of the contribution

you are making to Bath and its property sector. We are delighted to be supporting the awards and cannot wait to celebrate alongside all of the finalists, sponsors and guests. Good luck to everyone nominated. We look forward to seeing you there and recognising your fantastic achievements! n Find us at: 3 Northumberland Buildings, Wood Street, Bath; or visit www.awdry.law

“WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OF THIS YEAR’S FINALISTS THE VERY BEST OF LUCK”

For all Your Zero Emission Deliveries in Bath

10% off

For Bath Life readers

quote BL10

Call 0117 916 5090 | email sales@priorityexpress.co.uk | www.priorityexpress.co.uk/zero

PHOTO BY ADAM CLUT TERBUCK PHOTOGR APHY

NETWORK Entrepreneurs assemble!

BOOM BABY, BOOOOM

Entrepreneurial businesses are booming in our region. Brilliant companies as exemplars, four strong Unis in two close cities, quality of life, access to excellent advisors – multiple reasons to be cheerful, as GREG INGHAM reports…

o here’s the thing. Entrepreneurs are conventionally regarded as standalone creators of their worlds. Singular visionaries, dreamers, drivers. True enough. Up to a point… Because what was apparent at the EntreConf Awards is that entrepreneurs are at their best and succeed most when they work in partnership, in collaboration. Speaker after speaker cited the quality of professional advice they’ve received. Or the mentoring. Or quality of their teams. Or the role of their Unis. It’s the Entrepreneurs’ Paradox: singular, yet collective. Here’s what some of the attendees said: “I’m going to join in the chorus

of love for EntreConf. What a glorious celebration of the ingenuity, creativity and all-around awesomeness of this amazing region. I was blown away by the breadth of businesses represented!” “Some seriously clever businesses. Some wonderfully humble humans. And Concorde overhead.”

“WHAT A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION OF THE INGENUITY, CREATIVITY AND ALL-AROUND AWESOMENESS OF THIS AMAZING REGION”

“It was supportive and inclusive; about recognising effort, talent and ideas. Everyone in the audience was engaged and interested in hearing from the speakers and winners: it was very encouraging to see.” “Such a cool thing to put together: very inspiring.” “[It was notable] how often people thanked the community for helping them get there. So much gratitude, and such down-to-earth people behind the big ideas.” “Building a company is never easy, and hearing the stories, achievements and ambitions of other entrepreneurs in the room was a reminder of just how much innovation is happening across the South West.” Props, as they say to the eclectic range of ten speakers on the night: Amanda and Nick Spicer of Your Eco; Jay K, urban poet; James

Binns, Network N; Bianca Jones, EDP Training: Belinda HoughtonJones, RBC; Hannah Egerton, Edgie Eats; Paul Kelly, Pandek; Katy Kennedy, Spirited; and host Chloë Luxton, the founder of Bramley. And ‘grats to those winners. [turn to page 78] The future is unwritten. And it’s the entrepreneurs who are writing it… For more: www.entreconf.com

THIS IS ENTRECONF

November and March: Bespoke dinners for 50 entrepreneurs 16 – 17 June: Two day conference at Watershed for entrepreneurs, advisors, the ambitious and investors October: EntreConf Awards

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 77

2026 Awards CATEGORY WINNERS PHOTOS BY LEA BELLION PHOTOGRAPHY

ADVISOR

CATALYST Sponsored by

WINNER

DAVID KELLY, STORM CONSULTANCY

WINNER

ECOMMERCE

EMPLOYER

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

WINNER

KOSTÜME

ELEMENT RECRUITMENT

WINNER

FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR

FINTECH

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Sponsored by

BLOCK

Sponsored by

GEORGIA STEWART, TUMELO

WINNER WINNER

PUJA CHADHA, SUNSHINE HOSPITALITY 78 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

TUMELO

WINNER

CALIUNITY

NETWORK

MEDIA

Sponsored by

PRE-REVENUE

PROPERTY

Sponsored by

WINNER WINNER

SPUD GUN STUDIOS

SCALE-UP

Sponsored by

NATURBEADS

WINNER

SCIENCE

SMALL BUSINESS

LITTLE GREEN ROOMS

Sponsored by

WINNER WINNER

SUNSHINE HOSPITALITY

FERRYX

WINNER

EAT PR

SUSTAINABILITY

TECHNOLOGY

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR –

WINNER

NATURBEADS

MYCELSIUS

HANNAH EGERTON, EDGIE EATS

Sponsored by

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 79

ENTRECONF SCENE

PHOTO BY LEA BULLION

Photos by A P Daly; www.apdaly.co.uk

80 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

GARDENS

DIRECTOR’S CUT

How acclaimed filmmaker Paul Weiland has turned his storytelling instincts to sixty acres of neglected Georgian parkland Words by Nick Woodhouse

ome gardens are planted, others directed. At Belcombe Court, it is very much the latter; the work of a man who spent his career telling stories through a camera lens – before turning that same instinct for pace, framework and drama on sixty acres of parkland on the western fringes of Bradford on Avon. Paul Weiland, a prolific and commercially successful ad and film director whose work includes Mr Bean, Sixty Six, Blackadder: Back & Forth, City Slickers II, Made of Honor, as well as the Walkers’ long-running advertising campaign starring Gary Lineker, has spent over three decades gently coaxing the neglected Georgian landscape of Belcombe Court back to life. Wrapping around the main house, the estate’s ornamental gardens and landscape park took shape in the eighteenth century under the Yerbury family, generations of local clothiers who made their fortune in wool. They spent it, as fortunes were spent then, on stone and landscape. The earliest part of the house went up beside the brook that gives Belcombe its name, and in 1734 the family brought in John Wood the Elder – the architect responsible for The Circus and Queen Square – to add a new neoclassical wing. Inspired by the classical romanticism sweeping through the country’s aristocracy, and the creation of nearby masterpiece estates like Stourhead, Yerbury set out to craft his own picturesque landscape around the house. Exploiting the steep, heavily wooded topography of the land, the grounds would feature an ornamental lake fed by Belcombe Brook, a Doric rotunda, a temple, and a hidden shell grotto. As befell so many great country houses, between one attentive owner and the next, the gardens fell gently and gradually into a state of dereliction by the time Weiland and his wife Caroline purchased the house and gardens some thirty years ago. The lake was silted up, the classical monuments crumbling, and wilderness had entirely reclaimed the paths. It was, as Weiland describes, a diamond in the mud.

Restoring a Grade II* listed landscape is not a project for the impatient. Unlike a film set, it is the garden that dictates the timeline. Weiland understood this, applying to the gardens the same meticulous attention to detail that defined his advertisements. Working alongside a dedicated team of horticulturists, the early restoration years would focus on the garden’s structure: clearing choked waterways, unearthing forgotten pathways, and stabilising the crumbling garden buildings. It is less about imposing a singular vision for Weiland, and more about assembling the right collaborators — a director’s job, whatever the medium. For the walled kitchen garden, he turned to Arne Maynard, the landscape designer who had already shaped Weiland’s London garden. Under Maynard’s direction, this steeply sloped space of just over an acre became a sensory haven of wide terraces, framed by prairie-style borders up either side. The finished result marries a classical English framework with a Mediterranean-infused romance, all the while enjoying sweeping views across the river valley. For a smaller, more intimate commission, he also brought in Rupert Golby – Chelsea gold medallist and garden writer – to design a summer garden around the small octagonal eighteenth-century stone building that the family fondly calls the Summer House. Here, Golby’s planting brings soft textures and rich colour tones that complements perfectly the mellow, centuriesold ashlar masonry of the buildings, acting somehow as a gentle bridge between the estate’s classical past and this, its new era. If Maynard and Golby supplied the structure, it is Weiland’s own hand that is most evident in the estate’s newer addition; the cutting garden. This is very much a working space, keeping the house filled with fresh blooms throughout the year. It is also Weiland’s personal sanctuary, a space packed with seasonal blooms, including thousands of vibrant tulips grown each year. Weiland’s most daring directorial choice however is perhaps the integration of unapologetically modern elements into this

“Restoring a Grade II listed landscape is not a project for the impatient”

82 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

A Garden Love Story: The Restoration of Belcombe Court’s Historic Gardens by Paul Weiland is published by Pavilion Books, £40

historic tapestry. High above the walled garden, the Weilands have installed a striking infinity swimming pool and terrace paved with the lightest golden stone. Rather than clashing with the Georgian aesthetic, the pool acts as a modern mirror, reflecting the rolling Wiltshire hills, offering a stunning, contemporary interpretation of the original 18th-century water features. The culmination of this very personal passion project for the husband-and-wife team was celebrated when the estate was awarded the Judges’ Prize for Historic Houses Garden of the Year two years ago. Though the gardens have remained private – and only open for retreats, weddings and private events – this labour of love has now been immortalised in print. Weiland has recently written A Garden Love Story: The Restoration of Belcombe Court’s Historic Gardens, an illustrated account of how he and Caroline transformed the historic estate into the gardens we see today. To mark the book’s release, Weiland plans to announce a number of garden open days over the next twelve months and was recently in conversation with Rachel de Thame at the Holburne. The event was a fascinating insight into a storyteller who found, in an overgrown estate, his most ambitious and longest-running production yet – one still being edited, three decades in, with no final cut in sight. For more: www.belcombe.com Nick Woodhouse is the co-founder and director of interior and garden design company Woodhouse & Law located at 4 Georges Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath; www.woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

clockwise from top left: The house at Belcombe Court in Bradford on Avon; the grounds

were once overgrown and fallen into disrepair; director Paul Weiland has made it his mission to restore the garden; it was Winner of Historic Houses Garden of the Year in November 2024; Paul and his wife Caroline have worked with a team of horticulturists; Belcombe Court is holding open days to mark the release of A Garden Love Story

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 83

HOUSE of RADIATORS

Visit our showroom 22 Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 2AA

Warmth, with a little more style. When the temperature drops, your heating doesn’t have to be an eyesore. From deep, warming tones to beautiful bespoke finishes, House of Radiators has designs to make your home feel as good as it looks. Because getting cosy should never mean compromising on style Local independent retailer

Celebrating our 15th year in business

Visit by appointment only, book today at: sales@houseofradiators.co.uk or call 01225 424199

www.houseofradiators.co.uk

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

IN WOOD WE TRUST

The Cotswold Company has joined forces with the National Trust to launch a furniture and homeware collection inspired by historic Cotswold properties. The National Trust Heritage Collection begins with the Upton Washed Oak and Chastleton ranges, combining traditional craftsmanship with practical contemporary design. Details include bobbinturned wood, Shaker-style silhouettes, responsibly sourced timber and nature-inspired colours. Further upholstery and soft furnishings will follow in spring 2027. At least £30,000 from sales will support National Trust nature restoration, including the Stroud Landscape Project, which is creating wildflower grasslands, restoring ancient woodland, connecting wildlife habitats and reintroducing lost species across the western Cotswold, helping protect this distinctive landscape for generations to come. For more: www.cotswoldco.com | www.nationaltrust.org.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 85

HANDCRAFTED WOODEN MORTAR SET BY MADAM STOLTZ’S, £24.50 A durable, tactile kitchen tool with naturally rich colour and grain made using dense acacia wood. From Homefront Interiors, 10 Margarets Buildings, Bath; www.homefrontinteriors.co.uk

GRAIN EXPECTATIONS Bring natural warmth into your home with accessories that celebrate timber in all its forms

HERMAN DINING CHAIR, £485 Ferm Living’s dining chair combines solid FSC-certified ash with an ash-veneer seat and backrest, its painted timber forming clean, supportive curves. From Courthouse Interiors, Kilver Court, Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet; www.kilvercourt.co.uk 86 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

RADNOR LARGE SIDE TABLE, WAS £495, NOW £346 Large side table that pairs weathered oak with turned legs and two lipped shelves, bringing practical storage and softly grained warmth. From OKA, 26-27 Milsom Street, Bath; www.oka.com

MASON CARVED WOODEN TABLE LAMP, £369 Neptune’s sculptural table lamp is carved from solid ash and finished with a nutbrown stain, highlighting the natural grain beneath its handcrafted linen shade. From Neptune, One Tram Yard, Walcot Street, Bath; www.neptune.com BIRCH PLY TEST TUBE FLOWER VASE, £45 The Urban Home’s minimalist vase, created in small studio in Bath, is precisionmade from FSC-certified birch plywood and furniture linoleum, with layered timber supporting a single glass test tube. From The Urban Home; www.theurbanhome.co.uk

EDITOR’S CHOICE WOODEN CHIME PENDANT LIGHT, £180 This pendant light features tiered wooden slats around a brushed-brass frame, creating a layered silhouette that give a softly diffused glow emphasising the timber’s warmth. From French Bedroom; www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

WALCOT TALL OAK CANDLESTICK, £19 Crafted from raw, solid oak, with prominent natural grain, this hefty candlestick has a weighted base for stable and constant atmospheric candlelight. From Salcombe Trading, 16 Margarets Buildings, Bath; www.salcombetrading.co.uk

MEZZA BATHROOM STORAGE STAND BY WIREWORKS, £185 Sustainably sourced, water-resistant, oak shelving with frosted glass across four practical storage levels. From Heal’s, 20 Milsom Street, Bath; www.heals.com

VINTAGE DARK TEAK WOOD DISPLAY CABINET, £555 This restored vintage cabinet is crafted from dark teak, with a richly weathered finish, glazed panels and generous shelving for displaying treasured objects. From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

OAK SLATTED BENCH BY RAUMGESTALT, £584 A striking slatted bench made from sustainably sourced oiled oak, celebrating the wood’s natural knots within a light, understated silhouette. From Holloways of Ludlow, 37 Milsom Street, Bath; www.hollowaysofludlow.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 87

STANDING THE TEST OF TIME

Bath’s architectural experts explore how thoughtful design can create buildings that last for generations By Bethany Hewitt

88 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

STREET VIEW OF JAMIES FARM DESIGN BY HETREED. PHOTO BY PETE HELME PHOTOGR APHY

ARCHITECTURE

reat design considers not just how a building works today, but how it will serve generations to come. But what makes a building stand the test of time? The answer goes far beyond good looks. Truly enduring buildings must balance beauty with purpose, craftsmanship with innovation, and heritage with the changing needs of modern life. Here, our local experts reflect on the components of timeless design, from materials that age gracefully to the importance of adaptability and sustainability.

TIME AFTER TIME

What is the definition of a timeless building? For Jonathan Hetreed, architect and director with Hetreed Ross Architects, it is: “A building that withstands changing fashions, is adaptable and inspires delight. It should respond to a changing climate, providing continuous comfort and shelter and be rooted in its setting.” Chris Hawkins, director and founder of Forgeworks agrees: “Timelessness comes from getting the fundamentals right, a good relationship to its site, light and views, proportion, and a principal plan that people enjoy living in. Those things don’t date. Choice of materiality is also particularly important. The balance of longevity and quality needs to be carefully considered.” This idea of designing for humankind, rather than simply following a particular style, is equally important, as Chris Foster, managing director of Corbel, explains: “It means a building that people still want to use long after those who built it have gone. Not frozen in time, but surviving because its basic structure remains sound, allowing subsequent generations to adapt it without losing what made it special. If a building continues to be valued, people will continue to use it, care for it and ensure its survival.” Kevin Murphy, managing director of Aaron Evans Architects, also places people and context at the heart of enduring design. “For a building to be timeless, it should be relatable and of human scale,” he says. “It should be understandable in its context and constructed using materials that weather well. That is not to say all buildings should be traditional or vernacular. Buildings may be iconic and become landmarks but consideration of the whole, including context is essential. A building should be contextual, its form and materiality drawn from its location and reflecting its genius loci or ‘spirit of the place’. Any radical intervention should be of high quality, exemplar design. Whilst some may be considered them to be ‘out of keeping’ when first built, over time they may become accepted as something new and exciting adding complexity and contrast to its environment.” That relationship between a building and its surroundings is also central to architect Mark Lord’s definition. “Buildings that are timeless tend to be those that enhance and respond positively to their environment; framed views, natural light, connections with nature and an intrinsic ability to evolve,” he says. “Typically these buildings are constructed in natural materials, wood or Timeless design balances beauty, purpose and adaptability.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 89

ARCHITECTURE

stone and exhibit craftsmanship which transcends their epoch.” Fiona Smith, associate architect with SRA Architects and Women in Property Bath Hub chair, identifies similar priorities: “A clear architectural language, durable materials, adaptable spatial layouts, and a strong relationship with the site. Designing for flexibility, repairability, and long-term performance would allow the building to evolve with changing needs while retaining its architectural identity over time.”

LOOKING BACK

How do historical buildings continue to influence the way our experts design today? For Corbel’s Chris Foster, Bath itself provides an enduring source of lessons. “You only have to walk around Bath. Georgian buildings show what can be achieved with proportion, repetition, good materials and restraint. Older vernacular buildings teach something equally valuable: use materials suited to the place and solve practical problems well. Buildings that have already survived for hundreds of years have quite a lot to teach us about in-built longevity.” Jonathan Hetreed similarly advises looking closely at why historic buildings remain so adaptable. “Ask yourself – why do some Victorian warehouses make fantastic

90 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Flexible spaces allow buildings to evolve over generations

“Use materials suited to the place and solve practical problems well”

residential or office accommodation? Lofty spaces, good natural daylight from tall windows, great proportions – they are readily adaptable. Many – including churches – especially Gothic ones – so often combine daringly minimal structures with emotional power and urgency.” Their enduring qualities also influence SRA Architects’ Fiona Smith: “Historic buildings such as Georgian townhouses and traditional industrial architecture continue to influence my design approach. Their clear proportions, robust materiality, and adaptable spatial arrangements demonstrate how architectural principles can endure beyond changing trends. They reinforce my belief that contemporary architecture should respond to its context while prioritising longevity, functionality, and a strong architectural identity over time. “Taking inspiration from how historical buildings can serve today’s needs, we must recognise timeless architectural features when designing for today’s requirements so they will also serve future generations. Architects must reject fleeting trends in favour of timeless proportions and honest materials that age beautifully. By designing flexible, adaptable spaces that allow technology and layouts to evolve naturally, we create dignified, loved buildings that command respect and endure for generations.”

Natural materials gain character as they age

DESIGN BY CORBEL. PHOTO BY JACK OWEN FROM ICE HOUSE

ARCHITECTURE Fiona also points out that heritage should be directly considered throughout the design process. “The celebration of the local heritage of the site can also help preserve a sense of local identity, as this can contribute to people’s sense of belonging within a location; something that has been lost in many re-invented communities in recent years.”

BALANCING ACTS

geometry, rather than trend-led design,” is her advice. “A well-proportioned volume with good daylight ages far better than a shape driven by current trends i.e. barrel vaults, angular ‘statement’ roofs and heavily glazed corners. Adding personality through furniture, paint colour and fittings rather than the fixed architecture itself, is a far better way of keeping the building relevant. At the design stage, oversizing proportions such as a slightly larger bay window, taller ceiling, wider circulation route than the brief strictly requires, creates spare capacity that allows for later adaptation. Extensions designed to the millimetre for one specific use rarely adapt well.”

MATERIAL MATTERS

Craftsmanship is fundamental to a building’s longevity

When it comes to choosing materials, there is more to consider than how good they look on day one. For many of the architects, materials need to age gracefully, gaining more character over time rather than simply looking tired. “Natural materials such as Bath stone, oak, lead and brass, all weather rather than degrade, creating a beautiful patina that adds character over time,” says Katy Morrison. “Specifying compatible building products is imperative when working on historic properties in Bath; lime-based mortar and render (rather than cement based) allows a solid stone wall to perform as intended without

BEE HOUSE DESIGN BY SR A ARCHITECTS

The lessons of the past do not mean rejecting contemporary architecture. So how do our experts balance modern design, and possibly even trends, with long-term relevance? “I balance contemporary design with long-term relevance through a deliberate material language, using texture, contrast, and juxtaposition to give the architecture depth and identity,” says SRA Architects’ Fiona Smith. “The intention is not to follow trends, but to create a material and architectural expression that ages naturally, strengthens over time, and remains relevant through its quality, tactility, and permanence.” Katy Morrison, RIBA chartered architect and founder of Morrison Studios, likewise advocates creating a strong architectural foundation rather than relying on fashionable features. “Prioritising neutral

“Durable materials are often inherently sustainable”

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 93

COMMUNAL SPACE E X TENSION AT JAMIES FARM DESIGN BY HETREED. PHOTO BY PETE HELME PHOTOGR APHY

ARCHITECTURE

trapping moisture and causing problems.” This careful combination of material selection and detailing is equally important to Anna-Lisbeth Shackcloth, founding partner, architect and Passivhaus designer with Then Now When. “The choice of material and the architectural detailing can have a huge impact on how well a building ages. On a well detailed design a material that requires little maintenance will age gracefully and maintain its intended appearance with very little intervention. For example, Bath stone should only require maintenance after an amazing ninety years. Meanwhile the usability, quality, proportions and good use of natural light within a building, from the more public space down to the services spaces, will ensure that a building is well used and well looked after.” Chris Hawkins also favours materials that develop naturally with age. “We’re wary of finishes that look too perfect on day one,” he says. “Instead we look for those that patinate rather than deteriorate. Timber, brick, stone, lime and metals like zinc or copper. Weathering adds richness to them, so the building gains character over time. They are also repairable, which is what makes them last. Timber cladding is a good example: it silvers, softens and settles into its landscape, and boards can be replaced individually.”

94 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Historic architecture offers enduring lessons in proportion and form

“Contemporary architecture should respond to its context”

CRAFT WORK

Material quality alone, however, cannot guarantee longevity. What role might craftsmanship play in helping a building endure? “In creating long lasting buildings, particularly in historic and sensitive environments like Bath, craftsmanship is paramount,” says Kevin Murphy of Aaron Evans Architects. “True craftsmanship requires both the designer and the maker to understand the materials they are working with as well as their mutual aspirations. “Over the past 48 years our work has been extremely varied, ranging from residential and luxury hotels to mixed use, city centre commercial developments. Each sector brings with it different outcome priorities. Whereas a private individual may be prepared to lavish funds on high-quality materials for their own ‘home for life’, commercial organisations need to ensure viability and return on investment.” Whatever the scale or purpose of the project, that understanding must carry through from the design to its execution. “Good craftsmanship is not simply about how to do something; it is about understanding the building, how to respect its history and how to bring about another chapter,” notes Chris Foster. “Drawings only get you so far; somebody still has to build it properly

ARCHITECTURE and without that, work quickly fails. Our work shows how much judgement sits in the hands of good craftspeople: knowing when something can be repaired, when it genuinely needs replacing and, just as importantly, when to leave well alone. “The sensitive integration of new materials into old structures demands a particular depth of care, knowledge and skill. Whether introducing new oak to repair a failing roof truss or carefully reinforcing an existing structure, the challenge is to extend a building’s life without compromising its character or integrity.”

ADAPT TO FIT

historic fabric to get at it.” Chris Hawkins agrees that buildings must be designed with their future uses in mind. “Buildings outlive their original briefs, and the biggest challenge of the next century is upgrading what we already have,” he says. “We design with adaptability in mind: generous floorto-ceiling heights, sensible service routes and plant space, structure that allows for future changes of layout, and fabric that can be improved over time. Climate is changing too, so passive measures such as orientation, shading and natural ventilation come first, with space left so mechanical cooling or heat pumps can be added later without damaging the design.”

A SUSTAINED APPROACH

Sustainable design begins with a building’s form and fabric

Adaptability is closely connected to sustainability: the longer a building and its materials remain useful, the lower their impact can be over time. Then Now When’s Anna-Lisbeth Shackcloth says, “Durable materials are often inherently sustainable. Any material that you build and then have little need to maintain or replace can have a far lower overall impact on the planet than one that needs to be replaced every ten to twenty years. “Again, Bath stone is an excellent example of a durable AN INTERNAL MULTI-LEVEL E X TENSION DESIGN BY THEN NOW WHEN

That combination of sound design, appropriate materials and skilled execution must also leave room for change. How important is adaptability when designing buildings intended to last for generations? “Massively so,” says Chris Foster. “Our work on manor houses, churches, castles and monuments, all demonstrates how good design can allow buildings to adapt and be repurposed for the next generation. Services and technology will keep changing, so what we put into a building today should, wherever possible, future proof and allow for further change, but importantly without having to destroy

“We’re wary of finishes that look too perfect on day one”

96 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

please make thjis the lead image

Sarah x

material that, due to minimal processing, has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any façade material when looking over its lifetime. Even better if it is a durable material that can be reclaimed and reused, like Bath stone – it has an almost endless lifecycle that can even outlive the buildings built from it. When looking at new buildings, high-quality materials and workmanship are key in creating durable, sustainable buildings. For example, the airtightness of a Passivhaus helps to increase buildings’ durability, by minimising moisture that might penetrate and potentially degrade its structure.” Jonathan Hetreed brings the issue back to first principles, stressing that climate-responsive form, materials and detailing are essential not only to a building’s relevance, but to the planet’s future. “Truly sustainable design starts with the form and fabric of the building, and in minimising all energy use.”

GENERATION GAME

Ultimately, the success of all these principles depends on the experience of the people who use the building. Their importance at any given time is paramount, as Katy Morrison explains: “Timeless buildings feel comfortable and welcoming to the user. They balance scale and proportion in relation to the site and its context. Their design is born from analysis of the local climate, sun path and landscape, allowing the natural elements to enhance

98 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Thoughtful architecture responds to its local setting

“Historic buildings shouldn’t feel like a burden on the people who own them”

its character, making it seem like the building has always existed in its setting. They are constructed using authentic materials that weather gracefully, and their form has the flexibility to adapt to changing human needs over generations.” This focus on people also means ensuring that the responsibility of caring for an older building does not become restrictive. “Historic buildings shouldn’t feel like a burden on the people who own them,” says Chris Foster. “Someone may love an old house but still want more light, a better connection to the garden, lower energy bills, an extension or a completely different use. Those ambitions are often achievable. The starting point is understanding what gives the building its significance and what really needs protecting. From there, with the right people around the table, you can work out where there is room to be ambitious. “That is what conservation is really about – it’s not about preserving buildings in time but protecting what is valuable while allowing them to evolve, so that they remain useful, loved and cared for by the next generation.” n For more: www.aaronevans.com | www.corbel.uk | www.forgeworks.co.uk | www.hetreedross.com | www.lordarchitecture.co.uk | www.morrisonstudios.co.uk | www.sra-architects.co.uk | www.thennowwhen.co.uk

A HOUSE OF BLUE LIAS DESIGN BY FORGEWORKS. PHOTOGR APHY BY FRENCH & T YE

ARCHITECTURE

You dream it. Axford does it.

We take responsibility. For every detail.

We manage the process. From first ideas to final installation.

You enjoy the result. Without the worry.

Your ideas. Our responsibility. axfordinteriors.co.uk 01225 985400 | WhatsApp 07749 707056

BATH PROPERTY AWARDS

ANTICIPATION BUILDS… The BATH PROPERTY AWARDS return next month to the Apex City of Bath Hotel. Resi, commercial, civic and all else in between. And it’s a useful barometer of the wider economy…

Thank you to all our Sponsors including: AGM Headline), MEA Consulting (Winner of Winners), Alide Hire Services, Bedstone Developments, Collstone, EntreConf, Floresco, Goughs Solicitors, Kingswood School, Lync Wealth Management. M2 Civil and Structural, and Stringer. The feature sponsors Emily Day Interiors, Milsom Metalworks and Mogers Drewett And to our Partners: Awdry Law, Bath Demolition, Berkeley Group, Bison Eco, Hawker Joinery. Very limited Partner Tables and tickets are available. Please check on the site or social media channels for the latest updates.

he tribes of the Bath property world will be descending again on the Apex, with stories to tell, successes to celebrate and partnerships to explore. There’s a restlessness to property companies, whether due to opportunity or competition. New projects always loom… And the sector appears pretty chipper. The Bath Property Awards have had the highest number of companies nominating, which is one indicator of the relatively robust health of the sector. One effect of the larger-than-usual number of nominations means that tickets are scarcer than an agent saying it’s a terrible market. At the time of writing, just under 90 per cent of the 300 places have gone. This surge also signals the strength of Bath itself. Old buildings to transforms, redesign, zhuzh up. New premises to create, market and sell. And a panoply of architects, consultants, suppliers, advisors to support, backed at both end of the career scale with the Rising Stars making their mark, businesses that are the Ones To Watch seeking profile and the Legends of

the sector being recognised by their peers. On Friday 6 November we’ll be crowning the deserved champions of 2026. The 20 tightly contested categories include sustainability, which is aimed at any business who has delivered an eco-conscious project, pushed the boundaries of design and ethics with consideration to environmental impact, lifecycle and the local community. One other key aspect of the sector is collaboration. Yes, on the surface there is competitive rivalry (of course). But there are also several larger project opportunities to partner with companies; and on all project sizes to refer clients. The Awards reflect that in two ways: with extra time for networking before the Awards (the event starts at 11.30am), during and after. And there is a special Partnerships Award. Thank you to our Sponsors, led by our new headliner AGM Planning Consultants. Congrats to the Finalists: best of luck to all. And much gratitude to the panel of esteemed Judges: from here, it’s up to them…! For more: www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 101

HEADLINE SPONSOR

LAST CALL ONE TABLE, FEW PLACES REMAIN…

WINNER OF WINNERS SPONSOR

• Bring your team • Reward clients • Be part of the conversation… Please talk with pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk

CATEGORY SPONSORS

SCAN HERE FOR MORE

APEX CITY OF BATH HOTEL, 6 NOVEMBER 2026 BATHPROPERTYAWARDS.CO.UK | BATHLIFE@MEDIACLASH.CO.UK

OUTSTANDING ARRAY OF FINALISTS ARCHITECT

Sponsored by Stringer Construct • Aaron Evans Architects • Bright Studio Architects • Forgeworks Architects • Funlab Design • Hetreed Ross Architects • Lord Architecture • Mitchell Eley Gould • Nash Partnership

CIVIC & COMMUNITY

INTERIOR DESIGNER • The Curator’s House • Design Seven • Emily Day Interiors • Henham Interiors • Manera Interiors • Studio Mayfield • Woodhouse and Law

KITCHENS

Sponsored by Floresco • Bath Granite & Marble • Ben Argent Kitchens • Kelly Marie Kitchens • Kutchenhaus Kitchens • Shaker & May • Vicky Elmore Kitchens

Sponsored by Bedstone Developments • Jamie’s Farm by Hetreed Ross Architects • Great Danes Court by Mitchell Eley Gould LEGAL & FINANCIAL • Bath Abbey by Synergy Sponsored by Construction and Property Lync Wealth Management Consultant • Goughs Solicitors • James William & Co Capital CONSULTANCY • AGM Planning Consultants • L&C Mortgages • SWBF • CMS Group • emesen • Lang & Stone ONE TO WATCH • MEA Construction Sponsored by EntreConf Consultants • Andrew Taberner • Mode Consult Architects • Nash Partnership • Bison Eco (planning consultancy • emesen team) • Emily Day Interiors • Surveybase • Fortune Business • Tadman Planning Development Consultants • Jitty • Manera Interiors CONTRACTOR • Reveal Title Sponsored by Alide Hire Services PARTNERSHIPS • BPD Group Holdings • Aaron Evans Architects • Bath Heritage Building & The Kaleidoscope • Build Twenty Two Collection • Draper Renovation • CMS Group & Corsham Specialists House • GEM Solutions • Hetreed Ross Architects • Stringer Construct & Jamie’s Farm • Selby Landscapes • Great Danes Court by Mitchell Eley Gould, DEVELOPER Aequus, Bath and North • Arc Property Development East Somerset Council & H. Mealing • Ashford Homes • Nash Partnership & • Berkeley Group American Museum & • City & Country Gardens • Collstone Developments • Otters Home Search & EMPLOYER Kingswood • Bath Granite & Marble • The Rising Sun Inn by • Goughs Solicitors Surveybase & PMC (SW) • Mitchell Eley Gould

PROPERTY AGENT

Sponsored by Goughs Solicitors • Aspire To Move • Camella • Clean Break Properties • Otters Home Search • Rosie Marlow Personal Estate Agent

PROPERTY LEGEND Sponsored by Bath Life • Aaron Evans Architects • Alide Hire Services • MEA Construction Consultants • SMJ Architects • Surveybase

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

• Aspire to Move • Clean Break Properties • Host My Property • Prima Stays • Rococo of Bath • Roost Bath

• Zali Kelly, Synergy Construction and Property Consultants

SUPPLIERS & SERVICES

• Alide Hire Services • Bath & West Fire & Safety • Broadleaf Timber • Jitty • Pete Helme Photography • Staged Homes Co

SUSTAINABILITY

Sponsored by Collstone Projects • Ashford Homes • Bison Eco • CMS Group • Great Danes Court by Mitchell Eley Gould

TRANSFORMATION

• 5 North Parade Buildings by Funlab • Bath Press by City & Country • Corsham House by CMS Group RESIDENTIAL • Courtfield House by DEVELOPMENT Ashford Homes Sponsored by • The Kaleidoscope M2 Civil and Structural Collection Hotels by • Bath Press by Aaron Evans Architects City & Country • Newark Works, final phase • Carriage Mews by by MEA Construction Collstone Developments Consultants • Courtfield House by • Darcy Gardens Care Ashford Homes Home by AGM Planning • The House of Wood Consultants Shingle by Forgeworks • Parade Hotel by Architects Providence Hotels • Mount Pleasant, Monkton Combe by Ashford Homes • Tracy Park by Lord Architecture • One Waterside by • Trinity Church Berkeley Group by Gather Round

RISING STAR

Sponsored by Kingswood • Adam Adamopoulos, Bright Studio Architects • Brandon Murton, Build Twenty Two • James Dawes, James William & Co Capital • Joel Cooper, Bath & West Fire & Safety • Matthew Chater, Camella • Rowena Rutherfoord, Woodhouse and Law • Tom Sanders, Crossman Group

WORKSPACES

• Gather Round • House of St John’s • Newark Works by MEA Construction Consultants • Rengen House • Runway East Bath • UBC Flexible Offices

PHOTO BY BEATA COSGROVE

BATH PROPERTY AWARDS

THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE…

A panel of independent judges, drawn from all areas of the property sector, will select the winners of the prestigious BATH PROPERTY AWARDS 2026 ALICE BROOK, BURO HAPPOLD Alice is a chartered structural engineer with over 15 years of industry experience. Part of our structural design team, she is passionate about the creative re-use of existing buildings and the careful integration of new builds to give heritage assets a new lease of life. She has worked in the Bath office for 13 years, spending two years in Gibraltar as a site monitoring engineer during construction of the international airport.

AMANDA WHITE, AGM Amanda brings commercial insight, creative thinking and wide-ranging experience across business, marketing, events and project management. Before joining AGM in 2019, she was marketing and events manager at Queen’s Club in West London, delivering highprofile events and projects in a dynamic environment. As project manager at AGM, Amanda plays a vital role in each application, coordinating clients, consultants and the wider team while keeping a close eye on detail, delivery and the client experience.

FAHIMEH SOLTANI, GIA SURVEYORS Fahimeh Soltani is a senior associate director at GIA, with over 12 years’ experience advising on daylight, sunlight and rights of light. Based in Bath, she runs GIA’s Bristol office and leads the firm’s work across the South West, supporting developers, architects and planning teams from feasibility through to planning, negotiation and delivery.

IAN LLOYD, MILSTED LANGDON Ian Lloyd is an audit and general practice partner at Milsted Langdon, one of the South West’s leading independent accountancy, tax and business advisory firms. Ian leads the firm’s Bath office, based in Queen Street, where he has grown the team of accountancy and tax specialists, advising a wide range of clients from owner-managed SMEs to larger groups of businesses.

JAMES HORSFALL, BATH KITCHEN COMPANY James grew up in the family business, serving a traditional apprenticeship under his father. Founded in 1990, Bath Kitchen Company offers a creative, personal service. Working alongside skilled craftspeople, architects and material specialists, James has built a wealth of practical experience. In 2017 he took over ownership and now leads a small, tight-knit team of designers and admin staff. Through strong relationships with clients, craftspeople and suppliers across the city, James has created award-winning kitchens in Bath.

MARK HARRINGTON, L&C MORTGAGES Mark was appointed chief executive officer of L&C in April 2024 and has over 20 years’ experience in the business, having started his career as a mortgage and protection adviser in 2003. In the interim he has built a detailed knowledge of all aspects of L&C’s market leading proposition, working across a wide range of roles including Estate Agency and New Build in addition to the core mortgage and protection offering.

MIA WHITBOURN-VAUGHAN, SAVILLS Mia Whitbourn-Vaughan is an associate in the residential sales team at Savills Bath. Since joining the business in 2022, she has progressed from apprentice to associate and now advises buyers and sellers across Bath and the surrounding villages. Her role covers all aspects of the sales process, from viewings and negotiations through to exchange and completion.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 105

PROPERTY SCENE BUILDING CONNECTIONS

More than 50 people gathered at The Welly pub on Green Street on 6 October for the Bath Property Awards Finalists’ and Sponsors’ reception. The evening event, with canapés and drinks, was hosted by Greg Ingham, chief exec of MediaClash who are organising the Awards happening 6 November at the Apex. There were also words from AGM Planning Consultants who are the headline sponsor, and from Bath City Farm who are Bath Property Awards’ charity of the year. Photos by Narrated Frames; www.narratedframes.com For more: www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 107

COLLSTONE

Developments & Project Management Specialising in renovation and refurbishment, transforming both listed and contemporary properties. 01985 640035 info@collstoneprojects.com www.collstoneprojects.com

Thoughtful Development. Exceptional Homes. A Bath-based property developer building homes to fit your lifestyle now and for your future

www.bedstonedevelopments.com

Property expertise with a personal service, tailored to you

FINALIST

ROSIE MARLOW

2026

BESPOKE METALWORK

STAINLESS – MILD STEEL – BRASS – ALUMINIUM FEATURE STAIRCASES ■ SHEET METAL FABRICATION

ARCHITECTURAL METALWORK ■ GATES ■ RAILINGS WELDING (TIG, MIG, MMA) ■ BESPOKE FURNITURE ■ HAND RAILS

CAD DESIGN ■ POLISHING ■ STRUCTURAL STEEL ■ MOBILE WELDING

01225 941008 rosiemarlow.co.uk

ENQUIRE NOW ON

01225 632758

milsommetalworks.co.uk

PROPERTY

and building strong relationships. When I came home, I wanted to build some of those relationships in my own life, and thought the best place to start was at home. So I began working for the business mainly to spend time with my dad.

CAREER LADDER

JAMES HORSFALL The owner of BATH KITCHEN COMPANY on not loving school, design language, and what it’s like to work with family

s the owner and principal of the independent, family-run business Bath Kitchen Company, James’s day to day work ranges from overseeing kitchen design and client relationships through to office wellbeing. Born in Halifax, his family moved to Bath when he was eight. Here we learn more about how James, who is due to be a judge at this year’s Bath Property Awards (turn to page 105 for more) took over the mantle of a company that has been designing bespoke kitchens for nearly 40 years. Tell us a little about the history of your company My dad had moved to Bath from Yorkshire to work for a kitchen company that went under almost as soon as he arrived. Jobless, and fed up with watching

national chains homogenise kitchen design, he saw prices falling across the industry, and customer service, craftsmanship and quality falling right alongside them. So he set out to reverse the decline with a simple goal: offer a creative, personal service, designing characterful spaces where families could spend memorable time together. He established Bath Kitchen Company in 1990 – kitchens built from high-quality materials by local craftspeople. Three decades later, I’m still doing this work. Did you know you’d follow in his footsteps? Not at all. I went to Beechen Cliff and loved my time at school, but I was never academic, and I didn’t go to university. Instead I spent time travelling the world and volunteering for different charities, including spells in Ukraine, the Philippines, Siberia and Argentina. That taught me a lot about listening to others

What were those early days of joining the family business like? My dad didn’t make it easy for me; he never handed anything to me on a plate. I served a traditional apprenticeship under him. At times it was tough, but mostly it was rewarding. From design to construction, I learned every aspect of the business, all from a mentor who also happened to be my dad. His level of personal care and attention at every stage of a project is what made this company what it is, and what has made me the business owner I am today. What have been the highs and lows of continuing the business? When my dad retired, I didn’t just take on his business. I also took on his old-fashioned respect for quality work too. Balancing that with my own contemporary aesthetic hasn’t always been easy, but I see both as integral to the company’s continued success. Alongside this, I’ve had to keep learning and developing new skills. I’ve been privileged to do that by working alongside skilled craftspeople, architects and material specialists, gaining a wealth of practical knowledge that would have been impossible to learn in a classroom alone. Any moment you’ve been particularly proud of? We’ve had a few nods from national magazines and even picked up an award along the way. But if I’m honest, I’m proudest of the quieter stuff, the relationships built over years with clients, craftspeople and suppliers across this city. The kitchens are just the visible part of that. How have you developed professionally and personally over the years? As clients’ expectations have

“IT WAS A GIFT I WAS GIVEN, AND I’VE WORKED HARD NOT TO SQUANDER IT”

climbed, so have mine. I’ve gone from a naive apprentice to a business owner and lead designer, and I try never to take that journey for granted. It was a gift I was given, and I’ve worked hard not to squander it. What have you found to be the best tools for growth in your business? Word of mouth, every time. Build a kitchen that lasts and a relationship that lasts, and reputation takes care of itself. That’s been the whole engine of our longevity. Is there someone in business you admire and try to learn from? Bath is known for its beautiful historic architecture, and working across such diverse properties means drawing inspiration from all over: the pared-back minimalism of Joseph Dirand, the bold eclecticism of Arent & Pyke, the grounded, liveable warmth of Ben Pentreath. The more design languages you understand, the more distinctive your own becomes. How do you support other local independent Bath businesses? Working with local craftspeople using quality materials was foundational to the company from day one, and it still is. Over the years we’ve built real partnerships with builders, architects and interior designers across Bath. We’re proud every one of them has been part of our story. For more: www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 113

PROPERTY SHOWCASE

ON HIGHER GROUND

An award-winning home with remarkable views across Bradford on Avon By John Mather

et high above the historic streets of Bradford on Avon, 14 Tory is a Grade II listed home of rare architectural distinction. Bringing together three former cottages, the house combines late eighteenth-century character with confident contemporary design, beautifully planted gardens and panoramic views across one of Wiltshire’s most attractive market towns. Approximately eight miles south-east of Bath and close to the Cotswold, the small town is prized for its handsome Georgian architecture, riverside walks and strong sense of community. Its rail connections to Bath, Bristol and London make it equally appealing as a permanent home or a country retreat. Believed to date from the late eighteenth century, 14 Tory was acquired by its current owners in 2021. Working with acclaimed architects Klas Hyllén, they combined and extended three cottages to create a highly individual family home. The result respects the building’s history while introducing generous volumes, carefully framed views and a quietly sophisticated palette of natural materials. The project received a RIBA South West & Wessex Award in 2024, alongside the renovation of Bath Abbey. It went on to win the Listed & Modern Architectural Award for Best

114 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

“Architecturally accomplished yet warm and welcoming”

Remodelling in 2025 and has been featured in The Sunday Times. The house opens directly from the terrace into a light-filled dining room with high ceilings, bespoke joinery and a sculptural steel staircase. It is an inviting introduction to the property, retaining the intimacy of the original cottage while hinting at the more expansive spaces beyond. An elegant archway conceals a bespoke drinks bar and leads to a dedicated study. A few steps below, the sitting room is centred on a substantial wood-burning stove with a Bath stone surround. Large windows draw the landscape into the room, offering absorbing views across the rooftops and towards the surrounding countryside. The sitting room flows naturally into the kitchen and breakfast room. Bespoke cabinetry is complemented by deVOL fittings, stone worktops and warm brass detailing, with a Bridgezone induction hob, double oven and integrated appliances. A walk-in pantry provides additional storage, while polished concrete flooring by Lazenby and underfloor heating bring comfort and cohesion to the ground floor. A cloakroom completes this level. On the first floor are two generous double bedrooms, each with fitted storage and far-reaching views. They share a beautifully appointed Lusso bathroom with a

freestanding egg bath and extensive linen storage. Also on this floor is a newly created snug, one of the most appealing rooms in the house. Soaring ceilings and statement lighting lend a sense of drama, while 3.2-metre-high French doors open onto a balcony overlooking Bradford on Avon. It is an exceptional vantage point from which to enjoy the town’s historic skyline and the changing light across the valley. Above, the upper floor has been transformed into an impressive vaulted music room. Exposed character features sit comfortably alongside clean architectural lines, abundant natural light and another sequence of carefully composed views. Beyond lies the principal bedroom, a calm and private retreat with fitted storage and sash windows framing the rooftops and landmarks below. A stylish shower room serves this floor. Planning permission has also been granted for a fullwidth dormer extension, presenting the opportunity to create approximately 22 sq m of additional living accommodation. For a listed property in such a soughtafter position, this is a notable and valuable advantage. The gardens are a defining part of the house. Arranged across a series of beautifully landscaped terraces, they have a relaxed Mediterranean character,

HOUSE NUMBERS Guide price

£1.35 million

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Receptions

For more Knight Frank Bath, 4 Wood Street, Bath; www.knightfrank.co.uk

with mature fig, olive and apple trees, fragrant lavender borders and established roses providing colour, structure and privacy. Stone pathways lead between several thoughtfully positioned seating areas, each making the most of the remarkable outlook. At the garden’s heart, a bespoke teak dining table has been built around the trunk of a magnificent mature olive tree, creating a memorable setting for long lunches and summer evenings. A secluded secret garden on the lower terrace offers a more private place to retreat, together with a useful garden store. 14 Tory occupies an elevated position within a picturesque terrace, looking towards the medieval Tithe Barn, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the countryside beyond. Reached by a traditional pedestrian footpath, it feels wonderfully peaceful, yet the independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as its railway station, are all within easy reach. Architecturally accomplished yet warm and welcoming, 14 Tory is a house shaped as much by its setting as by its award-winning design. Its combination of historic character, beautifully judged interiors and exceptional views makes it a particularly desirable home in the heart of a very special town.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 115

SPONSORED CONTENT

Weston Lane: Sold, Guide price £3,000,000

Sion Hill: Sold Guide price £4,750,000

Claverton: Sold, Guide price £2,500,000

THE BATH PROPERTY MARKET Why getting the price right matters more than ever explains Knight Frank’s SAM DANIELS

f you’re thinking of selling your home in Bath, the most important question isn’t which agent you choose, what the brochure looks like or what your neighbour achieved a few years ago. It’s whether your property is being launched at the right price. The reality is that today’s market is more challenging than many sellers realise. Buyers have more choice, are taking longer to make decisions and are becoming increasingly selective about where they spend their money. Recent Rightmove data shows buyer demand has softened whilst the number of homes available for sale has increased. In simple terms, buyers have more choice than they did a few years ago and that makes pricing more important than ever. Perhaps the most striking statistic is that properties which undergo a price reduction take almost 100 days, on average, to reach Sold Subject to Contract. Properties launched at the correct price from the outset take just over 40 days. That’s a difference of almost two months. The difference doesn’t stop there. Recent Rightmove data shows, homes that require a price reduction are almost twice as likely to fall through as those launched correctly from day one. Rightmove’s research also suggests that correctly priced properties are significantly more likely to secure a buyer and less likely to lose momentum during the sales process. The message is simple: pricing correctly

doesn’t just help a property sell faster, it dramatically improves the chances of the transaction actually completing. One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is looking backwards. It’s understandable. We all remember stories of homes selling within days, bidding wars and record prices. However, buyers today are looking at current market conditions, not headlines from three years ago. The irony is that overpricing often achieves the opposite of what a seller hopes. A property receives the strongest interest during its first few weeks on the market. If buyers feel the asking price is unrealistic, they simply move on. By the time a reduction is made, valuable momentum has already been lost. The good news is that deals are still being done. It would be easy to read the headlines and assume the market has ground to a halt, but that simply isn’t the case. Across Bath and the surrounding villages, transactions are still being agreed every week. Good houses, presented well and priced sensibly, continue to attract buyers. We are seeing this first hand at Knight Frank Bath. According to Rightmove Plus reports, since the beginning of the year, we have agreed more sales above £1 million across BA1 and BA2 than any other agent. For me, that isn’t evidence of a booming market. It’s evidence that buyers are still very much active, but they are being selective. Properties that are priced sensibly continue to attract

viewings, offers and agreed sales. Another interesting trend I’ve noticed is the changing role of the cash buyer. For years, cash was king. Whilst cash buyers remain attractive, I’m not convinced they automatically represent the strongest buyer today. Many cash purchasers have the luxury of time. They can wait, negotiate harder or continue searching for the perfect property. Meanwhile, buyers in short chains often have school deadlines, relocations or family commitments creating genuine motivation to move. Increasingly, I’m finding that motivation can be just as important as funding source. In many cases, a committed buyer in a short chain can be a stronger proposition than a cash buyer with no real urgency. The Bath market has not stopped, but it has become less forgiving. Buyers are rewarding realism and ignoring optimism. The sellers achieving the best results today are not necessarily those with the finest homes, but those with the most realistic expectations. The encouraging news is that there remains a healthy pool of motivated buyers across Bath and the surrounding villages, particularly for homes that are presented well and priced correctly from day one. In my experience, the sellers who achieve the strongest outcomes are those who adapt to the market in front of them, rather than the market they wish they still had. n

4 Wood Street, Bath, BA1 2JQ, United Kingdom; www.knightfrank.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 117

Repairs, Restoration • Alteration of Stone Buildings New Build • Stone Cleaning • Stone Carving • Fireplaces

NORTON MASONRY LTD Stonework Specialists & General Builders

8 PICKFORD FIELDS, CHILCOMPTON, RADSTOCK BA3 4XU

Tel: 01761 232906 Mobile: 07901 712232

Email: nortonmasonryltd@hotmail.co.uk

www.nortonmasonryltd.co.uk Over 30 Years Experience

YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL ELECTRICIANS

FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS BE THEY GREAT OR SMALL We design, install, maintain, test and inspect domestic, industrial and commercial installations

CONTACT JEROME: 07756 137038 OR ROB: 07712 089812 EMAIL: AFDENNINGELECTRICAL@GMAIL.COM WWW.RADSTOCKELECTRICIANS.CO.UK

SPONSORED CONTENT

FOR THE HOME Our local businesses are poised and ready to help with all your home needs for Autumn

TILE & FLOOR For over 50 years, Tile & Floor

has been synonymous with the supply of a range of top-tier design-led materials and professional installation services. Our commitment to quality has forged enduring relationships with discerning homeowners overseeing their personal projects, as well as with design and construction professionals serving the property industry. Exciting news! We are now also conveniently located at Chippenham M4. Tel: 01225 310561; www.tileandfloor.co.uk

PLUSHH: DEVELOPMENTS LTD

Based in Bath and working beyond, PLUSHH: specialises in high-quality restoration, renovation, property care and bespoke developments. Combining skilled craftsmanship with thoughtful design, we deliver everything from sensitive period restorations to complete property transformations and ongoing maintenance, alongside our own carefully considered development projects. Tel: 1225 767148; www.plushhrestoration.co.uk

BONITI Situated on the outskirts of Bath, Boniti

NO17 INTERIORS offers a range of bespoke presents an extensive array of top-notch interior and exterior interior design services. Based in Bath and with vast products. Offerings include natural stone and timber flooring, experience in designing and installing developer show Everhot Range Cookers, as well as porcelain and decorative homes, hotels and residential properties for private tiles. Providing exceptional installation and restoration clients, Lisa has the knowledge and skills to work to services, Boniti pride themselves on delivering a friendly and any brief or budget, whether looking to redesign, personalised experience, with customer satisfaction at the update existing furnishings or simply commission heart of it all. Dunsdown Barn, West Littleton,Wiltshire new curtains. email: lisa@no17interiors.co.uk; SN14 8JA; Tel: 01225 892 200; www.boniti.com Tel:07977 271503; www.no17interiors.co.uk

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

www.bathkitchencompany.co.uk

www.clairstrong.co.uk

Based in the heart of Bath and specialising in bespoke, handmade kitchens, Bath Kitchen Company become personally invested in every kitchen they design and build. It’s about attention to detail at every stage – creating a beautiful space that enhances the way you live. 7-9 North Parade Buildings, Bath BA1 1NS; Tel: 01225 312003

Clair Strong Interior Design is a boutique, creative company based in Bath, providing a wide range of services for both residential and commercial clients. Her portfolio of projects includes the design, project coordination and sourcing for some of Bath’s most beautiful residences, as well as hotels, sports clubs, offices and other commercial venues. Contact Clair on 07855 797311 or 01225 426905;

MENDIP FIREPLACES BATH

Bath’s leading fireplace, wood burner, gas fire, chimney and flue specialist. From classic to contemporary, concept to completion, their team of experts can work with you to achieve your perfect interior. Brands include Chesneys, Barbas Bellfire, Westfire, Stovax, Gazco and Hunter. Get in touch or visit the showroom. Mendip Fireplaces, Monkton Combe, Bath BA2 7HD; info@mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk; Tel: 01225 722706; www.mendipfireplacesbath.co.uk

BRUNSWICK BESPOKE specialise in

the design, making and installation of fine English kitchens. With their workshop based locally in Somerset, founder Elliot, remains personally involved in each project allowing Brunswick Bespoke to respond to their clients individual requirements. The result is a kitchen that is not only beautifully made but is entirely unique to you and your home. Tel: 07773456893; www.brunswickbespoke.co.uk

NEXUS OF BATH is a Bath based family

business specialising in painting and decorating, plastering, tiling, sash window restoration and other property restoration. Nexus have built a reputation for the highest standards of workmanship with experience across a range of projects from listed buildings through to new builds, with a complete commitment to customer service and health and safety Tel: 01225 300414; www.nexusofbath.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 121

PHOTO BY LILY MARINER

BATH LIVES

“The best bits of Bath aren’t necessarily the things on the postcards” everywhere. You can walk down a street you’ve walked down a hundred times and suddenly notice a strange carving, an old doorway or a plaque and discover this whole story you never knew existed. My background is in marketing and communications. I’ve spent

JAMES VINCENT

Founder and editor of Imperidox on history on his doorstep and a scorpion in his hand Inspired by his love of history and exploring places, James Vincent is the creator and editor of Imperidox, a history platform exploring the strange, overlooked and fascinating stories hiding in plain sight. His hobby has now garnered him over 120k followers on Instagram and he recently started filming a new television project in Bratislava, all while studying part-time for a PhD. When I was very young in South Africa, which is where

I was born, I was playing in the garden with my fist tightly closed around something. My dad kept asking me what I had and, of course, I refused to show him. Eventually he managed to prise my hand open and discovered I was casually holding a fully

122 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

grown scorpion in my palm. Somehow nothing happened, but I think my dad probably aged about ten years in that moment. I spent a big part of my childhood in Dubai, where

I went to an international school. Growing up around so many different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds was an amazing experience and definitely shaped the way I look at the world. Of course, going from Dubai to wandering around Bath looking for medieval carvings and forgotten graves is quite a contrast.

Obviously Bath is beautiful, but for me it’s what sits underneath that which makes it so interesting. The longer

you live here, the more you realise there are stories absolutely

much of my career working in marketing, PR and digital, alongside lecturing at a number of universities. I really enjoy lecturing because you get to combine what you’ve learned professionally with working alongside the next generation coming into the industry.

I’ve had plenty of random jobs along the way too, including

being a swimming teacher, a pot washer, a cleaner, all the way to a dessert maker.

Growing up I wanted to be an archaeologist or a treasure hunter, so perhaps Imperidox

was inevitable. I’ve basically found a way of becoming a treasure hunter, except the treasure is usually an old building, strange gravestone or forgotten bit of history. My one regret is probably

not learning another language properly. Having lived abroad and travelled so much, I really wish I’d stuck with one when I was younger. I love discovering something I knew absolutely nothing about and then getting

completely obsessed with it for a few days. The downside is that I can’t switch it off anymore. I’ll be

walking somewhere with friends and suddenly disappear because I’ve spotted an old plaque, unusual building or something strange carved into a wall. History has somehow become both my job and my hobby,

which I suppose is a nice problem to have. I love exploring, travelling and finding places that are slightly strange, forgotten or overlooked. Give me an old ruin, a peculiar gravestone or a building with a mysterious past and I’ll happily disappear down a research rabbit hole for hours. I live just off the Circus – I got incredibly lucky! What I

particularly love is that history isn’t confined to a museum here. You’re living amongst it. You can move through Roman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian and twentieth-century history in the space of a few streets. The best bits of Bath aren’t necessarily the things on the postcards. They’re the stories

hiding in plain sight. The upsidedown angels at Bath Abbey, the little corrugated iron chapel at Bailbrook, strange memorials, forgotten industrial remnants and tiny details hidden on buildings.

My most prized possession

is probably my phone, embarrassingly! It contains about 30,000 photographs of old buildings, gravestones, ruins and things that absolutely nobody else would find interesting. If I ever lose it, whoever finds it is going to be incredibly disappointed. For more: www.imperidox.com